September 21-27, 2015

1.  WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – break schedule; updated 9/21

  • Career Services advising: Wednesdays (starting Sep 23), 2:00-5:00 GLC Lobby
  • Cook Counseling: Thursday & Friday 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room 
  • Graduate School regular hours: 8:00am-5:00pm
  • Immigration advising hours: MWF 1:00-5:00pm, TTh 9:00am-12:00pm
  • LISA Statistical Consulting: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10am-12pm, GLC Room A
  • Writing assistance: Thursdays, 5:30-8:30pm, GLC Room A

2. GSA 2015 GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL FAIR
Monday, Sep 21, 4:30-7:00pm, Squires Commonwealth Ballroom
The GSA’s annual graduate and professional school fair brings 115 recruiters from various universities, law schools, medical schools, and professional institutes across the country will be available to answer your questions about admissions requirements, applications, financial aid, and your future career options. All undergrad and grad students considering a graduate or professional program are invited to attend. Email Kasey Richardson at kasey@vt.edu with any questions or visit http://tinyurl.com/vt-gpsf  for more information. Attendance free.

3. DISCOVER ISLAM
Tuesday, Sep 22, 12:00-2:00pm, Info Booth A in front of Au Bon Pain at Squires
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world with more than 1.6 billion followers. Muslims come from almost every country in the world and speak almost every language. Learn more about Islam from your Muslim colleagues: stop by, ask questions, get your free copy of Quran interpretation in English, view Islamic art from different countries, get your name in Arabic, and enjoy tasty Arabian dates. Hosted by the Islamic Student Assembly (ISA). Posted on behalf of grad student Haitham Elmarakeby, marakeby@vt.edu.

4. MILK SENSORY PANELS

  • Wednesday 9/23: 11:00am-5:00pm
  • Thursday 9/24: 10:00am-5:00pm
  • Monday 9/28: 10:00am-5:00pm
  • Tuesday 9/29: 10:00am-5:00pm

All at HABB1 Bldg, Rm 205, corner of Duck Pond Dr and Washington St SW
Sensory evaluation on milk – see if you can identify different samples. Only takes ~15 minutes. Come and bring your friends! 144 panelists needed each day. Anyone 18+ years old who does not have milk allergies is encouraged to participate. Get free snacks every day for participating including Carol Lee Donuts, ice cream, home made cookies and more. Contact master’s student Hayley Potts at hpotts45@vt.edu for more information.

5. H1-B1 WORKSHOP FOR GRADUATING INTL STUDENTS
Wednesday, Sep 23, 5:00-6:30pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
This workshop is offered for international graduate students who are interested in learning more about legal employment options after they graduate and exhaust their Optional Practical Training time. Learn the details from immigration attorneys and ask questions at the end. Brought to you by the International Graduate Student Services office.

6. HUMAN SEXUALITY: A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Wednesday, Sep 23, 6:00-7:30pm, GLC Room B
How does our sexuality relate to our spirituality? How should we relate to others whose views on sexuality are different from our own? Come explore these and similar topics through this free community dinner and dialogue. All questions and perspectives are welcome. Sponsored by InterVarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship <http://gcfvt.wordpress.com/>.

7. THESIS THURSDAYS
Thursdays, 8:30am-3:30pm
Need a quiet space to work on your thesis, dissertation, or course work? Gotta study for exams? Absolutely have to get that article out, like, yesterday? Thesis Thursday is your answer! This weekly gathering is for grad students who want to keep accountable to a regular work time and need a guaranteed quiet place to work. Meet each Thursday just a few blocks off campus at 107 Church Street – 2nd floor of the State Farm office (entrance on Church Street). Free coffee and wi-fi, plus multiple spots to sit and study alone or in groups. Stop in any time during study hours. Limited parking available. For more details, contact grad student Morgan Franke at fmorg14@vt.edu.

8. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Sep 24, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
The GLC Café is offered throughout the year with free coffee, tea, and cookies in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues.

9. KIDS NIGHT OUT – FREE WEEKLY DROP-IN CHILD CARE
Thursdays, starting Sep 10, 2015 6:00-8:30pm, Women’s Center
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 (must be toilet trained); no need to pre-register. Games, toys, books, crafts, homework help, and plenty of fun for participants. Childcare provided by the volunteers of Chi Delta Alpha sorority. KNO will be held every Thursday throughout the semester with the exception of breaks when classes are not in session. The Women’s Center is located at 206 Washington Street, enter up the stairs in the parking lot. For more information, contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu or 231-7806.

10. GLC COMMUNITY GAME NIGHT
Thursday, Sep 24, 6:30-8:30pm, GLC Lounge
Come unwind from a busy week with some good old-fashioned board games! The Graduate Fellows host a game night full of fun, food, and friendly competition. There will be Pictionary, Giant Jenga, and Battleship, just to name a few. Do you have what it takes to beat the Graduate Fellows? Join to find out! If you have any questions, email Kevin Parker at kmpark07@vt.edu.

11. GLC HAPPY HOUR
Friday, Sep 25, 4:00-6:00pm, GLC side patio (Bookstore side behind the shrubs)
Attend the first ever GLC happy hour on the GLC side patio. Graduate students and faculty are invited to enjoy good conversation over a glass of wine or beer and light snacks. Cash bar: wine $5/glass; beer $4/bottle; soft drinks $2; light snacks provided by the Graduate School. The weather promises to be perfect for such an event outside! Contact Monika Gibson at gibsonm@vt.edu with questions.

12. BOOK CLUB — DEAR WHITE AMERICA: A LETTER TO THE NEW MINORITY – 1st posting
The Graduate School will host this book club for up to 20 students to participate in a 5-week, one-hour, Tuesday lunch discussion around issues of race and privilege.  Lunch will be provided. First 10 to commit to the book club will receive a free copy of the book. The discussion will be facilitated by Dannette Gomez Beane, director, Office of Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives, dannette@vt.edu. Sign up here https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4IxdIMtQ5wRBVkN.

13. CHILDCARE SPACES STILL AVAILABLE FOR FALL AND SPRING – 1st posting
The Little Hokie Hangout still has space available! If you are interested in learning more about the Parent Cooperative CHILD CARE option offered through the Graduate School, email childcare@vt.edu for information or to express interest. This conveniently-located program is for children approaching 2 years of age through 5 years of age, and is designed to fit your scheduling needs! Schedule a visit to take a look at the Little Hokie Hangout!

14. FACILITATOR TRAINING FOR GROUP DIALOGUE AVAILABLE – APPLY NOW
The Intercultural Engagement Center invites you to apply for skill-based facilitator training with VT InterCom, a new program that will provide group dialogue opportunities for the Virginia Tech campus and surrounding community. Human Relations and Group Dialogue Two-Day Facilitator Training 9am-5pm on Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th. Apply at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dgSGk6OElVlQW2x. You will be notified if your application is accepted.

15. PAPERS, WORKSHOPS, PERFORMANCE PIECES AND PANEL PROPOSALS INVITED – 1st posting
Scholars, activists, and artists from the humanities, social and natural sciences, visual and performing arts, life sciences, disability studies, STEM fields, and queer and feminist science studies are invited to submit papers, panels, workshops, new media, art, and performance pieces that explore the intersections of gender, bodies & technology in contexts ranging from virtual reality labs and engineering classrooms to grassroots movements and queer and feminist hacking spaces. Proposals should be submitted by Nov 15, 2015 to genbodtech@gmail.edu. See complete CFP at: http://www.cpe.vt.edu/gbt/. The “Gender, Bodies & Technology: (In)Visible Futures” event will take place in The Hotel Roanoke, Apr 21-23, 2016. For more information or questions contact Christine Labuski, GBT Coordinator and Conference Director, chrislab@vt.edu. Posted on behalf of grad student Rayanne Streeter, streetrc@vt.edu.

16. SUBMISSIONS INVITED FOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY GLC ART & PHOTO CONTEST – 2nd posting
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening of the GLC  by participating in the next GLC photo and art contest! Theme: (Snapshots) of Graduate Student Life. Get creative and submit whatever depicts you as a grad student. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art and/or photography) per graduate student. Photos may be submitted online at https://secure.graduateschool.vt.edu/imageupload/ to be printed by the Graduate School. Submission deadline: Monday, Oct 19.  Learn more at http://www.graduatelifecenter.vt.edu/contest/.

17. CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR EXHIBITION OF CULTURES – 2nd posting
An Exhibition of Cultures at the School of Architecture + Design is organized to display the great diversity of creative works  from various countries and from different parts of the United States. Undergrad and graduate students are asked to bring creative works or objects demonstrating the art and craftsmanship of their respective countries and communities (various media – pottery, calligraphy, fabric, etc.). Register your craft example by Oct 19 at: http://goo.gl/forms/ETnfYpmkz6. See more at: http://graduateschool.vt.edu/CAUS_Exhibition_of_Cultures. This message is posted on behalf of grad student organizer Shabnam Kavousi, shabnamk@vt.edu.

18. FUNDRAISER FOR VT RESEARCH TEAM WORKING ON FLINT WATER STUDY – 2nd posting
The VT research team behind FlintWaterStudy (www.flintwaterstudy.org) is fundraising on GoFundMe to help the economically disadvantaged people of Flint, MI, protect themselves from lead in their water, by buying and giving away NSF certified lead filters. Consider donating for the cause. For more details on the campaign and to donate, visit http://www.gofundme.com/safewater4flint. Posted on behalf of grad student Anurag Mantha, anuragm@vt.edu.

19. APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP FOR OPENCON2015 – 3rd posting
The Graduate School and University Libraries are co-sponsoring a travel scholarship to attend OpenCon 2015 in Nov 2015 in Brussels, Belgium. Apply by Sep 21 at http://www.opencon2015.org/virginia_tech. Learn more about the scholarship and the conference at https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/openvt/2015/09/02/grad-students-travel-to-brussels-to-learn-about-openness/.

20. CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR ACADEMY FOR GTA EXCELLENCE – 3rd posting
The Academy for GTA Excellence (see https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/jwrgrad/academy-for-advanced-teaching-and-transforming-learning-aattl/)  invites applications for members and associates in its Learning Community. The Academy provides opportunities for graduate students to receive advanced education and training in innovative teaching and learning strategies. It also provides a space to recognize excellence in teaching by graduate students. Membership is open to graduate students at all VT campuses. Applications are at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1ZUiW1qhOevG45L; nominations or recommendations at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6SbE2P349wuPv9z; both are due Saturday, Oct 3. For questions about the Academy, contact Vice President and Dean for Graduate Education Karen P. DePauw (kpdepauw@vt.edu) or Nicole J. Johnson (nicj712@vt.edu).

21. JOIN 30-AND-OVER GRAD GROUP – 3rd posting
Welcome to all VT 30-and-over students who sometimes feel out of place in the traditional social circles of school. This group is intended to be social, fun and non-serious. Coffee date? OK. Hiking in the Blue Ridge? Fantastic! Bowling? I’m up for it! Planned events can be accessed through our GoogleGroups site https://groups.google.com/d/forum/VT-over-30. If you are part of a sub group (parents, athletic enthusiast, hikers, etc) let the group know and organize events within this sub-group.

22. GA OPENING FOR 2015-16 – 2nd posting
The Office of First Year Experiences has an immediate graduate assistantship opening for the 2015-2016 academic year. The GA works closely with the Director of First Year Academic Initiatives in the array of responsibilities associated with the university-wide first year experience programs, faculty, staff and partners. Required qualifications: earned Master’s degree in education or related discipline; evidence of strong oral and written communication skills; ability to work both independently and in collaboration with FYE collaborators; experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Preferred qualifications: enrollment in an education or related discipline PhD program and experience with assessment of educational programs. If interested, submit a current CV, cover letter describing your interest in First Year Experiences and 3 professional references to Jennifer Culhane, Director of First Year Academic Initiatives, at jculhane@vt.edu.  

23. SCHOOL-DAY PERFORMANCE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – 1st posting
Since the Center for the Arts’ opening in 2013, nearly 8,000 students, teachers, parents, and chaperones have participated in Kindergarten-12 arts activities at the Moss Arts Center (MAC). School-day performances are here again and volunteers are needed to ensure that the students’ experience is top notch. If you are interested in helping, please email Donna Thompson at tdonna27@vt.edu for more information and schedule.

24. CHILD PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR EYE, GAZE & EMOTIONS TREATMENT STUDY – 1st posting
If you are a parent or legal guardian of a child/children who are having problems with all of the following: * breaking rules, arguing or fighting; * seem insensitive to punishment; * lack concern or empathy for others, contact VT researchers about a free IRB-approved research study on the VT campus for children ages 6-9. Parents/legal guardians complete questionnaires and children complete in-lab tasks and computer games.  Receive between $10-$30 per assessment session, up to $100 total. Contact Lauren at (540) 231-9735; Email:EyeGazeEmotions@gmail.com.

25. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR SOCIAL ANXIETY STUDY – 1st posting
Free confidential research study for eligible individuals who are anxious or nervous in social situations; struggle with talking to members of the opposite sex; constantly concerned that they may do or say something that will embarrass them. Participants must be ages 18-55; research study involves brain imaging in social anxiety. If you are interested, or would like more information, contact the VT Social-Cognitive-Affective-Neuroscience Laboratory at (540) 231-8504 or email to  VT.scanlab@gmail.com.

26. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY OF CHILDREN’S CONNECTIONS WITH THEIR FRIENDS – 2nd posting
Can your (pre)teens help with a VT research project, Colisten? The ThirdLab at VT is recruiting children aged 9-15 to participate in a research study about children feeling connected with each other. Participating children will bring a friend (also aged 9-15) and try out an app to listen to music together and talk about their schoolwork and social lives. Participants will be compensated. This is an IRB-approved research study (# 14-709), and results may be published. Contact Michael Stewart at tgm@vt.edu to participate.

27. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR ASSESSING ERGONOMICS & MANUFACTURING PRODUCTIVITY – 3rd posting
Participants are needed for a VT research study investigating effects of ergonomic designs and interventions on manufacturing quality and productivity. Requirements: must be 18–35 years old; have normal vision, and no self-reported current or recent (past 1 year) musculoskeletal injuries or other health conditions. The experiment involves two sessions (one training, and one data collection) in which you will be asked to perform a simulated drilling task using three different workstation configurations.  Each session will require ~3 hours, and you will be compensated $10/hr for participation. For further information and scheduling contact 206-859-9146 or iesaad@vt.edu.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

INTERNATIONAL FULBRIGHT OPPORTUNITIES
Monday, Sep 28, 6:30pm, GLC Room G
Dr. Daniel Kramer, director of US student Fulbright programs, will be visiting the Blacksburg campus to discuss international opportunities. The Fulbright program is the flagship exchange program of the US State Department and offers funding for independent research/study projects, graduate degree enrollment, and English teaching assistantships in more than 130 countries. Special awards include Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling, Fulbright mtvU, and  Fulbright-Clinton fellowships. More information can be found at http://us.fulbrightonline.org/about/types-of-grants. Students at all levels of their academic careers are invited to attend. RSVPs to Betty Watts (bettyw@vt.edu) are appreciated.

GLC COMMUNITY MOVIE NIGHT
Tuesday, Sep 29, 7:45-9:45pm, GLC Room F
Need a break from studying? Come hang out and watch a ’90s classic, The Wedding Singer. The Graduate Fellows will provide snacks to enjoy during the movie so get there early to grab some snacks and secure your seat! If you have any questions, email Scarlet Soult at scarlet7@vt.edu.

HISPANIC-LATINO CONNECT LUNCH
Wednesday, Sep 30, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room G
Would you like to connect with other graduate students and faculty/ staff that identify with the Hispanic/Latino community? If yes, don’t miss out on this great opportunity. The Graduate School hosts this luncheon to facilitate dialogue and fellowship. Register at http://graduateschool.vt.edu/connect_lunch if you plan to attend. If you have any questions, contact Dannette Gomez Beane at dannette@vt.edu.

OVER-30 GRADS MEET-UP AT THE CELLAR
Wednesday, Sep 30, 6:00pm, The Cellar (302 N Main, Bburg)
Join other over-30 grads at the Cellar for some drinks and conversation.

MY SISTER’S KEEPER: FINDING YOUR PATH
Wednesday, Oct 7, 8:00am, Virginia Tech Inn, Latham Ballroom D
Join a conversation with Dr. Bevlee Watford, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in the College of Engineering, who will share her journey through the academy and lessons she has learned along the way. Breakfast will be served. Register by Oct 1 at http://goo.gl/forms/A9NfQjlfDl.  Program sponsored by Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP) and the Provost Office. For more information contact grad student Delight Yokley, b18409y@vt.edu.

LGBTQ CONNECT LUNCH
Wednesday, Oct 7, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room F
Would you like to connect and network with other graduate students and faculty/staff that identify with the LGBTQ community or are community allies? If yes, don’t miss out on this great opportunity. The Graduate School hosts this luncheon to facilitate dialogue and fellowship. Register at http://graduateschool.vt.edu/connect_lunch if you plan to attend. If you have any questions, contact Dannette Gomez Beane at dannette@vt.edu.