December 5-11, 2011

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC (on a walk-in basis unless otherwise noted)

  • Career services advising: no more this semester; back in spring (if you need assistance, call 231-6241 for an appointment)
  • Counseling:  Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room (across from Room G)
  • GLC Café: Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm, Reading Room
  • Statistical consulting by LISA: Wednesdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
  • Writing support: Wednesdays (6-9pm) and Thursdays (6-9pm), GLC Videoconference Room – for information on reserving a spot, visit their website

2. GLC CAFÉ FEATURING STUDENTS FOR A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT TODAY
Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Enjoy free coffee and tea in the GLC Reading Room on Thursday afternoons and socialize with your fellow grads. This week’s special: hot chocolate with marshmallows and cold chocolate kisses. This week’s highlight: Students for a Fiscally Responsible Government Today (see the group’s facebook page). Bring your own mug if you can. Please contact us at grads@vt.edu if you have any comments or suggestions about this event.

3. FREE EXAM-WEEK GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES
Friday, Dec 9-Thursday, Dec 15
Take a break from studying and attend a group exercise class. All classes are free for students during exam week so you can relieve some stress and boost your energy for exams.

4. SOCCER PARTY IN THE GLC: FC BARCELONA VS. REAL MADRID
Saturday, Dec 10, 4:00-6:00pm, GLC Student Lounge
Soccer fan grad students unite! Watch this soccer game between the 1st and 2nd in the Spanish La Liga with fellow grads. The game starts at 4:00pm. This is a great opportunity for graduate students to take a break from studying for finals, relax and socialize. GLC Fellow Kiril Stoyanov will provide coffee and light snacks.

5. COMMENCEMENT VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT – 2nd posting                                                                                                                           
The university commencement committee is seeking graduate student volunteers to serve as ushers at the fall commencement ceremonies. If you are interested in serving the university community in this manner, please contact Thomas W. Broyles by email or by phone at 540-239-4365.

6. 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 approximately 2 hours) and one 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.

7. GRAD CERTIFICATE IN INTL RESEARCH – 1st posting
The Office of International Research, Education, and Development (OIRED) offers a Graduate Certificate in International Research.  The program encourages a multidisciplinary approach for students already working towards a graduate degree to attain special recognition for their work on international issues.  Participants must take three 5000-level courses from an approved list, with one course being outside the applicant’s department and one outside the college.  Deadline to apply for students graduating in May 2012 will be January 23;  other applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. For more information contact Betty Watts (bettyw@vt.edu; 231-6452) or visit OIRED.

8. PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE JOURNAL LATEST ISSUE POSTED – 1st posting
The editorial board members of Public Knowledge Journal announce that Volume 3 Issue 2 entitled “Academic Research” is now posted. The call for submissions for Volume 4 Issue 1 is now posted here. Please forward this call to any graduate students who might be interested. The next issue will focus broadly on the topic of public health. Submissions are encouraged from all disciplines in order to approach the topic from a variety of perspectives. Public Knowledge is a multidisciplinary, graduate-student-run electronic journal hosted by the Center for Digital Discourse and Culture at Virginia Tech (ISSN 1948-3511). The journal welcomes contributions of articles for peer review, as well as book reviews, essays, interviews, blogs, and other multimedia works. Authors also retain the rights to their work. Questions about potential submissions or about the submission process should be sent to editor@pkjournal.org.

9. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
Abstract submissions are accepted for the Graduate Student Assembly’s (GSA) 28th annual research symposium. Submission deadline: Dec 8! The research symposium is a great opportunity to showcase your graduate work through a talk, poster or performance.  Students enrolled in the National Capital Region (NCR) campus have the option of presenting via video conferencing. This event will be held on Mar 28, 2012 in the Graduate Life Center. More information and the submission criteria>>. Questions: contact Alireza, Research Symposium Chair, at alireza@vt.edu.

10. CONTRIBUTE TO THE “PLAN FOR A NEW HORIZON FOR VT FOR 1012-18
Do you have any ideas for better higher education in the future? Your voice matters! The Presidential Task Force, also known as Long Range Planning 2012–18, is charged with helping to develop the next strategic plan for Virginia Tech. Drafts of each subcommittee’s work have been posted on a blog, and they would like to hear from the larger university community regarding the new “Plan for a New Horizon.” Read the drafts at http://blogs.is.vt.edu/longrangeplan/ (Go to the subcommittee’s name along the menu bar and look for "Read the emerging ideas.") If you have any questions, please contact Akiko Nakamura, co-chair of long-range-planning student advisory committee, at nakamura@vt.edu.

11. COMMENCEMENT NEWS: DVD SALES, LIVE BROADCAST & PORTRAITS                                                                             

  • A DVD of the Fall 2011 Graduate Commencement Ceremony will be available from the University Bookstore for a limited time at a cost of $19.99. Click the Graduation button on the bookstore’s homepage for ordering information: www.bookstore.vt.edu.
  • The commencement ceremony will be broadcast live on campus cable channels 3 and 4 starting at 2:30 pm.
  • Chappell Graduation Images will offer free portrait sittings on Thursday, Dec 15 at the Holtzman Alumni Center Library 9:00am-3:00pm. No appointment is needed. Graduates should wear their own cap and gown. You may wear as many accoutrements as you wish for the portrait sitting. Chappell will mail your proofs to you approximately one week after the ceremony. You are not required to purchase photos.

12. GLC WAGE POSITIONS NOW OPEN FOR SPRING 2012
Applications are currently being accepted for Spring 2012 GLC wage positions. The position ads are posted at https://listings.jobs.vt.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/Welcome_css.jsp, then click the Student tab, and Student Centers & Activities "VT Graduate Student" Pool for Graduate Information Associate and Graduate Services Associate. Application reviews will begin Friday, December 9.  For more information about the GLC Graduate Services or Information Associates positions, please visit the SCA/GLC Employment Page http://www.studentcenters.vt.edu/employment/students/areas.php or email the GLC Operations Manager, Jordan DeWitt, at sjdewitt@vt.edu. If interested, please apply online by the deadline.

Upcoming events:

KNOCK OUT YOUR STRESS

Tuesday, Dec 13, 3:00-5:00pm, GLC TV Lounge
If you are feeling a little stressed from taking exams, writing papers, or grading exams, stop by the GLC TV lounge to knock out your stress in a match of Wii Boxing. You will be matched up against the fighting GLC Fellows known as Megan the Mighty, the Bulgarian Tiger, or the Bald Marine. There will be light refreshments. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact the GLC Fellows at hodgeseb@vt.edu. This event is sponsored by the GLC Fellows.