Weekly Events:
1. WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES
2. WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS
3. HOW TO USE THE EHS SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
4. VOTING INFORMATION BOOTH
5. WELCOME BACK BBQ HOSTED BY THE GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY
6. INAUGURAL ACCESSIBILITY HACKATHON
7. US STUDENT FULBRIGHT INFO SESSION – CANCELLED
8. HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UP
9. GLC CAFÉ IS REPLACED BY “MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME IN BBURG”
10. MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME IN BBURG
11. LAIGSA WELCOME BBQ
Administrative Announcements:
12. P.E.O. SCHOLAR AWARD NOMINATIONS SOUGHT – 1st posting
13. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – 1st posting
14. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED FOR FALL ’18 – 2nd posting
15. GRADUATE STUDENTS INVITED TO SUBMIT WRITING – 2nd posting
Jobs:
16. GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY (GSA) PROGRAM CHAIRS FOR 2018-2019 – 2nd posting
17. BUILDING MANAGER WAGE POSITION AT THE GLC (FALL 2018) – 3rd posting
Volunteers and research participants sought:
18. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR EXOSKELETON STUDY – 1st posting
19. STUDENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WELCOME BACK BBQ – 2nd posting
Upcoming events:
– COMMUNITY CHANGE COLLABORATIVE (CCC) HOLDS FIRST MEETING
– SAFETY AND HEALTH COMPLIANCE OBLIGATIONS
– LUNCH WITH THE DEAN
– 2018 UNDERREPRESENTED/MINORITIZED STUDENT LUNCHEON
– BUILDING A WINNING RESUME/CV
– FINDING RESOURCES AND ACCESSING MATERIALS AT VT LIBRARIES
Weekly Events
1. WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES:
– Career Advising: Will return on Sept 19. See the Grad Students Career Ops blog for more info on career opportunities: https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/gradcareeropportunity/
– Cook Counseling: Thursday & Friday, 1:00-5:00pm, GLC Green Room
– Graduate School hours: MTThF 8:00am-5:00pm, W 9:30am-5:00pm
– Immigration advising hours: MWF 1:00-4:00pm, TTh 9:00am-12:00pm Room 120
– Ask the Academy: GTA Drop-in Advising – will return Tuesday, Aug 28
– Summer graduate writing assistance: see Writing Center website at https://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html
2. WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS:
– Writing strategies consultations: Mondays 10:30-12:00pm, GLC Room A (https://lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html )
– Grad mindfulness: On hiatus for summer.
– Conversational English Support for Graduate Students in GLC: Community volunteers will help you practice conversational English in a group setting from 2:30-3:30 Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For more information (and to sign up), see Writing Center website: https://lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html
3. HOW TO USE THE EHS SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Wednesday, Aug 15, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C
The Environmental Health and Safety SMS is designed to help labs and workgroups manage their safety responsibilities as outlined in the university Health and Safety Policy. The SMS provides tools to assign and track training, enroll persons in EHS training, register laser systems and nanomaterials usage, and request chemical waste pickups. If chemicals, class 3 or 4 laser systems or nanomaterials are used in a lab, the use of the SMS is mandatory. This training will provide an overview of how to use the SMS. Bring your own lunch! Sign up at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3aZZK5McUsc7X37.
4. VOTING INFORMATION BOOTH
Wednesday, Aug 15, 4:00-6:00pm, GLC Lobby
Pick up information about how to get registered to vote in Virginia or how to submit an absentee ballot in your home state.
5. WELCOME BACK BBQ HOSTED BY THE GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY
Wednesday, Aug 15, 5:00-8:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
New and returning graduate students are invited by the Graduate Student Assembly to our annual Welcome Back BBQ. Weather permitting, the event will take place inside and on the GLC Lawn as well. We will have food from Hethwood Market, with vegetarian options. See the official Facebook event page at http://bit.ly/GSAbbq2018 – live music provided by Panda Bag, a local band comprised of grad students!
6. INAUGURAL ACCESSIBILITY HACKATHON
Thursday, Aug 16, 9:00-4:00pm, Newman Library Athenaeum (Room 124) or via Zoom at: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/847701424
Sponsored by Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS), Hackathon is a come and go as you please event, where members of the Accessible Technologies staff will be available to answer your accessibility questions. Topics include but are not limited to: creating or editing closed captions; checking color contrast; testing your content (Canvas or websites) for accessibility; using or testing with assistive technologies. If interested, RSVP at this link so we can be certain to have adequate support staff and snacks available during peak hours. Direct questions to assist@vt.edu.
7. US STUDENT FULBRIGHT INFO SESSION – CANCELLED
Thursday, Aug 16, 1:00pm, GLC Room B
This interactive workshop has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. If you would like to schedule an appointment or want more information, contact Betty Anderson at (betty.anderson@vt.edu).
8. HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UP
Thursday, Aug 16, 2:00-4:30pm, GLC Lobby
Stop by to sign up for student health insurance with Aetna and ask representatives any questions you may have. No appointment necessary.
9. GLC CAFÉ IS REPLACED BY “MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME IN BBURG”
Thursday, Aug 16
Just this week the GLC Café is replaced by a welcome event for our new and returning students. Stop by for free refreshments, raffle prizes and community.
10. MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME IN BBURG
Thursday, Aug 16, 4:30-6:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Attend this relaxed social event to connect with faculty, staff, new and returning students and resources that can help you succeed in graduate school and maintain a healthy life balance. Free refreshments for all; door prizes for new students! Sign up online if you are planning to attend: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5sZKPSg3bu247FH . This event replaces the weekly GLC café just this one time. The café will return next week on its regular 3:30-5:00 schedule in the Reading Room.
11. LAIGSA WELCOME BBQ
Saturday, Aug 18, 5:00-9:00pm, VT Duckpond
LAIGSA (Latin American and Iberian Graduate Students Association) hosts its annual welcome social barbeque, an afternoon outdoors event aimed at those incoming students who want to further engage with the VT community and also to those grad students from the Latin community who are returning for another academic year. If you are interested in Latin American and Iberian culture and people, join LAIGSA at the Duckpond for snacks, games, and a good time with the LAIGSA community.
Administrative Announcements:
12. P.E.O. SCHOLAR AWARD NOMINATIONS SOUGHT – 1st posting
The P.E.O. (Philanthropic Education Organization), an International Sisterhood that prioritizes the education of women, is offering the Scholar Award of $15,000 to eligible women who are currently working on their PhD. Nominations open online Aug 20, with a firm completion date of Nov 20. Nominees should be on track to complete doctoral level degree between Apr 2020 and Aug 2021. If the potential candidate is working on a joint program, such as a PhD/DVM, she must be scheduled to complete the entire program (both degrees) between Apr 2020 and Aug 2021. For more information go to http://vapeo.org/joomla/index.php, click on P.E.O. International Project, then Scholar Award under Projects. To become a sponsored applicant for this award, contact Rebecca Fariss at mbfariss1@cox.net or (540) 314-6749.
13. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – 1st posting
Little Hokie Hangout, the Graduate School Child Care Center, still has a few openings left for full and part time care this fall. Email childcare@vt.edu for more information or to stop by for a tour. Complete the application online at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1gaoozdHdd-UncA5EP72i5sDuHB4Ynw9zuwF4KSOLJ3dnWA/viewform?usp=sf_link
14. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED FOR FALL ’18 – 2nd posting
Learn about the importance and benefits of data management including creating a data management plan. This 8-week course covers data organization, policies, documentation, storage, ethics, access, security, analytical tools, grant requirements (proposal and post- award), proper attribution, archiving, other issues and topics related to data in scholarly communication. Pass/ Fail Only, 1 Credit Hour, In-Person (Synchronous). Course begins 8/23 and ends on 10/11; meets 10am-noon in Newman Library 207A. Possibility of remote access; non-Blacksburg students should email alop@vt.edu before enrolling.
15. GRADUATE STUDENTS INVITED TO SUBMIT WRITING – 2nd posting
The student blog RE: Reflections and Explorations, offered through the VT Institute for Policy and Governance, is a great vehicle to share research ideas and theories with a broader audience. All VT graduate students are eligible to offer essays as long as they address a policy, politics or governance issue or concern. Students in ALCE, ASPECT, GIA, HD, PGG, Natural Resources, PAPP, Political Science, Rhetoric and Writing, Sociology and Urban Affairs and Planning are particularly encouraged to submit essays. To find examples of past topics, read archived essays. Dr. Max Stephenson, Professor of Public and International Affairs, serves as editor and final arbiter of all submissions. Sign up now using this Google Spreadsheet. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Send questions to mneda14@vt.edu or parrish1@vt.edu .
Jobs:
16. GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY (GSA) PROGRAM CHAIRS FOR 2018-2019 – 2nd posting
The GSA is currently accepting applications for 2018-19 program chairs! Each paid position will have responsibilities related to implementing GSA’s programs, attending meetings, and volunteering at GSA-sponsored events. Applicants must be excellent time-managers, multi-taskers, and creative problem-solvers with excellent oral/written communication skills. All chairs work under the supervision of the Executive Board, and directly with Director of Programs. Hiring chairs to manage Travel Fund Program, Graduate Research Development Program, and annual Research Symposium and Exposition. For more info on each position, visit http://bit.ly/2018GSAchairs. To apply, complete Google Form on the webpage by Friday, Aug 24, 5:00pm. Questions? Contact Chelsea Corkins at ccorkins@vt.edu.
17. BUILDING MANAGER WAGE POSITION AT THE GLC (FALL 2018) – 3rd posting
Oversee daily operations of the GLC by monitoring service, safety, and security of this space created for graduate students. Duties include walking rounds, responding to issues, and completing reports, in addition to the facilitation of the co-curricular and administrative programs of the student center services and their events. Directly responsible for event management bookings, opening & closing of the building, and submitting of facility work orders and daily reports. Must possess strong communication and customer service skills, along with the ability to move event equipment (tables and chairs). Looking for flexible staff members willing to work as least two shifts a week and have weekend availability. Pay is $12/hr. To apply, please go to “SECL VT Graduate Student Pool – Summer Employment” on jobs.vt.edu and submit an application and resume by Aug 10. Once applied, email to Steve Buchner (satlbuch@vt.edu) to inform him of the submission.
Volunteers and research participants sought:
18. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR EXOSKELETON STUDY – 1st posting
Participants are needed for research study about task performance with and without a wearable exoskeleton. Must be 18-45 years old with no recent or prior musculoskeletal disorders and should exercise at least once per week. Due to the device fit, participants should have a waist circumference equal to 26″-46″ and a torso length equal to 14.5″-23″. There are two experimental sessions for this study, which will last about 3 hours each. Compensation: $10/hour. If interested, contact Sunwook Kim at sunwook@vt.edu.
19. STUDENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WELCOME BACK BBQ – 2nd posting
GSA is asking for student volunteers to help with set-up, welcoming participants, serving food, clean-up, and more. The Welcome Back BBQ will take place on Wednesday, Aug 15 on the GLC lawn from 5:00-8:00pm. Volunteers will receive a complimentary ticket to our Fall Beer & Wine Social in October, the biggest event of the Fall worth a $20 value. Email questions to Lehi Dowell at ldowell@vt.edu. Sign up at https://survey.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1X5yPHiz8tyU4CN.
Upcoming events:
COMMUNITY CHANGE COLLABORATIVE (CCC) HOLDS FIRST MEETING
Tuesday, Aug 21, 11:00am-12:30pm, GLC Room C
The Institute for Policy and Governance (IPG) is restructuring its existing Community Voices, Trustees Without Borders, Community Change Journal and community-based research programs into one overarching initiative, which will now be called the Community Change Collaborative (CCC). The CCC will host a bi-monthly forum featuring the work and methods of a range of faculty and practitioners focused on community change. Current and prospect members (graduate students, faculty and community practitioners interested in creating change in communities) are invited to attend CCC’s first forum meeting.
SAFETY AND HEALTH COMPLIANCE OBLIGATIONS
Tuesday, Aug 21, 5:00-6:00pm, GLC Room F
This training session will provide an overview of the safety and health-related requirements established by university policy. In your role, you may be responsible for complying with or enforcing these requirements. The session will cover training requirements, hazard assessments, chemical use and disposal, medical services, use of biological agents, animals, and human-related research activities. Training will be led by Environmental Health and Safety staff. Sign up here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3DaohfeOF6nrcPj
LUNCH WITH THE DEAN
Wednesday, Aug 22, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C
Meet Graduate School Dean Dr. Karen DePauw and graduate students at a free lunch. Learn about the latest in graduate education and share your perspectives in a casual setting. Sign-up here:
https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0OCE3J4mB2revch.
2018 UNDERREPRESENTED/MINORITIZED STUDENT LUNCHEON
Thursday, Aug 23, 2018, 12:00-2:00pm, Graduate Life Center Multipurpose Room.
The Graduate School’s Office of Recruitment, Diversity, and Inclusion offers a luncheon to all underrepresented and/or minoritized students. These groups include racial/ethnic minorities, sexual/gender minorities, and others who identify as a minority in graduate education. Student group leaders, faculty/staff mentors, and community allies are invited to be present at the luncheon to offer guidance and encouragement to new students. All faculty, staff, and students can register at: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5yyi4smf8uwaSTr. For assistance, contact Dr. Justin Grimes at jgrimes18@vt.edu.
BUILDING A WINNING RESUME/CV
Thursday, Aug 23, 4:15-5:15pm, GLC Room F
Having a well-polished resume is the most critical step toward getting an interview. Start early to be ready for fall career fairs and on-campus interviews. Hosted by Career and Professional Development.
FINDING RESOURCES AND ACCESSING MATERIALS AT VT LIBRARIES
Thursday, Aug 23, 500-6:30pm, Newman Library 207A
Learn about the ways that the University Libraries at Virginia Tech support graduate students throughout their time at the university, from their first semester all the way to finishing a thesis or dissertation. Each session will feature a presentation from library staff, a Q&A, and an optional tour of Newman Library. Pizza and drinks provided. Sign up at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2t9XWU8BIU9bM0Z.