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Graduate Assistantship Guidance in Response to COVID-19

Dear Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators,

As we work through the adjustments to a remote operation as a way to slow the spread of COVID-19, I want to address the role of graduate assistants and provide the following guidance to ensure we are focused on doing what is right, both for our students and for the University.

The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff must always be central in developing changes to any operational plan – even if temporary. Keep in mind our graduate assistants and teaching assistants, even though they are in paid positions, are primarily students. I encourage everyone to pay particular attention to graduate assistants who are in a high-risk category, either with their health or as care providers to others. Please consider this in your plans to fulfill their assistantships for the duration of the semester.

Existing contracts for graduate assistants should not be shortened or reduced in hours, except under the most extreme circumstances. If a program wishes to shorten or reduce a contract (hours and/or compensation) for any reason, they should first contact Dr. Julie Goodliffe in the Graduate School at jmgoodli@uncc.edu to discuss. As a reminder, graduate assistants are eligible for paid Administrative Leave as long as they remain on their current contract. Thus, it is critical to keep the students’ contract in place to ensure no disruption in pay. The Graduate School monitors any change or cancellation of a graduate assistantship.

We have received guidance locally and from the UNC System Office to be flexible to the greatest extent possible with our graduate assistants. If you have work they can do remotely, it is recommended that it be planned and assigned, even if it is outside of their normal duties. Teaching assistants may continue to assist faculty in a remote capacity, and you are encouraged to work with the Center for Teaching and Learning to learn more. As directed by the Office of Research and Economic Development, research employees, including graduate research assistants and technicians, should follow the guidance provided for all University employees.  All research staff should coordinate with their supervisors to discuss tasks that can be completed remotely or safely on campus through social distancing protocols.

Our cooperation as an institution, community, and as individuals will help keep the spread of Coronavirus to a minimum. If we do what we can now, the return to normal campus activities will come that much sooner. Thank you all for your willingness to adapt while supporting the needs of our students.

Stay safe and healthy,

Tom

Graduate Admissions Encourages Additional Recruitment Efforts

The coming months may prove difficult in recruiting new graduate students, particularly international students, so Graduate Program Directors are encouraged to review their Graduate Enrollment Management Plans and modify/append efforts as necessary.  Here are a few additional efforts our Graduate Admissions team is doing in an effort to enroll new/continuing students:

  • With ETS administrations of the TOEFL and IELTS canceled, we are evaluating a new online test to enable international applicants to submit English proficiency scores;
  • Anticipating use of ETS’s new online GRE which is expected to be available by the end of March;
  • Offering GPDs maximum flexibility to waive GRE, GMAT, and MAT requirements for summer/fall 2020 and 2021 applicants;
  • Extending individual outreach to applicants/admits with personalized help;
  • Promoting additional virtual admissions information and admitted student sessions, and we encourage programs to offer these virtual sessions as well (contact us!);
  • Increasing digital and social marketing, particularly in North Carolina, with the assistance of University Communications;
  • “Over-booking” newly funded students in anticipation that individuals from some countries will not be able to obtain their visas and/or travel;
  • Exercising more flexibility with deadlines, as appropriate.

Please reach out to our graduate admissions counselors, Maryanne Maree-Sams and Ellie Ivey, if you have any questions.

State Dept. Suspends Visa Services in Most Countries

On March 18, 2020, travel.state.gov (U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Visa Office) posted the following news alert:

  • In response to worldwide challenges related to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Department of State is suspending routine visa services in most countries worldwide. Embassies and consulates in these countries will cancel all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments as of March 18, 2020. Check the website of the embassy or consulate for its current operating status.  As resources allow, embassies and consulates will continue to provide urgent and emergency visa services.
  • These Embassies will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time.  Although all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments are cancelled, the MRV fee is valid and may be used for a visa appointment in the country where it was paid within one year of the date of payment.
  • This does not affect the visa waiver program.
  • Services to U.S. citizens continue to be available. More information is available on the Embassy’s website.
  • Applicants with an urgent matter and need to travel immediately should follow the guidance provided at the Embassy’s website to request an emergency appointment.”

Being Timely in Recruitment

With closures to many testing centers around the world, particularly in China, we encourage holistic review of available application materials for 2020 summer and fall applicants. In light of required English language proficiency and testing center closures abroad, Graduate Admissions is investigating the possibility of using a Remote English Proficiency Assessment tool on an interim basis. Stay tuned on more information.

Of utmost importance is the timely review of application materials for applicants so they may be nominated for graduate assistantships and funding prior to the April 15th National Signing Day. If you need assistance with the review process, please contact Graduate Admissions.

With your help, we can enroll the 2020 fall class. If you don’t already, please consider the following:

  1. Communicate regularly with your applicants and enrolled students
  2. Help new and continuing students connect to your program in multiple ways (FacebookLive events, emails, chats, WebEx, phone calls)
  3. Encourage all students who are ‘eligible to enroll’ to do just that~
  4. Offer virtual Information Sessions for prospective students as well as applicants offered admission (Graduate Admissions can help!)
  5. Explore resources to support Graduate Enrollment Management online at: https://egem.charlotte.edu
  6. Make timely recommendations for admission, funding, and assistantships
  7. Support continuing students in new, creative ways, as necessary

GPDNet Will Serve as Resource During Coronavirus Pandemic

In the coming days, the UNC System and our Chancellor will be issuing guidance as to how various units work through the coronavirus pandemic.  We do plan to operate under the guidance provided.

Please know that GPDNet will be an active resource for the most up-to-date information regarding Graduate School process and policy.  Our goal is to be as flexible as possible with graduate students and faculty when it comes to graduate enrollment management, graduate academic affairs and graduate student affairs. Next week we will launch an FAQ here on GPDNet as a new resource.  We will also send out email blasts to our GPD/C audience as warranted by changes and updates.  Once again, please bookmark GPDNet, and use the Comments box below if you have questions you’d like answered by Graduate School staff.

Boot Camp to Focus on Winning Grant Applications

The Research and Economic Development department’s 2020 Catalyst Boot Camp will focus on success in applying for grants from state and federal agencies, foundations and nonprofits. The goal of the program is to enhance the research and creative capacity of the University and institutionalize systemic support for the advancement and success of early- and mid-career faculty.

The Catalyst Boot Camp program will feature two tracks that will run concurrently: Catalyst for STEM+ and Catalyst for the Arts and Humanities.

Full details can be found in the Catalyst Program Description. The deadline for applications to the 2020 Catalyst Boot Camp is Friday, March 13, 2020, by 5:00 pm. For questions about the application process, please contact Lesley Brown, Director, Center for Research Excellence at labrown@uncc.edu.

CGL Hosts Diversity Expert

The Center for Graduate Life (CGL) will host human resources consultant Ivanna Garibaldi Campbell for a presentation on “Working Smarter on Diverse Teams” Mar. 19.

The presentation is scheduled 12:30-1:45 p.m. at the CGL, Cone 268.  To reserve a seat, visit the Center for Graduate Life.

Natl. Society of Black Engineers Postpones Meeting

Concerns over the spread of coronavirus has delayed the annual convention of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), originally planned for San Antonio in late-March.  The event will be rescheduled.

Another recruiting opportunity will be available when the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) holds its annual conference in September. The conference will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando Sept. 21-24.

For updates on both conferences, please visit NSBE and NOBCChE.

New Rules Out on Graduate Assistant Labor

The US Department of Labor recently issued new Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidance to colleges and universities, effective July 1, 2020, that will affect how the role of graduate assistants is defined for compensation purposes.

The new guidance was shared with UNC Charlotte leadership by Gary Stinnet, Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources.

In a memo distributed broadly on campus, Stinnet said the guidance pertains to teachers, coaches and student employees. Specfically, his memo noted, the guidance includes:

  • Graduate Teaching Assistants (TA): Graduate teaching assistants whose primary duty is teaching are exempt. Because they qualify for the teacher exemption, they are not subject to the salary basis and salary level tests (currently $35,568).

  • Research Assistants (RA): Generally, an educational relationship exists when a graduate or undergraduate student performs research under a faculty member’s supervision while obtaining a degree. Under these circumstances, the Department does not assert that an employment relationship exists with either the school or any grantor funding the student’s research. This is true even though the student may receive a stipend for performing the research.

  • Student Residential Assistants: Students enrolled in bona fide educational programs who serve as residential assistants and receive reduced room and board or tuition credits are not generally considered as employees under the FLSA. Therefore, they are not entitled to minimum wages and overtime compensation.

“To ensure current/future compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the University will distinguish graduate administrative assistants from graduate teaching/research assistants moving forward – designating these jobs as FLSA non exempt roles and paid on an hourly basis,” Stinnet said.  “While these roles are of no less significance in educational/experiential value than graduate teaching and research assistants, they are not covered as exempt under current FLSA guidance.”

He noted that University will no longer offer graduate administrative assistantships via the eGA system. These roles will be filled through the ePAF process and time accounting will be managed through Banner Web Time Entry.

The changes are included in a review of graduate assistant definitions under way by the Graduate Funding Committee led by  Manuel Perez-Quinones, Professor of Software and Information Systems and Graduate Faculty Fellow.

Please forward FLSA questions to Kieffer M.Gaddis, kgaddis@uncc.edu,  7-0654, and student employment questions to Teresa Shook, tshook4@uncc.edu, 7-0671.

Graduate Mentor Training Sessions Set for March, May

The series of Graduate Mentor Training sessions offered by the Graduate School will continue this year, with sessions scheduled Mar. 2 and May 12.

The training for graduate faculty is intended for faculty who want to improve mentoring skills.  The effort is part of the Graduate School’s commitment to improve research climate on campus.  The training is derived from the evidence-based practices of the CIMER Institute (Center for Improved Mentoring Experiences in Research) at the University of Wisconsin.

While the March session is full, seats are available for May.  To register, visit the Graduate School Calendar.

For more information, check the Graduate School’s Mentoring Training and Mentoring and Advising pages.

 

Registrar Outlines Summer Term Changes

In its recent Spring 2020 Open Forum presentation, the Office of the Registrar outlined changes coming for the summer term in the following images:

For more information, visit the Office of the Registrar.

Grad Student Funding Committee Proposes new TA/RA Definitions

The Graduate Student Funding Committee has published draft definitions to improve understanding and consistency of implementation of work processes and funding for these important student roles.

The Committee was appointed by the Graduate Council to analyze and implement recommendations from the Graduate Student Funding Task Force in 2018.

Review of and comments on the policy statement are welcomed.  Access the policy statement on the committee’s Canvas site.

Recruiting Session to Focus on Website Design, Analytics

Categories: Recruitment

An up-to-date and informative website/web page is key to helping prospective students learn more about your program.  We encourage you to attend our LAUNCH workshop Best Practices in Graduate Program Website Design and Using Google Analytics on February 12th at 1:00 in the Graduate School conference room, to learn tips, techniques and how to make your web information useful.  We’ll also cover Google Analytics and tell you how you can understand who is actually visiting your program page.

Update on Graduate Applicants from China

Test administrations are cancelled in Mainland China for the GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL through February because of the coronavirus. The IELTS is also suspended in Macau and Hong Kong until February 11th and February 17th, respectively. You may review the website links below to view updated information as needed.
To date, 102 Chinese citizens have applied or are in the process of applying for admission to a graduate program at UNC Charlotte. For individuals who were scheduled for a test administration this week or in February, please consider the viability of extending any priority application deadlines to accommodate them as the national emergency in China unfolds.
Johnna

 

Graduate School to Host CGS 'Trends' Webinar

The Graduate School will host the CGS-sponsored webinar, “Trends in Graduate Education” Feb. 26, 2-3 p.m. in the Graduate School conference room, Cato Bldg, 2nd Floor.

Jaqui Falkenheim and Josh Trapani from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics at NSF will present the most recent data on graduate students from the Survey of Earned Doctorates and the Science and Engineering Indicators. They will address trends in enrollment and degree awards, student demographics (sex, race/ethnicity, citizenship), financial support patterns, and post-graduation employment, among other topics.

No registration is required to participate in this event.

Teaching Asst. Award Nominations Due Feb. 10

Nominations for the 2019-20 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant (TA) Award will be accepted through Feb. 10.

The TA Award recognizes students who are nominated by their faculty supervisors for their work as teaching assistants.  Two awards are presented; one at the Doctoral level and one at the Master’s level.

To nominate, email the TA’s name, ID number, email address, degree and program title to Daniel Jones (Daniel.Jones@uncc.edu) by February 10, 2020 and let the student know that you have nominated them. Nominees will complete the application process with a deadline of Feb. 27.

For more information please visit the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award portal.

Book Now for On-Campus Career Fairs

Time is running out to book your place at the University Career Center’s Spring career fairs that can put you in touch with high potential students from UNC Charlotte and area colleges and universities.

STEM Career Fair

UNC Charlotte’s STEM Career Fair provides organizations with an excellent opportunity for branding and recruiting candidates for full-time jobs, internships, co-ops, and graduate/professional programs. This event focuses on opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math. Event draws 1000+ students and alumni.

Visit the UNC Career Center’s registration site for more information and to register.

Spring Career and Internship Fair

The Spring Career & Internship Fair provides organizations with an excellent opportunity for branding and recruiting candidates for full-time jobs, internships, co-ops, and graduate/professional programs. This event focuses on non-technical opportunities, such as business, communications, and “all majors” positions.

Visit the UNC Career Center’s registration site for more information and to register.

Graduate Teaching Fellows Launch Coming

The Graduate School Teaching Fellows (GSTF) program launches spring semester, aimed at helping UNC Charlotte doctoral students be more competitive for tenure-track and teaching faculty positions.  Formerly known as the Provost’s Doctoral Teaching Program, the GSTF is open to current UNC Charlotte doctoral students.

The two-semester program provides training to graduate students interested in college-level teaching and a career in the professoriate.  During the first semester, students receive classroom development in course design, teaching methodology, and best practice.  Semester two consists of classroom observations, support, and constructive feedback from the Center for Graduate Life’s Teaching Faculty Associate, Dr. Judith Krauss. Fellows are recognized with a cash award and certificate at the completion of the program.

More information is available at the GSTF web page at the Center for Graduate Life.

Submit Ideas for Ventureprise Launch NSF I-Corps Spring Cohort

The Spring 2020 Ventureprise Launch National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps is seeking participants with research and business ideas the NSF might fund. The 2020 cohort will begin Jan. 31 and the last date to submit is Jan. 28.

Please visit UNC Charlotte’s Entrepreneurship website for more information.

Online Graduate Programs Rank High

UNC Charlotte continues to offer outstanding graduate programs through an online delivery.  Several recently made top-tier ranking as conducted by U.S. News and World Report.

Equaling programs offered by the University of Virginia and Michigan State, UNC Charlotte ranks #7 as a Best Online Master’s in Special Education Program.  The M.Ed. in Special Education is a 33 credit hour professional graduate degree consisting of two online concentrations: Academically or Intellectually Gifted, and Special Education.  Additionally, the University was picked as a top 30 Best Online Master’s in Education Program.

Annually ranked by the publication and based on criteria such as employment outcomes of its graduates, rankings are a baseline to aid prospective students in their graduate program research.  To see detailed information about rankings and their methodology visit U.S. News and World Report.

UNC Charlotte ranked highly as a Best Online Master’s in Nursing Administration Program at #17, and Best Online Master’s in Engineering at #39.

For more information or to attend online information sessions visit the Distance Education website.  To learn about graduate education at UNC Charlotte or to begin your application, visit the Graduate Admissions website. We also invite all prospective graduate students to attend an online information session or if you’re in the area, stop in during Office Hours, Tuesdays from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM and Thursdays from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.