October 12-18, 2009

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC:

• Writing support: Mondays (4-6pm) and Wednesdays (4-7pm), Student Lounge
• Walk-in counseling: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 1:00-5:00pm, Videoconference Room
• Career services walk-in advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, GLC Study Room

2. STAT SHORT COURSE: DESIGNING EXPERIMENTS
Tuesday, Oct 13, 5:00-7:00pm, Fralin Auditorium
Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (LISA) offers a series of short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research through teaching practical statistical techniques for analyzing or collecting data.  Visit the LISA website to register or learn more. The goal of this session is to introduce methods for creating well-designed experiments, with focus on basic principles, terminology, and concepts such as: steps for planning, designing, and analyzing an experiment; the importance of replication, randomization, and controlling error; the difference between experimental and observational units; fixed versus random effects; sample size and power; the importance of the sequential process of carrying out experiments. The session will not cover how to do ANOVA or how to use any software packages.

3. WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
Wednesday, Oct 14, 11:30am-12:30pm, GLC Room D
You’ve heard it before: your beliefs and attitudes affect your experience of life.  But how does this process work?  Physics, biology and psychology can lend some insights. Take the mystery out of the dynamic and explore how you can consciously co-create your experiences toward greater meaning and fulfillment.  Sponsored by the GLC Fellows.  Questions: Lindsay Moss. 

4. BALANCING ACT—HOW TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS IN GRAD SCHOOL 
Wednesday, Oct 14, 5:30-6:30pm, GLC Room C
Graduate students are often pulled in many different directions professionally, academically, and personally. Relationships with family and significant others frequently drop in priority. This interactive workshop will help participants create and maintain healthy relationships while also balancing the demands of graduate school. The workshop includes information on dynamics of healthy relationships, healthy interpersonal boundaries, and practical skills that can be used in real-life relationships. Sponsored by the GLC Fellows.  Questions: contact Lindsay Moss.

5. RETURNED PEACE CORPS PANEL
Thursday, Oct 15, 6:00-7:00pm, GLC Room G
If you are interested in the Peace Corps but have not had the opportunity to speak with a returned volunteer, here is your chance to speak with people in the Blacksburg area who have volunteered all over the world in a wide variety of projects including, agriculture, NGO development, water & sanitation, English teaching and business advising. Volunteers receive excellent language, cultural and programmatic training in over 73 countries. Take the first step in an adventure of a lifetime…learn about the joys and requirements of Peace Corps service as well as how to apply. Contact Alex Frane with questions and concerns.

6. STRONGER THAT WE THINK: SELF-EMPOWERING SKILLS THAT REDUCE THE RISK OF VIOLENCE
Thursday, Oct 15, 7:00pm, Smyth 146
The Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention and the Students for Non-Violence organization are hosting a public seminar featuring Dr. James Kenny, Professor of Criminal Justice from Fairleigh Dickinson University. The seminar will address identifying early warning signs, causes, and stages of violence, developing a proactive approach to personal safety, and discuss strategies to defuse dangerous situations.  This event is open to the entire Virginia Tech community.

7. DOCUMENTARY SERIES BY LATIN-AMERICAN/IBERIAN GRAD STUDENT ASSOCIATION
Saturday, Oct 17, 3:00pm, The Lyric
The Latin American and Iberian Graduate Student Association invites you to two movie presentations in The Lyric: on Oct 3, to the documentary “Hartos Evos Aqui Hay” directed by Manuel Ruiz; on Nov 14, to the documentary “En lo Escondido”, by Nicolas Rincon. Both movies are shown with English subtitles. Free and open to all.

8. GRADS GOT TALENT
Saturday, Oct 17, 6:00-8:00pm, Haymarket Theater, Squires
The GSA & GLC Fellows host "Grads Got Talent" to help raise funds for Relay for Life. Show your care and support: Bring all your pennies, dimes, bills and more! Help raise funds for Relay For Life. Donations accepted at the door. Contact Sruthi Atmakur, GSA Program Chair for Events, or Lindsay Moss, GSA VP of Programs,  with questions and concerns.

9. SHORT COURSES IN STATISTICS
Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (LISA) offers a series of short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research through teaching practical statistical techniques for analyzing or collecting data.  Visit LISA’s website  to register or learn more. Refreshments will be provided at the end of each short course! All courses will be held in Fralin Auditorium from 5:00-7:00pm. Fall 2009 schedule:

Tuesday, Oct 13: Designing Experiments
Wednesday, Oct 21: Using JMP: Specific Examples in Regression
Tuesday, Oct 27: Cluster Analysis
Wednesday, Nov 4: Intro to SAS
Tuesday, Nov 10: How to Analyze Repeated Measures and Other Random Effects

LISA also provides free statistical collaboration and consulting by appointment. Free daily walk-in consulting service is also available from 12-2pm in 401 Hutcheson Hall. 

10. FLU VACCINE COVERAGE THROUGH GM SOUTHWEST
Students insured through the university-approved GM Southwest plan have coverage for the seasonal flue vaccine, as well as the H1N1 vaccine. Schiffert Health Center scheduled student vaccine clinics beginning Tuesday, Oct 27. See later postings for further details. Through a special arrangement between GM-Southwest and Intravene (the vaccine provider), students who receive the flu vaccines will not incur out-of-pocket expenses. Insured students will need to present their student insurance ID card to receive this benefit. Students who receive the vaccines from any other provider must file a claim.

11. NEW LIBRARY RESOURCE AVAILABLE
The University Libraries recently rejoined the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), a rich and growing supply of resources, especially from abroad. The Center offers rapid delivery and generous borrowing privileges for member institutions, including scanned copies of many materials. Learn more details about CRL and their offerings.You can identify CRL materials by searching their site or via the WorldCat union catalog.  Place your requests for physical materials through ILLiad, using the notes box to indicate that the work you request is a CRL resource to alert the Interlibrary Loan staff. Contact Edward Lener with any questions about this new service.

12. CAMPUS-WIDE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
Laura Pennington, a graduate student in political science, invites you to participate in VT Dress Drive, a community service project to collect gently used formalwear gowns to be donated to Caitlin’s Closet. This organization provides dresses to women who can’t afford to purchase their own to attend homecoming, prom, and other special high school events. This is a great way to clean out your closet and donate to a great cause! Gowns of any style, size, or color in good condition are accepted. If you have a dress or dresses to donate, please email Laura Pennington.

13. LEADERSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
VT Residence Life is looking for new staff members for the 2010- 2011 academic year. Resident Advisor positions are available in every residence hall and open to both graduate and undergraduate students. Staff members often comment on the high level of leadership skills they develop and their increased sense of connection to the campus community. Resident Advisors receive a room scholarship and a semi-monthly pay check. Candidates must attend an interest session in order to apply.  Please find more information at: http://www.studentprograms.vt.edu/employment/resed/.

14. UPCOMING EVENTS:

PRE-HALLOWEEN SWING DANCE
Saturday, Oct 24, 7:00-11:30pm, Old Dominion Ballroom, Squires
Want to test out that Halloween Costume? Matt Bays, doctoral student in mechanical engineering invites you to join the VT Solely Swing Dance Club’s Annual Pre-Halloween Swing Dance! Wear a costume or Halloween colors if you can, meet new friends, learn to dance, participate in a costume contest, and bring a carved pumpkin to be judged! No partner required.  Free lesson with cost of admission ($5)! For more info visit http://www.swingin.org.vt.edu/