Graduate School Bulletin

The $15,000. P.E.O. Scholar Award provides opportunity for 85 women graduate students for 2011-12. The three Blacksburg Chapters coordinate efforts to identify potential applicants to nominate for the prestigious merit-based awards. P.E.O. is a philanthropic educational organization providing financial aid for the education of women.

Eligibility:    A woman is eligible for nomination by a local P.E.O. Chapter if she:

1. is within two years of completing her doctoral level degree or postgraduate    study or research by  August 1, 2011 (granting date);
2.  has at least one academic year remaining from the granting date to complete her doctoral program;
3. demonstrates academic excellence with a strong research path, publications,       awards and service activities(particularly during the past 12 months), maturity and seriousness of purpose;
4.  has clearly defined career objectives, showing promise of making a significant  contribution to her field;
5. is a full-time student at an accredited college,  university or institution;
6.  is a citizen of the United States or Canada at the time of nomination.            

Local application components:  Submit by September 11

1. One to two page letter of application highlighting current work and career goals  (See Eligibility 3.).
2.  Resume

Applications to: Elva Miller -205 Woods Edge Court, Blacksburg, VA 24060 or by email.    Questions: e-mail or call 540-951-8407.  If nominated by a local chapter, the applicant will receive an official  application  package(official transcripts, etc.) from the P.E.O. Scholar Awards office.
             

The Graduate School asks all graduate students to review their student status in HokieSPA and their e-bill from the Bursar’s Office (Student Accounts) to determine if they are properly classified as an in-state or out-of-state student.

Students who believe that they are eligible for in-state classification for tuition purposes but are not listed as in-state should review the Graduate School policies and procedures regarding in-state classification and the application process.  

University Council approved a new policy governing the additional employment of graduate assistants:

Unless specified otherwise in the assistantship agreement contract, graduate students on full assistantships are not prohibited from seeking additional employment (restrictions may apply to international students). Students should consult with their academic advisor and/or assistantship supervisor as applicable regarding the fulfillment of their assistantship and graduate study responsibilities. Students must notify the Graduate School about any additional employment, including the period of employment, name and contact of employer, and job title or short description of duties.

The Graduate School is developing an new application for students to report additional employment. In the meantime, students on graduate assistantships must notify the Graduate School by email. The email should be addressed to Dr. Karen DePauw, kpdepauw@vt.edu, and include:

• Student name
• Student ID number
• Department and academic level
• Name of assistantship supervisor
• Information about additional employment such as period of employment, name and contact of employer, and job title or short description of duties.

Since 1991, Virginia Tech has conducted the Graduate Teaching Assistant Workshop (GRAD 5004) to assist GTAs in developing as a teacher. The workshop is designed to provide recommendations and advice by experienced and dedicated faculty, staff and graduate students in topics related to being a successful university educator.

The GTA Workshop is offered in two parts:

• Phase I: Two half-day workshops, all parts mandatory
• Phase II: Twenty-eight short sessions, of which students must select and attend three.

Course communication, resources, assignments, and grading will occur via a Scholar website.  Workshop sessions will be focused on three themes:

1. Climate & Diversity: Develop appreciation of and strategies to handle different cultures, learning styles, and beliefs that you might experience in the classroom.
2. Ethics: Consider the various ethical issues you may be challenged with in the classroom and learn how to prevent or handle infractions.
3. Teaching Techniques & Skills: Presentation of and experimentation with best- practice strategies that enhance student learning.

Visit the GTA Workshop website for further details.

The following events are available to all new graduate students to help them successfully transition to graduate school and life in Blacksburg:

• Welcome Center and Information Fair August 16-20 in the Graduate Life Center lobby and hallways. Resource tables offer a range of information, coupons and  giveaways from campus and community organizations. Graduate student ambassadors assist new students in finding resources that are most important to them, from academic support to health and wellness services and more.
• GTA Training Workshop August 16-17 (must pre-register to attend): This workshop offers intensive introduction and training for new Graduate Teaching Assistants. Visit the GTA Workshop homepage for details.
• Make yourself at home in Blacksburg, August 18, 4:00-6:00pm in the GLC. This new program is designed to help new graduate students connect with people and resources that can help them succeed in graduate school and maintain a healthy life balance. Participating organizations include the Graduate School, Cranwell International Center, Cook Counseling Center, the Women’s Center, a variety of graduate student organizations and more. No registration needed but feel free to sign up.
  
• New Graduate Student Orientation; August 20 at 9:00am in the GLC Auditorium. This optional  session  is available to all new graduate students who wish to learn more about the Graduate School and what to expect during their graduate studies, meet representatives of the Graduate School, the Graduate Honor System, the Graduate Student Assembly, and hear from the Graduate Ombudsperson and the Grad BOV Rep. 
• Workshops, iInformation sessions and socials are offered during welcome week and the first three weeks of classes to help students  get started.

If you have any questions about these events, please contact Graduate Student Services, 540.231.9561, grads@vt.edu.

The Graduate School and the Graduate Life Center will be closed July 3-5, 2010 in observance of the 4th of July holiday. The Graduate School will reopen on Tuesday, July 6, at 9:00am.

Graduate program coordinators and chairs are encouraged to participate in the GSA Graduate & Professional School Fair to recruit local and regional students. Registration is open until September 14th.

From June 1, 2010 through July 30, 2010, the Blacksburg offices of the Graduate School will be open from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday (except for holidays). Regular business hours (8:00am-5:00pm) will resume on Monday, August 2.

The William Preston Society has changed the date of their annual meeting where the Thesis awards are presented to early Fall.  Thus, the Graduate School has to accelerate our schedule for recruiting nominations for these awards to Spring (used to be early Fall).  Please see this link to the description of these awards and gives the details for nominations

http://www.graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/honors_awards/graduate_awards/index.html. 

 

The categories this round are (see attached for specific definitions):

·         Humanities and Fine Arts

·         Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Engineering

·         Innovation Application of Technology to Scholarship

 

Eligible students will have completed their master’s thesis in Summer  2009, Fall 2009 or Spring 2010. The deadline for submission of nominations is Friday May 21, 2010 at 5 pm.

The Plan of Study is the degree contract that a student develops with their department.  If you are interested in learning more about the elements involved in developing a Plan of Study attend this information session provided by Jacqueline L. Nottingham, Director of Graduate Admissions & Academic Progress.

The session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 20, from 1-2 pm in Room F of the Graduate Life Center.  It is designed as a as tool for those new to the Plan of Study process and should act as a refresher for those previously involved.  We will cover topics such as Gradaute School minimum degree requirements, POS entry in Banner, 4000 level and transfer courses, missing grades, and accelerated programs.  There will be an opportunity for Q & A following the general presentation.

If you have questions about the session, you can contact Jacqueline L. Nottingham at 231-3092, or by email at ntnghm@vt.edu.