Hello graduate coordinators,

Well, we’ve almost made it through this most unusual summer, and an atypical fall semester is right around the corner! I hope that you are doing well and finding good ways to stay connected and engaged.

I know that many of you have questions about the semester ahead and that keeping up on all the information in this fluid and changing environment can be a challenge. Below you will find some helpful updates on a number of topics. I would appreciate it if you would please share this information, as appropriate, with your graduate faculty colleagues.

COVID-19 information and Resources
Please review the UNLV COVID-19 website. It is full of relevant information and it is updated regularly. Likewise, specific updates and information for the graduate community are shared and routinely updated on the Graduate College COVID-19 webpage.

Graduate Council AY20-21 Meetings and Committee Information
Please mark your calendars for this academic year’s Graduate Council meetings; you can find the dates and times on the Council & Committees webpage. Our first Graduate Council meeting will be Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 1-3 p.m. All meetings will be held in Webex through the fall semester.

Virtual Orientations
This year, New Graduate Student Orientation and Graduate Assistant Orientation are being held virtually. New graduate students and all graduate assistants now have access to the orientation modules in their WebCampus/Canvas accounts. New graduate students and all graduate assistants are required to log in, view the modules, and complete the tasks. We are encouraging new students to complete the New Graduate Student Orientation tasks by Sept. 3 so they can be entered into a scholarship drawing that we’ll conduct on Sept. 4. New Graduate Student Orientation and Graduate Assistant Orientation modules will be available in WebCampus/Canvas throughout the semester for reference. We are in touch with new students and graduate assistants about these orientation details. We have created a "Preview Mode" so that graduate coordinators and other administrators have access to the student experience. You will receive an invitation to join this Canvas course via email. Please accept the invitation to view the course content.

Temporary Surcharge
As you are likely aware, to offset the budget shortfall, NSHE will institute a systemwide, temporary surcharge of $6 per credit for undergraduate courses and $8 per credit for graduate courses beginning Fall 2020. UNLV has developed a plan to provide some additional $100 scholarships to students with the most financial need. More information about this will be available in the next week or two.

Internships and Experiential Learning
With safety top of mind, UNLV has provided guidance on internships and experiential learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance is general and acknowledges the many considerations of the varied disciplines at the university.

Technology Loan Program
UNLV’s loaner laptop program -- now called the Technology Loan Program, as it includes laptops, cameras/microphones, and a limited number of hotspots -- will continue during the fall semester. For improved logistics, the program has moved to Lied Library. Devices for students are available for extended checkout for the fall semester. Students can make a technology request by submitting the Technology Loan Program survey. After completing the survey, students will be contacted and provided available pickup dates. Students should return items to Lied Library at the end of the semester.

Announcing Thesis/Dissertation Defenses
Please remember that even though thesis/dissertation defenses are currently being held remotely, the policy about announcing them remains the same. Defenses are public and must be advertised (date, time, location) on campus. Graduating students can review the instructions on how to announce their defense. All defenses must be publicized through the Graduate College two weeks in advance. Learn more.

Recruiting Workshop Panelists
Our Leadership & Professional Development Academy is looking for graduate faculty to serve as panelists during virtual workshops this fall. If you are interested in serving as a panelist, please review the schedule and sign up for any workshop(s) you’d like.

New Regulations Governing Title IX
The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights issued new regulations governing Title IX. These regulations become effective Aug. 14, 2020. As part of the revisions to the regulations, UNLV is required to place language in all handbooks, course catalogs, applications for admission or employment, and more that says UNLV does not discriminate on the basis of sex. The Graduate College will be inserting the Title IX statement in all program handbooks and applications in the Grad Rebel Gateway system, so departments do not have to take action when it comes to program handbooks and Grad Rebel Gateway applications.

Salesforce Lightning Experience
On April 7, we introduced Lightning Experience, the new look and feel of Salesforce. We offered multiple demonstrations, and users were given the ability to switch to the original Classic view while learning and navigating through Lightning Experience. This temporary ability to toggle to the Classic view will be discontinued on Monday, Aug. 24. The following documentation is available to help you as you continue to navigate the new interface. Please reach out to grad.systems@unlv.edu with any questions about Lightning Experience.

Graduate Student Advisory Council and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Advisory Board
The Graduate College is forming a Graduate Student Advisory Council, which will work with the Graduate Council and the Graduate College, on important issues affecting graduate students and graduate education at UNLV. The Graduate College is also forming a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Advisory Board to ensure the inclusion of a diverse group of graduate students and faculty in important initiatives. If you know of any students who would be good partners with us in either of these capacities, please ask them to email Graduate.Dean@unlv.edu with a brief statement explaining their interest in serving.

Waiving GRE/GMAT Requirement
Due to COVID-19 and ongoing testing challenges, departments are permitted to temporarily waive the GRE/GMAT requirement for the 2020-2021 academic year. As a reminder, we also offer free online interview services via KIRA to support and supplement your recruitment and admissions options. Please email elizabeth.jost@unlv.edu to discuss your options for waiving this requirement.

As always, we are grateful for the support you provide students during these challenging times and are here to help in any way we can. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

All my best,