November 4-10, 2013 – TESTING ONLY —-Graduate School Monthly Memo

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC – updated 10/28

– Career Services walk-in advising: Wednesdays 2:00-5:00pm, GLC Lobby
Cook Counseling walk-in services: Thursdays and Fridays 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room
GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursdays, Reading Room – year round!
Graduate School business hours: M,Tu,Th,F: 8:00am-5:00pm; W: 9:30am-5:00pm
Writing Center walk-in assistance: Thursdays 2-5pm, GLC Room D (additional hours available in the library)

2. SHORT STAT COURSES BY LISA THIS FALL: INTRO TO JMP;*
Monday & Tuesday, November 4 & 5
JMP is a user-friendly statistical software package that puts advanced analytic capabilities within an easy-to-use graphical interface. In JMP a great number of sophisticated analyses are readily available without the need to write computer code, and this course provides guidance for new users of JMP. The course starts with basic data manipulation and moves to some advanced features, including importing data, interactive GUI, descriptive statistics such as numerical summary, inferential statistics such as t-tests, ANOVA, and regression. The Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (LISA) provides a series of evening short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research. The focus of these two-hour courses is on teaching practical statistical techniques for analyzing or collecting data. See www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=short_courses for instructions on how to register and learn more. Remaining Fall 2013 schedule:

Tuesday, November 12: Nonparametric methods featuring the bootstrap;
Thursday, November 21: Regression Methods;

*Two sessions of the same course to accommodate more attendees. Follow LISA on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Statistical.collaboration) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/LISA_VT) to be the first to know about LISA events! More information: www.lisa.stat.vt.edu.

3. VT, PEACE CORPS AND USAID: HOW HOKIES ARE FEEDING THE FUTURE
Tuesday, Nov 5, 6:00-8:00pm, Squires Commonwealth Ballroom
Virginia Tech is at the forefront in addressing global hunger. Come hear about cutting-edge research and careers in the field. Immediately following the presentation, Peace Corps will host a pizza reception. Learn how you can be involved in the fight against global hunger! Contact Rachael at peacecorps@vt.edu with any questions about this event.

4. PEACE CORPS GENERAL INTEREST MEETING
Wednesday, Nov 6, 7:30-8:30pm, GLC Room F
Peace Corps can take you to exotic locations, help you learn new skills and give you a chance to be of service in a developing nation. All are invited to learn about the six program areas, find out how to qualify for an overseas assignment, and hear what it’s really like. Stay connected at Peace Corps at Virginia Tech on Facebook, or contact Rachael at peacecorps@vt.edu

5. PHI BETA KAPPA VISITING SCHOLAR: INTERSECTIONS OF SCIENCE, PUBLIC HEALTH AND ART
Wednesday, Nov 6 and Thursday, Nov 7, Various times and locations
Timothy Bromage, professor of biomaterials and biomimetics at NYU College of Dentistry, will present three sessions open to the public. Professor Bromage’s research focuses on bone and tooth biology, with an emphasis on its translation to environmental and evolutionary studies. The session details are as follows: “What Cells will do for Global Climate Change” – Wednesday, Nov 6, 7pm, Virginia Bioinformatics Institute Auditorium; “Avoid Infection, and While You’re At It, Have a Demographic Transition” – Thursday Nov 7, 12-1pm, Shanks Hall Room 370-380; “What is Art?” – Thursday, Nov 7, 4:00-6:00pm, Squires Student Center Rooms 341/345. These sessions are co-sponsored by the VT Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology, the Everyday Imaging Series, and Departments of STS and Philosophy.

6. GLC CAFÉ: NOTHING SPECIAL
Thursday, Nov 7, 3:30-5:00pm GLC Reading Room
The GLC Café is offered throughout the year with free coffee, tea, and cookies in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues.

7. CEDARS OF LEBABNON SHOWCASE
Friday, Nov 8, 4:00-7:00pm, Williamsburg Room, Squires
Attend this Lebanese cultural showcase to get a taste of Lebanese culture through music, food, facts, and dance! This event is free and open to the public. If you have any questions about this event, contact grad student Yara El Haddad at yara125@vt.edu.

8. GAME NIGHT WITH QGP&A
Friday, Nov 8, 6:30pm-9pm, GLC Room B
Join Queer Grads, Professionals & Allies for a night of board/card games in the GLC. Bring your favorite game to share! For questions or more information contact Darren at dmaczka@vt.edu.

9. SIGN UP FOR LUNCH WITH UNIVERSITY ADMINS: NOV 8 and DEC 9
Over the course of the academic year the graduate representative to the Board of Visitors, Nick Warrington, hosts luncheons that bring graduate students and university administration together to have some dialog around graduate student needs/issues and the vision for Virginia Tech. In attendance at the luncheon are: President Steger, the provost, VP/dean of graduate education, and VP for student affairs. The final two luncheons for this semester will be held on Friday, Nov 8 and Monday, Dec 9. If you are interested in attending either luncheon, please complete this survey: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1382473967355.

10. GSA CALLS FOR APPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM CHAIR AND VOLUNTEERS – 1st posting
The Graduate Student Assembly is calling for a Research Symposium Chair and volunteers for the Graduate Research Symposium, an annual event of long history during Graduate Education week in March. The symposium chair will work closely with the GSA vp of programs and the president and will have a team to help. If you would like to help and be a part of a fun and interesting exhibition of Virginia Tech’s current research, please contact Mordecai Harvey, VP of programs at mordie02@vt.edu.

11. GRADUATE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT FUNDING PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – 1st posting
The Graduate Student Assembly’s Graduate Research Development Program (GRDP) will be accepting applications November 18-22 for the 2013 fall cycle. 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 Nov 22, 2013. Email Amanda Nelson (GSAGRDPChair@gmail.com) with any questions.

12. SPRING GRAD COURSES – SIGN UP NOW!
The following grad courses will be available in Spring 2014:

GRAD 5014 – Academic Integrity & Plagiarism
GRAD 5104 – Preparing the Future Professoriate
GRAD 5114 – Pedagogical Practices in Contemporary Contexts
GRAD 5304 – Career Development for the Future Professional
GRAD 5404 – Research International Context – (base course for Graduate Certificate in International Research Abroad, http://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/programs/certificates.html#IRA)
GRAD 5984 – Special Study – Communicating Science

For more details on these courses visit: http://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/class_schedules/grad_courses/index.html

13. CALL FOR ART WORK AND PHOTOGRAPHY: WORLD WITHOUT FOSSIL FUELS – 1st posting
All students are invited to submit art work and photography with the theme of “World without fossil fuels.” The perspective might be alternatives to substitute fossil fuels and the consequences. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art and/or photography) per participant. Cash prizes will be awarded. Submit any kind of art work along with the following information: title of your art, authors’ name, contact information (email and phone number) by 5:00 PM Tuesday, Dec 5. Artwork will be displayed for public viewing. Please direct any questions to Bahareh Estejab, bestejab@vt.edu or text 865-771-4097.

14. CALL FOR 6-WORD STORIES: WORLD WITHOUT FOSSIL FUELS – 1st posting
All students are invited to submit six-word stories with the theme of “World without fossil fuels.” The perspective might be alternatives to substitute fossil fuels and the consequences. Submissions are limited to three stories per participant. Cash prizes will be awarded. Submit your story by email to bestejab@vt.edu along with the following information: authors’ name, contact information (email or phone number) by 5:00 PM Tuesday, Dec 5. Stories might be displayed for public viewing. Please direct any questions to Bahareh Estejab (bestejab@vt.edu or text 865-771-4097).

15. AEL CALL FOR NOMINATIONS – 3rd posting
Alpha Epsilon Lambda graduate leadership honor society at VT is calling for nominations of graduate students. Faculty, staff and colleagues are encouraged to nominate graduate students who have shown dedication to serving their graduate community. The requirements are: (1) Graduate student has completed 12 credits (2) has at least 3.80 GPA or be in top 35% of the department. AEL board members will request the designated personnel in the Graduate School to check the nominees’s GPA in order to extend an official invitation to the nominee. Nominators should provide the name of the nominee and a short paragraph describing the graduate student services at http://goo.gl/fWgfyO.

16. AEL LEADERSHIP SEMINAR – REQUEST FOR IDEAS – 3rd posting
AEL board members are in the process of planning the AEL leadership seminars for the spring semester, and would like to shape the seminars to address the needs of the graduate students in their field. This short survey allows you to share your ideas, challenges and needs regarding your career and leadership skills: http://goo.gl/MVQLNI. Your input will guide AEL board members in their planning. If you have any questions, please contact Marwa Abdel Latif at marlatif04@gmail.com.

17. CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR OPEN LAB AT VT CENTER FOR THE ARTS – 3rd posting
The Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech invites professional artists or graduate art students living in Virginia to submit proposals for OpenLab, the first in a new series of exhibitions celebrating the innovative work of Virginia artists. The inaugural summer 2014 OpenLab sequence will include two solo exhibitions, each featuring an inventive, three-dimensional sculptural installation in one of the galleries. Room environments, sound, and multimedia installations will all be considered. Apply online at https://tickets.artscenter.vt.edu/Online/openlabsummer.

18. CHILDREN (4-4.5 YEARS OLD) SOUGHT FOR ACTION-CONTROL STUDY – 1st posting
The C.A.P. Lab in the VT Psychology Department is conducting a new study focusing on 4-4.5 year-old children’s developing ability to control their actions during games like Simon Says. Participating requires one visit, during which researchers play some fun word- and movement-games with the children. In addition to these games, researchers are interested in collecting information about the physiological components of these abilities. The visit should last about 1-2 hours. Compensation: $10 Target gift card for parents and a small toy for children; also can provide child care for siblings during the visit. If you are interested in this study, you may contact Amanda Watson by phone (research lab—231-2320) or by e-mail (watsonaj@vt.edu). (VT IRB: 13-440)

20. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR ONLINE STRENGTH TRAINING STUDY
Participants are sought for a research study looking at the viability of safely and effectively teaching strength training with free weights using online methods. Participants will be asked to record themselves doing 2 assigned free-weight exercises, followed by an online module teaching the movements with practice, and again record themselves doing the movement. There are 2 surveys to collect demographic data and participants’ experiences with the instruction. Total time commitment is 4-5 hours and participants will be entered into a lottery to win prizes from VT Recsports. There is a slight risk of physical injury. However, participants will be briefed during the consent process and throughout the instruction on how to avoid injury. Must have access to gym equipment and a video recording device; must be 18 or older; have no medical conditions that could be made worse by physical exercise. All levels of fitness and weight lifting experience are needed. If interested please contact Rebekah Brook, kiwi1@vt.edu.

20. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR NIGHTSCAPE PREFERENCE AND FEAR STUDY – 1st posting
Participants are needed for a survey on nighttime landscape preference among the VT community using eye-tracking goggles. The purpose of this study is to analyze people’s eye movements that will help designers and scholars develop design guidelines for various types of nightscapes. Participant will be looking around at different locations on campus at night wearing eye tracking goggles to visually rate landscape preferences, then respond to a few questions about their preferences and fears of nightscapes. The survey should not take more than 30 minutes and participants will receive $5.00 (Starbucks Card). Requirements: male or female, 18 or older, and not wear glasses. If interested, please contact Youngeun Kang at aoii2@vt.edu for further details.

22. GRADUATE STUDENTS INVITED TO SERVE AS GLOBAL AMBASSADORS – 2nd posting
The Global Ambassadors program is an exciting and engaging leadership development program for current VT students seeking to develop their global leadership skills. Global Ambassadors are charged with welcoming new international students to the VT community and continuing meaningful interactions with students and the community throughout the academic year. Cranwell International Center is seeking currently enrolled student (ugrad or grad, domestic or intl) who have been at VT for at least one semester. International students, returning Study Abroad students, and students with a strong interest in learning about the world are encouraged to apply. Apply online by Tue Nov 12 by 5:00pm at: https://gobblerconnect.vt.edu/form/start/32257. Optional interest meetings at Cranwell: Wednesday, Nov 6, 12:00pm. Reference form due by Friday, Nov 22 by 5:00pm. After the application there will be interviews, and required training and retreats for selected students. Learn more at http://www.international.vt.edu/programs_and_activities/global_ambassadors/index.html.

22. MENTORING PROGRAM SEEKS MENTORS FROM ALL FIELDS – 2nd posting
The Graduate–Undergraduate Mentorship Program (GUMP) is seeking mentors from all fields. This program allows graduate students to mentor undergraduate students considering graduate school. Undergrads and grads 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. Mentoring can help build leadership skills and provide an experience to discuss with future employers. Mentors must attend one program orientation meeting the second week of the Spring semester, after which they will coordinate mentoring activities independently with their undergraduate mentees. GUMP is sponsored by the Graduate Student Association (GSA). If you have any questions, please contact gump@vt.edu. All interested graduate students should fill out the application at: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1380140661981 .

23. TANDEM LANGUAGE PROGRAM SEEKS PARTICIPANTS – 3rd posting
Native speakers of German are particularly encouraged to sign up for the “Tandem Program” at Virginia Tech, which matches international students with American language students. There is currently a surplus of domestic learners of German looking for language partners; if your native language is German and you already speak perfect English, then please consider signing up to help an American learn your language! The Tandem Program, which strengthens participants’ language skills while promoting closer bonds between international and domestic students, offers opportunities in all foreign languages taught at Virginia Tech: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. There is no deadline to sign up, so feel free to fill out the form at any time: http://virginiatechtandem.blogspot.com/.

24. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR FALL RISK WITH LOW-BACK 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 2 experimental sessions (each lasting approximately 2-3 hours). Participants will be compensated $10/hour with a $20 bonus after completing all sessions. Requirements: male or female, age 35-64, no recent history of musculoskeletal disorders. If interested, please contact Rahul Soangra at locomotionVT@gmail.com for further details.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

SHORT STAT COURSES BY LISA THIS FALL
The Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (LISA) is providing a series of evening short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research. The focus of these two-hour courses is on teaching practical statistical techniques for analyzing or collecting data. See www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=short_courses for instructions on how to register and learn more. Remaining Fall 2013 schedule:

Tuesday, November 12: Nonparametric methods featuring the bootstrap;
Thursday, November 21: Regression Methods;

TECHNIQUES FOR SLEEPING BETTER
Wednesday, Nov 13, 12:00-1:15pm, Room C
Everybody wants to sleep better, but very few people understand why they aren’t sleeping well or how to fix it. Stress is one of the main health problems reported by VT students and directly results in poor sleeping habits. This workshop focuses on recent research on sleep and its impact on health, and offers techniques that you can begin practicing immediately after the workshop. Come learn more so you can sleep better! Sponsored by the Virginia Tech HEAT (Health Education & Awareness Team).

ENTREPRENEURIAL WORKSHOP
Wednesday, Nov 13, 4:30-7:30pm, Room G
Presented by VT KnowledgeWorks, this innovative session is for VT grad students who are interested in learning what it takes to start a business. VT KnowledgeWorks encourages and enables creative entrepreneurship world-wide. If you have any questions, contact Ashley Frances, ashleyf@vt.edu.

DATA MANAGEMENT BOOTCAMP FOR GRAD STUDENTS: REGISTER NOW!
Wednesday-Friday, Jan 8-19, 2014
Only 20 seats available, so register now by sending an email to alop@vt.edu with your name and department. This workshop is sponsored by five Virginia institutions for students who want to learn more about data management issues and best practices. This collaborative event will feature experts from across the state and will provide an opportunity for local, hands-on practical experience on the third day. Data management is an important topic for researchers and scholars across domains, especially as funding agencies increasingly require submission of data management plans with grant proposals. Topics will include: understanding research data, organizing data, file formats and transformation, documentation and metadata, storage and security, data protection, rights and access, and preservation, sharing and licensing. For full details visit: http://blogs.lt.vt.edu/datamanagementbootcamp/.

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