1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – updated 1/25/16
- Career Services advising: Wednesdays 2:00-5:00pm, GLC Lobby
- Cook Counseling: ThF 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: TTh 11:00-1:00, F 10:00-12:00, Room A
- Writing assistance: Th 5:30-8:30, Room A
2. BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS FEB 1-29
Check out a list of events for Black History Month at http://www.iec.vt.edu! You can download any of the events directly to your calendar from Intercultural Engagement Center’s (IEC) google calendar http://www.iec.vt.edu or find details on the university’s online calendar.
3. VALENTINE’S DAY CARD MAKING
Monday, Feb 8, 1:30-3:30
Tuesday-Wednesday, Feb 9-10, 10:00am-12:00pm
Stop by the Welcome Center in the GLC Lobby this week to make Valentine’s Day cards for someone special. The GLC Fellows will have plenty of craft supplies available for you to help spread the love!
4. DISCOVER ISLAM
Tuesday, Feb 9, 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). Contact grad student Haitham Elmarakeby (marakeby@vt.edu) for more information.
5. BARNSTORM FOR BERNIE
Wednesday, Feb 10, 6:00-8:00pm, GLC Room F
Interested in learning more about presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders? Want to get involved with the grassroots movement to get Bernie elected? Join Students for Sanders at Virginia Tech (S4S@VT) as they host a campaign-sponsored organizational meeting where you’ll learn how easy it is to become a part of the political revolution here in Blacksburg! RSVP at https://go.berniesanders.com/page/event/detail/barnstorm/4pk7. For more information about S4S@VT, contact doctoral student Sarah Mazza (mazza@vt.edu).
6. 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.
7. WRITING CENTER INFORMATION SESSIONS ON FORMING WRITING SUPPORT GROUPS
Thursday, Feb 11, 12:30-1:00, GLC Room A
Friday, Feb 12, 12:30-1:00, GLC Room B
Do you need some support with writing your thesis, dissertation, journal articles, and more? Would you like some help finding other graduate students to form a writing support group? The Writing Center and the Graduate School are facilitating the forming of writing support groups. Attend one of these information sessions to learn how a writing group may help you stay on task, how to become a member of a writing group, and other techniques that may help you along the way.
8. DMV CONNECT – MOBILE DMV SERVICES IN THE GLC!
Thursday, Feb 11, 9:00am-4:00pm, GLC Room D
Friday, Feb 12, 9:00am-2:00pm, GLC Room D
If you don’t have time to travel to the DMV in Christiansburg, here is your chance to get DMV business done in the GLC! Get your state ID, veteran’s ID, driver’s license, disabled parking placard, vehicle title and registration and more.
9. GLC CAFÉ: PBJ EDITION
Thursday, Feb 11, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Enjoy free coffee, tea and cookies in the company of your grad student and Grad School colleagues. Relax, network, get caffeinated. This week’s special: the quintessential American childhood favorite: peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches! If you never had it, here is an opportunity to try! Bring your own mug if you can.
10. GROCERY BINGO
Thursday, Feb 11, 5:30-6:30pm, GLC Room G
Compete against other graduate students in Bingo for a chance to win free grocery items! Register online at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6D6wXh9pg1kSRQ9 if you are planning to attend.
11. KIDS NIGHTS OUT RETURNS FOR SPRING – NOTE NEW LOCATION!
Thursdays, starting Jan 28, 6:00-8:30pm, Luther Memorial Church classroom, 600 Prices Fork Rd
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 is held every Thursday throughout the semester when classes are in session. Park in the lower parking lot (on Prices Fork Road) and go up the stairs. Enter the building through the door (with “Little Hokie Hangout” sign) at the top of the hill with the long access ramp. Children should wash their hands in the bathroom before entering the room. Until renovations are completed at the Women’s Center, KNO will meet at the new location. For more information, contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu or 231-7806.
12. HIGH QUALITY OPEN ED RESOURCES: DEVELOPMENT, USE CASES, ADAPTATION, EFFICACY
Friday, Feb 12, 2:15-3:30pm, Newman Library Room 207A
Open Education Resources (OER) are used in at least one in five US colleges and universities, but are they high quality? Are they effective? This presentation by Nicole Finkbeiner of OpenStax College <https://openstaxcollege.org/> will cover the basics of OER, how the development process has evolved to ensure quality, how faculty are using OER in their courses, options for adapting OER and using OER in creative ways, and the latest empirical research on the effectiveness of OER in the classroom. Q&A to follow. Email to Anita Walz arwalz@vt.edu to register.
13. VOTER REGISRATION DEADLINE TODAY TO VOTE IN VA PRIMARIES
Today is the last day to register to vote in Virginia to be eligible to vote in the primaries on Mar 1. This is also the last day to change your address to Blacksburg if you are already registered in Virginia. You do not need to register for a specific party to vote in the VA primaries. Go to https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/Registration/Eligibility for more information.
14. CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR GRADUATE ART COUNCIL’S ART SHOWCASE – 1st posting
Are you a graduate student with an interest in the arts? Do you make sculptures out of recyclables, play the banjo, or write comedic poetry? Whatever your artistic talent and regardless of your field of study, the Graduate Arts Council (a campus organization dedicated to exploring, supporting, and expanding the arts in and around Virginia Tech) invites you to participate in its First Annual Art Showcase! The showcase, to be held on Ap 28 (time and location TBA), will feature exciting live performances as well as a diverse exhibit of artwork to peruse. This curated event is free and open to the public and will be followed up with a gallery display running from Apr 28-May 2. Submit proposals by Mar 14 at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ua9GFDZ2U7Ft058WtO778PIZqJODsmnxXynkpdFqdVE/viewform?c=0&w=1. Contact Ana-Christina Acosta at acostaa@vt.edu with any questions.
15. CITIZEN SCHOLAR APPLICATIONS INVITED – 2nd posting
Have you used your research to benefit society in any way? Are you currently working, or have worked on a project in the past year, that has community impact, either locally or globally? If so, consider applying for the Citizen Scholar Engagement recognition. If not, consider designing a Citizen Scholar project! Program requirements are described on the CSE website, http://graduateschool.vt.edu/gs/tge/cse. Applications are due Mar 14. For more information, email Shelby Ward, shelby08@vt.edu.
16. FAFSA APPLICATION ASSISTANCE SESSIONS IN FEBRUARY – 2nd posting
Do you need assistance filing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)? If so, the VT Financial Aid office is here to help! University Scholarships and Financial Aid will be open and available to assist students in filing the FAFSA every Friday in February. Mark your calendar for the following dates and times: Feb 5 and 19 3-5 p.m; Feb 12 and 26 3-7 p.m. More information is available online at http://www.finaid.vt.edu.
17. HOMECOMING BOARD POSITIONS OPEN – 3rd posting
Homecoming Board is looking for hard working undergrad and grad students to apply to be on the board for the 2016-2017 school year. There are many positions available including, Parade VP, PR/Marketing VP (and assistants), Decorations committee, and Event Planning positions. This is a great opportunity to add your mark to a long-standing VT tradition while gaining skills in areas that might be helpful for future jobs. The application is on GobblerConnect at https://gobblerconnect.vt.edu/form/start/89396. Direct any questions to Abigail Lewis (abigail4@vt.edu).
18. CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT REP TO BOARD OF VISITORS – deadline Friday!
Applications for Graduate Student Representative to the VT Board of Visitors are accepted until Feb 12, 2016. All currently enrolled graduate students in good standing are encouraged to consider this great leadership and service opportunity to represent graduate students’ voices, needs and interest on the VT Board of Visitors. Learn more at http://www.dsa.vt.edu/BOV/apply.php.
19. GUITARIST SOUGHT FOR GRAD STUDENT BAND – 2nd posting
A small music band made of VT grad students is looking for a guitarist. The band meets every Thursday night 6:30pm and practices for couple of hours. There is a drummer, bass player, key player and a lead female vocal. This band doesn’t adhere to any particular style or music genre so any suggestion on what to jam next is highly welcomed. Requirement: must have an electric guitar or an electric acoustic guitar and be able to meet on a regular basis on Thursday night, 6:30pm. Contact: Han Chen, hansolo@vt.edu.
20. WAGE POSITION IN THE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE INSTITUTE – 1st posting
The VT Language and Culture Institute seeks a graduate student employee to work up to 20/hour per week. Position would start as soon as possible and go through August 15, 2016. Duties: Plan, market and attend activities for international students in the Intensive English Program. Assist with other LCI events such as orientation, graduation and possibly fairs and campus events. Other administrative/LCI duties as assigned. Requirements: Must be culturally sensitive and willing and able to work with diverse populations. Must have a valid driver’s license and be willing and able to drive students in a 12-passenger van. Must be willing to work some evenings and weekends. Social media/marketing experience is a plus. Up to $15/hour DOQ. For more information or to apply, email your resume and qualifications to Sondra Schreiber, sondra3@vt.edu by Feb. 15.
21. PT JAVA DEVELOPER WAGE OPENING AT VT LIBRARIES – 2nd posting
Seeking a smart and reliable developer who values open source and open sharing of knowledge to help customize the VTechWorks system at http://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu and to contribute to the codebase of the DSpace digital library software that runs VTechWorks and many other repositories worldwide. Duties: fix bugs in and develop new features for VTechWorks; contribute code to the open source DSpace project. Minimum required: familiarity with Java, XML, HTML, CSS, and virtual machines such as VirtualBox. Preferred: git, GitHub, XSLT, SQL, PostGres, Apache, and Vagrant. Wage: $15/hr. To apply, fill out an application from a public computer in Newman Library in the Student Employee Application System at http://seas.lib.vt.edu, then write Dr. Amanda French at alfrench@vt.edu indicating that you would like to be considered for the part-time VTechWorks Java Developer position. Applications due: Feb 12, 2016. Read more at http://j.mp/vtechworks-java-dev.
22. GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY PARTICIPATION – 1st posting
Current or past VT GTAs are sought to complete a 20-minute online survey about Autism Spectrum Disorders. Must be at least 18 years old to participate. Access survey here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_8AkFupnszC4wZkF. For more information contact Tyler Hassenfeldt at thassen@vt.edu.
23. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH ON LANGUAGE TRENDS – 1st posting
Participants ages 18 to 75, male or female, and native English speakers (international students whose first language is not English will not be considered) are currently being sought for an IRB approved study on how well general populations can identify and define current language trends and determine when this language is being used in a threatening manner. No prior knowledge of language trends is required. By clicking on the link and taking the survey at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_esuRrqQKdNhhlid, you are consenting to use of your answers in a master’s thesis. If you have any questions, please contact Natalie Richoux at nchambe7@vt.edu
24. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH STUDY ABOUT LGBQ INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – 2nd posting
International students who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, homosexual, unsure, questioning, etc are invited to share their stories. Participation consists of confidential interviews and journals reflecting on your experiences. Participants will receive $15-$50 amazon gift card in compensation. To participate, contact CICOstories@gmail.com. For more information, see: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_beGzllp5wS4d5rL. Posted on behalf of doctoral student Hoa Nguyen.
25. VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR MOSS ART CTR SCHOOL-DAY PERFORMANCES – 2nd posting
The Moss Art Center (MAC) is seeking volunteers to assist with school-day performances that bring students, teachers, parents and chaperones to K-12 arts activities at the MAC. The first event, Blair Thomas & Co. Puppet Theater, is quickly approaching. If you are interested in helping, please email Donna Thompson at tdonna27@vt.edu.
26. CHILDREN AGES 8-12 WITH FREQUENT TEMPER OUTBURSTS SOUGHT FOR NEW TREATMENT STUDY – 2nd posting
Children ages 8-12 are currently being enrolled for a free treatment study for anger and frequent temper outbursts. The treatment is designed to teach children to regulate their emotions, and will be conducted in 13 weekly sessions. Families will also receive $70 for completing assessment sessions for the study. If interested in enrolling your child in this study, contact Amber at MoodReg@gmail.com or call 540-231-9735 for more information.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
THEOLOGY ON TAP: MORE THAN JUST HOLY SPIRITS
Monday, Feb 15, 7:00pm, Sycamore Deli
Having faith as a young adult, finding the middle ground between Saturday night and Sunday morning. From breweries to bible studies, small groups to socializing, how can you be radically faithful in the day to day? Don’t miss out on the Blacksburg area’s first Theology on Tap at Sycamore Deli – Monday, Feb 15 – all sandwiches on the menu are $5! Talk begins at 7pm, come early for dinner and drinks, stay late for discussion. Chris Hitzelberger, Director of VT Catholic Campus Ministry will speak on how to integrate your faith with everyday life, followed by Q&A. For more information please contact grad student Mary Claire Gibson at mcg226@vt.edu.
DINING ETIQUETTE WORSKHOP
Tuesday, Feb 16, 5:30-7:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Learn how to conduct yourself during a formal meal in a professional setting, whether the dinner is part of an interview, a conference, or other engagement. The program will include a presentation, helpful props and tips, and an informal meal during which you can network with graduate students. Pizza or other similar food will be served; unfortunately we are unable to entertain dietary restrictions beyond meat/vegetarian. Registration required: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bK1yxMTLDRlEQg5.
LOVE AROUND THE WORLD
Friday, Feb 19, 7:30-8:30pm, Dessert and Conversations, 8:30-9:30pm, Cajun Square Dance Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires
The Cranwell International Center presents this evening of intercultural connection to share traditions of expressing love in one’s own culture. Join for dessert and conversations with fellow students, and VT’s international and local communities.