September 3-9, 2012

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
Weekly services are back!

  • GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursday, Reading Room
  • Statistical consulting by LISA: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
  • Career advising: Wednesdays 2:00-5:00pm, GLC Lobby!

2. MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL TAILGATE
Monday, Sep 3, 4:30pm-6:30pm, Lawn between GLC and University Club; rain location: GLC Student Lounge
Come out for some fun, food, and friends before cheering on the Hokies against Georgia Tech! Whether or not you are going to the game, this is a great time to relax and have some fun with your fellow grad students. Free food and games out on the lawn! Sponsored by the GLC Fellows. Contact Marielly Ruiz if you have questions.

3. NEWMAN LIBRARY TOURS
Monday and Wednesday, Sep 3 & 5, 10:00am & 2:00pm (both days), Newman Library Lobby
Library staff will lead graduate students on a tour and discuss key ingredients to successful grad-level research.

4. COUPONING 101
Tuesday, Sep 4, 5:00pm, GLC Room G
If you’re like the typical graduate student, looking for ways to stretch your grad school dollars (and often questioning why you’re so poor), this workshop is for you! Learn all about the technique of couponing and other money-saving strategies as well as how to save specifically in the New River Valley. Light refreshments will be served.

5. CAREER SERVICES WALK-IN ADVISING

Wednesdays – starting Sep 5, 2:00-5pm, GLC Lobby
A representative from Career Services is available to graduate students every Wednesday (except during breaks) to assist with career preparation questions, resume review and more. No appointment necessary.

6. RESUME WRITING WORKSHOP
Wednesday, Sep 5, 5:30pm, GLC Room G
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  if you have questions.

7. INTERVARSITY GRADUATE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Wednesdays, 6:30pm, GLC Room C
InterVarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship meets weekly for a free dinner and interactive Bible discussion. All graduate students are welcome! 

8. DISSERTATION WRITING WORK GROUP
Thursday, Sep 6, 9:30am, Women’s Center
Designed for women graduate students and post-docs. Are you working on your dissertation or thesis? Preparing for preliminary exams? Writing an article? If so, then join this group for support, motivation, goal-setting, accountability, and a place to simply unwind during the research and writing phase. All are welcome! Additional September date: 9/20. For more information, contact Anna LoMascolo.

9. HISTORICAL TOWN OF BLACKSBURG TOUR
Thursday, Sep 6, 2:00pm, and Wednesday, Sep 12, 1:00pm, Meet in GLC Lobby
Join your fellow graduate students on a walking tour of Blacksburg and explore the original town limits and some of the oldest structures in Blacksburg. Sign-up for a tour at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1340738057926

10. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Sep 6, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
The GLC Café is offered throughout the semester with free coffee and tea in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues. This week’s special: Hungarian cookies (while supplies last). Bring your own mug if you can. 

11. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT RETURNS
Thursdays, beginning Sep 6, 6:00pm, VT Women’s Center 206 Washington Street    
A free weekly drop-in evening child care program for kids. Need a break? Have to study or attend a lecture? Want to catch up on work? If you are a VT student with children, bring your kids aged 2-12. No need to pre-register. Childcare provided by the women of Chi Delta Alpha sorority. KNO will be held every Thursday throughout the semester with the exception of home football games and when classes are not in session. For more information, contact Jessie Meltsner.

12. FREE GRAD STUDENT HANDBOOK & PLANNER WHILE SUPPLIES LAST   
Pick up your free copy of the 2012-13 Graduate Student Handbook and Planner (courtesy of the Graduate School) in the GLC while supplies last. Planners are available in the student services area (120 GLC) and in the Reading Room.

13. WALK-IN STATISTICAL CONSULTING THROUGH LISA
LISA, the Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis, offers walk-in consulting Mon-Fri 1:00-3:00 pm in the GLC Video Conference Room. In Fall 2012, additional walk-in consulting hours will be available in the following locations:
– Monday & Wednesday from 3-5 pm in PORT (Torgersen/Newman Library bridge)
– Tuesday from 9:30-11:30 am in 1028 Pamplin Hall
-Thursday from 9:30-11:30 am in ICTAS Cafe X
Maps and additional information are available on LISA’s website. During walk-in hours a statistical consultant is available to answer quick questions or to help with research projects requiring less than 30 minutes of assistance. For more in-depth questions or longer projects, complete the LISA Collaboration Request Form at www.lisa.stat.vt.edu and a team of statistical collaborators will be assigned to work with you. Note: LISA does not assist with class projects or homework. More information about walk-in consulting and LISA’s other services>>

14. 2012-13 UNIVERSITY-SPONSORED HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN – SIGN UP BY OCT 1
At Virginia Tech, domestic students are encouraged, but not required, to have personal health insurance. International students and veterinary medicine student are required to have health insurance either through VT plan (provided by Aetna) or a comparable plan. Eligible graduate assistants wishing to use the health care subsidy must enroll in the VT plan.  Highlights of the Aetna plan include:
– Enhanced benefits when used with Schiffert Health Center
– Coverage anywhere – at school, home or traveling and through the summer
– Access to travel assistance services, including emergency assistance 24/7
– Access to Aetna’s nationwide network of health care professionals
– Vision benefits included within the medical plan
– Optional dental insurance plan available
Learn more>>.

15. PAYROLL DEDUCTION OF COMP FEES FOR GRADUATE ASSISTANTS – sign up now!
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. Details>>.

16. GRADUATE STUDENT INTRAMURAL SOCCER TEAM **FEMALES NEEDED**
If you are interested in joining other fellow graduate students in participating in a fun, exciting and social soccer league, please sign-up at this link: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1346209505674 Registration ends soon so please sign up as soon as possible! If you have questions, please contact GLC Fellow Emily Eskew.

17. NOMINATE A FACULTY MEMBER!
The Graduate School is seeking faculty members for a series of lunch time discussions on various topics that may be of interest to graduate students.  Do you know a faculty member who might want to share their research with graduate students?  Or is there a topic area you would like to learn more about?  Let us know by completing the survey. Questions or comments?  Contact Tara Frank.

18. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BALANCE/GAIT STUDY – 1st posting
Subjects are needed for a study investigating balance and gait in overweight individuals. The study will take place in the Kevin P Granata Biomechanics Lab in 208 Norris Hall. The study will take 1-1.5 hours to complete, and subjects will be paid $20 for their participation. If you are interested, please email your name, age, height, weight and days/times during the week you are available to participate to: biomechanics.esm@gmail.com Overweight individuals are especially needed.

19. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR ANKLE INSTABILITY STUDY – 1st posting
Healthy, young adults WITH a history of ankle sprains are sought for participation in a research project on ankle sprain risk factors.  The study will require participants to complete ankle stiffness and joint position sense evaluations under fatigued and braced conditions.  All procedures have been approved by the VT IRB. Participants must be 18-35 years old, active (2-3 times/week), have no existing joint problems or chronic joint pain, and must not be participating in physical rehab or regularly using ankle tape or bracing. Testing requires 3 sessions (about 2–2.5 hrs/session). Participants will be compensated for their time at a rate of $10/hr.  Contact Courtney Haynes by email or call at 724-272-8574.

20. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR GSA WELCOME BACK HAPPY HOUR

Friday, Sep 14, 5:00-7:00pm, GLC Lounge
The GSA is looking for volunteers to help with their annual “Welcome Back Happy Hour”.  Tasks will include setting-up, serving beer and food, and cleaning up.  Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older.  Please contact Elaine Mathis (efm28@vt.edu) if you are interested in helping with one of the first GSA events of the semester.

21. VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR GOBBLERFEST 2012
Gobblerfest, a welcome festival for the VT community, seeks volunteers:  Gobblerfest 2012 will be held on the Drillfield on Friday, Sep 7, 4:00-8:00pm. Last year’s event drew 20,000 attendees throughout the day, featuring games, music, diverse food options, prizes, a business expo, student organization showcase, and volunteer fair.  Volunteers are needed  for the many support roles an event of this size requires.  Duties include everything from setting up tables and production equipment to providing information to participants, directing traffic, helping with load-in, staffing the Gobblerfest headquarters tent, driving shuttle vans, serving as clean-up crew, and breaking down the tables and packing away the memories when the fun is over. Visit the Gobblerfest website for more information and view photos from last year’s event at http://www.dsa.vt.edu/gobblerfest.  To volunteer or to discuss volunteer opportunities, please sign up here or  contact Amanda Sharpe, Union Services Coordinator at 231-1169, abradsha@vt.edu.

22. THE VT LIBRARY SEEKS YOUR FEEDBACK ON GRAD COURSE – 2nd posting
The VT library seeks your feedback on the Library research skills graduate course  (Grad 5124) it offers. Your feedback will be useful in aligning the course to better meet the needs of graduate students. Click here to provide feedback (takes less than 5 minutes): https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_5hTNHu1S37qfpaJ. If you have any questions, contact Tracy Hall, Instructional Services Librarian (tracy72@vt.edu, 540-231-3067). Learn more about the Grad 5124 course>>

23. PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE JOURNAL SEEKS SUBMISSIONS – 2nd posting
Public Knowledge Journal (PKJ), an open-access peer-reviewed online journal hosted at VT, seeks articles, book reviews, essays, interviews, and multimedia submissions for Volume 4, Issue 2, on Interventions. Read the complete CFP (Call For Papers) at http://pkjournal.org/?page_id=1826. This graduate-student-managed journal is dedicated to the understanding of the journal process for new scholars, and thus only accepts submissions from current graduate students or of research conducted while enrolled as a graduate student. Some questions to consider: How does the response to the financial crisis shape or preclude social intervention? What kinds of (non)intervention would be the most socially useful? Who should be responsible for what kinds of financial interventions? What role should local authorities, state government, international bodies, corporations, and NGOs play in global environmental interventions? Who has a voice in the 21st century foodscape? How do global economic interests influence individual food choices? What is the most feasible mode of food production? Are such methods desirable? According to whom?
 
24. MALE PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR METABOLISM STUDY – 2nd posting
Volunteers are needed for a study examining how diet influences muscle metabolism. Must be: male between the ages of 18-40; not currently taking any medications; non-smoker; without any major medical problems; willing to eat a high fat diet for 4 weeks. Participants will receive extensive health information and may receive up to $200 to compensate for time.  If you meet the above requirements and are interested in participating in this research study, please contact John Pownall at the Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory at Virginia Tech by email: heartlab@vt.edu  or call the Lab at (540) 231-8299.

25. REVIEWERS NEEDED FOR GSA GRADUATE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PROPOSALS – 3rd posting

Want to learn more about the grant proposal writing and reviewing process? Join the Graduate Research and Development Program (GRDP) Panel of Reviewers!  GRDP provides graduate students from any department an opportunity to apply for funding for research projects. The application cycle is open once per semester and graduate students from all departments are needed to review these applications.  No experience is necessary- there will be a short workshop (with food provided!) on grant proposal review during the semester. If you are interested in joining the panel, please fill out this survey.  For more information, contact Amanda Shea (ashea04@vt.edu).

26. LEADERSHIP TECH YR 3: ENGAGING LEADERSHIP – 3rd posting
The Department of Student Centers and Activities is seeking 2 graduate student volunteers to serve as small-group facilitators for the Community and Environmental Sustainability group in the Leadership Tech Year 3 program.  Participants develop their potential for responsible citizenship and leadership through group-directed community service projects.  Facilitators will work in teams of two or three to guide a group of 10-15 junior and/or senior students through leadership development activities and the project management process.  Training is provided, as is the curriculum for the program.  The time commitment is approximately 2.5 hours a week and it is a two-semester commitment. Participation as a facilitator can count towards field hours for the Citizen Scholar program with the Graduate School. To apply, complete the application and submit your resume to Allison Dunn at adunn@vt.edu. An interview will be scheduled for those who meet the minimum qualifications.

27. RESEARCH STUDY SEEKING PARTICIPANTS – 3rd posting
Seeking mothers of children aged 4-17 years old with or without an Autism Spectrum Disorder for an online research study that will take approximately 30-40 minutes to complete. This study is approved by the VA Tech IRB.  Participants will be able to enter into a raffle for a chance at a $20 Target gift card. Please call or email for more information.540-231-6744 or cconner4@vt.edu or sww@vt.edu. Learn more>>.

28. PARTICIPANTS SOUNG FOR SPATIAL PERCEPTION STUDY – 3rd posting
Participants  are sought for a study in the “Exploration of Human Spatial Perception in 3D Immersive Virtual Environments.” 80 students will take part in the experiment to evaluate interaction techniques in an immersive virtual environment (i.e., CAVE). Participants will explore several virtual objects and accurately perceive the spatial aspects, e.g., size, shape and distance between two objects, of the objects, by using a given interface. Due to the tasks that may require some physical activities, you should have no problem with moving your body, e.g., head, arm/hand/finger and leg/foot, including turning your upper body. Location: Visionarium Lab (3050 of Torgersen Hall). Review schedule for available dates/times. The experiment  will approximately take 90 minutes, including filling up questionnaires and short breaks. If interested and/or have questions, send email.

29. UPCOMING EVENTS:


CAREER FAIR PREPARATION FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

Wednesday, Sep 12, 5:30pm, GLC Room G
There are several large job fairs on campus this spring and employers ARE interested in talking with graduate students—especially at the master’s level. Do you know how to present yourself to an employer at a job fair? What to ask? What they’ll expect? Come to this seminar to learn a few tricks of this trade! Contact Amy McPherson at amcphers@vt.edu if you have questions.

TOUR THE SMART ROAD!
Friday, Sep 14, 12:30-2:00pm
Interested in learning about the Smart Road at Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute (VTTI)? Take a tour! The Smart Road is a 2.2-mile highway used for transportation research. Participants will travel the Smart Road and learn more about the cutting edge research being conducted.  Space is limited so please sign up now. Your attendance will be confirmed via email along with details about a meeting location.  Questions?  Contact Tara Frank at tara@vt.edu. Sponsored by the Graduate Student Services Office.

GSA WELCOME BACK HAPPY HOUR
Friday, Sep 14, 5:00-7:00pm, GLC Lounge
GSA is hosting their annual “Welcome Back Happy Hour” in the GLC Lounge. The cost is $5.00 per person (cash) at the door for 4 tastings, 1 beer, and snacks ($2 for snacks only). All graduate students, post-docs, and faculty members are invited to come and enjoy a great start to the semester! Please direct any questions to Cory Brozina (sbrozina@vt.edu).

BOV GRAD LUNCHEON WITH PRESIDENT, PROVOST, & GRADUATE DEAN

Monday, Sep 17, 12:00-1:30pm, The Inn at Virginia Tech
Attend the first graduate luncheon of the semester with President Steger, Provost McNamee, and Vice President and Dean for graduate education Dr. Karen DePauw at the Inn at Virginia Tech. Spaces are limited. If you are interested in attending, please register here. Graduate students selected to attend will be contacted by Sep 7.  Contact Robyn Jones, Graduate Representative to the BOV at bovgradrep@vt.edu with any questions.