November 9-15, 2009

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC

  • Writing support: Mondays (4-6pm) and Wednesdays (4-7pm), Student Lounge
  • Walk-in counseling: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 1:00-5:00pm, Videoconference Room
  • Career services walk-in advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, GLC Study Room

2. PHOTO CONTEST SUBMISSION DEADLINE TODAY!
Graduate students are invited to submit up to three 11" x 14" unframed photographs of study, research, travel, or life outside the United States.  All entries must reflect at least one of the following: local culture, landscape or cityscape views, person or group portraits. Submit photos with entry forms in 111 or 112 GLC by Monday, Nov 9, 5:00pm. Selected entries will be displayed through the end of the semester, while others will remain on display through March 2010. Photographs must be your own original work. Download entry form.  Questions: contact Ruth Athanson. This photo contest is part of the celebration of International Education Week, observed by campuses across the U.S. to showcase how international education promotes learning and builds understanding and respect among different cultures.

3. FILM DUO I: TOUGH GUISE
Monday, Nov 9, 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Student Lounge
While the social construction of femininity has been widely examined, the dominant role of masculinity has, until recently, remained largely invisible.  Tough Guise (1999) is the first educational video geared toward college and high school students to systematically examine the relationship between pop-cultural imagery and the social construction of masculine identities in the U.S. at the dawn of the 21st century. Sponsored by the GLC Fellows.  Questions: contact Lindsay Moss or Jeanne Mouton.

4. SHORT COURSE IN STATISTICS: ANALYSIS OF REPEATED MEASURES AND OTHER RANDOM EFFECTS
Tuesday, Nov 10, 5:00-7:00pm, Fralin Auditorium
This course will cover repeated measures models, focusing on implementation and interpretation of output. What is a "random effect" and why it is called a "random effect" will be discussed, with consideration of when to use random effects models. Application of a hierarchical model and why they are the obvious choice in some cases will also be covered. Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (LISA) offers a series of short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research through teaching practical statistical techniques for analyzing or collecting data.  Refreshments will be provided at the end of each short course! LISA also provides free statistical collaboration and consulting by appointment.  Free daily walk-in consulting service is also available from 12-2pm in 401 Hutcheson Hall. 

5. ETD SERIES: GRADUATE SCHOOL REVIEW OF YOUR ETD
Tuesday, Nov 10, 7:00-8:30pm in Room F in the GLC
Graduate School staff will discuss items they check during the review of your submitted ETD, and the timeline of the submission process.  Learn more from the Graduate School’s ETD Wiki.

6. COME FIND YOUR RED RUBBER BALL

Wednesday, Nov 11, 7:00-8:00pm, GLC Auditorium
Discover how your passion can become your career! Meet Kevin Carroll of Katalyst, and learn how he turned his passion for play into a successful career as a trainer for the Philadelphia 76er’s, Nike, and now a professional speaker. Sponsored by Career Services.

7. MOVE TO BOLLYWOOD: TWO WORKSHOPS!
Wednesday, Nov 11, 7:00-8:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Tuesday, Nov 17, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Celebrate International Education Week by burning a few calories in grace, style, and rhythm. Join one or both of these free dance session and learn some classic Bollywood dance moves. Bring water and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. To spice it up, dance barefoot and/or wear a flowy skirt! Please RSVP.  Contact Sruthi Atmakur or Ranjana Mehta with questions.

8. FILM DUO II: KILLING US SOFTLY 3
Thursday, Nov 12, 7-9pm, GLC Student Lounge
Killing Us Softly 3 (2001) provides a groundbreaking analysis of advertising’s depiction of women in this most recent update of the pioneering Killing Us Softly series.  The film decodes an array of print and television advertisements to reveal a pattern of disturbing and destructive gender stereotypes.  The analysis challenges us to consider the relationship between advertising and broader issues of culture, identity, sexism, and gender violence.  Sponsored by the GLC Fellows.  Questions: contact Lindsay Moss or Jeanne Mouton.

9. GSA WINE SOCIAL
Friday, Nov 13, 5:30-9:00pm, University Club
The Graduate Student Assembly hosts its annual fall Wine Social, this time kicking off International Education Week with an international flair.  Tickets are just $10 for regular admission. Purchase online, or pay at the door; $5.00 at the door for GSA delegates and cabinet members. If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, please contact Lindsay Moss, VP of Programs.

10. SWINGSGIVING SWING DANCE
Friday, November 13th, 7:00-11:30pm, Old Dominion Ballroom, Squires
Join the VT Solely Swing Dance Club‘s Annual Swingsgiving Swing Dance!  This dance is a benefit for a local food shelter, so join to help charity, listen to a live band, and learn to dance!  Lesson is from 7-8pm, social dance from 8-11:30.  Admission to the dance is a can of food! Donations will also be accepted.

11. FUNDRAISING MOVIE NIGHT: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Saturday, Nov 14, 6:00pm, Squires Student Center  Room 345
The Association for Women in Computing invites you to its movie night to raise funds for the association to help spreading its message, which is to encourage women to go into the computing field. The admission is free and refreshments and popcorn will be sold. Learn more about the association! This message is posted on behalf of Samah Gad, doctoral student in computer science.

12. INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES SPEECH CONTEST

Thursday, Nov 19, 7:00pm, Fralin Auditorium
In celebration of International Education Week, Virginia Tech’s chapter of the Phi Beta Delta international honor society will sponsor an ‘International Experiences’ speech contest for VT faculty, staff, and students. Participants must prepare a five-minute speech based on ‘one facet of your international experience, describing how it has changed your life.’ $50 cash prizes will be awarded to winners in the following categories: (1) international, (1) US undergraduate student, (1) international and (1) US graduate student, and faculty/staff. Kevin McDonald, VP for Equity and Inclusion, will serve as master of ceremonies. Details and applications are at http://www.oired.vt.edu/PBD/ or request from Kathryn Ticknor. Apply by Thursday, Nov 12.  Attendance at the event is open to all.

13. FREE NUTRITION COUNCELING AVAILABLE
Take advantage of free one-on-one nutrition counseling with senior level dietetics students: improve your food choices, manage your weight, receive guidance on shopping and dining out in town or on campus, learn about nutrition, exercise and disease prevention, and more. To receive consultation in person or through email, sign up!

14. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS 2010
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($500-$1000 each) and award certificate. Consider applying or discuss the possibility of your nomination by your advisor/department for any of the following awards that will be given out during our annual awards banquet on March 25, 2010:
– Outstanding Dissertation in (1) Mathematics, Science and Engineering, and (2) in Social Sciences and Humanities
– Graduate Student Teaching Excellence
– Graduate Student Service Excellence
– Graduate Man and Woman of the Year
Nomination/Application deadline is February 5, 2010. Visit our website for more information.

15. GRADUATE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT FOCUS GROUP
Dr. John Dooley, VP for Outreach and International Affairs, is supporting a research project to enhance community engagement opportunities and related scholarship at Virginia Tech.  As part of this effort, the research team will be holding three graduate student focus groups to ascertain the graduate student experience with community engagement.  The three dates for these focus groups are: Nov 16 (10:30-12:00), Nov 17 (10:30-12:00), and Nov 19 (2:30-4:00). If you are interested in community engagement, please consider attending one of these groups. For more information or to sign up, contact Eric Hodges.

16. STUDY PARTICIPANTS NEEDED – 1st posting
40 Latina mothers are sought to participate in a study on beliefs about emotions and experiences with dichos and consejos (sayings passed on from generation to generation). Mothers will complete questionnaires and then close with an interview. The study will take no longer than 1.5 hours and participants will be paid $10. Mothers can participate in the comfort of their own homes or in the research lab. If you are interested or have any questions, please email Marie Belle.

17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR USER STUDY – 2nd POSTING
40 students are sought to participate in an experiment to evaluate a new system for aural representation. Participants will listen to sound sources using a speaker-array (24 speakers) and describe their location and shape using a pointing device (Wii mote). The experiment will take no longer than one hour, including filling out questionnaires, in the DISIS lab (located next to UPS store in downtown). Please refer to the project website for directions. Review the calendar of open times before you sign up. Each participant must be 18+ years of age and have no problem of hearing sound with normal volume. If you are interested or have further questions, please email to doctoral student Ji-Sun Kim, indicating your availability.

18. RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM FOR ARTS & SCIENCES GRADS-2nd posting
The College of William and Mary’s Graduate Research Symposium Committee invites VT arts and sciences graduate students to their 9th Annual Graduate Research Symposium in Williamsburg on March 26-27, 2010. Abstract submissions from the following disciplines are sought: American Studies, Anthology, Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, History, Physics, Psychology and Public Policy. A unique educational and networking event, the conference is designed to bring together graduate students from differing areas of study and from all stages of the degree process. The congenial setting and professionally-oriented environment provide an opportunity for students to discuss their research, while fostering community relationships across discipline boundaries. Cash prizes will be awarded for top papers presented by both William and Mary Arts & Sciences students and students in Arts & Sciences from outside institutions. Deadline for abstract submission is December 4, 2009.  For more information contact Chasity Roberts.

19. CALL FOR SURVEY PARTICIPANTS – 3rd posting
An MBA marketing class needs your opinion! The group is doing a marketing plan for a company that created a local website to advertise events in the NRV.  They need as many people as possible to complete their survey. Feel free to share this survey with your friends! If you have questions, contact Josey Chacko.

20. UPCOMING EVENTS:

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK NOV 13-20

The Graduate School will celebrate International Education Week November 13-20 with a variety of events and activities to showcase how international education promotes learning and builds understanding and respect among different cultures. Review the listing of events and activities.

THE CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS OF WORKING ABROAD: A FOCUS ON STUDENT PROJECTS
Monday, Nov 17, 7:00-8:00pm, McBryde 113
Engineers Without Borders (EWB) will present their international projects taking place in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, and Uganda and explain how cultural differences can make an impact on these kinds of aid projects. A Q&A  session will follow the presentation. EWB is a student run chapter of Engineers Without Borders-USA whose mission is to: partner with disadvantaged communities to improve their quality of life through implementation of environmentally, equitable, and economically sustainable engineering projects, while developing internationally responsible engineers and engineering students through education, encouragement, and experience.

YOGA
Tuesday, Nov 17, 5:30-6:30pm, GLC Room F
In honor of International Education Week, Nancy Mignone facilitates this Traditional Hatha Yoga Asana (physical exercises), Pranayama (breathwork), and Meditation program. Those interested in experiencing this traditional form of yoga will feel release of tension, development of mental calmness, clarity and inner peace.  $5-10 suggested donation to attend.  A handout describing how to do each pose and its benefits, as well as a description of the breath exercise and meditation will be provided for a $10 minimum donation.  Please wear loose, comfortable clothing which allows you to move and breathe with ease. Bring a pillow, blanket, and yoga mat. If you do not have a mat, please check out one at the GLC Information Desk.  Questions: Sandy Jahmi Burg with Circle Toward Wholeness.

GLOBAL CAREER SKILLS: SECRETS FOR SUCCESS FROM NORTH AMERICA’S GLOBAL CAREER EXPERT
Wednesday, Nov 18, 7:00pm, GLC Auditorium
Learn about international careers from best-selling author Jean-Marc Hachey and his book, The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas. Discover what skills are required to be successful overseas; long-term career strategies; how to gain international experience and build an “International I.Q.”; step-by-step tactics for finding international work; targeted job search and more. Hachey’s seminars are brimming with practical tips, expert advice and humorous stories to help you go abroad and prepare for work in the new global economy. This event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Council of International Student Organizations.

LEADING DIVERSITY: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
Wednesday, Nov 18, 5:00-6:30pm, GLC Room F
Alpha Epsilon Lambda, the VT Chapter of the National Academic Excellence and Leadership Honor Society, invites you to its Fall seminar exploring the potential and the challenges inherent in our diversity: its relationship to effectiveness and excellence, the often subtle impacts of biases and assumptions, and our capacity for communicating across differences. Here, diversity is broadly defined to include intellectual, experiential and ideological differences as well as age, race, ethnicity, gender, ability, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status and national origin. The seminar will be led by Professor Susanna C. Rinehart, Director of Education for Diversity and Inclusion in the Office for Equity and Inclusion, and Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre and Cinema. Light refreshments will be available from 4:30 and everyone is encouraged to come early for socializing.