Graduate School Bulletin – Updates on Graduate Education at VT

September 16, 2024

GRADUATE SCHOOL BULLETIN
A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators

The Graduate School communicates through semi-monthly postings distributed on the Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators listservs. Postings are distributed on the 1st and the 16th of the month and are posted to a blog for public viewing here: https://monthlymemo.graduateschool.vt.edu/

September 16th, 2024

IN THIS BULLETIN:

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL FAIR – OCTOBER 7
FACULTY PANELISTS SOUGHT FOR GRADUATE HONOR SYSTEM (Tuesday, September 17, 4-5pm, Zoom)

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

None at this time.

Policy Updates

None at this time.

Administrative Announcements

Nominate a Graduate Student for the K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award
Recommendations and Resources for Faculty/GTAs in Establishing Class “Norm of Inclusion”
Inclusion and Diversity Requirement
CGPS&P’s Degrees and Academic Progress (DAP) Committee Call for Members
CGPS&P’s Course-based Master’s Committee Call for Members
Graduate Program Directors Resources Teams Page

_______________________________________________

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

1. GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL FAIR – OCTOBER 7

The Graduate and Professional Student Senate is hosting a Graduate and Professional School Fair on Monday, October 7, 9am-2pm, in Commonwealth Ballroom, Squires. This year nearly 100 programs will be participating, covering areas such as business, STEM, social sciences and humanities, medicine and health professions, law and more. Please share with your master’s students who are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree, as well as with undergraduate advisors/students in your departments. More information about the fair can be found here: https://gpss.vt.edu/events/gpsf.html

2. FACULTY PANELISTS SOUGHT FOR GRADUATE HONOR SYSTEM

The Graduate Honor System relies on trained faculty and graduate students to hear academic integrity violation cases. It takes a one-hour training to become a panelist, and after that faculty and graduate students can serve on preliminary review and review panels. All faculty are invited to become panelists to help hear cases and actively contribute to the ongoing conversation about standards of academic integrity. Please register for Tuesday, September 17, 4-5pm, Zoom here: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrdeCgqjwjHNWASzkvv7dEcR6EqzYUat_p.

Administrative Announcements

3. Nominate a Graduate Student for the K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award

Nominations are now open for the K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award. This award recognizes graduate students planning a career in higher education who demonstrate exemplary promise as future leaders and are committed to academic innovation in equity, community engagement, and teaching and learning. All nomination materials must be submitted electronically no later than 11:59 pm ET on October 1, 2024, via this form: https://aacu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_09t62IeQ2wM35c2

4. Recommendations and Resources for Faculty/GTAs in Establishing Class “Norm of Inclusion”

Virginia Tech’s Office of Inclusion and Diversity (OID) has developed a resource document with recommendations for instructional faculty and GTAs to assist them in establishing a ‘norm of inclusion’ in their classes beginning with the course syllabus and the first class meeting. These include: Guidelines for a community of learners; Community guidelines that make a difference; and Communicating welcome, safety, and inclusion. Faculty and graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) may also enroll in one of OID’s inclusive pedagogy courses offered through the Professional Development Network. For more information on these norms of inclusion resources and recommendations, email InclusiveVT or visit the InclusiveVT website. https://www.inclusive.vt.edu/

5. Inclusion and Diversity Requirement

Please remember that all graduate students who began their programs from Spring 2022 to present need to complete the Inclusion and Diversity Requirement before they graduate. There are multiple ways they may do so, please visit this website to learn more: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/programs/inclusion-diversity-req.html

6. CGPS&P’s Degrees and Academic Progress (DAP) Committee Call for Members CGPS&P’s Degrees and Academic Progress (DAP) committee is looking for members. DAP is a working committee charged with examining matters of policy and practice broadly relevant to graduate and professional education at VT, including the development of draft documents, for the purpose of reporting and making recommendations for the consideration of University governance through the CGPSP. For this academic year, we will be working on the following issues, among others:

– PhD candidacy policy and tuition discount

– Policy on retaking courses Admission requirements for international students with master’s but without bachelor’s degrees

If interested, please contact the chair, Jerald Walz, jhwalz74@vt.edu. You do not to be a member of CGPS&P to serve.

7. CGPS&P’s Course-based Master’s Committee Call for Members

CGPS&P’s Course-based Master’s committee is looking for members. This ad-hoc committee is charged with streamlining GraduateSchool processes and procedures for course-based master’s programs. They will be tackling issues such as application requirements, admission processes, progress through degree and degree awarding. If interested, please contact the chair, Barbara Hoopes, bhoopes@vt.edu. You do not to be a member of CGPS&P to serve.

8. Graduate Program Director Resources Teams Page

The Graduate School will start sharing GPD meeting notes, mentoring resources, and annual progress review templates and other materials useful to GPDs and graduate coordinators in the newly created Graduate Program Directors Teams. Access here: https://gs.vt.edu/gpdresources

September 1, 2024September 16, 2024

September 1, 2024

GRADUATE SCHOOL BULLETIN
A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators

September 1, 2024

IN THIS BULLETIN:

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

Virtual Grad School Showcase Registration Open to Sep 12

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

None at this time.

Policy Updates

None at this time.

Administrative Announcements

Request for Samples of Annual Progress Report departmental form
SteppingBlocks Graduate Insights Access
Inclusion and Diversity Requirement
Recommendations and Resources for Faculty/GTAs in Establishing Class “Norm of Inclusion”
Nominate a Graduate Student for the K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award
Fee Waivers for HBCU Graduates
Professional Development Opportunities from the CIRTL Network

_______________________________________________

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

1. Virtual Grad School Showcase Registration Open to Sep 12

Graduate programs are invited to register for the Virtual GraduateSchool Showcase on Oct 18, hosted by Georgia Tech. The virtual format allows participants to connect with prospective students from across the world — last year more than 1,700 registrants attended. If you have any questions or need further assistance with the registration process, please email gtgradshowcase@gatech.edu. Learn more and register at: https://gradshowcase.oue.gatech.edu/recruiter-registration-info-page/.

2. Request for Samples of Annual Progress Report Departmental Form

The GraduateSchool is collecting a copy of each department’s annual progress review form as we work to establish standards, a timeline, and a convenient submission method for this review process. Please send a blank copy (pdf, word, screenshot) of your department’s annual program review form to Janice Austin (jema@vt.edu) by Friday, September 16, 2024. Thank you for your help with this project!

3. SteppingBlocks Graduate Insights Access

At the August Graduate Program Directors meeting we were joined by a representative from SteppingBlocks who presented a new product providing alumni information and career insights for graduate students. Many of you have already received an invitation to set up your account, but if the invitation expired or you did not receive one, you may request access by emailing aiesupport@vt.edu.

4. Inclusion and Diversity Requirement Reminder

All graduate students who began their programs in Spring 2022 or after need to complete the Inclusion and Diversity Requirement before they graduate. There are multiple ways they may do so; please visit this website to learn more: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/programs/inclusion-diversity-req.html.

5. Recommendations and Resources for Faculty/GTAs in Establishing Class “Norm of Inclusion”

Virginia Tech’s Office of Inclusion and Diversity (OID) has developed a resource document with recommendations for instructional faculty and GTAs to assist them in establishing a ‘norm of inclusion’ in their classes beginning with the course syllabus and the first-class meeting. These include: Guidelines for a community of learners; Community guidelines that make a difference; and Communicating welcome, safety, and inclusion. Faculty and graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) may also enroll in one of OID’s inclusive pedagogy courses offered through the Professional Development Network. Inclusive pedagogy is a learner-centered instructional approach built on the principles of respect, inclusion, and cultural engagement. For more information on these norm of inclusion resources and recommendations, email InclusiveVT or visit the InclusiveVT website: https://www.inclusive.vt.edu/

6. Nominate a Graduate Student for the K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award

7. Fee Waivers for HBCU Graduates

The Virginia Tech GraduateSchool is now able to offer fee waivers for applicants who have/will earn a degree from an HBCU. For information on Virginia Tech’s fee waiver process, please visit: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/admissions/tuition-and-costs/Application_Fees.html Please pass this information along to your faculty members, students, networks, colleagues, and partners.

8. Professional Development Opportunities from the CIRTL Network

The Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) Network offers a variety of professional development opportunities, including online workshops and courses (non-credit bearing), available to graduate students and postdoctoral associates at Virginia Tech. Among these opportunities is the CIRTL Associate Teaching Program, designed to teach effective teaching practices to graduate students and postdoctoral associates. Participants receive a CIRTL at Virginia Tech Associate digital badge along with foundational knowledge about teaching and complete a teaching philosophy activity. The full CIRTL Network fall programming schedule, including descriptions and registration information, can be found at https://cirtl.net/events/ — please share this information with your students.

August 16, 2024September 16, 2024

August 16, 2024

GRADUATE SCHOOL BULLETIN
A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators

August 16, 2024

IN THIS BULLETIN:

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

1. New Graduate Student Orientation and Welcome Events

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

GTA Workshop: Tuesday, Aug 20
New Graduate Student Orientation: Friday, Aug 23

Policy Updates

None at this time.

Administrative Announcements

2. Annual Progress Report for Graduate Students3. Request for Samples of Annual Progress Report departmental form4. Performance Management for Graduate Assistants5. Addition to Available Application Fee Waivers6. Nominations are accepted for the K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award

________________________________________

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

1. New Graduate Student Orientation and Welcome Events
Friday, August 23 at 9:00am in the Graduate Life Center Auditorium

The Graduate School will host this general orientation for all new graduate students. Please encourage your new students to attend! More information about orientation can be found at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/admissions/orientation.html. The Graduate School is planning several events and activities for new students that will occur before and after the semester starts. Please help us spread the word!

2. Annual Progress Report for Graduate Students

Graduate education policy requires that all graduate students have an Annual Review of Progress at least once a year by their Advisory Committees. Students who do not yet have a Plan of Study or an Advisory Committee should be reviewed by the Graduate Program Director or a departmental Graduate Committee (see Graduate Catalog-Satisfactory Progress Toward a Graduate Degree and our Annual Review Good Practices website at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/faculty-and-staff-resources/annual_review_good_practices.html). Please upload your completed annual evaluations in our form submission portal at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjrNXTmzLlagnZBctWkEAmYA8b7aRmmRlJmAp1l70G6Bo2SQ/viewform selecting the “Annual Evaluation/Progress to Degree” form type. Your annual progress review provides important guidance to our graduate students and we appreciate your efforts to this end.

3. Request for Samples of Annual Progress Report departmental form

The Graduate School is collecting a copy of each department’s annual progress review form as we work to establish standards, a timeline, and a convenient submission method for this review process. Please send a blank copy (pdf, word, screenshot) of your department’s annual program review form to Janice Austin (jema@vt.edu) by Friday, September 16, 2024. Thank you for your help with this project!

4. Performance Management for Graduate Assistants

Graduate assistants (GAs, GTAs, and GRAs) perform valuable work in support of teaching, research, and administrative tasks around the university, and it is very important that they receive clear guidelines for and support in carrying out their duties. Assistantship supervisors are expected to define and clearly communicate duties and performance expectations to their graduate assistants and provide regular feedback, including a performance evaluation at least once a year, but preferably each semester. Guidelines for managing assistantship performance are available in the Assistantship Management Guide at https://sites.google.com/vt.edu/gradschoolresources/graduate-student-funding/performance-management (login with VT Google credentials is required for access), including simple templates for documenting expectations and evaluating performance.

5. Addition to Available Application Fee Waivers

The Graduate School is now able to offer fee waivers for applicants who have/will earn a degree from any HBCU from the accredited HBCU List (https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/). For information on the Graduate School’s fee waiver process, please visit: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/admissions/tuition-and-costs/Application_Fees.html. Please pass this information along to your faculty members, students, networks, colleagues, and partners.

6. Nominations are accepted for the K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award
Nominations are now open for the K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award. This award recognizes graduate students planning a career in higher education who demonstrate exemplary promise as future leaders and are committed to academic innovation in equity, community engagement, and teaching and learning. All nomination materials must be submitted electronically no later than 11:59 pm ET on October 1, 2024 via this form: https://aacu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_09t62IeQ2wM35c2

August 1, 2024September 16, 2024

August 1, 2024

GRADUATE SCHOOL BULLETIN
A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators

August 1, 2024

IN THIS BULLETIN:

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

New Graduate Student Orientation and Welcome Events

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

GTA Workshop: Tuesday, Aug 20
New Graduate Student Orientation: Friday, Aug 23

Policy Updates

None at this time.

Administrative Announcements

Input Sought Regarding Assistantship Stipend Table
Reminder about GTA Workshop Registration
Annual Progress Report for Graduate Students
Request for Samples of Annual Progress Report departmental form
Performance Management for Graduate Assistants
Addition to Available Application Fee Waivers

________________________________________

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

1. New Graduate Student Orientation and Welcome Events
Friday, August 23 at 9:00am in the Graduate Life Center Auditorium

Administrative Announcements

Input Sought Regarding Assistantship Stipend Table
Since 2004, standard assistantship compensation has included a 50-step stipend table that also defined the minimum and maximum allowable monthly stipend. Within the stipend table and the recently defined minimum of step 14, assistantship providers have maximum flexibility to choose the stipend amount they wish to pay. Based on recent questions by the BOV and data analysis by the Graduate School, we are evaluating the practice of using a 50-step stipend table and invite your input in this process. Please share your insights and recommendations by completing this short survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-6a54zj_Z15s0F1EBBA0PNN3YwbuJRaB7MjMr1kSJKryRFQ/viewform. If you have any questions, contact Monika Gibson, gibsonm@vt.edu.
Reminder about GTA Workshop Registration
As you know, new GTAs are required to register for GRAD 5004, GTA workshop, for the first available semester. Please remind your GTAs who have not yet completed this requirement to register for the course now. Students register for GRAD 5004 just as they would for any other class. There are two sections; one (86109) is for students on the Blacksburg campus, while the other (86110) is for students outside of Blacksburg. The course begins with the required half-day Phase I session at the Moss Arts Center, 8:00am-12:30pm, Tuesday, Aug 20. Contact Associate Dean Kevin Edgar at kjedgar@vt.edu with any questions.
Annual Progress Report for Graduate Students
Graduate education policy requires that all graduate students have an Annual Review of Progress at least once a year by their Advisory Committees. Students who do not yet have a Plan of Study or an Advisory Committee should be reviewed by the Graduate Program Director or a departmental Graduate Committee (see Graduate Catalog-Satisfactory Progress Toward a Graduate Degree and our Annual Review Good Practices website at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/faculty-and-staff-resources/annual_review_good_practices.html). Please upload your completed annual evaluations in our form submission portal at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjrNXTmzLlagnZBctWkEAmYA8b7aRmmRlJmAp1l70G6Bo2SQ/viewform selecting the “Annual Evaluation/Progress to Degree” form type. Your annual progress review provides important guidance to our graduate students and we appreciate your efforts to this end.
Request for Samples of Annual Progress Report departmental form
The Graduate School is collecting a copy of each department’s annual progress review form as we work to establish standards, a timeline, and a convenient submission method for this review process. Please send a blank copy (pdf, word, screenshot) of your department’s annual program review form to Janice Austin (jema@vt.edu) by Friday, September 16, 2024. Thank you for your help with this project!
Performance Management for Graduate Assistants
Graduate assistants (GAs, GTAs, and GRAs) perform valuable work in support of teaching, research, and administrative tasks around the university, and it is very important that they receive clear guidelines for and support in carrying out their duties. Assistantship supervisors are expected to define and clearly communicate duties and performance expectations to their graduate assistants and provide regular feedback, including a performance evaluation at least once a year, but preferably each semester. Guidelines for managing assistantship performance are available in the Assistantship Management Guide at https://sites.google.com/vt.edu/gradschoolresources/graduate-student-funding/performance-management (login with VT Google credentials is required for access), including simple templates for documenting expectations and evaluating performance.
Addition to Available Application Fee Waivers
The Graduate School is now able to offer fee waivers for applicants who have/will earn a degree from any HBCU from the accredited HBCU List (https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/). For information on the Graduate School’s fee waiver process, please visit: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/admissions/tuition-and-costs/Application_Fees.html.