1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – FALL SCHEDULE
- Career services: Wednesdays, 2:30-5:00pm, GLC Lobby
- Counseling by Cook: Thursdays and Fridays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room
- Financial aid advising: Tuesdays 3:30-5:00, 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
- Statistical consulting by LISA: Tu, Th, F, 10:00-12:00, Room A
- Writing Center walk-in assistance: Tuesdays 6:00-8:00, Room A (additional hours in the Library)
2. OPEN ACCESS WEEK KEYNOTE
Monday, Oct 20, 5:30-7:00pm, Pamplin 30
Brian Nosek will speak about improving the openness and reproducibility of research. See more and register at http://www.lib.vt.edu/openaccess/2014-schedule/2014-10-20d.html.
3. DISCOVER ISLAM
Tuesday, Oct 21, 12:00-2:00pm, Info Booth A in front of ABP in Squires
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world with about 1.6 billion followers. Muslims come from almost every country in the world and speak almost every language. Learn more about Islam from your Muslim colleagues, stop by, ask questions, get your free copy of Quran interpretation in English, view Islamic art from different countries, get your name in Arabic, and enjoy tasting Arabian dates. Sponsored by the Islamic Student Assembly. For more information contact grad student Haitham, at marakeby@vt.edu.
4. SHORT STAT COURSE FOR GRADS: SURVEY DESIGN AND ANALYSIS
Tuesday, Oct 21, 5:30-7:30pm, 1080 Torgersen Hall
Survey methods involve collection of information from people with a view of understanding a particular problem in a society. How and whom you ask and what you ask matter a lot in finding an answer. Taught by Benedicto Kazuzuru, this short course introduces statistical survey methods necessary to acquire and analyze the needed information in an objective way which would minimizes bias and errors in the final conclusion. Covered topics include the key stages for survey designs and methods to analyze survey data. See www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=short_courses for instructions on how to register and to learn more.
5. FACULTY/GRAD STUDENT PANEL DISCUSSION ON OPEN ACCESS
Tuesday, Oct 21, 5:30-7:00pm, Library Multipurpose Room
Join this lively discussion on open access with panelists, all faculty or students at Virginia Tech, who will share their perspectives and take questions from the audience. See more at http://www.lib.vt.edu/openaccess/2014-schedule/2014-10-21a.html.
6. OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING FAIR
Wednesday, Oct 22, 10:00am-4:00pm, Squires Commonwealth Ballrom
Explore your off-campus housing options in one day! A number of local property management companies in the area will be available at the first housing fair of the year. Make sure you get the best off-campus experience by comparing housing options and getting free legal advice. You may even meet your future roommate at the event. Giveaways and free pizza 11 am – 3 pm!
7. GHS PANELIST TRAINING
Thursday, Oct 23, 9:00am, GLC Room D
The Graduate Honor System is seeking student and faculty volunteers to serve as panelists. GHS panelists hear and decide on cases of academic and research integrity. Interested individuals need to attend a single one-hour training session and are then able to serve on panels as their schedule allows. If you have any questions, please contact graduate student and chief justice of the GHS Nathan Carter at ghs@vt.edu. If you are unable to attend this training, there will be one more offered on Nov 6.
8. WORKSHOP ON REPRODUCIBLE RESEARCH
Thursday, Oct 23, 3:00-5:00pm, Newman Library Multipurpose Room
The first part of this workshop will being with a discussion of the current reproducibility crisis in science, followed by a discussion of techniques, workflows, and tools (like R and Open Science Framework) that researchers can use to increase the reproducibility of their work. The target audience is graduate students, post-docs, and professors involved in quantitative research who are interested in learning more about reproducible practices. This event is available for NLI credit at www.nli.tlos.vt.edu.
9. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Oct 23, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Take a break and enjoy coffee, tea, and cookies in the company of your graduate student and Grad School colleagues.
10. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT – FREE WEEKLY DROP IN CHILD CARE
Thursdays, 6:00-8:30pm, Women’s Center (206 Washington Street, enter up the stairs in the parking lot)
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 (must be toilet trained). No need to pre-register. Childcare provided by the volunteers of Chi Delta Alpha sorority. KNO will be held every Thursday throughout the semester with the exception of home football games and when classes are not in session. For more information, contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu, 231-7806.
11. GLC OPEN HOUSE 2014
Friday, Oct 24, 10:00am-3:00pm, Graduate Life Center
Stop by the GLC to view and vote on the latest installment of graduate student art and photography, see a show-and-tell of what graduate students are up to in their research, labs and other pursuits (featuring ice-cream making with liquid nitrogen, plant propagation, live animation demonstration, digital sculpting, communication tips and more), learn about the results of the graduate student climate survey, and enjoy free refreshments. For a full calendar of presentations visit: http://www.graduatelifecenter.vt.edu/openhouse2014.html.
12. GSA FALL WINE AND BEER SOCIAL
Friday, Oct 24, 5:00-9:00pm, University Club
The GSA invites you to its Fall wine and beer social for an evening of fun and socializing with fellow students. An assortment of beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Must be 21+ with a valid state ID to consume alcohol. General admission is $10 and delegates will be admitted for $5. Non-drinking guests are welcome for $2. Please contact Samantha Erwin at sherwin@vt.edu with questions.
13. FALL TRIP TO JOE’S TREE FARM WITH GLC FELLOWS
Saturday, Oct 25, 10:00am-1:00pm, leaving from GLC
The GLC Fellows invite you to a trip to Joe’s Trees, a nearby farm with its own corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin picking, and plenty of food and fun. Transportation will be provided, leaving from the GLC at 10am and returning at 1pm; students are welcome to drive themselves if they wish to stay longer, but will have to cover their own parking admission if applicable. Bring some cash in case you want to purchase some delicious food or pumpkins for fall! Register by filling out this brief survey: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1413773845544.
14. DIWALI 2014: THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Sunday, Oct 26, 5:00pm, Buruss Hall Auditorium
VT Indian Student Association invites all to Diwali 2014, the greatest Indian festival celebrated all over the world and one of the largest events on campus. The Festival of lights marks the victory of light over darkness. Celebrate Diwali with cultural performances, fireworks on the Drillfield, followed by Indian Dinner in the Commonwealth Ballroom. For details and to buy dinner tickets, go to: http://www.isa.org.vt.edu/celebrate-the-festival-of-lights-diwali-2014/
15. 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 interdisciplinary 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.
16. GSA RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM – 1st posting
Do you have an awesome research idea that deserves funding? Apply to the GSA’s Graduate Research Development Program, which provides monetary support for graduate student research twice a year. The fall cycle applications may be submitted from Oct 27 to Nov 14, with winners announced in early December. Get more information and apply online through the GSA website: https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/graduatestudentassembly/graduate-research-development-program/.
17. (VIDEO) GRADUATION 101 SERIES: Graduation Guidelines
A video is available for those who missed the Graduation Guidelines webinar in October. The video may be downloaded via YouTube http://youtu.be/BaECKmysg0A or iTunes U http://itunes.apple.com/itunes-u/graduate-school/id465646313?mt=10. For more information on degree completion guidelines and deadlines see the Graduate School’s website at http://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/degree_completion.
18. STUDENT ENGAGEMENT TRAVEL GRANT – 2nd posting
The Student Engagement Travel 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. 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/.
19. GUMP SEEKING MENTORS FROM ALL FIELDS – 2nd posting
The Graduate–Undergraduate Mentorship Program (GUMP) is seeking mentors from all fields! This program allows graduate students to mentor undergraduate students considering graduate school. Undergraduates and graduates are matched according to their area of study, allowing the undergrad to get a taste for graduate school and to ask questions of current graduate students. Each graduate mentor will be matched with 1–2 mentees, who will shadow them at times convenient for the graduate mentor during the spring semester. Mentoring can help build leadership skills and provide an experience to discuss with future employers. Graduate students will coordinate mentoring activities independently with their undergraduate mentees. GUMP is sponsored by the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA). If you have any questions, contact gump@vt.edu. If interested, fill out the application at: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1412170613150.
20. CALL FOR PARTICIPATION FOR DANCE OF NATIONS NOV 18 – 2nd posting
Organized by Council of International Students Organization in collaboration with the Cranwell International Center, Dance of Nations is a celebration of cultural diversity at Virginia Tech. It promotes traditional, folk and cultural dances of VT’s international community and aims to represent various countries and cultures. Join the Dance of Nations to promote your culture; promote your organization; showcase your talents to a wide audience; meet new people. Fill out the online form at http://goo.gl/forms/cclZJdJViJ for auditions by Oct 20, 2014. For inquires email to farhady@vt.edu.
21. GSA TRAVEL FUND PROGRAM’S FALL APPLICATION CYCLE – final posting; apply by 10/26!
If you’re planning to travel or have traveled to present your research at a scholarly conference between Jul 1 and Dec 31, 2014, consider applying for the Graduate Student Assembly’s Travel Fund Program (TFP). Last year, the TFP provided partial reimbursement of travel and registration expenses to over 200 graduate students. Masters/doctoral students and domestic/intl travel are all eligible. Applications accepted for the fall cycle from Mon, Oct 6 8:00am to Sun, Oct 26 5:00pm. (Reimbursement for travel Jan-Jun 2015 will take place this coming spring). Visit http://blogs.lt.vt.edu/graduatestudentassembly/travel-fund-program/ for details and to apply. Read all the eligibility requirements and the FAQ. Check out the GSA’s other programs and opportunities while you’re there! Contact Kasey Richardson, TFP Chair at tfp2014@vt.edu with questions.
22. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR NEUROIMAGINING STUDY – 1st posting
Participants are sought for a study designed to better understand how the brain works when trying to determine what emotion another person is showing with their facial expression. Participation involves in-lab appointment sessions, which include a brain-scan (fMRI) and an electroencephalogram (EEG). Participants will be compensated up to $75.00. Eligibility: must be male, 18-28 years of age; able to undergo MRI; have no known genetic, medical, psychiatric, or neurological conditions. For more information and to determine eligibility, contact the Child Study Center at (540)231-8276 or at childstudycenter@gmail.com.
23. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR ONLINE SURVEY ABOUT ACADEMIC INTEGRITY – 3rd posting
Graduate students are sought to complete an anonymous 20-minute online survey about academic integrity. Must be at least 18 years old to participate. This study examines the current state of graduate-student understanding about academic integrity. Results will be used to better understand how graduate students learn about academic integrity, how it affects them, and what measures are in place to preserve academic integrity at Virginia Tech. Results of this survey may be used for publication. Participation is voluntary and anonymous; results from this study will be used to enhance graduate education. Access the survey at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_2tLTjMH2ilQp6El. For more information, please contact Martina Svyantek at svyantek@vt.edu.
Upcoming Events:
SHORT STAT COURSES FOR GRADS BY LISA – FALL 2014 SCHEDULE
LISA (Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis) is providing a series of evening short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research. The focus of these two-hour courses is on teaching 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 Fall 2014 Schedule:
- Tuesday, Oct 28: Introduction to R;
- Tuesday, Nov 4: Generalized Linear Models and Categorical Data Analysis in R;
- Tuesday, Nov 11: Graphics in R;
- Tuesday, Nov 18: A tutorial for shiny in R;
- Tuesday, Dec 2: Data Analysis in SAS;
PARENTS’ SUPPORT LUNCH GROUP TO START
Tuesday, Oct 28, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room F
Join the first meeting of the newly forming grad parents’ support group! Lunch will be provided; please sign up if you plan to attend to help organizers plan for the food: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0E49A4AA2EA75-october. Typically this group will meet the 3rd Wednesday of each month in room F from 12:00-1:30, and an RSVP sign-up will be sent prior to each meeting. Children are welcome to attend.
GUACAMOLE WITH THE DEAN
Wednesday, Oct 29, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC student lounge (across from Auditorium)
The Graduate Student Assembly will host “Guacamole with the Dean,” a wonderful opportunity to chat with Grad School Dean Karen DePauw and fellow grad students, ask questions, share concerns, or just enjoy some guacamole. Register by Oct 27 to allow organizers to better plan for food: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1413214072395. If you have questions, e-mail Jenn Gooding: jgooding@vt.edu.
GLC HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL
Thursday, Oct 30, 5:30-7:30pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Enjoy a family-friendly night of music, candy, and games at this Halloween event sponsored by the GLC Fellows. The event will showcase student organizations and clubs from Virginia Tech with classic holiday-themed games as well as a costume contest! Please fill out the following survey to help organizers in planning for this event: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1412121164046.