A&T Announcements - Nov. 1, 2021

New Interim Policy Posted

Signature Authority and Delegation of Authority

COVID-19 Vaccination Booster Doses
North Carolina A&T is excited to announce that we are now offering booster doses for faculty, staff and students who received any of the available vaccines. To strengthen and extend protections against severe illness, North Carolinians who have been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines may now be eligible to receive a booster dose. Additionally, individuals are now able to receive any brand of COVID-19 vaccine for their booster shot. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. Sign up using the link here.

You may be eligible for a booster if: 

• You are 18 or older
• Your second/final dose was more than SIX months ago for Pfizer and Moderna
• You received your Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than TWO months ago

And you meet the additional recommendations below: 

• Johnson & Johnson

It is recommended that anyone 18 or older who was vaccinated more than TWO months ago with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine receive a booster dose.  

Moderna and Pfizer

• Boosters have been authorized and recommended for individuals who are at high risk for serious illness or exposure. You are eligible if you received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and ONE of the following is true: 

• • You are 65 or older, or
  • You live or work in a nursing home or long-term care residential facility, or 
  • You have a medical condition that puts you at high risk for severe illness (e.g., immunocompromised conditions, obesity, asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes), or 
  • You work in a high-risk profession, meaning you come into contact with a lot of people, and you don’t know their vaccination status (e.g., health care workers, first responders, teachers, food processing workers, retail and restaurant workers and public transportation workers), or 
  • You live or work in a place where many people live together (e.g., homeless shelters, correctional facilities, migrant farm housing, dormitories or other group living settings in colleges or universities). 

N.C. A&T, in partnership with Cone Health, will also be offering Pfizer vaccines for ages 5-11 starting this month (November). If you or someone you know is interested, please sign up here through Cone Health. Vaccines will be offered in the Alumni-Foundation Event Center on campus.

University Police Department Satisfaction Survey
In order to ensure that the N.C. A&T State University Police Department is providing the service our community wants and deserves, we ask you to evaluate us by completing a brief survey by Nov. 30. Your answers will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law. Thank you, in advance, for taking the time to provide feedback on our performance as an agency.

Flu Vaccine Available at Student Health Center
The Student Health Center is now offering the flu shot for this upcoming winter months! We have received our first shipment of 100 doses. Please come by or schedule an appointment with the Student Health Center during clinic and pharmacy business hours, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. The Student Health Center will be receiving more flu vaccines later in the month.
Please be advised that upon receiving the shot your insurance will be billed.

SHRA Mandatory Infromation Security Training
The university is required to provide information security awareness training each year. Traing for SHRA employees will begin Tuesday, Oct. 19. Topics will include information technology policies, fundamental security knowledge, common cyber security threats, social engineering red flags, WiFi security, social media sharing and phishing prevention. This training is mandatory for all SHRA employees. The training is self-paced and each module can be paused and resumed. After module is completed, employees will be able to downloada certificate of completion. The deadline to complete training is June 30, 2022. Please contact Information Security Services at itsecure@ncat.edu if you have questions.

Volunteers Needed - Community & Economic Engagement Summit
The Office of Community Engagement is seeking volunteers for the "Pathways to Economic Recovery" Community & Economic Engagement Summit on Oct. 27. This free gathering of entrepreneurs, community developers, policy makers and more will feature dynamic sessions and speakers and is open to the public. Register for the summit and get more info here.

A&T and Sodexo have partnered with Starship Technologies to provide food delivery service on via autonomous robots. The on-demand robots will deliver from Qdoba, 1891 Bistro and Paavo's Pizza. Visit starship-ncat.com to download the app and start your order!

Learn STEM Skills and Credentials with Digital Badge Program
N.C. A&T is starting a digital badge program, funded by the National Science Foundation, to enable undergraduate students to increase their STEM skills through mentorship programs, experiential learning activities, research opportunities, scholarships, and more. The ASETTS program will connect students to researchers, professionals, and alumni from STEM‐related fields currently working in transportation careers and give students extra credentials to increase their marketability and secure employment after graduation.
   
Professional Development Courses and Opportunities from the CLOE
Throughout October 2021- February 2022 you can participate in:
   • Watermark Faculty Success (Formerly Digital Measures): CL-112
   • Updates to Title IX: CL-036
   • Civic Engagement and Higher Education: CL-136
   • Real Colors Workshop: CL-008
   • Customer Service Excellence: CL-064
   • Components of a Good Manager: CL-007
   • Digital Netiquette: CL-045
Register for CLOE Courses Here

N.C. A&T Biotechnology Center Virtual Launch - Nov. 2
Join A&T leaders and special guests on Nov. 2, 10-11:30 a.m., for the virtual launch of the university's Center of Excellence in Biotechnology. This is a partnership between the U.S. Army, Department of Defense, A&T's College of Engineering and College of Science and Technology, and Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine. Attendees are required to register in advance at this link.

Research Impact: Assessing and Tracking Your Research Workshop - Nov. 2
Do you want to know what kind of impact your published research is making in your discipline? Looking to publish in the top journals but do not know where to start? Join Bluford Library to learn how you can track, analyze, and visualize the impact of your research. We will explore research impact tools that are easy to use, and which provide a variety of options for analyzing your research engagement. These tools also provide opportunities to network with other researchers in your field and identify potential collaborators. Research impact data can also be analyzed on an institutional basis, which can aid campus decision making. Register here. (Approximately 60 minutes)

Day of the Dead Exhibit 
In honor of Latin culture, the Office of Intercultural Engagement will host its annual Day of the Dead Exhibit in the Student Center on the first floor lobby. The exhibit can be viewed Nov. 1 until Nov. 12. For more information, please contact the Office of Intercultural Engagement at oie@ncat.edu or 336-334-7800.

Travel Services November Training Schedule
The University Travel Office will host a series of two (2) training sessions and one (1) lab for Chrome River for the month of November. See below:
 
   Virtual Chrome River Training (Full) - Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. - noon
   Virtual Chrome River Training (Refresher) - Thursday, Nov. 11 at 2-3 p.m.
   Virtual Chrome River Splash Lab (No training) - Thursday, Nov. 18 at 2-4 p.m.

To receive the login instructions, register here.

Literature Review Workshop - Nov. 4
What is a literature review? What purpose does it serve in research? Join Bluford Library Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. to discuss strategies for conducting a literature review. Along the way, we will explore library services you may not know about and learn how to connect with librarians in your subject area for more in-depth help finding information. Register here. (Approximately 60 minutes)

"Just Mercy" and the U.S. Constitution Discussion - Nov. 4
Please join the Department of History and Political Science, in collaboration with the Text-in-Community (TIC) Program, for a moderated discussion connecting the U.S. Constitution with this year's TIC book, "Just Mercy," by Bryan Stevenson. The moderated discussion will feature both faculty members and students and will be followed by an open Q&A session with the audience. Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. Academic Classroom Building, Room 109. There will be door prizes and refreshments will be served at the end.

American Indian Student Meet & Greet - Nov. 4
In honor of American Indian Heritage Month, the Office of Intercultural Engagement will host an American Indian Student Meet and Greet on Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Student Center, Room 385. Learn how to support American Indian students, explore available resources and support services, and more. Light refreshments will be served. Masks are required for attendees. For more information, please contact the Office of Intercultural Engagement at oie@ncat.edu or 336-334-7800.

Fall Hack NCAT 5.0: The Last Entrepreneur - Nov. 5
Friday Nov. 5, the College of Engineering will host it’s 5th annual Fall Hackathon, Hack NCAT. This year’s theme is "The Last Entrepreneur." Students from various colleges, as well as the high schools on campus, will be invited to form teams, code, solve problems and compete for FABULOUS prizes. Friday's kickoff and corporate networking event (Hybrid, with students in person and companies in Zoom breakout rooms) will begin at 3:30 p.m. in McNair Hall, where students form teams, meet with the companies to discuss the problems, receive instructions, attend 'mini' workshops on a variety of relevant topics, and find spaces to begin to 'hack'. Dinner will be served. Saturday will be completely virtual. Register today. The first 100 persons to sign in on site will receive this year's Hackathon t-shirts.

Romantic Communication - every Wednesday
Romance is a way people choose to interact with each other whether or not the relationship is intimate. Come out to this 5 week group and learn some healthy communication skills. Groups will be held virtually on Wednesdays at 2 p.m., Oct. 13 - Nov. 10.   

National Distance Learning Week
Join the Extended Campus celebration of National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) Nov. 8-12! This year’s theme is “Stay FOCUSed…Fixed Ongoing Commitment: Unlimited Success.” We will celebrate faculty on Monday, Nov. 8 at noon during a moderated, town hall discussion about our distance education vision and the online experience. Student recognitions of faculty and staff commitment to student success in distance education are a highlight. View the full schedule of events here. Join here. Follow us on Twitter @NCAT_ECampus.

Copyright and Fair Use Workshop - Nov. 9
Join Bluford Library Nov. 9 at 3 p.m. to learn the basics for copyright, fair use rules and user rights in general. Let us help you determine if works are Public Domain or Open-Source, and help with Plagiarism vs. Citing. With all the information available, you need to know what’s right and what’s wrong in the world of copyright. You tell us whether your use is for research, teaching, and/or performing and we will help you find appropriate resources to protect you and the University. This active workshop will help you navigate current legislation and common practices to avoid plagiarism and/or infringement situations that can put us all at risk. Register here. (Approximately 60 minutes)

Graduate School Panel Discussion and Exploration Fair - Nov. 9 and 10
The Office of Career Services will host the annual Graduate School Exploration Panel Discussion (Nov. 9 at 6-7:15 p.m.) and Fair (Nov. 10 12-3 p.m.) for students. This will be an opportunity for students of ALL majors and classifications to meet with representatives of various graduate college programs (Ph.D., Master's, Medical, Law, Dentistry, etc.) and gain valuable information about various programs, admissions process, tuition/scholarships, etc. These events will be held virtually. Students must register.

Dr. S. Kent Butler, President and Fellow, American Counseling Association, Campus Visit - Nov. 10
Dr. S. Kent Butler will visit N,C. A&T and give a talk to students at the Department of Counseling at Proctor 114 on Nov 10 from 3:15-4 p.m., followed by a 45-minute Q&A. The title of Dr. Butler's talk is “The Journey to now: making my mark!” The talk is open to the whole NCA&T community, but is particularly geared towards graduate students in social sciences. Spaces are limited. Registration is required.

CAES Graduate Programs Information Session - Nov. 10
The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences will host a graduate programs information session Nov. 10 from 5-6 p.m. Both undergraduate and current graduate students are invited to attend the event to learn about graduate programs available in the college. Click here to join the event.

Film Screening & Discussion: Black Boys, A Film by Sonia Lowman - Nov. 10
Join F.D. Bluford Library in the Seminar Room on Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. for a film screening of Black Boys, A Film by Sonia Lowman. Illuminating the full spectrum of humanity for Black boys and men in America through an intimate, intergenerational conversation at the intersection of sports, education, and criminal justice. Register here.

Mobile Mammogram Unit – Nov. 11 (by appointment only)
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Student Health Center will be hosting its' annual Mobile Mammogram Unit. Meet us on November 11th in the Student Health Center Parking Lot, for your Mobile Mammogram sponsored by Novant Health. Screenings will be by appointment only. Please be sure to pre-register for your appointment no later than Nov. 3 as no walk-in appointments will be accepted.

National Transgender Awareness Week 2021: Famous Transgender People Exhibit - Nov. 15th – 19th
In recognition of National Transgender Awareness Week 2021, join the Office of Intercultural Engagement and the LGBTA Resource Center for a Famous Transgender People Exhibit. A reception will be held for the exhibit kickoff on Nov. 15 from 4-6 p.m. in the Student Center, Room 222. Following the kickoff, the exhibit will be viewable in the Student Center, Room 213 Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Soul of Christmas: A Holiday Musical Revue
The Soul of Christmas is a finger snapping, foot tapping, hand clapping holiday musical for the whole family. Directed and conceived by Gregory J. Horton, this high-energy production is destined to become the holiday gift that keeps on giving. Performances will be held at Paul Robeson Theatre on the campus of NC A&T State University, for tickets call 336-334-7749 or visit www.ncataggies.com. Seating will be limited to practice social distancing and masks are required for audiences and all front of house staff.

Dates:
Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 18 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 19 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 21 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Ticket Costs:
Adults - $17.00
Senior citizens & non-A&T Students - $11.00
Children 12 and under - $6.00
A&T students – Free with Aggie One Card

Information and Deadlines for Funded International Programs
Interested in studying or working abroad during or after undergrad, but not sure how to get started in the process? Get help from NCAT EO!

• Register for the Virtual UK Summer School Fair 2021, Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-noon ET (first- and second-year undergrads especially encouraged)
• Open your Critical Language Scholarship application and get help as you apply before 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 16, to learn a less commonly taught language in summer 2022
• Click here and select "Institutional Fulbright Program Adviser" to sign up for a virtual session on the Fulbright Program grant at 2p.m. ET on Nov. 16 and learn how you can be one of A&T's next Fulbrighters in one of 140+ countries. 

Contact Ms. Alsace Gallop in NCAT EO and get application instructions now for EOs with required fall 2021 endorsement deadlines (always at 5 p.m. ET; click here to see all 15 endorsed EOs). 

• Second- and third-year undergrads
      Nov. 9: Udall Scholarship (all majors; must demonstrate commitment to either environmental issues or Alaska Native/Native American communities)
• All current students who will be enrolled next year and who want to study among 40+ languages abroad
      Nov. 16: Boren Scholarship and Boren Fellowship
• Sophomores who want to study in the UK for one semester during 2022-23 AY
      Nov. 16: ESU Luard Morse Scholarship
• Graduating seniors and 2021 alumni who want to work for one year at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
      Nov. 16: Gaither Junior Fellows Program

Students and alumni can indicate Intent-to-Apply by clicking here as soon as possible.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or having thoughts of suicide, please contact Counseling Services. Counseling Services provides trainings on suicide prevention. You can become a gatekeeper and save a life by recognizing the warning signs, offering hope, and referring others to seek professional assistance. Here are some resources on suicide prevention.

·         National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24 Hours) 1-800-273-8255
·         American Psychological Association (APA) http://www.apa.org/
·         Suicide warning signs http://www.apa.org/topics/suicide/signs.aspx
·         Speaking of Psychology: Preventing suicide http://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/preventing-suicide.aspx
·         Suicide Prevention http://www.apa.org/advocacy/suicide-prevention/index.aspx

Online Survey about Computer Use 
N.C. A&T and Elon University are collaborating on a research study. Participants fill out an online survey that asks questions about computer and internet use, presents some computer use scenarios, and asks about beliefs about getting things done. The study is approximately 15-25 minutes long, and compensation is provided. Must be ages 18-25 OR 65 years of age or older and access to a computer with internet connection to participate. To learn more, email elonmemorylab@gmail.com.

Community Engagement Training Survey
The Office for Community Engagement would like to invite faculty and staff members to participate in a short survey to identify how we can drive the university's commitment to positively impact the surrounding community. Your responses will be used to develop a set of community engagement training modules, beginning next semester. Please follow the link provided and share it with colleagues.

COVID-19 and Food Choices Study/Survey

Volunteers Needed For COVID-19 Study
Volunteers requested for a research study within the Social Work and Sociology Department at N.C. A&T. The purpose of this study is to explore the attitudes and concerns that A&T students have about romantic and sexual relationships during COVID-19. This study will also examine attitudes and perceptions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Qualified students will receive a $25 gift card for participating in a virtual interview. For more information to participate in this study, visit the COVID Study website.