For questions, please contact Sandra Krause, Sandra.Krause@uncc.edu.
The International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) sent a message to UNC Charlotte students from China aimed at clarifying the presidential proclamation issued May 29.
Following is the text of that message:
Dear Students,
On Friday, May 29, 2020, President Trump issued a presidential proclamation titled: Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Non-immigrants of Certain Students and Researchers from the People’s Republic of China.
The Proclamation is mostly applicable to graduate level students and researchers, who are PRC nationals seeking to enter the U.S. as F/J non-immigrants or applying for an F/J U.S. visa stamp and who:
or
While the term ‘military-civil fusion strategy’ has been defined as ‘actions by or at the behest of the PRC to acquire and divert foreign technologies, specifically critical and emerging technologies, to incorporate into and advance the PRC’s military capabilities’, currently there is no list published by U.S. authorities of institutions or entities that meet that criteria.
It is important to know that this proclamation does NOT include:
or
Future Entry to the U.S.
It is also important to note that the proclamation only applies to future entry to the U.S. and future F/J visa applications. While it instructs the Secretary of State to consider whether PRC nationals currently in the U.S. in F/J status should have their visas revoked, the order itself doesn’t revoke any existing visas. Most importantly, visa revocation, in and of itself, should not result in removal, deportation, or expulsion from the U.S. Rather, visa revocation means that the visa can no longer be used to enter the U.S. even if the visa appears valid and the expiration date has not yet passed (which would only impact those who depart the U.S. or are abroad at the time the visa were revoked.)
Evolving Situation
At this time, there is no information yet about how this proclamation will be executed. This is an evolving situation and we will continue to keep you updated. In the meantime, please monitor the email accounts you used to apply for your F or J visa. If you receive notification that your visa has been revoked, please contact the ISSO so that we can advise you accordingly.
The UNC Charlotte Global NinerNation
We realize that the tone of these proclamations may be deeply concerning to you and your loved ones. Please know that the ISSO and its professional associations work tirelessly to interpret these presidential proclamations, executive orders, and other changes in U.S. immigration while advocating for the benefits of international education.
The ISSO wishes to remind you that we support you throughout this difficult time. We appreciate the diversity of skills, cultural exchange and the many other gifts that you bring to the UNC Charlotte community. Please be in touch and let us know how we can help you.
Sincerely,
Tarek Elshayeb, Director
Denise Medeiros, Associate Director
Graduate School senior leadership hosted a virtual forum with GPDs Apr. 29 to discuss a number of COVID-19-driven policy adjustments and to respond to questions.
The forum was recorded and is available on WebEx.
While we are focused on serving students, faculty and staff during these unusual circumstances, we must also anticipate possible longer term impacts to fall 2020 enrollment. To that end, each graduate program should consider how to appropriately and nimbly respond now to mitigate decreases in enrollment to the extent possible.
Please keep us informed of your plan to respond to the possibility of a substantial reduction in new student enrollment for fall 2020, whether international or domestic or both, by April 1st. You should update your program’s Graduate Enrollment Management Plan in GPDNet, and also communicate with Johnna Watson at jwwatson@uncc.edu.
Some of the issues that will impact new domestic and international enrollment are:
What Graduate Admissions and Funding (and ETS) is Doing to Help Recruit the New Class
1. A Google form is being developed for applicants to request their application for admission be updated/deferred from summer or fall 2020 to a term in 2021 without the applicant incurring an additional cost.
Note: Applications for individuals already offered admission will be (re)referred to Graduate Program Directors for admissions consideration and recommendation. Toward this end, if a program does not currently consider spring and/or summer applicants but wishes to do so for 2021, please contact Kathy Giddings at kathygiddings@uncc.edu to open the term(s) in the application portal as soon as possible.
2. We will temporarily accept official scores from the Duolingo English Test in support of English language proficiency. Prospective students can take the test anytime, anywhere and get results in less than two days, at a cost of $49. A minimum score of 105 is required, and we expect to be able to receive certified test scores within a week.
3. We are offering GPDs maximum flexibility to waive GRE, GMAT, and MAT requirements for summer/fall 2020 applicants, and continue to encourage holistic review of admissions applications to determine applicant “fit” with graduate programs.
4. ETS is offering a solution for students impacted by the coronavirus to take the TOEFL iBT and the GRE General Test at home until test centers can reopen. TOEFL testing will begin on March 26th, and GRE testing on March 27th, in select countries (including the U.S. and China). These test administrations will include live proctors and utilize artificial intelligence technology. Details will be available soon on the ETS website.
5. GradConnect is our program by which enrolled graduate students and staff “connect” with prospective students to help move them along the enrollment funnel, from suspect > prospect > applicant > admitted student > enrolled student, and we continue to connect with as many individuals as possible. (Your help goes a long way towards this effort!)
6. Admissions counselors offer virtual Information Sessions for prospective applicants to learn more about graduate programs, admission requirements, and the application process, in addition to Now That You’re Admitted Sessions for individuals offered admission.
7. Prospective students who have applied or been admitted to the summer or fall 2020 semesters are invited to join our admissions counselors for a live question/answer session. The counselors will address any questions or concerns brought about by the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis.
8. We actively post to the Graduate Admissions social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn) to promote graduate programs and encourage people to attend a virtual Information Session and Apply Now.
9. Graduate Admissions partnered with University Communications to debut a Made in Charlotte ad campaign that launches this week. Paid social and digital ads will be strategically placed in the Charlotte, Triad, and Triangle regions to promote graduate programs.
Challenges and Opportunities for Graduate Programs: What You Can Do to Help Enroll New Students
Important Dates and Deadlines:
April 1
April 10
April 14
April 15
April 22
April 30th
● Admitted Student Session (online)
From Academic Affairs: Currently, there are no plans to move registration for upcoming summer and fall semesters. Students are encouraged to check My UNC Charlotte for registration holds and times. Following conversations with their advisor, students can begin building their potential schedules in Schedule Wizard, which allows students to send their schedule to Banner Self Service when their registration time opens.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Beginning Spring 2020, international students who have not already waived or enrolled in student health insurance (SHI) will be automatically enrolled as of the first day of the policy period. For spring semester, January 1 is the first day of the policy period. For fall 2020, the first day is August 1.
The SHI policy is intended to help ensure international students are covered with insurance on the first day of the policy period. Students who have their own insurance will still be able to waive SHI coverage.
Previously, students were required to enroll online to receive SHI coverage, which could be delayed by weeks. Should there be a death before a student is enrolled, they could be be ineligible for the repatriation benefit.
Contact the Student Health Center for more information.
The Graduate Funding Committee is inviting comment on proposed new standard definitions for Graduate Assistant, Teaching Assistant and Administrative Assistant roles.
The Committee was established to assess and implement recommendations made by the Graduate Student Funding Task Force in 1017-18. Creating standard definitions for these roles was among those recommendations.
The draft definitions are available in this shared Google document. Comments are welcome in the document or below.
The Funding Committee’s work also can be followed on Canvas. All Program Directors should have received an invitation to join the project course. If you did not receive an invitation, contact Julie Goodliffe, jmgoodli@uncc.edu, in the Graduate School.
For more information, contact Dr. Manuel A. Pérez-Quiñones, Faculty Fellow, Graduate School, and Chair of the Graduate Funding Committee, Perez.Quinones@uncc.edu.
If you’re looking to make changes to the Undergraduate or Graduate Catalog, please note that December 31 is the deadline for course and curriculum proposals to be launched and approved by the Originator via Curriculog (Course and Curriculum Deadlines). The earlier you start, the more likely the proposal will reach final approval in time for Fall 2020 implementation, registration, and publication in the 2020-2021 Catalogs.
The working drafts for the 2020-2021 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs are available online for preview to help with planning your course and curriculum changes for the 2020-2021 academic year. These previews should reflect any course and curriculum changes that have gone through the full approval process within Curriculog. Any proposals that have not yet gone through the full approval process will not yet appear. Future changes will be added to these working drafts of the catalogs as proposals have completed the FULL approval cycle within Curriculog.
An Open Swim Curriculog Training Session will be held on Friday, December 13 from 2:30-3:45 p.m. in Colvard 4103. This open swim training is where you can work on Curriculog proposals and/or bring questions. Matt Wyse, the Curriculog Administrator, will be there to help you navigate Curriculog and answer your questions. Register here. To learn more about Curriculog, visit the Curriculog Training page of the Faculty Governance website.
Students who meet the criteria to withdraw due to Extenuating Circumstances for the CURRENT term must submit their request to the Office of Student Assistance and Support Services no later than Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019.
The Extenuating Circumstances Committee meets monthly during the academic school year. For their application to be heard, students must have had their consultation with the Assistant Director for Withdrawal Services and submitted all documentation by 5:00 p.m., Dec. 4, 2019.
More information on withdrawal is available on the Withdrawal Services website.
Over the past months, the Graduate School conducted an extensive review of graduate education and graduate school administration in preparation for the 2020-25 Strategic Plan.
The review included the Graduate School Self Study and the Graduate School External Review by distinguished graduate educators from Virginia Tech, NC State and Miami University of Ohio.
Complete versions of both the Self Study and the External Review are available for download.
The University will consolidate the two separate summer terms used today into a single term beginning in Summer 2020.
The term codes xxxx50 (Summer I and Extended Summer) and xxxx70 (Summer II) will be replaced with 202060 for future summer terms. Separate sessions will be added the single summer term to represent the formerly identified summer sessions. The change will permit an expansion into other shorter or longer sessions during the summer.
For more information, please visit the Office of the Registrar.
The fee to apply for a post-baccalaureate or non-degree graduate course at UNC Charlotte will be reduced from $75 to $25 effective spring 2020. Admission is limited to one term.
The change makes it easier for prospective students to try out one of UNC Charlotte’s many graduate program options without having to take an admissions test, complete prerequisites, or commit to a specific program.
The regular graduate application fee for domestic students is $75 and the fee for international students is $85.
For more information, visit Graduate Admissions.
Several graduate academic polices were recently updated. A downloadable summary of changes is available. Changes to policy text are noted in red.
To view a complete list of policies, please visit the 2019-20 Graduate Catalog.
Human Resources recently published a change in the hiring process for Foreign National Students. Information about the change is available from Human Resources and from the International Student and Scholar Office.
