February 1-7, 2010

1. LUNCH WITH THE DEAN – SIGN UP NOW!
Thursday, 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 here.

2. 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.  Gatherings every 2 weeks.  If you’re interested in attending, please fill out this short survey  or contact GLC Fellow Jeanne Mouton. Sponsored by the GLC Fellows.

3. JOB SEARCH CLUB SPRING 2010
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:00pm in GLC Room C
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 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.

4. HONOR SYSTEM PANELIST 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
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, attend one of the hour-long training sessions. Learn more about the GHS and its role in the University community, or send questions to the chief justice.

5. GRADUATE SCHOLARS SOCIETY INTEREST MEETING
Wednesday, Feb 3, 12:30 in GLC Room G
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. Attend the interest meeting this Wednesday with free lunch. Learn more and/or sign up for the interest meeting, or email Eric Hodges if you have any questions.

 6. CAREER SERVICES WALK-IN ADVISING AND OTHER ASSISTANCE
Wednesdays, 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. Review career services highlights for graduate students

7. YOUR FIRST REAL JOB: ENTERING THE WORK FORCE
Wednesday, Feb 3, 3:00-5:00pm, Holtzman Alumni Center Assembly Hall
This event is offered by the Alumni Association to provide practical information to students who are seeking their first full-time career position. Topics include workplace 101, money and other financial considerations, and building a successful career. Door prizes available. Presented by Experts in Action. Contact Gwen Harrington if you have any questions.

8. EFFECTIVE READING WORKSHOP
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.

9. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT
Thursdays, 6:00-8:30pm, Women’s Center conference room
A free weekly drop-in evening child care program for kids 2-12, provided by the women of Chi Delta Alpha sorority. No need to pre-register. Take a break, study or attend a lecture, or catch up on work while your kid(s) are watched in a safe and fun environment.

10. STUDENT AFFAIRS JOB SEARCH WORKSHOP

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.

11. EXPECTANT GRADUATE STUDENTS SUPPORT GROUP

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. If you are interested in joining such a group, please fill out this short survey. A meeting will be scheduled shortly for those who complete the survey.

12. GSA TRAVEL FUND APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED NOW
The GSA Travel Fund Program (TFP) offers awards to support the cost of presenting at a conference.  Master’s students may receive up to $350 and doctoral students up to $500.  The application period for travel between January 1 and June 30 will be open from February 1 to March 5.  Visit http://www.gsa.uusa.vt.edu/programs/travel_fund for instructions on how to apply.  Please contact Lora Cavuoto with any questions.

13. 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. APPLICATIONS FOR GRAD BOV REP POSITION 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!” The application can be found at http://www.bovgradrep.grads.vt.edu/. Questions? Contact Rebecca French at rafbovgradrep@vt.edu.

16. GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS 2010 – deadline Feb 5

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:
Students must be nominated for:
– Outstanding Dissertation in (1) math, sciences and engineering, and (2) in social sciences and humanities
– Graduate Student Teaching Excellence
– Graduate Student Service Excellence
Students must apply for:
– Graduate Man and Woman of the Year
For additional information on the specifics and requirements for each award, visit our website.  Nomination/Application deadline is February 5, 2010.

16. STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE NOW

Visit UUSA’s website to download your application. All materials must be received by Monday, Feb 15 at 5:00pm for consideration. The awards ceremony will be on Apr 29. These awards recognize individual students and student organizations for their achievements.

17. GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN
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. Learn more about the symposium or contact the GSA Research Symposium Chair, Ganesh Balasubramanian with questions.

18. 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 or email Eric Hodges any questions or concerns.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR YOGURT SENSORY STUDY – 2nd 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.  Read a detailed description of the project.  If not interested in tasting please fill out the survey!  If you have questions contact Marnie Rognlien.

22. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR EVALUATION OF ASSESSMENT TOOL – 2nd 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.

23. UPCOMING EVENTS:

LaTeX WORKSHOP I

Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb 9 and 10, 5:30-7:30pm, GLC Room F
This workshop is designed to give an introduction to the world of LaTeX, a type-setting program for creating professional scientific documents.  It will cover the different compilers and front-ends, where to obtain them, how to install them and how to create a basic document (document classes, the basic preamble, basic environments and sectioning).  The presentation will leave time for a Q&A session.  For more advanced interests, please see the announcement for LaTeX Workshop II.  Questions: Jonathan Duggins at dugginsj@vt.edu.

GALILEO SKETCH COMEDY SHOW
Friday, Feb 19, 8:00pm in GLC AUDITORIUM
Come out for a great laugh by the renowned sketch comedy group- Galileo Players. "I laughed so hard I cried. I especially liked the intellectual content of the show. Whoever said science isn’t funny obviously has never seen the Galileo Players," said a 2007 VT grad student. Tickets are just $5 available through the GSA. Buy your ticket today before they sell out!  Contact: gsa@vt.edu.