Month: November 2012

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC  – UPDATED 11/12/12!

• 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; find out each consultant’s software expertise here: http://www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=walk_in
• Writing Center support for grads: Thursdays 3:00-5:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room (additional hours are available in the Library)

2. 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.

3. VIRTUAL GLC (vGLC) CAFÉ
Wednesdays, starting Nov 28, 2:00-3:00 pm, Lobby of vGLC
Join the Graduate School Staff weekly for online chats in the vGLC. This week’s topic: End of Semester/Graduation Checklist. Get into the vGLC lobby at http://virtual.glc.vt.edu. The vGLC extends VT’s graduate-education community from campus to computer. Using avatars they have created, visitors to the vGLC can currently visit with Graduate-School staff about general academic questions; find Grad-School forms and policy information; consult with the Graduate Student Ombudsperson; attend virtual seminars and workshops; socialize with other vGLC visitors; and explore the vGLC space, which mirrors the real-world Graduate Life Center on the Blacksburg campus. Download the software . If you have questions or suggestions, please email Jodi Cromer (jodilynn@vt.edu) or Marija Telbis-Forster (mtelbisf@vt.edu).

4. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Sep 6, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
The GLC Café is offered throughout the semester with free coffee, tea and cookies in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues. Bring your own mug if you can. 

5. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT – FREE CHILDCARE ON THU NIGHTS
Thursdays, 6:00pm, VT Women’s Center 206 Washington Street    
A free weekly drop-in evening child care program for kids. Need a break? Have to study or attend a lecture? Want to catch up on work? If you are a VT student with children, bring your kids aged 2-12. No need to pre-register. Childcare provided by the women of Chi Delta Alpha sorority. KNO will be held every Thursday throughout the semester with the exception of home football games and when classes are not in session. For more information, contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu.

6. EFFECTIVE READING WORKSHOP – *NEW DATE*
Thursday, Nov 29, 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 if you plan to attend.

7. GSA DELEGATE MEETING (LAST ONE IN FALL)
Thursday, Nov 29, 5:30–7:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
The GSA delegate body is comprised of graduate students who serve as representatives for their respective academic departments and are liaisons to graduate students regarding graduate student issues/concerns, activities, etc offered by the GSA. If you are interested in learning more about the delegate body and how GSA functions, please attend this meeting, and register to help organizers better estimate for food and drinks. For more information please contact Shaimaa Abdallah, GSA President.

8. COMMUNITY VOICES PRESENTS PAM MCMICHAEL
Thursday, Nov 29, 7:00pm, Lyric Theatre
Pam McMichael, Director of the Highlander Research and Education Center, will present, "Did Horton Hear a Who? An Exploration of the Small and Mighty Voices of the Highlander Center: Making Change for 80 Years." Through stories spanning eight decades, McMichael’s presentation will address the power to make change through the extraordinary acts of everyday people connected to the Highlander Center. She reflects on the deep listening necessary to find, hear and amplify those community voices, and the challenges and opportunities for deep listening in our fast paced technology-filled world. The Highlander Center works with people fighting for justice, equality and sustainability, and supports their efforts to take collective action to shape their own destiny. Contact graduate student Kate Preston for more information, kapresto@vt.edu.

9. BOV GRAD LUNCH WITH PRESIDENT STEGER, PROVOST MCNAMEE, & GRAD DEAN DEPAUW
Friday, Nov 30, 12:00-1:30pm, The Inn at Virginia Tech
Attend the last graduate luncheon of the semester with president Steger, provost McNamee, and  vice president and dean for graduate education, Dr. Karen DePauw at the Inn at Virginia Tech. Spaces are limited, so if you are interested in attending, please register. Graduate students selected to attend will be contacted by Nov 28. Contact Robyn Jones, graduate representative to the BOV at bovgradrep@vt.edu with any questions.

10. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR XCALIBER AWARD – DEADLINE DEC 1
The XCaliber award recognizes faculty, graduate teaching assistants, and teams (faculty/ staff/ students) who have made notable contributions to integrating innovative technology in teaching and learning in a course or in a significant technology-enriched project. All graduate students and faculty are eligible for the award. If you know of someone who has done outstanding technology-enriched teaching and learning in 2012, or if you know of a group of individuals who have contributed to a significant technology-enriched project, please complete the online nomination form by Dec 1, 2012. All students are encouraged to nominate outstanding contributions. Self-nominations are also welcome. More information and online nomination form>>.

11. CALL FOR PAPERS FOR INTL JOURNAL ON INFO TECH & MGT – 3rd posting
You are invited to submit a paper on game mechanics and dynamics for gamification, gamification methodology, processes, strategies, and tools, innovation using gamification, human cognition and performance related to gamification, gamified learning and training, legal and ethical issues of gamification. Submit manuscript by Dec 31, 2012; final version due Apr 30, 2013. Learn more >>;  submit a paper >>. Questions: Contact Kibong Song at gibbs@vt.edu

12. DIVERSITY SCHOLAR NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN – 3rd posting
Diversity scholars are graduate students who specialize in and advocate for the awareness, knowledge, and skills associated with diversity and inclusion in the Graduate School and greater community. A diversity scholar’s goal is to create dialogue, provide advocacy, and implement change for a more diverse and inclusive experience for all graduate students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Nominations are open now. The deadline is Dec 6, 2012. Learn more or contact Dannette Beane at dannette@vt.edu with questions.

13. CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS FOR KIDS’ TECH UNIVERSITY – 3rd posting
Kids’ Tech University (KTU; http://kidstechuniversity.vbi.vt.edu), invites 
undergrad and grad students to turning their research into a hands-on exhibit.
If you are interested in honing your presentation skills to create a research centric hands-on event hosted on the VT campus, you may apply for a grant award ($50-100) to support your project, to be used towards supplies that KTU leaders will purchase; no money will be exchanged or given directly to award recipients.
Dates for hands-on events include: Jan 26, Feb 23, or Mar 23, 2013 (tentatively 1:30-4:00pm). All interested students must fill out the registration form. You will be asked to meet with Dr. Kristy Collins to discuss your project.

14. CHILD PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR DARK-/NIGHT-FEARS STUDY – 1st posting
Does your child refuse to enter dark rooms? Do you have to leave a light on in the hallway or in your child’s room? Is bedtime a struggle each night? A new research project is looking at the effectiveness of two novel treatments for dark fears and being alone at night in children ages 5 to 7. The study is being conducted at the Child Study Center at 460 Turner St. N.W., Suite 207, Blacksburg. For more information, contact Sarah Terrell or call 540-231-8276. Compensation is $50.

15. COMMENCEMENT VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT – 2nd posting
The university commencement committee is seeking graduate student volunteers to serve as ushers at the Spring ceremonies on Dec 21. The University Graduate Commencement will be held at 3:00 pm in Cassell Coliseum and the University Ceremony will be at 11:00 am. Ushers should arrive at least one hour prior to the ceremony. If you are interested in serving the university community in this manner, please contact Thomas W. Broyles, tbroyles@vt.edu, or by phone at 540-239-4365.

16. UPCOMING EVENTS:

AEL PRESENTS LAST LECTURE SERIES: DR. E.S. GELLER
Monday, Dec 3, 5:30pm, GLC Room G
Alpha Epsilon Lambda, the academic excellence and leadership honor society, invites you to its last lecture speaking event, presenting Dr. E. S. Geller and his lecture – Life Lessons from Psychological Science: Bringing the best out of yourself and others. For any questions, please contact Tammy Parece at tammyep@vt.edu

SAFE ZONE TRAINING: SUICIDE WATCH AND PREVENTION
Friday, Dec 7, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Room D
Concerned about a student or a friend?  Learn how to recognize issues and support students, friends, and colleagues.  Sponsored by The Raft Crisis Hotline, a free service offering suicide intervention, empathy and support to residents of the NRV. Raft is a program of New River Valley Community Services and has been serving the local community for over forty years. A majority of the hotline’s volunteers have been VT students and an official partnership was formed through the former Raft Hotline Manager, Brittany Mabry, and VT’s LGBTQ Coordinator, Catherine Cotrupi, to offer Suicide Watch and Prevention training to VT Safe Zones.  This session is led by Raft Crisis Hotline Manager, Rebecca Bryce. Please sign up here. Questions?  Contact Tara at tara@vt.edu

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC 
Our weekly services are on hiatus during Thanksgiving break.

2. T-BREAK CHILI LUNCHEON
Monday, Nov 19, 11:30-1:00 in the GLC Multipurpose Room
You are not alone! Join others who don’t get to leave for Thanksgiving break and enjoy some wholesome home-cooked vegetarian or meat chili, corn bread, rice, and cookies, brought to you by your friendly and caring GLC- and Grad-School staff. We asked you to register by 2:00pm on Friday, Nov 16, to help us estimate how much we need to cook. However, if you didn’t register and still want to join us, please come! We cooked enough for 100+. We ask that before going back for seconds, wait until everyone has been served once. 

3. COMMENCEMENT VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT – 1st posting
The university commencement committee is seeking graduate student volunteers to serve as ushers at the Spring ceremonies on Dec 21. The University Graduate Commencement will be held at 3:00 pm in Cassell Coliseum and the University Ceremony will be at 11:00 am. Ushers should arrive at least one hour prior to the ceremony. If you are interested in serving the university community in this manner, please contact Thomas W. Broyles, tbroyles@vt.edu, or by phone at 540-239-4365.

4. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR XCALIBER AWARD – DEADLINE DEC 1
The XCaliber award recognizes faculty, graduate teaching assistants, and teams (faculty/ staff/ students) who have made notable contributions to integrating innovative technology in teaching and learning in a course or in a significant technology-enriched project. All graduate students and faculty are eligible for the award. If you know of someone who has done outstanding technology-enriched teaching and learning in 2012, or if you know of a group of individuals who have contributed to a significant technology-enriched project, please complete the online nomination form by Dec 1, 2012. All students are encouraged to nominate outstanding contributions. Self-nominations are also welcome. More information and online nomination form.

5. CALL FOR PAPERS FOR INTL JOURNAL ON INFO TECH & MGT – 2nd posting
You are invited to submit a paper on game mechanics and dynamics for gamification, gamification methodology, processes, strategies, and tools, innovation using gamification, human cognition and performance related to gamification, gamified learning and training, legal and ethical issues of gamification. Submit manuscript by Dec 31, 2012; final version due Apr 30, 2013. Learn more >>; to submit a paper. Questions: Contact Kibong Song at gibbs@vt.edu

6. DIVERSITY SCHOLAR NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN – 2nd posting
Diversity scholars are graduate students who specialize in and advocate for the awareness, knowledge, and skills associated with diversity and inclusion in the Graduate School and greater community. A diversity scholar’s goal is to create dialogue, provide advocacy, and implement change for a more diverse and inclusive experience for all graduate students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Nominations are open now. The deadline is Dec 6, 2012. Learn more or contact Dannette Beane.

7. CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS FOR KIDS’ TECH UNIVERSITY – 2nd posting
Kids’ Tech University (KTU; http://kidstechuniversity.vbi.vt.edu), invites 
undergrad and grad students to turning their research into a hands-on exhibit.
If you are interested in honing your presentation skills to create a research centric hands-on event hosted on the VT campus, you may apply for a grant award ($50-100) to support your project, to be used towards supplies that KTU leaders will purchase; no money will be exchanged or given directly to award recipients. Dates for hands-on events include: Jan 26, Feb 23, or Mar 23, 2013 (tentatively 1:30-4:00pm). All interested students must fill out the form at: http://kidstechuniversity.vbi.vt.edu/undergrads.php. You will be asked to meet with Dr. Kristy Collins to discuss your project.

8. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR SURVEY ON MOBILE PHONES AND CONTEXT REMINDERS – 3rd  posting
A graduate-student team would appreciate any feedback you can provide through this survey for a class project. Their research is related to context awareness and mobile reminders. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Alan Baines at abaines@vt.edu.

9. UPCOMING EVENTS:

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.

THE VIRTUAL GLC CAFÉ
Wednesdays, starting Nov 28, 2:00-3:00 pm, Lobby of vGLC
Join the Graduate School Staff weekly for online chats in the Virtual Graduate Life Center (vGLC). This week’s topic: End of Semester/Graduation Checklist. Get into the vGLC lobby. The Virtual Graduate Life Center (vGLC) extends VT’s graduate-education community from campus to computer.  Using avatars they have created, visitors to the vGLC can currently visit with Graduate-School staff about general academic questions; find Grad-School forms and policy information; consult with the Graduate Student Ombudsperson; attend virtual seminars and workshops; socialize with other vGLC visitors; and explore the vGLC space, which mirrors the real-world Graduate Life Center on the Blacksburg campus. Download the software.  If you have questions or suggestions, please email Jodi Cromer (jodilynn@vt.edu) or Marija Telbis-Forster (mtelbisf@vt.edu).

EFFECTIVE READING WORKSHOP – *NEW DATE*
Thursday, Nov 29, 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.

GSA DELEGATE MEETING (LAST ONE IN FALL)
Thursday, Nov 29, 5:30–7:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
The GSA delegate body is comprised of graduate students who serve as representatives for their respective academic departments and are liaisons to graduate students regarding graduate student issues/concerns, activities, etc offered by the GSA. If you are interested in learning more about the delegate body and how GSA functions, please attend this meeting, and register to help organizers better estimate for food and drinks. For more information please contact Shaimaa Abdallah, GSA President.

COMMUNITY VOICES PRESENTS PAM MCMICHAEL
Thursday, Nov 29, 7:00pm, Lyric Theatre
Pam McMichael, Director of the Highlander Research and Education Center, will present, "Did Horton Hear a Who? An Exploration of the Small and Mighty Voices of the Highlander Center: Making Change for 80 Years." Through stories spanning eight decades, McMichael’s presentation will address the power to make change through the extraordinary acts of everyday people connected to the Highlander Center. She reflects on the deep listening necessary to find, hear and amplify those community voices, and the challenges and opportunities for deep listening in our fast paced technology-filled world. The Highlander Center works with people fighting for justice, equality and sustainability, and supports their efforts to take collective action to shape their own destiny. Contact graduate student Kate Preston for more information, kapresto@vt.edu.

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC  – UPDATED 11/12/12!

• 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; find out each consultant’s software expertise here
• Writing Center support for grads: Thursdays 3:00-5:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room (additional hours are available in the Library)

2. “GREENING THE GLC” INFORMATION SESSIONS
Monday Nov 12, 11am-1pm, Graduate School Lobby
Are you interested in learning how to make the Graduate Life Center more “green” and sustainable? Do you want to learn more about sustainability at VT? Do you want to test your sustainability knowledge with some fun trivia questions? The information sessions will include information about sustainability at Virginia Tech and the “Greening the GLC Initiative” student team. Graduate students, GLC residents, GLC staff, and the general campus community are invited to stop by and chat with representatives about sustainability in the GLC and throughout campus. If you have any questions, please contact Alyssa Halle, graduate assistant with the Office of Energy & Sustainability, at ahalle@vt.edu.

3. MAKING RUBRICS MEANINGFUL
Monday, Nov 12, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room C
Learn how to design rubrics to make your life easier and how to apply them for use in assessment.  Sign up at http://www.cideronline.org/events/events2.cfm Sponsored by the Office of Assessment and Evaluation.

4. SHORT STAT COURSE FOR GRADS: INTRODUCTION TO R, PART 3
Monday, Nov 12, 5:00-7:00pm, 3060 Torgersen Hall;
R is a free computing and graphical software/environment for statistical analysis. Taught by instructors Liang Shan and Han Li, this short course consists of 3 sections: (1) introduces the concept of generalized linear models.  R will be used for performing logistic regression and Poisson regression. (2) introduces the concept of categorical data analysis. Topics include: graphical displays of categorical data, measures of association, and contingency tables analyses. (3) will cover writing functions in R. Users can write functions in R to carry out operations  and return one or more values. Experience using R or attending Part I and Part II of this series is suggested but not required for Part III. R can be downloaded here. RStudio can be downloaded here. LISA (Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis) provides a series of evening short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research and learn  practical statistical techniques for analyzing or collecting data. Register and to learn more>>.

5. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Nov 15, 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. Bring your own mug if you can. 

6. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT
Thursdays, 6:00pm, VT Women’s Center 206 Washington Street    
A free weekly drop-in evening child care program for kids. Need a break? Have to study or attend a lecture? Want to catch up on work? If you are a VT student with children, bring your kids aged 2-12. No need to pre-register. Childcare provided by the women of Chi Delta Alpha sorority. KNO will be held every Thursday throughout the semester with the exception of home football games and when classes are not in session. For more information, contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu.

7. GRADUATE SCHOOL DEMYSTIFIED: A CONVENIENT TRUTH PRESENTED BY BGSO
Thursday, Nov 15, 6:30-8:00pm, GLC Room F
BGSO will host an event to inform upper-class undergrads from underrepresented groups in their respective fields about life in grad school. Come share your experience with these aspiring grad students. Contact Vice President Eric Fouh with any questions at efouh@vt.edu. Follow BGSO on Facebook.

8. BLUE RIDGE WORKSHOP @ SOLITUDE
Fridays, Oct-May, 3:00-4:00pm, Solitude of Virginia Tech
Creative and Literary Workshop with VT/RU Alumni, Teacher and Poet T. Byron Kelly. Weekly attendance is optional and participants can attend whenever they want to join as well. Visit the workshop webpage  for more information. Email Dr. Anita Puckett with questions or concerns at apuckett@vt.edu, or to T. Byron Kelly at tbyron@vt.edu.

9. DIWALI CELEBRATION 2012
Friday, Nov 16, 5:30-9:30pm, Burruss Hall / Squires
The Indian Student Association is proud to present the Diwali celebrations with  a dazzling cultural show composed of dance and musical performances taking place in Burruss Hall, followed by a spectacular fireworks show and completing the evening with mouthwatering dishes from Taaza served in Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires. For more details on the event and dinner tickets, contact vtisa@outlook.com

10. SUPPORT A CLOTHING DRIVE
The Blacksburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is hosting its annual clothing drive from Nov 1-16. On-campus clothing donation boxes are in Femoyer Hall and the Integrated Life Sciences Building (1981 Kraft Drive) in the Corporate Research Center. Off-campus locations include the Blacksburg Community Center and the Radford Library. Clothes will be donated to the Radford Clothing Bank which distributes clothes to families throughout the New River Valley. This message is posted on behalf of grad student Kacie Allen, kaciea1@vt.edu.

11. CALL FOR PAPERS FOR INTL JOURNAL ON INFO TECH & MGT
You are invited to submit a paper on game mechanics and dynamics for gamification, gamification methodology, processes, strategies, and tools, innovation using gamification, human cognition and performance related to gamification, gamified learning and training, legal and ethical issues of gamification. Submit manuscript by Dec 31, 2012; final version due Apr 30, 2013. Learn more>>;  submit a paper here. Questions: Contact Kibong Song at gibbs@vt.edu.

12. DIVERSITY SCHOLAR NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN
Diversity scholars are graduate students who specialize in and advocate for the awareness, knowledge, and skills associated with diversity and inclusion in the Graduate School and greater community. A diversity scholar’s goal is to create dialogue, provide advocacy, and implement change for a more diverse and inclusive experience for all graduate students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Nominations are open now. The deadline is Dec 6, 2012. Learn more >>. Contact Dannette Beane at dannette@vt.edu with questions.

13. CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS FOR KIDS’ TECH UNIVERSITY – 1st posting
Kids’ Tech University (KTU; http://kidstechuniversity.vbi.vt.edu), invites 
undergrad and grad students to turning their research into a hands-on exhibit.
If you are interested in honing your presentation skills to create a research centric hands-on event hosted on the VT campus, you may apply for a grant award ($50-100) to support your project, to be used towards supplies that KTU leaders will purchase; no money will be exchanged or given directly to award recipients. Dates for hands-on events include: Jan 26, Feb 23, or Mar 23, 2013 (tentatively 1:30-4:00pm). All interested students must fill out the form. You will be asked to meet with Dr. Kristy Collins to discuss your project.

14. PRESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP (PMF) – correction
Applications for the Class of 2013 application period will open on Monday, Nov 5 and close on Monday, Nov 19, 2012. Applicants can now submit their application and documents directly online and no longer need approval from a university official. The Form 1300 is no longer required unless an applicant opts to fax the application documents rather than submit on line, and the form will be made available if that option is selected. Also new this year, on November 9th the PMF program office will offer Virtual Office Hours on-line through Adobe Connect and will have dedicated PMF Program Office staff to answer questions as submitted.  Applicants can connect at http://opm.adobeconnect.com/pmf2013applicantchat/ and select “Enter as a Guest.” Application information is available at the PMF website www.pmf.gov.  

15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR SURVEY ON MOBILE PHONES AND CONTEXT REMINDERS – 2nd posting
A graduate-student team would appreciate any feedback you can provide through this survey for a class project. Their research is related to context awareness and mobile reminders. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Alan Baines at abaines@vt.edu.

16. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH PROJECT ON BT EXPERIENCES – 3rd 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.

17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY ON ADVISOR/ADVISEE RELATIONSHIPS – 3rd 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.

18. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR MUSCLE FATIGUE STUDY – 3rd 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  for further details.

19. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR READING PRACTICES STUDY – 3rd 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.

20. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON THE PRACTICES OF WORKING MOTHERS – 3rd 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.

21. UPCOMING EVENTS:

T-BREAK CHILI LUNCHEON – SIGN UP NOW!
Monday, Nov 19, 11:30-1:00 in the GLC Multipurpose Room
You are not alone! Join others who don’t get to leave for Thanksgiving break and enjoy some wholesome home-cooked food (meat and vegetarian options) and conversation. Brought to you by your friendly and caring GLC- and Grad-School staff. “Potluck” in this case doesn’t mean that you have to bring anything, unless you really want to. Food will be provided. Please register by 2:00pm on Friday, Nov 16, to help us estimate how much we need to cook. 

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.

EFFECTIVE READING WORKSHOP – *NEW DATE*
Thursday, Nov 29, 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 if you plan to attend.

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. “GREENING THE GLC” INFORMATION SESSIONS
Monday, Nov 5, 11:00am-1:00pm, GLC Lobby;
Monday Nov 12, 11am-1pm, Graduate School Lobby
Are you interested in learning how to make the Graduate Life Center more “green” and sustainable? Do you want to learn more about sustainability at VT? Do you want to test your sustainability knowledge with some fun trivia questions? The information sessions will include information about sustainability at Virginia Tech and the “Greening the GLC Initiative” student team. Graduate students, GLC residents, GLC staff, and the general campus community are invited to stop by and chat with representatives about sustainability in the GLC and throughout campus. If you have any questions, please contact Alyssa Halle, graduate assistant with the Office of Energy & Sustainability, at ahalle@vt.edu.

3. INFO SESSION ON FINDING EXTERNAL FUN DING FOR GRADS
Monday, Nov 5, 2012, 2:00-3:30 pm, GLC Room G
Presented by Tom Ewing, Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, this session will provide guidance about identifying, seeking, and obtaining external funding for graduate studies in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Education, and Human Sciences.

4. VISITING WRITERS & SCHOLARS FROM SRI LANKA
Monday-Wednesday, Nov 5-7, various times and locations
The Women and Gender Studies Program, the Ctr for 21st Century Studies and the Creative Writing program in English are bringing fifteen writers and scholars to VT for a symposium: "Writing & Reconciliation: Identity, Displacement, and Narrative in Sri Lanka." The events are free and open to the public. Keynote speakers include Romesh Gunesekera, author of Monkfish Moon, and Reef, a finalist for the Booker Prize Ru Freeman, author of A Disobedient Girl; and Jean Arasanayagam, one of Sri Lanka’s most prolific poets. Roundtable panelists come from English, Fine Arts, Communication, Media Studies, and Sociology departments at the University of Colombo, the University of Peradeniya, the University of Sussex, and New York University. The culminating event of the symposium is a poetry exchange between poets from Sri Lanka and our own Virginia Tech poets. Please contact grad student emilybar@vt.edu for more info.

5. SHUTTLE SERVICE TO POLLING STATIONS
Tuesday, Nov 6
Multicultural Programs and Services is providing shuttle services to the polls on election day. Shuttles will pick up students in front of the Graduate Life Center, across from the Squires parking lot.  To get a ride, please complete this survey by no later than 8:00am on Tuesday.  For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/113394945486847/.

6. VT RELAY FOR LIFE GOBBLECAKES PERCENTAGE NIGHT
Wednesday, Nov 7
Purchase goods at Gobblecakes this Wednesday and 10% of the proceeds will go to Relay For Life at Virginia Tech.  Eat some yummy cupcakes and help fight back against cancer! This message is posted on behalf of Erin Littleton, graduate liaison in VT Relay for Life.

7. WOMEN & GENTER IN INTL DEVELOPMENT PRESENTS: DR. SIEG SNAPP
Thursday, Nov 8, 12:00-1:00pm, OIRED Conference Room, Pack Bldg
Learn about Dr. Sieg Snapp’s co-learning experiences with farmers in Malawi. Dr. Snapp is a professor of crop and soil sciences at Michigan State University, and her research may be of particular interest to students in conservation agriculture, soil sciences, ecology, gender, pedagogy, and international development. Contact Maria Elisa Christie at mechristie@vt.edu for more information, and visit the Women and Gender in International Development webpage  at http://www.oired.vt.edu/wgd/.

8. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Nov 8, 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. Bring your own mug if you can. 

9. 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 if you plan to attend.

10. BLUE RIDGE WORKSHOP @ SOLITUDE
Fridays, Oct-May, 3:00-4:00pm, Solitude of Virginia Tech
Creative and Literary Workshop with VT/RU Alumni, Teacher and Poet T. Byron Kelly. Weekly attendance is optional and participants can attend whenever they want to join as well. Visit the workshop webpage at http://blueridgeworkshop.weebly.com/  for more information. Email Dr. Anita Puckett with questions or concerns at apuckett@vt.edu, or to T. Byron Kelly at tbyron@vt.edu.

11. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IN THE NRV
Sunday, Nov 11, 8:00am-12:00pm and 1:00-5:00pm
Habitat is having blitz build this weekend and you are invited!  Get your grad friends together and come out to build — no experience necessary! Sign up for the morning and/or afternoon shifts at http://habitatnrv.org/?p=199. For the morning shift, breakfast will be provided as well as snacks and drinks, but lunch will be on your own at the end of the shift. For the afternoon shift, please eat lunch before you arrive. Snacks and drinks will be provided throughout the afternoon. The address for this build is  517 & 519 Nellie’s Cave Road- there is limited parking so please try to carpool! Please contact grad student Catherine Cotrupi (Cotrupi@vt.edu) with any questions.

12. SUPPORT A CLOTHING DRIVE
The Blacksburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is hosting its annual clothing drive from Nov 1-16. On-campus clothing donation boxes are in Femoyer Hall and the Integrated Life Sciences Building (1981 Kraft Drive) in the Corporate Research Center. Off-campus locations include the Blacksburg Community Center and the Radford Library. Clothes will be donated to the Radford Clothing Bank which distributes clothes to families throughout the New River Valley. This message is posted on behalf of grad student Kacie Allen, kaciea1@vt.edu.

13. AEL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED – 3rd 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.

14. PRESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP (PMF) – 3rd 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. COACH SOUGHT FOR BBURG MASTERS SWIMMING – PAID POSITION! – final posting
Blacksburg Masters Swimming  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).

16. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR SURVEY ON MOBILE PHONES AND CONTEXT REMINDERS – 1st posting
A graduate-student team would appreciate any feedback you can provide through this survey for a class project. Their research is related to context awareness and mobile reminders. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Alan Baines at abaines@vt.edu.

17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR SWEETNESS EQUIVALENCE SENSORY STUDY – 2nd 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. An email with more details will be sent to those who fill out the survey.

18. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH PROJECT ON BT EXPERIENCES – 2nd 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.

19. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY ON ADVISOR/ADVISEE RELATIONSHIPS – 2nd 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.

20. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR MUSCLE FATIGUE STUDY – 2nd 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.

21. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR READING PRACTICES STUDY – 2nd 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.

20. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON THE PRACTICES OF WORKING MOTHERS – 2nd 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.

23. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY ON HISTORIC BATTLEFIELDS – 3rd 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.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

“GREENING THE GLC” INFORMATION SESSIONS
Monday Nov 12, 11am-1pm, Graduate School Lobby
Are you interested in learning how to make the Graduate Life Center more “green” and sustainable? Do you want to learn more about sustainability at VT? Do you want to test your sustainability knowledge with some fun trivia questions? The information sessions will include information about sustainability at Virginia Tech and the “Greening the GLC Initiative” student team. Graduate students, GLC residents, GLC staff, and the general campus community are invited to stop by and chat with representatives about sustainability in the GLC and throughout campus. If you have any questions, please contact Alyssa Halle, graduate assistant with the Office of Energy & Sustainability, at ahalle@vt.edu.

MAKING RUBRICS MEANINGFUL
Monday, Nov 12, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room C
Learn how to design rubrics to make your life easier and how to apply them for use in assessment.  Sign up at http://www.cideronline.org/events/events2.cfm Sponsored by the Office of Assessment and Evaluation.

SHORT STAT COURSE FOR GRADS: INTRODUCTION TO R, PART 3
Monday, Nov 12, 5:00-7:00pm, 3060 Torgersen Hall;
R is a free computing and graphical software/environment for statistical analysis. Taught by instructors Liang Shan and Han Li, this short course consists of 3 sections: (1) introduces the concept of generalized linear models.  R will be used for performing logistic regression and Poisson regression. (2) introduces the concept of categorical data analysis. Topics include: graphical displays of categorical data, measures of association, and contingency tables analyses. (3) will cover writing functions in R. Users can write functions in R to carry out operations  and return one or more values. Experience using R or attending Part I and Part II of this series is suggested but not required for Part III. R can be downloaded here. RStudio can be downloaded at: http://rstudio.org/download/desktop. LISA (Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis) provides a series of evening short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research and learn  practical statistical techniques for analyzing or collecting data. Register and learn more>>.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET LECTURE
Wednesday, Nov 14, 5:30-7:00pm, GLC Room G
Nutritionist and author of The Plan, Lyn-Genet, will discuss the research behind low-grade chronic inflammation and how it can contribute to almost every chronic health issue.  Eating anti-inflammatory foods that work well with your own personal biochemistry can play a significant role in improving overall health and preventing disease.  Lyn-Genet’s research with thousands of clients has shown that each person is chemically unique- that foods which may be healthy in a vacuum, when combined with your individual chemistry, can be quite toxic.  Foods that are typically thought of as healthy such as salmon, turkey, pork, eggs, yogurt, roasted nuts, asparagus, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, oatmeal, etc may actually not work well for you and Lyn-Genet will talk more about why this is the case and how you can determine the best foods for your body. Sign up online.

DIWALI CELEBRATION 2012
Friday, Nov 16, 5:30-9:30pm, Burruss Hall / Squires
The Indian Student Association is proud to present the Diwali celebrations with  a dazzling cultural show composed of dance and musical performances taking place in Burruss Hall, followed by a spectacular fireworks show and completing the evening with mouthwatering dishes from Taaza served in Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires. For more details on the event and dinner tickets, contact vtisa@outlook.com

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.