December 3-9, 2012

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC

  • Career advising (walk in, no appointment needed): Wednesdays 2:00-5:00pm, GLC Lobby
  • Cook Counseling (walk in, no appointment needed): Thursdays and Fridays 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room
  • GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursdays, Reading Room
  • Statistical consulting by LISA: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room; find out each consultant’s software expertise here: http://www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=walk_in
  • Writing Center support for grads: Thursdays 3:00-5:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room (additional hours are available in the Library)

2. AEL PRESENTS LAST LECTURE SERIES: DR. E.S. GELLER
Monday, Dec 3, 5:30pm, GLC Room G
Alpha Epsilon Lambda, the academic excellence and leadership honor society, invites you to its last lecture speaking event, presenting Dr. E. S. Geller and his lecture – Life Lessons from Psychological Science: Bringing the best out of yourself and others. For any questions, please contact Tammy Parece.
   
3. GSA DONUTS WITH THE DEAN
Tuesday, Dec 4, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Lounge
GSA is holding the second dialogue with dean DePauw.  Stop by to ask questions, talk with fellow grad students and enjoy donuts from Carol Lee.

4. VIRTUAL GLC (vGLC) CAFÉ

Wednesdays, starting Nov 28, 2:00-3:00 pm, Lobby of vGLC
Join the Graduate School Staff weekly for online chats in the vGLC. This week’s topic: open discussion. Get into the vGLC lobby. The vGLC extends VT’s graduate-education community from campus to computer. Using avatars they have created, visitors to the vGLC can currently visit with Graduate-School staff about general academic questions; find Grad-School forms and policy information; consult with the Graduate Student Ombudsperson; attend virtual seminars and workshops; socialize with other vGLC visitors; and explore the vGLC space, which mirrors the real-world Graduate Life Center on the Blacksburg campus. Download the software; if you have questions or suggestions, please email Jodi Cromer or Marija Telbis-Forster.

5. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Dec 6, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
The GLC Café is offered throughout the semester with free coffee, tea and cookies in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues. Bring your own mug if you can. 

6. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT – FREE CHILDCARE ON THU NIGHTS

Thursdays, 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 at jmelts@vt.edu.

7. SAFE ZONE TRAINING: SUICIDE WATCH AND PREVENTION
Friday, Dec 7, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Room D
Concerned about a student or a friend?  Learn how to recognize issues and support students, friends, and colleagues.  Sponsored by The Raft Crisis Hotline, a free service offering suicide intervention, empathy and support to residents of the NRV. Raft is a program of New River Valley Community Services and has been serving the local community for over forty years. A majority of the hotline’s volunteers have been VT students and an official partnership was formed through the former Raft Hotline Manager, Brittany Mabry, and VT’s LGBTQ Coordinator, Catherine Cotrupi, to offer Suicide Watch and Prevention training to VT Safe Zones.  This session is led by Raft Crisis Hotline Manager, Rebecca Bryce. Please sign up here. Questions?  Contact Tara at tara@vt.edu

8. GSA INTERNATIONAL BEER TASTING

Friday, Dec 7, 5:00-7:00pm, GLC Lounge
GSA is hosting this international beer tasting with flavors from around the world! 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 are invited. Please direct any questions to Cory Brozina (sbrozina@vt.edu).

9. SWEATERFEST:  FARADAY, MERCHANTS OF SEVEN, JUGBUSTERS
Friday, Dec 7, 7:00pm, Cafe at Champs (entrance opposite of Main street)
Live music: Faraday, Merchants of Seven, Jugbusters. Contest: Ugly sweater auction during first set change, ugly sweater contest for prizes in second set change. Cover: $5.00 charge at door to help Engineers Without Borders-VT build a septic system for a Mayan boarding school in Xix, Guatemala.  More info>>. This message is posted on behalf of grad student Becky Halvorson Lahr, rhlahr@gmail.com.

10. NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS NOW OPEN
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 the Graduate School’s annual awards banquet on March 28, 2013:

  • Outstanding Dissertation in (1) math, sciences and engineering, and (1) in social sciences, business 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

More information about criteria, forms, and process for nomination>>.

11. SPRING COURSE: GRAD5304 PREPARING THE FUTURE CAREER PROFESSIONAL

Tuesdays, 1:00-3:30pm, spring 2013
This class is designed to provide graduate students with knowledge, skills and abilities to prepare for employment in industry, business, government, research development and non-profit worlds. Topics will include communication, collaboration/teamwork, motivation, workplace and community ethics, leadership, building relationships, starting a business, managing change, writing a resume and cover letter, and working in a diverse environment.

12. SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS SURVEY – 1st posting
The Society of Women Engineers(SWE) at VirginiaTech wants to know more about you. SWE is an international organization that strives to aspire, advance and achieve. At VT, they participate in several events which are directed towards the community, future engineers and members. They are looking for your input to help serve graduate students at VT better. You can help by filling out this quick and short survey. You can also write in to Graduate Liaison Officer, Sreyoshi Bhaduri (sreyoshibhaduri@gmail.com) with your ideas, questions, comments and suggestions. For information about SWE and the work they do, please visit: https://sites.google.com/site/swevatech/about-us.

13. DIVERSITY SCHOLAR APPLICATION DEADLINE: 12/6
Diversity scholars are graduate students who specialize in and advocate for the awareness, knowledge, and skills associated with diversity and inclusion in the Graduate School and greater community. A diversity scholar’s goal is to create dialogue, provide advocacy, and implement change for a more diverse and inclusive experience for all graduate students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Nominations are open now. The deadline is Dec 6, 2012. Learn more  or contact Dannette Beane at dannette@vt.edu.
   
14. GSA EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT – HALF ASSISTANTSHIP OPENING – 1st posting
The GSA is searching for an executive assistant for the remainder of the 2012-2013 academic year. Must be a full-time graduate students in Blacksburg. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, exercise sound judgment, function efficiently in a fast-paced environment, have a commitment to providing professional administrative support and a constructive, team-oriented approach to work, and a genuine interest to be part of the Graduate Student Assembly. All submitted applications (letter of interest, and curriculum vitae) shall be reviewed by the GSA Executive Board, and interviews with the finalists will be held. This is a 50% assistantship (10 hrs/wk); check the GSA website for details. Please send any applications or questions to Shaimaa Abdallah, GSA President, at shaimaa@vt.edu. 

15. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR GSA INTL BEER TASTING
GSA is looking for volunteers to help with the international beer tasting on Friday, Dec 7, 5-7pm in the GLC Lounge. Take part and help out in the GSA’s last event of the semester.  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.

16. VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR 2ND CANCER SYMPOSIUM – 1st posting

Cancer Research Scholars is an interdisciplinary student organization that brings together cancer researchers represented across various departments, colleges, and labs at Virginia Tech. They organized the first cancer research symposium 2 years ago  and now  are looking for motivated and committed volunteers to organize the second one. The symposium gives researchers an opportunity to learn from one another and network for potential future collaboration. It also promotes the visibility of cancer research within the community. If you are interested in getting involved, please fill this doodle poll to attend the first general meeting and email Alireza Salamzandeh (alireza@vt.edu) your contact info as well as your questions and suggestions.
 
17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR PAID VIRTUAL REALITY STUDY – 1st posting
Researchers are looking for participants for a study on Virtual Reality for Sport Anxiety. The study is investigating the potential of virtual reality to be used as a training platform to prepare athletes for high-pressure situations. No sport experience is needed. The study will consist of defending simulated soccer penalty kicks in a variety of conditions. All participants will be paid a base rate of $10, plus $0.10 per ‘SAVE’.  The maximum potential payout is $30 ($10 base + $20 performance). The study will take place in the VisCube in Torgesson 3050. Participants must be over the age of 18. The study will last 60-90 minutes. Contact Cheryl Stinson for details.

18. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BALANCE/GAIT STUDY – 1st posting

Subjects are needed for a VT study investigating balance and gait. The study will take place in Kevin P Granata Biomechanics Lab in 208 Norris Hall. The study will take about 1.5 hours to complete, and subjects will be paid $20 for their participation. If you are interested, please email your name, age, height, and weight . Overweight individuals are especially needed.

19. CHILD PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR DARK-/NIGHT-FEARS STUDY – 2nd posting

Does your child refuse to enter dark rooms? Do you have to leave a light on in the hallway or in your child’s room? Is bedtime a struggle each night? A new research project is looking at the effectiveness of two novel treatments for dark fears and being alone at night in children ages 5 to 7. The study is being conducted at the Child Study Center at 460 Turner St. N.W., Suite 207, Blacksburg. For more information, contact Sarah Terrell or call 540-231-8276. Compensation is $50.

20. COMMENCEMENT VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT – 3rd posting

The university commencement committee is seeking graduate student volunteers to serve as ushers at the Spring ceremonies on Dec 21. The University Graduate Commencement will be held at 3:00 pm in Cassell Coliseum and the University Ceremony will be at 11:00 am. Ushers should arrive at least one hour prior to the ceremony. If you are interested in serving the university community in this manner, please contact Thomas W. Broyles, or by phone at 540-239-4365.

21. UPCOMING EVENTS:

MEASURING INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE: DESIGNING ASSESSMENT TO STRENGTHEN DIVERSITY
Monday, Dec 10, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C
How do you define and measure diversity? How do you gauge change? The presenters will lead a discussion on measurement and assessment issues related to diversity initiatives, current activities underway, and future directions.  Please register here.

EARN YOUR AMATEUR/HAM RADIO LICENSE

Tuesday, Dec 11, 6:00pm, Dogwood Room of Squires Student Center
The VT Amateur Radio Association (VTARA) will be giving amateur radio license exams for a fee of $15. For more information, visit http://www.vtara.org.vt.edu  or contact Nathaniel Frissell at nafrissell@vt.edu. Learn more about ham radio in general>>.

HOLIDAY COOKIE DECORATING
Wednesday, Dec 12, 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Room B
Free and open to all graduate students! GLC Fellows will provide the cookies and decorating supplies; all you need to do is join them. Please contact Emily with any questions.

CXWORX CORE CLASS

Thursday, Dec 13, 5:00pm, GLC Multipurpose room
Join GLC Fellow Emily as she leads the Les Mills 30 minute core class, CXWORX. Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers and bring water and a towel! Please contact Emily with any questions.

THERAPY DOGS AT THE GLC
Thursday, Dec 13, 6:00-7:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Our friends from VT Helping PAWS (Pet Assisted Wellness Service) will visit for stress relief and companionship on Reading Day. All graduate students are welcome to stop by and enjoy the dogs in the GLC Multipurpose Room. Please contact Andrae Hash if you have any questions.

EXTERNAL FUNDING FOR GRAD STUDENTS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES
Monday, Dec 17, 7:00pm, Blacksburg (Norris Global Technology Center), Falls Church (room TBA), Alexandria (room TBA)
Information will be shared by Tom Ewing, Associate Dean, CLAHS about external fellowships and grants available to graduate students, with particular attention to opportunities in the humanities, social sciences, education, human sciences, and creative arts.