1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC (on a walk-in basis unless otherwise noted)
None this week, due to Thanksgiving break. Services will resume next week. The GLC remains accessible to graduate students with a valid Hokie Passport 24/7. Swipe card readers are located at the Bookstore-side entrance and at the Otey Street entrance.
2. T-BREAK POTLUCK LUNCHEON – SIGN UP NOW!
Tuesday, Nov 22, 11:30-1:00 in the GLC lobby and adjacent areas
You are not alone! Join others who don’t get to leave for Thanksgiving break and enjoy some wholesome home-cooked food (meat and vegetarian options) and conversation. Meet other graduate students and Grad School staff, and some special guest from the new Honors Residential College. Brought to you by your friendly and caring neighborhood Grad-School staff. “Potluck” in this case doesn’t mean that you have to bring anything, unless you really want to. We’ll provide the food. Please register to help us estimate how much we need to cook.
3. GRADUATE SCHOOL CLOSING FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK
The Graduate School will be open this week Monday 8-5, Tuesday 8-5 and Wednesday 8-12. Please enter the building through the Graduate School entrance facing Squires, or by using your Hokie Passport at one of the swipe-card-controlled doors.
4. SPRING SHORT COURSE: COMMUNICATING SCIENCE
This 1-cr participatory course will be taught by prof. Patricia Raun, and was inspired by her work with the Center for Communicating Science Institute at Stony Brook University (http://www.centerforcommunicatingscience.org/) and the belief that "scientists have a responsibility to share the meaning and implications of their work, and that an engaged public encourages sound public decision-making." Participation in the course will lessen the discomfort of spontaneous interaction. Areas of emphasis will include imagination, relaxation, observation, and concentration through improvisation. The students will develop their communicative abilities through careful observation, active class contribution, and committed participation. Please contact Patricia Raun at praun@vt.edu with questions. GRAD 5984, CRN 18756m Tu 6:00-9:00pm, 3/13-4/24/2012.
5. SIGN UP FOR SPRING COURSE: RESEARCH IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXTS
This course examines various aspects of research in int’l contexts, including: framework and context in which international research is conducted; international aspects of intellectual property and copyright law, trade law, export control, research ethics, research funding, protection of human and animal subjects; cultural dimensions of collaboration including work requirements, varying systems of higher education and research, and work-life expectations; and logistics for research abroad. GRAD 5404, 3 credit hrs, instructor: S. Midkiff, T 4:00-6:50pm, location TBA.
6. NEW SPRING COURSE: FROM MEMEX TO YOUTUBE: CONGNITION, LEARNING & THE INTERNET
Register for GRAD 5984 for spring 2012, TR 9:30-10:45am, location TBA.
So far education has used the Internet primarily as a delivery device, not a connectivity platform. If we change that paradigm, however, interesting questions emerge: How is Wikipedia not simply a reference work, but a learning environment and a community of practice? How does Google both model and shape human cognition? How can globally networked interactive computing augment human intellect and thus address the primary mission of education itself? This course explores the intersections of computing, information science, education, Internet studies, the humanities, and the visual and performing arts, as well as the crucial and long-contested relationships among making, doing, and knowing. Course readings will be supplemented by various texts and artifacts, from podcasts to MMORPGs to machinima, and will include hands-on experience with blogging, tweeting, social bookmarking, and other more. For more details see the syllabus (beta).
7. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR 2012 GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM – 2nd posting
GSA is excited to announce that they will be accepting abstracts Dec 1-8 for the 28th Annual Research Symposium. The research symposium is a great opportunity to showcase your graduate work and potentially win up to $400 in awards for your talk, poster or performance. This event will be held on Mar 28, 2012 in the Graduate Life Center. More information and submission criteria>>. Questions: Contact Alireza at alireza@vt.edu.
8. VT ENGLISH GRAD STUDENT ORG CONFERENCE: RE-ENVISION, RE-FORM, RE-CREATE
Saturday, Feb 25, 2012
The VT English Graduate Student Organization is now accepting proposals for the 2012 interdisciplinary conference "Re-envision, Re-formation, Re-creation:" welcome are proposals for paper, panels, and creative works from any discipline that challenge preconceptions, explore neglected or newly discovered areas, rethink assumptions, and ultimately create new knowledge. A 250-500 word abstract for a 20-minute paper should be submitted as an email attachment to vt.egso@gmail.com in .doc, .docx, or .rtf format by Jan 15, 2012. Creative works should include a short, descriptive abstract and a sample of the work to be considered. In your email, please include your name, affiliation, email address, phone number, title of paper, and a brief biographical statement. However, do not include your name on the abstract itself. For more information and the full call for papers, please contact vt.egso@gmail.com.
9. INVITATION TO DIVERSITY SCHOLARS
The Graduate School Office of Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives hosts a Diversity Scholars Program that encourages scholarship and faculty-student mentorship and research through diversity initiatives. Learn more>> and contact Dannette Gomez Beane with questions.
10. ASSISTANTSHIP OPENING FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2012
Full-time GA opening available in the Youth Science Cooperative Outreach Agreement (YSCOA) team in VT’s Continuing and Professional Education. The GA will assist the program director in keeping up to date on the latest developments in STEM education research and national outreach initiatives. Responsibilities include keeping abreast of developments in STEM education literature; synthesizing key findings from literature; supporting research of the YSCOA team; assisting with writing of reports and publications; assisting with identifying grant opportunities and writing grant applications; collecting materials and maintaining library and annotated bibliography of seminal publications; other duties as assigned. Must have bachelor’s degree in STEM-related field with at least 1 year of grad-level research experience; superior communication skills with ability to interact with all levels within the university; extensive experience with MS Office Suite and APA formatting; library research skills; demonstrated ability to collaborate on teams; excellent ability to self-direct, multi-task, and prioritize; ability to work with limited supervision and make independent judgment calls; flexibility and positive attitude. Preferred qualifications: master’s in STEM education, education policy, STS or relevant field; experience working with science, technology, educational, outreach, and/or military programs; experience with statistical software. For more information or to submit an application, contact Donna Augustine.
11. UPCOMING EVENTS:
LUNCH WITH DEAN DEPAUW, PROVOST, PRESIDENT AND VP STUDENT AFFAIRS – SIGN UP NOW
Monday, Nov 28, 11:30am-1:00pm, The Inn at Virginia Tech
Attend the final graduate luncheon of the fall semester with President Steger, Provost McNamee, Graduate Dean DePauw, and VP of Student Affairs, Dr. Spencer at the Inn. Spaces are limited, so if you are interested in attending, please fill out this survey and include any issues (positive or negative) that you believe need to be discussed: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1318190053408. Please indicate if you are unable to attend this luncheon and whether you wish to be considered for future lunches. Graduate students selected for attendance will be contacted by Thursday, Nov 24. Contact Michelle McLeese at bovgradrep@vt.edu with any questions.
GRAD STUDENT ROUNDTABLE ON COMMUNITY NEWS
Tuesday, Nov 29, 3:30-4:30pm, GLC Room C
Join the discussion about how community-based journalism and information sharing builds community knowledge and informed decision making. Contact Kate Preston at kapresto@vt.edu for more information. A speaker will address this same topic at 7:00pm in the Lyric; see “Community Voices” posting below.
GLC FELLOWS MOVIE NIGHT
Tuesday, Nov 29, 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Student Lounge
Join GLC Fellows and other graduate students to watch the legal drama, The Lincoln Lawyer, featuring Matthew McConaughey and Marisa Tomei. The plot revolves around an underhanded lawyer who has a crisis of conscience when he defends a wealthy client who has a foolproof plan to defeat the system. Drinks and snacks will be provided. This event is sponsored by the GLC Fellows. For more information, contact Eric Hodges.
COMMUNITY VOICES: THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF COMMUNITY NEWS
Tuesday, Nov 29, 7:00pm, Lyric Theatre.
Speaker Brian Wheeler is the executive director of Charlottesville Tomorrow, a community news platform covering growth, development, and local politics. He will talk about how community-based journalism and information sharing builds community knowledge and informed decision making. A graduate student roundtable on this topic will take place on Tuesday, November 29th from 3:30-4:30pm in GLC Room C. Contact Andy Morikawa for information. This event was submitted by graduate student Kate Preston.
$TART $MART: SALARY NEGOTIATION WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN – register now!
Wednesday, Nov 30, 3:00-5:00pm, 300 Squires
Take advantage of this opportunity to participate in this one-of-a-kind negotiation workshop designed for women. $tart $mart was developed by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and The WAGE Project to empower college women with the necessary tools to negotiate salaries and benefits as they enter or re-enter the job market. Refreshments will be served. Register here. For more information, contact Sharbari Dey at sharbari@vt.edu.
WHAT IS WALL STREET?
Wednesday, Nov 30, 6:00pm, GLC Room C
MBA students will lead this information session about how Wall Street works and investing in general. Light snacks will be provided.
Happy and restful Thanksgiving break to all!