May 11-17, 2020

0. Ongoing Services – updated 5/11/20

This Week’s Events:

1. VTGrATE VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS FOR REST OF SPRING
2. COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

Administrative Announcements:

3. GRADUATING STUDENT PHOTOS/VIDEOS INVITED FOR COMMENCEMENT – 1st posting
4. EMERGENCY FUND RESOURCE FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
5. GSA CAP AND GOWN PROGRAM SPRING 2020 EDITION; DEADLINE EXTENDED  – 2nd posting
6. FOOD SUPPLIES FOR GRADS BY GRADS  – 2nd posting
7. FINANCIAL WELLNESS RESOURCE FOR STUDENTS – 2nd posting
8. CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: MOSS ARTS CENTER “STUDENT ARTS SPOTLIGHT” – 2nd posting
9. PROBLEM SOLVING FOR LEADING CHANGE GRADUATE CERTIFICATE – 2nd posting
10. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT OPENING FOR SUMMER II AND FALL 2020 – 2nd posting
11. NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR VIRTUAL CONFERENCE RELATED EXPENSES – 2nd posting
12. CALL FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS FROM ASIAN CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT CTR – 3rd posting

Jobs:

13. 9-M ASSISTANTSHIP POSITION IN GLOBAL INITIATIVES – 2nd posting

Volunteers and research participants sought:

14. SURVEY PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VT CLIMATE ACTION GREEN HOUSE GAS ASSESSMENT –  1st posting
15. SURVEY PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR EFFECTS OF COVID-19 PROJECT – 2nd posting
16. INTL PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR ACADEMIC INTEGRITY ONLINE SURVEY – 3rd posting

0. Ongoing Services – updated 5/11/20

  • ALL WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICESHAVE BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
  • CAREER ADVISING: schedule virtual career advising appointment via Handshake
  • COOK COUNSELING: Contact McComas Hall offices at mailto:counseling@vt.edu or 540-231-6557
  • IMMIGRATION ADVISING: email mailto:igss@vt.edu or call 540-231-8486; 9:00am-4:00pm starting 5/18/20
  • WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/
  • GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: contact for appointment at mailto:gradstudentombud@vt.edu, 540-231-9573

This Week’s Events

1. VTGrATE VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS FOR REST OF SPRING
Mondays 12:00-1:00pm, Zoom
Wednesdays 3:00-4:00pm, Zoom
The VT Academy for GTA Excellence (VT GrATE) is hosting permanent virtual office hours for the rest of the semester. Join as often as you can, stay as long or as short as you’d like. This is a virtual space for all GTAs (not just VT GrATE members) who would like to chat, hang out, see other GTAs, ask questions; it is a space of support and VTGraTE members are happy to chat about whatever feels relevant to you in the moment. Join by Zoom: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/175471653pwd=ZS8rSU84Q1RESVZKZ3B6SkNuczdWQT09 or call in at 1-929-436-2866. Meeting ID: 175 471 653 Password: GoGoGTAs

2. COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Friday, May 15, 6:30pm, https://vt.edu/commencement.html
The University Commencement ceremony will be accessible from the university homepage. This event will include some regional traditions, such as messages from student speakers, including a graduate student speaker and a special message from Grad School Dean Karen DePauw, and a slideshow of events from the previous year. Both events will be pre-recorded and will be available for viewing at any time afterwards.

3. GRADUATING STUDENT PHOTOS/VIDEOS INVITED FOR COMMENCEMENT – 1st posting
VT communications video team invites graduates to post photos and short videos on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, using the hashtag #HokieGrad. The video team will curate those posts and create a video after commencement, then post the video on the Virginia Tech homepage and in Kaltura. Content on the public social media sites (Twitter and Instagram) posted during commencement with #HokieGrad will stream to the commencement site’s social media section, too.

4. EMERGENCY FUND RESOURCE FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
The Dean of Students office manages emergency funds and shares fund requests with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid so that all possible funding sources can be explored. Students can complete emergency fund requests online at https://dos.vt.edu/emergencyfund.html. The fund request process is undergoing a review at this time and some revisions to the application process may be implemented.

5. GSA CAP AND GOWN PROGRAM SPRING 2020 EDITION; DEADLINE EXTENDED  – 2nd posting
The GSA realizes that many are disappointed by the cancellation of the graduation ceremony this Spring, and that you’ll also miss out on the photo opportunities that go with that event. However, while we normally rent caps and gowns to graduates, this year we cannot guarantee that these caps and gowns can be cleaned and disinfected in a manner that protects all of us. To avoid such concerns, the GSA will offer the sale of retired caps and gowns for $25 (Master’s gowns will have the old logo). Payment will be accepted in cash or check. Use the https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dmuZUmb12T9ET2t to indicate your interest in this program by Thursday, May 14. Direct questions to Sharon Stidham, Director of Programs, mailto:sharon62@vt.edu.

6. FOOD SUPPLIES FOR GRADS BY GRADS  – 2nd posting
To alleviate some of the difficulties faced by many due to COVID-19, grad students are running a food initiative to provide food supplies to students in need. This is a donations-based program, where those who are able can donate food supplies, and these supplies can be picked up by other students in need. Pick up or drop off non-perishable food items in the Graduate School lobby in the GLC. You have 24/7 access to the building with your Hokie Passport (card readers are at the Otey Street and Bookstore side entrances). Posted on behalf of grad student Chidubem Arachie, achid17@vt.edu.

7. FINANCIAL WELLNESS RESOURCE FOR STUDENTS – 2nd posting
Do you have financial questions? Set up an appointment to discuss your financial wellness with Kevin Sutton, Assistant Director of Financial Wellness on the Hokie Wellness team. Kevin presents and meets with graduate and undergraduate students to discuss topics such as budgeting, credit scores, debt management, financial stress, and short-term financial planning. Contact Kevin by email at suttonkl@vt.edu to schedule an appointment around your schedule, including over the summer.

8. CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: MOSS ARTS CENTER “STUDENT ARTS SPOTLIGHT” – 2nd posting
Celebrate creativity in the time of social distancing. The https://artscenter.vt.edu/ invites you to https://bit.ly/submit-student-art (video, audio, images, etc.) for a new showcase, the https://artscenter.vt.edu/exhibitions/student-arts-spotlight.html. Artistic inspiration is boundless, so we welcome graduate students of any discipline to participate. Create a painting, record a song, or choreograph a dance (we’ve seen some incredible creativity on TikTok!)—show off your passion and connect through art. Submissions accepted through Monday, June 1, 2020. Submitted materials should be appropriate for all ages. Works chosen for the spotlight will be featured on the Moss Arts Center’s website and social media accounts through summer 2020. Questions? Contact Jon at mailto:rjginn@vt.edu.

9. PROBLEM SOLVING FOR LEADING CHANGE GRADUATE CERTIFICATE – 2nd posting 
Complete the Problem Solving for Leading Change graduate certificate by taking two courses online this summer and two courses online this fall. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Dr. Curt Friedel (cfriedel@vt.edu) or go to https://www.alce.vt.edu/student-info/graduate/leadchange.html. You can view the flyer at https://tinyurl.com/y7mqvv9v.

10. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT OPENING FOR SUMMER II AND FALL 2020 – 2nd posting
Families need more support now than ever, and LHH is planning to open Jul 8 to help families that need child care as they adjust to the constraints of working, studying and researching from home. Staff will be trained in heightened sanitization procedures, and will be wearing PPE at all times, for everyone’s protection. We will provide more details to enrolling families about measures that will be taken, and what you can and should do to contribute to a successful experience. Questions: Email mailto:childcare@vt.edu. Fall application will be made available next week.  For Summer II click https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQT4tDlKbB_5RHI-BHSfWC9Ald5UrSCYgmzy03bDHvZVMMMw/viewform?usp=sf_link. Deadline is Jun 15.

11. NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR VIRTUAL CONFERENCE RELATED EXPENSES – 2nd posting
The GSA Travel Fund Program is now excepting applications for students that had expenses related to a conference that went virtual due to COVID-19. Have you presented or plan to present at a conference between Feb 29 and Jun 30, 2020? The VT GSA Travel Fund Program (TFP) will partially support the monetary costs associated with presenting at conferences including travel, lodging, meals, and registration. Deadline for application is May 8, 2020. For further details, updates, and the application, see https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/graduatestudentassembly/what-we-can-offer-you/funding-opportunities/travel-fund-program/. For questions, support, or insights, please email mailto:VTGSATFP20192020@gmail.com.

12. CALL FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS FROM ASIAN CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT CTR – 3rd posting
If you are graduating this semester and would like to receive a cord as well as a certificate, please fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0rJi3N56dwzx8NTMKkXKBvAGXVJDh060W4T6CMo-isNxNKw/viewform. The ACEC is trying to create a virtual acknowledgement of all the graduating students. If you would like to participate, fill out this form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXkWMbKGvNskCzQ5ZaWGKY-V16mUZHYmHmTCsd4R0cCzr0tw/viewform. For more information, contact Dr. Nina Ha,  mailto:nha@vt.edu.

13. 9-M ASSISTANTSHIP POSITION IN GLOBAL INITIATIVES – 2nd posting
The Global Initiatives unit (https://lci.vt.edu/global-initiatives.html), seeks a graduate student to work independently under the general direction of the two Associate Directors. Duties include identifying and tracking funding opportunities; maintain donor pipelines; conduct research; prepare budget proposals; coordinate exchange programs for students and scholars; overseas travel and other duties as assigned. Must have experience with grant writing and proposals; track record in writing wining proposals; good understanding of the technical terms of NOFOs, solicitations, and grants; excellent writing and editing skills; computer & communication skills, including social media; ability to juggle different projects;  experience in preparing budgets, preferably knowledge of SUMMIT; ability to represent unit in meetings and events; capacity to cultivate networks and relationships with different stakeholders; strong organizational and administrative skills. Email questions and application to Patricia Parera, mailto:patric7@vt.edu.

14. SURVEY PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VT CLIMATE ACTION GREEN HOUSE GAS ASSESSMENT –  1st posting
This anonymous survey will be used by the VT Climate Action Committee (CAC) Working Group to assess the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from VT faculty/staff/student commutes to and from campus, and to get more representation from graduate students as this information will help the Working Group develop plans and options for reducing emissions in the future. Answer these questions for your typical commute during the last academic year. Use information from last spring rather than this spring due to the virus-related disruption to the semester. Survey takes ~5-10 minutes to complete. Contact grad student Jack Leff, mailto:leffjr@vt.edu with questions. Complete the survey at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8en0SSRdFWaUXn7.

15. SURVEY PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR EFFECTS OF COVID-19 PROJECT – 2nd posting
VT researchers seek to understand how large-scale disasters or tragedies affect smaller communities, specifically how close people feel to their community. The Effects of COVID-19 on Community Solidarity, Coping, and Identity” (IRB Protocol #20-378)  survey should take around 15 minutes to complete and will offer you the chance to be part of sociological research that could  help to develop ways of increasing community ties during future mass disasters or tragedies. Must be 18 or older and a currently enrolled student at the VT Blacksburg campus to participate. Upon submitting the survey, you will be entered into a drawing for one of ten $25 Amazon gift cards. If you are interested in more information or wish to complete the survey, go to https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1ZdE2XMqOIErss5. Posted on behalf of grad student Whitney Hayes, mailto:wahayes@vt.edu.

16. INTL PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR ACADEMIC INTEGRITY ONLINE SURVEY – 3rd posting
A graduate student is seeking participants to complete an online survey regarding academic integrity in universities around the world, as part of a final project. The survey will take less than 5 minutes. Please answer based on the university you attended for undergrad. U.S. citizens who attended a foreign university for their undergrad are also eligible. Complete the survey at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScBJnSWM2cpCkUv-P4aPafm2BoH2bbzliKXheIiwQ-QyAKMHw/viewform?usp=sf_link. Posted on behalf of grad student Brianna Friedman, fbrianna@vt.edu.