December 10-16, 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. 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>>.

3. VIRTUAL GLC (vGLC) CAFÉ
Wednesdays, 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 at http://virtual.glc.vt.edu. 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 (Create Avatar);  (Imprudence Viewer/Software) 1.4.0-beta-2 Mac (Intel) . If you have questions or suggestions, please email Jodi Cromer or Marija Telbis-Forster.

4. CRAWL FOR A CURE – RELAY FOR LIFE FUNDRAISER
Wednesday, Dec 12, downtown Blacksburg
A percentage of all profits at Frosty Parrot that evening will go to Relay For Life. Hokie House will be offering a purple drink during happy hour (5-9pm) that will benefit Relay, and the $1 cover at Big Als and TOTS will all go to Relay For Life. Enjoy Reading Day Eve and help find a CURE for cancer! This message is posted on behalf of VT Relay for Life grad liaison Erin Littleton, erinml@vt.edu.

5. 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.

6. GHS THANK YOU BREAKFAST
Thursday, Dec 13, 9:00-10:30am, GLC Student Organization Offices area (across from ABP)
Graduate Honor System panelists and anyone interested in learning more about the GHS are invited to this end-of-the-year breakfast to recognize and thank those who have participated in honor system activities this fall as volunteer panelists, and provide an opportunity for students to learn more about the GHS and their possible roles in it. Please stop by as your time allows. Please register if you plan to attend.

7. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Dec 13, 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. 

8. CXWORX CORE CLASS
Thursday, Dec 13, 5:00pm, GLC Multipurpose room
Join GLC Fellow Emily (who won first place in her age group at last Saturday’s 5K Jingle Bell Run in Roanoke) as she leads the Les Mills 30 minute core class, CXWORX. Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers and bring water and a towel! Contact Emily with any questions.

9. 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 (hashas@vt.edu) if you have any questions.

10. FINALS WEEK OPEN STUDY ROOMS IN GLC
Friday-Thursday, Dec 14-20, all day, Rooms F and G
Rooms F and G have been designated as open study rooms during finals week. No reservations are required; feel free to take advantage of the various study spaces in the GLC as you prepare for exams and complete final projects! All the best for everyone!

11. GRADUATE SCHOOL SPECIAL CLOSURE: Friday, Dec 14, 11:30am-2:00pm.

12. BLUE RIDGE WORKSHOP @ SOLITUDE
Fridays, Oct-May, 3:00-4:00pm, Solitude of Virginia Tech
Creative and literary workshop with VT/RU alumni, teacher and poet T. Byron Kelly. Weekly attendance is optional and participants can attend whenever they want to join as well. Visit the workshop webpage at http://blueridgeworkshop.weebly.com/  for more information. Email Dr. Anita Puckett with questions or concerns at apuckett@vt.edu, or to T. Byron Kelly at tbyron@vt.edu.

13. 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>>.

14. 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.

15. ALUMNI TRIP TO EUROPE
The Virginia Tech Alumni Association invites you to celebrate your college successes with an unforgettable voyage through Europe. Travel with fellow grads, see the world and make friends for life. The trip takes place May 28-Jun 15, 2013; extended tour ends Jun 20. Seats are limited. For more information or to book your trip, contact the VT Alumni Association, 540-231-6285; alumnitravel@vt.edu; or visit http://www.alumniworldtravel.com/vt.html.

16. SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS SURVEY – 2nd 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. More information about SWE and the work they do>>.

17. GSA EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT – HALF ASSISTANTSHIP OPENING – 2nd 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.  Application deadline: 8:00am Dec 18.

18. VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR 2ND CANCER SYMPOSIUM – 2nd 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 (http://www.cancerresearchscholars.org.vt.edu/) 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.
 
19. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR PAID VIRTUAL REALITY STUDY – 2nd 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 (cstinson@vt.edu).

20. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BALANCE/GAIT STUDY – 2nd 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.

21. CHILD PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR DARK-/NIGHT-FEARS STUDY – 3rd 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.

22. UPCOMING EVENTS:

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.

DATA BOOT CAMP: COMBATING THE DATA DELUGE: register now!
Tuesday-Wednesday, Jan 8-9, Torg 1100C
Register before Dec 21 for this free two-day workshop offered by the library to help you learn best practices in data management, which is an important topic for researchers and scholars across domains. Requirements by funding agencies for data management plans encourage researchers to plan ahead for data management and help to promote practices that facilitate reproducible research, data use and reuse, and interoperability among distributed systems.  Instructors at both Virginia Tech and UVA will cover topics such as understanding research data; the graduate student research lifecycle, organizing data, file formats and transformation, documentation and metadata, storage and security, data protection, rights and access, and preservation, sharing and licensing.  Space is limited to 15 students at each campus location. Light refreshments will be provided.  RSVP to Associate Dean for Research and Informatics Julie Speer by December 21.

GLC BOOK CLUB
Open to all graduate students! The next book is “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Read the book during the winter break, then meet with other grad students on Jan 22 at 8pm in the GLC Fellows office to discuss it and pick the next book as well. Contact Emily or Mark at eceskew@vt.edu or esmark86@vt.edu respectively for any questions.