Deputy Provost March 2021 Newsletter

Deputy Provost
Newsletter for Graduate and Professional Students 

March 2021 

Announcements from 
Deputy Provost Beth A. Winkelstein, Ph.D.  

Updates for graduate and professional students
As Spring reminds us to have hope for new beginnings, I want to begin by also acknowledging that there are many in our community who have been enduring a lot of pain over the last months and year, whether due to the pandemic or the racial injustices facing our colleagues of color and our Asian and Asian American students. Please know that we are very proud of all of our students and that ensuring their safety and support is among our highest priorities.  If you aren’t already aware, you can find more information about resources through the Task Force on Support for Asian and Asian American Students and Scholars and cultural and identity centers that support our students on related webpages from our partners in Penn Global and VPUL and the Graduate Student Center.

In  keeping with the theme of looking forward, I am very pleased to announce several new initiatives supporting graduate and professional students at Penn. Below I share more information about them with you.
 

2021-2022 PhD Stipend
I am happy to announce that the University’s minimum stipend level will increase 4.25% to $29,302 for nine months in the 2021-2022 academic year. I am particularly pleased we were able to increase minimum stipends by over 4% for the last two years, even though University budgets were cut and faculty and staff salaries were frozen. Combined with the President’s PhD Initiative, which created Presidential PhD Fellowships and provided all PhD students with a COVID supplemental stipend, I am proud that this stipend increase demonstrates the University’s strong and continued commitment to our PhD students.

 

Graduate & Professional Student Emergency Fund
Together with other partners in the Provost’s Office, we have been able to provide over $70,000 to the VPUL Emergency Fund specifically dedicated for graduate and professional student urgent and unanticipated needs. The application for this program will open next week and we will share that with you when it does. Students facing emergency financial hardships can learn more at https://gsc.upenn.edu/grad-emergency-grant.

 

Penn Student Health Insurance Plan
I am also happy to share with you that the Penn Student Health Insurance Plan (PSIP) will include a new vision allowance of $125 in 2021-2022. Students can apply this allowance to eyeglasses and/or contacts. Many thanks to the students on the Student Health Insurance Advisory Committee (SHIAC) who advocated for this additional benefit. While health-care costs across the country continue to increase substantially, we have been able to limit the year-on-year increase to PSIP due to a generous University-supported per-enrollee subsidy of nearly 10%. The cost of PSIP next year will be $3874, which reflects a lower increase for the coming year than for either of the past two years.

 

Extended PhD Funding          
Recognizing that many PhD students have felt the impact of the COVID pandemic on their academic progress, I am very pleased that the schools across the University that fund our PhD students have been seeking ways to provide them additional support. Well over 260 late-stage PhD students have been granted funding extensions of 1-2 semesters for this current year and next year. Programs that typically fund students to completion will continue to do so as well. Additional supports in the form of summer funding, research grants, technology grants, and emergency grants have been offered within schools as well as through our office and in partnership with Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA). If you are in need of a funding extension or academic support you should reach out to your Graduate Dean.

 

Graduate Student Study Spaces
The Graduate Student Center is now open to provide quiet study space for graduate and professional students. Students will be able to reserve a seat in the Grad Center Common Room  for up to three hours each weekday through the end of the semester. Student may also reserve a seat in Van Pelt Library  for individual study. All campus facilities will require students to comply with the Student Campus Compact, and show both a confirmed reservation and a PennOpen Green pass.

 

GAPSA Elections
The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA) will host virtual elections on April 14 for its 2021-2022 executive board. If you are interested in running for an open position, please contact gapsa.operations@gmail.com. Serving on GAPSA is a terrific way to lend your voice to successful partnerships between students, organizations and Penn’s leadership.

 

Highlighted Resources and Engagement Opportunities  

Spring 2021 In-Person Student Group Events
Penn graduate and professional student organizations may submit requests for in-person meetings, rehearsals, and/or events that the group hopes to hold this semester. Student organizations must make a compelling case about why the activity cannot take place virtually and must include plans to ensure compliance with Campus Compact requirements. Learn more and submit an event request form.

 

Graduate Public Health Ambassadors (PHAs)
Penn Wellness is hiring graduate students for paid, part-time positions to assist with campus COVID-19 information and compliance efforts. Graduate PHAs will help staff student events and gatherings to check PennOpen Passes, monitor physical distancing, positively re-enforce good behavior, and will engage our students to ensure they have access to information on how to gather safely. PHAs will receive training on COVID101 (Director of Campus Health and Chief Wellness Officer), de-escalation and safety training (Department of Public Safety), and conflict resolution (Office of Student Affairs). For more information and to apply, contact Ashlee Halbritter, Director of Campus Health at ashleeh@upenn.edu

 

Weekly Ways to Get Engaged
Looking for ways to stay engaged or make a difference in your community? Check out the Graduate Student Center's Weekly Ways to Get Engaged page for links and info on how to get involved! New opportunities and resources are posted each Friday!

 

Connect with Penn Alumni in Your Area
Are you learning remotely this semester? Your Penn Alumni Regional Club may be holding events where you can network and learn from alumni near you! Attend a nearby event or reach out to club leadership to learn more. Find your nearest club at www.alumni.upenn.edu/clubs

 

Travel Exceptions for Doctoral Candidates 
PhD students who have advanced to candidacy can petition for travel that is essential to make academic progress towards completion. See the Travel Petition Procedures website for more information. As the travel guidance changes we will continue to update you as we know many graduate students are eager to resume their academic field research.

 

Digital Resources, Information, and Virtual Activities  
Visit the Graduate Student Center Remote Activities & Resources page for links to official information and regularly-updated lists of resources and virtual activities to help you stay connected and academically successful while campus operations are restricted. 

 

Upcoming Programs and Activities  

All times listed are for the Eastern Time Zone (NY/PA) unless otherwise specified

 

Penn 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Virtual Competition
Now through March 29!
Voting is now open for our first ever virtual Penn 3MT Competition! This University-sponsored competitive speaking competition showcases graduate student research in three-minute talks to a general audience. We have now opened voting up to the Penn community! Watch and vote for your favorites at https://bit.ly/3_MT. Cosponsored by GAPSA, Penn Libraries, Career Services, CURF, SAS Science Outreach Initiative, and the Grad Center

 

Spring 2021 Campus Recreation In-Person and Virtual Programming
Penn Campus Rec is offering in-person outdoor classes through May 7, 2021! Both in-person outdoor and virtual group exercise classes will be free to all members of the Penn Community. The Pottruck Health & Fitness Center reopened to Graduate Students on Monday, February 15th. Advance reservations are required and must be made online. The track at Franklin Field is also open for recreational use, reservations are required.

 

CTL Graduate Student Teaching Workshops
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is offering a series of upcoming workshops for current TAs and those interested in strengthening their teaching skills.  Upcoming workshops include:

  • Monday 3/22 at 3:30PM: Mentoring Undergraduates
  • Tuesday 3/23 at 5PM: Creating a Syllabus
  • Friday 3/26 at 10:30AM: Teaching Close Reading to Undergraduates
  • Monday 3/29 at 4PM: Reflecting on Racial Pedagogy: From Philly to Portland, a Conversation about Education, Art and Activism

 

Fourth Annual Women in STEM Event
Tuesday, March 23, 12-1:30 PM Eastern Time
This year's virtual symposium, which is open to all, is titled Sustaining Women's Progress in STEM and as a female engineer, I’m thrilled to introduce my Dean, Vijay Kumar, Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering, who will deliver the keynote.  A presentation by the Penn Center for Innovation will complete the program.

 

Virtual Housing Fair
Thursday, March 25, from 9:00am - 5:00pm Eastern Time
Current and incoming students looking for new housing can learn about the Philadelphia housing market, chat with property managers online in real-time, and connect with the Penn resources including transportation options, banking, and dining.

 

Graduate & Professional Student Circle Spaces
Thursday, March 25, 10:00 AM -11:30 AM ET; and 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM ET
Penn partners have come together to offer a healing, processing, and community building space for Asians & Asian Americans who have experienced or are concerned about anti-Asian bias or harassment related to COVID-19. This pandemic, and the hateful rhetoric which has sprung up around it have directly and indirectly harmed many in our community – the Circle will be an opportunity to process with others who have similar experiences and support one another as a community. Cosponsored by UPAAN, Penn Spectrum, Graduate Student Center, GAPSA, UA, PAFSA, PAACH, CAPS, Special Services, Restorative Practices @ Penn, and Penn Global.  Learn more at register at http://bit.ly/STOPPINGHATE 

 

Oscars Trivia Night
Thursday, March 25, 5:00-6:00 PM (ET)
Want to exercise your movie and Oscar trivia skills? spend an hour with other students and play a fun game of Virtual Oscar Trivia. The winner with the most points will take home the grand prize. Register in advance for participation link.

 

Advanced Zotero Workshop
Monday, March 29, 4:00 - 4:45 PM (ET)
Learn about the many advanced features of Zotero, a free citation management software. Cosponsored by Penn Libraries and the Grad Center. Register in advance for participation link.

 

Supporting Survivors Training
Thursday, April 1, 3:00 - 6:00 PM (ET)
Join PVP, PWC, and CAPS for our Supporting Survivors training. This training educates students on the prevalence and impact of sexual and interpersonal violence and provides folks with concrete skills to support survivors. This training is open to graduate and undergraduate students. Click HERE to register

 

Beyond Voting: Political Engagement for Everyone
Friday, April 2, 2:00-3:30 PM (ET)
Join us for an interactive workshop to learn about things you can do to engage in the political process whether you can’t vote (Non-citizens are welcome!) or after you’ve already finished voting. We’ll cover how to engage at the governmental level, with political campaigns, with community organizations, as well as with intergovernmental organizations and prepare your own political engagement plan. Cosponsored by Penn Science Policy & Diplomacy Group and the Grad Center.

 

Dissertation Workshops
Penn Libraries and the Grad Center are offering a series of workshops covering aspects of the dissertation process. Sessions are intended for students at every stage of the dissertation process but may be particularly useful to students nearing completion in the coming year:

  • Dissertation & Copyright | Tuesday, April 6, 11:00AM-12:00 PM (ET)
  • I've Finished My Dissertation. Now What? | Wednesday, April 7, 11:00AM-12:00 PM (ET)
  • Ethical Dissertation Writing | Thursday, April 8, 10:00-11:00 AM (ET)

 

Career Industry & Networking Series
Are you interested in exploring the fields of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Public Health; or Sports? Join Penn Alumni for a virtual Career Industry and Networking Series featuring industry discussions and networking with fellow Penn students and alumni. Each event takes place from 7-8:30PM Eastern Time.

  • Wednesday, April 7: Public Health
  • Wednesday, June 2: Sports

 

Sharing Your Research Workshops
Penn Libraries and the Graduate Student Center are offering a series of workshops designed to explore the various ways scholars share their work within their academic communities and beyond.

  • Tuesday, March 30, 1:00-2:00 PM ET: Introduction to Online Academic Profiles
  • Thursday, April 1, 10:00-11:00 AM ET:  Raising the Visibility of your Scholarship through Sharing Platforms & Measuring your Impact
  • Tuesday, April 13, 11:00AM-12:00 PM ET: Recognizing Predatory Publishing

 

Spring Virtual Co-Working Sessions
Mondays and Tuesdays 2:00 - 5:00 PM (ET)
TuesdaysWednesdays, & Thursdays 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)
Whether you're writing your dissertation or working on coursework, join the Grad Center's Virtual Co-working Sessions for graduate and professional students! Login at the top of any hour and share in the chat your goals for the session. You'll work alongside your peers and have the opportunity to join a Slack space for accountability. You must use a *upenn.edu email to join the session.

 

Penn Student Centers Weekly Virtual Meet-Ups  
Penn Campus centers are holding weekly online sessions for students to connect with one another and staff for conversation and community:  

  • Cafecito con La Casa Latina: Join staff and students virtually every Friday at 3:00 PM (ET) for conversation and community.
  • Grad Center Virtual Coffee Hour: Bring your favorite morning beverage and join staff and students virtually every Friday at 12:00 PM (ET) starting January 22.
  • LGBT Center Weekly Kiki: Join the LGBT Center for weekly LGBTQ+ Student Kiki every Friday at 3:00 pm (ET). They will also begin their QT Tuesdays on January 26 at 7:00 pm (ET).
  • Makuu Living Room: Join staff and students virtually every Friday at 12:30 PM (ET).
  • Penn Women’s Center: Join staff and students for Tuesday Tea with PWC every Tuesday at 11:00 AM (ET).

 

See additional events for graduate and professional students at www.gsc.upenn.edu/events  

 

Tips for Success in Graduate & Professional School 

How to take advantage of the positive changes in career training and development
Patrick Brandt explores some of the ways you can take advantage of the positive changes that have occurred in graduate career training and development in the past decade.

Why and how you should negotiate as part of a job offer
Penn’s Joseph Barber explains why we should all negotiate for something as part of our next job offer, whatever our circumstances.

How Not to Read Yourself into Submission
An academic-writing specialist suggests a practical path through the morass of secondary sources.

 

Grad Students Making News  

Camille Boggan, a second-year master of city planning student at the Weitzman School, has received an Outstanding Student of the Year Award from the U.S. Department of Transportation for her work on public transit.

Law students Tiffany Keung and Apratim Vidyarthi were announced as the winners of the 13th Annual First Amendment and Media Law Diversity Moot Court Competition, presented by the American Bar Association Forum on Communications Law. The pair also won Best Brief. Best Brief is awarded to the highest-scoring individual brief, along with a $1,000 cash prize for each team member.

As part of the Diversity Lecture Series at Penn, SAS PhD candidate Stephanie Mach co-presented a lecture on Museum and Ancestral Remains: Contextualizing the Conversation from an Indigenous Perspective in March.

 

 

Highlighted Opportunities and Fellowships

Y.H. Park Fellowship
Deadline: March 26
One-year fellowship to support a Ph.D. or a research master’s student in the humanities, social sciences, international management, international studies, or fine arts whose primary research area is Korea and whose thesis/dissertation will be on Korea. Fellows must have sufficient Korean-language proficiency to use Korean-language sources in conducting research and writing dissertations.

IES Predoctoral Training Program
Deadline: April 5
Penn’s IES Predoctoral Training Program is a competitive program offering financial and skill-building support for two to three years. Students in good standing may apply to the program after completing one year of doctoral studies. Fellows must have a substantive and substantial interest in applied education research and must be committed to participating in the program for a minimum of two years.

PennRSSA Summer 2021 Graduate Assistantships
Deadline: April 16
The Division of the Vice Provost for Student Engagement (VPSE) is seeking current Penn graduate and professional students who are interested in serving this summer as graduate assistants (GAs) for the Penn Rising Scholar Success Academy (PennRSSA), an intensive postsecondary preparatory summer program serving rising seniors attending public, charter, and parochial high schools in Philadelphia.

DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program
Deadline: May 5
Supplemental awards to outstanding U.S. graduate students to pursue part of their dissertation research at a Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory/facility in areas that address scientific challenges central to the Office of Science mission.

ACLS Leading Edge Fellowship.
Deadline: May 6

One-year fellowships to recent humanities PhDs as they pursue publicly engaged projects that advance social justice and equity in communities across the United States. The projects are designed to draw on the humanistic skills, capacities, and frameworks developed in the course of earning a PhD in the humanities. In this competition, ACLS will place up to 41 recent PhDs with participating nonprofit organizations across the country.

Perry World House/Foreign Affairs Emerging Scholars Policy Prize
Deadline: May 11
This $10,000 prize recognizes outstanding essays with new ideas on how to tackle the world’s biggest policy challenges. Advanced PhD candidates and early career scholars from all disciplines are encouraged to apply, and the winning entries will be published in Foreign Affairs magazine.

Schwarzman Scholarship (for Fall 2022 start)
Deadlines: May 19 ( citizens of mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao); Sept 21 (all other countries) 
Highly selective international scholarship program designed to prepare future leaders for success in a world where China plays a key global role. Scholars develop their leadership skills through a fully-funded one-year Master's degree in Global Affairs at Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University in Beijing – one of China's most prestigious universities. Chinese language proficiency is NOT required.

Community Impact Fund 
Deadline: rolling
The Community Impact Fund provides small grants to support graduate student initiatives and activities that address racial, cultural, or gender-based bias. The goal of the fund is to help foster a community of mutual respect and intercultural understanding on campus, particularly among graduate and professional students. Learn more at gsc.upenn.edu/impact-fund

Campaign for Community
Deadline: rolling
The Campaign for Community aims to strengthen our Penn community by finding ways to discuss and understand key issues that may appear to be difficult or intractable. The program provides grants of up to $1500 for projects and activities that help advance the Campaign's goals of encouraging mutual understanding, respect, and discussion among members of the community on important topics. Learn more at https://provost.upenn.edu/campaign-community.

Dirksen Congressional Center Congressional Research Grants
Deadline: rolling
Eligibility: Students with a serious interest in studying Congress; a significant portion of the funds is awarded for PhD dissertation research

Data Incubator Data Science Fellowship
Deadlines: Multiple sessions each year, deadlines vary.
An advanced 8-week fellowship for PhDs looking to enter industry. Free for admitted Fellows. Participate either in person in New York City, Washington, DC, the San Francisco Bay Area, or online.

 

To see additional fellowships and award opportunities, visit CURF Resources for Graduate Students and Grad Center Grants and Fellowships webpages. 

 

About the Deputy Provost 

The Deputy Provost’s Education portfolio oversees the programs and policies that govern teachers and students at Penn. The Education portfolio includes the Graduate Student Center, the Center for Teaching & Learning, the Family Resource Center, the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, the Office of Student Conduct, the Online Learning InitiativeCollege Houses & Academic ServicesPenn First PlusNew Undergraduate Student Orientation & Academic Initiatives, and Civic House and Civic Scholars Program.  

 

 

 

 

 

View All News