1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
Weekly services are on hiatus for the summer, except for GLC Café and Statistical Consulting:
- GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursday, Reading Room
- Statistical consulting by LISA: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
- Career advising: Wednesdays, starting next week in the GLC Lobby!
2. VT REC SPORTS SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK
Monday-Sunday, Aug 27-Sep 2
VT Rec Sports invites all grad students to exercise regularly, taking advantage of the many programs and opportunities Rec Sports offers. This week’s special events are:
– McComans Hall fall open house: tour or work out in McComas Hall gym all week. Membership includes one free fitness assessment per year.
– Free week for group exercise classes: all group classes are free to try this week in McComas and War Memorial Halls.
– Intramural Sports Orientation: Tuesday, Aug 28, 6:00pm, McComas Hall.
3. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Aug 29, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
The GLC Café continues throughout the semester with free coffee and tea in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues. Occasionally the café features interesting people (students, faculty or staff), grad student organizations, or home-made baked goods. Bring your own mug if you can.
4. ASHA CUP INVITATION (A FUNDRAISER FOR CHARITY)
Saturday-Sunday, Sep 1-2, CCVT cricket ground
Six a side tennis ball cricket tournament at the VT cricket ground (http://www.cricket.org.vt.edu/Fields.html). Entry fees: $36/team or $6/head.
Teams/individuals must contact one of the following before Aug 30:
Rajat (rajat15@vt.edu), 979-324-0738; Nagendra (nagi@vt.edu), 607-280-2193;
Karthik (karthik.nisi@gmail.com), 540-449-1719. For more details refer to http://www.ashanet.org/nrv/ashacup/ashacup.php. Register here. If you don’t have a team, no problem; single entries are welcome. Asha for Education is a secular organization dedicated to change, by focusing on basic education in the belief that education is a critical requisite for socio-economic change.
5. FREE GRAD STUDENT HANDBOOK & PLANNER WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
Pick up your free copy of the 2012-13 Graduate Student Handbook and Planner (courtesy of the Graduate School) in the GLC while supplies last. Planners are available in the student services area (120 GLC) and in the Reading Room.
6. 2012-13 UNIVERSITY-SPONSORED HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN – SIGN UP BY OCT 1
At Virginia Tech, domestic students are encouraged, but not required, to have personal health insurance. International students and veterinary medicine student are required to have health insurance either through VT plan (provided by Aetna) or a comparable plan. Eligible graduate assistants wishing to use the health care subsidy must enroll in the VT plan. Highlights of the Aetna plan include:
– Enhanced benefits when used with Schiffert Health Center
– Coverage anywhere – at school, home or traveling and through the summer
– Access to travel assistance services, including emergency assistance 24/7
– Access to Aetna’s nationwide network of health care professionals
– Vision benefits included within the medical plan
– Optional dental insurance plan available
Learn more >>.
7. PAYROLL DEDUCTION OF COMP FEES FOR GRADUATE ASSISTANTS – sign up now!
Graduate students on assistantship appointment may pay their comprehensive and capital fees through payroll deduction during the fall and spring semesters. To be eligible for this program, students must commit to paying the full-time comprehensive and capital fees through payroll deduction. Enrollment is managed through Hokie SPA and students must sign up _each_ semester in which they wish to take advantage of this opportunity. Details>>.
8. THE VT LIBRARY SEEKS YOUR FEEDBACK ON GRAD COURSE
The VT library seeks your feedback on the Library research skills graduate course (Grad 5124) it offers. Your feedback will be useful in aligning the course to better meet the needs of graduate students. Click here to provide feedback (takes less than 5 minutes): . If you have any questions, contact Tracy Hall, Instructional Services Librarian (tracy72@vt.edu, 540-231-3067). Learn more about the Grad 5124 course .
9. PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE JOURNAL SEEKS SUBMISSIONS – 1st posting
Public Knowledge Journal (PKJ), an open-access peer-reviewed online journal hosted at VT, seeks articles, book reviews, essays, interviews, and multimedia submissions for Volume 4, Issue 2, on Interventions. Read the complete CFP (Call For Papers). This graduate-student-managed journal is dedicated to the understanding of the journal process for new scholars, and thus only accepts submissions from current graduate students or of research conducted while enrolled as a graduate student. Some questions to consider: How does the response to the financial crisis shape or preclude social intervention? What kinds of (non)intervention would be the most socially useful? Who should be responsible for what kinds of financial interventions? What role should local authorities, state government, international bodies, corporations, and NGOs play in global environmental interventions? Who has a voice in the 21st century foodscape? How do global economic interests influence individual food choices? What is the most feasible mode of food production? Are such methods desirable? According to whom?
10. QG&A WELCOME
Queer Grads and Allies (QG&A) is a registered graduate student organization that provides resources, support, events, and activities for individuals; both queer and allied. Founded in the Fall of 2010 with just three members, this organization has grown to over sixty students and faculty from the Graduate School at Virginia Tech, medical students at the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), students at the Veterinary School (VMRCVM), as well as young professionals in the NRV. The organization maintains strong ties with the two other organizations on campus dedicated to LGBTQ awareness and support: the LGBT Caucus for faculty and staff, and the undergraduate organization, the LGBTA of VT. Check out their website and Facebook page.
11. WAGE POSITION OPEN FOR WEB DEVELOPER – 3rd posting
The Institute for Society, Culture and Environment is seeking a part-time Web Developer for redesign an existing Virginia Tech website and custom design of new associated site based on established requirements. Thorough knowledge of Drupal or other equivalent content-management systems required. One time set up only, paid on hourly wage basis. Pay range $15-22/hr, commensurate with experience. Send cover letter including related experience and resume/CV to Carlene Arthur.
12. GRAD ASSISTANTSHIP OPENING IN IT FOR ADMIN SERVICES – 3rd posting
IT for Admin Services (VPAS IT) currently has a GA position available for the 2012-2013 academic year. The position is also open to non-technical candidates. Individuals with IT experience can expect to support the department in day-to-day operations, short and long terms IT projects, and technical documentation. Responsibilities for those without IT experience will be determined based on professional experience and courses of study. This is a standard 20-hrs/wk GA position. Flexible scheduling options are available, based on academic and professional commitments. Resumes/CVs should be sent to VPASHelpdesk@vt.edu with the subject line ‘GA Application’. Technical applicants must provide a relevant Technical Skills list with their resume/cv. If you are a non-technical applicant, please include a brief cover letter with your resume/cv. Start date: Fall 2012 Semester; Rate: TBD – Based on qualifications; Contact: Tracy McElroy | Director, Information Technology Services for VPAS | vpashelpdesk@vt.edu .
13. MALE PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR METABOLISM STUDY – 1st posting
Volunteers are needed for a study examining how diet influences muscle metabolism. Must be: male between the ages of 18-40; not currently taking any medications; non-smoker; without any major medical problems; willing to eat a high fat diet for 4 weeks. Participants will receive extensive health information and may receive up to $200 to compensate for time. If you meet the above requirements and are interested in participating in this research study, please contact John Pownall at the Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory at Virginia Tech by email or call the Lab at (540) 231-8299.
14. REVIEWERS NEEDED FOR GSA GRADUATE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PROPOSALS – 2nd posting
Want to learn more about the grant proposal writing and reviewing process? Join the Graduate Research and Development Program (GRDP) Panel of Reviewers! GRDP provides graduate students from any department an opportunity to apply for funding for research projects. The application cycle is open once per semester and graduate students from all departments are needed to review these applications. No experience is necessary- there will be a short workshop (with food provided!) on grant proposal review during the semester. If you are interested in joining the panel, please fill out the this survey. For more information, contact Amanda Shea (ashea04@vt.edu).
15. LEADERSHIP TECH YR 3: ENGAGING LEADERSHIP – 2nd posting
The Department of Student Centers and Activities is seeking 2 graduate student volunteers to serve as small-group facilitators for the Community and Environmental Sustainability group in the Leadership Tech Year 3 program. Participants develop their potential for responsible citizenship and leadership through group-directed community service projects. Facilitators will work in teams of two or three to guide a group of 10-15 junior and/or senior students through leadership development activities and the project management process. Training is provided, as is the curriculum for the program. The time commitment is approximately 2.5 hours a week and it is a two-semester commitment. Participation as a facilitator can count towards field hours for the Citizen Scholar program with the Graduate School. To apply, complete the application and submit your resume to Allison Dunn at adunn@vt.edu. An interview will be scheduled for those who meet the minimum qualifications.
16. RESEARCH STUDY SEEKING PARTICIPANTS – 2nd posting
Seeking mothers of children aged 4-17 years old with or without an Autism Spectrum Disorder for an online research study that will take approximately 30-40 minutes to complete. This study is approved by the VA Tech IRB. Participants will be able to enter into a raffle for a chance at a $20 Target gift card. Please call or email for more information.540-231-6744 or cconner4@vt.edu or sww@vt.edu. Learn more >>.
17. PARTICIPANTS SOUNG FOR SPATIAL PERCEPTION STUDY – 2nd posting
Participants are sought for a study in the “Exploration of Human Spatial Perception in 3D Immersive Virtual Environments.” 80 students will take part in the experiment to evaluate interaction techniques in an immersive virtual environment (i.e., CAVE). Participants will explore several virtual objects and accurately perceive the spatial aspects, e.g., size, shape and distance between two objects, of the objects, by using a given interface. Due to the tasks that may require some physical activities, you should have no problem with moving your body, e.g., head, arm/hand/finger and leg/foot, including turning your upper body. Location: Visionarium Lab (3050 of Torgersen Hall). Review schedule for available dates/times. The experiment will approximately take 90 minutes, including filling up questionnaires and short breaks. If interested and/or have questions, email to hideaway@vt.edu.
18. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR READING PRACTICES STUDY – 3rd posting
Participants are needed for a study investigating reading practices on different media (i.e., paper, computer, iPad). This study will take around 3 hours to complete and participants will be compensated $10/hour (total $30). Requirements: Native English speaker, age 50-80. If interested, please contact Kyunghui Oh at khoh@vt.edu for further details.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL TAILGATE
Monday, Sep 3, 4:30pm-6:30pm, Lawn between GLC and University Club
Come out for some fun, food, and friends before cheering on the Hokies against Georgia Tech! Whether or not you are going to the game, this is a great time to relax and have some fun with your fellow grad students. Free food and games out on the lawn! Sponsored by the GLC Fellows. Contact Marielly Ruiz if you have questions.
BOV GRAD LUNCHEON WITH PRESIDENT, PROVOST, & GRADUATE DEAN
Monday, Sep 17, 12:00-1:30pm, The Inn at Virginia Tech
Attend the first graduate luncheon of the semester with President Steger, Provost McNamee, and Vice President and Dean for graduate education Dr. Karen DePauw at the Inn at Virginia Tech. Spaces are limited. If you are interested in attending, please register here. Graduate students selected to attend will be contacted by Sep 7. Contact Robyn Jones, Graduate Representative to the BOV with any questions.