June 6-12, 2011

1. GRADUATE SCHOOL SUMMER HOURS
Graduate School will operate with summer hours, opening at 9:00am each day and closing at 4:00pm starting May 16 and ending July 29. The Graduate Life Center will remain accessible 24/7 to all graduate students with a valid Hokie Passport: just use the card readers at the Bookstore side entrance or at the Otey Street entrance.

2. INTRODUCTION TO CRICKET
Thursday, Jun 9, 5:30-7:30pm, tennis court at corner of Patrick Henry Drive and Progress Street
Are you interested in learning a new sport? The GSA brings you this opportunity to join other grad students for a game of cricket. Learn English cricket and a variant of French cricket. Rain date is Jun 10. For more information or with questions contact Shree Narayanan.

3. EVENING SHORT COURSES IN STATS THIS SUMMER
LISA (Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis) is providing a series of evening short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research.  The focus of these two-hour courses is on teaching practical statistical techniques for analyzing or collecting data. Instructions on how to register and to learn more>>. Summer 2011 Schedule:

  • Jun 13: What LISA Can Do for You and a Tutorial in T-Tests and ANOVA*;
  • Jun 21 & 22: Introduction to R;
  • Jun 28 & 29: Linear Regression and Structural Equation Models;
  • Jul 5 & 6: Generalized Linear Models;
  • Jul 11: Mixed Models and Random Effects*;

*Course to be held in Fralin Auditorium. Other courses will be in 3060 Torgerson Hall.

4. HEALTH SERVICE ELIGIBILITY IN SUMMER
Current graduate students on campus who are not enrolled for summer but are working towards their degree and who will be enrolled in fall have two options to access services at Schiffert Health Center and the Cook Counseling Center during the summer:

  1. Graduate students can pay the student health fee per summer term ($81.50/term). Summer services are identical to those offered during the fall and spring semesters.
  2. Graduate students can elect to pay a day fee ($59/visit) for service. For the person who will use Schiffert Health Center and/or the Counseling Center no more than twice, the day fee is cost effective. However, if one will use Schiffert and/or Cook more than twice, it is a better value to pay the summer health fee.

Eligible graduate students who wish to pay the health fee should first go to the Medical Records office at Schiffert to document the health fee election, then go to the Schiffert cashier (not the bursar/Student Accounts) to pay the fee by cash, check or Hokie Passport (no credit cards). More information>>. 

5. FT GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP AVAILABLE IN ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES – 2nd posting
This position consists of a student wage internship followed by a 12-month assistantship, if successful, with Assistive Technologies. During the internship the incumbent must learn to translate physics, math, astronomy, and/or chemistry textbooks into literary Braille and tactile graphics. Braille will be produced from a variety of media formats, such as Word, MathType, LaTeX, pdf and more. The position will require proper usage and general maintenance of Enabling Technologies (Juliet Pro), View Plus (Empring and SpotDot) embossers, and other specialized software and equipment. Also required is the ability to provide accurate information for technical or software issues to the system administrators when problems occur. Must have ugrad degree with a background in physics, astronomy, math, chemistry, or closely related field of science, math, engineering or technology. Must be enrolled in graduate school in fall 2011 to qualify for summer wage internship and subsequent 12-month GA position.  Learn more about the position.

6. FULL TIME GRA SOUGHT FOR 2011-12 ACADEMIC YEAR – 3rd posting
Virginia Tech Information Technology’s Enterprise GIS unit, in conjunction with the Blacksburg Electronic Village, is searching for graduate students with an interest in developing GIS-based web applications as a full-time GRA in the Fall and Spring (11-12) semesters. Full position description.  Interested candidates should forward resumes and cover letters to egisjobs@bev.net.

7. PAID PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR MULTIMODALITY EFFECTS IN STORY TELLING STUDY – 1st posting

Participants are sought for the "Study of Multimodality Effects in Story Telling" to help researchers gather both quantitative and qualitative insights into how different digitally mediated multimodality inputs can affect people’s communication. The study will consist of listening to two stories and answering a few questions related to your understanding and feeling about the stories. The whole experiment will last for about 40 minutes in McBryde Hall 106A. Participants will get $5 for their time. The study has been approved by VT IRB. Participants must be 18 or older and speak fluent English. To sign up for your participation, please contact Rongrong Wang (wangr06@vt.edu) with your preferred time slots. Available slots are listed here.

8. STUDY PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT – 2nd posting

Voluntary participants are sought for a project on the “Effects of Immersion on Military Training.” Participants will get the opportunity to experience high-end virtual reality equipment in the Black Lab at VT Knowledgeworks II, and will help researchers gather important insights about how field of view and scene complexity influence performance and strategy in a virtual reality military training environment. The study will consist of performing a visual scanning task to find threats hidden along busy city streets. More details will be provided on site. The whole experiment will last about 65-75 minutes. Please contact Cheryl Stinson to sign up for the study.

9. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR BIOMECHANICS STUDY – 2nd posting
Participants are needed for a study investigating the effects of job rotation on muscle fatigue and performance. The study consists of 6 separate experimental sessions (each lasting 2.5 hours) and one preliminary screening session. Participants will be compensated $10/hour with a $10 bonus after completing all sessions. Requirements: female, age 18-25, low body fat, right handed, 20/20 vision (corrected okay), no recent history of musculoskeletal disorders, and exercise 2-3 times per week. If interested, please contact Leanna Horton.

10. RESEARCH SUBJECTS NEEDED FOR HNFE STUDY – 2nd 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. Looking for individuals who will be able to participate over the summer (May-Aug). If interested, contact vthnfe@gmail.com for more information.

11. FULBRIGHT GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR U.S. STUDENTS – 2nd posting

Fulbright scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors and graduate students (U.S. citizens) to pursue a project in their major field at a university in another country during a year abroad. The scholarship includes round-trip transportation, tuition, living expenses, and frequently an accelerated language course. Of particular consideration are language proficiency and careful selection of the site of study for your specific goals.  The campus deadline is late September. Due to the timing and components of the application, students need to start the application in the early summer. Learn more at http://us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html, or contact Christina McIntyre for additional information.

12. NSF GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS – 2nd posting

NSF Fellowships provide a yearly stipend for three years of graduate study in math, science, engineering, or social sciences plus a cost-of-education allowance to the institution. The National Science Foundation grants over 900 new fellowships to 1st year graduate students who have demonstrated ability and special aptitude in social science, mathematics, computer science, science, and engineering. The national deadlines are early November. Learn more, or contact Christina McIntyre for additional information.

13. RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS – 2nd posting
Rhodes Scholarships provide support for tuition, fees, room, board, transportation, books to 32 seniors or masters students for two years of graduate study at Oxford University. The Rhodes Foundation looks for students with very strong academic records, integrity of character, physical vigor, demonstrated leadership, and extensive public service. Alumni can also apply but must not have reached the age of 24 by October 1 of the application year. Applicants selected to be endorsed by Virginia Tech will prepare for the national application. The campus deadline is in early September. Due to the timing and components of the application, and the specifics of the campus process, students are encouraged start this application early summer a full year before their intended year of entry to Oxford. [U.S citizenship required for U.S. Rhodes]. Learn more, or contact Christina McIntyre for additional information.

14. GATES CAMBRIDGE SCHOLARSHIP – 2nd posting
Gates Cambridge Scholarships are full-cost awards for graduate study and research in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. The scholarships are highly competitive and are awarded to citizens of any country outside of the United Kingdom on the basis of the candidate’s academic excellence, a good fit between the Scholar and the University of Cambridge, evidence of leadership potential and a commitment to improving the lives of others. Learn more, or contact Christina McIntyre for additional information.

15. OTHER FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES – 2nd posting
You can learn more about these (11-14) and other financial opportunities here.

16. UPCOMING EVENTS:

GSA SUMMER VOLLEYBALL PICNIC
Thursday, Jun 16, 5:00-7:00pm at Owens Volleyball Court area
Come out for some free food and fun with the GSA and your fellow graduate students at the GSA summer picnic! Play some volleyball or soccer or just come to enjoy the food and weather.  *In case of inclement weather, event will be moved.  Questions: contact Amanda Shea.