1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
- Career services advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, Study Room
- Counseling: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room (across from Room G)
- GLC Café: Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm, Reading Room
- Statistical consulting by LISA: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
- Writing support: Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room; contact Emily Love
2. NERD WARS: MASTER’S VS. PH.D.’S
March 1-28, GLC Front Desk
Relay for Life Team “Graduates for a Cure” is hosting an adaptation of the penny wars starting March 1st. Stop by the GLC Front Desk and donate your loose change into a jar according to your degree status (Master’s or Ph.D.) All donations will be benefit American Cancer Society Relay for Life! The GLC bulletin board will be updated regularly to show whether Masters or Ph.Ds are ahead. The winner of this competition will be announced during Graduate Education Week on March 28th! Don’t let your fellow graduates down…may the best group win! Questions: Contact GLC Fellow Megan Stuart.
3. BROWN BAG TALKS: HOW TO DESIGN EFFECTIVE SURVEYS
Monday, Mar 19, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room C
This session provides tips on the survey process and how to create and administer effective surveys that increase response rates and provide reliable data. This session is offered by the Office of Assessment and Evaluation. Register here.
4. INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS WORKSHOP
Monday, Mar 19, 7:00pm, Pamplin 30
The Interdisciplinary Consortium for Social Network Analysis (IC-SNA) is hosting a presentation/workshop for faculty and graduate students interested in (1) learning about SNA and/or (2) gaining insight into using it in their own research. Social network analysis focuses on discovering patterning of human’s (or any living being’s) interaction. This overview will cover the history and foundation of SNA, terminology, methods, practical usage, modern/interesting research, and applications for analyzing data. Registration is not required. Please contact Matt Fornito with questions or comments.
5. GSS TOURS PRESENTS: THE VT COAL POWER PLANT
Wednesday, Mar 21, 1:00-2:30pm, meet in GLC Lobby 12:30pm or at Power Plant bldg
Did you know there is a coal power plant on campus? Here is your opportunity to partake in a guided tour through the power plant, including an introductory presentation by plant associate director Byron Nichols summarizing how the plant works. Special bonus: Peer inside a working coal furnace while wearing eye protection. Space is limited, so register early. Accepted registrations will be confirmed by email. Check out the GSS calendar for more spring tour opportunities.
6. GRAD SCHOLARS SOCIETY PRESENTS: ETHICAL CHALLENGES WITH PLAGIARISM AND THE WWW
Thursday, Mar 22, 1:00-2:00pm, GLC Room C
Three experienced panelists Drs. Shelli B Fowler, Uwe Tauber and Ishwar Puri will start the discussion with some introductory remarks, followed by 30 minutes of audience questions, comments and general discussion. If you have any questions, please contact Wes Cardwell. Check out the GSS calendar for more discussion panels.
7. GLC CAFÉ PM
Thursday, Mar 22, 3:30-50:00pm GLC Reading Room
Enjoy free coffee and tea and socialize with your fellow grads. Bring your own mug if you can. Please contact us at grads@vt.edu if you have any comments or suggestions about this event.
8. GSA SPRING 2012 WINE SOCIAL
Friday, Mar 23, 5:30-9:00pm, University Club
Take a break from your hectic semester and join your fellow grad students at the GSA Spring Wine Social. Wine service ends at 8:30pm. Tickets are $10 for wine and snacks; $5 for GSA delegates and cabinet members; and $2 for just snacks. Volunteers get in for free! If you would like to volunteer to help with the event, please fill out this survey. Valid state-issued ID required for entry. Contact Amanda Shea with any questions.
9. 3RD ANNUAL LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP: EMOTIONAL LEADERSHIP
Saturday, Mar 24, 10:00am-5:30pm, Pamplin 30
The Alpha XI chapter of Alpha Epsilon Lambda at VT hosts this workshop for graduate students, focusing on the issues of emotional intelligence and personality as they relate to leadership. During the workshop participants will complete a personalized assessment of their emotionally intelligent leadership skills, and take part in a panel discussion with prominent local leaders from different sectors of society. The workshop includes a $5 registration fee to cover the cost of the personalized assessment. Lunch and refreshments are provided free of charge. Space is limited to 50 graduate students, so register now. For more information visit the AEL website or contact Andrea Tiwari at ajtiwari@vt.edu.
10. GRAD STUDENT PHOTO-ART-WRITING CONTEST: Deadline extended to 3/21
The Graduate School invites submissions of art work, photography and written work by graduate students for display in the GLC during Graduate Education Week (Mar 26-30) and beyond. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art, photography, or written work) per graduate student. Learn more>>.
11. GRAD OLYMPICS 2012 – register now!
Put your wit, physical skills and team spirit to the test in this highlight of Graduate Education Week, a light-hearted competition among graduate student teams on Friday, Mar 30, 3:00-4:30. Up to ten teams of 4-5 members may compete for great prizes (including $50 gift certificate to The Cellar). No prior experience necessary, but resourcefulness and knowledge of the GLC are a plus. All materials are provided. All teams must pre-register by March 23 and wait for confirmation that their registration was accepted. You will be notified if your registration is accepted. Teams will receive extra points for a creative team name, flag design and team cheer.
12. AEL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED – 2nd posting
Alpha Epsilon Lambda (AEL) Graduate Honor Society, the only academic excellence and leadership honor society of graduate and professional school students, is now accepting applications for new members. Graduate students may become members based on their academic achievements and leadership experiences. Apply by Apr 1. The induction ceremony for new members will take place on Thursday, Apr 26. For more information visit the AEL website (see above) or contact Andrea Tiwari at ajtiwari@vt.edu with any questions.
13. BAD DESIGN CONTEST – 2nd posting
The Human Factors and Engineering Society is hosting an on-campus "bad design" contest to spread the word about what human factors engineers do. The contest is simple: 1. Find something that is poorly designed on campus 2. Take a picture and write a few sentences about it. 3. Redesign a solution 4. Complete the entry form. 1st place is a $50 cash prize and 2nd place is a $25 cash prize. Questions can be emailed to hfesvt@gmail.com. This message is posted on behalf of master’s student Julee Harlow.
14. COMMENCEMENT LODGING ALTERNATIVE
The Division of Student Affairs’ Conference and Guest Services office offers an alternative to hotel lodging for spring commencement. Residence hall spaces are available to provide convenient, low-cost accommodations for families and guests of graduating students. Advance reservations for lodging are required, and full payment is due at the time that reservations are made. Reservations and payment may be made online.
15. TAKE A STANCE FOR A CURE: JOIN A GRADS RELAY TEAM – 3rd posting
Join GSA and the GLC Resident Fellows for 2012 Relay For Life at Virginia Tech, taking place Apr 20 on the Drillfield. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a year-long fundraiser building up to a life-changing event that gives everyone a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. Sign up as part of the Graduate Student Relay Team>>. For a $10.00 donation, you will become a team member and receive a Relay t-shirt. For more information, contact Megan Stuart, stuartma@vt.edu or Swetha Kumar, swethak@vt.edu.
16. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR EFFECTS OF IMMERSION IN ANALYSIS OF
MICRO-CT DATASETS STUDY – 1st posting
Participants are sought for the IRB-approved study of "Effects of immersion in analysis of micro-CT datasets with a head-mounted display." The study consists of answering a few questions related to two selected micro-CT datasets, which will be volume-visualized on a state-of-the-art head-mounted display system, in the Blacklab of the center for HCI and department of computer science at KnowledgeWorks-II building of CRC. The whole experiment lasts about an hour. Must be over 18 with no or minimal background in micro-CT imaging to participate in this experiment, and not have participated in a similar experiment in 2011. Available time slots: http://people.cs.vt.edu/blaha/schedule.html . Please email to blaha@vt.edu, with your preferred time slot to sign up for your participation. Researchers are providing free pickup and drop service from Cassell Coliseum to study venue and return to Cassell Coliseum for all participants signing up after Mar 7.
17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A STUDY ON ANKLE SPRAIN RISK FACTORS – 2nd posting
Healthy, young adults (18-35) with and without a history of ankle sprains are sought for participation in an IRB-approved research project on ankle sprain risk factors. The project consists of 3 sessions, of which participants may complete one or a combination. Participants must perform a series of static and dynamic athletic tasks to assess the effects of running speed on motor control (study 1), perform single leg drop landings before and after fatigue (study 2), and complete ankle stiffness and position sense evaluations under fatigued and braced conditions (study 3). Compensation: $10/hr. Requirements: Active (exercising at least 2-3/wk); either no history of ankle sprains or ≥ 2 sprains to the same ankle; No current and/or chronic pain in ankles, knees, hips, back, or neck; No prior joint surgeries on the lower limbs; No neuropathies, muscle weakness, vestibular disorders, or current injuries; Not currently using ankle tape or braces for exercise or participating in physical rehabilitation. If interested, contact Courtney Haynes, 724-272-8574.
18. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON WORKING IN GROUPS – 2nd posting
The VT Center for Human-Computer Interaction invites you to participate in a study of users playing a design game together, to study how people interact with one another in coming up with design ideas. You will be asked to play a computer-based design game with 2 other players. Available 1-hour time slots are listed here. If interested, email tgm+dg@vt.edu for more information or to request any of the listed time slots, or to request a different time. The study takes place in McBryde 106A.
19. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR DISSERTATION STUDY ON MUSCLE ENDURANCE – 2nd posting
You are invited to participate in a VT dissertation research study on muscle endurance. Participants will perform a set of endurance tests involving the shoulder in a laboratory setting in the Industrial and Systems Engineering department. The study consists of 2 sessions, each lasting about 1 hr. Compensation: $15/hour. Requirements: not involved in any regular aerobic or resistance training, age 18-25 or 50-65, and no current or recent history of a physical disorder affecting the shoulder. Overweight individuals are especially needed. Study protocols have been approved by the VT IRB (11-597). Please contact Lora Cavuoto at lcavuoto@vt.edu with any questions or if interested in participating.
20. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR MATERIAL HANDLING STUDY – 3rd posting
Participants are sought to assess performance of portable measurement systems during manual material handling tasks. Must be 18-40; female; no current or recent history of a physical disorder affecting the shoulder, knee, lower back, or ankle; exercise on a regular basis (2-3 times per week); shoe size >= 9. Participants will be required to perform several manual material handling tasks in a single ~2.5 hr experimental session. Compensation: $10/hour. Please call or email Sunwook Kim if interested: 540-557-7763 or sunwook@vt.edu.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK! official website
SAFE ZONE TRANING FOR GRADS – REGISTER NOW!
Monday, Mar 26, 10:00am-12:00pm, GLC Room B
Interested in becoming Safe-Zone certified? Catherine Cotrupi, VT’s LGBTQ coordinator, offers a grads-only section of the Safe Zone Overview session required to start your certification and training. This session is for individuals interested in learning more about the LGBTQ Community. Topics addressed in the first training session include: common LGBTQ terms; sexual orientation vs. sexual identity; the coming out process; experiences of LGBTQ individuals; how you can be a Safe-Zone ally. Please register here. This is also a sponsored Graduate Education Week event. Contact Catherine for more information.
GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM AND EXPOSITION
Wednesday, Mar 28, 9:00am-3:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
The symposium is a unique opportunity for students to interact with each other to pave the way for interdisciplinary research discussion and collaboration. The event promises to be an interactive networking forum between participants, faculty, departments, research entities and corporate bodies. The program features oral and poster presentations by students from various disciplines. Detailed schedule.
GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM KEYNOTE: DAN PALLOTTA
Wednesday, Mar 28, 6:30pm, GLC Auditorium
Author of Uncharitable and writer for the Harvard Business Review, Dan Pallotta will provide a new perspective on for-profit charity organizations. His company, Pallotta Teamworks, invented the multi-day AIDSRides and Breast Cancer 3-Days. His work has been called "revolutionary" by former US senator Gary Hart and, according to The Stanford Social Innovation Review, his contribution "deserves to become the nonprofit sector’s new manifesto". This event is part of Graduate Education Week and is free and open to the public.
EDIBLE BOOKS CONTEST BY VT LIBRARIES
Friday, Mar 30, 2:00-4:00pm, 1100 Torgersen (Museum)
Edible book contests are about being creative with books and food. Entries can look like, poke fun, interpret, or highlight a book or element of a book. Entries can be sweet, savory, salty, bitter…anything! See images from the Newman Library pilot program in 2011 on the Newman Library Flickr site or look for other examples on the web. Register by Mar 23: http://tinyurl.com/VTEdibleBooks2012.
STS ANNUAL LECTURE: URANIUM FROM AFRICA AND THE POWER OF NUCLEAR THINGS
Friday, Mar 30, 3:00pm, Torg 2150
The department of Science and Technology in Society presents the 23rd annual Nicholas Mullins lecture on uranium from Africa and the power of nuclear things, presented by Dr. Gabrielle Hecht, professor of history at the University of Michigan. A reception will follow the lecture. For more information contact grad student Monique Dufour at msdufour@vt.edu.
15TH ANNUAL EBONY AFFAIR: A CRYSTAL STAIR – REGISTER NOW!
Friday, Apr 13, 7:00-9:00pm, Custom Catering Center
The Black Graduate Student Organization invites you to their annual Ebony Affair, a semi-formal red-carpet dinner banquet recognizing outstanding faculty members, students, and community members who actively engage in their motto: “Lifting As We Climb.” The Ebony Affair provides exposure to cultural expressions, and facilitates networking opportunities among students, faculty, staff, and the community. Invited guests and sponsors include university departments, community organizations and business, and individuals from the community. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.bgso.org.vt.edu/sponsors.html for $12 each, which includes dinner, gift bag, and entertainment following the event. If you have any questions, please contact Shernita Lee.