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
  • Walk-in counseling support: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 1-5pm, GLC Green Room
  • Writing support: Mondays (4-7pm) and Wednesdays (4-6pm), GLC Videoconference Room

2. HONOR SYSTEM PANELIST TRAINING SESSIONS
Tuesday, Sep 14, 12:00-1:00pm in Room B in the GLC
Thursday, Sep 16, 5:30-6:30pm in Room G 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 homepage or email to the chief justice.

3. 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.

4. INTEREST MEETING FOR WOMEN GRADUATE STUDENTS
Wednesday, Sep 15, 4:30-5:30pm 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, and identify common needs and resources. The group will discuss the opportunity of relaunching the Blacksburg chapter of the AAUW (American Association of University Women). Contact Vera Novak with your interest and time availability.

5. GRAD STUDENT 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.

6. GROOVE TO BOLLYWOOD MOVES!
Thursday, Sep 16, 5:30-6:30pm, GLC Plaza
Get your groove on with Bollywood Dance!  Burn a few calories in grace, style, and rhythm and spice up your personal dancing style by learning some classic Bollywood dance moves. Join in for a free dance session organized by GSA. Show up with high energy and a passion to dance at the GLC Plaza. Bring water and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Please register by filling out this survey. Questions? Contact Ranjana Mehta.

7. ADVANCE VT GRAD STUDENT LUNCH SEMINAR: MAKING A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION FROM STUDENT TO TEACHER
Friday, Sep 17, 12:00–1:30pm, GLC Room F
Are you interested in a faculty career but don’t have much teaching experience? Are you a GTA who would like to learn from the experiences of your peers? Please join Eileen Shugart, Jessica StClair, and Alexis Johnston for a discussion of strategies that can help you to make a smooth transition from graduate student to course instructor.  Lunch will be provided. AdvanceVT was created with support from NSF to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic careers at VT. All graduate students are welcome. Please register here by Sep 14.

8. "MATURE" STUDENTS GET TOGETHER

Friday, Sep 17, 4:00-5:00pm, GLC Room D
If you have returned to get a degree after working and/or raising a family and are looking for a community of people with similar experiences, attend this interest meeting to network and identify common needs and resources. Coffee and snacks will be provided. Contact Patricia Grace with your interest and availability, or fill out this survey. [Editor’s note: Students who do not attend this meeting will not be considered immature by default].

9. ANNUAL GSA TAILGATE

Saturday, Sep 18, 9:00am – 12:30pm; Prices Fork Parking Lot
Celebrate with your fellow graduate students before the Hokies take on the East Carolina Pirates! GSA will provide food and games, but it is BYOB. To help organizers better estimate food, please register here. A map to the tailgate can be found on the GSA website. Contact Amanda Cronin Rumore, VP of Programs, if you have any questions.

10. GSA DOG DAYS AT FLYING FUR!
Sunday, Sep 19, 3:30-5:30pm, meet at 3:15 at the GLC Otey St. entrance
Join the GSA and their four legged friends for a fun filled afternoon at Flying Fur! Dog DayCare. The GSA has rented out the Flying Fur facility for this event: there will be games and activities for humans and canines to enjoy as well as tasty treats for the dogs. Meet outside the GLC at 3:15 if you would like to caravan with GSA to the facility, or meet everyone there. Please bring a copy of your dog’s vaccination records and register here. For more information about FlyingFur, visit their site. Contact Jay Pembridge with questions.

11. PROPOSALS DUE FOR CONFERENCE ON HIGHER ED PEDAGOGY
Proposals are due on Oct 7 for the 3rd annual Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy, focused on teaching excellence, best practices, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Sessions address disciplinary and interdisciplinary instructional strategies, outcomes, and research. Proposals are invited for Research, Practice or Poster sessions.
   Proposals Due: October 7, 2010
   Notification of Acceptance: October 21, 2010
   Registration Due: January 21, 2011
   Conference Date: February 3-4, 2011
There is no registration fee; however, both presenters and participants must register. For more information and registration visit the conference website.

12. GSA TRAVEL FUND PROGRAM (TFP): Cycle I
The Travel Fund Program (TFP) is here to help relieve some of your financial burdens associated with traveling to conferences to present your research. If you are traveling to present between July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, you are eligible to apply to the TFP to be reimbursed up to $350 as a master’s or $500 as a doctoral student. Applications open Sep 6-Oct 15, 2010 (5pm). There will be a joint workshop with the GRDP program to answer any of your questions about the application process on Wednesday, Sep 14. Please review the TFP website for more information or email Courtney Gleason.

13. GSA-GRADUATE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (GRDP); CYCLE I
The GSA-GRDP is a competitive research funding program administered by the GSA to support qualified research and innovative ideas proposed by VT graduate students. Applications go through a rigorous review process by a panel of graduate students and faculty. Visit the GRDP website to learn more about this opportunity. A joint workshop with GSA-TFP program will be held on Sep 14 to answer any questions you may have about the application process. All questions should be directed to the GRDP chair, Ranjana Mehta.

14. GRADUATE SCHOLARS SOCIETY REGISTRATION STILL OPEN

If you enjoy exploring and discussing important social issues with fellow graduate students, join the Graduate Scholar Society (GSS).  The GSS is composed of small discussion groups based on relevant and current topics in society. This semester’s topics include: second amendment in society and on campus; Appalachian studies; public engaged scholarship; non-violence and peace studies; and understanding Islam. Registration for the Graduate Scholar Society will remain open until Sep 17.  Please register here. For more information, contact Eric Hodges, or visit the GSS website.

15. GSA FALL EVENTS ON GOOGLE CALENDAR AND FACEBOOK
The GSA is excited to bring you a semester full of fun! Visit the Google Calendar on the GSA Website  for dates of upcoming events, including Dialogue with the Dean, and the Fall Wine Social. You can also join the GSA Facebook group page (search: VT Graduate Student Assembly) to get up-to-date info for events. Details of each event will be sent out in the weekly GSA and Graduate School announcements and posted to the Facebook page. Please direct any questions to the VP of Programs, Amanda Cronin Rumore.

16. INVITATION TO LGBTA STUDENT GROUP – 2nd posting
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.

17. RESEARCH SUBJECTS WANTED – 2nd 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 the researchers for more information.

18. HNFE RESEARCH STUDY SEEKS PARTICIPANTS FOR EVALUATION OF BRIEF DIETARY QUESTIONNAIRE – 3rd 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

19. NEW MEMBERS SOUGHT FOR AEL GRAD HONOR SOCIETY – 2nd posting
Applications are now accepted for 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 Balasubramanianbganesh@vt.edu for any questions.

20. UPCOMING EVENTS:

ETD WORKSHOP SERIES: ETD FORMATS
Thursday, Sep 23, 7:00-8:00pm,  GLC Room F
Dr. Karen P. DePauw will discuss manuscript and standard thesis/dissertation formats.

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.

FREE SELF-DEFENSE CLASS
Tuesday, Sep 28, 5:00-6:00pm, GLC Room F
Interested in learning self defense? Participate in this free self-defense class taught by VTPD Officer Hamilton. Lots of learning, as well as light refreshments provided. This event is sponsored by the GLC Fellows, so please send questions or requests for more information to Nicole Engel

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. If you have any questions, please contact grad BOV rep Deepu George.

OUTDOOR CLUB WHITEWATER RAFTING – SIGN UP NOW!

Sunday, Oct 3, 7:00am to 6:30pm.
The Outdoor Club of Virginia Tech (OCVT) is organizing a whitewater rafting trip to raft the entire Gauley, upper and lower; 23 miles of river, over a 100 rapids, in 1 day.  Experience one of the best whitewater rafting in the country!  Rafters have to be at base camp in WV, at 7:00am and will finish rafting at 6:30 pm. For detailed trip information and costs please check the OCVT website. Sign up deadline is Sep 30 and you must know how to swim. Sign up here or send questions to  Nimal.

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.