1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – updated 12/1
- Career services: Wednesdays, 2:30-5:00pm, GLC Lobby
- Counseling by Cook: Thursdays and Fridays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room
- Financial aid advising: Tuesdays 3:30-5:00, Room A
- GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursday, Reading Room – year round!
- Graduate School business hours: M,Tu,Th,F: 8:00am-5:00pm; W: 9:30am-5:00pm
- Statistical consulting by LISA: Tu, Th, F, 10:00-12:00, Room A
- Writing Center walk-in assistance: Tuesdays 6:00-8:00, Room A (additional hours in the Library)
2. FINALS EXTRAVAGANZA
Wednesday, Dec 10, 11:00AM-2:00PM, McComas Hall Lobby
The Cook Counseling Center is offering a fall “Finals Extravaganza” in collaboration with Schiffert Health Center, Health Education, Rec Sports, the Women’s Center, College Alcohol Abuse Prevention Center and the Student Success Center, to help students learn how to cope with the stress of finals. There will be served snacks and other refreshments, opportunities to participate in fun activities and the CCC therapy dogs will be available to interact with students. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to learn study tips for finals and how to relax in 15 minutes. For more information contact Charlotte Amenkhienan at camen@vt.edu or 231-6557.
3. MANDATORY TITLE IX WORKSHOP FOR ALL STUDENT EMPLOYEES – register now!
Thursday, Dec 11, 8:30-10:00am in Room F and 1:30-3:00pm in GLC Auditorium
The university is requiring that all employees and graduate- and undergraduate students in any student employment category complete a Title IX and Retaliation workshop by the end of January 2015. Although there are other ways to satisfy this requirement, the Graduate School has arranged two presentations so that you can become familiar with the responsibilities and obligations that you have concerning what to do if a student discloses sexual harassment, sexual violence (rape and other non-consensual sexual activity) or if an allegation of retaliation is made for having reported such activity. Pre-registration is required at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1418050857775 if you plan to attend one of the sessions. Registration will close if all seats are filled. Attendance will be recorded by Hokie Passport swipe, so please bring your HP with you to the session. To complete the training online, go to Coursewhere at www.training.vt.edu; use PID and password; create a “profile” in Coursewhere; register; watch.)
4. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Dec 11, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Take a break and enjoy coffee, tea, and cookies in the company of your graduate student and Grad School colleagues. Maybe there will be hot chocolate, too.
5. HOT CHOCOLATE EXAM BREAK
Friday, Dec 12, 12:00-2:00pm, GLC Lobby
As finals week begins, swing by the GLC and grab a cup of hot chocolate. This treat is sure to keep you warm and relaxed as the semester comes to an end. This event is sponsored by the GLC Fellows.
6. NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS NOW OPEN – 1st posting
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($200-$1000 each) and award certificate. 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 26, 2015:
- Outstanding Dissertation in (1) math, sciences and engineering, and (1) in social sciences, business and humanities
- Preston Society Master’s Thesis Award
- Graduate Student Teaching Excellence (1) for GTA instructor of record (1) GTA instructor assistant
- Graduate Student Service Excellence
- Graduate Student of the Year (up to three awards given)
- Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college and in interdisciplinary programs.
More information about criteria, forms, and process for nomination are at: http://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/awards/2014_2015.
7. VIDEO AVAILABLE OF “GRADUATION 101: ETD REVIEW” WEBINAR
A video is available online for those who missed the ETD review webinar in November. Access the video at iTunes U, http://itunes.apple.com/itunes-u/graduate-school/id465646313?mt=10 or via YouTube at http://youtu.be/sbm0Bh841tU. For more information on degree completion guidelines and deadlines, see Graduate School website http://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/degree_completion.
8. VIDEO AVAILABLE OF “PREPARING FOR GRADUATION – FINAL STEPS TO DEGREE”
A video is available for those who missed the December webinar on preparing for graduation webinar. The video may be downloaded at iTunes U http://itunes.apple.com/itunes-u/graduate-school/id465646313?mt=10 or via YouTube http://youtu.be/6LV0BcvxLxM. For more information on degree completion guidelines and deadlines see Graduate School website http://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/degree_completion.
9. WAGE POSITION IN ACADEMIC COACHING – 2nd posting
Academic coaches working University Studies meet with 10-15 students 3-4 times per semester. Each coach will collaborate with his or her students to create individualized goals and educational plans for the semester, focusing on time management, use of existing campus resources, and problem solving. Coaches will also aid students in exploring majors and introduce them to the Pathways Planner tool. Responsibilities include: 1) Participating in training and/or meetings the week before classes begin (January 8 & 9); 2) Attending group meetings the week before and during week 1 of spring semester; 3) Scheduling individual meetings with students during weeks 3-4, 5-6 and 13-14 and assessing academic progress at each meeting; 4) Utilizing supplied materials and/or developing new materials; 5) Referring students to appropriate campus resources and advisors; 6) documenting meetings and communicating with program coordinator and advisors. Applicants should be graduate students in good academic standing. To apply, send resume and cover letter to Nick Sano-Franchini via email: nicks5@vt.edu by December 10, 2014.
10. FT GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP OPENING FOR SPRING 2015 AND BEYOND – 3rd posting
Graduate assistantship for inVenTs Living-Learning communities (http://www.science.vt.edu/llc/) beginning Spring 2015; 9 or 12-m, renewable for at least two years; great opportunity for a natural-science-major graduate student looking for experience in STEM education and outreach; students with teaching experience and pedagogy training preferred; must be willing to be trained in large-equipment use (MediaScape, 3D printer, laser cutter; microscope, milling router, ModelMaker). Responsibilities include staffing studio 10hr/wk during M-Th 4-9p; Sa-Su 1-6p; organize and attend meetings; help run studio events; assist with recruitment of companies, etc. To apply, submit CV, cover letter, and contact information for two professional references to Asst. Provost Jill Sible (siblej@vt.edu). Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.
11. GRA OPENING IN ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING – 3rd posting
Advanced Research Computing (ARC) has an open graduate research assistant position for web development, beginning Spring 2015, to replace the current website (www.arc.vt.edu) with a Drupal-based CMS. The GRA will assist with transitioning the prototype site into production and integrating with other HPC web services; updating the website; solving web problems. Must have strong written and oral communication skills; experience in the Linux operating system environment; expertise in web programming languages (e.g. php, html, xml); motivation to work in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment; ability to work independently on assigned projects. Preferred Qualifications: experience with Drupal; interest in High Performance Computing; knowledge of RESTful API design; experience with SQL databases (mysql, postgres); graphic design experience. If interested, send a resume to Brian Marshall, mimarsh2@vt.edu.
12. SURVEY PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR DIGITAL TO-DO LIST RESEARCH – 1st posting
Sheriff Jolaoso, master’s student in computer science, is looking for participants for his research on engagement with digital to-do tools such as calendars, to-do list apps, and email. Participation consists of completing a 22-question survey that asks questions about the digital to-do list tools you use and how you use them. Participants must be over 18 and use calendars, emails, and/or to-do list apps to maintain things you need to do in the future. If interested, complete the survey at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_cYzQARJJdur6lLf. If you have any questions about this research study, contact Sheriff Jolaoso, email: sheriff1@vt.edu.
Upcoming Events:
VT PAWS
Monday, Dec 15, 6:00-7:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
The GLC Fellows invite you to come relieve some finals stress with the VT Helping PAWS therapy animals. Students from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine will be on hand with their dogs and cats. Come hang out, spend some time with the animals, take a break from studying, and relax! To learn more about VT Helping PAWS, you can visit their website here: http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/vthelpingpaws/.
GLC CAFÉ: BOOK SWAP EDITION
Thursday, Dec 18, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room or Lobby
Celebrate the end of the semester and the end of the year with the final café of 2014, combined with a book swap. Bring books and take some, or just take books to read during the break. Share your favorite titles with grad students and Grad School colleagues over coffee, tea, hot chocolate, hot cider, and cookies. Bring your own mug if you can. The café will be on a break on Dec 25 and Jan 1, but will return on Jan 8, 2015!
GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Friday, Dec 19, 3:00pm, Cassell Coliseum
Join in the celebration of our graduating master’s and doctoral students and certificate recipients. For details visit http://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/commencement_info. This event will be live streamed.