Jan 25-31, 2010

1. LUNCH WITH THE DEAN – SIGN UP NOW!
Jan 26 and Feb 4, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C
Meet Graduate School Dean Dr. Karen DePauw and several graduate student leaders at this free lunch and learn about the latest in graduate education. Share your perspectives in a casual setting.
Sign up for the January 26 lunch 
Sign up for the February 4 lunch
 
2. CAREER SERVICES WALK-IN ADVISING
Wednesdays, starting Jan 27, 1:30-5:00pm, GLC Study Room
Amy McPherson, Associate Director of Career Services, is available to graduate students every Wednesday (except during spring break) to assist with career preparation questions, resume review and more. No appointment necessary.
 
3. EXPECTANT GRADUATE STUDENTS INTEREST MEETING
Wednesday, Jan 27, 5:00-6:00pm, Room D in the GLC
Interested graduate students are starting a new group to support pregnant graduate students and graduate students’ spouses through the sharing of ideas, resources, and moral support. The Graduate School supports this initiative and will provide some initial resources to get the group started. If you are interested in joining such a group, please attend this interest meeting and/or fill out this short survey.

4. PEACE CORPS INFO SESSION
Wednesday, Jan 27, 6:30-7:30pm, 236 Squires
This information session gives an overview of the experiences of volunteers in some of the 70+ countries served by the Peace Corps. Presenters will discuss a variety of projects, including agriculture, health and HIV awareness, English as a second language, environmental education, and more. They will also review the necessary qualifications and process of becoming a volunteer. A video presentation will be followed by discussion and Q&A. Contact Alex Frane, graduate student and former PC volunteer, for further information.

5. GSA DELEGATE MEETING
Thursday, Jan 28, 5:30-7pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Want to know what the Graduate Student Assembly is and how it works? Are you intrigued by those fancy, fun, and educational events they host? Maybe you made a New Year’s resolution to become more involved this semester? Whatever your reason(s), come to this GSA Delegate meeting to learn more about the GSA and how you could become involved. This meeting is mandatory for all GSA Delegate members and open to ALL graduate students. Contact Michelle McLeese, VP of Membership, if you have questions.

6. CINEMATECH SCREENING SERIES
Thursday, Jan 28, 7:00pm in 1045 Pamplin
The School of Performing Arts & Cinema kicks of this semester with the new CinemaTech screening series: each film will be introduced and discussed by a Cinema faculty member. Please contact doctoral student Anja Haelg Bieri for more information about this series.
Last Thursdays every month:
Jan 28: Paul Harrill presents “Best Years of Our Lives”
Feb 25: Stephen Prince presents “Throne of Blood”
Mar 25: Karl Precoda presents “ Hell’s Hinges”
Apr 29: Ashley Maynor presents “Playtime”.

7. TOWN OF BLACKSBURG TOUR
Friday, Jan 29, 9:45am, GLC Lobby
Join your fellow graduate students and their friends and family on a tour of Blacksburg that focuses on the history of the town, beginning with the reasons it was formed in the first place through the development of the town as an educational center. The tour will cover the oldest buildings in the downtown area from the mid 1700’s through today. Depart from the GLC Lobby promptly at 9:50am for an hour long tour. Register online for this event at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1263228147946.  Questions: Lindsay Moss at lcmoss@vt.edu

8. GRADUATE NETWORK FOR COMMUNITY-ENGAGED SCHOLARSHIP
Friday, Jan 29, 12:00-1:00pm, Room G in the GLC
Keynote speaker Jim Dubinsky, Director for Student Engagement & Community Partnerships. All graduate students interested in becoming involved with graduate student engagement in service and community are invited to attend. Have a slice of pizza, learn about opportunities for community service or community-engaged scholarship in your research, and network with other graduate students and groups. Spring semester meetings will be held on the last Friday in February and March, culminating in April with a poster session highlighting graduate student community-engaged scholarship. Sponsored by  CSECP- Center for Student Engagement & Community Partnerships. To learn more, contact Leigh Lally.

9. COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
Friday, Jan 29, 1:00-2:00pm, GLC Student Lounge
Meet other new graduate students and enjoy refreshments and good conversation with Graduate School staff members and graduate student leaders who will answer any lingering questions on your mind.

10. DIVERSITY SUMMIT – REGISTER NOW
Friday, Jan 29, 2:00-5:00pm
The theme for the 13th Annual Diversity Summit is: Insight and Perspective into the Asian/Asian American Community at Virginia Tech. The summit provides VT community members a unique opportunity to engage with each other on issues of diversity and inclusion through a range of interactive and informative activities.  The Diversity Summit is open to all VT students, staff, faculty, administrators and members of the local community. Please register if you plan to attend by completing the survey.

11. STUDENT AFFAIRS JOB SEARCH WORKSHOPS
The Job Search Process: Friday, Jan 29,1:00–5:00PM; GLC Room F (tentative)
Job Interview Simulation: Friday, Feb 5, 1:00–5:00PM; GLC Room F (tentative)
Are you ready to get your dream job in Student Affairs? Do you need more help to prepare for the search and interview process? From deciding on jobs that fit you to preparing for the placement conferences and on-campus interviews, all the way to accepting that perfect position, these workshops will provide a vigorous preparation and interview simulation to make sure you are prepared for your Job Search in Student Affairs. For more information or to register as a “candidate in training,” please contact Kelley Woods, Assistant Director for Residence Life at kjwoods@vt.edu  or 540-231-9812.

12. FROM VINTAGE TO VELOUR: PARTYING THROUGH THE DECADES
Friday, Jan 29, 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Break out your poodle skirts, go-go boots, leg warmers, and skinny jeans for this welcome back party sponsored by the GLC Fellows. Dress up in fashion from your favorite decade, listen to a variety of music from old-school until now, and enjoy snacks and refreshments. Bring a picture of yourself from the past to share! It will be a totally cool and rad event. Be there or be square!

13. NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION RUN
January 31, 2:00pm, Meet in the GLC Lobby
Keep that New Year’s resolution to burn more calories and join us for a run! Meet in the GLC Lobby and we will run the Huckleberry Trail. Sponsored by the GLC Fellows. Contact Mike Sage with any questions or concerns.

14. HAITI RELIEF: FILL THE JAR OR THE BAG
The Graduate School has placed a change jar in the Information and Registration area (120 GLC). Please help fill the jar (change, cash, or checks are welcome!) and the Graduate School deans will match your donation! Checks can be made out to Hokies United or to Partners in Health (tax deductable). If you are interested in donating a health kit, the bags with instructions can also be picked up in 120 GLC. For more information please contact Dannette Beane.

15. SPEED DATING: WHERE ARE THE LADIES?
Register now for a speed dating evening on Friday, Feb 5: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1262972128921 The men are lining up around the corner to talk to single ladies! Back by popular demand, the 2nd annual speed dating event begins at 7:00pm in the GLC Multipurpose Room. A set of jewelry from Henebry’s will be raffled off to one lucky lady. There is a limit on registrations, so please sign up soon. Direct your questions and comments to Lindsay Moss, VP of Programs. 

16. APPLICATIONS FOR GRAD BOV REP POSITION NOW ACCEPTED
Apply to be the 2010-2011 Graduate Student Representative to the Board of Visitors! Represent your fellow graduate students to the administration of Virginia Tech and “Be the change!”  Download the application or contact Rebecca French for more information.

17. 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) math, sciences and engineering, and (2) in social sciences and humanities
– Graduate Student Teaching Excellence
– Graduate Student Service Excellence
– Graduate Man and Woman of the Year
– Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college
Additional information on the specifics and requirements for each award are on the Graduate School’s website.  Nomination/Application deadline is February 5, 2010.

18. GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS OPEN JAN 31
The 26th Annual GSA Research Symposium will be held on Mar 24 in the Graduate Life Center, and the GLC Plaza.
The symposium includes poster and oral presentations and video and performance categories. Students from the National Capital Region will participate through video-Conferencing. $9500 in prizes will be awarded! The keynote speaker is 2007 Nobel Laureate Dr. Andrew Weaver, a lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Abstract submissions begin January 31, 2010. Please visit the symposium website for more information. If you have questions, please contact the GSA Research Symposium Chair, Ganesh Balasubramanian.

19. GRADUATE SCHOLARS SOCIETY SPRING 2010 GROUPS
If you are interested in exploring important issues outside of your discipline, consider joining the Graduate Scholar Society (GSS). This semester’s topics include Haiti, Islam, Free Speech and Political Correctness, and the Changing Nature of Higher Education in the 21st Century. There will be an interest meeting on Wednesday, Feb 3, at 12:30 in GLC Room G. Lunch provided.  Learn more and/or sign up for the interest meeting, or email Eric Hodges for more information.

20. GET INVOLVED WITH CITIZEN SCHOLARS
Does your research benefit the local or global community?  Would you like to
help out Haiti but aren’t sure how? Learn more about how to get involved with the Citizen Scholar Experience project:  Email Eric Hodges any questions or concerns.

21. FREE TAX ASSISTANCE
New River Community Action offers free assistance with taxes for VT employees, including graduate students, whose income is less than $49,000. Appointments required – call 231-3213 or email to worklife@vt.edu to schedule one. Service offered in New Hall West on Mondays, 1:00-5:00pm, Feb 1-Apr 15.

22. REGISTER FOR CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION PEDAGOGY
Register now for this free conference on Feb 18-19 at The Inn at Virginia Tech. This annual conference is focused on teaching excellence and the scholarship of teaching and learning in higher education, featuring two invited keynote speakers (Lisa Lattuca and Mary Taylor Huber), 42 research- and practice-based sessions, and over 40 posters. Registration is open to faculty, administrators, and graduate students. Conference attendance is free and includes lunch both days as well as a printed copy of the conference proceedings to be distributed following the conference.

23. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR YOGURT SENSORY STUDY – 1st posting
Food Science master’s student seeks 100+ subjects to participate in a 10 minute online attitudes survey and 15 minute sensory taste panel for a new flavor of low fat yogurt enriched with healthy fats.  If not interested in tasting, please fill out the survey!  Review a detailed description of the project or contact Marnie Rognlien with any questions.

24. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR EVALUATION OF ASSESSMENT TOOL – 1st posting
A doctoral student in the School of Education is looking for graduate students to evaluate a learning assessment tool. The procedure includes (1) reading training materials of the assessment agent system, (2) trying out the assessment agent system, and (3) completing a questionnaire to present your ratings, comments and suggestions about the system. The entire process can be done in approximately 1 hour. The evaluation will be conducted online at the time and place of participant’s choice. If interested or have questions, please email to Jianhua Liu.

25. JOB SEARCH CLUB SPRING 2010
Career Services offers a unique opportunity for you to join a Job Search Club.  Members share one common link – a need or desire to obtain a job.  For six weeks, the Job Search Club members will meet weekly to discuss and practice job search skills, techniques and strategies. The graduate student club will meet on Tuesdays 3:30-5:00pm in GLC Room C on the following dates:  February 2, 16, 23 and March 2, 16, and 23. Registration is required.  To register, fill out this survey. If you have questions about the job search club, contact Amy McPherson.

26. SPRING 2010 INTERDISCIPLINARY & GENERAL INTEREST COURSE OFFERINGS:

—GLOBAL AND ETHICAL IMPACT OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Taught by an interdisciplinary group of faculty from engineering, business, liberal arts and human sciences colleges, Institute for Critical Technology andApplied Science (ICTAS), and office of academic assessment, this course will provide an overview of historical, technological, cultural, and scientific factors that influence the development of emerging technologies. Students will examine the influence of emerging technologies on contemporary life within and beyond the United States;  explore various theoretical frameworks for making ethical decisions for ensuring responsible technological development; and examine the role of policy and regulation in a globalized society. ENGE 5984, CRN 18252, 9:00-11:00 W, 3 credits. Learn more

—INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
This course is of special value to students considering or already engaged in interdisciplinary research. Faculty from civil engineering, geosciences, biological sciences, chemistry, physics, and psychology will lead the course, complemented by guest lectures from individuals around campus. Students will hear about successful and not-so-successful interdisciplinary endeavors, consider how this growing and vital approach to science and engineering is impacting career opportunities, and develop team grant-writing skills, all while exploring the cultural and discipline-specific factors that impact successful interdisciplinary efforts. GRAD 5134, MW 11:15am-12:30pm, GLC. 

—FREE MARKETS AND INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM
The Finance Department offers this free elective course that explains the underlying ideas and principles of capitalism and the free market economy. It is NOT a technical finance/economics course filled with equations and graphs, but rather a thoughtful discussion of Capitalism that provides a comparison to the other "isms," Socialism, Fascism, and Communism along with a discussion of contemporary economic issues. For example, the course will explore subjects such as the economic and political reasons for the “housing crisis,” and the subsequent economic panic; the pros and cons of nationalized health care, the efficacy of the “stimulus package,” and more. Instructor: Douglas Patterson. FIN 5284, CRN 18094: TTh 12:30-1:45pm, or CRN 18494: TTh 2:00-3:15pm.

—ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO WELLNESS-SPRING 2010 COURSE
Taught by Dr. Douglas K Lindner, this course examines several mind-body practices primarily related to the Ayurveda medicine and the yoga tradition. Examples of these practices include hatha yoga, breath work, meditation, Ayurveda medicine, herbs, and art therapy. Students will also examine a general philosophical framework for understanding the function of these practices, and discuss their historical place in the development of South Asian religions, their impact on health and well being, and  their relationship to conventional western medicine. Guest lecturers will cover many of these topics. Students will be required to adopt two practices and report on the impact of these practices. EDCI 5784, CRN 17772, 5:00-6:15pm TTh, 3 Credits.

27. UPCOMING EVENTS:

STITCH ‘N B*TCH: A KNITTING GROUP AT THE GLC
Monday, Feb 1, 5:00-6:00pm, Room B in the GLC
Ever been interested in learning how to knit?  Already knit but want to connect with other knitters at VT? SNB is open to all levels of knitters from the very beginner to the pro.  We will be having gatherings every 2 weeks.  If you’re interested in attending, please fill out this short survey at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1264029046910 or contact GLC Fellow Jeanne Mouton. Sponsored by the GLC Fellows.

HONOR SYSTEM PANELIST TRAINING SESSIONS
The Graduate Honor System (GHS), charged with enforcing the Graduate Honor Code and improving and upholding academic integrity at Virginia Tech, is seeking new student and faculty panelists to work with the Honor System in this academic year and beyond. To become a panelist, you just need to attend one of the hour-long training sessions. Learn more about the GHS and its role in the University community,  or send questions to ghs@vt.edu. Training sessions:

  • Tuesday, Feb 2, 5:15-6:15pm, Room D in the GLC
  • Wednesday, Feb 3, 9:00-10:00am, Room D in the GLC

EFFECTIVE READING
Wednesday, Feb 3, 5:30-6:30pm, GLC Room C
Educational researchers estimate that at best we retain only about 10 percent of the information that we read. Want to improve on that estimate in your academic reading? The key to becoming a more effective reader is first to learn how academic information in published papers is structured and then to discipline one’s self to hunt for information actively rather than passively wait for the information to appear on the page. This workshop will describe how one can read more actively and purposely in order to locate needed information, increase comprehension of that information, and boast retention of it for later use.
 
GSA SPEED DATING
February 5, 7pm-?, GLC Multipurpose Room
Are you complaining that you can never meet anyone? Looking for that Blacksburg Beau/Beauty? Well have no fear; the Graduate Student Assembly is hosting the “back by popular demand” 2nd Annual Speed Dating event! The festivities begin at 7pm in the GLC Multi-Purpose Room and plan to head downtown at the conclusion of the event! There will be a cap on the number of registrants, so register online soon at: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1262972128921 Contact Lindsay Moss, Vice President of Programs, at lcmoss@vt.edu with any questions or comments.