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. FREE GEW 2011 T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE IN THE GLC
Monday-Friday, Apr 11-15, 8:00am-5:00pm, GLC 110
There are lots of L and XL size T-shirts left from Graduate Education Week. If you would like one of these regardless of your size, please stop by Student Services in 110 GLC and get some. While supplies last!
3. ETD WORKSHOP SERIES: WALK-IN ETD REVIEW
Monday, Apr 11, 7:00-8:00pm, GLC Room G
Graduate School staff will be available for one-on-one pre-reviews of your ETD. Please bring your ETD on your laptop and a staff member will do a preliminary review of your ETD prior to submission. Questions regarding this event should be directed to Graduate Admissions and Academic Progress, 231-8636.
4. AAUW: "POWERFUL PRESENCE" BROWNBAG LUNCH: USING SOCIAL MEDIA
Monday, Apr 11, 12:00-1:00pm, Hillcrest Hall Dining Room (Room 143)
Many of us have heard of and probably have accounts with one or more social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Youtube. The question is: are we utilizing these powerful platforms to their fullest potential? Do we know how? Aimee Brenner of the Faculty Development Institute will discuss the technical aspects of utilizing social media sites to promote scholarly ideas, research, and professional information, as well as how to combine the forces of several sites to maximize the exposure of these ideas. The presentation will conclude with a discussion on how to apply these principles to our own disciplines to aid in accomplishing our professional goals. For more information, visit the AAUW chapter’s Facebook page.
5. SEX, VIOLENCE AND THE MEDIA
Tuesday, Apr 12, 5:00-6:00pm, GLC Room F
Watch a brief film presented by the VT Women’s Center, and join a discussion on the subject. This event is co-sponsored by the GLC Fellows and the Women’s Center. This interactive, multimedia presentation takes a look at representations of gender, sex, and college students in popular culture and the media. Through images, music, and videos, participants are shown how these aspects of popular culture are related to gender-based violence. Women’s Center staff will lead participants in activities and discussions on the power of popular culture in our lives and its impact, both positive and negative, on our view of gender based violence. Please register here. Contact your GLC Fellow, Nicole Engel with any questions.
6. 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! More information about Jorge and PhD Comics>> . Please direct any questions to Amanda Rumore, GSA V.P of Programs.
7. DISSERTATION WRITING WORK GROUP
Thursday, Apr 14, 9:30am, Women’s Center, 206 Washington Street
This is a work group designed for women graduate students who are working on theses, dissertations, preliminary exams, and articles. For more information on the group and/or to be added to the listserv, contact Anna LoMascolo.
8. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT
Thursdays, 6:00-8:30pm, Women’s Center
KNO is a drop-in evening of childcare full of fun, crafts, toys, games, new friends…and a snack! Children ages 2-12 who are toilet trained are welcome – no need to pre-register. KNO continues through the academic year. The last KNO for this academic year will be on April 28th. For more information contact Jessie Meltsner.
9. $TART $MART SALARY NEGOTIATION WORKSHOP
Thursday, Apr 14, 3:30-6:30pm, GLC Room F
This is a 3-hour, interactive, nuts and bolts workshop designed to give college women the skills they need to negotiate for fair compensation. The workshop is sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and The Wage Project, and hosted by the VT Women’s Center. Register here.
10. HIKE TO THE CASCADES WITH GLC FELLOWS
Sunday, Apr 17, 10:30am, meet in front of the GLC on Otey Street
The GLC Fellows will lead this hike for graduate students, up to the beautiful Cascades waterfalls. For those people who don’t have a car, transportation can be arranged. If you’re interested, please sign up here. For more information contact GLC Fellow Eric Hodges.
11. SEARCH FOR NEW CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE GHS NOW OPEN
The Graduate Honor System is opening a search for a new chief justice, due to the impending graduation of the current chief justice, Kim Carlson. All nominees and applicants must be graduate students in good standing who have been in residence for a minimum of one semester and be able to serve as Chief Justice for at least one year while enrolled full-time in the Blacksburg campus. Preferably applicants should have experience as an Honor System investigator or panelist. Application deadline: Apr 22. If interested, submit a statement of purpose and a resume to: Monika Gibson, Graduate Student Services (0325), 117 GLC, or by fax to 231-3714, or by email.
12. SUBMIT YOUR TEACHING AND RESEARCH PHOTOS NOW
Each year during the fall and spring graduate commencement ceremonies, Dean Karen DePauw presents a section called "Images and Reflections," a slide show that highlights the activities of graduate students. The Graduate School asks for submissions of photos of graduate students who are teaching classes or conducting research or photos that portray other scholarly pursuits to include in this slideshow. Please send photos to grads@vt.edu.
13. UPDATE ON GRADUATE STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE
The 2010-2011 VT-sponsored graduate student insurance had direct results from student feedback on the 2009 health insurance survey, including: increased prescription coverage; preventative care covering annual physicals; enhanced coverage of diagnostic services and labs at Schiffert Health Center; and a requirement to conduct an RFP to solicit proposals for a new insurance plan (VT BOV minutes 3-22-2010). Thanks to your survey feedback and the advocacy of the GSA Health Care Committee, these changes were made. For more updates on the insurer review, join the GSA Health Care Committee Facebook page or attend GSA delegate and cabinet meetings. Contact GSA HCC Co-chair Akiko Nakamura with any questions.
14. JANET LOWE CAMERON SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED – 2nd posting
The Peacock-Harper Culinary History Collection Committee awards an annual scholarship of $1000 in honor of Janet Lowe Cameron, a pioneer with the Virginia Cooperative Extension service at Virginia Tech. The Peacock-Harper Culinary Collection is one of the unique Special Collections housed at the University Library. Applicants’ scholarly pursuits should encompass topics related to material in this collection, such as the history of foods, human nutrition or food culture. Applications must include a statement of how the Collection’s resources will be used in the student’s research. Application can be downloaded here. Deadline is May 31. Award will be presented prior to the start of the Fall Semester.
15. 2011 DUNCAN 5K RACE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Race director and DVM student Dan Hay invites graduate students to register for the annual Bob Duncan Memorial 5K race/walk on the VT cross country course. The race will take place on May 7, 11:00am. See more>>.
16. LAVENDER CEREMONY – 3rd posting
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.
17. CALL FOR GSA PROGRAM CHAIR APPLICATIONS – 3rd posting, deadline extended
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) has been extended to Friday, April 15, 2011. Interviews will be conducted the following week. Please direct any questions to Swetha Kumar.
18. CALL FOR GRDP REVIEWERS – 3rd posting
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.
19. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR NAVIGATION TECHNIQUES STUDY IN 3D VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS – 1st posting
120 participants are sought for a study to compare navigation techniques in 3D immersive virtual environments. Participants will navigate a virtual maze with one of the interfaces, such as joystick or new interfaces (in which participants use their own body). Participants should have no limitations with physical movement of head, arm/hand/finger and leg/foot, including turning upper body. The experiment will take place in the Visionarium Lab, 3050 Torg. Please check out the availability calendar (the system name is “VisCube”) 10:00am-7:00pm during the weeks of April and May (including weekends), and let the researchers know the available 2-hour slots that would work for you, so that one can be reserved for your participation. The experiment will take about 90 minutes, including filling out questionnaires and short breaks. If you are interested or have further questions, please email to Ji-Sun Kim. Read more here.
20. GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTS – WIN A GIFT CERTIFICATE TO AMAZON – 2nd posting
Help a fellow VT student with her research and get a chance to win one of several $50 gift cards: GTAs who teach undergraduate-level courses, recitations or labs in the spring 2011 semester are invited to participate in a short survey on classroom incivility and disruptive behaviors. Classroom incivility has been cited as a growing problem in higher education, and researchers are interested in the severity and frequency of disruptive behaviors in classes taught by VT graduate students. All interested GTAs must complete a very brief eligibility screener before completing the survey. Access the screener. If you meet eligibility criteria upon completing the screener, you will be contacted via email with a link to the classroom incivility survey, which will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Those who complete the incivility survey will be entered into a drawing to win one of four $50 gift cards to Amazon.com. Your survey responses will be anonymous and completely confidential. If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Frey in the Department of Psychology, or Dr. Shelli Fowler, Director of the Graduate Education Development Institute (GEDI).
21. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR MUSCLE CONDITION STUDY – 2nd posting
Participate in a study aimed at testing muscle condition in sedentary adults. Participants will complete a 2-hour quiet sitting task while their back muscle activities will be measured using artificial muscle stimulation method. Must be in no current or recent history (1 year) of physical disorders affecting the shoulder, knee, or lower back, exercise on a regular basis (2 ~ 3 times per week), and between the ages 18-64. Each experiment session will last 2 to 3 hours (Total 1 session plus a one hour preliminary session) and participants will be compensated $10/hour with a $10 bonus after completing all sessions. For more information, please contact Bo Chen.
22. PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH ABOUT USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO INCREASE CIVIC PARTICIPATION – 2nd posting
A VT graduate student in urban affairs and planning is conducting a preliminary survey to gauge community interest about the use of technology as a tool to increase civic participation. Results of this study will inform a more in depth study in the future. The survey takes 5-10 minutes to fill out, and it is anonymous. The results will be compiled in a final research paper to satisfy requirements for a course this semester. The survey is available here. If you have any questions, you may contact Cullen Meves.
23. UPCOMING EVENTS:
SACNAS CHAPTER INTEREST MEETING
Monday, Apr 18, 6:00-8:00pm, GLC Room G
A group of graduate students are interested in starting a SACNAS chapter at VT. SACNAS is a society of scientists dedicated to advancing Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in science. It is a national nonprofit organization of individuals and organizations interested in quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research, teaching, leadership, and policy. If you are interested in the organization or in helping start a VT chapter, please attend this meeting. Free pizza and drinks will be served.
WORKING MOMS’ SUPPORT GROUP
Tuesday, Apr 19, 12:00pm, Graduate Life Center
An opportunity for working mothers to come together to share, vent, network, and support one another. For more information, contact Christine Dennis Smith.
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>>
GSA CASINO NIGHT GALA
Saturday, Apr 30, 7:00–11:00pm, University Club
The GSA invites you to celebrate the end of the semester at the annual GSA Casino Night Gala! Dress in semi-formal attire, enjoy amazing food, wine, beer, DJ, dancing, and door prizes, and rack up the wins on a variety of casino games (poker, craps, blackjack, roulette, etc.) hosted by professional dealers. Admission tickets are $15 with an additional $5 for game play. Tickets are limited and can be pre-purchased by following the link posted on the GSA homepage. Questions? Please email Amanda Cronin Rumore, VP of Programs.