1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
- Career advising (walk in, no appointment needed): Wednesdays 2:00-5:00pm, GLC Lobby
- Cook Counseling (walk in, no appointment needed): Thursdays and Fridays 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room
- GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursdays, Reading Room
- Statistical consulting by LISA: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
- Writing Center support for grads: Thursdays 3:00-5:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room (additional hours are available in the Library)
2. GRADUATE PUMPKIN CARVING PARTY
Monday, Oct 29, 5:30-7:30pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
The GLC Fellows and the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) are sponsoring this Pumpkin Carving Party. Pumpkins, carving tools, and food will be provided. You are responsible for bringing the fun! Prizes will be given in several “best pumpkin” categories at 7pm. This event is open to all graduate students and their children as well. Please contact Andrae Hash at hashas@vt.edu if you have any questions. Please complete the survey registration to indicate that you are coming.
3. AEL LAST LECTURE SPEAKER: DR. E. SCOTT GELLER
Monday, Oct 29, 7:30pm, GLC Room G
Alpha Lambda Epsilon (AEL), a graduate honor society, invites you to its first Last Lecture Speaker for 2012/2013 school year: Dr. E. Scott Geller will present his topic "Actively Caring for People: A worldwide movement for safety, security, and global peace." Refreshments will be provided. Please direct any questions to Tammy Parece at tammyep@vt.edu.
4. SUPPORT YOUR GLC VOLLEBALL TEAM!
Monday, Oct 29, 7:30pm War Memorial Gym 141
Come out and support the GLC volleyball team at their first game. Interested in joining the team? Contact Mitchell Ostrout, grad student and captain of a grad Co.Rec team at ostroutm@vt.edu.
5. WORK-LIFE INTEGRATION WEBINAR
Tuesday, Oct 30, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C
With the pressures of technology, globalization, and productivity, the typical workday has encroached upon what used to be considered home life. It’s harder than ever to maintain boundaries. Explore ways to identify the right balance between work and home, allowing you to contribute fully to both. We’ll share practices to manage it all and also how to communicate expectations to those around you. Hosted by the Central Virginia Women Transportation Seminar. For more information, please contact Renee LoSapio at rlosapio@vt.edu. Guest speakers: Jennifer Pope, Vice President, Member Interactions, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans; Shannan Gardner, Partner at Moss Adams LLP.
6. THE SOCIOLOGY OF HAWAIIAN GHOST STORIES
Tuesday, Oct 30, 7:00pm, 216 Randolph
In Hawaiian culture, ghost stories are commonly used to create ethnic solidarity and to bring communities together. Hawaiians have great respect for the land, and spirits that reside within it. This talk will focus on the cultural-social effects of ghosts. Graduate student Leighton Vila will be reading actual ghost stories, as documented by the University of Hawaii Folklore Project and other academic texts, and explaining the historical, cultural, and sociological ways that these stories affect Hawaiian culture. For more information contact Leighton Vila at vila@vt.edu.
7. ETD WORKSHOP
Wednesday, Oct 31, 2:00-3:00pm, GLC Room F
The Graduate School will be holding two ETD workshops for those students who need help in developing their ETD’s or those who would like their ETD looked over for minor errors before submission. There will be a list of frequently found errors, as well as formatting templates and copyright help. Whether you are just starting to develop your ETD or are ready to submit it for review, this workshop is for you!
8. LGBTQ-HISTORY SAFE ZONE SESSION
Thursday, Nov 1, 2:00-4:00pm, GLC Room G
In the world today we hear about people coming out or being outed; we hear the debate about gay marriage, we hear politicians pander to different groups using LGBT Rights as a polarizing strategy; but none of this is new. This session will look at the history of the LGBT community especially in Europe and the US hitting important moments in the struggle for equal rights; how homosexuality by definition has changed and how it is twisted; key moments that transgender and intersex individuals have faced. Hopefully you will walk away with a better understanding of how LGBT individuals have impacted history then and now. This workshop counts towards Safe Zone certification. Space is limited. Sign up here. Questions? Contact Tara at tara@vt.edu.
9. GLC CAFÉ: PEANUT EDITION
Thursday, Nov 1, 30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
The GLC Café is offered throughout the semester with free coffee and tea in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues. This week’s special (in addition to, not instead of the usual cookies): Virginia peanuts in various forms, probably as peanut brittle and dry-roasted variations. Bring your own mug if you can.
10. GRADUATE COSMIC BOWLING NIGHT
Friday, Nov 2, 9pm-1am, BreakZone in Squires Student Center
Join your fellow graduate students for a night of friendly competition with COSMIC bowling at the BreakZone! Bowl as much as you want, for as long as you want, at no cost to you. All graduate students are welcome! Hosted by the GLC Fellows. If you have any questions, please email Marielly Ruiz at mzruiz@vt.edu.
11. AEL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED – 2nd posting
Fall 2012 Application Deadline: Nov 19 by 5 p.m. Alpha Epsilon Lambda (AEL) Graduate Honor Society, the only academic excellence and leadership honor society of graduate and professional school students, is now accepting applications for new members. Graduate students may become members based on their academic achievements and leadership experiences. Please apply by Nov 19 through http://www.ael.graduateschool.vt.edu/application-process/. For more information please visit the AEL website or contact Shernita Lee, President of AEL, at shernita@vt.edu with any questions.
12. REGISTER FOR SECOND ANNUAL INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM – 2nd posting
Registration is now open for the Second Annual Interdisciplinary Research Symposium, held at Virginia Tech on Nov 2nd, 9am-3pm, in the Graduate Life Center (GLC) Multipurpose room. The Interdisciplinary Research Honor Society (ΙΔΡ) organizes this symposium to promote interdisciplinary work being performed at Virginia Tech by graduate and undergraduate students. Dr. Bill Newell, a leading scholar on interdisciplinary research, will be the keynote speaker and host an interactive panel discussion. Additionally, undergraduate and graduate students will present their research in poster sessions and compete for poster awards in their respective categories. Coffee and lunch break provided. Registration is free! To register go to http://www.idrsociety.org/what-we-do-2/idr-symposium-2012/ .
13. STUDENT TRAVEL GRANTS FROM VT ENGAGE – 3rd posting
If you are traveling to a conference to present or lead a workshop related to civic engagement, service, or social justice, VT Engage would like to help you with travel costs. VT Engage is offering travel awards for the 2012-2013 academic year, up to $300 for selected applicants. There is a brief application at http://tinyurl.com/VTEngageTravel12-13 and decisions are made on a rolling basis. For more information, visit: http://tinyurl.com/VTEngageTravelSheet12-13 or contact Lauren Kennedy, Burruss 113, kennedy0@vt.edu.
14. PRESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP (PMF) – 2nd posting
Applications for the Class of 2013 application period will open on Monday, Nov 5 and close on Monday, Nov 19, 2012. Applicants must be nominated by Graduate Dean Karen P. DePauw. The PMF nomination document is Form 1300 and is part of the application. This form along with a maximum of 2-pages containing a brief CV and short essay that addresses: 1) breadth and quality of accomplishments; 2) capacity for leadership; 3) commitment to excellence in leadership and management of public policies and programs, can be emailed to grads@vt.edu or sent by fax to 540-231-3714 by Nov 15. Do not send directly to Dean DePauw. For questions call 231-4558. Application information is available at the PMF website www.pmf.gov.
15. SPRING GRAD COURSE OFFERINGS
The Graduate School courses for spring semester include the following:
— Communicating Science: GRAD 5984 CRN 18468 Friday 2:20-4:15 PM
Taught by Patricia Raun, this short course is designed for graduate students in scientific or technological fields to increase their ability to communicate about their work in a variety of contexts and to lessen the discomfort of spontaneous interaction. Areas of emphasis will include tools for synchronous communication (one-to-one, one-to-an-audience, and media-based) which include imagination, relaxation, observation, and concentration through improvisation. Some attention will be focused on the tools required for distilling messages in writing (asynchronous communication).
— Effective Academic Assessment for Higher Education CRN 18694 Thursday 6:00-8:50 PM
Taught by Ray Van Dyke, this course provides an overview of assessment principles and practices in contemporary higher education. The course promotes a general
understanding of academic assessment, as well as the assessment of ancillary programs that support academic quality. The course prepares the future professoriate to design and implement successful assessment practices that enhance teaching and learning.
— Cognition, Learning, and the Internet CRN 18776 Tu,Th 9:30-10:45 AM.
Taught by Gardner Campbell, this course explores the intersections of computing, information science, education, Internet studies, the humanities, and the visual and performing arts, as well as the crucial and long-contested relationships among making, doing, and knowing.
— Topics in Interdisciplinary Research: Regenerative Medicine: Science and Society
Taught by a team of instructors representing three colleges, this course will provide a general introduction to the science and promise of regenerative medicine. We seek to integrate stem cell biology, biomaterials/bioengineering, social and ethical issues, experimental design, and business and public policy into one cohesive program of study because of the transformative nature of this area. The course format will include a combination of didactic lectures and discussions. Expect faculty members from all involved units in attendance at this course, learning from each other and learning together. GRAD 5134 T/R 12:30-1:45 pm.
—Topics in Interdisciplinary Research: Translational Plant Science
Taught by John McDowell, this course will examine the process through which insights from basic research are translated Learning Units will progress along a continuum from basic science to applied science to social and economic impacts. Progression through the units: (1) What are the key questions, issues, or problems? (2) What do we, as a scientific community, already know? (3) What knowledge is necessary to move the field forward? (4) What are the strategies we can use for generating this knowledge and for solving the problem? The course will be interdisciplinary and include modules in social and economic assessment training, as well as intellectual property and commercialization. GRAD 5134 T/R 9:30-10:45 am.
16. CALL FOR PAPERS, PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE JOURNAL – 3rd posting
Submit your paper, book review, or multimedia work! Public Knowledge Journal, an open-access peer-reviewed journal hosted by the Center for Digital Discourse and Culture at Virginia Tech, seeks articles, book reviews, essays, interviews, and multimedia submissions for Volume 4, Issue 2, on Interventions. The last day to submit for this issue is Saturday, October 20. Public Knowledge is a graduate student journal dedicated to the understanding of the journal process for new scholars, and thus only accepts submissions from current graduate students or of research conducted while enrolled as a graduate student. Some questions to consider: How does the response to the financial crisis shape or preclude social intervention? What kinds of (non)intervention would be the most socially useful? Who should be responsible for what kinds of financial interventions? What role should local authorities, state government, international bodies, corporations, and NGOs play in global environmental interventions? Submit to: editor@pkjournal.org
17. COACH SOUGHT FOR BBURG MASTERS SWIMMING – PAID POSITION! – 3rd posting
Blacksburg Masters Swimming http://www.blacksburgmasters.com needs a weekday coach (Tue and Thu 8:00-9:30am). Preference will be given to candidates with prior coaching experience or who have swam at the collegiate level. All practices are held at the VT War Memorial Gym pool. If interested, please contact Laurel Davis (ldavis52@gmail.com; 953-2515).
18. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR SWEETNESS EQUIVALENCE SENSORY STUDY – 1st posting
Participants are sought for evaluating the sweetness intensity of sweeteners (natural and artificial) in a sensory study on Monday, Nov 5 and Wednesday, Nov 7 from 10am-3pm in the Department of Food Science and Technology Sensory Evaluation Laboratory (Rm 127 FST Building – Corner of Duck Pond Dr. and Washington St across from VBI). Participants will be asked to taste and evaluate sweetened water solutions. This will take only 15-20 minutes. A selection of snacks will be offered for your participation. If interested, please register through this VT survey link: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1348096426103. An email with more details will be sent to those who fill out the survey.
19. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH PROJECT ON BT EXPERIENCES – 1st posting
Researchers are conducting a study focused on capturing customers’ experiences riding Blacksburg Transit and using Blacksburg Transit’s website. If you are above 18, take Blacksburg Transit at least three times a week, including trips to places other than campus, and have a smart phone, researchers would like to interview you about your experiences taking the bus. The interview should take 30-45 minutes and your responses and participation will be kept confidential. If you are interested, please contact Yushi Yang at yushi@vt.edu.
20. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY ON ADVISOR/ADVISEE RELATIONSHIPS – 1st posting
VT researchers are conducting a study on how international and domestic PhD students experience their relationship with their doctoral advisor within an education-related discipline. International and domestic doctoral students who have completed at least one year in an education-related program are invited to participate in this study. Participation is completely confidential. Your identity will be known only to the co-investigators of this study and every effort will be made to mask any identifying information. Participation will have no impact on grades, academic standing or eligibility for any activities, and does not include any compensation. If you are interested, please email Nicole Johnson at nicj712@vt.edu. Participants will be selected at random from the pool of volunteers. Must be 18 or older and in at least second year of doctoral study.
21. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR MUSCLE FATIGUE STUDY – 1st posting
Participants are needed for a study assessing the effect of localized muscle fatigue on slip and fall risks. The study consists of 4 experimental sessions (each lasting approximately 2-2.5 hours). Participants will be compensated $10/hour with a $40 bonus after completing all sessions. Requirements: male or female, age 35-64, no recent history of musculoskeletal disorders. If interested, please contact Rahul Songra at locomotionresearchlab@gmail.com for further details.
22. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR READING PRACTICES STUDY – 1st posting
Participants are needed for a study investigating reading practices on different media (i.e., paper, computer, iPad). This study will take around 3 hours to complete and participants will be compensated $10/hour (total $30). Requirements: Native English speaker, age 35-80. If interested, please contact Kyunghui Oh at khoh@vt.edu for further details.
23. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON THE PRACTICES OF WORKING MOTHERS – 1st posting
Participants who have had, have, or plan to have infants while working at Virginia Tech are needed for a study investigating the practice of nursing on campus. This study seeks all women faculty, staff, or graduate students at the Blacksburg campus, regardless of their choice to bottle- or breast-feed with formula or human milk. Participants will be asked to partake in a 35-45 minute interview at a mutually agreeable time and location. If interested, please contact Jennifer Porter at (410) 570-3391 or jport89@vt.edu for more information.
24. VT STUDENTS FOR OBAMA – 2nd posting
Want to help re-elect President Obama? The VT Students for Obama group has volunteer opportunities every day through the election. If you want to help to ensure that the President wins on Nov. 6th, contact Victoria Elliott at velliott@vt.edu.
25. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY ON HISTORIC BATTLEFIELDS – 2nd posting
Participants are needed for a survey on the public education and perception of historic battlefields among the VT community. As a potential participant, your opinions may be important. Your involvement is entirely voluntary and there are no known or anticipated risks by participating in this study. The survey should take less than 20 minutes and you will receive $5.00 as compensation. If you have any questions about this study or would like additional information, please contact Shamsul Abu Bakar (shunown1@vt.edu/540-449-9174). This study has been approved by the VT-IRB.
26. GRADUATE STUDENT MENTORS NEEDED – 3rd posting
The Graduate–Undergraduate Mentorship Program (GUMP) is seeking mentors from all fields! This program allows undergraduate students to shadow a graduate mentor for 2–4 hours per week over 2 weeks. Undergraduates and graduates are matched according to their area of study, allowing the undergraduate to get a taste for graduate school and to ask questions of current graduate students. Each graduate mentor will be matched with 2–4 mentees, who will shadow them at times convenient for the graduate mentor during the Spring semester. Mentors must attend one program orientation meeting the second week of the Spring semester, after which they will coordinate shadowing activities independently with their undergraduate mentees. If you have any questions please contact gump@vt.edu. All interested graduate students should fill out the application.
27. UPCOMING EVENTS:
EFFECTIVE READING WORKSHOP
Thursday, Nov 8, 5:00-8:00pm, GLC Room C
Educational researchers estimate that, at best, we retain only about 10 percent of the information that we read. Want to improve on that estimate in your academic reading? The key to becoming a more effective reader is to learn how academic information in published papers is structured and then to discipline one’s self to hunt for information actively rather than passively wait for the information to appear on the page. This workshop will describe how you can read more actively and purposely in order to locate needed information, increase comprehension, and boast retention for later use. Questions? Contact Tara at tara@vt.edu. Please sign up online .
GRADUATE STUDENT BOOK CLUB
Monday, Nov 26, 9:00 PM, GLC Room C
Seth Grahame-Smith’s first book, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, was a surprise hit. Then Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter came along and got its own movie adaptation. Want to get serious on this comic novel? Join the GLC fellows and other graduate students for light refreshments and discuss the book for this monthly book-club series. Sponsored by the GLC Fellows. If you have any questions, please contact Mark Smiley at esmark86@vt.edu.