REVIEW THE FAQs REGARDING COVID-19 DIRECTIVES AT https://graduateschool.vt.edu/covid-faqs.html.
0. Ongoing Services – updated 5/11/20
This Week’s Events:
1. GSA COVID-19 AND FALL 2020 CONCERNS
2. “JUSTICE IN JUNE” WITH VTGrATE
3. SUMMER INTERFAITH DIALOGUES – DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE
Administrative Announcements:
4. GRADUATE EDUCATION VIRTUAL DISPLAY – 1st posting
5. FREE ONE-ON-ONE VIRTUAL NUTRITION GUIDANCE – 1st posting
6. FOOD SUPPLIES FOR GRADS BY GRADS – 1st posting
7. GRADUATE STUDENTS MAY USE SSDE FOR PRELIMINARY EXAMS FOR SUMMER 2020 – 2nd posting
8. HOKIE MENTORSHIP CONNECT NOW OPEN FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS – 2nd posting
9. DONATIONS SOUGHT TO HELP WEST BENGAL – 3rd posting
Jobs:
10. COACHES NEEDED FOR THE VT CREW TEAM – 1st posting
11. GA POSITION TO SUPPORT GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY FOR 2020-21 – 1st posting
Volunteers and research participants sought:
12. RESEARCH STUDY ON FACULTY EXPERIENCE OF STUDENT CONNECTION AND ENAGEMENT IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 TEACHING CHANGES -1st posting
13. INTERVIEW PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A FAMILY REPRESENTATION STUDY – 2nd posting
14. NAVIGATING ONLINE ENVIRONMENTS DURING COVID 10 – 2nd posting
Upcoming Events:
15. GENERAL BODY MEETING: SCIENCE POLICY EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY CLUB (SPEAC) AT VT
16. CETL & TLOS FALL COURSE DESIGN CLINIC FOR GTAs AND INSTRUCTORS
0. Ongoing Services – updated 5/11/20
· ALL WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES HAVE 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; 9:00-4:00pm starting 5/18/20
· WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/
· GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: contact for appointment at gradstudentombud@vt.edu, 540-231-9573
1. GSA COVID-19 AND FALL 2020 CONCERNS
Wednesday, June 10, 11:00am, Zoom
Friday, June 12, 11:00am, Zoom
Life changed dramatically for Virginia Tech’s graduate students in March of 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on the school. Join us to express your concerns on our June calls, scheduled for 11am EST this Wednesday and Friday. The links to the Zoom calls and to our summary of our concerns can be found on our website. These calls will be recorded and posted to the gsa.vt.edu website.
2. “JUSTICE IN JUNE” WITH VTGrATEStarting June 8, engage with us to discuss “Justice in June” a compilation curated by Bryanna Wallace & Autumn Gupta, and help make sense of current events. We will meet on Mondays at 3 pm, Wednesdays at 12 pm, and Fridays at 10 am on Zoom. Meeting details are available on our events calendar: http://vtgrate.org/events/ These events are open to everyone, irrespective of their engagement with VTGrATE. Please contact us at vtgrate@vt.edu if you have questions, or find us online at vtgrate.org.
3. SUMMER INTERFAITH DIALOGUES – DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE
Wednesdays bi-weekly, May 27-Jul 8, 5:30-7:00pm, Zoom
Spend your Summer in good company: participate in a dialogue with students from diverse worldviews. The Summer Interfaith Dialogues will happen over Zoom bi-weekly on Wednesdays 5:30 – 7pm, from May 27 to July 8. Everyone is welcome to participate. RSVP at dos.vt.edu/dialogue. More info on the interfaith program at dos.vt.edu/interfaith.
4. GRADUATE EDUCATION VIRTUAL DISPLAY – 1st posting
It’s time to pull out your camera or computer and create a submission for the Graduate Education Virtual Display! The display theme is “Virtual Show and Tell – My VT Experience.” We want you to reflect on the experience(s) that have shaped your time as a VT graduate student while also looking ahead at what the future holds. Show and describe what being a member of the VT Graduate Community has been like for you or how your experience(s) will shape your future! Graduate students can enter up to 3 image files along with image descriptions. Images must be your original work (i.e. photo you take or image you create). Click the following link to upload your images and descriptions https://bit.ly/VTGradEdVirtualDisplay The deadline for all items is June 28th by midnight. For more information or accommodations related to disabilities, please email Dr. Justin Grimes at jgrimes18@vt.edu.
5. FREE ONE-ON-ONE VIRTUAL NUTRITION GUIDANCE – 1st posting
Do you need nutrition guidance? Are you interested in learning how to make food choices that support a healthy lifestyle? Maybe you need help with skills for shopping and cooking to help you reach your wellness goals? If you have any of these concerns or others, graduate 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!
6. FOOD SUPPLIES FOR GRADS BY GRADS – 1st posting
Non-perishable food supplies are available in the Graduate School lobby for students in need. Grad students are running this food initiative to provide food supplies to fellow grads. 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. GRADUATE STUDENTS MAY USE SSDE FOR PRELIMINARY EXAMS FOR SUMMER 2020 – 2nd posting
Graduate students who will take their preliminary examination this summer may utilize the Start of Semester Defense Exception (SSDE) form. The SSDE form should be submitted to the Graduate School no later than 3 weeks before the desired examination date to allow time for registering you and then submitting your examination request in the Electronic Signature System (ESS). Once SSDE is approved, the Graduate School will register you for the 1 credit hour registration.
8. HOKIE MENTORSHIP CONNECT NOW OPEN TO GRADUATE STUDENTS – 2nd posting
Hokie Mentorship Connect is an online platform that unites Virginia Tech students with alums for career-related support. Graduate students are now able to participate in the program as mentees. Students can gain inside information from a professional about a career field, industry or specific company, have access to a professional network, participate in individual interactions with a professional, and much more. Learn more about this exciting platform here: https://mentoring.career.vt.edu/page/graduate-students. If you have questions, please contact cpdmentorship@vt.edu.
9. DONATIONS SOUGHT TO HELP WEST BENGAL – 3rd posting
The Indian state of West Bengal has been severely affected by a recent cyclonic storm “Amphan“. Millions of people in the coastal regions have been rendered homeless, adding further difficulties to an already difficult situation caused by the pandemic. The Bengali Students’ Association in Virginia Tech, most of whose members are from the areas worst hit by the storm, are organizing a donation campaign to help the local NGOs carry out relief operations and are requesting the help of graduate students who are willing and able to donate for this cause. Please assist if you can. Posted on behalf of grad student Ranit, mranit33@vt.edu.
10. COACHES NEEDED FOR THE VT CREW TEAM – 1st posting
The Virginia Tech Crew Team is seeking enthusiastic, dedicated coaches to join its staff for the fall 2020 season. The VT Crew Team is a student organization based in Blacksburg, VA that has been operating for 26 years. After great recent success this year and the promise for future excellence in the coming seasons, VT Crew is looking for coaches to expand its rapidly growing program. Rowers at VT have experience ranging from novice to 8+ years. Responsibilities: plan and execute an effective training regimen in order to prepare rowers for a competitive racing season; collaborate with student executives to help ensure a well-run program; work toward creating a culture of hard work and dedication among the team. Qualifications (ideal, not required): have adequate rowing or coaching experience at the collegiate, high school, or masters’ level. The VT Crew Team will provide coaches with coaches pay, a travel stipend for regattas, and opportunities to attend US Rowing coaching clinics. If interested, please reach out to Dylan Butler at dbutler9@vt.edu
11. GA POSITION TO SUPPORT GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY FOR 2020-21 – 1st posting
The Graduate School is looking for a full-time graduate student to support the operation and initiatives of the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) during the 2020-21 academic year. This FT 9-month GA position begins in Aug; some summer wage hours may be available. Primary duties include providing administrative and logistical support for GSA operations, assisting with small- and large-scale event planning and execution, and assisting GSA leaders with tasks related to their positions. Required qualifications: ability to work well independently and as a member of a team; strong oral and written communication skills; ability to manage multiple and ongoing tasks; proficiency with MS Office Suite; ability to work nights and weekends as needed; ability to deal 1with ambiguity and change. Apply online at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7WeG9cGokU9ANb7 by June 21, completing the form and uploading a resume. Email questions to gibsonm@vt.edu.
12. RESEARCH STUDY ON FACULTY EXPERIENCE OF STUDENT CONNECTION AND ENAGEMENT IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 TEACHING CHANGES – 1st posting
Many professors and instructors had to move unexpectedly into novel class formats this spring (2020). Some brought considerable prior experience and some very little; some of this movement was consistent with your pedagogical goals and priorities and your images of university education and some of it was not. Your experiences and attitudes are needed for this research survey (IRB 20-432) in as much or as little detail as you can spare the time. Graduate students who have served as instructors are encouraged to complete the following survey and share with faculty members. https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eCY7zlRWYklC9O5 Please contact dtatar@cs.vt.edu or chandani@vt.edu if you have questions.
13. INTERVIEW PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A FAMILY REPRESENTATION STUDY – 2nd posting
This telephone interview will be used for a research study exploring the impacts social media may have on young adults’ perception of family. Participants must be between the ages of 18-25. Telephone interview takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and a $5 Starbucks gift card is provided for all participants. Contact grad student Shawnice Johnson, shawnicej@vt.edu with questions and/or to schedule an interview. Please consider sharing with any undergraduate summer/ fall classes.
14. NAVIGATING ONLINE ENVIRONMENTS DURING COVID 19 – 2nd posting
The Interdisciplinary Reimaging diVersiTy team is conducting research under IRB# 19-749 to better understand how students across varying demographics are coping with the online transition during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are interested in participating in the survey, please click this link and follow instructions: bit.ly/ReimaginingdiVersiTyCOVID
Upcoming Events:
15. GENERAL BODY MEETING: SCIENCE POLICY EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY CLUB (SPEAC) AT VT
Thurs, June 18, 5:00-6:00 pm, Zoom
Curious about science policy? Attend SPEAC’s next meeting! We will be having an informal Q&A with guest speaker, Dr. Adriana Bankston. Dr. Bankston is a Principal Legislative Analyst in the University of California Office of Federal Governmental Relations. She currently serves as Vice-President of Future of Research, a non-profit organization that empowers early career scientists. She is also the Chief Outreach Officer for the Journal of Science Policy and Governance and was previously a Policy & Advocacy Fellow at The Society for Neuroscience. Please register for this event here: https://forms.gle/1Ni2HaBUGT6c682Q6. For more information or to join our Listserv, email speacvt@gmail.com. Also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook (@speacvt).
16. CETL & TLOS FALL COURSE DESIGN CLINIC FOR GTAs AND INSTRUCTORS
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) and Technology Enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) are offering course design clinics to help instructors and GTAs plan for an environment requiring flexibility between remote and face to face instruction. The workshops are being offered multiple times this summer. Please enroll at the links below to participate. Contact the VT Graduate Academy for Teaching Excellence (VTGrATE) if you have questions (vtgrate@vt.edu) or find us online at vtgrate.org.
July 13th: https://profdev.tlos.vt.edu/courses/cetl11-071320
August 10th: https://profdev.tlos.vt.edu/courses/cetl11-081020
August 17th: https://profdev.tlos.vt.edu/courses/cetl11-081720
Make sure you read the Fall 2020 plan released today by President Sands: https://vt.edu/ready/home.html