In a memo to UNC Charlotte leaders, the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) addressed guidance for F-1 students from the the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued by news release July 6.
The ISSO memo is available for download.
The original SEVP news release is available from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Distance Education has introduced a new tuition and fee structure for out of North Carolina non-resident students.
The Distance Education Out-of-NC Non-Resident Tuition Rate Fact Sheet is available for download.
More on Distance Education Tuition and Fees can be found at Niner Central.
The required cut-off date for applying any RDS determination has been extended from 30 to 45 days from the start of term for fall 2020 through spring 2021. The change was made to allow for adjustments to Census Day reporting in the wake of COVID-19.
The changes were outlined in a letter from Kimberly van Noort, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer for the UNC System. The letter is available for download.
Applicants offered admission are required to submit a final official transcript from the college or university where the bachelor’s degree was earned prior to registering for the second semester in the Graduate School at UNC Charlotte.
Final transcripts for spring 2021 admits are due Aug. 15. Fall semester transcript submissions are due in October. Final transcripts can be mailed to the Graduate School or sent electronically directly from the College or University to gradcounselor@uncc.edu.
The School of Data Science and Research and Economic Development issued a call through the Ignite Planning Grants Program for proposals associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Faculty and staff teams can apply for one-time Flash Grants of between $5,000-$10,000 for 3-6 months. Teams that engage with one of our University Business Partners will be eligible for an additional $5,000, for a total of up to $15,000.
By encouraging collaboration among researches from different colleges and other institutions, the program aims to position research teams to respond to more external funding opportunities related to COVID-19.
Complete submission details are available for download. For questions, contact Lesley Brown, Director of the Center for Research Excellence.
A video tutorial covering training, deadlines, and other information about tuition support from the Graduate School is available on GPDNet.
The video is hosted by Julie Goodliffe (jmgoodli@uncc.edu), Director of Funding and Fellowships.
The video and full details on how to obtain tuition support for graduate students is available on GPDNet’s News & Resources page.
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
As part of UNC Charlotte’s plan for the phased reopening of campus operations, the Research Restart and Restoration Task Force was convened in April by Research and Economic Development. The report was distributed by Academic Affairs.
For more details on research plans, please review the Research and Restoration Task Force Report. More information on campus reopening plans is available from Academic Affairs.
As a reminder, the Graduate School posts weekly application and enrollment reports to GPDNet allowing you to analyze and compare activity in your program. This is a helpful tool to guide your program in meeting targeted enrollment goals. You must be signed into your NinerNet account to download the reports. For questions, please contact Johnna Watson about enrollment reports, or Kathy Giddings for application reports.
It’s been a challenging year for the Class of 2020, and University Communications would like to celebrate them in the safest and most meaningful way possible. We want to tell the Class of 2020 graduate story and we hope you’ll help us.
In ‘To the Class of 2020, From the Class of 2020’, we plan to create a thoughtful compilation of what graduating means for our May graduates, including voices of UNC Charlotte faculty and staff. Please consider submitting a personal video that includes words of encouragement for the Class of 2020. Use this webform for guidelines and to share submissions by the April 28 deadline.
We appreciate your participation, which will provide inspiration and much-needed encouragement to the Class of 2020 during this time.
Lara Vetter, professor of English, was selected to receive this year’s Thomas L. Reynolds Leadership Award for her contributions to student success and enrollment management.
Read more about Vetter’s accomplishments in Graduate School news.
The Graduate School is seeking nominations through May 29 for the 2020 Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award.
The award, which is sponsored by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) and ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, includes a certificate, $1,000 cash award, and a chance to participate in the CGS annual meeting.
The award recognizes original work that makes an unusually significant contribution to the discipline.
For more information and access to the nomination form, please visit the Graduate School Award Gateway.
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
Indian nationals are further strongly advised to refrain from travelling to China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain, and Germany.
The Center for Teaching and Learning has developed an extensive resources to help faculty remain productive during crisis.
Included are a worksheet to help develop a continuity plan for courses and tips for staying productive while working remotely.
Learn more by visiting the CTL’s website
