1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – updated 1/19
- Career Services advising, Wednesdays 2:00-5:00pm, GLC lobby
- Cook Counseling, Thursdays and Fridays 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room
- GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursday, Reading Room – returns Jan 8, 2015
- Writing assistance, Thursdays starting Jan 29 5:00-8:00pm, Room A
2. MLK-DAY DIALOGUE IN THE GLC
Monday, Jan 19, 10:00am-2:00pm, Graduate Life Center
The Graduate Life Center will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by opening its doors for dialogue about the needs of graduate students. From 10am-1pm coffee and tea will be available in the GLC lobby for informal discussion facilitated by Inclusion Coordinator Dannette Beane. From 11-12:30pm student leaders will facilitate discussion around what underrepresented students need and action plans to increase the diversity and inclusion efforts for graduate students. Rooms and topics TBA. From 12:30-1pm lunch will be available in the MPR. Please RSVP at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_e3OrEfQXntQYqwt. At 1pm, Dean DePauw will facilitate a discussion around the needs discussed during the morning sessions and share the Graduate School’s new initiatives. Students are also encouraged to stop in the GLC all month to write suggestions and comments on paper provided in the hallway by ABP about how to make the space and the graduate-school experience more inclusive.
3. FREE WEEK OF FITNESS
Tuesday-Monday, Jan 20-26, all day, McComas Hall Gym & War Memorial Gym
Take free group exercise classes and small group trainings in McComas and War Memorial Hall between Jan 20-26. See the full schedule online at recsports.vt.edu.
4. PARENT SUPPORT GROUP MEETING MONTHLY
Wednesday, Jan 21, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room F
The Parent Support Group is a new opportunity for graduate students and their partners who have or are expecting children, designed to provide a place to connect and build community. The group will be meeting this Wednesday in the GLC. Lunch will be served and partners and children are welcome! Please register at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4fabaa28a1ff2-january. Registration is not necessary to attend.
5. FITNESS LAUNCH PARTY (FREE!)
Wednesday, Jan 21, 5:30pm-7:00pm, McComas Hall Gym
This event is a 1.5 hour workout featuring exercises from 5 different fitness classes: Les Mills GRIT, BODYATTACK, BODYCOMBAT, BODYJAM, and BODYFLOW. Bring a couple of friends and join this free, fun workout! Visit recsports.vt.edu for details.
6. POVERTY, BIOLOGY AND HEALTH: WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN?
Thursday, Jan 22, 3:30pm, Fralin Auditorium
The speakers, Drs. Craig and Sharon Ramey, are internationally known for researching the effects of impoverished environments and poverty on early childhood brain development and cognition. They will present their recent findings on the intergenerational and lifelong effects of impoverished environments, and the extent to which systematic, theory-driven interventions (tested via randomized controlled trials and multi-site observational studies) produce improved health outcomes linked to morbidity and mortality. As their work is highly interdisciplinary and integrates the fields of biology, psychology, sociology and human development, these talks will be of interest to graduate students from a broad range of departments.
7. GLC CAFÉ: FAREWELL TO A CAFÉ REGULAR
Thursday, Jan 22, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Enjoy coffee, tea, and cookies in the company of your graduate student and Grad School colleagues. This week we’ll say farewell to one of the Café regulars who has just graduated and is moving onto a new job!
8. STUDENT HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR (FREE!)
Friday, Jan 23, 11:00am-3:00pm, McComas Hall Gym
Stop by McComas Hall to check out many different booths to help you learn more about improving different areas of your health. There will be giveaways, therapy dogs, health screenings, informational booths, free fitness classes, and more! Check out recsports.vt.edu for more information.
9. THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF HEALTH, EDUCATION AND BIOLOGY: MLK’S ENDURING LEGACY
Friday, Jan 23, 12:20pm, VBI Auditorium
The internationally recognized speakers, Drs. Craig and Sharon Ramey, will address why eliminating health and educational disparities is a compelling and crucial goal for the future of our nation. It will review compelling historical scientific findings about the impact of race and poverty on the life course, biologically and behaviorally. The focus will be on a new 2014 national agenda that links education and health as the most compelling ways to overcome entrenched inequities and health disparities that endure as a legacy of racism and classism. As their work is highly interdisciplinary and integrates the fields of biology, psychology, sociology and human development, these talks will be of interest to students from a broad range of departments.
10. AUDITIONS FOR “SWOLLEN TONGUES,” A COMEDY IN RHYMING COUPLETS
Friday, Jan 23, 6:00-10:00pm, Performing Arts Bldg 204
Cast includes three female and one male role. To sign up, email Kristin Kelly at krkelly@vt.edu. Swollen Tongues is a fast-paced comedy written in rhyming couplets. The characters are challenged to find the true meaning and expression of love through poetry. The play explores humorously mistaken identity, gender roles and performance, and consent and intention. Show dates are Mar 23-25; rehearsals begin Feb 2.
11. FREE DINNER & GAME NIGHT
Friday, Jan 24, 6:30-9:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Come join fellow grad students for an evening of free food and fun! We will have a variety of card games, board games, video games and more. All are welcome, and you can come anytime. Sponsored by InterVarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship.
12. SPACES STILL AVAILABLE IN NEW LITTLE HOKIE™ HANGOUT
The Graduate School’s new parent cooperative playgroup will hold a final Open House this Saturday at Luther Memorial Lutheran Center from 2:00-5:00pm. For more information visit http://childcare.graduateschool.vt.edu or email childcare@vt.edu.
13. JOIN ITRAAB ARABIC MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Itraab Arabic Music Ensemble, whose name means "creating enchantment through music," invites the musically inclined to join the preparations to present at the VT Center for the Arts Islamic Worlds Festival on Apr 11, 2015. Learn vocal pieces from various parts of the Arab world and basic percussion skills on the frame drum. Instruments will be provided for use. Musical experience is a plus, but not necessary. People who already play Arabic musical instruments (`ud, nay, qanun, violin, darabukka, etc.) are encouraged to contact the instructor if interested in performing on these instruments. Young people (ages 10 and up) are welcome to participate with a parent. Rehearsals will take place Saturdays 10:00am-12:00pm on Jan 31, Feb 14, Feb 28, Mar 21, Mar 28, and Apr 4, 2015. To register or if you have a question, please contact Sarah at sarahhf@vt.edu or 207-735-3962.
14. ACROSSBORDERS@VT INVITES INTL LGBTQ STUDENTS
Do you identify yourself as international and LGBTQ? Do you need a safe space to talk about issues related to being international and identifying as LGBTQ? AcrossBorders@VT is an informal group that addresses the needs and concerns of international LGBTQ people at Virginia Tech. Privacy and confidentiality of members is encouraged. If you are interested or have questions, please contact acrossborders.vt@gmail.com. In addition, email to join the closed Facebook group to connect with other international LGBTQ people.
15. STUDENT ENGAGEMENT TRAVEL GRANT – 1st posting
This grant supports student travel to a professional conference or a professional development opportunity that promotes the culture of Ut Prosim at VT and furthers the scholarship of engagement. The grants are awarded to students who have been accepted to present or attend a conference or professional meeting. All full- or part-time students who meet these criteria are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit: http://www.engage.vt.edu/grants-awards/.
16. LANGUAGE COURSES FOR SPOUSES AND PARTNERS OF VT STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES
The Language and Culture Institute (CLI) offers a new program that allows international spouses and partners of VT students, employees and other affiliates to take reduced-rate English classes. The English Language Program for International Spouses/Partners provides instruction to individuals in F-2, H-4, and J-2 statuses. Classes are offered during two 8-9 week sessions and offer instruction in all skill areas — including listening, speaking, reading, writing, and pronunciation — from beginning through advanced proficiency levels. The cost is $50 per class and up to two classes may be taken per semester. For more information, visit www.lci.vt.edu/spouses.
17. NEW INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSE FOR SPRING 2015: WATER FOR HEALTH SEMINAR
GRAD 4514 Water for Health Seminar (1 cr; CRN 20121) is offered Spring 2015, as part of the Water INTERface IGEP and is open to any graduate students with interests in health, nutrition, environment, and water. Taught by Susan Duncan (FST) and Water INTERface faculty, the course will explore emerging nterdisciplinary issues related to the chemistry, biology, and engineering of drinking water; nutritional and aesthetic values of water and its role in controlling disease and promoting good health; methods of processing poor quality water to drinking water standards; subsequent changes in chemical, biological, nutritional, and palatability characteristics; implications for food preparation, processing, and safety and other consumer uses of water, and more.
18. SPRING ENROLLMENT IN AETNA HEALTH INSURANCE
Spring open enrollment period for the university-sponsored plan by Aetna is Dec 19-Jan 31. Visit the Student Medical Insurance Office website at http://www.co.vt.edu/Risk/studenthealthinsr/ for instructions on enrollment, plan details and more. If you have questions, please contact SMI at 231-6226.
19. GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT SUBMISSION RE-OPEN JAN 26-Feb 6
The 31st Annual Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) Research Symposium will take place on Mar 25, 2015 in the Graduate Life Center. Graduate and advanced undergraduate students are invited to submit an abstract for this event between 12:01am Jan 26 and 11:59pm Feb 6. Visit the Research Symposium website at http://blogs.lt.vt.edu/graduatestudentassembly/graduate-research-symposium/ for details and to submit an abstract. Read all information and see resources available for tailoring your abstract to this event in order to communicate your research to a broad audience (Resources for Communicating Research). If you submitted in the fall and did not receive a confirmation email that your abstract was accepted or rejected, please contact us. Contact the Research Symposium Chairs (Alex Hyler and Joyce Zhu) at atgsa.syposium.2015@gmail.com with any questions.
20. REGISTRATION OPEN FOR PAYROLL DEDUCTION OF COMP FEES FOR GRAD ASSISTANTS
The registration system for paying comprehensive fees through payroll deduction for spring 2015 is now open. Graduate students on an assistantship must either pay their comprehensive fees or enroll for payroll deductions by the payment deadline set by the Bursar’s Office. To enroll in payroll deductions, login to Hokie SPA, choose University Account Information menu, and click on Graduate Students on Assistantship, enroll in Payroll Deduction. You must enroll in payroll deduction each semester in which you wish to take advantage of this opportunity.
21. CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT REP TO BOARD OF VISITORS
Applications for Graduate Student Representative to the VT Board of Visitors are accepted until Feb 13, 2015. All currently enrolled graduate students in good standing are encouraged to consider this great leadership and service opportunity to represent graduate students’ voices, needs and interest on the VT Board of Visitors. Learn more at http://www.dsa.vt.edu/BOV/apply.php.
22. NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS NOW OPEN – deadline Feb 6
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($200-$1000 each) and award certificate. Discuss the possibility of your nomination by your advisor/department for any of the following awards that will be given out during the Graduate School’s annual awards banquet on March 26, 2015:
- Outstanding Dissertation in (1) math, sciences and engineering, and (1) in social sciences, business and humanities
- Preston Society Master’s Thesis Award
- Graduate Student Teaching Excellence (1) for GTA instructor of record (1) GTA instructor assistant
- Graduate Student Service Excellence
- Graduate Student of the Year (up to three awards given)
- Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college and in interdisciplinary programs.
More information about criteria, forms, and process for nomination are at: http://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/awards/2014_2015.
23. CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR KIDS’ TECH UNIVERSITY
The Virginia Bioinformatics Institute and other members of the VT community are looking for volunteers for Saturday, Jan 24, to assist with logistics of the spring 2015 Kids’ Tech University (KTU) program. There will be an interactive session in the morning, followed by Q & A, a lunch break, then hands-on activities. Any time you can help is greatly appreciated! Please complete the volunteer sign-up to participate. Contact Kristy Collins (kdivitto@vt.edu) for further details.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
LUNCH WITH THE DEAN
Monday, Jan 26, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C
Meet Graduate School Dean Kr. Karen DePauw as well as several graduate student leaders at this free lunch and learn about the Dean’s latest plans for graduate education. Share your perspectives in a casual, intimate setting. Registration is required – please sign up at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1420563124327 if you are interested in attending.
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT INFO SESSIONS
Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan 27 and 28, 12:00-1:00pm and 5:30-7:00pm, Room C
Attend one of the four sessions to learn about your potential eligibility for financial assistance on monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs associated with health insurance obtained through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
RESUME WRITING WORKSHOP
Wednesday, Jan 28, 5:30pm, GLC Room G
Having a well-polished resume is the most critical step toward getting an interview. Start early and be ready for fall career fairs and on-campus interviews. Contact Amy McPherson at amcphers@vt.edu if you have questions.