Events, opportunities and services 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. GRADUATE STUDENT PHOTO & ART DISPLAY FALL 2010 – enter by Oct 15
To celebrate the 5-year anniversary of the opening of the Graduate Life Center, the Graduate School is inviting submissions of photography and artwork by graduate students for display in the GLC. Selected pieces will be displayed from November 1, 2010 through March 21, 2011. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art and/or photography) per graduate student. Learn more about the project, or contact Monika Gibson with questions.

3. SUSTAINABILITY WEEK 2010: SEP 18-25, 2010
A variety of programs and opportunities are offered during sustainability week to engage as many people as possible. Programs include green initiatives, Lumenhaus tours, the showing of “Gasland,” a movie, workshops, and more. Check out the details.

4. START SMART: GETTING ALONG – RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR FACULTY ADVISOR
Wednesday, Sep 22, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C
Guest speaker: Ennis McCrery, Graduate Student Ombudsperson. Hosted by the Cranwell International Center, this lunch series helps new international graduate students become familiar with the American higher education system and local culture. Students who attend at least three Start Smart sessions will receive a gift card to Kroger or Food Lion. Bring your own lunch.

5. GRAD STUDENT GROUP: THRIVE OR SURVIVE?
Thursdays, 4:00-5:00pm, GLC Room C
You may feel overwhelmed by having to manage relationships with colleagues, advisors, family, friends, roommates; 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 there are issues like prelims, theses, dissertations, teaching, research, 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. DROP-IN EVENING CHILDCARE
Thursdays, 6:00-8:30pm, VT Women’s Ctr, 206 Washington St.
Drop-in evening childcare is available for the children (aged 2-12, toilet trained) of any VT students. Crafts, toys, games, new friends, fun – and a snack. No need to pre-register. For additional information contact Jessie Meltsner.

7. 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.

8. APPALACHIA FIELD TRIP – SIGN UP NOW!

Saturday, Sep 25, 9:00am-4:30pm, leave from Squires/GLC parking lot
The field trip includes a short hike to Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory, a visit to Hallow Hill Buffalo Farm, lunch at the Swinging Bridge Café in Paint Bank, VA and visits to an old caboose, a grist mill, a country store, and a fish hatchery. The cost is $27 that includes bus transportation and all tours. Lunch additional (plan to spend $10-15; limited vegetarian options). Register here.

9. 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.

10. ASHA CUP FUNDRAISER CRICKET TOURNAMENT
Saturday-Sunday, Sep 25-26, CCVT cricket ground
Graduate student members of ASHA, a non-profit charitable organization, invite you to a “six a side tennis ball cricket” tournament. Register your team with Amit before Sep 23. Entry fees: $36 per team or $6 per head. More details.  Single entries are welcome – organizers with match single entries to teams based on mutual interest. Contact Karthik Nithyanandam if you have any questions.

11. RURAL TADKA – HOME COOKED INDIAN FOOD FUNDRAISER LUNCHEON
Saturday, Sep 25, 11:30-1:30, Old Dominion Ballroom in Squires
AID-VT, a registered graduate student organization, invites you to its annual fundraiser to help the underprivileged in India. The luncheon consists  exclusively of home-cooked meals prepared by dedicated volunteers; the group is proud of its reputation of hosting the best quality of home-cooked Indian food at Virginia Tech. Menu: Papad, Idli, Punjabi Chole, Sambar, Aloo Matar, Karahi Chicken, Pulao, Paratha, Raita, Kheer and soft drinks. Tickets are available online.

12. CHINESE MOON FESTIVAL
Saturday, Sep 25, 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Auditorium
The Association of Chinese Students and Scholars(ACSS) invites everyone to come and enjoy traditional Chinese cultural performance and traditional moon-cake. A
Karaoke competition will be held at the same time. For more information please contact Yingcheng Ye, event coordinator.

13. WAGE POSITION OPENING IN GRADUATE SCHOOL: DIGITAL SIGNAGE PROGRAMMER  
 
The Graduate School is seeking to hire a digital signage programmer to collect, develop, schedule and maintain content for the digital sign in the GLC Lobby to creatively advertise events and services for graduate students. Minimum qualifications: must be full-time graduate student; hands on experience with Dreamweaver/Macromedia Flash/Photoshop; MS PowerPoint; MS Paint or similar software and "any to Flash" converters; web design. Must be creative and have good communication skills. 10-12 hrs/wk. For more information or to apply (with resume and cover letter), contact Monika Gibson by Sep 24. 

14. PROPOSALS DUE FOR CONFERENCE ON HIGHER ED PEDAGOGY – 2nd posting
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.

15. 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 http://www.gsa.uusa.vt.edu/programs/travel_fund for more information or email Courtney Gleason.

16. 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 http://www.gsa.uusa.vt.edu/programs/research_program 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.

17. INVITATION TO LGBTA STUDENT GROUP – 3rd 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.

18. RESEARCH SUBJECTS WANTED – 3rd 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.

19. NEW MEMBERS SOUGHT FOR AEL GRAD HONOR SOCIETY – 3rd 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 here 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.

20. UPCOMING EVENTS:

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

ACOUSTIC CAFÉ
Tuesday, Sep 28, 7:00-9:30pm, GLC Student Lounge
The Graduate Student Assembly is co-sponsoring an Acoustic Café in conjunction with VTU, and they want graduate students to participate by sharing their gifts (spoken word, instrumental, voice, etc.)!  For more information or interested talent, please contact vtualtsd@vt.edu.

HOW TO THRIVE IN GRAD SCHOOL: THE IMPOSTER SYNDROME
Thursday, Sep 30, 1:30-3:00pm, GLC Room C
Do you ever wonder about your own competence? Worry about being found out, that you are not good enough for graduate school after all? There are ways to accurately assess yourself and your abilities, overcome the doubts the “imposter syndrome” can plant in your head, and become the successful student you can be. Attend this workshop and learn more about how to empower yourself. 

GSA POTLUCK AND POT PAINTING
Thursday, Sep 30, 6:00-7:30pm, GLC Room B
Join GSA for a potluck dinner and artistic escape: use your creativity to paint a terra cotta pot and relax with friends while enjoying a potluck dinner. Pots, paints, and brushes will be provided, but feel free to bring your own paint or decorations to add to the rainbow of choices. All guests are asked to bring a covered dish to add to the collective dinner.  Be sure to wear clothes you can paint in!  Children, spouses, and friends are welcome. Please register here. Contact Amanda Cronin Rumore, VP of Programs,  with any questions.

LUNCH WITH THE PRESIDENT – SIGN UP NOW!
Friday, Oct 1, 12:00-1:30pm, The 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.  Send questions to  Nimal.

DIALOGUE WITH THE DEAN I.
Tuesday, Oct 5, 5:30-7:00pm, GLC Room F
Discuss graduate student life and university policies over dinner with Dean DePauw. This is your opportunity to bring up issues that matter most to you! Space is limited, so please register. Questions? Contact: Amanda Cronin Rumore, VP of Programs arumore@vt.edu. This event is sponsored by the GSA.

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.