April 20-26, 2020

   0. Ongoing Services

This Week’s Events:

  1. VTGrATE VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS FOR REST OF SPRING
  2. ZOOM (LUNCHTIME) SESSIONS WITH DEAN KAREN P. DEPAUW
  3. VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP – GLOBAL CONNECT WITH COOK COUNSELING
  4. VIRTUAL GLC CAFÉ 

Administrative Announcements:  

  1. GRADUATING STUDENTS EXIT SURVEY – 1st posting
  2. RESILIENCY WORKSHOPS CONTINUE ONLINE – 1st posting
  3. ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY: VT CLIMATE ACTION COMMITMENT REVISION PROCESS – 1st
  4. GRAD 5014 ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND PLAGIARISM COURSE ONLINE IN SUMMER
  5. GSA TRAVEL FUND SPRING CYCLE APPLICATIONS OPEN APR 17-MAY 1 – 2nd posting
  6. ENTERING GRADE MODE CHANGE OPTION FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS – umpteenth posting
  7. GUIDANCE FOR USING ZOOM TO CONDUCT PRELIMS AND FINAL EXAMS – 2nd posting
  8. REGISTER FOR GRAD 5124 (Fall 2020) 
  9. VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY FELLOWSHIP – 3rd posting
  10. CALL FOR ARTWORK SUBMISSION: NEW DEADLINE – 3rd posting

Jobs:

Sorry, none at this time.

Volunteers and research participants sought:

15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR TRUST IN ONLINE LEARNING SURVEY – 1st posting
16. INTL STUDENT MOTHERS SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH PROJECT – 1st posting
17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR OPIOID ABUSE EDUCATION RESEARCH – 2nd posting

Upcoming events:

  • NURTURING YOUR WELL-BEING WHILE LEARNING AND WORKING FROM HOME – 4/29
  • INTERFAITH EVENING DIALOGUE FOR STUDENTS [ONLINE] – DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE – 4/29
  • FINANCIAL OUTLOOK AND OPPORTUNITIES – 4/30

 

0. Ongoing Services

  • 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 counseling@vt.edu or 540-231-6557.
  • IMMIGRATION ADVISING: email igss@vt.edu or call 540-231-8486.
  • WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/  
  • GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: email gradstudentombud@vt.edu for assistance

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. ZOOM (LUNCHTIME) SESSIONS WITH DEAN KAREN P. DEPAUW
Tuesday, Apr 21 and Thursday, Apr 23, 12:00pm ET via Zoom
Join Dean Karen P. DePauw weekly on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays at 12:00pm ET via Zoom. 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, email grads@vt.edu.

3. VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP – GLOBAL CONNECT WITH COOK COUNSELING
Tuesday, Apr 21 3:30-4:30pm
Tuesday, Apr 28, 3:30-4:30pm
Cook Counseling and Cranwell International Center are jointly offering two virtual support group meetings for VT international students. During these meetings, organizers will offer support for international students to share their feelings and responses related to COVID-19 as well as to connect with each other, and also provide resources related to stress management, practicing self-care and healthy adjustment. On Apr 28, a staff member from Cranwell International Center will join the session to offer support and information. For more information about these events contact Bitna Lee at lbitna@vt.edu.

4. VIRTUAL GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Apr 23, 3:30-5:00pm, by Zoom at https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/91183267642
Do you miss seeing fellow grad students and Grad School staff at the weekly café, or the free coffee/tea and cookies? Make yourself a cup of coffee or tea, rummage through your house for some cookies, and join virtually. If you like, you can share your coping strategies and/or uplifting stories with others. We promise that the real weekly café will resume as soon as it becomes possible. Call 231-9564 with questions.

5. GRADUATING STUDENTS EXIT SURVEY – 1st posting
All students planning to graduate this spring will find the Graduate School’s exit survey in their Graduate Student Checklist in HokieSPA. The Graduate School is gathering information about your experience at Virginia Tech and this survey helps better serve graduate students in the future by hearing directly from you. This survey should take less than 10 minutes and your responses will be anonymous and confidential; the link in HokieSPA is generic and not tied to you in any way. If you have any questions please contact Kacy at klawr5@vt.edu.

6. RESILIENCY WORKSHOPS CONTINUE ONLINE – 1st posting
Developing Resiliency Workshop Series will continue to be offered virtually via zoom. While these are no true replacements for in-person gatherings, they do serve as a way to continue connecting and growing together. It can also provide some structure and resources for students to continue caring for their mental and emotional well-being. Developing Resiliency Workshops: Dates & Registration Here.

7. ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY: VT CLIMATE ACTION COMMITMENT REVISION PROCESS – 1st posting
The VT community has an imperative role to play in reducing its environmental impact, educating others, and striving towards a more sustainable future. As part of the 2020 Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment revision process and Earth Week 2020, university and community members are invited to engage with the over 125 students, staff, faculty members, and other community members already involved in the revision process. Upcoming Climate Action Commitment engagement opportunities can be found at https://bit.ly/VTCACengage, including:

  • Climate Action Commitment subcommittee lightning videos to get you up to speed on revision efforts;
  • Climate Action Commitment Revision Engagement Survey
  • Registration details for Climate Action Commitment Revision Zoom Convenings between April 22-28

You can also share your feedback at https://svpoa.vt.edu/index/VTCACRevision/VTCAC-Convene.html.

8. GRAD 5014 ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND PLAGIARISM COURSE ONLINE IN SUMMER
Are you interested in exploring more about academic integrity, responsible scholarly conduct, citation styles, and how they relate to the Graduate Honor System? Do you want to enroll in an online course over the summer and complete your program requirements early? If yes, consider enrolling in GRAD 5014 Academic Integrity and Plagiarism, which is a 2-credit, online course offered in the Pass/Fail grade option only. The course is module-based and asynchronous. For more information, contact Anurag Mantha (anuragm@vt.edu).

9. GSA TRAVEL FUND SPRING CYCLE APPLICATIONS OPEN APR 17-MAY 1 – 2nd posting
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. The Spring Cycle application opens Apr 17; the deadline for application is May 1, 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 VTGSATFP20192020@gmail.com

10. ENTERING GRADE MODE CHANGE OPTION FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS – umpteenth 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). See more details at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/covid-faqs.html under the Academic Progress menu item.

11. GUIDANCE FOR USING ZOOM TO CONDUCT PRELIMS AND FINAL EXAMS – 2nd posting
The Graduate School is providing written guidance for faculty and students on conducting preliminary and final examinations using Zoom. Please visit our website at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/what-you-need-to-graduate/basics-zoom-graduate-exams.html to review our recommendations.

12. REGISTER FOR GRAD 5124 (Fall 2020) 
Take your research to the next level! Sign up in Hokie SPA for GRAD 5124: Research Skills for Graduate Students, a 1-credit, pass/fail, fully-online course offered by University Libraries in fall 2020. Five discipline-specific sections are offered: Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, & Life Sciences; Engineering & Physical Sciences; Health Sciences; Social & Behavioral Sciences; and Arts & Humanities. Select the section that relates to your subject area. Questions? Contact Lisa Becksford at lisab5@vt.edu.

13. VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY FELLOWSHIP – 3rd 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. Applicants should have an interest in state government and policy as the Fellow works in Government Relations during both the fall and spring semesters. To apply, send cover letter, resume, and a 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.

14. CALL FOR ARTWORK SUBMISSION: NEW DEADLINE – 3rd 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. (Keep text submissions under 50 words.) Email copy of submission to Ke Hu at hke@vt.edu with “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.

15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR TRUST IN ONLINE LEARNING SURVEY – 1st posting
Researchers seek VT students to participate in a research study looking into trust in online learning and perceptions of effectiveness for a Psychosocial Human Factors class project. Participants will be asked to complete an anonymous online survey that should take approximately 10 minutes. Participants can complete the survey from their own online devices anonymously using the following link: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_81FqxPulhETQrVr. For more information, contact Kiran Bagalkotkar (kiranb@vt.edu).

16. INTL STUDENT MOTHERS SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH PROJECT – 1st posting
VT researchers are seeking international student mothers of children aged 0-5 years, who are living in a single or nuclear family setup. This research aims to design safe and productive applications which utilize screen media to act as a childcare assistant for international student mothers. Participation is voluntary and confidential. If you choose to participate, you will be contacted for an interview which can take up to 30 minutes and can be either by phone, internet call (Skype, Google Hangout, etc.,) over instant messaging chat (Facebook chat, Google Hangout, etc.), or through email. During the interview, you will be asked questions about your experience of using digital technology for engaging your children. With your permission, we will audio-record the interview for research purposes only. You may choose not to answer any questions for any reason, and may choose not to have your answers to specific questions recorded by asking us to pause the recording. You may also stop at any time and for any reason. You will be entered into a drawing for Amazon Fire tablet for participating in the interview. Odds for a participant being selected in the drawing are 1 in 30. For more information or obtaining screener form for participation  contact Neelma Bhatti at neelma@vt.edu. This research is protected under IRB # 20-016.

17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR OPIOID ABUSE EDUCATION RESEARCH – 2nd posting
A capstone team from the Pamplin College of Business MSBA-BA program is seeking individuals to participate in a research study to assess knowledge of and attitudes surrounding opioids and preventative education efforts. Participants will be asked to complete a pre-survey, an online educational course, and post-survey. This study will last approximately 30 minutes and participants are eligible for compensation in the form of a random drawing for a VT t-shirt and cup prize (with the current approximate odds being 1 in 8 of winning). Participants can complete this research study from their own online devices anonymously using the following link: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1A1Qot4oBlFgSi1. For more information, contact Kaitlyn Horinko (khorinko@vt.edu).

Upcoming events:

NURTURING YOUR WELL-BEING WHILE LEARNING AND WORKING FROM HOME
Wednesday, Apr 29, 10:00-11:00am
Prioritizing well-being is more important than ever, but how do you find time to do that with so many competing priorities? How do we invest in physical wellness when fitness centers are closed? How can we ensure that we are taking care of ourselves emotionally when we are overwhelmed? How does well-being look different now? Register at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6AwjpcTwSWh7aQd by April 27th to receive the Zoom information. Join Lauren Shelor from Hokie Wellness to learn actionable tips and guidance for your well-being, reflect on how things are going, and glean strategies for intentionally caring for each area of well-being during this time. For more information, contact the Office of Recruitment, Diversity, and Inclusion at ordi@vt.edu.

INTERFAITH EVENING DIALOGUE FOR STUDENTS [ONLINE] – DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE
Wednesday, Apr 29, 5:30-7:00pm
Participate in a dialogue with people with diverse worldviews. Conversations about religious, spiritual, and secular diversity. All are welcome. Topic: The Power of Interfaith Friendships.  RSVP at dos.vt.edu/dialogue. See all interfaith events at www.dos.vt.edu/interfaith.

FINANCIAL OUTLOOK AND OPPORTUNITIES
Thursday, Apr 30, 2:00-3:00pm
Join the Office of recruitment, diversity, and inclusion for a free seminar hosted by Meghan Kuczmarski of Edward Jones to discuss current market conditions and how the political, economic and cultural forces shaping our markets can affect you.To attend, go to: https://ej.webex.com/ej/j.php?MTID=m27b051172bb1e1a48eb8fea3047b9ea6. Dial-in Number: 866-528-2256 and Passcode: 1295383. For more information, contact the Office of Recruitment, Diversity, and Inclusion at ordi@vt.edu.