Email Announcements

April 27, 2026

Surveys and Info

1 Summer Funding and Needs Survey: Please take a moment to fill out this survey and share it with your constituents.

https://forms.office.com/r/qSKzRG3YW9

The Graduate School, Student Affairs, and other campus partners are compiling a list of resources and identifying support for graduate students who are not traveling this summer. Your input will help ensure that the right resources are made available.

The survey should take no more than a couple of minutes to complete.

2 GPSS Initiated Resolution to Form Working Group to Recommend Minimum Leave for Graduate Assistants, other types of leave, etc. is Approved 🎉

https://governance.vt.edu/assets/CGPSP%202025-26C.pdf

This year, GPSS advocated for policy changes to establish a minimum number of sick and personal leave days for graduate assistants. It also proposed expanding leave categories (such as bereavement and extended vacation leave) and instituting advisor–advisee agreements outlining roles, responsibilities, and expectations, along with a standardized process for maintaining them. Resolution CGPSP 2025–26 C proposes forming a working group that will operate over the summer to develop recommendations on these items for implementation next year. The resolution was approved by the President.

3 Food will not be provided during the senate meeting this week.

Events

1 Tie-dye and Tacos | May 1 (Friday)  12-2 pm; Graduate School Lawn; Free Food

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/wewjfhSTCD

Take an afternoon break with other graduate students to enjoy delicious tacos and create a tie-dye masterpiece. Tie-dye materials will be provided, but please bring your own shirt (or other garment) to tie-dye. Please only bring one item to ensure that as many people as possible can join in on the fun. Tie-dye works best with white cloth, but lightly colored material may also work. (If you have a Graduate Education Week t-shirt, those are great to tie-dye!) The Cook Counseling therapy dogs will be there! Please note that registration is required for both tie-dye and tacos! Register with the link!

For accommodation requests, please reach out to Lindsay Barron at lbarron@vt.edu

2 Spring Semester Send-Off: Karaoke & Games | May 2 (Saturday) 3:30-5:30 pm; GLC Graduate TV Lounge

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/Jf3niw7AUm

All grad students are invited to enjoy a fun afternoon of karaoke sing-alongs and board games hosted by the Graduate and Professional Student Senate! Hang out with fellow grad students and enjoy free refreshments while supplies last. Be sure to register using the link provided.

For accommodation requests, please reach out to gpss@vt.edu.

Programs

1 Travel Fund Program

https://gpss.vt.edu/programs/tfp.html

The TFP application will be open April 20th - May 18th. TFP provides grants to partially offset expenses associated with graduate student conference travel, including transportation, registration fees, lodging, and meals for domestic and international travel.

For questions, please contact Megan Grey (greym@vt.edu)

Miscellaneous

1 Article on GPSS in VT's Governance Corner

https://governance.vt.edu/assets/newsletters/2026-03/index.html#/lessons/yglrPnXUuRsAlj8oiFFPrAaqY4v6hl6T

2 Follow GPSS Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/vtgpss/?hl=en

3 Anonymous form to contact GPSS

https://forms.office.com/r/MW1AApYLRW

Roanoke GSA

1 Biomedical Professional Development  Symposium, June 2 (Tuesday), 9 am-4 pm, Room G0101, 4 Riverside Circle, Roanoke

Join RGSA and GPSS to hear from professionals about their experiences in a wide variety of biomedical careers!

Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with guest speakers and gain fresh perspectives on career possibilities beyond academia after graduate school!  Breakfast and lunch will be provided.