ALL GRADUATE STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REVIEW THE FAQs REGARDING COVID-19 DIRECTIVES AT https://graduateschool.vt.edu/covid-faqs.html. To learn more about the grading options for graduate students this semester, check out the FAQs under Academic Progress at the link above and below #4.
1. ONGOING SERVICES
This Week’s Events:
2. ZOOM (LUNCHTIME) SESSIONS WITH DEAN KAREN P. DEPAUW
3. GSA VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR
4. GSA NETFLIX PARTY
Administrative Announcements:
5. FOLLOW-UP TO APRIL FOOL’S POSTING
6. VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY FELLOWSHIP – 1st posting
7. CALL FOR ARTWORK SUBMISSION: NEW DEADLINE – 1st posting
8. GRADUATE GRADING OPTION CHANGES DUE TO COVID-19 – 2nd posting
9. VIRGINIA STATE SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR CALL FOR JUDGES – 2nd posting
10. FREE ONE-ON-ONE VIRTUAL NUTRITION GUIDANCE – 2nd posting
11. GRADUATE SCHOOL ETD WORKSHOP AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING – 2nd posting
12. SAIG STATISTICAL SUPPORT SPRING 2020 – 3rd posting
Jobs:
13. GRADUATE ASSISTANT – ACADEMY FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING – 2nd posting
Volunteers and research participants sought:
None at this time
Upcoming events:
— REMAINING RESILIENT WEBINAR SERIES: COPING AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO THRIVE THROUGH THE TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY
— SPRING WRITING RETREAT
— 3RD MEETING: SCIENCE POLICY EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY CLUB (SPEAC) AT VT
Ongoing Services
1. ALL WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICESHAVE BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
* CAREER ADVISING: graduate students are encouraged to schedule a virtual career advising appointment via Handshake in lieu of drop-ins. Also see: https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/gradcareeropportunity/.
* COOK COUNSELING: Contact McComas Hall offices at counseling@vt.edu or 540-231-6557.
* IMMIGRATION ADVISING: email igss@vt.edu or call 540-231-8486.
* WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Appointments can be scheduled at https://vt.mywconline.com/. Graduate students: be sure to limit your view of each schedule to “specialized graduate support” to work with a graduate student.There will be two types of schedules available:
o LIVE ONLINE TUTORING (SYNCHRONOUS ONLINE TUTORING
Like face-to-face tutoring, live online tutoring takes place in real-time with both the student and tutor “present.” Both parties are able to view the student’s work on screen and can communicate through audio/video or chat. Especially helpful for line-by-line editing help!
o 24 HRS. LATER FEEDBACK (ASYNCHRONOUS ONLINE TUTORING)
Unlike live online tutoring, 24 hrs. later feedback, or asynchronous tutoring, does not take place in real-time. Students will reserve slots on the 24 hrs. Later Feedback schedule and attach the most recent draft of their paper, along with the instructor’s assignment sheet or prompt, and receive written feedback from the tutor within 24 hours of the appointment start time. The tutor will review the writing assignment for 45 minutes and make observations, pose questions, and suggest strategies for the improvement of your writing. Tutors will not be editing papers, but providing some editing suggestions.
* GLC CAFÉ IS CANCELLED THROUGH APRIL 30TH
This Week’sEvents
2. ZOOM (LUNCHTIME) SESSIONS WITH DEAN KAREN P. DEPAUW
Tuesday, Apr 7 and Thursday, Apr 9, 12:00pm ET via Zoom
Join Dean Karen P. DePauw weekly on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays at 12:00pm ET via Zoom. Please continue to use these sessions to ask questions, express concerns, and be a part of our virtual graduate community! Zoom URL: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/126753356. For additional questions or information, please email grads@vt.edu.
3. GSA VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR
Thursday, Apr 9, 4:00-6:30pm, Virtual
Join the Graduate Student Assembly for a virtual happy hour and bring your choice of beverage. Come relax and enjoy the virtual company of other graduate students. Join via zoom https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/517242167. Contact Cortney Steele, GSA Director of Events at cnsteele@vt.edu.
4. GSA NETFLIX PARTY
Friday, Apr 10, 7:00-9:00pm, Virtual
Join the Graduate Student Assembly for a virtual movie night to watch “Step Brothers”. Come relax and enjoy the virtual company of other graduate students. Download https://www.netflixparty.com/ to join. RSVP here so you will be sent the link to join the party on the day of the event. Contact Cortney Steele, GSA Director of Events at cnsteele@vt.edu.
Administrative Announcements:
5. FOLLOW-UP TO APRIL FOOL’S POSTING
The April Fool’s edition of the GLC weekly listserv is a 13-year-old tradition that was started by a graduate student’s prank in 2007. Submissions come from graduate students and graduate alumni, and calls for these posts were included in the 3/23/20 and 3/30/20 weekly listserv postings. The intent of this special edition has always been to give students a moment of levity, with fake postings that are outlandish enough to be recognizable as spoof, yet also questionably plausible. But what one person finds humorous may offend another, and in our current crisis many graduate students were upset by this year’s posting. I want to assure you that the Graduate School is keenly aware of the burdens graduate students face during this very difficult time, and we are working very hard on trying to find ways to ease those burdens. I hope that you don’t lose faith in us because of how this posting made you feel, and I apologize for any harm that the posting may have caused. – Monika Gibson (gibsonm@vt.edu)
6. VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY FELLOWSHIP – 1st posting
The President’s Office offers a Virginia General Assembly Fellowship program each year for current and rising graduate students and is currently seeking applicants for the 2020-2021 academic year. The Fellowship is targeted at students who have an interest in state government and policy as the Fellow works in Government Relations during both the fall and spring semesters. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Elizabeth Hooper at ehooper@vt.edu no later than May 8, 2020. For a downloadable file of the Program Description, go to https://www.govrel.president.vt.edu/student_experiences/general_assembly_fellowship.html.
7. CALL FOR ARTWORK SUBMISSION: NEW DEADLINE – 1st posting
The Center for Rhetoric in Society presents Roots and Resettlement: An Artful Exploration of Place.
They seek creative and thoughtful submissions to feature in a mixed-media book about displacement, resettlement, place, and belonging. One notable submission will receive a cash prize of $500 and the cover feature. Open to all students, staff, and faculty. Submissions may include poems, songs, visual art, flash white papers, flash fiction, creative non-fiction, and scholarly statements. (Please keep text submissions under 50 words.) Email copy of submission to Ke Hu at hke@vt.edu. Please put “Roots and Resettlement Submission” in the subject line. Deadline: May 1.The event is sponsored by the Center for Rhetoric in Society and the In Place podcast team.
8. GRADUATE GRADING OPTION CHANGES DUE TO COVID-19 – 2nd posting
Graduate students will be allowed to change the grading option from A/F to P/F for graduate courses taken in Spring 2020. A maximum of 6 graduate credits converted A/F to P/F in this manner will be allowed to count toward their program’s graded course credit total on the Plan of Study (research credits are graded as Equivalent Credit [EQ] and do not count as P/F). The decision to change the grading option should be reached in consultation with the faculty advisor and the Graduate Program Director. These decisions should be made not later than May 1.
9. VIRGINIA STATE SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR CALL FOR JUDGES – 2nd posting
The Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair (VSSEF) is currently seeking judges in a variety of categories. To volunteer to judge, complete a brief judge’s application form at:
https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0ufvnd1yJztGXLT. Judging will be conducted remotely and travel is not required. Projects will be posted online on Apr 11. Judges will be asked to evaluate 10-20 projects, depending on category, and will be requested to submit evaluations on the morning of Apr 18. Direct all questions to Tom Taetzsch at taetzscht@vtc.vt.edu.
10. FREE ONE-ON-ONE VIRTUAL NUTRITION GUIDANCE – 2nd posting
Do you need nutrition guidance? Are you interested in learning how to make healthy choices in your personal life, including in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic? Maybe you need help with skills for shopping and cooking to help you reach you wellness goals. If you have any of these concerns or others, upper-level nutrition students can help you take the next steps toward building a healthier life. The Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise Department at Virginia Tech provides FREE one-on-one nutrition counseling services via Zoom to any interested students, faculty, or staff. Just go to https://www.hnfe.vt.edu/nutrition_counseling.html and sign up today!
11. GRADUATE SCHOOL ETD WORKSHOP AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING – 2nd posting
The Graduate School ETD workshop on 3/23/2020 recording and presentation slides are now available for viewing at https://guides.lib.vt.edu/ETDguide on the Formatting tab under Graduate School Review Items.
12. SAIG STATISTICAL SUPPORT SPRING 2020 – 3rd posting
SAIG will continue to provide statistical support to our students and faculty. Our Walk-In Hours, Collaboration Requests and Short Courses will be offered through Zoom for the remainder of the semester. Please refer to website for more info: https://saig.stat.vt.edu/content/saig_stat_vt_edu/en/saig-services.html
Jobs:
13. GRADUATE ASSISTANT – ACADEMY FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING – 2nd posting
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning is seeking a graduate student with strong organization and communication skills as well as an interest in experiential learning initiatives and higher education pedagogy. This GA position will involve duties related to the planning and completion of projects and events related to experiential learning, supporting the Director of the Academy of Experiential Learning, assisting with assessment, conducting research and case studies, and other duties as assigned. Requires mature and professional demeanor; positive and approachable attitude; and ability to communicate with diverse groups of faculty, staff, and students. Must be able to work both independently and as part of a team and be flexible. Experience with experiential learning initiatives such as undergraduate research, service-learning, internships, and/or study abroad is desired but not required. 9-month Graduate Assistant appointment for 20 hrs/week. Email cover letter and CV to Vicki Pitstick at vickip@vt.edu. Indicate applying for GA in subject line. Deadline: Apr 17.
Volunteers and research participants sought:
None at this time
Upcoming events:
REMAINING RESILIENT WEBINAR SERIES: COPING AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO THRIVE THROUGH THE TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY
Monday, Apr 13, 12:00 pm, Virtual
This webinar series will feature a live panel discussion among VT’s communication, conflict resolution, wellness, mental health, and self-care experts as well as six live, interactive workshops focused on critical skills development in the areas of coping, communication, and conflict engagement. Additionally, there will be short-prerecorded video messages and blog posts embedded on the Hokie Wellness at Home website (https://hokiewellness.vt.edu/hokie-wellness-at-home.html). This webinar series will kick-off on Monday, April 13, 2020 at 12:00 pm with a live, interactive panel discussion featuring:
* Reese Ramos, the University Obmudsperson;
* Bryan Hanson, the Ombudsperson for the Graduate School;
* Henry Yampolsky from the Office of Equity and Accessibility;
* Trish Haak from the College of Veterinary Medicine;
* Vickie Mitchell from Employee Relations;
* Charlotte Amenkhienan from the Cook Counseling Center; and
* Ana Agud and Lauren Shelor from Hokie Wellness.
You may register for this initial panel discussion here: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/s/788928118
SPRING WRITING RETREAT
Monday or Tuesday, Apr 13 or 14, 8:30am-4:00pm, Virtual (Zoom)
Spend a day immersed in addressing your writing needs and goals. Each day includes short, hands-on workshops and plenty of time to write independently in a comfortable, relaxed space among fellow writers. Learn strategies for productive writing habits, make progress on a project such as your thesis or dissertation, and participate in a writing community. The Graduate School will supply the virtual space! Workshops facilitated by Dr. Monique Dufour. To apply, please complete the application by Apr 6: http://bit.ly/2020SpringWritingRetreat (read the requirements). Space is limited, so select your preferred date of participation. Applicants should commit to attending the entire day. Notification of acceptance sent by Apr 7, and confirmation due Apr 9, by 5:00pm. If you have any questions, please email ordi@vt.edu.
3RD MEETING: SCIENCE POLICY EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY CLUB (SPEAC) AT VT
Thursday, Apr 16, 5:00-6:00pm, Zoom: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/656109338
Curious about science policy? Attend SPEAC’s next meeting! There will be an informal discussion with guest speaker, Dr. Megan O’Rourke, about her work in policy and her experience as a American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellow. Dr. O’Rourke has served as a climate change advisor with the Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service and the U.S. Agency for International Development, and currently works in the Virginia Tech Department of Horticulture. For more information or to join our Listserv, email speacvt@gmail.com. Also connect on Twitter and Facebook (@speacvt).