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March 2008

March
Headlines:

Details on TGS Funding Plans Emerge
In February, The Graduate School announced its intent to increase support for graduate students.
As part of a continued effort to "build a better student", these initiatives will aim to enhance quality of life, and increase research support and opportunities for TGS' students. Dean Andrew Wachtel recently sent a message to students addressing some common questions and concerns about this development. Read Dean Wachtel's message here.

CAPS Offers Support to Northern Illinois Campus and Northwestern Campus
The horrific tragedy that struck the Northern Illinois University campus has had a profound and chilling impact on campuses across the country.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) would like to remind graduate students of their services and encourages you to reach out to them for help. CAPS offers various self-help resources to cope with the trauma related to this type of tragedy, including support for those affected by the tragedy at NIU. Whether you were directly or indirectly affected by the tragedy, or you just want to talk with someone, you may schedule an appointment by calling (847) 491-2151 or visiting their Web site.

Call Made for Committee Members for the Ver Steeg Faculty & Staff Awards
TGS invites graduate students to help recognize our outstanding faculty and staff members by serving on this year’s Ver Steeg Awards selection committees.
We are looking for a range of candidates from across Northwestern to volunteer for this unique opportunity. The committees hope to meet between March 31 and April 11. Interested PhD students should e-mail their name, student ID number, department or program, current year at Northwestern, and availability between the above dates to gradfund@northwestern.edu by Friday, March 14, 2008.

TGS 2008 Hooding Ceremony Intent to Participate Form Available Online
Graduate students in WCAS, Kellogg, Communication, and TGS Interdisciplinary Programs receiving the Ph.D. or MFA degree in the 2007-2008 academic year are invited to participate in The Graduate School Hooding Ceremony on Friday, June 20, 2008 at Noon.
Students who would like to participate in this event should submit the Intent to Participate form by May 9. Additional information about Commencement and other hooding ceremonies in McCormick, SESP, and Music can be found at http://www.tgs.northwestern.edu/studentsvcs/graduation/.

Advanced Year and Summer Course Registration Policy for PhD Students Continues
Doctoral students in advanced status (TGS 503, 598, and 599) are allowed to take up to four additional units of coursework during an academic year (including summers).
All courses taken by post-candidacy students, except for language classes, are to be taken pass/no credit (P/NP). All language classes must be taken for a grade. Students must secure departmental and TGS permission before registering for Advanced Year coursework. For additional information concerning this policy, please see our Web site or contact a student services representative.

Call Made for 2008-2009 Community Building Proposals
Help develop programming that brings together groups of students who would ordinarily not come into contact with each other!
TGS' Community Building groups and programming continue to help stem the isolation that graduate students often experience in their laboratories and libraries. Details on the how to apply - and guidelines for programming - can be found on TGS' Community Building Web site.

The Tax Man Cometh...
It's the time of year to start thinking about filing your federal and state (IL) tax returns!
You must report any fellowship stipend (after you make deductions for books, supplies and required fees) which you received during the 2007 calendar year. The instruction booklets for each federal return provide information on how and where to report any fellowship funds. W-2s issued by Northwestern do not reflect your fellowship stipend. If you need to determine your year-to-date earnings for 2007, you can view your paychecks/advices through HR Self Service (requires NetID and password). For tax information, please review IRS Publication 970 – Tax Benefits for Education at and the TGS Financial Aid Web site. Don't forget to retain copies of your Federal and state tax returns!

Taking Federal Loans? Will you be a Graduate Assistant? Don't Forget Your FAFSA for 2008-2009.
U.S. citizens/permanent residents are advised to complete a 2008/2009 FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
The Graduate School recommends that you complete a 2008-2009 FAFSA (or renewal FAFSA) if there is any possibility that you may be appointed as a graduate assistant, or if you wish to apply for federal loans, during the 2008-2009 academic year. TIP: Complete your Federal tax return first and it will be easier to answer the FAFSA/Renewal FAFSA questions!

FICA and Spring 2008 Registration Deadlines Approach
Graduate students who are scheduled to receive a check for 03/31/2008 must register by 5 PM on March 14, 2008 in order to avoid having Social Security/Medicare tax (FICA) deducted.
Only students being funded entirely or partially as graduate, teaching and/or research assistants are subject to FICA being deducted if they are not registered. Registration for Spring 2008 began on Monday, February 25, 2008. If registration occurs after 5 PM on March 14th and FICA tax is deducted, students should print a copy of the confirmed registration from CAESAR. This registration receipt must be brought to the Payroll office where a refund of FICA tax will be processed within 60 days of receipt. If a copy of your confirmed registration can not be obtained through CAESAR, the Office of the Registrar should be contacted for assistance. If there are questions concerning registration, please contact the appropriate TGS Student Services representative. If there are any other questions, please contact the Payroll Office at (847) 491-7362.

Fellowship and Grant Opportunities Made Available to Graduate Students
The Graduate School sponsors a number of internal fellowship and grant competitions for students at all stages of their graduate experience.
Below are several fellowship and grant opportunities currently receiving proposals and/or applications to determine eligibility. Applications for these competitions can be downloaded from links found at the bottom of each individual fellowship or grant page:

  • Graduate Research Grants
    For PhD and MFA students in historically underfunded disciplines to meet expenses related to scholarly research and creative endeavors.
  • Conference Travel Grants
    This grant provides funds to assist PhD and MFA students traveling to conferences and/or seminars to make presentations on behalf of the University.
  • Center for Interdisciplinary Research in the Arts (CIRA) Grants
    Committed to cutting-edge, interdisciplinary arts research since its inception in 1986, CIRA grants encourage bordercrossings across the fields of written, visual and performing arts; across disciplines and schools; between faculty, staff, and students; and between Northwestern and outside communities.
  • Summer Language Grants
    These grants are intended to assist PhD students with expenses related to language acquisition. Preference is given to students who require training in a language that is not their primary area of study but is still a significant part of their research.
  • Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS)
    Chicago ARCS Scholars pursue masters and doctoral degrees in a wide range of subjects involving leading-edge technologies in science and engineering. Representative university departments eligible to sponsor ARCS Scholars include artificial intelligence, biochemistry, biology, cell and molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geological science, immunology, mathematics, medicine, and physics. Last year the ARCS award was $10,000. The deadline for applications is Friday, February 29, 2008 at 12:00 noon.

Proposal-Writing Workshops Continue
The Office of Fellowships offers proposal-writing workshops for all graduate departments.
Interested students should contact Stephen Hill to arrange a workshop in the Winter or Spring Quarter. In the workshop students learn what funding agencies seek in fellowship proposals, how to identify sources of funding, the elements that make up a complete proposal, and how to turn an interesting topic into a researchable question. Stephen Hill can be reached by phone at 847.491.2617, or by e-mail at s-hill@northwestern.edu.

Making the Most of Mentoring & Advising
Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Registration Required

Concerned about how to guide undergraduates who come to you with academic and personal concerns beyond the course? Practice dealing with typical scenarios, learn strategies for balancing student and faculty demands, and consider mentorship as a professional development opportunity. For more information, visit the Searle Center for Teaching Excellence Web site.

National Clandestine Service Information Session
Date: Tuesday, March 11th, 2008, 6pm to 7:30pm
Location: Swift Hall, Room 107 - 2029 Sheridan Road, Evanston Campus

Interested in a Career Working for the CIA? The National Clandestine Service of the CIA is hosting an informal information session. The purpose of the event is to educate students about what it would be like to work for the CIA and to answer any questions that students may have. Sponsored by University Career Services.

Fulbright Informational Meetings
Dates: Wednesday, March 12, 2008; Monday, April 7, 2008; Thursday, April 17, 2008, 12 noon
Location: Office of Fellowships - 1940 Sheridan Road, Evanston Campus

Interested in a year of study or research abroad after you graduate? Attend an information session and learn about the Fulbright Grant and the Northwestern application process. All meetings at 12:00 noon in the Office of Fellowships.

International Student and Scholar Income Tax Information Sessions
Date: Monday, April 7th, 2008, 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Location: Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center, Baldwin Auditorium - 303 E. Superior, Chicago Campus

All International Students and Scholars, and their dependents, must file at least one tax form. Session topics include overview of taxation in the United States, common tax forms, and Self-Help Resources. Deadline to file is April 15, 2008. Sessions are co-sponsored by The International Office and the Office of Human Resources. Registration not required. Additional sessions will be planned for the Evanston campus and will be announced on The International Office listservs. For more information contact Elizabeth Matthews at e-matthews1@northwestern.edu.

James Lang, "Staying On Course: Managing Your First Year on the Faculty"
Date: Thursday, April 10, 2008, Noon - 1:00pm
Location: Hardin Hall (Southwest Tower, Basement Level of Rebecca Crown Center) - 633 Clark Street, Evanston Campus

James M. Lang, Ph.D., author of On Course: A Week-by-Week Guide to Your First Semester of College Teaching and Life on the Tenure Track: Lessons from the First Year will discuss the first year as a full-time faculty member. The talk will offer an overview of the responsibilities that a first-year faculty member will face, and offer strategies for managing the first year. For additional information, please visit our NU Directions Upcoming Events Web site.

Theatre: Crossroads of the Humanities
Dates: April 10 – 12, 2008
Location: Evanston Campus (multiple locations)

This is the second conference in a series addressing methodological challenges of interdisciplinary theatre scholarship, hosted by Northwestern's Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Theatre and Drama (IPTD) program. We will discuss innovative interdisciplinary work in-progress and encourage discussion that probes the relationship between theatre, dance, performance studies, and other disciplines. The conference begins with workshops lead by Marvin Carlson, Baz Kershaw, and Rebecca Schneider and will feature talks by national and international leaders in interdisciplinary research. To learn more, see the conference Web site.

12th Annual BGSA Graduate & Professional Student Research Conference and Banquet
Date: Friday, April 11, 2008 - Saturday, April 12, 2008
Location: McCormick Tribune Center - 1870 Campus Drive, Evanston Campus
Registration: http://studentassociations.gsad.northwestern.edu/bgsa/ConferenceSite/Conference.html

The Black Graduate Student Association invites all graduate students to attend the 12th Annual Research Conference. We welcome students to present their work at this cross-disciplinary forum. Registration is FREE and includes a welcome reception on Friday, breakfast and lunch on Saturday, and conference materials.

Graduate Fellowships Night
Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 7pm
Location: TBD

A night of discussion and information devoted to graduate fellowship applicants; present and future. Hosted by The Graduate School and the Office of Fellowships, faculty speakers and graduate fellowship winners will present successful application strategies.

NU Directions Spring Professional Development Conference
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2008, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Norris University Center, Evanston Campus

The spring conference will include presentations on creating teaching philosophies and portfolios, finding funding, the academic and non-academic job search, as well as a panel and networking event with former alumni who are using their PhDs in careers outside of academia. Additional information is available on our Web site.

Graduate Teaching Certificate Program Information Sessions
Date: Friday, May 2, 2008 OR Thursday, May 8, 2008 at noon
Attend one of these required sessions to learn more about the Graduate Teaching Certificate program, talk with alumni, and find out how to apply. Please email teach@northwestern.edu if you cannot attend one of these sessions. For more information, visit the Searle Center for Teaching Excellence Web site.

Workshop on "Reconstructing Social History in a Post-Structural World"
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2008, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Location: Hagstrum Room (University Hall 201) - 1897 Sheridan Road, Evanston Campus

The Center for Historical Studies’ workshop on Social History will give the Northwestern community an opportunity to discuss new approaches for studying social relations in the past. This will allow faculty and students to help shape a field that continues to redefine itself. Keith Wrightson, a leading scholar of early modern England, will deliver the keynote address. The workshop will feature exciting new work from graduate students from Northwestern and around Chicago. For more information, please contact CHS at (847) 467-0885 or chs@northwestern.edu.

University Events
NU's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Searle Center for Teaching Excellence and University Career Services all offer valuable programming to the graduate student population.
Please see the following links for a full list of events:

Other Graduate Student Resources
In addition to the University offices mentioned above, there are also units dedicated, at least in part, to graduate student quality of life and professional development. For more information, please visit the following links:

Student Services Staff
The Graduate School's Student Services staff is here to help with any questions or concerns.