Welcome back, grad students! Here’s a .pdf of important info, including health insurance enrollment, graduate-preferred parking, 2% raises for graduate assistants, fee payment plans, and upcoming VTGSA events.
Download a .pdf with clickable links here.
Dear GSA Delegates and associated members,
I hope this email finds you safe, warm, and relaxed after winter break, as well as motivated for the beginning of what is certain to be a fantastic spring semester!
It is with great sadness that I write this email to inform you all of my resignation as a graduate student starting Spring 2017. This decision was the most difficult I’ve had to make thus far in my life, but one that I am increasingly proud of each day. Quitting graduate school is not a failure – it is a choice to change and hopefully better one’s life. While many outside of our graduate student community might not see it this way, I encourage all of you to support those who have decided not to continue their graduate school studies as this decision does not reflect negatively on one’s abilities, but rather should shine brightly on that person’s desire to improve themselves personally and professionally.
With my resignation as a graduate student, I am therefore no longer eligible to serve as the GSA President. I can ensure you that removing myself from GSA was one of the (if not the most) difficult components of my resignation as a graduate student. You all have become family to me and if allowed, I could write a never-ending memoir of the joys I have encountered while being involved in GSA for the past two and a half years. For that I am forever grateful.
However, fear not! As I can without a doubt ensure you that GSA will continue to thrive as an organization at Virginia Tech under the leadership of the current Executive Board, Program Chairs, Support System, and you – the delegation. Governance, programming, events, and advocacy will still be completed without a hitch and graduate life will continue to improve. Of this I am most certain.
For those like me who need a plan moving forward – no worries, GSA has been working hard over break to ensure this transition is smooth! My official resignation will go into place on January 17th – the first day of classes for this spring semester. Per our organization’s constitution, Brett Netto – GSA Vice President – has been offered and accepted dual roles as both VP and President. Brett will serve in both of these roles until the first general assembly meeting of the semester (January 26th).
During the January 26th meeting, it will be up to you – the delegates – to determine the next steps. As we speak, the judicial chair is formulating options per the GSA constitution, so please be on the lookout for an email with the next steps before the January 26th meeting.
So now I write my final send-off paragraphs as your GSA President. No words can ever eloquently or fully summarize all I wish to say to you all – the thanks, the congrats, the words of hope and comfort. You are all meant for great things.
All the best,
Chelsea Corkins
P.S. – because you all know I can’t stop talking… I will still check my personal VT email more than I should and will be here at VT until at least December 2017 in a temporary faculty position. So if you have any interest in discussing graduate school, my decision for resignation, or anything else, don’t hesitate to ask!
President: Chelsea Corkins
Vice President: Brett Netto
Dir. Finance: Omchand Mahdu
Dir. Programs: Alex Hyler (not pictured)
Dir. Events: Kisha Gresham (not pictured)
Dir. Communications: Samantha Fried
BoV Rep: Tara Reel
Terms for Executive Board members (excluding BoV Rep which begins in July) begin June 1, 2016…
Matt Chan (President), Tara Reel (Vice President), Richard Rodrigues (Dir. Finance), Chelsea Corkins (Dir. Programs/Events), Emma Potter (Dir. Communications), and Mohammed Seyam (BoV Rep)
Division of Student Affairs and other partners are working to create quiet study spaces across campus for students to use. In addition, a number of stress relief activities are scheduled to help students relax during the push to the finish line.
http://vtnews.vt.edu/notices/dsa-studentstudyspace.html
Need a place to study? Check out the following resources:
Graduate Study Room (Newman, 4th Floor)
Secret Study Spots at Virginia Tech (updated Spring 2015)
The Blacksburg Spring 2016 Graduate Commencement Ceremony procession will begin at 2:30 pm on Thursday, May 12, 2016 in Cassell Coliseum.
See more at: http://graduateschool.vt.edu/Academics-Commencement
Need more information about graduation? Get all your questions answered here:
https://www.vt.edu/commencement.html
Best wishes to all graduate students who are involved in summer teaching during Summer Session I and/or Summer Session II! You keep the university running during the summer. Check out some tips regarding the use of CANVAS, SPOT evaluations, and for managing a class online.
https://chroniclevitae.com/news/1226-online-teaching-it-turns-out-isn-t-impersonal
http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/pushing-through-the-perils-of-teaching-online/42104
And, if you’ve managed to read through the announcements, thanks for reading. – Emma Potter, Director of Communications
More information on all announcements found below:
GSA is excited to announce that we will be screening BOTH PhD Comic movies this April!
Love reading the PhD comics? Want to take a night off of research? Need to laugh at how ridiculously hilarious graduate school can be at times?? Then this event is for you!
The GSA invites you to its Spring Event, LAST SCREENING OF
Location: GLC Auditorium
Admission is free to everyone.
The first movie will begin at 7:00 pm with the second movie beginning approximately at 8:30 pm. A short intermission will be held between the two movies.
Please contact Chelsea Corkins at ccorkins@vt.edu with questions. Trailers for each of the films can be found here:
What is Breakzone? Short answer: FUN
Where is Breakzone? Short answer: SQUIRES!
Bring your Hokie ID and enjoy unlimited play throughout BreakZone. Sponsored by the Graduate Student Assembly
This event is open to all VT graduate and undergraduate students.
For more details, check out our Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/177593815967752/
GSA delegates – Don’t forget that our last meeting will include Q&A sessions with President Sands and Provost Rikakis. Send questions to gsa@vt.edu!
Interested in our election? Scroll down
Delegates! Please take a look the officer’s statements prior to election.
GSA elections for 2016-2017 are quickly approaching! Elections will be held during the April 28, 2016 meeting at 5:15pm in the GLC Multipurpose Room.
Questions, email, Electoral Affairs Chairpersons
Stephanie Myrick (snmyrick@vt.edu),
Daniel Wolozny (dwolozn1@vt.edu)
The Services for Students with Disabilities office (SSD) is interested in providing educational materials to the Virginia Tech campus community. The educational materials will target ways to best serve students with disabilities in the classroom setting.
The purpose of this brief survey is to gauge interest in desired content, determine level of confidence in working with students with disabilities, and to learn about format preferences.
We are requesting your help in completing a survey designed for current/past Virginia Tech campus educators. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Your responses will be confidential and anonymous. Please access the survey here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1IbXeZdTstwgFCZ
Questions can be directed to: relias@vt.edu or trebma@vt.edu
Friday April 29th, FREE PIZZA
Undergraduate Student Focus Group – 12:00pm
Graduate Student Focus Group – 1:30pm – 3 pm
Both sessions will take place in Newman Library’s 1st floor Multipurpose Room (MPR)
Estimated time: 90 minutes
Directions: Take the ramp in between the elevators and Espress Oasis Café. The Multipurpose Room will be on the left
HELP A STUDENT FINISH HIS PHD!
Virginia Tech and University Libraries is supporting his effort.
Below is a paragraph explaining his topic and what to expect at the meeting.
Or sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RDddCzNq8qG3Flfxqp_8eekEvwX_lj1HNN1K6Vv6Hhk/edit?usp=sharing
Dr. Ragheda Nassereddine will discuss plans for a VT Arabic study-abroad program that she will lead in Oman next summer. Dr. Sinno will give tips on preparing strong scholarship applications and raising funds for your trip.
Beyond Blacksburg: Arabic Study-abroad Panel
Friday, April 29 at 6:00 pm
Location: Torgersen Hall room 1020
There will be Arabic sweets, exciting travel stories, and useful advice!
Please join us for an informational panel about Arabic study-abroad. Former students Annusha Rizvi (Boren Scholarship-Jordan), Andres Morana (Project GO scholarships-Jordan & Oman) and Tyson Duffy (Fulbright Scholarship-Morocco) will discuss the transformative impact of study-abroad on their personal and professional development.
More information: http://www.calendar.vt.edu/main.php?view=event&eventid=1461250598092
The College of Ag & Life Sciences invites you to join an upcoming event being held on April 26th at 6pm in the Litton Reaves Auditorium. The event is entitled, “GMOs and You” and it is being hosted by the College of Ag and Life Sciences’ Graduate Student Council and the VT Food Club. Snacks and Beverages will be provided. More info in the flyer below
The Office of Parking and Transportation at Virginia Tech is asking all students and employees to take a brief, five-question survey tohelp the university gauge interest in a shuttle from the Blacksburg campus to Northern Virginia / National Capital Region.
Take the survey here:https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b42QgNsos4Hkt1z
Need a place to study? Check out the following resources:
Graduate Study Room (Newman, 4th Floor)
Secret Study Spots at Virginia Tech (updated Spring 2015)
Look for more as we get closer to exams!
PDF Version, Short & Sweet
More information for each announcement can be found below and don’t forget about our other programs including:
Poster Tube & Laser Pointer Rental (Open on a rolling basis)
The Graduate Student Assembly Graduation Gown Rental program will loan a limited number of graduation gowns and caps to graduate students participating in Spring 2016 Blacksburg graduation ceremonies. Interested students will have the opportunity to fill out a survey and be entered in a lottery.
Students selected for the program must pick up the cap and gown during specified pick up time during the week of graduation and return the cap and gown by Friday, May 20, 2016. Recipients will be notified of specific pick up and drop off dates, times, and locations via email. Failure to pick up cap & gown by deadline: YOU WILL FORFEIT YOUR CAP & GOWN
GSA will hold a 2nd round lotto with remaining caps & gowns.
Note: We are unable to provide gowns or caps for students receiving the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
Questions? Please contact GSA Events and Special Programs Chair Kisha Gresham (kiwi@vt.edu).
GSA delegates – Don’t forget that our last meeting will include Q&A sessions with President Sands and Provost Rikakis. Send questions to gsa@vt.edu!
Interested in our election procedures? Scroll down
Please note* Nominations for positions will be allowed at the April 28th meeting, pending approval by the general assembly to allow new nominations to be included on the ballot.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON ELECTION DAY
More information can be found here: http://blogs.lt.vt.edu/graduatestudentassembly/elections-for-2016-2017/
GSA is excited to announce that we will be screening BOTH PhD Comic movies this April!
Love reading the PhD comics? Want to take a night off of research? Need to laugh at how ridiculously hilarious graduate school can be at times?? Then this event is for you!
The GSA invites you to its Spring Event, LAST SCREENING OF
Location: GLC Auditorium
Admission is free to everyone.
The first movie will begin at 7:00 pm with the second movie beginning approximately at 8:30 pm. A short intermission will be held between the two movies.
Please contact Chelsea Corkins at ccorkins@vt.edu with questions. Trailers for each of the films can be found here:
Each year, the College of Engineering showcases the top research performed by graduating Masters and Doctoral students.
Poster Sessions
Catered Reception
All delegates and their constituents are invited, particularly those from the college of engineering because the research highlighted is from that college! For more information visit: http://www.gsc.eng.vt.edu/PET.html
Questions? Email Liselle Joseph: liselle@vt.edu
“If you would like to participate in the Office of Sustainability’s program “Green Graduates of Virginia Tech” send a quick blurb of how you pledge to support a sustainable world and a photo of yourself (think “Humans of New York” project or just your standard selfie) to our facebook page “Green Graduates of Virginia Tech” OR to kshepard@vt.edu (and we will post the photo for you) along with your name, major(s), and college(s) and we will provide you with a FREE green sustainability cord for graduation!
More information can be found: https://www.facebook.com/Green-Graduates-of-Virginia-Tech-465341976985523/?fref=ts
Do you use the on-campus library?
What about the Graduate Student lounge on the 4th floor? Didn’t even know it exists?
The Library Committee is asking that graduate students respond to the very short survey at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1459363094757
Let us know about how the graduate student lounge is or is not used and how it can be improved. The survey will close on April 25th. Thank you!
The College of Ag & Life Sciences invites you to join an upcoming event being held on April 26th at 6pm in the Litton Reaves Auditorium. The event is entitled, “GMOs and You” and it is being hosted by the College of Ag and Life Sciences’ Graduate Student Council and the VT Food Club. Snacks and Beverages will be provided. More info in the flyer below.
The Office of Parking and Transportation at Virginia Tech is asking all students and employees to take a brief, five-question survey tohelp the university gauge interest in a shuttle from the Blacksburg campus to Northern Virginia / National Capital Region.
Take the survey here:https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b42QgNsos4Hkt1z
Need a place to study? Check out the following resources:
Graduate Study Room (Newman, 4th Floor)
Secret Study Spots at Virginia Tech (updated Spring 2015)
Look for more as we get closer to exams!
More information for each announcement can be found below and don’t forget about our other programs including:
Poster Tube & Laser Pointer Rental (Open on a rolling basis)
GSA is excited to announce that we will be screening BOTH PhD Comic movies this April!
Love reading the PhD comics? Want to take a night off of research? Need to laugh at how ridiculously hilarious graduate school can be at times?? Then this event is for you!
The GSA invites you to its Spring Event, FREE SCREENINGS OF
Location: GLC Auditorium
Admission is free to everyone.
The first movie will begin at 7:00 pm with the second movie beginning approximately at 8:30 pm. A short intermission will be held between the two movies.
This event will also occur on April 27th, but don’t miss out on your opportunity to be the very first VT graduate students to see PhD Movie 2!
Please contact Chelsea Corkins at ccorkins@vt.edu with questions. Trailers for each of the films can be found here:
The Graduate Representative to the Board of Visitors invites members of the graduate student community to have lunch with President Sands, Provost Rikakis, and Dean DePauw to engage in a conversation around graduate education and the graduate student experience. It is a unique opportunity where graduate students can ask questions and get answers directly from Virginia Tech leaders. If you are interested in attending a lunch on Friday, April 15, please complete a survey at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1460054772971 by Tuesday, April 12 (5:00 pm). If you have any questions, please contact Mohammed Seyam at seyam@vt.edu
GSA enjoyed their biggest beer & wine social to date with over 700 attendees. Thank you for braving the madness, and please know that we are already thinking through logistics for next year!
Thanks to our volunteers! We could not have done it without you!
As a graduate student at Virginia Tech, your feedback is especially important to this project. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dannette Gomez-Beane.
Do you use the on-campus library?
What about the Graduate Student lounge on the 4th floor? Didn’t even know it exists?
The Library Committee is asking that graduate students respond to the very short survey at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1459363094757
Let us know about how the graduate student lounge is or is not used and how it can be improved. The survey will close on April 25th. Thank you!
We are currently soliciting nominations for the Underwood Ally of the Year Award. Nominations can be submitted electronically at http://www.vtlgbtcaucus.org/ally-award-nomination/.
Candidates for the Virginia Tech Ally of the Year award will preferably be an individual member of the faculty or staff, a student, an auxiliary employee, or a person who has a direct affiliation with Virginia Tech. The nominee may or may not identify as LGBT. Exceptions will be made for Blacksburg community members who show exemplary action and dedication to both the university as a whole as well as the LGBT community here.
Candidates will exemplify what it means to be an active supporter of the LGBT community by going above and beyond the “call of duty” to make Blacksburg and Virginia Tech a more open, accepting, and inclusive environment for LGBT persons.
The best candidate will be one who clearly takes on not just a professional role, but a personal role that is open and affirming of individuals within the LGBT community.
Application is made via the on-line form noted above. Nominations can be made by anyone in the Virginia Tech community. Self-nominations will not be accepted.
The executive board of the LGBT Caucus will review all candidates and decide upon one award winner each year, which will be presented in May at the Lavender Commencement Ceremony. The Award was named after Jo Ann Underwood in 2014.
Completed nomination must be submitted by Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 5:00 pm.
“If you would like to participate in the Office of Sustainability’s program “Green Graduates of Virginia Tech” send a quick blurb of how you pledge to support a sustainable world and a photo of yourself (think “Humans of New York” project or just your standard selfie) to our facebook page “Green Graduates of Virginia Tech” OR to kshepard@vt.edu (and we will post the photo for you) along with your name, major(s), and college(s) and we will provide you with a FREE green sustainability cord for graduation!
More information can be found: https://www.facebook.com/Green-Graduates-of-Virginia-Tech-465341976985523/?fref=ts
The College of Ag & Life Sciences invites you to join an upcoming event being held on April 26th at 6pm in the Litton Reaves Auditorium. The event is entitled, “GMOs and You” and it is being hosted by the College of Ag and Life Sciences’ Graduate Student Council and the VT Food Club. Snacks and Beverages will be provided. More info in the flyer below.
The Office of Parking and Transportation at Virginia Tech is asking all students and employees to take a brief, five-question survey tohelp the university gauge interest in a shuttle from the Blacksburg campus to Northern Virginia / National Capital Region.
Take the survey here:https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b42QgNsos4Hkt1z
APPLICATION DUE APRIL 15
Newman Library is looking for multiple Reference Library Assistants and one Graduate Assistant for the 2016-2017 academic year. The GA position includes a tuition waiver. The RLA positions are hourly ($15/hour) and do NOT include a waiver. Please feel free to distribute this info to all your constituencies!
Here are all the relevant links:
Please note: the deadline is April 15 at 5pm!
