June 22-28, 2015

1.  WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – break schedule; updated 5/26

• Career Services advising: on hiatus until fall
• Cook Counseling: Fridays 1:00-5:00pm in the summer, starting 5/29, Green Room 
• GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursday, Reading Room – continues through summer
• Graduate School summer hours May 18-Jul 31: 9:00am-4:00pm
• LISA Statistical Consulting: Tuesdays,10:00-12:00 in Room A
• Writing assistance: on hiatus until fall

2. BOLLYWOOD DANCE CLASSES THIS SUMMER
Mondays and Tuesdays, 3:00-4:00pm, War Memorial Dance Room
Want to look really cool and learn something new at the same time? Join Bollywood Dance Classes this summer and surprise your friends once the semester starts. The classes will cover many other Indian dance forms and are free and open to all. It’s time to grab your dancing shoes! This message is posted on behalf of grad student Garima Malhotra, garima@vt.edu.

3. INTERVARSITY GRADUATE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP: SUMMER BIBLE STUDY
Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30pm, 107 Church St. SE (3 blocks from GLC)
Meet weekly for an interactive Bible discussion. All are welcome! For directions and more information visit http://gcfvt.wordpress.com/.

4. POWER DOWN THURSDAY
Thursday, Jun 25, 2:00-3:00pm, wherever you are on campus
All users of electricity on the VT campus are asked to curtail the usage of electricity to the greatest extent possible. The purpose of this exercise is to see how much electric usage can be curtailed and how quickly it can be done. Suggestions on how to power down:

• Turn off lights in offices, common areas, and hallways
• Turn off personal computers and peripherals not in use
• Turn off shared electronics such as televisions, projectors, copiers, printers, fax machines when not in use
• Unplug appliances such as coffee makers, refrigerators, washers/dryers, cooking appliances
• Turn off laboratory equipment not in use.

5. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Jun 25, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room or side patio
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. If it’s sunny and not too warm, we might be on the side-patio (near Bookstore side entrance behind the shrubs). But this week is probably too hot, so look for coffee/tea in the Reading Room.

6. FRIDAYS IN THE GLC: PUZZLE ME THIS
Friday, Jun 26, 2:00-3:30pm, GLC Reading Room
Crosswords, jigsaw puzzles and 3D puzzles await those who want the instant gratification of solving a short challenge. Easier than writing a thesis or dissertation! Take a break and test your non-academic skills in the company of fellow grad students. Light refreshments will be served.

7. INSPIRING/FUN SHORT VIDEO SUBMISSIONS WANTED! – 1st posting
What advice do you wish someone had shared with you when you first started as a grad student at Virginia Tech? What little tidbit of information made your first year better, more successful, more fun? Use your smartphone or camera to record a quick video and share your insight(s) with new graduate students; in the video, hold up or stand in front of a sign that has your first name,  academic level, and department/program (for example, <Monika,  master’s in hotel management>. Clips may be up to 10 seconds long and must be in MPEG4 format. Upload your video at https://drive.google.com/a/vt.edu/folderview?id=0B34tzO_IExZDfjl2anNMLUtJdGFfV2lUcXhSM2h6YUQ0YVVCUjFFb3JBdHZKYWh3NkFlNFk&usp=sharing_eid. The best submissions will be compiled into a short video that will be presented during new graduate student orientation and on the Graduate School’s website. Be creative!

8. CALL FOR PARTICIPATION IN 18TH UIFA CONGRESS AT VT – 1st posting
During the 18th UIFA Congress Jul 28-31, international participants would benefit from knowing of the contributions of women from around the world in architecture and related design fields. Help organizers make this a global celebration by reporting on the work of a woman in architecture in your home country, and how her work has made a difference and contributed to your country’s culture. If you wish to contribute a report, contact Nikole Branch Seavy – nbseavy@gmail.com. More information about the event can be found at uifa2015.com.

9. SUMMER SHORT STATS COURSES BY LISA – 2nd posting
LISA (Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis) provides a series of evening short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research and teach practical statistical techniques for analyzing or collecting data. See http://www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=short_courses for instructions on how to register and to learn more. Summer 2015 Schedule:

• Wednesday, Jun 24: Designing Experiments;
• Wednesday, Jul 1: Basics of R;
• Wednesday, Jul 8: Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) and Categorical Data Analysis (CDA);
• Wednesday, Jul 15: Graphics in R;
• Wednesday, Jul 22: Multivariate Clustering in R;
• Wednesday, Jul 29: Sample Size Calculations;
• Wednesday, Aug 5: Using mixed effects models to quantify dependency among repeated measures.

Follow LISA on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Statistical.collaboration) to be the first to know about LISA events! For more info, visit www.lisa.stat.vt.edu.

10. SUMMER II QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS COURSE OFFERED – 3rd posting
The Educational Research and Evaluation program offers EDRE 6605: Quantitative Research Methods I in Summer 2, taught by Dr. Chosang Tendhar. EDRE 6605 is the first of a two-semester, year-long sequence, designed to provide an overview of basic research design, measurement, and statistical concepts in social and behavioral research. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the process of social and educational research in field settings, hands-on experience of designing and conducting research, and analysis of data. This doctoral level introductory research method course is usually taken by graduate students from departments such as business, psychology, sociology, education, and human development. For more information contact Dr. Tendhar at ctendhar@vt.edu.

11. GRADUATE TEACHING RESOURCE FROM THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS – 3rd posting
Are you interested in teaching your subject through the arts? Whether you’re a scientist, engineer, or humanist, the Center for the Arts’ Explorers’ Guide has something for you to enhance your courses through the Center’s arts programs. In the guide you will find overarching topics, connections to academic departments at VT, resources, and questions to launch your students engagement with their subject areas through the arts. As you craft your syllabi and research projects, visit the Explorers’ Guide at https://www.artscenter.vt.edu/Online/explorersguide1516 and consider the center’s programs as an extension of your classroom. For assistance, contact Jon Catherwood-Ginn at rjginn@vt.edu.

12. GA OPENING IN GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT IN ENGINEERING FOR 2015-16 – 2nd posting
The Global Engineering, Engagement and Research (GEER) office in the College of Engineering is accepting applications for a full-time (20 hr/wk) graduate assistantship for the 2015-16 academic year. The GEER office is responsible for supporting and promoting the international activities of the college.  Primary duties of the GA will be on the development, implementation and support of the International Research Experience for Students (IRES), international internships, International Alumni Board, International Programs Faculty Committee, and the Student Engineers’ Abroad Council (SEAC). Other responsibilities include annual program reporting and other duties as needed. Qualified candidates will have a positive attitude, excellent oral and written communication skills, outstanding organizational skills including attention to detail, and proficiency in MS Office and Publisher or other graphic design software. See full listing at:  https://www.eng.vt.edu/global-engagement-ga. To apply: submit resume and a cover letter outlining qualifications and interest in the position to April Keene at ipitadmin@vt.edu by Monday, Jul 6, 2015.

13. PT MATH TUTORING PROGRAM ASSISTANT SOUGHT FOR 2015-16 – 2nd posting
The Student Success Center is hiring a part-time (15-20 hrs/week) Tutoring Program Assistant for the 2015-16 academic year. This person will provide tutoring in math (pre-calculus and calculus 1&2) and assist with program development and tutor training. The application deadline is 6/25/15. Visit https://listings.jobs.vt.edu/postings/58050 for position details.

14. GA OPENING IN GLOBAL EDUCATION OFFICE FOR 2015-16 – 3rd posting
The Global Education Office is seeking a Graduate Assistant for the 2015-16 academic year to assist in the coordination of the office’s enrollment management database and supporting staff, faculty, and student users of the software. The GA plays a vital role in achieving the mission of the office in supporting faculty/staff leading and administering programs abroad. The position is an excellent opportunity for students interested in a career in international education. Full listing at  <https://www.globaleducation.vt.edu/_customtags/ct_FileRetrieve.cfm?File_ID=060F7177744F03720372707074731C01007A0F14027A737E6E0972757106760A00740200717B0B7277> . The position is offered pending budgetary approval. To Apply: email to rfitz@vt.edu with cover letter, resume and contact information for three references. Questions can be directed to Rachel Fitzgerald, Assistant Director for Program Management, Global Education Office email: rfitz@vt.edu.

15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR DRIVER-TO-DRIVER COMMUNICATION DEVICE STUDY – 2nd posting
Grad students are invited to take part in a study investigating the use of a hypothetical device that would allow drivers to exchange messages with other drivers. You will watch some short videos of driving simulator software and then fill in questionnaires about the videos you’ve just watched. Participation in the study is about 50 minutes in Whittemore 530; compensation is $10 (Amazon voucher). Must have had a valid driver’s license for at least 2 years and have had most of your driving experience in the US. If you are interested in taking part or would like further information, please contact Raphael Lamas by email jlamas@vt.edu or mobile 540 257 2810.

16. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR MUSCLE FATIGUE STUDY –  3rd posting
Participants are sought for an IRB-approved dissertation research study about the effects of different physical demands on muscle fatigue. Participants will perform a set of tasks, requiring forceful exertions of the hand, forearm, and/or upper arm. Muscular strength will be measured by voluntary contraction and electrical stimulation of muscles. Other measures will be related to performance and muscle fatigue by monitoring the muscle activity using EMG electrodes. Experiments will be conducted in the Safety Engineering Laboratory in the ISE department. The complete experiment involves up to 7 experimental sessions, each requiring about 4 hours. Participants will be paid $10/hour and a $10 bonus after completing all sessions. Participation is voluntary and confidential. Must be 18-30; male or female; no current or recent history of a physical disorder affecting the hand/arm; exercise on a regular basis (2-3/wk). Contact Ehsan Rashedi (email: rashedi@vt.edu, phone: (540) 629-0297 with any questions or if interested in participating.

17. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY EXPLORING SOCIAL RECIPROCITY IN AUTISM – 3rd posting
Participants are sought for a study examining responses to a mood task. Participants may include individuals with or without a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder. Phase I involves questionnaires related to background, mood, and health. If you decide to participate, you will be asked to respond to an online questionnaire expected to last between 30 to 45 minutes. Based on your responses to the measures, you may or may not be contacted for participation in the second portion of the study, where you would be in a lab for approximately 1.5-2 hours. This will involve you thinking about mood states and expressing these mood states to another same-gender participant. During these tasks, heart rate measures will be recorded from electrodes placed on your skin. An experimenter will provide a tutorial to show you how to place the electrode strap around your torso. You will also be asked to complete a series of questionnaires about your emotional experiences. Those eligible for the second part of the study will be contacted by email and will receive $30 in cash, and extra credit, when applicable. Contact Julee Farley, vtcar@vt.edu or call 540-231-8747 for more information. If interested in participating, go to https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6DJONQeJ83DYo17 for the online portion of the study.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

GSA SUMMER BEER AND WINE SOCIAL
Friday, Jul 10, 5:00-9:00pm, University Club
The GSA invites you to its Summer Beer and Wine Social. General admission is $10 for those drinking and $2 for non-drinkers. Please bring proper identification. This event is cash only and open to the public. Want to gain free admission? Volunteer to help with the event! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Chelsea Corkins at ccorkins@vt.edu.