1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
– Career services advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, Study Room
– Counseling: will start next week 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: moved to the Learning Commons of Newman Library, 2nd floor; see more at www.composition.english.vt.edu/wc
2. COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
Tuesday, Jan 17, 5:00-6:00pm, GLC Student Lounge
Meet other graduate students and enjoy refreshments and good conversation along with graduate student leaders.
3. GLC CAFE
Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Enjoy free coffee and tea and socialize with your fellow grads. Bring your own mug if you can. Submissions to the Winter Break Challenge will be revealed and participants can vote on their favorite entries. Please contact us at grads@vt.edu if you have any comments or suggestions about this event.
4. MLK DAY OF SERVICE
Saturday, Jan 21, meet at 7:00am in GLC main lobby
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Graduate Student Assembly will be volunteering with Habitat of Humanity in the Roanoke Valley as part of the 27th annual MLK Day of Service. No prior building experience required! Volunteers will meet at 7:00am in the GLC lobby and carpool to the Habitat worksite. The volunteer shift will last from 8:00am-2:00pm. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Space is limited; Register for your spot at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1325691600012. Questions? Contact Swetha Kumar, VP Programs at swethak@vt.edu.
5. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($500-$1000 each) and award certificate. Consider applying or discuss the possibility of your nomination by your advisor/department for any of the following awards that will be given out during our annual awards banquet on March 29, 2012:
– Outstanding Dissertation in (1) math, sciences and engineering, and (2) in social sciences and humanities
– Graduate Student Teaching Excellence
– Graduate Student Service Excellence
– Graduate Man and Woman of the Year
– Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college and in interdisciplinary programs
Additional information on the specifics and requirements for each award can be found at
http://www.graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/honors_awards/graduate_awards/index.html Nomination/Application deadline is February 3, 2012.
6. GRADUATE SCHOOL FEATURED GRADUATE STUDENT
Nominate yourself, a friend, or fellow graduate student to be recognized on the Graduate School website as a Featured Graduate Student! This program is designed to showcase the diversity of perspectives graduate students bring to our community and to present a more personal side of graduate student life. To view the Graduate School’s current featured graduate student and to nominate a graduate student, go to http://graduateschool.vt.edu/profiles/featured_grad/index.html?month=1&year=2012
7. PAYROLL DEDUCTION OF COMP FEES FOR GRADUATE ASSISTANTS
It is not too late to enroll in payroll deduction of your comp fees if you are on a graduate assistantship! Graduate students on assistantship appointment may pay their comprehensive and capital fees through payroll deduction during the fall and spring semesters. To be eligible for this program, students must commit to paying the full-time comprehensive and capital fees through payroll deduction. Enrollment is managed through Hokie SPA and students must sign up _each_ semester in which they wish to take advantage of this opportunity. Visit http://www.graduateschool.vt.edu/financial/assistantships/index.html#compfees for details.
8. SPRING 2012 GRAD SCHOLAR SOCIETY DISCUSSIONS
"Come one, come all!" to the first Grad Scholars Society topic discussions. The Grad Scholars Society website lists the current and future available topics with descriptions and confirmed dates. Light refreshments will be served at the first meeting of each discussion group. Check it out at http://gss.grads.vt.edu/current_groups.html. Contact Wes Cardwell with any questions: wcardwel@vt.edu.
9. GRAD 5404: RESEARCH IN INT’L CONTEXTS
Research in International Contexts is a new 3-credit seminar course offered in Spring 2012 on Tuesdays, 4:00-6:50pm. The seminar is intended to prepare graduate students for an international research experience and enable students to maximize the professional and personal benefits of that experience. The seminar is required for the new Graduate Certificate in International Research Abroad. More details are at: https://scholar.vt.edu/access/content/group/f629316b-13f0-4aea-be23-1c56aeb31f31/GRAD5404/GRAD5404_Spring2012.pdf. Questions may be sent to Scott Midkiff at midkiff@vt.edu.
10. SPRING SHORT COURSE: COMMUNICATING SCIENCE
This 1-cr participatory course will be taught by prof. Patricia Raun, and was inspired by her work with the Center for Communicating Science Institute at Stony Brook University (http://www.centerforcommunicatingscience.org/) and the belief that "scientists have a responsibility to share the meaning and implications of their work, and that an engaged public encourages sound public decision-making." Participation in the course will lessen the discomfort of spontaneous interaction. Areas of emphasis will include imagination, relaxation, observation, and concentration through improvisation. The students will develop their communicative abilities through careful observation, active class contribution, and committed participation. Please contact Patricia Raun at praun@vt.edu with questions. GRAD 5984, CRN 18756m Tu 6:00-9:00pm, 3/13-4/24/2012.
11. NEW SPRING COURSE: FROM MEMEX TO YOUTUBE: CONGNITION, LEARNING & THE INTERNET
Register for GRAD 5984 for spring 2012, TR 9:30-10:45am, location TBA.
So far education has used the Internet primarily as a delivery device, not a connectivity platform. If we change that paradigm, however, interesting questions emerge: How is Wikipedia not simply a reference work, but a learning environment and a community of practice? How does Google both model and shape human cognition? How can globally networked interactive computing augment human intellect and thus address the primary mission of education itself? This course explores the intersections of computing, information science, education, Internet studies, the humanities, and the visual and performing arts, as well as the crucial and long-contested relationships among making, doing, and knowing. Course readings will be supplemented by various texts and artifacts, from podcasts to MMORPGs to machinima, and will include hands-on experience with blogging, tweeting, social bookmarking, and other more. For more details see the syllabus (beta) at: http://gardnercampbell.wetpaint.com/page/memextoyoutube-s12.
12. GRAD STUDENTS SOUGHT FOR PARTICIPATION IN VA GENERAL ASSEMBLY THROUGH HOKIE DAY
For the third year in a row, GSA is recruiting graduate students to consider attending Hokie Day. This is an opportunity to travel to the General Assembly in Richmond, VA to advocate on behalf of graduate students and graduate education in VA. Participants will leave by noon on Feb 1 and return by 8:00pm on Thursday, Feb 2. Those accepted will receive transportation and lodging through the GSA. To apply, please fill out the following survey: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1326660923584 before 10:00pm, Friday, Jan 20, 2012. Those selected will be notified by Monday, Jan 23, via email. Questions? Please contact Michelle McLeese at mmcleese@vt.edu.
13. BOV GRADUATE REPRESENTATIVE APPLICATION FOR 2012-2013 NOW AVAILABLE
If you are interested in applying to be the next VT Graduate Student Representative to the BOV (Board of Visitors) please visit http://www.dsa.vt.edu/BOV/apply.php to download the application. All applications will be due no later than 5pm on Friday, Feb 10, 2012 in the VP of Student Affairs Office in 112 Burruss Hall. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about the position, please contact the current graduate BOV representative, Michelle McLeese, at mmcleese@vt.edu or bovgradrep@vt.edu.
14. VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR "KIDS’ TECH UNIVERSITY" SPRING 2012
The VBI, Virginia 4-H, and other members of the VT community are asking for volunteers to assist with logistics of the spring 2012 Kids’ Tech University (KTU; http://kidstechuniversity.vbi.vt.edu), a program for 450 kids ages 9-12 designed to spark an interest about science, technology, engineering, and math. Your help is needed on any one or all of the following days: Jan 28, Feb 25, Mar 24, and Apr 7, 2012, 9:00am to 4:00pm. All events are on Saturday and lunch is provided where appropriate. In the morning there is an interactive session followed by Q & A, a lunch break, then hands-on activities. Any time you can help is greatly appreciated, If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out this survey: http://kidstechuniversity.vbi.vt.edu/volunteers.php. If you have any questions, please contact KTU’s volunteer coordinator, Ms. Maria Laubenbacher, at maria@vbi.vt.edu.
15. HOURLY WAGE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY
Matt VanDyke, a graduate student in communication, is looking for two graduate students who might be interested in helping with his research, coding advertisements from Jan until the end of Feb. Coders will be compensated $10/hr for their work and they are expected to devote no less than 20 hours per week to the project. If you are interested and available, please contact Matt at msvandyke@vt.edu.
16. UPCOMING EVENTS:
LUNCH WITH THE DEAN – Sign up now!
Tuesday, Jan 24, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C
Meet Graduate School Dean Dr. Karen DePauw and several graduate student leaders at this free lunch and learn about the latest in graduate education. Share your perspectives in a casual setting. Sign up for the lunch at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1325697915497
WRITING A WINNING RESUME
Wednesday, Jan 25, 5:30pm, GLC Room F
If you are planning an industry-, government-, or non-tenure-track educational job search, having a well polished resume is the most critical step toward getting an interview. Start early to be ready for September and October career fairs and on-campus interviews. Contact Amy McPherson at amcphers@vt.edu if you have questions.
GSA VALENTINE’S SPEED DATING – register now!
Friday, Feb 10, 7:00pm-9:30pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Stuck in the library or lab too often to get out there and meet that special someone? The Graduate Student Assembly and Queer Grads and Allies are here to spark up your romance! The annual Graduate Speed Dating event is the perfect venue to meet and mingle with other single graduate students. This event is free and drinks and appetizers will be provided. Detailed information and the registration link is available on the GSA website at http://www.gsa.uusa.vt.edu/. Space is limited, so reserve your spot quickly! Questions, contact Swetha Kumar, VP of Programs at swethak@vt.edu.