1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC
Weekly services are on hiatus this week in observance of Thanksgiving break. The Graduate School will remain open for walk-in advising through Wednesday at noon.
2. T-BREAK LUNCH 2015
Tuesday, Nov 24, 11:30am-1:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
You are not alone! Join others who don’t get to leave for Thanksgiving break for some soup (meat and vegetarian options) and conversation. For dessert there will be pie (and other sweet indulgences)! Meet other graduate students, international students, and Grad School, Cranwell and Division of Student Affairs staff, and enjoy some soup, bread, and a variety of home-made pies. Please sign up at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1447451357943 to help us estimate the food that will be needed. This event is co-sponsored by the Graduate School and the Cranwell International Center.
3. GRADUATE STUDENT LUNCH WITH PRESIDENT SANDS – apply by 11/27
The Graduate Representative to the Board of Visitors invites members of the graduate student community to have lunch with President Sands to engage in a conversation around graduate education and the graduate student experience. This is a unique opportunity for graduate students to ask questions and get answers directly from VT leaders. If you are interested in attending a lunch on Wednesday, Dec 2, complete this survey by Friday, Nov 27. If you have any questions, contact Mohammed Seyam at seyam@vt.edu
4. GSA WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS AVAILABLE ONLINE
Keep up with the happenings in the Graduate Student Assembly by following their weekly newsletter online: http://blogs.lt.vt.edu/graduatestudentassembly/blog/. Their weekly news may include calls for application, invitations to grad student surveys, information about GSA funding programs, and other timely announcements. For more information contact Emma Potter, GSA director of communication, ecp3f@vt.edu.
5. DIVERSITY SCHOLAR PROGRAM NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH DEC 10 – 2nd posting
Are you committed to the awareness, knowledge, and skills associated with diversity and inclusion? Are you interested in making Virginia Tech a more inclusive place? If yes, then you should consider becoming a Diversity Scholar. Learn more about the program at http://graduateschool.vt.edu/diversity/scholars_program
6. BOUCHET GRADUATE HONOR SOCIETY NOMATIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH NOV 20 – 2nd posting
The VT Graduate School is one of the few universities with a Bouchet Honor Society Chapter. The Society recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and promotes diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate. For more information visit http://graduateschool.vt.edu/Bouchet_Society.
7. VT ENGAGE: PERU SERVICE IMMERSION TRIP – 2nd posting
Participate in a service immersion trip to contribute to environmental education and rainforest preservation activities, or maintenance at ARCA’s education center, or build solar showers and contribute to native tree reforestation in Peru. Leave with a greater understanding of Peruvian life in the Amazon rainforest and the high Andes, culture & history, nonprofit work, & of the diversity of perspectives our team will bring to the week. All undergraduate and graduate students may apply. Need-based financial assistance is available. Apply at http://www.globaleducation.vt.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=12203 by Nov 30, 2015. Questions? Contact Eliza at VT Engage, elizaw8@vt.edu, 540.231.5853.
8. 2016 FIW GRAD STUDENT ASSOCIATION CALENDARS FOR SALE – 2nd posting
Need holiday gifts or some color in your office? Students in the VT Fish and Wildlife Graduate Student Association in the College of Natural Resources and the Environment are selling 2016 calendars that highlight their work around the world. Each month features a color photo taken by a student and showcases research on species such as elephants, shorebirds, freshwater mussels, lions, and hellbenders. One calendar is $15; two or more are $12 each. Download an order form at http://www.cnre.vt.edu/students/graduate/order-forms/wildlife-calendar-order-form.pdf. Email fiwgsa@gmail.com with any questions.
9. WHITE HOUSE FELLOW APPLICATION CYCLE NOW OPEN – 3rd posting
The 2016-2017 White House Fellows application cycle is open until Jan 12, 2016. This program seeks to recruit the most promising leaders in the US to gain first-hand high-level experience in the federal government and develop themselves as leaders. The fellowship year consists of a full-time work placement in the offices of Cabinet Secretaries, senior White House staff, and other high-ranking administration officials. Fellows also participate in a robust education program that provides a behind-the-scenes look at leadership in government, non-profits, business, the media and more. For more information, contact Betty Watts in the Global Education Office at bettyw@vt.edu.
10. REGISTRATION FOR INTL STREET FAIR IS NOW OPEN – 3rd posting
Request for Booth Space at the 57th annual International Street Fair organized by Cranwell Intl Center and CISO is open at https://gobblerconnect.vt.edu/form/start/83521 until Dec 11, 2015. International and cultural student groups are invited to participate in this cultural exchange, and celebrate and share their traditions and heritage as a way to foster meaningful interactions throughout the VT and local community. The annual event is scheduled for Sunday, Apr 17, 2016, 12:00-5:00pm on College Avenue near Squires Student Center. Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and University Chartered Student Organizations (USCOs) as well as VT-affiliated organizations may participate.
11. GRADUATE SCHOOL BABYSITTER CLEARING HOUSE – 3rd posting
The Graduate School Babysitter Clearing House is open for business! Parents can begin visiting the Childcare website to gain access to this program starting Monday, Nov 9. Email childcare@vt.edu with any questions. Visit http://blogs.lt.vt.edu/childcare/forms/ for information.
12. GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT SUBMISSION OPEN THROUGH JAN 1 – 3rd posting
The 32nd Annual Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) Research Symposium and Exposition will take place on Mar 23, 2016 in the Graduate Life Center. Graduate and advanced undergraduate students are invited to submit an abstract for this event between Nov 8, 2015 and Jan 1, 2016 at 11:59pm (EST). Visit the Research Symposium website at http://blogs.lt.vt.edu/graduatestudentassembly/graduate-research-symposium/ for details and to submit an abstract. Please read all information and see resources available for tailoring your abstract to this event in order to communicate your research to a broad audience. Contact the Research Symposium and Exposition Chairs (Anthony Carno and Yesim Keskin) at gsa.symposium16@gmail.com with any questions.
13. GSA GRADUATION CAP & GOWN LOANER PROGRAM – 3rd posting
Are you graduating with a master’s or doctoral degree this fall? If yes, you might be eligible to borrow a free graduate cap and gown from the GSA! This program loans a limited number of graduation gowns and caps to graduate students participating in Fall 2015 graduation ceremonies. Caps and gowns must then be returned to the GSA after the ceremonies. Interested students should fill out a survey at https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/graduatestudentassembly/special-programs/gsa-graduation-gown-rental-program/ by Friday, Nov 20, 2015, 5:00pm (EST) to be entered into a lottery. Winners will be notified no later than Nov 24. Note that all gowns have been dry cleaned; caps will not be cleaned due to their internal material. Contact GSA Events and Special Programs Chair Kisha Gresham at kiwi@vt.edu with questions.
14. GRAD WAGE POSITION OPEN IN OIRED – 1st posting
Office of International Research, Education, and Development (OIRED) is looking for a graduate student (wage) to work up to 20 hrs/wk on projects and initiatives, including providing support to project development and efforts to identify and respond to project funding opportunities. The grad student will contribute to proposal preparation and help with the due diligence and research that goes into responses to funding opportunities. S/he will support ongoing project work as appropriate. Preference is for a student with experience and/or demonstrated interest in working internationally. To apply, send your resume to Lia Kelinsky, liak9@vt.edu by Dec 11, 2015.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
WORKSHOP ON REPRODUCIBLE RESEARCH BY CENTER FOR OPEN SCIENCE
Monday, Nov 30, 2:00pm, Newman Library Multipurpose Room (1st floor)
Researchers can take many actions to increase the openness and reproducibility of their work. Learn easy, practical steps to increase the reproducibility of your work during this hands-on workshop presented by Courtney Soderberg, Center for Open Science. Using example studies, attendees will actively participate in creating a reproducible project from start to finish. Topics covered: Project documentation; Version control; Pre-Analysis plans; Open source tools like the Center for Open Science’s Open Science Framework to easily implement these concepts in a scientific workflow. The workshop is aimed at those engaged in quantitative research; it does not require any specialized knowledge of programming. Participants will gain a foundation for incorporating reproducible, transparent practices into their current workflows. For more information contact Andi Ogier, alop@vt.edu.
AUDITIONS FOR ‘SETNET’ WRITTEN AND DIRECT BY GRAD STUDENT
Monday, Nov 30, 7:00-10:00pm, Theater 201
Tuesday, Dec 1, 7:00-10:00pm, Theater 201
Setnet is the story of the fishermen in remote Alaska, who are trying to survive another salmon season and each other. It is a raucous adventure play that includes a capella singing. Auditions will be done in hour-long slots. Sign up for a slot by emailing naphtalifields@gmail.com. The cast is 7 male, 1 female. Prepare a one-minute monologue of your choice, and a short (30 second) song to be sung a capella. Auditioning students will read sides during the audition, work on some group movement, and sing together. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Naphtali Fields at naphtalifields@gmail.com.
WRITING CENTER INFORMATION SESSIONS ON FORMING WRITING SUPPORT GROUPS
Thursday, Dec 3, 12:00-1:30, GLC Room F
Friday, Dec 4, 1:00-2:30, GLC Room D
Do you need some support with writing your thesis, dissertation, journal articles, and more? Would you like some help finding other graduate students to form a writing support group? The Writing Center and the Graduate School are facilitating the forming of writing support groups. Attend one of these information sessions to learn how a writing group may help you stay on task, how to become a member of a writing group, and other techniques that may help you along the way. Can’t make it to the above dates? Check back at the VT Writing Center website– additional information sessions will be offered in the beginning of the spring semester.
FINANCIAL AID LOAN REPAYMENT INFO SESSION
Monday, Dec 7, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room G
If you are graduating in the near future and having to start repaying students loans is looming around the corner, this info session might be just what you need! Financial Aid staff will walk you through the repayment planning process and discuss all the things you need to know! After the info session they will offer one-on-one advising in the GLC on Wednesday and Thursday 8:30-12 and Friday 1-5.