March 28 – April 3, 2011

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC

  • Career services walk-in advising: not available in the GLC for rest of Spring 2011; please visit the Career Services Center on weekdays 12:00-3:00pm
  • Walk-in counseling: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room (across from G)
  • Writing support/consultations: Thursdays, 1:00-6:00pm, Video Conference Room (don’t wait until your paper is due, get assistance now!)

2. CALL FOR LISTSERV POSTING SUBMISSIONS FOR APR 1 SPECIAL EDITION
Here is your opportunity to get published in a peer-viewed online weekly non-journal! Submit your fake event description, faux call for research subjects, and other nonexistent opportunities for graduate students for the April 1 special edition of the GLC weekly listserv posting. Exercise your imagination and writing skills and earn extra points (in the form of chocolates and candy in 117 GLC) for creative event or research idea, succinct description, and completeness of details. Submission deadline: March 31, 5:00pm. Send to Monika, with subject line: You are a fool.

3. NETWORKING: THE BACKBONE OF YOUR JOB SEARCH

Wednesday, Mar 30, 5:30pm, GLC Room F
Networking: you’ve heard the word and possibly even know what it means – but are you using the essential job search skill appropriately, or at all? Too many job searchers shy away from networking because they say they don’t know anyone or feel like they’re using people – or any number of other excuses. Attend this session to demystify networking and learn the basics of how to get started. Presented by Amy McPherson, interim director of Career Services.

4. THE LITTLE GIRL WHO FOUGHT THE GREAT DEPRESSION: SHIRLEY TEMPLE AND 1930’S AMERICA
Wednesday, Mar 30, 7:00pm, 300 Whittemore
Phi Alpha Theta/History Club and the History Department present guest speaker Dr. John Kasson from UNC Chapel Hill. This lecture will investigate the origins of modern commercial culture and its attendant new structures of feeling as well as the place of children in the changing financial and emotional economies during a pivotal decade. Contact grad student Erin Curtis for more information.

5. GSA HEALTH FORUM
Thursday, Mar 31, 6:00pm, Location Room G
The GSA health care committee is hosting this health forum, featuring representatives from Schiffert Health Center and Cook Counseling Center as guest speakers. To provide an informative and engaging forum, all interested graduate students are asked to complete a brief survey to list your questions, concerns, and suggestions regarding health services at VT, and express your intent to attend. The focus of this forum will be on the services provided at Schiffert Health Center, and general health concerns at the university. Food and refreshments will be provided. Contact GSA health care committee co-Chair Michael Sage with any questions.

6. GSA SPRING 2011 WINE SOCIAL
Friday, Apr 1, 5:30-9:00pm at the University Club
Join the GSA and your fellow grad students to celebrate springtime in Blacksburg at the annual GSA Spring Wine Social! Wine services will stop at 8:30pm. Tickets are $10 each (cash/check) at the door. GSA delegates and cabinet members can get in for $5. Must be over 21; valid ID required for entry. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help with the event, please contact Amanda Cronin Rumore, VP of Programs.

7. AFRICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS ASA NIGHT
Friday, Apr 1, 7:30pm, GLC Auditorium
To kick-off International Education Week 2011, the African Students Association at Virginia Tech present ASA Night. This annual event showcases the talents, culture, knowledge and experiences of African students at VT through poetry, monologues, music, dance, and more. This event is open to the general public, admission is free.

8. INTERNATIONAL STREET FAIR
Saturday, Apr 2, 11:00am-4:00pm, College Ave and surrounding area
The Council of International Student Organizations presents the 52nd annual International Street Fair, a popular event held every spring. College Avenue is transformed into a multicultural marketplace where vendors sell international foods, handicrafts, and more. The Fair also features live performances of traditional music and dance from around the world. See more at CISO or email your questions.

9. LAVENDER CEREMONY
The LGBT Caucus at VT is sponsoring the Third Annual Lavender Commencement Ceremony, which will be held May 12, 11:00am in Old Dominion Ballroom of Squires to recognize lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual students and their allies from all majors, both graduate and undergraduate, who earned their degrees this spring. Participating students will be awarded a unique rainbow cord that can be worn with academic regalia. A reception will follow the ceremony. If you’re graduating, email Tami Grossman if you’d like to participate in this ceremony. Typically, the person graduating has a mentor/friend give a short speech about them. More information about the rest of the ceremony to follow.

10. CALL FOR GRDP REVIEWERS
The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) is looking for candidates to serve as reviewers for the Graduate Research and Development Program (GRDP). The GRDP provides monetary support for degree-contingent research conducted by graduate students. Reviewers are responsible for assessing research proposals in their research area or related fields, using specific rubrics provided to them. The proposals are about 2-4 pages in length. This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in applying to the GRDP to learn about the process and also for those who would like to be involved with the GSA. If you are interested please fill out this survey.  Please contact Ranjana Mehta, GRDP Chair, if you have any questions.

11. CALL FOR GSA PROGRAM CHAIR APPLICATIONS – 1st posting
Are you looking to serve the graduate student community and gain valuable leadership experience? If yes, consider applying for a GSA Program Chair position! Applications are accepted for the following positions: Website Director, Research Symposium Chair, Graduate and Professional School Day Chair, Graduate Research and Development Program Chair, Travel Fund Program Chair, GSA Events Chair, and GSA Historian.  Please view the GSA website for a full description of each position. Please contact the current chairs with any questions specific to the position.  The deadline for application submission (letter of interest, resume/CV, and goals for 2011-2012) is Friday, April 8, 2011. Interviews will be conducted the following week. Please direct any questions to Swetha Kumar

12. GSA CABINET POSITIONS 2011-12 – 2nd posting

The GSA Cabinet is a branch of the Graduate Student Assembly that represents graduate students in the university governance structure. Cabinet members report directly to the VP of Membership of the GSA and sit on university commissions and committees or are members of the GSA committees.  Cabinet members are expected to attend the regularly scheduled meetings of those commissions or committees (usually once or twice a month), one delegate meeting per semester and the GSA cabinet meetings that fit their schedule. They also keep the graduate community abreast of committee/commissions activities by providing cabinet summaries on the GSA website. Graduate students interested in serving on the cabinet should visit the Cabinet section of the GSA website, and click on the Cabinet Positions for 2011-2012 or download this handout for more information.  The handout lists all of the Cabinet positions and provides links to those webpages available.  You may also search the name of any committee/commission on the GSA website to bring up cabinet summaries from current cabinet members that get more current information regarding topics covered in those committees and commissions. You may fill out the Cabinet Interest Survey to nominate yourself for up to three commissions/committees.  The deadline to apply: Apr 18, 2011, or until all positions are filled. Contact current VP of Membership, Jonathan Moore, with questions.

13. CITIZEN SCHOLAR APPLICATIONS INVITED – 2nd posting
Have you used your research to benefit society in any way? If so, consider applying for the Citizen Scholar award.  If not, consider designing a Citizen Scholar project! Program requirements are described here. Applications are due April 28th.  For more information, email Eric Hodges.

14. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR LOCOMOTION STUDY – 2nd posting
Participants are needed for a study investigating the age-related effects of visual input on biomechanical changes during walking and unexpected slip perturbations. The study consists of 2 separate experimental sessions (each lasting 2 hours). Participants will be compensated $10/hour. Requirements: male and female, age 18-30 and age 65-84, correct vision 20/40 or better, no recent history of musculoskeletal disorders. If interested, please contact Manutchanok (MJ) Jongprasithporn.

15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BIOMECHANICS STUDY – 2nd posting
Participants are sought for a study investigating the effects of flexion and lifting on the biomechanics and neuromuscular control of the human torso.  The study consists of six separate experimental sessions (each lasting approximately 2 hours) and participants will be compensated $10/hour.  To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18-29, have a lean body, and regularly exercise at least 2-3 times per week.  For more information or to inquire about participation, please contact Khoirul.

16. INVITATION TO COMPLETE HARASSMENT SURVEY – 2nd posting
A PhD student in the Sociology Department invites you to participate in an online survey gathering information regarding Virginia Tech student’s experiences and perceptions of workplace harassment. The online survey is brief (will only take 5-7 minutes), voluntary, and anonymous, and is open to any and all Virginia Tech students. Please participate by completing the survey.

17. BEREAVEMENT GROUP AT THE FAMILY THERAPY CENTER – 3rd posting
If you or someone you know is… grieving the loss of a loved one; feeling alone or sad; feeling angry or guilty or empty; searching for someone who "gets it"; considering sharing your story of loss with others, then you may find value in what the Family Therapy Center has to offer: the Family Therapy Center at VT offers an opportunity for you to gather with people who have lost a loved one and are in need of additional support. For group details, please contact Annie Bao at (540) 231-7261 ext. 2.

18. ROWING COACH POSITION AVAILABLE – EXPERIENCED ROWERS NEEDED – 2nd posting
The VT Crew Club will need additional coaches for next fall season and beyond. Candidates must have prior rowing experience, preferably collegiate rowing, but competitive high school rowing also acceptable. Prior coaching experience not required. This is a volunteer position, but all expenses (gas, travel costs, etc.) are covered by the team. Practices are held daily at nearby Claytor Lake during the fall and spring seasons, and in the team’s erg room in War Memorial Gym for winter conditioning. The weekend/travel commitment is for three to four regattas per season (fall and spring). It is a very rewarding experience, helping a motivated group of undergradutes compete and succeed at a high level of rowing. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact the current Novice Men’s Coach (next year’s Head Coach), graduate student Meghan McNulty.

19. UPCOMING EVENTS:

ADVANCE-VT GRAD STUDENT LUNCH SEMINAR: HIGHER EDUCATION 101 – register now!

Monday, Apr 4, 12:00–1:30pm, GLC Room F
In addition to knowing how to teach and to conduct research, it is important for new faculty members to understand how a university operates.  Join Dr. Ellen Plummer, Assistant Provost at Virginia Tech, to learn more about different types of educational institutions, university governance, and challenges currently facing higher education in the U.S. AdvanceVT Graduate Student Lunch Seminars are designed to help graduate students prepare for careers in academe.  All graduate students and postdocs are welcome, and lunch is provided. Register here by Mar 31.

FROM GANDHI, TO DR. KING, TO VIRGINIA TECH

Tuesday, Apr 5, 7:00-8:30pm, Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires
The ASPECT/PGG Speaker Series (managed by graduate students) is proud to present the Ut Prosim Month Keynote Speaker Dr. Clayborne Carson, internationally renowned scholar and founding director of the MLK Research and Education Institute at Stanford University.  Dr. Carson will give a powerful talk tracing the legacy of Gandhi and MLK through the twentieth century and up to the tragedy at Virginia Tech in 2007.  This presentation has been collaboratively envisioned by graduate students in conversation with Dr. Carson as a unique opportunity to place the history of Virginia Tech within the context of over a century of critical thought on violence and its alternatives in the modern world.  Contact Jordan Hill if you have questions or need more info.

PRESENTATION AND BOOK SIGNING WITH JORGE CHAM, CREATOR OF PHD COMICS
Wednesday, Apr 13, 7:30pm, GLC Auditorium
The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) invites you to “The Power of Procrastination,” presented by Jorge Cham, creator of the popular comic strip “Piled Higher and Deeper” (“PhD Comics”). Refreshments and book signing will immediately follow the lecture. This event is FREE and open to the public – please invite your friends and colleagues! Please direct any questions to Amanda Rumore, GSA V.P of Programs.

IDR DAY
Tuesday, Apr 19, 5:00-9:30pm, The Inn at Virginia Tech
The Interdisciplinary Research Honor Society (IDR) is sponsoring the very first Interdisciplinary Research Day at Virginia Tech. Enjoy an evening of exciting discussions about transdisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity. Dr. Paul Knox (University Distinguished Professor & Senior Fellow for International Advancement) will give a presentation about “Transdisciplinary Research: Wicked Problems and Zombie Institutions.” Then the audience will subdivide into groups and attempt to tackle modern-day wicked problems by using creativity and interdisciplinarity. Dinner is provided. Registration is FREE but required due to limited spaces. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. Event program and registration >>.