1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
- Career advising: Wednesdays 2:00-5:00pm, GLC Lobby
- Cook Counseling (walk in, no appointment needed): Thursdays and Fridays 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room
- GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursdays, Reading Room
- Statistical consulting by LISA: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room; find out each consultant’s software expertise here: http://www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=walk_in
- Writing Center support for grads: Thursdays 4:00-6:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room (additional hours are available in the Library)
2. ORIGAMI WORKSHOP FOR GRAD STUDENTS
Monday, Feb 25, 3:00pm, Room G
Learn some basics about the art of paper folding and walk away with a piece of art you craft yourself. Supplies are provided. Space is limited to the first 20 students who sign up. Please contact Marielly Ruiz at mzruiz@vt.edu to reserve a spot. Sponsored by the GLC Fellows.
3. GSA CUPCAKES WITH THE DEAN
Tuesday, Feb 26, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Lounge
Join Dean DePauw, the GSA, and fellow graduate students for cupcakes and discussion. This is an exciting opportunity to meet grad dean DePauw and bring up any questions or concerns you might have. You will also have the opportunity to mingle with fellow graduate students while enjoying cupcakes from Our Daily Bread. Direct any questions to Elaine Mathis, GSA VP of Programs (efm28@vt.edu).
4. HOW DO YOU ASSESS ORAL PRESENTATIONS?
Tuesday, Feb 26, 12:00pm, GLC Room C
Evaluating communication skills is a concern of every degree program on campus. This discussion will focus on how to evaluate oral presentations using multiple criteria. Register online at http://www.cideronline.org/events/events2.cfm.
5. OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING FAIR
Wednesday, Feb 27, 10:00-4:00pm, Commonwealth Ballroom, Squires
If you haven’t secured housing for next year, you might want to go to this event. Free giveaways and lots of information about housing. Visit the event page on Facebook.
6. GLC BOOK CLUB: CANDIDE BY VOLTAIRE
Wednesday, Feb 27, 5:30pm, GLC Au Bon Pain
All graduate students are welcome to join this book club. Read the next selection, Candide by Voltaire, and discuss this book at the next meeting. Please contact Emily Eskew at eceskew@vt.edu with any questions. Sponsored by GLC Fellows.
7. JESUS & RACE: A CONVERSATION ON RACE, ETHNICITY AND FAITH
Wednesday, Feb 27, 6:30-8:00pm, GLC Room B
Do our racial and ethnic identities matter to God? Explore what the life and teachings of Jesus mean for our lives today in a diverse world. Join for a free dinner at 6:30, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A 7:00-8:00pm. Sponsored by InterVarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship http://www.gcfvt.wordpress.com.
8. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Feb 28, 3:30-5:00pm, Graduate School Lobby
The GLC Café is offered throughout the year with free coffee, tea and by popular demand hot chocolate, with cookies in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues.
9. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY INITIATIVE’S FIRST MEETING
Thursday, Feb 28, 5:30pm, GLC Room C
Interested in learning more about how science and engineering can influence and be influenced by policy decisions? Want to get involved in more activities at the intersection of science/technology and policy? Come to the Science and Technology Policy Initiative’s (STPI) first meeting: pizza; guest speaker; discussion of upcoming events; appointment of new exec board members from various departments – come if you are interested in a leadership position!. Please fill out the following survey if you will be able to attend: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1360951781116. Email Amanda Shea (ashea04@vt.edu) with any questions.
10. RESUME WRITING: HOW TO HIGHLIGHT FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS & INTL EXPERIENCE
Thursday, Feb 28, 4:00-4:30pm, Major Williams Room 327
Learn how to write a winning resume that best highlights your language skills, international experience, and/or study abroad. If you are on the job or internship market, this is a great opportunity to receive professional feedback on how to set your application apart. Bring a copy of your resume if you’d like specific feedback. Please register by completing this survey: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1361249790632. Please contact grad student Rachel Fitzgerald at raegait@vt.edu with any quesitons.
11. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT – FREE CHILDCARE ON THU NIGHTS
Thursdays, 6:00-8:30pm, VT Women’s Center 206 Washington Street
A free weekly drop-in evening child care program for kids. Need a break? Have to study or attend a lecture? Want to catch up on work? If you are a VT student with children, bring your kids aged 2-12. No need to pre-register. Childcare provided by the women of Chi Delta Alpha sorority. KNO will be held every Thursday throughout the semester except when classes are not in session. Please note that if no children have shown, volunteers will sometimes leave by 6:30.) For more information, contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu.
12. COMMUNITY VOICES: THENMOZHI SOUNDARARAJAN
Thursday, Feb 28, 7:00pm, Lyric Theatre
Transmedia Artist Thenmozhi Soundararajan will share an evening of digital stories from her work with communities and digital storytelling around the world with interactive dialogue with song, digital stories, and audience participation about the purpose of story in community building and explore the links between identity, narrative, and community change. Contact Graduate Student Kate Preston, kapresto@vt.edu for more information.
13. SUBMISSIONS ARE INVITED FOR GLC ART, PHOTO AND WRITING CONTEST – 3rd posting
The Graduate School invites submissions of art work, photography and written work by graduate students for display in the GLC during Graduate Education Week 2013 (March 25-29) and beyond. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art, photography, or written work) per graduate student. Submission deadline: Wednesday, March 20 5:00pm. Learn more at http://www.graduatelifecenter.vt.edu/contest.html. Contact Monika Gibson at gibsonm@vt.edu with any questions.
14. SIGN UP NOW FOR GEW DESIGN CONTEST: DREAM & DESIGN YOUR IDEAL GLC!
Graduate student teams are invited to sign up for this Graduate Education Week (GEW) activity to create and design your ideal Graduate Life Center using materials provided by the Graduate School. Teams should be comprised of 3-4 people, at least one of whom must be a graduate student. Prizes will be given for the best design! Teams must pre-register at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1361198098786. Accepted registrations will be confirmed by email. Questions? Contact Tara at tara@vt.edu.
15. INTERNATIONAL STREET FAIR REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
The Council of Intl Student Organizations (CISO) invites student organizations to register to participate in 54th annual International Street Fair on Saturday, Apr 6.Registration is free and online for the first time. CISO will hold two info sessions that must be attended by at least one organization representative. Session I: Wednesday, Feb 27, Cranwell International Center, 7:00-8:30 pm for all who register for the street fair. Session II: Required Food Safety Training for International Street Fair Cooks” held in late March. Register for free by Monday, 8:00am on Mar 11. Please send a representative to attend Session One; http://tinyurl.com/bkeez8m. Kitchen reservation and menu proposals due by Monday 8:00 am, Mar 11. Please send a representative to attend Session Two
http://tinyurl.com/bghddba. For more information about the street fair visit http://www.ciso.org.vt.edu/wp/.
16. GRADUATE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – 2nd posting
The Graduate Student Assembly’s Graduate Research Development Program (GRDP) is now accepting applications. 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 Mar 15, 2013. Email Amanda Shea (ashea04@vt.edu) with any questions.
17. ADULT SWIM LESSONS FROM BEGINNER TO MASTERS THROUGH REC SPORTS
Learn about the various lessons and schedules at resports.vt.edu/aquatics, or send your questions to Nigel at nigelh@vt.edu.
18. GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM CALL FOR ABSTRACTS – 1st posting
The 29th Annual GSA Research Symposium will be held on Mar 27 as part of Graduate Education Week. All graduate students are invited to submit an abstract of their research for either an oral or poster presentation to compete in one of several categories matching the various areas of research within the university. Submission period: Mar 8-15 at 5:00pm. Abstracts will be reviewed by a panel of reviewers, and applicants with accepted abstracts will then be notified and will make their poster or oral presentation to faculty judges on Mar 27. Following the event, winners will be selected for each category and will be invited to the awards ceremony where prizes will be announced. Graduate students serving as abstract reviewers may not submit abstracts for competition in the symposium. Submit applications at http://www.gsasymposium.graduateschool.vt.edu/?q=application between Mar 8-15. For more information, please visit the symposium website http://www.gsasymposium.graduateschool.vt.edu/ or contact George Batten, Research Symposium Chair at gsaRSchair@gmail.com.
19. FREE ONE-ON-ONE NUTRITION GUIDANCE OFFERED BY NUTRITION STUDENTS – 2nd posting
Do you need nutrition guidance? Are you interested in improving your food choices or learning how to make healthy choices in the dining halls? Perhaps you would like to understand how to combine nutrition and exercise to lose weight. If you have any of these concerns, senior nutrition students can help you take the next steps toward building a healthier life. The Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise department at Virginia Tech provides free one-on-one nutrition counseling services to any interested students, faculty, or staff. Sign up at http://www.hnfe.vt.edu and click on the Nutrition Counseling link to fill out the registration form today.
20. CITIZEN SCHOLAR APPLICATIONS INVITED – 2nd posting
Have you used your knowledge and research skills to benefit society in any way? Has this effort involved about 16 hrs of community service? If so, you are eligible for the Citizen Scholar award! Recipients will be recognized during Graduate Education Week at the GLC on Monday, Mar 25 from 4-5:30. Each person will have a chance to explain their project briefly using one power point slide. Please send your name and project title/brief description to Associate Dean Rosemary Blieszner, rmb@vt.edu by March 8 – and mark your calendar for March 25.
21. WANT TO BE A MENTOR, BUT DON’T HAVE TIME? – 3rd posting
Any day, any time, any location—as convenient for you! Join the GUMP Grads-on-Demand program, and mentor undergrads only when you have time. Email gump@vt.edu with your name, degree program (MA, MSc, PhD, etc.), department, expected graduation date (roughly), and preferred email address. Your info will be added to a list of graduate student volunteers at the GUMP website (see http://www.gsa.graduateschool.vt.edu/governance/cabinet/committees/gsa-gump-committee). Whenever an undergraduate student wants to ask some questions about graduate school in your discipline, we’ll refer him/her to the list online, and s/he’ll contact you directly. Schedule one meeting that fits your schedule, or multiple meetings if you’d like. (Or just tell the undergrad, “Sorry, I’m really swamped right now,” and hope you have more time for the next one!) Help by email, phone, Skype, over coffee, in your lab… It’s up to you. It’s a huge help to undergrads considering grad school and it makes for great university service on a CV.
22. TEACHING AND RESEARCH ACTION PHOTOS WANTED! – 3rd posting
The Graduate School wants your teaching and research in action photos. One of the highlights of the fall and spring graduate commencement ceremony includes a presentation by Dean Karen DePauw called "Images and Reflections," which is projected on the Coliseum video board. The Graduate School wants to update its photo library and hope that you can share your digital photos in which you are engaged in some type of academic endeavor – teaching, tutoring, performing research, giving a workshop, attending a conference or professional society meeting, or any aspect that relates to your life as a graduate student. Please send digital photos to grads@vt.edu.
23. CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE JOURNAL – 3rd posting
For its fifth anniversary issue, PKJ welcomes contributions from graduate student scholars that address the topic of resilience in its myriad forms. Submissions that critically engage with and creatively examine this topic are encouraged. Go to http://pkjournal.org/?page_id=1826 for details. Suggested themes include, but are not limited to: Resilience of the body, mind, and/or spirit; resilience of a culture, religion, or society; Resilience of a nation or people; Resilience of materials and/or resources; Resilience of systems or structures (e.g., ecosystems, economic systems).
24. FREE STATS ASSISTANCE FOR GRADS FROM LISA
Walk-in consulting services at the Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis=LISA) begin on Jan 22 and will be available until May 8 Monday-Friday 1:00-3:00pm in the GLC Videoconference Room; additional times and locations available at www.lisa.stat.vt.edu. Statistical consultants answer quick questions and help with research projects requiring less than 30 minutes of assistance. For more in-depth questions or longer projects, complete the LISA Collaboration Request Form at www.lisa.stat.vt.edu and a team of statistical collaborators will be assigned to work with you. LISA also offers short courses on various topics:
Mar 5: How to make plots to tell the story of your data;
Mar 18: Data Mining Basics;
Mar 19: Data Mining Basics;
Mar 26: Classification and Regression Trees (CART);
25. GA POSTION OPEN IN WOMEN AND GENDER IN INTL DEVELOPMENT PROG 2013-14
The Women and Gender in International Development (WGD) program is seeking a master’s student GAto support the WGD program, which ensures a gender-sensitive approach to all (OIRED) (www.oired.vt.edu) projects and raises awareness about gender and development issues at VT. The GA will also conduct field research. Applicants should have a background in geography, anthropology, sociology, agricultural economics, gender studies, or a related field. Experience in the developing world and proficiency in Spanish or French preferred. The GA begins fall 2013 for one academic year. Summer research and stipend may be covered. The position may be extended for a second year. Send cover letter, resume, example of disciplinary writing, and a copy of academic transcript (photocopy/PDF is acceptable) to Laura Zseleczky (lauraz@vt.edu). Use “WGD Graduate Assistant” in the subject heading of your email. We will contact only the most qualified applicants. Application deadline: March 31, 2013. For more information about this position, go to: http://www.oired.vt.edu/GraduateAsst-WGD-JobListing.html.
26. GLC FELLOWS APPLICATION PROCESS OPEN FOR 2013-14 – 2nd posting
Residence Life and the Graduate School are seeking motivated graduate students who are committed to building graduate community, for three GLC Fellow positions for the 2013-14 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=1360600893862. Information about the cover letter requirements can be found on the survey link and the job description can be found at www.graduatelifecenter.vt.edu. Apply by Mar 20, 2013. Contact Lauren Surface at lkeister@vt.edu or Mark Smiley at esmark86@vt.edu if you have questions.
27. GRADUATE RESIDENTIAL FELLOW SOUGHT FOR RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE – 3rd posting
The Graduate Residential Fellow is a live-in position with primary responsibility for offering mentorship to students and facilitating the creation of a strong sense of community. The four live-in Graduate Residential Fellows will make an important contribution to the leadership of The Residential College at West Ambler Johnson (RC@WAJ). Read more about the position and the application process at: http://graduateschool.vt.edu/financial/funding_opp/resfellow.html. Apply by Mar 1.
26. SEEKING REVIEWERS FOR GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM – 2nd posting
The GSA needs your assistance with reviewing abstracts for the GSA Research Symposium, to be held on Mar 27, 2013. Graduate students who will not be submitting entries to the symposium can be reviewers in this online, blind peer-review process, critiquing abstracts of 3000 characters or less with no figures or tables. Each reviewer will receive an email of abstracts to review and return, before Mar 21, by 5:00pm. Please fill out the following registration form to serve as a reviewer: https://secure.hosting.vt.edu/www.gsasymposium.graduateschool.vt.edu/review/signup.php. After signing up you will receive an automated confirmation email that your registration went through. Reviewers will receive a formal signed certificate (electronic copy) for their participation in this process that they can add to their resume. If you have questions, contact George Batten at gsaRSchair@gmail.com, GSA RS 2013 Chair.
27. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR UPCOMING GSA HAPPY HOUR – 2nd posting
The GSA is looking for volunteers to help with its upcoming Happy Hour on Thursday, Mar 7, 6-8pm in the GLC Multipurpose Room. Tasks will include setting-up, serving beer and food, and cleaning up. Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older. Please contact Elaine Mathis, VP of Programs (efm28@vt.edu) if you are interested.
28. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR VIRTUAL REALITY STUDY – 2nd posting
Researchers are seeking volunteers for gathering quantitative and qualitative insights into the effects of different properties of virtual reality (VR) display systems on the analysis of complex scientific datasets, like tracheal systems of beetles from biomechanics domain. The study consists of carrying out few tasks (answering few questions), by analyzing the tracheal systems of a beetle, scanned, segmented in isosurface format, and visualized on a state-of-the-art spatially immersive display system – the four-sided CAVE – in the Visionarium at 3050 Torgersen. More details will be provided on site. The experiment will last about 75 mins. Must be more than 18 years old with no or minimal background in biomechanics to participate. Find available time slots for participation at http://people.cs.vt.edu/blaha/schedule.html. Please email to blaha@vt.edu, with your preferred time slot from the above page to sign up for your participation.
29. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH PROJECT – 2nd posting
Amie Schry, MS, and Susan White, PhD, of the Department of Psychology are recruiting participants for the “Campus Reporting Survey,” an IRB-approved study. All VT faculty and staff members, including graduate teaching assistants (GTAs), are invited to complete an on-line survey about thoughts on reporting of campus incidents. Graduate students who are not currently teaching classes are not eligible for participation in the study. The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete, and will be open until May 8, the last day of classes. All data will be kept anonymous. To complete the survey, please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FacultyCampusReportingSurvey. If you have any questions, contact Amie Schry at aschry@vt.edu.
30. PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE JOURNAL SEEKING REVIEWERS – 2nd posting
The Public Knowledge Journal is seeking reviewers for the Spring 2013 semester. Being a peer reviewer is a great way to learn about the ins and outs of the academic publication world. The Public Knowledge Journal is an interdisciplinary graduate student journal committed to the exchange of ideas and information about issues and research relevant to the public sphere. More information about the journal can be found at http://pkjournal.org/. Please contact Stefanie Georgakis at sgeorgakis@vt.edu if interested in being a peer reviewer for this semester.
31. GTA PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH PROJECT – 3rd posting
Are you currently a graduate teaching assistant? If so, researchers want to hear from you through a survey they developed to better understand the experiences of Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) with regard to motivation and identity. The survey should not take more than 20 minutes to complete, and participants will have the opportunity to be entered into a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card. If you are interested in participating, please click: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_5t1Phk57FAtXOS1. Questions about this work should be directed to Rachel Louis Kajfez at rlouis@vt.edu.
32. UPCOMING EVENTS:
VET SCHOOL CHILI COOK OFF
Friday, Mar 1, 7:00-8:30pm, Vet School Dining Commons
Attention all budding chefs and graduate students looking for a new (potentially rewarding) way to procrastinate: SCAVMA, the veterinary school student government, is hosting its annual chili cook off (1410 Prices Fork Rd). This is your chance to strut your culinary skills! The competition is open to both VT students and faculty. Price: $ 5 at the door to come and enjoy; free for competitors. A winner for every category receives a $25.00 VISA gift card; the overall winner receives a $30.00 VISA gift card. Sign up at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1361219066838. Please email John Gil with any questions at johng87@vt.edu.
BOV GRAD LUNCH WITH PRESIDENT STEGER, PROVOST MCNAMEE, GRADUATE DEAN DEPAUW, & STUDENT AFFAIRS VP PERILLO – sign up now!
Monday, Mar 4, 12:00-1:30pm, The Inn at Virginia Tech
Attend the first graduate student luncheon of the semester with President Steger, Provost McNamee, Vice President and Dean for Graduate Education Karen DePauw, and Vice President for Student Affairs Patricia Perillo at the Inn. Spaces are limited. If you are interested in attending, please register at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1360961345510. Graduate students selected to attend will be contacted by Feb 25. Contact Robyn Jones, Graduate Representative to the BOV at bovgradrep@vt.edu with any questions.
IT’S MY TEACHING & RESEARCH, ISN’T IT? – WHAT FACULTY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND THE LAW
Wednesday, Mar 6, 12:00pm, GLC Room B
Academic freedom in higher education is often touted but little understood as a legal concept. This presentation reviews the recent judicial and academic literature on academic freedom and offers recommendations for clarifying it as a legal concept. Special emphasis will be given to what new faculty need to know concerning academic freedom and their rights and responsibilities in teaching and research. Sign up online at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1361296630141 Questions? Contact Tara at tara@vt.edu.
GSA HAPPY HOUR
Thursday, Mar 7, 6:00-8:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Attend this happy hour hosted by the Graduate Student Assembly: cost is $5.00 per person (cash) at the door for 4 tastings (beer), 1 beer, and snacks ($2 for snacks only). All graduate students, post-docs, and faculty members are welcome. Please direct any questions to Elaine Mathis, VP of Programs (efm28@vt.edu).