Category: Uncategorized

IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. SLATE IMPLEMENTATION – TRAINING SESSION
2. ASSISTANTSHIP MANAGEMENT 101 TRAINING
3. SAVE THE DATE: GRADUATE SCHOOL RECRUITMENT, PROGRAMMING, AND CLIMATE WORKSHOP

Administrative Announcements:
4. REGISTRATION OPEN FOR FALL 2019 GTA WORKSHOP – RESTRICTIONS APPLY
5. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT

Deadlines/Dates to Remember:
JUL 5: Summer I classes end
JUL 9: Summer II classes begin

Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. SLATE IMPLEMENTATION – TRAINING SESSION
The Graduate School is migrating from Connect to Slate for recruitment communications by August 1. We are offering training sessions on how to use Slate for recruitment and migrating any existing communications in Connect to Slate. This session is for any program that has communications to prospective students in Connect as well as any program that would like to start using Slate to send recruitment communications. Register at https://doodle.com/poll/rsz2eprisyi94sit; a confirmation email will be sent to you closer to the training date with additional information.
Tuesday, June 18 10:30am-12:00pm in 238 GLC
Thursday, June 20 3:30pm-5:00pm in 238 GLC
Friday, June 21 10:00am-11:30am in Zoom

2. ASSISTANTSHIP MANAGEMENT 101 TRAINING
Tuesday, June 25, 10:00am-11:30am, GLC Room B
For anyone new to the assistantship process or for those who would like a refresher on the process. Will provide an overview of policies and technical details of various administrative stages of an assistantship and the responsibilities of departments, students, and the Graduate School from the time a position is offered through funding of the position. This training will also be made available on Zoom. To enroll, go to https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bf1KKCv4eELPpPL. If you have any questions, contact Sue Kass at sjkass@vt.edu or call (540) 231-4558.

3. SAVE THE DATE: GRADUATE SCHOOL RECRUITMENT, PROGRAMMING, AND CLIMATE WORKSHOP
Thursday, August 22, 9:00am-12:00pm, Newman Library-Multipurpose Room 101
The Graduate School is hosting an interactive workshop to share information from our various offices with you as well as discuss how we can support you and your unit.  RSVP at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_008MW4XdcXeDqzr. Contact Shernita Lee at shernita@vt.edu with any questions.

Administrative Announcements:
4. REGISTRATION OPEN FOR FALL 2019 GTA WORKSHOP – RESTRICTIONS APPLY
Registration site (https://secure.graduateschool.vt.edu/gtaworkshop/) for Fall 2019  GTA workshop (GRAD 5004) is now open. All new GTAs are required to take this course and should be registered by dept. graduate coordinators (they cannot register themselves). Coordinators please register your students using the above site by August 6, 2019.  Please be aware of a special situation – Squires is not available this fall for the Phase I fall workshop. Therefore, the Phase I workshop will be held in the GLC, with capacity limited slightly vs. past fall sessions. If you have a student for whom it would be nice to take GRAD 5004 this fall, but not essential, please consider registering that student for the spring 2020 GRAD 5004 course. GTA workshop sessions focus on themes important for new GTAs, including oral presentation skills, ethics, pedagogical techniques and skills, conflict resolution, threat assessment, handling student personal information, using campus research tools, and computer security. Phase I is held on a single day, Tuesday, August 20, 2019 between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm; ALL REGISTERED STUDENTS MUST ATTEND THIS FULL-DAY WORKSHOP IN ORDER TO PASS THE COURSE.

5. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT
The Commission on Graduate Studies and Policy recently approved a new requirement for students pursuing graduate degrees at Virginia Tech: an inclusion and diversity education component as part of their studies. This requirement aligns with the Graduate School’s goal of providing all students with an affirming, inclusive, and diverse education program that helps prepare them for the challenges they will meet in their post-graduation careers. Four topics must be included in the plans: the University’s Principles of Community; the impact of personal actions and words; avenues of redress and shared responsibility as active bystanders to recognize and disrupt bullying; and a process of individual introspection and reflection leading to awareness of one’s own words and language. Other topics also may be included. Each program, department, or college may develop its own plan for meeting the requirement, and all plans must be approved by the Graduate School after submission by the unit’s Graduate Program Director or its equivalent. For more information about the requirement, including whom to contact for assistance and questions, please visit the Graduate School’s Inclusion and Diversity Requirement webpage at: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/faculty-and-staff-resources/inclusion-diversity-requirement.html.

IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. SLATE IMPLEMENTATION – TRAINING SESSION
2. GRADUATE EDUCATION DRIVE-IN CONFERENCE IN THE GLC
3. ASSISTANTSHIP MANAGEMENT 101 TRAINING
4. SAVE THE DATE: GRADUATE SCHOOL RECRUITMENT, PROGRAMMING, AND CLIMATE WORKSHOP

Administrative Announcements:
5. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT

Deadlines/Dates to Remember:
JUL 5: Summer I classes end
JUL 9: Summer II classes begin Click here for more details on each posting

IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. ASSISTANTSHIP MANAGEMENT 101 TRAINING

Administrative Announcements:
2. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ONLINE APPLICATION SUPPLEMENTAL FORMS
3. ATTENTION! GRADUATE CATALOG EDITORS
4. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT

Deadlines/Dates to Remember:
MAY 15: Masters/Doctoral last day to defend to be a spring 2019 graduate
MAY 15: Departmental international admission recommendation deadline
MAY 16: Commencement – 2:30pm Cassell Coliseum
MAY 19: NCR graduate commencement ceremony
MAY 30: Spring 2019 ETD submission deadline

Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. ASSISTANTSHIP MANAGEMENT 101 TRAINING
Tuesday, June 25, 10:30am-12:00pm, GLC Room B
For anyone new to the assistantship process or for those who would like a refresher on the process. Will provide an overview of policies and technical details of various administrative stages of an assistantship and the responsibilities of departments, students, and the Graduate School from the time a position is offered through funding of the position. This training will also be made available on Zoom. To enroll go to https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bf1KKCv4eELPpPL. If you have any questions, please contact Sue Kass at sjkass@vt.edu or call (540) 231-4558.

Administrative Announcements:
3. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ONLINE APPLICATION SUPPLEMENTAL FORMS
An annual review of our online application supplemental forms for changes, updates, and improvements is important to help ensure that your program’s information is being accurately reflected in the online version of the Virginia Tech Graduate School application. To review your department supplemental page (questions specific to your program) please login to GSAPP with your VT PID/Password.  Once logged in, select “Admin” then “Supplemental” in the top right of the screen. If you work with only one program, your program supplemental will be displayed. If you work with more than one program, you will first need to select which program you would like to review in the program drop-down menu before the supplemental will display. Please review your portion of the supplemental page that is between the two green “program specific section” bars. Any changes to your department supplemental should be sent to Janice Austin (jema@vt.edu) in pdf format. You may choose to pdf print the individual pages and make notes via “sticky note” (Ctrl+6) and “Highlight” or “Cross-out text” (Tools, Comment & Markup, Highlight Text or Cross-out Text) features using Adobe or you may print off the pages and with clear/neat handwriting print your changes; then scan to pdf and send to Janice electronically. The review and confirmation of the application supplemental needs to be completed no later than Friday, May 31, 2019.

4. ATTENTION! GRADUATE CATALOG EDITORS
The cycle to edit for catalog year 2019-2020 has begun. Those receiving notification from the system are responsible for content. You must review and submit content, even if the content will not be updated. The deadline to submit is Friday, May 31. If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy Sippel at jsippel@vt.edu.

5. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT
The Commission on Graduate Studies and Policy recently approved a new requirement for students pursuing graduate degrees at Virginia Tech: an inclusion and diversity education component as part of their studies. This requirement aligns with the Graduate School’s goal of providing all students with an affirming, inclusive, and diverse education program that helps prepare them for the challenges they will meet in their post-graduation careers. Four topics must be included in the plans: the University’s Principles of Community; the impact of personal actions and words; avenues of redress and shared responsibility as active bystanders to recognize and disrupt bullying; and a process of individual introspection and reflection leading to awareness of one’s own words and language. Other topics also may be included. Each program, department, or college may develop its own plan for meeting the requirement, and all plans must be approved by the Graduate School after submission by the unit’s Graduate Program Director or its equivalent. For more information about the requirement, including whom to contact for assistance and questions, please visit the Graduate School’s Inclusion and Diversity Requirement webpage at: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/faculty-and-staff-resources/inclusion-diversity-requirement.html.

IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. GRADUATE COORDINATORS MEETING – please register
2. DIVERSITY SCHOLARS SHOWCASE

Administrative Announcements:
3. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ONLINE APPLICATION SUPPLEMENTAL FORMS
4. ATTENTION! GRADUATE CATALOG EDITORS
5. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT

Deadlines/Dates to Remember:
MAY 1: Last day to notify the Graduate School of intent to participate in commencement
MAY 9: PhD/EdD all graduation requirements must be met to participate in commencement
MAY 15: Masters/Doctoral last day to defend to be a spring 2019 graduate
MAY 16: Commencement – 2:30pm Cassell Coliseum

Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. GRADUATE COORDINATORS MEETING – Please register today!!
Thursday, May 2, 10:00-11:00am, GLC Room F
Topics include:
* use of IntlHokie portal for I-20 form requests and other authorizations
* admission deadlines for intl students and handling exceptions
* I-20 extension requests and documentation requirements from departments
* GSA travel fund program and departmental role in distribution of funds
* implementation of Slate for recruitment and admissions
Janice Austin, Monika Gibson and IGSS representative(s) will share updates about these topics and answer questions you may have.  Please register at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_41OfrfAw5tAu1o1 if you are planning to attend. This meeting will also be available on Zoom. You will receive Zoom information upon registration.

2. DIVERSITY SCHOLARS SHOWCASE
Thursday, May 2, 12:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Ten graduate students will share their projects related to diversity, inclusion, and equity to benefit the graduate community and community at large. Lunch will be provided. Sign-up at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3knTbblsMSicMct

Administrative Announcements:
3. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ONLINE APPLICATION SUPPLEMENTAL FORMS
An annual review of our online application supplemental forms for changes, updates, and improvements is important to help ensure that your program’s information is being accurately reflected in the online version of the Virginia Tech Graduate School application. To review your department supplemental page (questions specific to your program) please login to GSAPP with your VT PID/Password.  Once logged in, select “Admin” then “Supplemental” in the top right of the screen. If you work with only one program, your program supplemental will be displayed. If you work with more than one program, you will first need to select which program you would like to review in the program drop-down menu before the supplemental will display. Please review your portion of the supplemental page that is between the two green “program specific section” bars. Any changes to your department supplemental should be sent to Janice Austin (jema@vt.edu) in pdf format. You may choose to pdf print the individual pages and make notes via “sticky note” (Ctrl+6) and “Highlight” or “Cross-out text” (Tools, Comment & Markup, Highlight Text or Cross-out Text) features using Adobe or you may print off the pages and with clear/neat handwriting print your changes; then scan to pdf and send to Janice electronically. The review and confirmation of the application supplemental needs to be completed no later than Friday, May 31, 2019.

4. ATTENTION! GRADUATE CATALOG EDITORS
The cycle to edit for catalog year 2019-2020 has begun. Those receiving notification from the system are responsible for content. You must review and submit content, even if the content will not be updated. The deadline to submit is Friday, May 31. If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy Sippel at jsippel@vt.edu.

5. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT
The Commission on Graduate Studies and Policy recently approved a new requirement for students pursuing graduate degrees at Virginia Tech: an inclusion and diversity education component as part of their studies. This requirement aligns with the Graduate School’s goal of providing all students with an affirming, inclusive, and diverse education program that helps prepare them for the challenges they will meet in their post-graduation careers. Four topics must be included in the plans: the University’s Principles of Community; the impact of personal actions and words; avenues of redress and shared responsibility as active bystanders to recognize and disrupt bullying; and a process of individual introspection and reflection leading to awareness of one’s own words and language. Other topics also may be included. Each program, department, or college may develop its own plan for meeting the requirement, and all plans must be approved by the Graduate School after submission by the unit’s Graduate Program Director or its equivalent. For more information about the requirement, including whom to contact for assistance and questions, please visit the Graduate School’s Inclusion and Diversity Requirement webpage at: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/faculty-and-staff-resources/inclusion-diversity-requirement.html.

IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. GRADUATE COORDINATORS MEETING
2. DIVERSITY SCHOLARS SHOWCASE

Administrative Announcements:
3. ATTENTION! GRADUATE CATALOG EDITORS
4. CHANGES TO ASSISTANTSHIP COMPENSATION FOR 2109-20
5. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT

Deadlines/Dates to Remember:
MAY 1: Last day to notify the Graduate School of intent to participate in commencement
MAY 9: PhD/EdD all graduation requirements must be met to participate in commencement
MAY 15: Masters/Doctoral last day to defend to be a spring 2019 graduate

Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. GRADUATE COORDINATORS MEETING
Thursday, May 2, 10:00-11:00am, GLC Room F
Topics include:
* use of IntlHokie portal for I-20 form requests and other authorizations
* admission deadlines for intl students and handling exceptions
* I-20 extension requests and documentation requirements from departments
* GSA travel fund program and departmental role in distribution of funds
* implementation of Slate for recruitment and admissions
Janice Austin, Monika Gibson and IGSS representative(s) will share updates about these topics and answer questions you may have.  Please register at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_41OfrfAw5tAu1o1 if you are planning to attend. This meeting will also be available on Zoom. You will receive Zoom information upon registration.

2. DIVERSITY SCHOLARS SHOWCASE
Thursday, May 2, 12:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Ten graduate students will share their projects related to diversity, inclusion, and equity to benefit the graduate community and community at large. Lunch will be provided. Sign-up at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3knTbblsMSicMct

Administrative Announcements:
3. ATTENTION! GRADUATE CATALOG EDITORS
The cycle to edit for catalog year 2019-2020 has begun. Those receiving notification from the system are responsible for content. You must review and submit content, even if the content will not be updated. The deadline to submit is Friday, May 31. If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy Sippel at jsippel@vt.edu.

4. CHANGES TO ASSISTANTSHIP COMPENSATION FOR 2019-20
* The 2019-20 Graduate Assistantship Stipend Compensation Table is now available. The new stipend scale is effective August 10, 2019. Departments are expected to pay students at the increased rates starting Fall 2019.
* Beginning in fiscal year 2019-20, tuition remission benefits will be prorated to align with the portion of the semester completed on assistantship. A table detailing this proration can be found at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/funding-information-for-departments/managing-graduate-assistantships.html.
* The graduate assistant health insurance subsidy will remain at 88%.

5. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT
The Commission on Graduate Studies and Policy recently approved a new requirement for students pursuing graduate degrees at Virginia Tech: an inclusion and diversity education component as part of their studies. This requirement aligns with the Graduate School’s goal of providing all students with an affirming, inclusive, and diverse education program that helps prepare them for the challenges they will meet in their post-graduation careers. Four topics must be included in the plans: the University’s Principles of Community; the impact of personal actions and words; avenues of redress and shared responsibility as active bystanders to recognize and disrupt bullying; and a process of individual introspection and reflection leading to awareness of one’s own words and language. Other topics also may be included. Each program, department, or college may develop its own plan for meeting the requirement, and all plans must be approved by the Graduate School after submission by the unit’s Graduate Program Director or its equivalent. For more information about the requirement, including whom to contact for assistance and questions, please visit the Graduate School’s Inclusion and Diversity Requirement webpage at: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/faculty-and-staff-resources/inclusion-diversity-requirement.html.

IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. HOW TO USE iTHENTICATE – TRAINING SESSIONS

Administrative Announcements:
2. ATTENTION! GRADUATE CATALOG EDITORS
3. ASSISTANTSHIP MANAGEMENT GROUP
4. NEW PROCEDURES FOR NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IMMIGRATION DOCUMENT REQUESTS
5. POWELL FELLOWSHIP
6. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT

Deadlines/Dates to Remember:
APR 11: PhD/EdD ETD submission deadline to participate in spring commencement

Click here for more details on each posting

IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK 2019
2. HOW TO USE iTHENTICATE – TRAINING SESSIONS

Administrative Announcements:
3. NEW PROCEDURES FOR NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IMMIGRATION DOCUMENT REQUESTS
4. POWELL FELLOWSHIP
5. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT

Deadlines/Dates to Remember:
MAR 25-29: Graduate Education Week
MAR 28: PhD/EdD last day to defend to participate in commencement
APR 11: PhD/EdD ETD submission deadline to participate in spring commencement

click here for more details on each posting

IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. GRADUATE PROGRAM DIRECTORS MEETING
2. GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK 2019
3. HOW TO USE iTHENTICATE – TRAINING SESSIONS

Administrative Announcements:
4. NEW PROCEDURES FOR NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IMMIGRATION DOCUMENT REQUESTS
5. MCNAIR GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP
6. DEAN’S DIVERSITY ASSISTANTSHIP
7. POWELL FELLOWSHIP
8. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT

Deadlines/Dates to Remember:
MAR 8: Student Climate Survey Deadline
MAR 9-17: Spring break; no classes, university offices open
MAR 25-29: Graduate Education Week

Click here for details on each posting

IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. HOW TO USE iTHENTICATE – TRAINING SESSIONS

Administrative Announcements:
2. OUTSTANDING MASTERS/DOCTORAL/MENTOR NOTIFICATIONS DUE TODAY, FEB 15
3. ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
4. REMINDER FOR ADMISSION APPLICATION DECISIONS
5. MCNAIR GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP
6. DEAN’S DIVERSITY ASSISTANTSHIP
7. POWELL FELLOWSHIP
8. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT
9. GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK 2019

Deadlines/Dates to Remember:
FEB 15: Notification of college winners for Student & Mentor awards due
MAR 1: Last day to submit application for degree form for spring for name to appear in commencement bulletin
MAR 9-17: Spring break; no classes, university offices open
MAR 25-29: Graduate Education Week

Meetings/Workshops/Events:

1. HOW TO USE iTHENTICATE – TRAINING SESSIONS
Multiple dates, times, and locations; registration requested
The Graduate School is offering training sessions on how graduate students will use iThenticate, a newly available software system, to review the originality of documents, ensure accurate attribution to other authors, and eliminate occurrences of potential plagiarism. Please attend only one session if you are interested; registration at https://profdev.tlos.vt.edu/ by searching for “iThenticate” in the search box.
– Wednesday, February 27, 2:00pm-3:00pm in GLC C
– Wednesday, March 6, 7:00pm-8:00pm via Zoom Room 5402318316
– Thursday, March 28, 10:00am-11:00am in GLC C
– Tuesday, April 9, 7:00pm-8:00pm via Zoom Room 5402318316
– Tuesday, April 16, 3:00pm-4:00pm in GLC C

Administrative Announcements:
2. OUTSTANDING MASTERS/DOCTORAL/MENTOR NOTIFICATIONS DUE TODAY, FEB 15
If you have not yet done so, please go to https://graduateschool.vt.edu/about/awards/outstanding-mentor-award.html and submit your awards. If you have any questions, contact Sue Kass at sjkass@vt.edu.

3. ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Grad School is accepting nomination for the Graduate Alumni Achievement Award. This award recognizes outstanding national and/or international achievement and exemplary contribution by the winner to his or her profession, discipline, community or society. Nominees must be engaged in efforts that enhance the reputation of Virginia Tech to a national and/or international audience. Only alumni who have obtained a graduate degree from Virginia Tech are eligible. Deadline is February 28, 2019. For more information on nomination requirements and to submit a nomination, visit: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/about/awards/alumni.html.

4. REMINDER FOR ADMISSION APPLICATION DECISIONS:
The Office of Export and Secure Research Compliance (OESRC) and the Graduate School developed procedures to identify graduate students with a high risk of export control, sanctions, or security concerns and provide guidance to the departments for compliance with these regulations. An automated screening method identifies international graduate students who intersect with three high risk areas: sanctioned country citizenship, prior or current foreign military affiliation, and affiliation with restricted parties or embargoed organizations. These applicants are reviewed by OESRC and guidance will be provided to the departments, if necessary. In most cases, OESRC will complete the review within 3 business days. In rare circumstances, additional time will be required to adjudicate cases, and departments will be notified within 3 business days if additional processing time is needed.
In order to ensure that the automated screening process occurs for all applicants recommended for admission, it is imperative that departments mark students recommended for admission in HokieSpa as Accept in GSAPP as well. To note the recommendation for admission in GSAPP, go to Actions –> Department Recommend –> Accept & Save.  This will set the application in GSAPP as Accept in your status list which initiates the OESRC review process. You must still submit the Online Admissions Analysis form in HokieSpa as the official decision. Admission recommendations in HokieSpa will not be processed by the Graduate School until the OESRC screening process in GSAPP has been completed. Questions regarding setting the application status to Accept in GSAPP may be addressed to Janice Austin at jema@vt.edu.

5. MCNAIR GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP
Applications are currently being accepted for the Ronald E. McNair Graduate Assistantship program.. For eligibility and nomination information please visit https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/types-of-funding/funding-sponsored-by-the-graduate-school/mcnair-assistantship.html. Nominations are due by March 11. Please contact Shernita Lee at shernita@vt.edu with questions or concerns.

6. DEAN’S DIVERSITY ASSISTANTSHIP
Applications are currently being accepted for the Dean’s Diversity Assistantship program. For eligibility and nomination information please visit https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/types-of-funding/funding-sponsored-by-the-graduate-school/dean-s-diversity-assistantships0.html.Nominations are due by March 8. Please contact Shernita Lee at shernita@vt.edu with questions or concerns.

7. POWELL FELLOWSHIP
Applications are currently being accepted for the Powell Fellowship. For eligibility and nomination information please visit  https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/types-of-funding/funding-sponsored-by-the-graduate-school/powell-fellowship.html. Nominations due by April 2, 2019. Please contact Shernita Lee at shernita@vt.edu with questions or concerns.

8. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT
The Commission on Graduate Studies and Policy recently approved a new requirement for students pursuing graduate degrees at Virginia Tech: an inclusion and diversity education component as part of their studies. This requirement aligns with the Graduate School’s goal of providing all students with an affirming, inclusive, and diverse education program that helps prepare them for the challenges they will meet in their post-graduation careers. Four topics must be included in the plans: the University’s Principles of Community; the impact of personal actions and words; avenues of redress and shared responsibility as active bystanders to recognize and disrupt bullying; and a process of individual introspection and reflection leading to awareness of one’s own words and language. Other topics also may be included. Each program, department, or college may develop its own plan for meeting the requirement, and all plans must be approved by the Graduate School after submission by the unit’s Graduate Program Director or its equivalent. For more information about the requirement, including whom to contact for assistance and questions, please visit the Graduate School’s Inclusion and Diversity Requirement webpage at: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/faculty-and-staff-resources/inclusion-diversity-requirement.html.

9. GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK 2019
Mark your calendar for Graduate Education Week 2018, celebrated March 25-29 to highlight the contributions and achievements of graduate students and the importance of graduate education to Virginia Tech. We invite and encourage all departments and graduate programs to host their own GEW events as well. If you would be interested in collaborating with the Graduate School on an event, please contact Lauren Surface at lkeister@vt.edu.

IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. SPRING KICK-OFF WELCOME CONNECT LUNCH
2. HOW TO USE iTHENTICATE – TRAINING SESSIONS

Administrative Announcements:
3. NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS – DEADLINE 2/1; DEADLINE 2/15 FOR NOTIFICATION OF COLLEGE WINNERS
4. OUTSTANDING MENTOR AWARD NOMINATIONS – DEADLINE FOR NOTIFICATION 2/15
5. ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
6. REMINDER FOR ADMISSION APPLICATION DECISIONS
7. MCNAIR GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP
8. DEAN’S DIVERSITY ASSISTANTSHIP
9. POWELL FELLOWSHIP
10. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT
11. GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK 2019

Deadlines/Dates to Remember:
FEB 1: Nominations for grad student awards submission due
FEB 4: Tuition payment deadline
FEB 5: Bursar’s office to begin purging student accounts
FEB 8: Last day to submit the start-of-semester defense exception form for spring
FEB 15: Notification of college winners for Student & Mentor awards due

Click here for more details on each post