1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
Our weekly services are on hiatus for spring break.
2. SPRING BREAK PITY PARTY
Wednesday, Mar 9, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Lobby
You are not alone on campus during spring break! Come to this mardi gras-themed pot luck party with vegetarian and meat options, brought to you by your friendly and enthusiastic volunteer chefs who also happen to work in the Graduate School and Res Life. The food will be so good that everyone who left town will turn green with envy when they find out what they missed. Please register here to give us an idea of how much food to prepare.
3. GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK (GEW) SNEAK PEAK
Take and early look at what programs and opportunities Graduate Education Week will bring to you this year. There is still time to contribute to the photo, art and writing contest, register for grad Olympics, or mark your calendar for some of the other events.
4. ETHICAL DILEMMAS – DROP EVERYTHING AND SIGN UP NOW!
Come join a lively discussion about ethical dilemmas within and outside academe: test your sense of ethics, communication and critical thinking skills on Wednesday, Mar 16, 3:00-4:30pm in the GLC. You can participate as a team and compete in the Ethics Bowl, or as an audience member via Google Moderator. Bring your friends, bring a laptop or other mobile device, and discuss and resolve case-study-based ethical dilemmas with fellow students and faculty. You may sign up as a team of 3-4, as an individual and be assigned to a team, or as an audience member. Teams may include current VT students, faculty or staff, but team leaders must be graduate students. Register by Monday, Mar 14, 12:00 noon.
5. SPRING 2011 ART, PHOTO & WRITING CONTEST: FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD
The Graduate School invites submissions of food-themed art work, photography and as a new addition, written work, by graduate students for display in the GLC during Graduate Education Week 2011 and beyond. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art, photography, or written work) per graduate student. Submissions may depict anything related to food, including but not limited to growing, preparing, experimenting with, missing, consuming, sharing, and enjoying food. Submission deadline: Mar 16, 2011. Read more >> .
6. GRAD ED WEEK 2011: REGISTER NOW FOR GRAD OLYMPICS
Put your wit, physical skills and team spirit to the test and win great prizes in a light-hearted competition among graduate student teams. Up to ten teams of 4-6 members may compete. No prior experience necessary, but resourcefulness and knowledge of the GLC are a plus. All materials are provided. All teams must pre-register and wait for confirmation that their registration was accepted. To pre-register, fill out this survey. You will be notified if your registration is accepted. Teams will receive extra points for a creative team name, flag design and team cheer.
7. CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR EXEMPLARY INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH & ESSAY AWARDS
The newly formed interdisciplinary research honor society, Iota Delta Rho (IDR), is giving out four awards: two awards for Exemplary Interdisciplinary Research, and two awards for Exemplary Interdisciplinary Research Essay of the Year, acknowledging the most exemplary interdisciplinary research (IDR) taking place at Virginia Tech in the 2010-11 academic year, as well as recognizing the best academic essay that details the process of interdisciplinary research (IDR) that IDR seeks to promote at Virginia Tech. One member and one non-member of the IDR Honor Society will be chosen for each award. Each award winner will receive a certificate and $250. All applications should be emailed to Alireza Salmanzadeh by Monday, Mar 28. Learn more.
8. IDR HONOR SOCIETY CALLS FOR COMMUNICATION NETWORK PARTICIPANTS – 2nd posting
As part of its launch, the Interdisciplinary Research (IDR) Honor Society intends to create a forum for open discussion of interdisciplinary issues. In conjunction with this forum, they hope to establish a list of contacts on their website, which will serve as nodes of communication to facilitate interdisciplinary contact within the university. Students interested in participating will be a source of contact for others by either responding to questions directly or providing further direction to other resources. Please contact Risa Pesapane with your contact information such as email, office location, area of expertise/department, and work phone (optional) if you are interested in being listed as part of the communication network. All disciplines are encouraged to apply!
9. GSA 27TH ANNUAL RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM: FACULTY JUDGES SOUGHT
The Graduate Student Assembly has received 179 abstract submissions. Now it’s time to encourage faculty members to support this prestigious event. Please assist with judging recruitment by sharing this survey link and encouraging your faculty to participate. Keynote speaker Dr. Carol Yoon, from the New York Times, will be giving her address Mar 23, 7:00-8:00pm in the GLC auditorium. Contact Samantha Downey at smdowney@vt.edu with any questions.
10. INTERVIEWERS SOUGHT TO GIVE MOCK INTERVIEWS
Volunteers are sought to give mock interviews to undergraduate students in the McNair Scholars Program. Interviewers should be graduate students and/or faculty members within in one of the following disciplines: clinical psychology; aerospace & ocean engineering; human development; human nutrition, foods & exercise; economics; and biology. The mock interviews will take place on Mar 18 and 25 in Femoyer Hall, and each interview will last approximately one hour. Volunteers will conduct the interview and provide constructive feedback to the McNair Scholar. Volunteer interviewers need only interview one scholar. If interested or need additional information, please contact Evan Glien, graduate assistant, or Cheryl Gittens, director of McNair Scholars Program.
11. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR BIOMECHANICS STUDY – 1st posting
Participants are needed for a study investigating the effects of job rotation on muscle fatigue and performance. The study consists of 6 separate experimental sessions (each lasting 2 hours) and one screening session. Participants will be compensated $10/hour with a $10 bonus after completing all sessions. Requirements: female, age 18-25, low body fat, right handed, 20/20 vision (corrected okay), no recent history of musculoskeletal disorders, and exercise 2-3 times per week (including upper body weight lifting). If interested, please contact Leanna Horton.
12. DOCTORAL STUDENT PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR SURVEY ON POST-PHD CAREER CHOICES – 3rd posting
Doctoral students are invited to participate in a short survey (approx. 10 min) on factors that influence post-PhD career choices. The information you provide on what will influence your career choice after completing your PhD will enable VT to better serve you as a valued professional. It will form the basis of some preliminary recommendations to improve PhD student experiences and professional preparation that will be shared with senior university leaders as well as President Steger. For more information and to complete the survey, followthis link. Contact Mike Garvin with any questions.
13. ULAX IS COMING TO VT – SRPING MEN’S LACROSSE LEAGUE – 3rd posting
Graduate student Zach Geller invites you to join: cost per player: $115.00, which includes 6 regular season games and a playoff for the top teams (weather permitting); ULAX Jersey; photos and stats each week; professional referees; champions shirts for the winners; games played at VT’s SRA fields. Sign up deadline: Mar 12, 2011 ($25 late fee). First week starts Mar 20. Sign up fast! Space available for 8 teams! Email Zach Geller at vtech@ulax.org for more info or visit this website.
14. LEARN TURKISH AT VT
Experienced teachers are offering Turkish language classes at Cranwell International Center, brought to you by the Intercultural Understanding Club. No experience necessary; courses offered from elementary to advanced levels. For the spring program: An hour class per week and four classes in a month. For registration and questions contact graduate student Haktan Suren. Third class: 3/10, 6:00pm.
15. FREE TAX ASSISTANCE FOR INCOME ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES
Wednesdays by appointment
Free tax assistance is available to eligible employees, including graduate assistants, by appointment every Wednesday afternoon through Apr 13. International student taxes are beyond the scope of this service, but tax software for international students is available through the Cranwell International Center. Details>>.
16. UPCOMING EVENTS:
AAUW: "POWERFUL PRESENCE" BROWNBAG LUNCH
Monday, Mar 14, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C
Join AAUW Blacksburg-VT for the March lunch! Marketing “you” as a brand is not just about finding a new job. Melissa Richards, director of marketing and publications at VT, will discuss traditional brand marketing concepts in the context of how you represent yourself professionally. Through dialogue and interactive exercises, explore: how perception is brand; how a job title does not define you; establishing your brand promise using online media such as LinkedIn and Twitter; networking and traditional tactics to build a loyalty base among your colleagues, supervisors, and executives. Visit the new AAUW chapter’s Facebook page.
SAUDI SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL EXHIBITION
Monday, Mar 14, 4:00-8:00pm, Commonwealth Ballroom, Squires
Graduate student Khalaf Altemimi and the Saudi Students Club invite all graduate students to experience Saudi culture and learn about Saudi students’ projects in various disciplines. Enjoy the best traditional foods free of charge and have your name hand-written in Arabic letters or have your picture taken wearing Saudi clothes (Thoub or Abayah), so bring your cameras. Henna tattoos for ladies will also be available. Please direct any question to Khalaf.
SHORT COURSES IN STATISTICS FOR NON-STAT MAJORS: BAYESIAN METHODS FOR REGRESSION IN R
Monday and Tuesday, Mar 14-15, 4:00-6:00pm, 3080 TORG
This course will cover some basic concepts and vocabulary in Bayesian statistics such as likelihood, prior and posterior distributions, and how they relate to Bayes’ Rule. R statistical software will be used to discuss how parameter estimation and inference changes in a Bayesian paradigm versus in a classical paradigm, with a particular focus on applications using regression. The Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (LISA) provides 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. Visit LISA for instructions on how to register and to learn more. Refreshments are provided at the end of each short course.
ETHICAL DILEMMAS – SIGN UP NOW!
Wednesday, Mar 16, 3:00-4:30pm in the GLC
Join a lively discussion about ethical dilemmas within and outside academe: test your sense of ethics, communication and critical thinking skills. You can participate as a team and compete in the Ethics Bowl, or as an audience member via Google Moderator. Bring your friends, bring a laptop or other mobile device, and discuss and resolve case-study-based ethical dilemmas with fellow students and faculty. You may sign up as a team of 3-4, as an individual and be assigned to a team, or as an audience member. Teams may include current VT students, faculty or staff, but team leaders must be graduate students. Register by Monday, Mar 14, 12:00 noon.
REGISTER NOW FOR CANCER RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
Friday, Apr 29, 9:00am-5:00pm
The Cancer Research Symposium serves as the first interdisciplinary cancer symposium at VT, providing an opportunity for faculty and graduate students to showcase their research. Invited speakers include leaders in the field of cancer research. There will be a poster session (lunch provided), which is open to graduate students involved in cancer research. The symposium will also include a survivors and advocates panel to allow the researchers to see the impact of their work. If interested, please register by March 15 (registration is free).