June 20-26, 2011

Events, Programs and Services

1. STATS SHORT COURSE: INTRODUCTION TO R
Tuesday, Jun 21, 4:00-6:00pm, 3060 Torg
Wednesday, Jun 22, 4:00-6:00pm, 3060 Torg
This course, presented by Sai Wang, is offered two afternoons in a row to help students learn to use R, a free computing and graphical software/environment for statistical analysis. The course is organized into three sections: (1) intro to R programming basics (2) R graphing environment and creation of statistical plots (3) basic statistical analysis in R. Learn more and register here.

2. GSA RUNNING GROUP 
Tuesday, Jun 21, 6:30pm, GLC entrance on Otey Street side
If you are in town this summer and up for some group runs, or you have a race on your calendar for the fall you want to get a head start on training for it, or maybe you just want a break from work, fill out this survey and meet at the GLC entrance (near the front desk) on Tuesday for a group run.  All are welcome!

3. ICE CREAM ON THE GLC PLAZA
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2:00pm, GLC Plaza
You asked and you shall receive: take a short afternoon break with fellow grads and enjoy some ice cream on the GLC Plaza. Rain location: Graduate School lobby in the GLC.

4. GSA HIKE TO THE CASCADES

Saturday, Jun 25, Meet at 11:00am in the GLC lobby
Bring a bagged lunch and join the GSA for a hike that all Hokies should do at least once before graduation. This hike is a four mile round trip with the largest waterfall in the area at the turnaround point. Participants will carpool, so please register here if you plant to attend and can drive or would like a ride (GSA will pay for parking). Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to visit a local natural beauty and hang out with some friends! Questions? Contact Amanda Shea.

5. APPALACHIAN TRAIL FIX-UP HIKE
Sunday, Jun 26, 8:00am-4:30pm
The Outdoor Club at Virginia Tech (OCVT) is organizing a hike on the Appalachian Trail. The hike is open to anyone over the age of 18 and hikers will be joining the OCVT crew to help maintain the Appalachian Trail. OCVT maintains 30 miles of the 2175 miles of the AT.  Hikers will learn how the trail is maintained and will be provided small tools to carry with a task. Hike details. Questions/Signup email Mike. This event is posted on behalf of graduate student Nimal Lobo.

6. 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.  See LISA for instructions on how to register and to learn more. Remaining summer 2011 Schedule:
— 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.

7. 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>>

Employment Opportunities

1. GA POSITION FOR 2011-12: ASSISTANT DATA ANALYST
The grad assistant will help the associate director for research and planning in University Scholarships and Financial Aid – USFA with data analysis projects and report development, and support the processing of weekly financial aid data synchronization. Must have significant experience in MS Office Suite, specifically Excel (knowledge of macros preferred); knowledge of basic quantitative methods for data analysis; ability to understand and follow complex instructions and procedures; bachelor’s degree in business, education or information technology; knowledge of SQL and Unix a plus. Must be dependable and trustworthy with confidential student information; able to work independently; and communicate effectively with good attention to detail. If interested, contact Dr. Lefter Daku, 231-6576. Submit application by 5pm, Friday, Jun 24.

Participation in Research Projects

1. PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH ABOUT MINDFULNESS AND COUPLE RELATIONSHIPS – 2nd posting
A VT graduate student in human development is conducting an on-line survey to validate a recently developed measure. The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, and it is anonymous. Participants who wish to provide their e-mail address will have the opportunity to win a $100 gift card to Amazon.com, but this voluntary. Approximate odds of winning are 1:350. You are eligible to participate if you are over 18 years old and in a current romantic relationship. If you’d like to help out a fellow student and contribute to knowledge about couple relationships, please fill out the survey. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Gambrel.

2. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR MULTIMODALITY EFFECTS IN STORY TELLING STUDY – 3rd 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 with your preferred time slots. Available Slots.