1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC – updated Feb 24
- Career Services walk-in advising: Wednesdays 2:00-5:00pm, GLC Lobby – CANCELLED THIS WEEK!
- Cook Counseling walk-in services: Thursdays and Fridays 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room
- Financial Aid advising: Tuesdays 8:30-10:30 by appointment; 10:30-12:30 by walk-in, Room A
- GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursday, 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 4:30-7:30, Room D (additional hours in the Library)
2. LISA SHORT COURSE: GRAPHICS IN R
Tuesday & Thursday, Feb 25 & 27, 4:00-6:00 pm; 3060 Torgersen Hall
The ability to create professional-grade graphics is of key importance for scientific communication. The R programming package offers a powerful, flexible, and free platform which can be used to produce publication-quality graphics. Taught by Xinran Hu, this short course will introduce R techniques to produce several statistical graphs including histograms, bar plots, box plots, scatter plots and 3D contour plots among others. Syntax to control colors, plotting characters, axes, legends, and labels will be covered, and users will learn to write high resolution graphics to the file type of their choice. The course format includes lecture and computer laboratory components. This session is the third in a 3-course series which assumes no previous coding experience in R or any other language. See www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=short_courses for instructions on how to register to learn more.
3. FREE ANXIETY AND OCD SUPPORT GROUP AVAILABLE (MEET MONTHLY)
Tuesday, Feb 25, 7:00pm, VT Psychological Services Center, 3110 Prices Fork Road
Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety? Do you struggle with OCD? A free monthly support group meets the last Tuesday of every month. Please join the group to learn more about anxiety disorders and OCD, hear success stories from those who have worked to overcome their anxiety and OCD, and receive support in an informal setting. Family members and significant others are also welcome. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact the Psychological Services Center at 231-6914, visit www.psyc.vt.edu/outreach/psc, or email doctoral student Brenna Maddox at bmaddox7@vt.edu.
4. COMMUNICATING FOR INCLUSIVITY
Wednesday, Feb 26, 3:00-4:15pm, Peace Center, Norris Hall
Everyone gravitates to folks who make them feel welcome, and students feel the same way. Whether they’re in large or small classes, students want to be invited into the conversation. Attend this event to discuss strategies for including students in the teaching-learning exchange. As classes become increasingly diverse, we need to be even more intentional about including all of our students. In this session, participants will discuss the research, consider challenges and opportunities, and share ideas for communicating for inclusivity. This workshop is a part of the Inclusive Praxis Series sponsored by the Office for Diversity and Inclusion. Participants may register at www.cider.vt.edu.
5. ARE YOU LINKED IN?
Wednesday, Feb 26, 5:30-6:30pm, GLC Room G
Networking is essential in any job search, and LinkedIn can be a powerful tool in that process. Attend this session to learn how to write a professional profile, basics of networking etiquette on LinkedIn, and tips for making LinkedIn work for you! Sponsored by Career Services. Contact Amy McPherson at amcphers@vt.edu if you have questions.
6. IDR DAY 2014
Thursday, Feb 27, The Inn at Virginia Tech
Learn about how to form and work in an interdisciplinary team, explore the importance of interdisciplinary graduate education, and come together with a diverse array of participants to solve real-world problems important to our local and regional area. Enjoy a poster session and free buffet dinner! Keynote: Dr. Michelle Bennett, NIH, Interdisciplinary Teams and Toolkits. VT speakers: Drs. Peter Vikesland, CEE, Director of VT SuN IGEP and Ben Knapp, Director of ICAT. Register at www.idrsociety.org/idr-day-2014. Contact Bahareh Estejab at bestejab@vt.edu for more info.
7. VT CHOICES AND CHALLENGES FORUM: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Thursday, Feb 27, 9:30am-4:00pm, GLC and The Lyric
This day-long forum asks how we can promote creativity and ensure the free flow of information while protecting the rights of creators. Join the discussion and debate with a range of experts from history, law, sociology, communications, and political activism. For a full schedule visit http://www.choicesandchallenges.sts.vt.edu/.
8. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Feb 27, 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. Bring your own mug if you can.
9. VIRTUAL GLC (vGLC) CAFÉ: COMPLETION GUIDELINES
First Thursday of each month, starting Mar 6, 12:00-1:00 pm, Lobby of vGLC
Join Graduate School staff for online chats in the vGLC. Enter the vGLC lobby at http://virtual.glc.vt.edu. The vGLC extends VT’s graduate-education community from campus to computer. Using avatars, vGLC visitors can 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 at http://openlife01.cc.vt.edu:9500/wifi (Create Avatar) http://imprudence.googlecode.com/files/Imprudence-1.4.0-beta-2 (Imprudence Viewer/Software) 1.4.0-beta-2 Mac (Intel) http://imprudence.googlecode.com/files/imprudence-1.4.0-beta-2-mac.zip. If you have questions or suggestions, please email Marija Telbis-Forster mtelbisf@vt.edu.
10. GRADUATION 101 SERIES: PLANNING ON GRADUATING THIS SEMESTER?
Friday, Feb 28, 1:00 pm, Webinar (connect by phone or computer)
The Graduate School hosts monthly Graduation 101 webinars to help graduate students prepare for graduation. Webinar participants need a computer with Internet access, microphone and speakers to fully participate. This week’s topic: graduation guidelines. Meeting Number: 646 517 115, no password required. https://virginiatech.webex.com/virginiatech/j.php?ED=265419307&UID=508438147&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D . Audio conference information: to receive a call back, provide your phone number when you join the meeting, or call 1-855-749-4750, access code:646 517 115.
11. VTIPG PRESENTS: THE FLAT
Friday, Feb 28, 4:00pm, VTIPG Conference Room, 205 W Roanoke St, Bburg
The Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance (VTIPG) presents this semester’s film series with three movies that will touch your heart, tickle your imagination and spur discussion. All films will be screened at the VTIPG Conference. The Flat – is a 2011 Israeli feature documentary film written and directed by Arnon Goldfinger, based on the contents found in a flat, that point to the Nazi affiliation of the former inhabitants. For more information, please contact Sabith Khan at khanpgg@vt.edu.
12. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR GSA ANNUAL RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM – 1st posting
The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) will hold its 30th annual Graduate Research Symposium on Wednesday, Mar 26 in the Graduate Life Center as part of Graduate Education Week. This event showcases the best of graduate research and offers a unique opportunity for graduate students to present their research in a collegial, on-campus conference. This is a competitive conference, and top presenters receive monetary awards. Submission deadline: Monday, Mar 10. Submit your research abstract at: http://blogs.lt.vt.edu/graduatestudentassembly/graduate-research-symposium/graduate-research-symposium-abstract-submission/. Please note that abstracts should be written in a widely accessible style. If you have any questions, contact Joyce Zhu, Research Symposium Chair: niz@vt.edu, or Jenn Gooding, GSA Executive Assistant: jgooding@vt.edu.
13. SUBMISSIONS ARE INVITED FOR GLC ART AND PHOTO CONTEST -1st posting
The Graduate School invites submissions of art work and photography by graduate students for display in the GLC during Graduate Education Week (Mar 24-28) and beyond. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art and/or photography) per graduate student. Photos may be submitted online at https://secure.graduateschool.vt.edu/imageupload/ to be printed by the Graduate School. Submission deadline: Monday, Mar 17, 2014. Learn more at http://www.graduatelifecenter.vt.edu/contest.html.
14. LISA STATISTICAL COLLABORATION SERVICES
Since 2008 more than 1,200 graduate students have advanced their research by collaborating with statisticians from LISA (Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis). Request a collaboration meeting today (www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=loginredirector) for advice on designing your study or experiment, analyzing your data, or interpreting your results. Initial meetings typically last for one hour and can be followed-up with additional meetings if necessary to help you answer your research questions. LISA collaborations often result in co-authored publications finished faster and published in a more prestigious journal than what would be possible without expert help from a LISA statistical collaborator. For more information about LISA’s free services, visit www.lisa.stat.vt.edu.
15. VT ENGAGE CALL FOR PROPOSALS – 1st posting
VT Engage requests proposals for the ’14-’15 John E. Dooley Student Engagement Grant (JEDSEG). This grant funds highly motivated students or student teams who plan to invest in their community by creating an opportunity for active civic engagement. Two awards of $750 each are available. For more information and to access the application materials, please visit www.engage.vt.edu or email Lauren Kennedy at kennedy0@vt.edu. Application deadline: Mar 28, 5pm.
16. CALL FOR POSTER ABSTRACTS FOR 1ST ANNUAL COLLOIDS AND SURFACES SYMPOSIUM – 1st posting
Submit your abstract for an interdisciplinary symposium sponsored by Colloids and Surfaces at VT. Obtain experience presenting your research to a large audience and talk about your research to fellow scientists. All graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to submit an abstract. World renowned scientist, Jacob Israelachvili will deliver the keynote speech preceded by student posters sessions and faculty oral presentations. Submission deadline: Mar 1. Registration required for attendance at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/16LbvBEcxP7KMhc7anUyfYerUSV-WXtlUY8an3BjUJzk/viewform or go to www.colloidsvt.org.vt.edu/events. Once registered, students will be notified of approval of participation and/or attendance. For more information contact Akhil Jindal at akhil108@vt.edu or Milad Radiom at mradiom@vt.edu.
17. RVA CAREER EXPO
The 5th annual RVA Career Expo is focused on a great candidate experience. Employers will recruit for professional, career, and internship positions. Candidate registration is open at: http://richmondhokies.org/. The RVA Career Expo is a unique event that offers candidates the following opportunities: 1). Post and update resumes in a searchable database 2). Practice, edit and produce a personal marketing video. See example: http://rvaexpo.interview4.com 3). Follow participating employers and recruiters on twitter. The list is updated as new companies are confirmed. To access the list, visit: RVACExpo 3/14-Employers.
18. A DAY IN THE LIFE OF… PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT – 2nd posting
Do you want to help raise awareness about diversity and cultural differences? If so, consider collaborating for the “A day in the life…” project. Participants will be asked to provide information about a typical day and to send a current picture; posters will be shown around the University. For more information, email grad student Homero Murzi at hmurzi@vt.edu.
19. CITIZEN SCHOLAR APPLICATIONS INVITED – 3rd posting
Have you used your research to benefit society in any way? If so, consider applying for the Citizen Scholar award. If not, consider designing a Citizen Scholar project! Program requirements are described on the CSE website at http://graduateschool.vt.edu/gs/cse/requirements. Applications are due by end of the day on Mar 3, 2014. For more information, email the GA in charge at citizenscholar@gs.vt.edu.
20. NEW GLC LOCKER RENTAL POLICY -3rd posting
For the remainder of the SPRING 2014 semester, the GLC’s lockers will be available to rent on a short-term, weekly basis. To rent a locker, see a building manager at the GLC Welcome Center to receive a key. Keys will no longer be left on lockers; instead they are secured by the GLC staff and issued to a student once requested. One locker per person. The maximum time period of reservation is from Monday 7:30am to Saturday 9:00pm, at which time the key must be returned to the Welcome Center. Those who still have keys from the previous semester are asked to turn in the key immediately and empty the locker. Contact GLC welcome center staff with any questions, comments or concerns at glcinfo@vt.edu.
21. GLC FELLOWS APPLICATION PROCESS OPEN FOR 2014-15 – 1st posting
Residence Life and the Graduate School are seeking motivated graduate students who are committed to building graduate community, for two GLC Fellow positions for the 2014-15 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=1392921221707. Information about cover letter requirements is at the survey link; full job description is at www.graduatelifecenter.vt.edu. Apply by Mar 19, 2014. Contact Lauren Surface at lkeister@vt.edu or Sarah Loth at sloth85@vt.edu if you have questions.
22. THREE GRAD RESIDENT FELLOW POSITIONS OPEN IN RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE – 2nd posting
Three grad students are sought to work as resident fellows in the Residential College at West AJ, a community of 850 students. Responsibilities include being present in the house, knowing each student, coordinating activities and experiences, serving as role models, offer mentoring, serve as liaison and advisor, conduct room selection process, participate in trainings and more. Must invest at least 10 hrs/wk in house community. Must be in good academic standing and have strong affinity for working with people and the residential experience. Compensation: Single room at no cost. If you have any questions or want to apply, email letter of interest, resume and contact info for three references by Monday, Mar 3 to Joe Wilder, wilder@vt.edu.
23. ABSTRACT REVIEWERS SOUGHT FOR GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM – 1st posting
The Graduate Student Assembly is looking for abstract reviewers for its 30th annual Graduate Research Symposium to be held on Wednesday, Mar 26 in the GLC. This is a chance to see the other side of conferences as a peer reviewer, as well as an excellent item for your CV. Abstracts are written in a cross-disciplinary style, and reviewers are not required to be experts in each discipline. If you are interested, please sign up at: http://blogs.lt.vt.edu/graduatestudentassembly/graduate-research-symposium/graduate-research-symposium-abstract-reviewer-sign-up-2/. If you have any questions, contact Joyce Zhu, Research Symposium Chair: niz@vt.edu, or Jenn Gooding, GSA Executive Assistant: jgooding@vt.edu.
24. SURVEY PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH ON SMART PHONE APP – 1st posting
To assist a computer science graduate student in her researching and implementing a smartphone application for campus-wide communication, consider taking a short research survey on mobile device usage. The survey should take less than approximately ten minutes. Your anonymous contributions will provide valuable statistics for the research project. Please email any questions or inquiries to Kimberly Zeitz at kazeitz@vt.edu. The survey is accessible at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1392736001836.
25. LGBQ YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS WANTED FOR RESEARCH PROJECT – 2nd posting
VT researchers are recruiting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer youth and young adults age 13-21 to participate in a project exploring the decision to come out to family as gay, lesbian, bisexual or queer. The questionnaire and in-depth interview will take about 2-2.5 hours and participants will receive a $10 gift card for their feedback. The PI is in the process of developing a program to help youth make safe and successful disclosure decisions to family; this research will help inform that project. Researchers would like to hear from youth that have and have not yet come out to family. Participation is voluntary and strictly confidential (VT IRB 13-331). If you have questions or would like to discuss eligibility, email VTProjectSMYLE@gmail.com or call (540)-231-4235, or visit https://www.facebook.com/VTProjectSMYLE
26. PARENTS OF LGB YOUTH/YOUNG ADULTS WANTED FOR RESEARCH PROJECT -2nd posting
Researchers are recruiting parents who have had a child disclose to them in the last five years that they are lesbian, gay or bisexual when the child was 13-21. The brief questionnaire and in-depth interview will take approximately 1-2 hours and participants will receive a $10 gift card for their feedback. The PI is in the process of developing a program to help youth make safe and successful disclosure decisions to family; this research will help inform that project. Participation is voluntary and strictly confidential(VT IRB 13-331). If you have questions or would like to discuss eligibility, email VTProjectSMYLE@gmail.com or call (540)-231-4235, or visit https://www.facebook.com/VTProjectSMYLE.
27. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR MENTAL WORKLOAD STUDY – 3rd posting
Participants are needed for a study to investigate how mental and postural demands affect our overall mental workload. You’ll be asked to do some simple mental tasks while researchers measure your postural stability, heart rate, and brain activity using EEG. Study participants must be right-handed, between the ages of 18-30 with no history of low back pain. The study will take 2 hours and you will be compensated $10 per hour of participation. Participation is voluntary and confidential. Please contact Ralph at rhcullen@vt.edu or (404) 913-1486.
28. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR MUSCULAR IMBALANCE STUDY – 3rd posting
Participants needed for a study that assesses muscular imbalances in the neck and shoulder area in patients with postural deficiencies. Participants must be 18 or older and show postural changes such as: forward head posture, elevated and protracted shoulders, and winging of the scapulae. Common symptoms include: neck pain, shoulder pain, and cervical headaches. Participants must be free of diseases that prevent physical loading, and should not have had prior surgery involving the cervical or thoracic spine and shoulders. Participants are required to perform muscle strength, muscle endurance, and range of motion exercises. There will be one experimental session which lasts approximately 2 – 3 hours. You will be compensated $10/ hour. For more information please contact Matthias Treff at matreff@vt.edu.
29. SURVEY PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON DRIVING DISTRACTIONS – 3rd posting
VT-SCORE (VT Signal Control & Operation Research and Education Systems lab) researchers are conducting a survey to investigate the relationship between transit operator’s driving behavior and on-board transit distractions. The results of the study will be used to improve the safety of transit occupants. The survey will take about 5 minutes to complete. Your participation in this study is completely voluntary and confidential. All participants must be at least 18 years old. Access the survey at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13kOgv4Lm4259Dexu4Rb4zNFzdXhyFEp-KvyC6kaI5Wk/viewform. Contact Nurlayla Arbie at 540-577-1676 or arbien@vt.edu with any questions.
30. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR SELF-DRIVING VEHICLE STUDY – 3rd posting
VT-SCORES is conducting a study to investigate user behavior during simulated experience of riding inside of self-driving vehicle. The study will take around 30 min, and your participation can contribute to the development of novel self-driving vehicle control technology. Participation is completely voluntary and confidential. Participants will get a first-hand experience dealing with self-driving vehicle technology. You can opt out of the experiment at any time if you experience any minimal risks, or for any other reason. Must be at least 18 years of age. If you are interested in participating or have questions, contact Milos Mladenovic at 540-553-5949 or at milosm@vt.edu.
31. RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR USER STUDY OF BIOINFORMATICS RESOURCE – 2nd posting
Participate in a study to investigate the underlying processes of bioinformatics experiments. The study will take approximately 2 hours and will involve eye-tracking with think-aloud while you perform tasks using a computer. Preferred participants are proficient in the use of bioinformatics resources, are familiar with the process of functionally analyzing a gene sequence. Participants will be compensated $10 /hr for a maximum of 2 hours, or a maximum of $20 total. The protocols in this study have been approved by the VT IRB (14-055). If you are interested, please contact Jongsoon Park via email babirong@vt.edu or call 540-558-8369.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
SHORT STAT COURSE FOR GRADS: SPRING 2014 SERIES
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. See www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=short_courses for instructions on how to register and to learn more. Remaining Spring 2014 Schedule:
- Tuesday & Wednesday, Mar 4 & 5: Introduction to JMP;*
- Tuesday, Mar 18: Advanced Topics in R: parallel processing, structural equation modeling, and the bootstrap;
- Tuesday, Apr 1 (no kidding): Survey Design and Analysis;
- Tuesday, Apr 10: Accelerating statistical calculations using inexpensive graphics cards;
- Tuesday, Apr 15: Multiple Imputation and Missing Data;
*Two sessions of the same course to accommodate more attendees.
INTERVIEWING SKILLS
Wednesday, Mar 5, 5:30-6:30pm, GLC Room G
Be prepared for initial screening interviews as well as on-site interviews. This seminar addresses interviewing basics, employer expectations, and insights into behavioral interviews. Sponsored by Career Services. Contact Amy McPherson at amcphers@vt.edu if you have questions.
ENOUGH: BASICS OF SELF-DEFENSE
Wednesday, Mar 6, 6:00-7:30pm, RLRO Center in Detrick Hall
The Blacksburg Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. invites women of all ages to attend this program. Presenter Officer John Tarter will provide information on how to prevent domestic violence, statistics on domestic violence, and resources that will help you or someone you know who may be experiencing domestic abuse. There will also be an interactive self-defense demonstration that you won’t want to miss. If you have any questions. please email ppd@bacdst13.org. This message is posted on behalf of grad student Brielle Wright, bswright@vt.edu.