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Onboarding

Virginia Tech: Checklist

All new students MUST go through the checklist below. Complete everything on this list as it applies to you prior to orientation, or as soon as possible during your first week here.

FIND HOUSING

A guide to on-campus, off-campus and apartment hunting.

MCB Orientation Week – the week before classes start

Monday – Welcome and Update

  • Welcome by the program
  • Meet with HR representative, as required
  • Begin talking to faculty to organize laboratory rotations

Tuesday

GTA workshop

Required for all MCB students. You are already registered.

Wednesday

Keep your eyes open for Welcome Events by the Graduate Student Assembly and the Graduate School

Thursday

  • Organize rotations and finalize paperwork

Friday

9:00 am  Virginia Tech Graduate School Orientation (see information below)
  • Finalize laboratory rotations

VT Graduate School Orientation

(Note: MCB Orientation is separate from that of the Graduate School)
Register and more information
Graduate School Checklist

YOUR VT ID # & CREATING YOUR VT PID

When you applied, you were given an ID number that begins with a 90xxxxxxx. You will need this in order to set up your PID, which will serve as your username for online systems and will be the first part of your Virginia Tech email address. Once you have created your PID, please send it to mcb-program@vt.edu. Do not share your password.

TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION

All Virginia Tech websites that you have to log in with your username and password require a two factor authentication to be set up.

DIRECT DEPOSIT

Log into HokieSpa. In the Hokie Team section you can complete your payroll forms. You must create your PID and two-factor authentication before you can access this.

HR PAPERWORK

You should receive an automated email with the link to the New Hire Center. All information has to be entered by August 10. If you have not received the link by August 1, please get in touch with us.

GET YOUR HOKIE PASSPORT MADE

Once you arrive you will need to go to the Student Services Building to get your VT ID card made. This ID card is used for everything you will need to access on campus, from the BT Bus system to building access. Be sure to have your VT ID# with you when you go.

VT PARKING

Students who wish to have their vehicles on campus will have to obtain a parking permit. Parking is free on weekends and after 10 pm (except for on the drill field). Please be sure to get your parking permit ASAP that day to avoid getting a ticket. For short-term parking, permits can be conveniently purchased through the ParkMobile app. Also consider alternative transportation options.

SAFETY TRAINING (MANDATORY!)

Please complete these prior to your arrival, or as soon as possible during orientation week. YOU WILL NOT BE GRANTED LAB ACCESS UNTIL TRAINING HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

EHS Training (online, automatic verification)

There are eight required EHS-Related Trainings for Graduate Research Students participating in laboratory research that can be taken online. A passing grade is required (indicated by a Green Check). Follow the link below and go to “My Training Profile” – click Register to take a class.

http://www.ehss.vt.edu/training/

  1.  Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety (under Compressed Gas Cylinders)
  2.  Dry Ice Shipping (under Dry Ice)
  3.  General Lab Safety (under Chemical Safety)
  4.  Safe Autoclave Use and Verification (under Biological Safety)
  5.  Introduction to Biological Safety Cabinets (under Biological Safety)
  6.  Laboratory Hazardous Waste (under Biological Safety)
  7.  Biosafety for research labs (under Biological Safety)
  8.  Personal Protective Equipment Awareness (under Personal Protective Equipment)
  9.  Portable Fire Extinguishers (under Fire and Life Safety)
  10. Bloodborne Pathogens

Self-verify completion of training at the following link:
https://www.ehss.vt.edu/profile.php

IACUC Training (online, PDF verification)

There are four required IACUC-Related Trainings for the MCB program. Two of these training modules have an online test, and you must receive a passing grade. (Sign up with VT email address and you MUST COMPLETE ALL 4 training modules.)

https://www.research.vt.edu/iacuc/training.html

  1.  Core and Refresher IACUC Training (New Users)
  2.  Virginia Tech Specific IACUC Training
  3.  Occupational Health and Safety Training

Note: Indicate potential work with Rats/Mice, Birds, Fish
    4.  EHSS questionnaire
Note: This survey is confidential

Verify completion of training at the following link, and save a copy of verification as a PDF (Name – IACUC.pdf)
https://secure.research.vt.edu/iacuc_mgt/?mod=training

NIH Guidelines Training (online, PDF)

There is one required NIH Guidelines Training for Virginia Tech.There are two links, the first is for the training information and the second is for a quiz.

NIH Guidelines (Training) 
NIH Guidelines (Quiz)

  1.  Go to section: Protocol-Specific Required Training
  2.  To complete the quiz: follow “How do I complete the training?” section (required login)

You will receive a certification of completion by email if you successfully complete the quiz. Please save a copy of this certificate as a PDF (Name – NIH.pdf)

Title IX Training 

HEALTH INFORMATION

BT BUS SYSTEM

The “BT” bus runs throughout campus as well as throughout the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg. Your Hokie ID will allow you free access to this service. There is a bus that also runs to Roanoke/Blacksburg called the Smart Way bus.

NEWMAN LIBRARY

Access to VT’s Newman Library is available to students using their Hokie ID, PID (online), or a driver’s license.