1. THANKSGIVING BREAK CLOSURE OF THE GLC
The GLC is closed for Thanksgiving Break. The Graduate School will be open with regular business hours (8-5) on Monday and Tuesday and close at noon on Wednesday. After the Thanksgiving break we will reopen on Monday, Nov 29. The public areas of the GLC remains accessible 24/7 to current graduate student with a Hokie Passport.
2. 3.14159265 FEST
Tuesday, Nov 23, 12:00-1:30, GLC Lobby
Maybe you are not alone! See who else is on campus working away during the break: join us for a luncheon of some savory and sweet π’s, casseroles and good conversation. Meet other chained-to-their-desks, no-money-for-gas, don’t-celebrate-thanksgiving, hungry-for-a-home-cooked-meal graduate students and grad school staff and enjoy this potluck lunch. Please fill out this quick survey to give us an idea of how many to cook for. Feel free to contribute your own favorite pie(s)!
3. TOYS FOR TOTS
Toys for Tots is a national organization, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, that collects new toys and distributes them to needy children for Christmas. The GLC Fellows are excited to sponsor a Toys for Tots box in the GLC Lobby and hope to collect a lot of toys for children in the surrounding area. Drop off a new, unwrapped toy in the box in the GLC Lobby and help the Fellows make Christmas a little brighter for those in need. Toys can be dropped off until December 17. If you have questions, please contact Lauren Surface or 231-9561.
4. ISA NEWSLETTER IS INVITING SUBMISSIONS FROM GRAD STUDENTS
The Indian Student Association (a grad student organization) is celebrating its 50th year as an organization at Virginia Tech, a great milestone in itself. To commemorate this success, they are planning to start an ISA newsletter soon and invite all ISA members as well as non-members to contribute to its content by submitting poems, stories, blogs, pictures, photographs and anything and everything you wish the world should know. There will be an online vote on these contributions online and the highest vote receivers will win prizes. The contributions must be sent to vtech.isa@gmail.com by Dec 30, 2010. Contact Aditya Vasta, ISA Public Relations Officer, if you have any questions.
5. COMMENCEMENT VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT – 2nd posting
The university commencement committee is seeking graduate student volunteers to serve as ushers at the fall commencement ceremonies. If you are interested in serving the university community in this manner, please contact Thomas W. Broyles, or by phone at 540-239-4365.
6. COMMENCEMENT NEWS: DVD SALES AND PORTRAIT OPPORTUNITY
— A DVD of the Fall 2010 Graduate Commencement Ceremony, to be held Dec 17, will be available from the University Bookstore for a limited time at a cost of $19.99. Click the Graduation button on the bookstore’s homepage for ordering information. The commencement ceremony will be broadcast live on campus cable channels 3 and 4 starting at 2:30 pm.
— Chappell Graduation Images will offer free portrait sittings on Thursday, Dec 16 at the Holtzman Alumni Center Library 9:00am-3:00pm. Graduates should wear their own cap and gown. You may wear as many accoutrements as you wish for the portrait sitting. Although a professional photographer has been commissioned, you will not be required to purchase photos. Chappell will mail your proofs to you approximately one week after the ceremony. No appointment is needed.
7. GLC WAGE POSITIONS OPEN FOR SPRING 2011
Applications are being accepted for Spring 2011 GLC wage positions. To apply, go to the VT job site, click on Search All Jobs, then click on Student Search for the following position names and posting numbers: UUSA Graduate Information Associate, posting #0100953; Graduate Services Associate, posting # 0100954. For more information about the GLC Graduate Services or Information Associates positions, please visit the UUSA/GLC Employment Page http://www.uusa.vt.edu/uusaServices/employment.php. On-line applications will be accepted through November 28. No late or paper applications will be accepted. For more information, please contact Jordan DeWitt, Coordinator of Graduate Life Center Operations.
8. RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR TECHNOLOGY STUDY – 1st posting
VT researchers are conducting a study to understand the effect of user’s mood on technology acceptance of Hi-fidelity and Lo-fidelity (quality) prototypes of a product concept. This study may show that the mood of the participant may discourage the development process of a certain product. The participants with a neutral mood state may provide an unbiased review of the product concept. Results may eventually help in improving the process of usability testing. There will no monetary compensation for this study, which will take only one session of about an hour or less. The study will take place in 530 Whittemore Hall. If you have any questions about the study or want to participate, contact Gurjot Singh Dhillon.
9. INVITATION TO SURVEY PARTICIPATION ON ETHNIC FOODS AND CHOCOLATE – 3rd posting
You are invited to participate in a survey regarding demographics, consumption habits, purchasing habits, and interest in ethnic foods and chocolate. The survey consists of 25 questions and requires approximately 15 minutes to complete. The information you provide will be used in the development of a new food product by the VT Food Science and Technology Product Development Team. If you are interested in participating, please complete the questionnaire. Contact Renee Felice at felicer@vt.edu with any questions.
10. FOCUS GROUPS FOR PARENTS & CHILDREN ABOUT SNACK FOODS – 3rd posting
You and your child are invited to participate in two focus group session to help develop nutritious snack foods for kids. Parents with children between the ages of 5-10 are eligible. Children must be accompanied by at least one parent or guardian. The focus group sessions will be held (1) Dec 2, 4-5:30 (complete questionnaire and participate in group discussion while children meet in separate group to discuss food products and Disney characters) and (2) Feb 10, 4-5pm (parents and children will try yogurt and fruit based snacks; after tasting, children and parents will separate and discuss with the researchers their likes and dislikes about the products sampled) in classroom 132 in the Food Science and Technology Building (on corner of Duck Pond Dr and Washington St). The first session will last 90 min and the second session will last 60 min. Participants will receive a healthy snack. The focus groups will help with designing and developing a nutritious low-fat dairy and fruit product for kids. If you are interested in participating in both of the focus group sessions, register here. Contact Renee Felice at with any questions.
11. UPCOMING EVENTS:
HOLIDAY CARDS FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART
Tuesday, Nov 30, 4:00-7:00pm, GLC Room C
For those in nursing homes, the holidays can often be very lonely and depressing. The GLC Fellows and Interdisciplinary Partnership for Aging (IPA) will co-sponsor a holiday card-making event for local nursing homes. The GLC Fellows will provide card-making materials, food and music. If you wish to contribute a card but can’t make the session, please bring the card to Lauren Surface in the Graduate School (110 GLC). For more information, contact Eric Hodges at hodgeseb@vt.edu.
MUSIC DONATION & PAJAMA DANCE
Friday, Dec 3, 7:30-8:30pm (lessons), 8:30pm-12:00am (dance), Y Ctr on 1000 N Main
SVSDS and Solely Swing are inviting all the graduate students to attend this fun dance event. Admission: Looking for music donations in the form either iTunes gift cards or pressed CDs in lieu of the regular $3 members/$5 non-members fee. This message is posted on behalf of grad student Matt Bays.