Events, services and opportunities for graduate students

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC

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

2. GSA VT-BOISE STATE GAME SOCIAL
Monday, Sep. 6, 7:30pm, GLC Student Lounge
Didn’t get tickets the Boise State game? Join the GSA and your fellow graduate students in the GLC to watch your VT Hokies take on the Boise State Broncos in the opening game of the 2010 season. Light refreshments and snacks will be supplied, as well as some traditional tailgating games of cornhole and tailgate golf to fill the time during TV breaks and half time. So bring your friends, your family, and your Hokie pride. Questions? Please contact Jay Pembridge, GSA Events Chair.

3. COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
Tuesday, Sep 7, 5:00-6:00pm, GLC Student Lounge
Though primarily targeted to new graduate students, this event provides an opportunity for all graduate students to gather and enjoy some refreshments and good conversation and get their questions answered by Graduate School staff and student leaders.

4. WORKING MOMS’ SUPPORT GROUP
Wednesday, Sep 8, 12:00pm, Room G in the GLC
Meeting on the second Wednesday of each month, this gathering provides an opportunity for working mothers to share, vent, network, and support one another. For more information, contact Christine Dennis Smith in the Women’s Center.

5. 30-MIN CHRISTIAN WORSHIP: LUNCHTIME AT THE CHAPEL – 3rd posting
Wednesdays, 12:10-12:40 pm, War Memorial Chapel
Graduate students are invited to join together for half an hour of Christian worship, including singing, prayer, and a brief Bible message, at 12:10 pm on Wednesdays at War Memorial Chapel.  University employees are also welcome to come.  "Take a break  in the middle of the week to worship God and meet other Christian graduate students."  Sponsored by registered graduate student organization R. P. Missions.

6. RESUME KICK OFF
Thursday, Sep 9, 9:00-5:00pm, Smith Career Center
Get ready for the upcoming Career Fairs at wlk-in resume critiques by employers and career advisors. Extended wlk-in advising hours, no appointment necessary. Stop in with your resume!

7. GRADUATE SCHOLARS SOCIETY INTEREST MEETING
Thursday, Sep 9, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C
Should there be a mosque near Ground Zero?  Do you favor gun rights or gun control?  Does the international community have a responsibility to prevent tragedies such as the Rwandan genocide?  If you enjoy debating issues such as these, consider joining the Graduate Scholar Society (GSS).  The GSS is composed of small discussion groups based on relevant and current topics in society. Lunch will be provided. If you’re interested, please sign up for a group. For more information, contact Eric Hodges, or visit the GSS website.

8. LABORATORY SAFETY
Thursday & Friday, Sep 9 & 10, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room B
Learn about hazards that may be present in a laboratory research environment and the actions that must be taken to comply with university policy and state and federal law.

9. GRAD STUDENT SUPPORT GROUP: THRIVE OR SURVIVE?
Thursdays, starting Sep 9, 4:00-5:00pm, GLC Room C
Life can often feel overwhelming for graduate students: managing relationships with family, friends, roommates, colleagues, and advisors; your support system may be in a different state or a different country; you may have a family to take care of in addition to graduate school. And then, of course, there are issues like prelims, theses, dissertations, teaching, researching, etc. Meet on Thursday afternoons with Cook Counseling staff and fellow graduate students to talk about these and other issues, seek and provide support, empower each other, and learn how to navigate the university’s systems and resources.

10. FANTASY FOOTBALL
Thursday, Sep 9, 6:00pm, GLC Room G
Are you ready for some football?  The GLC Fellows are creating a fantasy football league for the 2010-2011 NFL season. There will be a live “draft” and then participants will gather to watch the opening game starting at 8:00pm.  If you don’t know anything about football but would like to participate, there will be an information session on how fantasy football works and how football works in general. It’s fun! Pizza will be provided. If you would like to sign up for a team in advance, visit this website. or more information, contact GLC Fellow Eric Hodges.

11. TOWN OF BLACKSBURG TOUR

Friday, Sep 10, 2:45pm, Meet in the GLC Lobby
Join your fellow graduate students on a tour of Blacksburg and explore the original town limits and some of the oldest structures in Blacksburg. Sign up here.

12. HONOR SYSTEM PANELIST TRAINING SESSIONS
Friday, Sep 10, 9:00-10:00am, Room B in the GLC
The Graduate Honor System, 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. To learn more about the GHS and its role in the University community, please visit the GHS website or send questions to ghs@vt.edu. Additional training sessions:
– Tuesday, Sep 14, 12:00-1:00pm in Room B in the GLC
– Wednesday, Sep 16, 5:30-6:30pm in Room G in the GLC

13. INTEREST MEETING FOR WOMEN GRADUATE STUDENTS
Friday, Sep 10, 3:30pm in Room D in the GLC
Been out in the workforce? Returned for a degree? Looking for a community of people with similar life experiences? Attend this initial meeting to network, identify common needs, and resources. The group will discuss the opportunity of relaunching the Blacksburg chapter of the AAUW (American Association of University Women). Coffee and snacks will be provided. Contact Vera Novak with your interest, and time availability. vnovak@vt.edu.

14. U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS VIEWING PARTY
Sunday, Sep 12, 6:00-7:00pm, GLC Graduate Student Lounge
The GLC Fellows invite you to watch the U.S. Open Championship with other grads.  Whether you have never played tennis or you are an expert, this is an opportunity for students to share their passion for the game. Could it be another Federer v. Nadal matchup? Snacks will be provided. For more information, contact Scott Lail.

15. GRA OPENING: WEB APPLICATION DEVELOPER
The VT eCorridors program and Center for Geospatial Information Technology seek a Graduate Research Assistant for a 20 hr/wk appointment to develop, enhance and maintain multiple database-driven, dynamic websites associated with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s statewide broadband mapping initiative funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA); develop web forms; integrate sites with backend databases; update sites and load bulk data and more. Ideal candidate will have proficiency in PHP, MySQL or other relational databases, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and a general understanding of web design principles. An academic research interest in telecommunications and/or the applications of same in urban and regional planning or economic development would be beneficial. Interested students, or their faculty advisors, should contact Jean Plymale at the eCorridors program, 540.231.2270. Open until filled.

16. P.E.O SCHOLAR AWARD 2011-12 – APPLY NOW!
The $15,000. P.E.O. Scholar Award provides opportunity for 85 women graduate students for 2011-12. The three Blacksburg Chapters coordinate efforts to identify potential applicants to nominate for the prestigious merit-based awards. Eligibility: be within two years of completing doctoral degree or postgraduate study or research by August 1, 2011 (granting date); have at least one academic year remaining from the granting date to complete doctoral program; demonstrate academic excellence with a strong research path, publications, awards and service activities, maturity and seriousness of purpose; have clearly defined career objectives, showing promise of making a significant   contribution to field; be a citizen of the US or Canada at the time of nomination. For local application review submit: 1. 1-2pg letter of application highlighting current work and career goals; 2. Resume to: Elva Miller -205 Woods Edge Court, Blacksburg, VA 24060. Questions: e-mail or call 540-951-8407. If nominated by a local chapter, the applicant will receive an official application package from the P.E.O. Scholar Awards office.

17. INVITATION TO LGBTA STUDENT GROUP
The predominantly undergrad organization, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Alliance (LGBTA), is putting together a monthly or bimonthly laid back get together for GRADUATE students. These events are open to anyone, gay or straight, who would enjoy getting together for drinks and discussion downtown or at a coffee shop nearby. Sociology grad student Catherine Cotrupi is coordinating the meetings, so email her  for more information or contact the LGBTA directly.

18. GRAD SCHOOL PLANNERS STILL AVAILABLE

Graduate School Handbook and Planners are still available in the GLC, while supplies last. Pick up your free copy in the Information and Registration area (120 GLC) or in the Reading Room. We’ve heard your comments and extended the planners by a week and updated some other features as well to make it more user-friendly. These free planners are brought to you by the Graduate School.

19. RESEARCH SUBJECTS WANTED – 1st posting

Research subjects are wanted for a study to determine whether daily consumption of corn oil/omega-3 fat will influence muscle soreness, damage and inflammation that occurs after weight training. Must consume supplement for 45 days, perform strenuous weight training bout, go through several weeks of weight training program developed by the researchers, and provide seven blood samples over 45 days. Eligibility: must be healthy males (non-smokers, no orthopedic limitations to exercise; no chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, bleeding, or inflammatory diseases); 18-28; schedule compatible with testing and training. Benefits: development of personal weight training program by experienced professionals, financial compensation up to $175. If interested, contact vthnfe@gmail.com for more information.

20. NEW GRADUATE ASSISTANTS – WIN A $250 GIFT CERTIFICATE! – 2nd posting
New graduate assistants starting in the 2010 Fall semester: Would you like to help a fellow VT student with her research while getting a chance to win a $250 gift certificate? If so, please take a short survey from the Department of Management. With this study researchers hope to better understand the socialization process that new graduate assistants experience as they start their assignments. Only you can help with this! Access the survey here. If you have any questions, please contact Gretchen Schaupp.

21. HNFE RESEARCH STUDY SEEKS PARTICIPANTS FOR EVALUATION OF BRIEF DIETARY QUESTIONNAIRE – 2nd posting
Researchers in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise are conducting a study to determine the sensitivity to change of a brief dietary intake questionnaire. You may be eligible to participate if you are 21 or older, and are in good health. The study involves 14 weekly visits to the Virginia Tech Campus. Each visit will be less than 30 minutes (excluding the initial visit which will last about 1 hour). Participants will be compensated a total of $45. For more information, please contact Valisa in the Laboratory for Eating Behaviors and Weight Management at 231-7983.

22. NEW MEMBERS SOUGHT FOR AEL GRAD HONOR SOCIETY – 1st posting
Applications are now acceptedfor Alpha Epsilon Lambda (AEL), a graduate honor society for academic and leadership excellence. Graduate students may become members based on their academic achievements and leadership experiences (must meet some minimum GPA requirements). Apply by September 24, 2010. The induction ceremony for new members will take place on October 13, 2010 at the Graduate School. Please contact Ganesh Balasubramanian for any questions.

23. GRADUATE SCHOOL FEATURED GRADUATE STUDENT
Nominate yourself, a friend, or fellow graduate student to be recognized on the Graduate School website as a Featured Graduate Student! This program is designed to showcase the diversity of perspectives graduate students bring to our community and to present a more personal side of graduate student life. View the Graduate School’s current Featured Graduate Student and to nominate a graduate student here.

24. UPCOMING EVENTS:

FIRST BGSO MEETING OF THE YEAR
Tuesday, Sep 14, 7:15-8:45pm, Black Cultural Center, 146 Squires
The Black Graduate Student Organization invites you to its first meeting of the year, which will focus on developing mentoring relationships. Information on services and businesses that serve the needs of the Black community will be presented. "Senior" members of the BGSO community are encouraged to come and share their knowledge with new students (and old!). More info on the BGSO’s events and meetings can be found at http://www.bgso.org.vt.edu/events.html.

GRRLFRIENDS AND GARDENS
Saturday, Sep 25, 8:00am-12:00pm, Community Gardens of VTYMCA
This community service project is designed to celebrate relationships among women and is offered twice a semester for students, staff and faculty. The first service day for Fall 2010 is designed to bring women graduate students together. Each volunteer who signs up is invited to bring along a significant woman in her life (mothers, daughters, sisters, friends) to participate in the service project. The participants will spend the day volunteering at the Community Gardens of VTYMCA. This project is in partnership with the Graduate School and YMCA at VT. For more information contact Sharbari Dey at 231-7806 or visit the project website.

LUNCH WITH THE PRESIDENT – SIGN UP NOW!
Friday, Oct 1, 12:00-1:30pm, The Inn Inn at Virginia Tech.
Chat with President Steger, Provost McNamee, and Dean DePauw over lunch. There will be open dialogue about graduate student issues and concerns. All graduate students are invited to attend. Sign up by September 25, at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1283480813283. If you have any questions, please contact grad BOV rep Deepu George at georgedv@vt.edu.

TECHNICAL WRITING WORKSHOP – SIGN UP NOW!
Saturday, Oct 30, 10:00am-2:30pm, Fralin Auditorium
Sponsored by the Fralin Life Science Institute and the Graduate School, this technical writing workshop allows faculty and students to work together. Topics include: components of a manuscript; searching literature; technical writing and grammar, plagiarism and referencing, and editor’s perspective. A handbook and a pizza lunch will be provided to participants. Must register by Oct 15 by emailing to Dr. Janet Webster, jbwebste@vt.edu.