Vice Provost for Graduate Studies
Office of the Provost

  Student and Faculty Leaders, Graduate Studies Retreat on February 1, 2019  

February 26, 2019

Dear Graduate and Professional Students,

What do roughly a hundred faculty members, staff members, and student leaders who care about graduate and professional education talk about when they come together for a day?

We answered that question on February 1 at the second annual Graduate Studies Retreat. We discussed a wide range of topics, including mentoring, mental health, recruiting and admissions, inclusion, Title IX, online programs, and ways to build a stronger sense of community among graduate and professional students. Faculty, staff, and student leaders from all of our graduate and professional programs participated. A University Times article captured viewpoints from several participants.  

For me, one highlight of the day was the conversation about mentoring graduate students. Mentoring takes many forms, from doctoral student mentoring by thesis advisors and committees, to career and peer mentoring. Speakers highlighted various models of mentoring and talked about the importance of connecting with different mentors for specific aspects of a student’s career and life. For example, a PhD mentor might not be able to advise you about careers outside of academia, but an alumna mentor can provide topical advice about career directions. Another important takeaway was that students need to be proactive about seeking the style and content of mentoring that they think they need.

The University has increased its focus on mentoring through initiatives like the Center for Mentoring in the University Center for Teaching and Learning and the creation of Pitt Commons, which is an online platform for mentoring. My best mentors have challenged me and have made me realize my weaknesses and strengths more clearly. At times they have let me make my own mistakes, while providing support and demystifying things like career stages, funding, and institutional politics. In the coming months, I will highlight additional new programs and information about mentoring in this newsletter.

Another particularly informative discussion at the retreat focused on graduate and professional student mental health. As I hope you have seen, our office has been working hard to increase awareness about the mental health and wellness resources available to all Pitt students. Retreat panelists discussed the mental health challenges seen in graduate and professional student populations and some of the resources available to them. The University Counseling Center provides graduate student-specific programming. 

Panelists also described mental health resources available through the outstanding coverage provided by the graduate student UPMC health insurance plan. The plan is provided to graduate students who hold academic appointments at no cost. They also discussed ways faculty and staff can be better prepared to support students experiencing mental health challenges.

One initiative that I am particularly enthusiastic about promoting is Mental Health First Aid Training for faculty and staff working with graduate students across campus. My office is hosting a daylong training program in early March in order to expand the number of people on campus who have the skills needed to recognize and support people experiencing a mental health crisis.

While the retreat was a great success, follow-up on these issues is key. I plan to continue the discussion through meetings with the leaders of graduate student organizations from all the schools beginning this week. In addition, I am always happy to discuss these and other issues during my office hours, or to be invited to talk with graduate students at the department or school level.   

SPEAKING OUT MATTERS: CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY 2019

The Association of American Universities is repeating its landmark 2015 Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct during the spring 2019 semester, with 33 universities taking part. The survey has now launched at Pitt on all five campuses via email. 

Informed by the 2015 data, Pitt has:
• Developed sexual misconduct training for students, faculty, and staff;
• Enhanced programming and education focusing on consent, prevention, and reporting; and
• Provided response and reporting options through the Title IX Office.

Please fill out the survey and encourage your peers to participate.

UNIVERSITY-WIDE NEWS

On January 30, 2019, Chancellor Patrick Gallagher submitted a response to the Department of Education’s proposed changes regarding the administration of Title IX on university campuses. His submission, available here, calls for revisions to the DOE's approach and reaffirms the University of Pittsburgh’s values and commitment to promoting a campus environment that is fair, inclusive, and free from sexual harassment. 

A reminder from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion: Community members are welcome to use restrooms that correspond to their gender identities. In addition, there are single-occupancy facilities across campus that may be used by all members of the University community. Find the locations of single-occupancy bathrooms. Learn more about Guidelines for Inclusion Relating to Gender Transition.

Pitt Day in Harrisburg – March 26, 2019: Attending Pitt Day in Harrisburg gives you the chance to meet with your elected officials and make a lasting impact on them. Join fellow graduate and professional students, alumni, faculty, staff, undergraduates, and friends of Pitt to urge legislators to make Pitt a budget priority. Register here by March 8, 2019. Attendees receive lunch and transportation to and from Harrisburg.

GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT COMMENCEMENT 

Graduate and Professional Commencement Ceremony – April 25, 2019, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the John M. and Gertrude E. Petersen Events Center: The ceremony is for candidates of master's, professional doctoral, and doctoral degrees. Learn more.

Lara Siminerio Lemon 
PhD in Epidemiology, 2017
2018 Commencement Speaker

Photograph Submissions for the Cover of the Graduate Commencement Program – March 22, 2019: One photograph taken by a graduating student will be selected for the cover artwork. View guidelines and apply. 

GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT GOVERNMENT (GPSG)

GPSG Executive Board Elections for the 2019–2020 Academic Year: Board positions include: President, Vice President of Committees, Vice President of Communications, Vice President of Programming, and the Vice President of Finance. Learn more and apply until March 8, 2019. 

GPSG Executive Administrator Position for the 2019–2020 Academic Year: GPSG seeks an Executive Administrator effective May 2019. The student holding this position will receive a stipend, tuition remission, and individual health insurance for the fall 2019 and spring 2020 terms. Email GPSG for more information. 

OFFICE HOURS

My next monthly office hour is on Thursday, March 21, 2019, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., in 801 Cathedral of Learning. Office hours for the entire spring 2019 term are posted and also have been added to the University Events Calendar. I welcome the opportunity to answer questions and discuss graduate studies at Pitt.

Nathan Urban
Vice Provost for Graduate Studies

Graduate resources: www.gradstudents.pitt.edu
Updates and News: provost.pitt.edu/students/graduate-studies
Follow: @PittGradStudies
Facebook: PittGradStudies 
E-mail: VPGraduate-Urban@pitt.edu