1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
- Career advising: 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 4:00-6:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room (additional hours are available in the Library)
2. IT’S MY TEACHING & RESEARCH, ISN’T IT? – WHAT FACULTY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND THE LAW
Wednesday, Mar 6, 12:00pm, GLC Room B
Academic freedom in higher education is often touted but little understood as a legal concept. This presentation reviews the recent judicial and academic literature on academic freedom and offers recommendations for clarifying it as a legal concept. Special emphasis will be given to what new faculty need to know concerning academic freedom and their rights and responsibilities in teaching and research. Sign up online. Questions? Contact Tara at tara@vt.edu.
3. BROWN BAG ON CULTURE AND HEALTH
Wednesday, Mar 6, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room G
This brown bag discussion will feature a panel of professors who deal with issues pertaining to culture and health in their research. Included in the panel are: Drs. Bernice Hausman, professor in English, Christine Labuski, professor in sociology and women and gender studies, and Wornie Reed, professor of sociology and Africana studies and director of the Center for Race and Social Policy Research. This brown bag is part of CLAHS South Atlantic Humanities Project. For more information, contact doctoral student Andrea Swenson.
4. TORNADO AWARENESS: TWISTER, THE MOVIE
Wednesday, Mar 6, fair at 6:30pm, movie at 7:00pm, GLC Auditorium
The VT Office of Emergency Management and the student-run Meteorology Club are hosting an evening of tornado awareness and preparedness with the feature film, Twister, starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton. Admission is free and participants will automatically be entered into a raffle to win a number of prizes, including a football signed by Coach Frank Beamer, an emergency preparedness kit, MAG flashlights, among other items. “Twister Trivia” will also provide the opportunity to win additional raffle tickets. Contact Kendall Woodard if you have questions.
5. VIRTUAL CAFE: SPRING WRAP-UPS
Thursday, Mar 7, 12:30-2:00pm, Lobby of vGLC
Join the Graduate School Staff weekly for online chats in the Virtual Graduate Life Center (vGLC) https://virtual.glc.vt.edu. This week’s topic: Spring Wrap-ups…. Don’t leave the Graduate School out in the cold while you take off for warmer weather. The vGLC extends VT’s graduate community from campus to computer. Download the software http://openlife01.cc.vt.edu:9500/wifi. If you have questions or suggestions, please email Jodi Cromer or Marija Telbis-Forster.
6. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Mar 7, 3:30-5:00pm, Graduate School Lobby
The GLC Café is offered throughout the year with free coffee, tea, maybe hot chocolate, and definitely cookies in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues.
7. GSA HAPPY HOUR
Thursday, Mar 7, 6:00-8:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Attend this happy hour hosted by the Graduate Student Assembly: cost is $5.00 per person (cash) at the door for 4 tastings (beer), 1 beer, and snacks ($2 for snacks only). All graduate students, post-docs, and faculty members are welcome. Please direct any questions to Elaine Mathis, VP of Programs (efm28@vt.edu).
8. SIGN UP FOR GRAD ED WEEK DESIGN CONTEST!
Graduate student teams are invited to sign up for this light-hearted Graduate Education Week (GEW) activity to put their creativity and experience to test by designing a graduate life center using fun and random materials provided by the Graduate School. No prior design experience is necessary. Form your team of 3-4 people; at least one of whom must be a graduate student. Grand prize: $50 gift certificate to local restaurant. Teams must pre-register. Accepted registrations will be confirmed by email. Questions? Contact Tara at tara@vt.edu.
9. 2013 GOVERNOR’S FELLOWS PROGRAM APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED NOW – 1st posting
Governor McDonnell is encouraging top notch students from across Virginia to apply for the 2013 Governor’s Fellows summer program. The historic Virginia Governor’s Fellows Program offers a select group of outstanding and highly motivated individuals the opportunity to experience firsthand the administration of state government in the Commonwealth. Fellows will apply their creative ideas to find practical solutions to major public policy issues. Qualified applicants must be rising or graduating college seniors, or enrolled as degree candidates in a graduate or professional school. They must also demonstrate academic excellence, leadership skill, and a strong commitment to public service. Apply by: Mar 15, 2013.
10. NSF INNOVATION CHALLENGE FOR STEM GRAD STUDENTS – 1st posting
Have you ever thought of ways to improve STEM graduate education? Do you have a creative idea regarding graduate training? If so, NSF wants to hear from you! The National Science Foundation Innovation in Graduate Education Challenge is calling for entries from currently enrolled STEM graduate students and teams about ideas with the potential to improve graduate education and professional development. Ideas can be directed toward students, faculty, departments, institutions, professional societies, and/or federal agencies. Winning ideas will be shared widely and winners will receive prizes between $1000-3000. More information >>. Deadline: Apr 15.
11. GSA RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM SEEKING YOUR SUPPORT
The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) for the Cure Team needs your contribution and help! The GSA is hoping this year to achieve more than its set goal of $1500. Last year with your help they raised a little over $2000. The Relay For Life of Virginia Tech event will be held on Apr 19, 2013. View and/or donate for the team>>. For more information/questions contact Shaimaa Abdallah, shaimaa@vt.edu GSA Team Captain 2012-2013.
12. FREE OCD SUPPORT GROUP AVAILABLE ON CAMPUS
Tuesday, Mar 5, 7:00pm, VT Psychological Services Center, 3110 Prices Fork Rd
A free support group for individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm at Virginia Tech. If you have questions or would like more information, contact the Psychological Services Center at 231-6914, visit www.psyc.vt.edu/outreach/psc, or email doctoral student Nathaniel Van Kirk at nvankirk@vt.edu.
13. GRADUATE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – 3rd posting
The Graduate Student Assembly’s Graduate Research Development Program (GRDP) is now accepting applications. GRDP provides monetary support to graduate students for research associated with their thesis or dissertation. The maximum awards are $500 for master’s students and $700 for doctoral students. To submit applications or for more information about the program, eligibility, application process, and FAQs, go to http://www.gsa.graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/grdp. Applications are due by Mar 15, 2013. Email Amanda Shea (ashea04@vt.edu) with any questions.
14. GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM CALL FOR ABSTRACTS – 2nd posting
The 29th Annual GSA Research Symposium will be held on Mar 27 as part of Graduate Education Week. All graduate students are invited to submit an abstract of their research for either an oral or poster presentation to compete in one of several categories matching the various areas of research within the university. Submission period: Mar 8-15 at 5:00pm. Abstracts will be reviewed by a panel of reviewers, and applicants with accepted abstracts will then be notified and will make their poster or oral presentation to faculty judges on Mar 27. Following the event, winners will be selected for each category and will be invited to the awards ceremony where prizes will be announced. Graduate students serving as abstract reviewers may not submit abstracts for competition in the symposium. Submit applications at http://www.gsasymposium.graduateschool.vt.edu/?q=application between Mar 8-15. For more information, please visit the symposium website http://www.gsasymposium.graduateschool.vt.edu/ or contact George Batten, Research Symposium Chair.
15. CITIZEN SCHOLAR APPLICATIONS INVITED – 3rd posting
Have you used your knowledge and research skills to benefit society in any way? Has this effort involved about 16 hrs of community service? If so, you are eligible for the Citizen Scholar award! Recipients will be recognized during Graduate Education Week at the GLC on Monday, Mar 25 from 4-5:30. Each person will have a chance to explain their project briefly using one power point slide. Please send your name and project title/brief description to Associate Dean Rosemary Blieszner, rmb@vt.edu by March 8 – and mark your calendar for March 25.
16. GA POSTION OPEN IN WOMEN AND GENDER IN INTL DEVELOPMENT PROG 2013-14 – 2nd posting
The Women and Gender in International Development (WGD) program is seeking a master’s student GAto support the WGD program, which ensures a gender-sensitive approach to all (OIRED) (www.oired.vt.edu) projects and raises awareness about gender and development issues at VT. The GA will also conduct field research. Applicants should have a background in geography, anthropology, sociology, agricultural economics, gender studies, or a related field. Experience in the developing world and proficiency in Spanish or French preferred. The GA begins fall 2013 for one academic year. Summer research and stipend may be covered. The position may be extended for a second year. Send cover letter, resume, example of disciplinary writing, and a copy of academic transcript (photocopy/PDF is acceptable) to Laura Zseleczky (lauraz@vt.edu). Use “WGD Graduate Assistant” in the subject heading of your email. We will contact only the most qualified applicants. Application deadline: March 31, 2013. More information about this position>>.
17. GLC FELLOWS APPLICATION PROCESS OPEN FOR 2013-14 – 3rd posting
Residence Life and the Graduate School are seeking motivated graduate students who are committed to building graduate community, for three GLC Fellow positions for the 2013-14 academic year. An ideal candidate would have previous residence life and/or event planning experience though it is not a requirement. Applicants must submit a formal cover letter, resume and letter of recommendation, as well as complete the following survey: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1360600893862. Information about the cover letter requirements can be found on the survey link and the job description can be found at www.graduatelifecenter.vt.edu. Apply by Mar 20, 2013. Contact Lauren Surface at lkeister@vt.edu or Mark Smiley at esmark86@vt.edu if you have questions.
18. GTA’s AND GA’s WITH DISABILITY SOUGHT FOR STUDY – 1st posting
A doctoral student in special education and disability studies at Syracuse University is seeking participants for an IRB-approved research study to better understand the experiences of teaching assistants and graduate assistants with disabilities in higher education. If you are a teaching assistant or graduate assistant with a disability and are willing to talk about your experiences, please contact the researcher. Your personal information will be kept confidential. The interview will take about one hour and disability accommodations or alternatives to speaking over the phone can be made. If you would like more information about this study, please contact Michelle Damiani at mldamian@syr.edu.
19. COUPLES SOUGHT FOR STUDY – 1st posting
Couples, Talk and Technology: You are invited to participate in a study to investigate and explore how people talk about things that matter to them with their partners. Researchers ask you and your partner to talk about something you disagree about, in one of several technological conditions. Available 2-hour time slots are listed here: http://poet.cs.vt.edu/couple_study/ Simply email Samantha Yglesias at ygles07@vt.edu for more information, to request any of the available slots, or to request a different time slot. The study takes place in McBryde 106A. Participating couples will be compensated $20.00 per person (that’s $40.00 per couple).
20. GSA SEEKING REVIEWERS FOR RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM – 3rd posting
The GSA needs your assistance with reviewing abstracts for the GSA Research Symposium, to be held on Mar 27, 2013. Graduate students who will not be submitting entries to the symposium can be reviewers in this online, blind peer-review process, critiquing abstracts of 3000 characters or less with no figures or tables. Each reviewer will receive an email of abstracts to review and return, before Mar 21, by 5:00pm. Please fill out this registration form to serve as a reviewer. After signing up you will receive an automated confirmation email that your registration went through. Reviewers will receive a formal signed certificate (electronic copy) for their participation in this process that they can add to their resume. If you have questions, contact George Batten at gsaRSchair@gmail.com, GSA RS 2013 Chair.
21. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR UPCOMING GSA HAPPY HOUR – 3rd posting
The GSA is looking for volunteers to help with its upcoming Happy Hour on Thursday, Mar 7, 6-8pm in the GLC Multipurpose Room. Tasks will include setting-up, serving beer and food, and cleaning up. Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older. Please contact Elaine Mathis, VP of Programs (efm28@vt.edu) if you are interested.
22. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR VIRTUAL REALITY STUDY – 3rd posting
Researchers are seeking volunteers for gathering quantitative and qualitative insights into the effects of different properties of virtual reality (VR) display systems on the analysis of complex scientific datasets, like tracheal systems of beetles from biomechanics domain. The study consists of carrying out few tasks (answering few questions), by analyzing the tracheal systems of a beetle, scanned, segmented in isosurface format, and visualized on a state-of-the-art spatially immersive display system – the four-sided CAVE – in the Visionarium at 3050 Torgersen. More details will be provided on site. The experiment will last about 75 mins. Must be more than 18 years old with no or minimal background in biomechanics to participate. Find available time slots for participation>>. Please email to blaha@vt.edu, with your preferred time slot from the above page to sign up for your participation.
23. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH PROJECT – 3rd posting
Amie Schry, MS, and Susan White, PhD, of the Department of Psychology are recruiting participants for the “Campus Reporting Survey,” an IRB-approved study. All VT faculty and staff members, including graduate teaching assistants (GTAs), are invited to complete an on-line survey about thoughts on reporting of campus incidents. Graduate students who are not currently teaching classes are not eligible for participation in the study. The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete, and will be open until May 8, the last day of classes. All data will be kept anonymous. Complete the survey>>. If you have any questions, contact Amie Schry at aschry@vt.edu.
24. PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE JOURNAL SEEKING REVIEWERS – 3rd posting
The Public Knowledge Journal is seeking reviewers for the Spring 2013 semester. Being a peer reviewer is a great way to learn about the ins and outs of the academic publication world. The Public Knowledge Journal is an interdisciplinary graduate student journal committed to the exchange of ideas and information about issues and research relevant to the public sphere. More information about the journal can be found at http://pkjournal.org/. Please contact Stefanie Georgakis at sgeorgakis@vt.edu if interested in being a peer reviewer for this semester.
25. UPCOMING EVENTS:
SPRING BREAK PITY PARTY: LUNCH! – register by Monday, 3/11
Tuesday, Mar 12, 11:30am-1:00pm (or until the food lasts), GLC Multipurpose Room
You are not alone on campus during spring break! Join others who are working through spring break and enjoy a home-cooked lunch with vegetarian and meat soup options, brought to you by Graduate School staff who play cooks for a day. Please register by noon on Monday, 3/11 to give us an idea of how much food to prepare.
BLUE RIDGE FULBRIGHT CHAPTER SPRING MEETING – register by 3/18!
Friday, Mar 22, 6:30pm, Holiday Inn
The Blue Ridge Chapter of the Fulbright Association invites Fulbright Grantees and Alumni to its spring chapter meeting, Friday March 22, 2013, 6:30 pm at the Holiday Inn. The dinner event with speaker VT Professor Dr. Wokutsch is free for current Fulbright grantees. For registration or questions please email Dr. George Santopietro, gsantopi@radford.edu and Dr. Myrl Jones mjones@radford.edu.
CELEBRATE THE PERSIAN NEW YEAR – NOWRUZ
Saturday, Mar 23, 7:00-11:00pm, Owens Banquet Hall
The VT Iranian Society invites the VT community for its celebration of the Persian New Year, Nowruz, commemorating the arrival of spring and new beginnings. There will be entertainment including stand-up comedy, Persian and Middle Eastern dancing, and live classical and pop music. Plated dinner and dessert will also be served (Halal and Vegetarian options available). Learn more about Persian culture and enjoy a night with your Iranian neighbors. Semi-formal attire is suggested. Please visit http://www.iranian.org.vt.edu/ for updates and information on ticket sales.