May 2-8, 2016

1.  WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – updated 3/14/16

  • 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. DISCOVER ISLAM
Tuesday, May 3, 12:00-2:00pm, Info Booth A 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.

3. TECHNICAL SEMINAR WITH DIAVOLO – ARCHITECTURE IN MOTION
Wednesday, May 4, 1:30-2:30pm, Balcony Lobby, Moss Arts Center
Speak with the artists of Diavolo|Architecture in Motion as they lead an in depth discussion about the inspiration, design, construction, and mechanics of the elaborate architectural pieces at the center of their work. To register email Donna Thompson at tdonna27@vt.edu.

4. DIVERSITY SPOTLIGHT: DIVERSITY SCHOLARS PRESENTATIONS
Thursday, May 5, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
The Graduate School is hosting the 6th Annual Diversity Spotlight event featuring Diversity Scholar projects. Lunch is provided so please register at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_eyrIV2bZEV6XfOR#sthash.KgxGLdCq.dpuf. Contact Dannette Beane at gomezds@vt.edu for more information.

5. GLC CAFÉ AND BOOK SWAP
Thursday, May 5, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Celebrate Reading Day with picking up some non-academic reading for the summer at the semi-annual GLC book swap. Bring a book, take a book, or just take some if you don’t have any to trade. Enjoy free coffee, tea and some home-made cookies a la Monika in the company of your grad student and Grad School colleagues. Relax, network, and load up on caffeine and/or carbs. Bring your own mug if you can. There will be no café on May 12 due to graduate commencement, but the GLC café will resume on May 19.

6. APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR GRAD HONOR SYSTEM CHIEF JUSTICE POSITION – 2nd posting
The Graduate Honor System is searching for a new chief justice for the 2016-17 academic year. Applicants must meet the following criteria: (1) be a graduate student in good standing who has been in residence for a minimum of one semester; (2) be able to serve as Chief Justice for at least one year while enrolled full-time in the Blacksburg campus. Preferably applicants should have experience as a GHS investigator or panelist. To apply, submit a statement of interest, resume, and one letter of reference to gibsonm@vt.edu by Monday, May 16. The new Chief Justice will be selected by a committee and ratified by the Graduate Student Assembly and the Commission on Graduate Studies and Policies before final appointment by the president.

7. INTERLOPER SEEKING CONTRIBUTORS – 2nd posting
The Interloper, Virginia Tech’s LGBT magazine, is looking for enthusiastic, hard-working contributors for its 5th issue. Editors, writers, artists, photographers, and designers are needed. If you are interested in getting involved, please email Maggie Nanney at theinterlopervt@gmail.com.

8. CALL FOR PLEDGES OF SUPPORT TO “GREEN GRADS OF VT” – 2nd posting
If you would like to participate in the Office of Sustainability’s program “Green Graduates of Virginia Tech,” send a quick blurb of how you pledge to support a sustainable world and a photo of yourself (think “Humans of New York” project or just your standard selfie) to the “Green Graduates of Virginia Tech” facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Green-Graduates-of-Virginia-Tech-465341976985523/timeline or to kshepard@vt.edu and they will post the photo for you, along with your name, major(s), and college(s). Participants will receive a free green sustainability cord for graduation! Green cord pickup will be available Tue-Thu May 10-12, Squires Info Desk A  10:00am-2:00pm as well as at the Grad Bash on Wed May 11, 3:00-6:00pm. Posted on behalf of grad student Katy Shepard.

9. SUMMER AND FALL REGISTRATION OPEN FOR GRAD CHILD CARE COOP – 3rd posting
The Little Hokie Hangout cooperative child care center is now enrolling for Summer and Fall 2016. Spaces are limited for this summer term, and are expected to fill quickly, so please don’t wait! Students enrolled in Summer session have priority for Fall enrollment. Please email Marin Riegger, Child Care Coordinator, at mriegger@vt.edu with any questions or to schedule a tour.

10. CALL FOR NOMATIONS FOR ETD INNOVATION AND ETD LEADERSHIP AWARDS – 3rd posting
Nominations are accepted for both the ETD innovation award and the ETD Leadership award. Online nomination forms available at http://goo.gl/forms/LfISsu5ccl for ETD innovation and at http://goo.gl/forms/cRz6T1mf5O for ETD leadership. The innovation award is now available to current students working on a thesis or dissertation in hopes that the award can assist in the creation of innovative ETDs. For the complete criteria visit: http://www.ndltd.org/ndltd-awards/award-nominations. Deadline for nominations is May 31, 2016.

11. PEER COLLABORATORS/DISCUSSION PARTNERS SOUGHT FOR MANDELA WASHINGTON FELLOWS – 1st posting
Graduate students are invited to serve as peer collaborators for Mandela Washington Fellows. The Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute hosts 25 Mandela Washington Fellows from various African countries. If you are interested in engaging with these fellows, contact Susan Neu, Associate Director for Special Programs at LCI at sneu@vt.edu, 231-5730 for more information.

12. SURVEY PARTICIPANTS INVITED FOR STUDY ON FRIENDSHIP AND RECIPROCITY – 1st posting
This project by a VT doctoral student aims understand the influence that television viewing has on political opinions. Results may be used for publication at some point in the future. Must be 18 years or older to participate. Contact Kyriakos Tsoukalas ktsoukalas@vt.edu should you have any questions. Link to anonymous survey: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3snjyL1aH89V1o9.

13. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON MUSCLE METABOLISM & DIET – 2nd posting
Volunteers are needed for a study examining how diet influences muscle metabolism. Must be: 18-40 years old; females must be on monophasic oral contraceptive and not pregnant; not currently taking any medications (other than above); non-smokers; without any major medical problems; willing to eat a high fat diet for 5 days. Participants will receive extensive health information and up to $400 to compensate for your time.  If you meet the above requirements and are interested in participating, contact Mary Elizabeth Baugh or Elaina Marinik at the VT Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory: westerndiet@gmail.com  website: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_eKX222gpcgRqZLv.

14. TEENAGE PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR SURVEY ON ADOLESCENT STRESS – 2nd posting
The VT Sibling Research Lab is conducting a survey on adolescent stress for teens (ages 12-18) who live at home with at least one brother or sister. The survey takes 15-20 minutes to complete and is accessible at https://redcap.vtc.vt.edu/surveys/?s=FXHFAPTFDF. Participants may receive an Amazon gift card. Contact Dr. Carolyn Shivers (shivercm@vt.edu) if you have any questions.

15. GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK SURVEY INVITATION FOR GRADS – 2nd posting
Do you have great ideas for events that can be included in Graduate Education Week in the future? Did you participate in Graduate Education Week this semester and have useful suggestions or feedback for the Graduate School? Please help us plan for next year’s events by participating in our survey and giving us your valued ideas and feedback at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_e537pTqwa3EEN9z

16. FEMALE STEM GRAD STUDENTS SOUGHT AS PRESENTERS FOR SUMMER CAMP IN ROANOKE – 2nd posting
The Science Museum of Western Virginia (SMWV) in downtown Roanoke is hosting two summer camps for female students in grades K-5 to promote women in STEM fields. SMWV seeks women professionals actively involved in STEM disciplines as guest lecturers or presenters to provide a 45-60 minute presentation and hands on activity. Camp dates: Girls K-2 Jun 13-17; Girls grades 3-5 Jun 27-Jul 1. SMWV is seeking women who are willing to work with the museum’s educators to present topics in a way that would allow students to grasp the information, serve as female role models actively involved in a STEM field with a secondary goal of conveying the fundamentals of some STEM disciplines. If interested, contact Hannah Weiss, hweiss@smwv.org.

17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR INFO DISPLAY STUDY – 2nd posting
The effects of different types of information display (i.e. paper-based system, head-down, and head-up display) on walking behaviors will be investigated. Participants will be asked to perform a cognitive task while walking on a treadmill. Different display types will be also used. Must be age 18-35; no current or recent history (1 year) of musculoskeletal problems; must have normal or corrected to normal vision; fluent in English; have a smartphone or experience in using smartphones. Participants will be asked to perform walking tasks with different information presentation methods in a laboratory setting in the ISE department. Two sessions (preliminary & data collection).  Compensation: $10/hr, ~ 30 min for preliminary session; ~2.5 hrs in experimental sessions. Call or email Mr. Alireza Sedighi if interested: 540-394-8441; sedighia@vt.edu.

18. ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION COMMUTER SURVEY STILL OPEN – 2nd posting
The VT Alternative Transportation office is conducting a biennial Commuter Survey, the results of which will inform transportation decisions on the Blacksburg campus. Make your opinions and needs heard, take the survey and share it widely: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9RmEIVGYUvFXyct. Send questions to gettingaround@vt.edu or call (540) 231 2701.

19. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON USER EXPERIENCE IN WEB-BASED IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENT – 3rd posting
Participants are sought for a comparative pilot study on user experience for navigation and object selection in web-based immersive environment. The study involves one 60-min session per participant; 20 minutes for actual usability testing and 40 minutes for briefing, training and filling out required forms. Participants will have a chance to win a  $10 Campus Bookstore gift card (a winning chance of 1 in 10). Must be 18 years or older. For further information and scheduling, contact: Chandani Shrestha at chandani@vt.edu.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Thursday, May 12, 2:30pm, Cassell Coliseum
The Graduate School invites all graduating graduate students and their families to its spring commencement ceremony. The event will be streamed live on VT’s website. Learn more about commencement ceremonies at http://www.vt.edu/commencement/.

PROFESSIONAL MBA PROGRAM ONLINE INFO SESSION
Tuesday, May 17, 12:00pm, online
Learn about the accelerated Professional MBA program that provides perspective on the business world, challenges participants professionally, and helps them gain a more confident, competitive edge over other job seekers. The program helps students learn the skills they need to advance faster and further through their career paths. Highlights include: AACSB accreditation (only 5% of business programs worldwide); 48-credit/24-month program; 60% in-class and 40% online course load— meets once monthly in Richmond and Roanoke; small class sizes and team-oriented. Learn more about the program through the online info session; register for the event at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bKFUsz4XXlRVlZj to receive log-in information. For more information contact Robin Camputaro at rcamputa@vt.edu.