1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
All weekly services are back!
- Career advising (walk in, no appointment needed): Wednesdays 2:00-5:00pm, GLC Lobby
- Cook Counseling (walk in, no appointment needed): Thursdays 1:00-5:00pm
- GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursday, Reading Room
- Statistical consulting by LISA: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
- Writing Center support for grads: Thursdays 3:00-5:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room (additional hours are available in the Library)
2. THE LYRIC PRESENTS COMEDY FOR A CAUSE
Tuesday, Sep 11, 6:30pm meet in GLC Lobby; show starts 7:00pm at The Lyric
GLC Fellow Emily Eskew invites you to participate in a free National Recovery Month Event at The Lyric! Meet in the GLC lobby at 6:30pm and walk with fellow grads to the show. Sponsored by the GLC Fellows. Contact Emily C. Eskew, 540-446-6280, with any questions.
3. HISTORICAL TOWN OF BLACKSBURG TOUR
Wednesday, Sep 12, 1:00pm, Meet in GLC Lobby
Join your fellow graduate students on a walking tour of Blacksburg and explore the original town limits and some of the oldest structures in Blacksburg.
Sign-up for a tour here.
4. CAREER FAIR PREPARATION FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
Wednesday, Sep 12, 5:30pm, GLC Room G
There are several large job fairs on campus this spring and employers ARE interested in talking with graduate students—especially at the master’s level. Do you know how to present yourself to an employer at a job fair? What to ask? What they’ll expect? Come to this seminar to learn a few tricks of this trade! Contact Amy McPherson at amcphers@vt.edu if you have questions.
5. INTERVARSITY GRADUATE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Wednesdays, 6:30pm, GLC Room C
InterVarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship meets weekly for a free dinner and interactive Bible discussion. All graduate students are welcome!
6. ‘CROSSING BORDERS’ FILM AND DISCUSSION
Wednesday, Sep 12, 7:00pm, Squires Student Center, Colonial Hall
‘Crossing Borders’ is a 70-min documentary that follows four Moroccan and four American university students as they travel together through Morocco and, in the process of discovering ‘The Other,’ discover themselves. The relationships formed through shared experiences contrast sharply with the media-shaped views Americans and Muslims have of each other. Humor, honesty, and a willingness to be challenged all bring individuals closer to each other and the relationships that develop disarm hidden stereotypes. A short Q&A session moderated by Dr. Guru Ghosh, associate vp for international affairs, will follow the screening. This event is sponsored by the Language and Culture Institute, the Education Abroad Office, the Peace Corps, and the Phi Beta Delta international honor society, and is posted on behalf of grad student and Peace Corps recruiter Chris Hickey.
7. WRITING CENTER SUPPORT IN THE GLC AND BEYOND
Thursdays, 3:00-5:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
Walk-in without an appointment to receive assistance with your academic writing, or contact grad student Josh Thompson for an appointment: jdt225@vt.edu. Additional writing support is available through the VT Writing Center, located in the Learning Commons on the 2nd floor of Newman Library. Hours of Operation: Sun (Drop-In Service) 8pm-10pm; Mon-Wed 9am-10pm; Thu-Fri 9am-5pm; call 231-5436 for an appointment.
8. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Sep 6, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
The GLC Café is offered throughout the semester with free coffee and tea in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues. Bring your own mug if you can.
9. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT – FREE CHILDCARE ON THU NIGHTS
Thursdays, beginning Sep 6, 6:00pm, 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 with the exception of home football games and when classes are not in session. For more information, contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu.
10. TOUR THE SMART ROAD!
Friday, Sep 14, 12:30-2:00pm
Interested in learning about the Smart Road at Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute (VTTI)? Take a tour! The Smart Road is a 2.2-mile highway used for transportation research. Participants will travel the Smart Road and learn more about the cutting edge research being conducted. Space is limited so please sign up now. Your attendance will be confirmed via email along with details about a meeting location. Questions? Contact Tara Frank at tara@vt.edu. Sponsored by the Graduate Student Services Office.
11. GSA WELCOME BACK HAPPY HOUR
Friday, Sep 14, 5:00-7:00pm, GLC Lounge
GSA is hosting their annual “Welcome Back Happy Hour” in the GLC Lounge. The cost is $5.00 per person (cash) at the door for 4 tastings, 1 beer, and snacks ($2 for snacks only). All graduate students, post-docs, and faculty members are invited to come and enjoy a great start to the semester! Please direct any questions to Cory Brozina (sbrozina@vt.edu).
12. TEAMS INVITED FOR LIBRARY’S HOKIE HIJINX SCAVENGER HUNT
University Libraries is (are?) seeking teams to participate in the library’s Hokie Hijinx scavenger hunt, which will be held September 26-29. The top three teams will win prize bags to distribute among their members. Team leaders can sign up and check the rules here.
13. APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH HONOR SOCIETY – 1st posting
Iota Delta Rho, the Interdisciplinary Research Honor Society is now accepting applications for membership. Applications and FAQs can be found on IDR’s website at: http://www.idrsociety.org/membership/application/. Applications are accepted through Oct 3, 2012. If you have any questions, please contact Tammy Parece, the Vice-President of Membership, tammyep@vt.edu.
14. SUBMIT YOUR EVENT REQUESTS AND IDEAS NOW!
The GLC Fellows can help you get you what you want, but they need to know what it is first! The Fellows want to plan events and activities that will reach a wide variety of graduate students. Please fill out this survey so that they can learn more about you and what you would like to see in the Graduate Life Center at Donaldson-Brown. The survey should only take a few minutes of your time.
15. WALK-IN STATISTICAL CONSULTING THROUGH LISA
LISA, the Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis, offers walk-in consulting Mon-Fri 1:00-3:00 pm in the GLC Video Conference Room. In Fall 2012, additional walk-in consulting hours will be available in the following locations:
– Monday & Wednesday from 3-5 pm in PORT (Torgersen/Newman Library bridge)
– Tuesday from 9:30-11:30 am in 1028 Pamplin Hall
– Thursday from 9:30-11:30 am in ICTAS Cafe X
Maps and additional information are available on LISA’s website. During walk-in hours a statistical consultant is available to answer quick questions or to 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. Note: LISA does not assist with class projects or homework. For more information about walk-in consulting and LISA’s other services, please visit www.lisa.stat.vt.edu.
16. 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
To learn more, go to https://www.aetnastudenthealth.com/stu_conn/student_connection.aspx?groupID=474968.
17. NOMINATE A FACULTY MEMBER! – 2nd posting
The Graduate School is seeking faculty members for a series of lunch time discussions on various topics that may be of interest to graduate students. Do you know a faculty member who might want to share their research with graduate students? Or is there a topic area you would like to learn more about? Let us know by completing this survey. Questions or comments? Contact Tara Frank at tara@vt.edu.
18. PART-TIME WAGE POSITION IN CAMPUS ALCOHOL ABUSE PREVENTION CENTER
Graduate students will be considered. Selected applicant will be primarily working with IMPACT Peer Education and Prevention Team and getting some new initiatives underway. Must be available for Peer Education meeting on Wednesday evening 8:00-9:15pm. There are regular night and weekend hours. For more information look up posting number 0122279 at https://listings.jobs.vt.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/Welcome_css.jsp or contact Steve Clark at sclarke@vt.edu.
19. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR LOAD-HOLDING STUDY – 1st posting
Participants are needed for a study about the ergonomic research on manufacturing tasks. The study consists of two sessions of about 1-2 and 3-4 hours respectively. Requirements: male or female with no recent history of musculoskeletal disorders within the age range of 18-30 years. Participants will be compensated $10/hr. If interested, please contact Chelsea Susbilla at csus218@vt.edu for further details.
20. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY ON HISTORIC BATTLEFIELDS – 1st posting
Participants are needed for a survey on the public education and perception of historic battlefields among the VT community. As a potential participant, your opinions may be important. Your involvement is entirely voluntary and there are no known or anticipated risks by participating in this study. The survey should take less than 20 minutes and you will receive $5.00 as compensation. If you have any questions about this study or would like additional information, please contact Shamsul Abu Bakar (shunown1@vt.edu/540-449-9174). This study has been approved by the VT-IRB.
21. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR SURVEY EXPLORING PURCHASING BEHAVIORS – 1st posting
A VT graduate student in industrial design is conducting a survey to gather feedback on sustainable purchasing behaviors. The survey takes no more than 10 minutes. All responses will be kept anonymous. If you are interested in participating, please open the survey. Contact Yushi by email at yushi@vt.edu with any questions.
22. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BALANCE/GAIT STUDY – 2nd posting
Subjects are needed for a study investigating balance and gait in overweight individuals. The study will take place in the Kevin P Granata Biomechanics Lab in 208 Norris Hall. The study will take 1-1.5 hours to complete, and subjects will be paid $20 for their participation. If you are interested, please email your name, age, height, weight and days/times during the week you are available to participate to: biomechanics.esm@gmail.com Overweight individuals are especially needed.
23. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR ANKLE INSTABILITY STUDY – 2nd posting
Healthy, young adults WITH a history of ankle sprains are sought for participation in a research project on ankle sprain risk factors. The study will require participants to complete ankle stiffness and joint position sense evaluations under fatigued and braced conditions. All procedures have been approved by the VT IRB. Participants must be 18-35 years old, active (2-3 times/week), have no existing joint problems or chronic joint pain, and must not be participating in physical rehab or regularly using ankle tape or bracing. Testing requires 3 sessions (about 2–2.5 hrs/session). Participants will be compensated for their time at a rate of $10/hr. Contact Courtney Haynes by email at chaynes7@vt.edu or call at 724-272-8574.
24. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR GSA WELCOME BACK HAPPY HOUR
Friday, Sep 14, 5:00-7:00pm, GLC Lounge
The GSA is looking for volunteers to help with their annual “Welcome Back Happy Hour”. 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 (efm28@vt.edu) if you are interested in helping with one of the first GSA events of the semester.
25. THE VT LIBRARY SEEKS YOUR FEEDBACK ON GRAD COURSE – 3rd posting
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): https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_5hTNHu1S37qfpaJ. If you have any questions, contact Tracy Hall, Instructional Services Librarian (tracy72@vt.edu, 540-231-3067). Learn more about the Grad 5124 course>>
26. PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE JOURNAL SEEKS SUBMISSIONS – 3rd 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) at http://pkjournal.org/?page_id=1826. 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?
27. MALE PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR METABOLISM STUDY – 3rd 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: heartlab@vt.edu or call the Lab at (540) 231-8299.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
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 at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1345775917324. Graduate students selected to attend will be contacted by Sep 7. Contact Robyn Jones, Graduate Representative to the BOV at bovgradrep@vt.edu with any questions.
GRAD SCHOOL SERVICE/ADVISING AREA REFURBISHING
Tuesday, Sep 18, 8:00am-5:00pm, effecting GLC offices 110-120
The Graduate School student services and advising area (120 GLC) will undergo some changes next week, requiring that we close the service area to walk-in traffic on Tuesday, Sep 18. Email and phone assistance will be uninterrupted and accommodations will be made to see students in the Graduate School lobby as needed. However, we ask that you try to avoid visiting the Graduate School on this day unless you need urgent in-person assistance.
UNDERSTANDING PAYMENTS AND TAXES IN THE U.S.
Thursday, Sep 20, 4:00pm, GLC Room C
An international tax specialist will cover the types of income, work restrictions, federal and state taxes, payroll forms, and more at this orientation event for international students. If you have questions, please contact Janet Kunz.