May 5, 2009 Headlines:
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Upcoming Events for Graduate Students:
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FICA and Summer 2009 Registration Deadlines Approach
Graduate students who are scheduled to receive payment on June 30, 2009 must register by 5pm on Friday, June 19, 2009 in order to avoid having the FICA tax deducted.
Only students who are being funded entirely or partially as graduate assistants, teaching assistants and research assistants are subject to FICA being deducted if they are not registered. Registration for Summer 2009 began on Monday, April 13, 2009.
If registration occurs after 5pm on June 20th and the FICA tax has been deducted, students should print out a copy of their 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.
Refunds are processed only on payroll adjustment runs. If a student is unable to obtain a copy of their confirmed registration from CAESAR, the Registrar’s Office should be contacted for assistance. If you have any questions concerning the FICA deduction, please contact the Payroll Office at 847/491-7362.
NU Health Plan Options Detailed for Students Leaving the University
This message is for students who are enrolled in the Northwestern Health Plan and are graduating, or leaving the University at the end of spring quarter 2009.
If you wish to cancel your enrollment in the NU health plan you must submit your request in writing to the Health Insurance Office at 633 Emerson Street by Friday, June 5, 2009. You may also fax your request to 847/491-4268. Once the request has been approved, your charges will be adjusted. Your health insurance subsidy may be adjusted following a review of your account.
You do have the option of staying enrolled in the NU health plan through August 31, 2009. If you wish to continue your enrollment in the NU Plan after you leave the University and you requested monthly payroll deductions from your stipend to pay your health insurance cost you will need to make other arrangements with the Office of Student Accounts to settle your obligation since you will no longer be receiving pay through Northwestern.
If you have further questions about this matter please contact the Health Insurance Office at 847/491-4134 or contact Ethlyn Pitts-Senecal.
Loan Exit Sessions for Graduating Students
Graduating spring quarter students who have taken out federal loans (Federal Stafford and Federal Perkins Loan) are required to attend a group student loan exit session.
Topics will include early repayment, standard repayment of loans, and available options related to economic hardship. The hour-long gatherings will take place at Kellogg/Jacobs Center, 2001 Sheridan Road (Evanston Campus), where students are to attend one of the following sessions:
- Tuesday, May 26, 2009 – 10:00am & 12 Noon (room G40)
- Wednesday, May 27, 2009 – 12 Noon; 2:00pm & 4:00pm (room G36)
- Thursday, May 28, 2009 – 10:00am; 12 Noon; 2:00pm; 5:00pm (room G36)
- Saturday, May 30, 2009 – 10:00am; 12 Noon & 2:00pm (room G40)
If unable to attend, students may make appointments with counselors at Student Financial Services by calling 847-491-8950 or emailing gradfinaid@northwestern.edu.
TGS Hooding Ceremony “Intent to Participate Form” Due FRIDAY
Graduate students in WCAS, Kellogg, The School of Communication, Feinberg School of Medicine, and TGS Interdisciplinary Programs receiving the PhD or MFA degree in the 2008-2009 academic year are invited to participate in The Graduate School Hooding Ceremony on Friday, June 19, 2009.
Students who would like to participate must submit the Intent to Participate form by Friday, May 8. Students must rent regalia no later than Friday, May 15.
Summer Quarter U-Pass Distribution Announced
The last day you can use your winter quarter U-Pass is Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 11:59pm.
Be sure to register as a full-time student for Summer 2009 by Wednesday, May 6, 2009 in order for the U-Pass to be activated and available for use on Thursday, June 18, 2009. From Thursday, June 11 to Wednesday, June 17, 2009, The Graduate School plans to distribute Summer Quarter 2009 U-Passes (activated 6/18/09 – 8/31/09) from several campus locations. Click here to see available dates, times, and locations.
Increased Services, Increased Fee for all Full-Time Graduate Students
The CTA is increasing the cost of the U-PASS by 15% beginning Fall Quarter 2009.
As a result of this price increase being imposed by the CTA and on recommendation of the Graduate Leadership Council to expand U-PASS coverage from 323 days per year to a full 365 days per year, the quarterly cost of the activity fee will increase to $78 for all full-time eligible graduate students beginning September 2009. To be clear, $74 will fund the U-PASS and the remaining $4 will continue to contribute to the expenses for an attorney and community building activities for all graduate students.
The start of the 365 days will begin on September 16, 2009. There will still be a break in service from September 1 -15, 2009.
For more information about billing and payment of this fee, please see the April issue of TGS E-News.
Students enrolled in TGS 512 (Continuous Registration), 513, 514, 510 (Co-op internship) and those with other less-than-full-time registrations will not be charged the activity fee and are NOT eligible for the attendant services.
Please direct all questions regarding the activity fee and any of the services provided to tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu.
Northwestern University Fellowship in Leadership for Ph.D. Students
Northwestern University is pleased to announce the establishment of the Fellowship in Leadership.
This Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for Ph.D. students who will be in the 3rd year or beyond to develop their abilities as leaders, leadership coaches, mentors and researchers. On completion of the program, Fellows are designated as a Northwestern University Leadership Coach. Fellows will receive a $3,000 or $15,000 award to work collaboratively with program faculty in an environment that fosters deep learning through experimentation, risk taking, academic inquiry and real world problem solving. For additional information, interested students should visit the Web site and attend the information session. Please see the Events section below for details on the upcoming information session. If you're unable to attend the information session, you can also contact Adam Goodman at a-goodman@northwestern.edu or 847-467-6933. The Fellowship in Leadership application deadline is May 22, 2009.
Call for 2009 TGS Hooding Ceremony Volunteers
Planning for The Graduate School 2009 Hooding Ceremony is underway.
Current PhD or MFA students not being hooded this year are asked to volunteer at the 2009 Hooding Ceremony on June 19 at Noon. Volunteers attend one planning meeting and assist with the ceremony from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Volunteers may attend the hooding ceremony without a ticket as well as the lunch reception that follows. Interested volunteers should contact Kate Veraldi, Coordinator of Student Services at The Graduate School.
CCIS Continues Services for International Students
The Community Council for International Students (CCIS) is a group of community volunteers, working in conjunction with the NU Provost’s Office, International Office and Graduate School to offer special services to international students.
International students are invited to join in these services at any time of the year. In addition to social activities, services include
For more detailed information, application forms, contact names and emails, please see the CCIS Web site.
Call Made for 2009-2010 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.
Volunteers Needed for GSA 5K Run/BBQ
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) looking for volunteers for their 5K Run/BBQ on Saturday, June 6.
If you would be interested in helping out on race day, or have questions, please contact the GSA 5K co-chairs Kate (katherine.newbold@gmail.com) or Melanie (melanie.francisco@gmail.com). All volunteers receive a free t-shirt!
Apply to be an ISEN Cluster Fellow
The Graduate School has awarded Initiative for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern (ISEN) a Cluster on Energy and Sustainability.
ISEN will select 5-10 Fellows who will be awarded a full tuition scholarship and a stipend at the base TGS level. ALL NU Graduate Students are invited to apply. Application Deadline: May 8, 2009. For details and instructions on how to apply visit the ISEN Web site. Good Luck!
Clarence L. Ver Steeg Graduate Faculty and Staff Awards Announced
The Graduate School is proud to announce the 2008-2009 winners of the Clarence L. Ver Steeg Graduate Faculty and Staff Awards: Professor Darren Gergle from the Department of Communication Studies and Professor David Nadler from the Department of Mathematics, and Rossitza Guenkova-Fernandez from the Department of Religion.
Named for Clarence Ver Steeg, Northwestern University Professor Emeritus in History and Dean of the Graduate School from 1975 to 1986, these awards recognize two Graduate Faculty members and one staff member each year for excellence in work with graduate students in The Graduate School.
Professors Gergle and Nadler, and Rossitza Guenkova-Fernandez will be recognized at the June 19, 2009 PhD and MFA hooding ceremony and each will receive a certificate of recognition and a $3000 award. Please join us in congratulating these outstanding faculty and staff members for this recognition of their tremendous contributions to graduate education at Northwestern University.
Can Bayram Receives Prize from the Dow Sustainability Innovation Challenge
In recognition of his research contributing to global sustainability, Can Bayram, a doctoral student in Electrical and Computer Engineering, recently received a $10,000 prize from the Dow Sustainability Innovation Challenge.
The Dow Sustainability Challenge recognizes exceptional work by students who are engaged in ongoing scientific, technical or social research to develop innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to meet human needs while also protecting the environment, promoting economic growth and achieving social welfare, now and into the future. The Center for Quantum Devices at Northwestern University and The Graduate School are proud to recognize Can’s research efforts with respect to solid state lighting and solar cells.
Events for Graduate Students in May
The Graduate School partners with many organizations inside and outside of Northwestern to provide valuable academic and social opportunities for graduate students. Click on any event name to view more information. Coming up in May:
NU Grad Student Networking, Presented by the Medill Journal of Integrated Marketing Communications
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009
Time: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: 3220 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 (Fizz Bar & Grill)
Open to all members of the Northwestern graduate student community, this event offers an opportunity to meet students from other programs that you might not otherwise get the opportunity to interact with. In a traditional "speed" format, participants will move from group to group to meet as many possible contacts in a short period of time. There will also be an opportunity to share information and mingle after the speed portion of the event. Tickets are $10 (advance) / $15 (door) and available online through the e-campus Web site (registration required). Online registration closes May 6, 2009. Please contact Neala Brown or Jessica Redler with any questions.
LGBT Resource Center Spring awards & Lavender Graduation
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Time: 4:30pm – 6:00pm
Location: John Evans Alumni Center, 1800 Sheridan Road (Evanston Campus)
The LGBT Resource Center Awards & Lavender Graduation is an annual event held during Spring Quarter to recognize those who have made substantial contributions to the both the national and NU LGBT communities. This year the reception will be held on Wednesday, May 13th from 4:30-6pm. All LGBTQ identified people and allies at Northwestern University are invited. More information on this event is available on the LGBT Resource Center’s Web site.
Information Session on Northwestern University Fellowship in Leadership for Doctoral Students
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2009
Time: Noon – 1pm (Lunch Provided)
Location: 1813 Hinman Ave, 1st Floor (Evanston Campus)
Ph.D. students who are interested in applying for the Fellowship in Leadership are invited to attend an information session with Adam Goodman & Todd Murphy, the faculty directors of the Fellowship in Leadership. This session will provide an opportunity to learn more about the Fellowship and application guidelines. For additional information, visit the Web site. Please RSVP by Wednesday, May 13 to Greg Stegeman (g-stegeman@northwestern.edu).
Motherhood and Success in Science & Engineering Panel Discussions
Date: Monday, May 18, 2009
Time: 11:30 – 2:30 pm
Location: Hardin Hall, 633 Clark Street (Evanston Campus)
Motherhood and Success in Science & Engineering, an exciting regional event co-sponsored by Northwestern University and The University of Chicago will be held from 11:30-2:30 PM at Northwestern’s Evanston campus and 4:00-6:30 PM at The University of Chicago. These panel discussions will explore the challenges of balancing a career in STEM fields and motherhood; panelists will include contributors to the book Motherhood, the Elephant in the Laboratory: Women Scientists Speak Out, moderated by a researcher studying the impact of motherhood on women’s scientific careers. Panelists will include contributors from the book “Motherhood, The Elephant in the Laboratory: Women Scientists Speak Out,” including Northwestern alumna Gina Wesley-Hunt, PhD. The program is intended for younger and earliest career scientists and engineers especially graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, residents, clinical fellows, and early-career faculty in STEM fields—women and men are welcome to attend.
At Northwestern, the event is being sponsored by the Women’s Center, Office of Research Development (ORD), Navigating the Professoriate program, Institute for Women’s Health Research, the Female Researchers in Electrical & Computer Science (FREECS) group, the University Library, and the Provost’s Office and coordinated with the HR Work/Life Resources Office.
There is no fee to attend either or both panels, however registration is required. For online registration, agenda, and map/directions, please visit www.regonline.com/motherhood.
Faculty Life and Family Balance: Achieving in Both Realms
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Time: 9:30am – 11:00am (Chicago Campus); 3:00pm – 4:30pm (Evanston Campus)
Locations: Baldwin Auditorium, 303 E. Superior Avenue (Chicago Campus); McCormick Auditorium, 1999 N. Campus Drive (Evanston Campus)
Dr. Lisa Wolf-Wendel, Professor of Higher Education at the University of Kansas will present two seminars based on her research—“Faculty Life and Family Balance: Achieving in Both Realms”—on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at Northwestern University’s Chicago and Evanston campuses. Dr. Wolf-Wendel’s area of research is gender and the academy, with a focus on issues of motherhood and academic life. These seminars are sponsored by the Feinberg School of Medicine’s Women Faculty Organization and Faculty Affairs Office and the Department of Psychology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and are coordinated with The University of Chicago.
A reception will follow the seminar on the Evanston Campus, from 4:30-5:30pm. There is no fee to attend the panels or seminars, however registration is required. For online registration, agenda, and map/directions, please visit www.regonline.com/motherhood. For additional information please contact Latonia Trimuel at l-trimuel@northwestern.edu or (847) 467-0373
Fulbright-Hays Informational Workshops
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Time: 12:00pm
Location: Office of Fellowships, Conference Room, 1940 Sheridan Road (Evanston Campus)
Learn about opportunities for graduate students carrying out fieldwork outside Western Europe.
TGS Google Calendars & Facebook Group
Keep up with TGS events, deadlines, and peers through these useful services.
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.
Last updated: May 5 2009 3:15PM
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