September 1, 2009 Headlines:
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Upcoming Events for Graduate Students:
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TGS Announces Ryan Fellowships 2009-2010
The Ryan Fellowship supports graduate students dedicated to the exploration of fundamental nanoscale (atomic or molecular level) science and to advancing this knowledge into practical applications of benefit to society.
Founded in 2007, it is open to both incoming PhD students and continuing PhD students who have demonstrated scientific excellence. The Graduate School is pleased to announce the following continuing student awardees of the prestigious Ryan Fellowship for 2009-2010: Albert Lipson (Materials Science & Engineering), Robert MacFarlane (Chemistry), Sunanda Prabhu-Gaunkar (Electrical Engineering & Computer Science), Andrew Prigodich (Interdepartmental Biological Sciences), Shuodao Wang (Mechanical Engineering), and Wei Zhou (Materials Science & Engineering). The incoming student awardees for 2009-2010 are: Evelyn Auyeung (Materials Science and Engineering), Lauryn Baranowski (Materials Science and Engineering), Laura Cass (Chemistry), and Nicholas Frazer (Physics and Astronomy).
As Ryan Fellows, they will have the opportunity to engage in collaborative research with domestic and international partners and participate in a series of activities, such as colloquia, seminars, and research conferences. Please see the Ryan Fellows Web site for more information.
FICA and Fall 2009 Registration Deadline
Continuing graduate students who are scheduled to receive a check for 09/30/2009 must register by 5pm on September 11, 2009 in order to avoid having (FICA) deducted.
Only students who are being funded entirely or partially as graduate assistants, teaching assistants and research assistants are subject to FICA if they are not registered. If registration occurs after 5 PM on September 11th and FICA tax is deducted, you should print out a copy of your 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.
If you are unable to obtain a copy of your confirmed registration from CAESAR, the Registrar's Office should be contacted for assistance.
If you have any questions concerning your refund, contact the Payroll Office at 847.491.7362. Thank you.
2009-2010 Student Health Insurance Information
Full-time students are required to have health insurance, either through Northwestern or an outside comparable plan.
Information concerning 2009-2010 health plan, how to change or enroll in the health plan, and the payroll deduction authorization form can be found on The Graduate School's Health Services and Insurance Web site. The cost of the NU health insurance plan for the student through Aetna is $2,360 for coverage between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010. Information on dependent coverage and cost can be found on the Aetna Web site.
The amount of health insurance subsidy has changed for some students. For information on the amount of subsidy you will receive you will need to contact your DGS. The health insurance subsidy will be applied to students’ accounts after the charge appears and, therefore, will not appear on your account until September or October.
If you have questions concerning enrollment in the health plan or about the health plan itself contact Ethlyn Pitts-Senecal at elo416@northwestern.edu or Wendy Weaver at w-weaver@northwestern.edu. If you have questions concerning the health subsidy contact Pat Mann at p-mann@northwestern.edu.
Paperless Graduate Assistantship Contracts Available Soon
Graduate assistant contracts should be available in CAESAR in early September.
Students appointed as TGS graduate assistants will be receiving an email notification when their contracts are available to approve on CAESAR, asking them to approve their Graduate Assistantship (GA) contract(s) as soon as possible.
If you have concerns or questions, please contact Mary MacLean, Graduate Assistantship Coordinator, at marymac@northwestern.edu or by phone at 847.491.8540.
If your department notified you that you are being funded as a TGS graduate assistant and you fail to receive an email notification to approve your contract, please make certain that you have fulfilled the appropriate requirements; U.S. citizens/permanent residents must file the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), while international students must satisfy the English proficiency requirement.
Fall Quarter U-Pass Distribution Announced
Please note: the first day students can use their Fall Quarter 2009 U-Pass will be September 15, 2009.
From September 10-16, 2009, Fall Quarter 2009 U-Passes (activated 9/15/09 – 12/31/09) will be distributed from several campus locations. Please check the TGS U-Pass Web site for final distribution times and locations.
Students enrolled part-time or in TGS 512 will not be eligible for a Fall 2009 U-Pass. Should you have any questions, please see the U-Pass FAQ list on the Web or contact tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu.
Graduate Housing Payment Options Announced for Students Receiving Northwestern Stipends
Will you be living in graduate housing and receiving a monthly NU stipend? The University Housing Office is now charging rent on a quarterly, rather than a monthly, basis.
If you have already been charged for fall housing, your rent payment is due September 1st. While the rent is charged quarterly, payroll deduction will allow students to pay housing charges on a monthly basis. If you expect to receive a 9-month stipend from Northwestern, please complete your payroll deduction form to begin September 2009 and end May 2010. If you will receive a 12-month stipend, you may begin your deduction in September 2009 through August 2010. The completed form must be submitted to the Office of Student Accounts (555 Clark Street, Evanston or 710 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago) by the 8th of the month—that means, it is due September 8th if you want to have Payroll begin your monthly deductions in September. If you are interested in this payment option, you may sign up for payroll deduction using the form available on the Student Financial Services Web site.
If you don’t sign up for payroll deduction, you must pay your housing charge by the due date in order to avoid a late fee or registration holds. Also be advised that if you are paid late (rather than on the last working day of the month), Payroll will not make the deduction for that month—you will be required to pay any “missed” payments.
Questions concerning the payroll deduction form should be directed to the Office of Student Accounts on either the Chicago or Evanston campus.
TGS Hosts a “Day Out” at Chicago Botanic Garden
TGS invites graduate student parents and their children to the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe on Saturday, September 19, from 10:00am-1:00pm.
The day will start with the Grand Tram Ride, which is scheduled to leave at 10:30 a.m. After the ride, lunch will be available at the Garden Café and the Garden Grille (on the Café deck) where a variety of flatbread pizzas, salads, soups and sandwiches will be available for order. Guests will also have access to the Model Railroad Garden: LandMarks of America.
For more information and directions, please visit the Chicago Botanic Garden Web site. In order to participate in this event please fill out the Web form at: http://survey.gsad.northwestern.edu/botanic_09/. Please make sure that you register by September 4, 2009.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Antoaneta Condurat at a-condurat@northwestern.edu.
ISEN Offers Course for Students with Non-Technical Backgrounds
The Initiative for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern (ISEN) is pleased to offer our first graduate course in the Fall '09 term: ISEN 410, Topics in Contemporary Energy.
This course examines the dependence of industrialized society on energy for its way of life, and the circumstances by which we have become faced with these challenges. It presents the data pertaining to these critical challenges, descriptions of the scientific principles, technology aspects, environmental consequences and economics of fossil and non-fossil energy resources from the perspective of a world consisting of a mix of industrialized and developing nations. The course is open to all graduate students and does not have any technical pre-requisites. For more detail, contact ISEN at 847.467.1972 or isen@northwestern.edu.
International SOS Service for Students Traveling Abroad
Free Services for TGS Students Studying Outside the United States
Northwestern has contracted with “International SOS” to provide FREE worldwide travel assistance and services, as well as medical and security advice, for all students and employees who travel abroad to study or conduct University business. TGS students are required to register with “International SOS” and create a “Personal Travel Locator” prior to any period of study, research, or travel abroad that is approved, funded or supported by Northwestern University.
The International SOS Personal Travel Locator makes important contact information available to International SOS and Northwestern on-call staff so that students can be notified in the event of a crisis or emergency. Students abroad should print out and carry the “International SOS” wallet card and emergency contact information with them at all times.
For more information on “International SOS” services and a step-by-step guide to registering, consult the Office of Risk Management Web Site or contact Christopher Johnson, Director of Risk Management, at 847.491.8518.
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 Activity Fee Web site.
Upcoming TGS Fellowship/Grant Application Deadlines
- Presidential Fellowship – Friday October 23rd, 2009, 12:00 Noon
The Presidential Fellowship is a 24-month award for PhD students and a 12-month award for MFA students, beginning in Fall quarter 2010. This highly competitive award is the most prestigious fellowship awarded by Northwestern. The fellowship will be awarded to candidates who combine outstanding intellectual or creative ability with the capacity to play an active part in the life of the Society of Fellows. Recipients of the Presidential Fellowship become part of Northwestern University’s Society of Fellows. The Society of Fellows meets twice per quarter and enables stellar students from across the university to have interdisciplinary interactions with their peers in other fields. The goal is to create future leaders who are enthusiastic and literate about the broad scholarship of the university. All Presidential Fellows must participate in the Society of Fellows functions; an exception is made for students not in residence at the time of Society meetings. Applications are by nomination only. Applications and further details can be found on the Presidential Fellowship Web site.
- Graduate Research Grant – Friday September 25th, 2009, 12:00 Noon
The Graduate Research Grant (GRG) is intended to help PhD and MFA students in historically underfunded disciplines meet expenses related to scholarly research and creative endeavors. PhD and MFA students in Divisions II and III (social sciences and humanities) of the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education and Social Policy, the School of Communication (humanities and social science projects), and the School of Music are eligible for the GRG. A student may receive only one grant under this program during his or her graduate career at Northwestern. The maximum award amount is $3,000 for a twelve-month period. Applications and further details can be found on the Graduate Research Grant Web site.
Call Made for New Graduate Student Orientation Volunteers
New Graduate Student Orientation will be held on Monday, September 14, 2009, from 9am to 5pm.
The Graduate School is soliciting student volunteers and assistance in several areas for our September Orientation event, including:
- General volunteer assistance on the day of the event,
- serving on a panel, and
- serving on the New Graduate Student Orientation Committee.
Time commitments vary by role. The Graduate School values current students' input and participation on this very important day! If interested, please contact Stephen M. Scott at sms@northwestern.edu.
Join the One Book One Northwestern Conversation!
Co-sponosred by the Office of the President and the Initiative for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern (ISEN), this year's selection is Thomas Friedman's Hot, Flat and Crowded
Visit the One Book One Northwestern blog and share your thoughts as the Northwestern community explores the issues raised in Thomas L. Friedman's Hot, Flat and Crowded Why We Need a Green Revolution and How It Can Renew America. Questions about One Book? Want to get involved with this year's events and activities? Contact: onebook@northwestern.edu.
Events for Graduate Students in September and October
The Graduate School partners with many organizations inside and outside of Northwestern to provide valuable academic and social opportunities for graduate students. Coming up:
Shindig Shakes Chicago Campus
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2009
Time: 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Location: Abbott Hall, 710 N. Lake Shore Drive (Chicago Campus)
More information: http://www.northwestern.edu/womencenter
Free ice cream sundaes, great company, and more! The Women’s Center, CAPS, and Student Affairs will be cosponsoring the Chicago Campus Shindig on Thursday, September 17, from 3:30pm-5:00pm, on the front lawn of Abbott Hall at 710 N. Lake Shore Drive. Come out and mingle with other professional students on the Chicago Campus – this is a great opportunity to get know students in other programs and just to recognize faces. Resources from around campus will be available, and did we mention ice cream?
Indian Graduate Students and Scholars Association (IGSSA) Freshers Night!
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Time: TBA
Location: TBA (will be posted on IGSSA Web site)
IGSSA will be hosting Freshers Night in honor of the new students joining Northwestern University this fall! Come join us for a night filled with games, food and fun!
TGS Run with the Dean
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Time: 4:00pm
Location: Rebecca Crown Plaza, Evanston Campus
Join Dean Wachtel for the first Run with the Dean of the season. Runners can meet Dean Wachtel in the Rebecca Crown Plaza on Tuesday, September 22, at 4:00pm. Those who run are welcome to join the dean for refreshments afterwards at The Celtic Knot.
"Making the Most of Your Presentation" by Jean-luc Doumont, PhD
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Location: Norris University Center, Northwestern Room (Evanston Campus)
Dr. Jean-luc Doumont presents a systematic approach to preparing and delivering effective oral presentations. It covers structure, slides, delivery, and stage fright. This talk is appropriate for graduate students or postdoctoral fellows in any discipline. For additional details and to register, visit: http://www.tgs.northwestern.edu/research/nudirections/Calendar/.
College Feminists & The Women's Center Bar-B-Que
Date: Friday, September 25, 2009
Time: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Location: The Women’s Center Front Lawn, 2000 Sheridan Road (Evanston Campus, corner of Foster and Sheridan)
Come mingle with fellow feminists and enjoy a free lunch outdoors. Vegetarian lunches too! No RSVP needed!
Marketing Your Teaching
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2009
Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: TBA
Do you plan to be on the job market within the next 2 years? Demonstrating teaching effectiveness is often required. Learn how a teaching philosophy differs from a personal statement. Discover what you need to begin putting your unique teaching portfolio together. For additional information and to register, visit http://www.northwestern.edu/searle.
J.P. Morgan's Investment Bank Event
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Chase Tower, 10 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL
This event is for students who are currently enrolled in or have completed a Ph.D. program and are interested in learning more about a career in finance, specifically summer opportunities in Fixed Income Strategy. For information on the Fixed Income Strategy Summer Internship 2010, visit: https://jpmchase.taleo.net/careersection/10140/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=090037721
Panel Discussion on Copyright and Dissertations
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2009
Time: Noon – 1:30 pm
Location: Forum Room, Northwestern University Library (Evanston Campus)
Northwestern University Library and The Graduate School present a panel discussion on copyright and dissertations. Panelists from General Counsel, ProQuest, University Library, and The Graduate School will answer your questions about copyright, publishing options, obtaining permission to include images/previously published articles, and more. For additional details and to register, visit: http://survey.gsad.northwestern.edu/copyright09/.
TGS Night Out
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Time: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Location: TBA
Registration for TGS Night Out will be announced in next month’s E-News. Scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, this gathering provides an opportunity for students to get outside the lab and library, have a drink and a bite to eat with colleagues from across campus.
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: Sep 2 2009 11:17AM
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