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 and consultations: Thursdays, 1:00-6:00pm, Video Conference Room (don’t wait until your paper is due, get assistance now!)
2. FREE GEW T-SHIRTS STILL AVAILABLE IN THE GLC
Monday-Friday, Apr 18-22, 8:00am-5:00pm, GLC 110
There are still some XL size T-shirts from GEW 2010 and 2011 waiting for a good home. If you think your home is good, come by to get some T-shirts. While supplies last.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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>>
6. HOW TO GET A SECURITY CLEARANCE
Wednesday, Apr 20, 4:00pm, Smith Career Center, Meeting Room B
Learn the secrets of obtaining a security clearance from Chris Ramos, former intern for the National Security Agency and Virginia Tech student ambassador for the Partnership for Public Service. More information>>.
7. TOWN OF BLACKSBURG TOURS
Thursday and Friday, Apr 21 & 22, 3:00-4:30pm, meet in GLC Lobby
Interested in the history of your town? Join your fellow graduate students on a tour of Blacksburg and explore the original town limits and some of the oldest structures in Blacksburg. Meet in front of the Information Desk in the GLC Lobby at 3:00pm. If one of these dates works for you, then sign up for the tour here.
8. 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.
9. TWO ASSISTANTSHIP OPENINGS FOR 2011-12 AT UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
The University Libraries is accepting applications for two 9-month graduate assistantships for 2011-12. The openings are at each of the reference desks, (a) Business, Social Science & Humanities and (b) SciTech. The hours for both positions are Sunday-Thursday, 8pm to midnight. Both of these GA positions offer a tuition waiver and a stipend pay determined by the library. Interested students should complete the job application and send it by email along with a cover letter and resume to Brenda Hendricks by Apr 29, 2011.
10. JANET LOWE CAMERON SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED – 3rd 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.
11. JOIN THE LEAN TEAM AND LEARN
LeanTeam@VirginiaTech is recruiting and developing high-performing students from across disciplines who are keen to learn to be lean. Students get the chance to develop and run Lean workshops and summits for professionals from a broad range of organizations, participate in continuous improvement events, and undertake fun team events. If this is what you always wanted, then the Lean Team looks forward to hearing from you by email to info@vtlean.org or phone at 540-443-6688. Please visit the Lean Team website for more information.
12. STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2011-2012 GSA PROGRAM CHAIR POSITIONS!
Are you looking to serve the graduate student community and gain valuable leadership experience? Then consider applying for a GSA Program Chair position! We are still accepting applications 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. Please direct any questions to Swetha Kumar.
13. SUBMIT YOUR TEACHING AND RESEARCH PHOTOS NOW – 2nd posting
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.
14. 2011 DUNCAN 5K RACE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN – 2nd posting
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 >>.
15. 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.
16. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY REGARDING FORCED PASSWORD CHANGES – 1st posting
Participants are needed for a research project that is concerned with forced password changes. The study consists of an 8-min survey, which involves providing your opinions and experiences. Your participation will help researchers understand the attitudes, actions, and behaviors that individuals faced with a forced security change will have. Participants can be entered into a drawing for one iPod mini, three $20 gift cards, three MP3 earphones, and three 8GB USB drives. To participate, please fill out this survey by Wednesday, May 4. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Enget.
17. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY OF FACTORS INFLUENCING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY – 1st posting
Participants are needed for a study examining the effects of various psychological and behavioral factors influencing physical activity. The study consists of a survey that will take approximately 1-1.5 hours to complete. Participants must be over 18; there is no minimum requirement for level of physical activity that the participant is currently engaging in. If interested, please fill out this survey or contact Matthew Cox for more information.
18. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BIOMECHANICS STUDY – 1st 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 Neema.
19. RESEARCH SUBJECT SOUGHT FOR SUPPLEMENT’S EFFECT ON MUSCLE SORENESS – 1st 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 18-28, healthy males (non-smokers, no orthopedic limitations to exercise; no chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, bleeding, or inflammatory diseases); schedule compatible with testing and training. Benefits: development of personal weight training program by experienced professionals, financial compensation up to $175. Looking for individuals who will be able to participate over the Summer (i.e. May-Aug). If interested, contact vthnfe@gmail.com for more information.
20. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR NAVIGATION TECHNIQUES STUDY IN 3D VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS – 2nd 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. Learn more>>.
21. SURVEY FOR GTA’S – WIN A GIFT CERTIFICATE TO AMAZON – 3rd 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. 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).
22. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR MUSCLE CONDITION STUDY – 3rd 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.
23. PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH ABOUT USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO INCREASE CIVIC PARTICIPATION – 3rd 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.
24. UPCOMING EVENTS:
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.