1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – updated 9/12/2016
- Cook Counseling: Th, F 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;
- Peer to peer support coaching: M 1:00-3:00pm, Room F, F 11:00am-1:00pm, Room A (http://graduateschool.vt.edu/retention)
- Writing assistance: Wednesdays, 2-4:30pm, Room A; reserve appointment at http://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing/.
2. VOTER REGISTRATION
Tuesdays, 9/13-10/11, 9:00am-12:00pm, GLC Lobby
Thursdays, 9/15-10/13, 4:00-7:00pm, GLC Lobby
Voter Registration is offered in the GLC lobby on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting this week through October 13. Registering to vote takes only a minute. If you are already registered at a different address or in a different state, you can update your registration and avoid the difficulties of the absentee voting process. Remember, the last day to register to vote in Virginia is October 17!
3. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT NIGHT at VT SOCCER – FREE ADMISSION
Tuesday, Sep 13, 4:00 and 7:00pm, Thompson Field
Attend a free game of soccer and enjoy a free pizza dinner between games. VT versus Longwood, it is a doubleheader where both the women’s team (4pm) and men’s team (7pm) will be playing.
4. CAMPUS MASTER PLAN STUDENT OPEN FORUM
Tuesday, Sep 13, 6:30-8:00pm, New Classroom Bldg Room 26
Sasaki Associates, in conjunction with the Virginia Tech Office of Planning, is seeking feedback from all students at an open forum to discuss the master plan for Virginia Tech. Free food. If you have any questions, please contact the Board of Visitors graduate student representative, Tara Reel, at tdreel@vt.edu.
5. AUDITIONS FOR “A CHIP ON HER SHOULDER 2.0: DOCUMENTARY PLANY ABOUT WOMEN IN ENGR”
Wednesday, Sep 14, 5:00-10:00pm, Ensemble Room, 302 Henderson Hall
Composed by Kristin Rose Kelly, this documentary plan includes interviews by women and men in engineering. The play examines past and current climate for women and minorities in the field through verbatim monologues and song and dance breaks. For the audition choose 1 of the 9 character pairing recordings provided in the audition material. Memorize at least 30 seconds of at least one of the character’s text. Memorize the text, rhythm, pitch and sound of the speaker. Match the character you chose to your own gender identity. If your ethnicity is represented in any of the pairings provided, choose from those recordings. If not, choose the character with whom you most identify. No need to match age or physical appearance. For audition materials email Stage Manager: Jamie Lindsay: ljamie18@vt.edu. Seeking 6-8 Actors: 4-6 women; 1- 2 men. To sign up: Choose a 10 minute time slot between 5:00-10:00pm on the Henderson Call Board or email Jamie Lindsay at ljamie18@vt.edu. Posted on behalf of MFA student Kristin Rose Kelly, krkelly@vt.edu.
6. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Sep 15, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room or West Patio if the weather is nice
Enjoy free coffee, tea and cookies 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.
7. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT – FREE WEEKLY DROP IN CHILD CARE
Thursdays, starting Sep 1, 6:00-8:30pm, VT Women’s Center (206 Washington St)
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. There are games, toys, books, crafts, homework help, and plenty of fun with 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. For more information, contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu or 231-7806.
8. ACCESSING MATERIALS AT THE LIBRARIES WORKSHOP
Friday, Sep 16, 10:00-11:00am, 207 Newman
Learn about the ways that the University Libraries at Virginia Tech support graduate students. Learn about finding and checking out books, technology lending, interlibrary loan, and printing. Light refreshments provided. Sign-up here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_cN4UCKF5foJjyip
9. EID AL-GHADEER CELEBRATION
Friday, Sep 16, 5:30pm, Squires Student Center Williamsburg Room
Join the celebration of Eid Al-Ghadeer in the first anniversary of Ahlul Bayt Student Association (ABSA). Guest of honor Dr. John Andrew Morrow will be talking about "Imam Ali (a.s.) in the Islamic West: Shi’ite Traditions from Andulus". For more information contact vtabsa@gmail.com. Posted on behalf of grad student Mohammad Esfahani, mokhles@vt.edu.
10. ROANOKE GRAD STUDENT ASSOCIATION POTLUCK AND GAMES
Friday, Sep 16, 6:00 pm, Rivers Edge Sports Complex fields on Reserve Ave across from VTCRI
The first event for the new Roanoke Graduate Student Association is coming up! Join fellow grad students studying or pursuing research in Roanoke for a potluck and yard games (think: Kan Jam, cornhole, ladder ball, etc.) at the Rivers Edge Sports Complex fields on Reserve Ave in Roanoke, across from VTCRI. Rain location will be the VTCRI cafe on the first floor of Riverside 2. Please fill out the survey to provide information about yourself if you are interested in attending: https://docs.google.com/a/vt.edu/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelKcR8tUWsKTCpbTQbR7RzkQPutA6p7Tt4mxKX70ZvulIHxg/viewform. Contact Lauren Kennedy (laurenrk@vt.edu, 781-367-4821) with any questions.
11. INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TAILGATE: register by 9/15
Saturday, Sep 17, 12:00-2:30pm, GLC Lawn
All members of Virginia Tech’s international community are invited to this community celebration before a home football game. Traditional tailgate food will be served. Hosted by the Cranwell International Center, Global Education Office, Graduate School, International Support Services, and Language and Culture Institute. Please complete this survey to register if you are planning to attend: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1473271554849.
12. CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR WOMEN AND MINORITY ARTISTS & SCHOLARS LECTURE SERIES – 2nd posting
The Arts@VirginiaTech and the Office of the Provost has issued the annual call for proposals for the Women and Minority Artist and Scholars Lecture Series (WMASLS) for 2016-2017. The deadline for applications is Sept. 23, 2016. The fund provides up to $750 to supplement departmental or college funds in support of guest speakers or performances. Invited speakers may be from any discipline, gender, race, or ethnicity and their presentation must advance the goals of the WMASLS. For more information please visit – http://www.vt.edu/arts-at-vt/wmasls-lecture-series-call.html. Posted on behalf of MFA student Ryan McHugh.
13. GRAD STUDENT MENTORS SOUGHT FOR VT-VCCS B2B PROGRAM – 2nd posting
Applications are accepted for VT graduate student mentors to VT-Virginia Community College System (VCCS) Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program (B2B program) to work with Virginia community colleges to increase the number of transfer students pursuing degrees and research career paths in biomedical and behavioral sciences and provide research experiences, skills development, activities and support. Mentors are paired with 1-2 undergraduates and will be expected to attend training, communicate with the students for min. 1 hr/m, attend 1 meeting/m (dates tentatively set for 9/16, 10/21 and 11/11, 4:30-8 pm on VT campus) and possible social events. Mentors will receive $400 for their time. If interested, fill out the survey at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_5p7S3LpfCv4JBAN by Sep 9 5pm. Mentors will be chosen based on degree matching with undergraduate students (APSC, BIOS, FST, ENGR, PSYC), experience and desire to work with our students.
14. APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR BOREN FELLOWSHIP – 2nd posting
Applications for Boren Fellowships are now open through Jan 31, 2017. This program provides up to $30,000 to U.S. graduate students to add an important international and language component to their graduate education through specialization in area study, language study, or increased language proficiency. Boren Fellowships support study and research in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests. In exchange for funding, Boren Fellows commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation. For more information, contact Betty Watts (bettyw@vt.edu; 231-7220).
15. HOW OF HAPPINESS – 2nd posting
This free program offered by Rec Sports Wellness meets once a week for 10 weeks to talk other about different strategies to help make your life the life you want to live. The program is based on the book “The How of Happiness” by Sonja Lyubomirsky, provided to everyone in the group. The focus of the group is to learn strategies mentioned in the book, have open conversations together, and be in a place where you can talk about anything on your mind on a weekly basis to improve your well-being, even if you already consider yourself a happy person. Register online at http://recsports.vt.edu/content/how-happiness-10-week-group if interested. For more info contact Aubrey Stephenson (aubb0b@vt.edu).
16. APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR ACADEMY FOR GTA EXCELLENCE – 3rd posting
VTGrATE (Academy for Graduate Teaching Assistant Excellence) welcomes applications for Member, Associate, and Fellow in its Learning Community. VTGrATE 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 all graduate and professional students at all VT campuses. Apply at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1LCFvGakg53cY9D; nomination and recommendation form is at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a3pzAvaPFa0OxJr. Both are due Saturday, Sep 17. For questions contact Nicole J. Johnson (nicj712@vt.edu).
17. BOOK DONATIONS SOUGHT FOR GAMBIA LIBRARY PROJECT – 3rd posting
Book donations to The Gambia are requested by Wednesday, Sep 14. Bring books (any reading level) to office 240 Graduate School to contribute to a library fellow grad student Sulayman Njie is building in The Gambia. Contact Sulayman if you have questions, sauln@vt.edu.
18. VTGrATE OFFICE HOURS – 3rd posting
VTGrATE Fellows have office hours to meet with you to discuss successes, challenges, and philosophy about teaching and pedagogy this fall. You can find them in the GLC on Tuesdays 3:00-5:00pm in Room A and Wednesdays 12:00-4:00pm in Room A or F.
19. WRITING SUPPORT FOR GRADS – 3rd posting
Free writing support is offered in the VT Writing Center, 2nd floor Newman Library. Lots of appointment times available. Additional hours are offered in Meeting Room A, GLC, on Wednesdays 2:00-4:30. See website to make an appointment: http://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing/. Graduate Writing Groups are forming now for the 2016-2017 school year! Sign up at https://goo.gl/forms/Em8WofKPYxVeqAMn1.
20. WOMEN INFLUENCING ARTS SPEAKER SERIES ANNOUNCED – 3rd posting
Women Influencing the Arts speaker series provides a safe space for women artists and arts leaders to discuss and share challenges and triumphs faced by women in the field with young women studying the arts and/or those interested in pursuing a career in the arts. The goal is to foster honest and open dialogues in a productive environment. Each event will be hosted at the VT Women’s Center starting at 5:30pm. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Register at https://womeninfluencingthearts.wordpress.com/speakerseries/. More information: https://womeninfluencingthearts.wordpress.com/.
21. CONTRIBUTIONS SOUGHT FOR REFLECTIONS & EXPLORATIONS BLOG – 3rd posting
A few spots remain for graduate students to participate in the student column, Reflections and Explorations (RE), offered through the VT Institute for Policy and Governance. Past articles have focused on a broad array of issues linked to sustainability, the arts, democratic policy, and governance. Reflections and Explorations is a great vehicle to share your research ideas and theories with a broader audience. Submissions from across disciplines and critical reflections and explorations of current events, ideologies, acts of resistance and oppression, and beyond are encouraged and valued. The RE column appears weekly and everyone who signs up is responsible for writing one article on the topic of your choosing in about 1,000 words during the fall semester. The first article will appear on Thursday, Sep 1 and the last will be published on Thursday, Dec 8. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up at http://doodle.com/poll/ecf3reyx9ksu82ig. Send any questions to doctoral student Mary Ryan at maryryan@vt.edu.
22. PARENTS AND TEENS SOUGHT FOR PAID RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY – 1st posting
Parents and adolescents (ages 13-18) needed for Virginia Tech study of social and academic experiences. With their parent and a same-gender close friend, teens will be asked to complete questionnaires, conversation tasks, and a speech task. Participation should last 1.5 hours. Study is located on VT Blacksburg campus. Teens, their participating friend, and participating parent are each given $10 gift certificate. Interested? Call the Virginia Tech Social Development Lab at 231-8179 or e-mail rlm527@vt.edu.
23. DOCTORAL STUDENTS SOUGHT FOR PAID STUDY OPPORTUNITY – 1st posting
If you’re a soon-to-be or recent PhD applying for positions during the 2016-17 academic year, you are invited to participate in a study about your experiences on the academic job market. This study is led by researchers at the University of California, Riverside and Ohio University. To learn more, you can fill out a brief form at http://ucriverside.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5jtXRPvs96qznxj or email to UCRJobMarketStudy@gmail.com. Posted on behalf of doctoral student Komi German, kgerm002@ucr.edu.
24. MALE MILITARY VETERANS SOUGHT FOR INTERVIEW ABOUT TECHNOLOGY TO ASSIST WITH COMMUNITY INTEGRATION – 2nd posting
Male military veterans aged 18-35 are recruited for a 2-hour interview to discuss requirements for a technology for veterans to use to help them integrate into their community. Interviews are audio-recorded and will take place at a location convenient for the veteran. Compensation for participation is $15/hr. For more information, contact Ali Haskins Lisle at ahaskins@vt.eduor by phone at (540)-585-1588.
25. VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS STEM MENTORING PROGRAM – 2nd posting
Big Brothers Big Sisters and the VT Corporate Research Ctr are partnering up to launch a workplace mentoring program in August for children facing adversity in Montgomery County. Forty middle school aged children will come to the VTCRC and meet with their Bigs one day each week 4:00-5:00 pm for one year. To be a Big, or for more information, visit www.bigslittles.org or contact Natanis DeMascio at (540) 345-9604 or ndemascio@bigslittles.org.
26. MOSS ARTS CENTER LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR PK12 PROGRAMS – 3rd posting
Volunteers are asked to arrive one (1) hour prior to the performance to assist with greeting schools and families, checking people in, guiding bus drop-off, and making guests feel welcome. Volunteers receive short orientation materials prior to the day of the performance and participate in a brief orientation on the morning of the performance. All are welcome to stay and watch the performances. Schedule: Sep 23, 10:00-11:00am (volunteers arrive at 9:00) Havana Cuba All-Stars (music); Oct 7, 10:00-11:00am (volunteers arrive at 9:00) – Harlem Quartet (music); Jan 27, 7:00-9:00pm (volunteers arrive at 6:00) – Raisin’ Cane: A Harlem Renaissance Odyssey (theatre, music); Mar 23, 10:00-11:15am (volunteers arrive at 9:00) – Kid Koala’s Nufonia Must Fall (film, music, puppetry). If interested, email David Salmo, grad assistant, at davidts@vt.edu with the performance(s) you would like to assist with.
Upcoming events:
HISPANIC/LATINX CULTURAL CONNECT LUNCH – register by 9/15
Monday, Sep 19, 11:30am-12:30pm, Room F in the GLC
The Grad School’s Office of Recruitment and Diversity invites you to the Hispanic/Latinx Cultural Connect Lunch! This yearly event brings together graduate students, faculty, and staff who identify as Hispanic/Latinx. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Mercedes Ramírez Fernández. Food provided by Latino’s Taste. Register by Friday, Sep 15 if you plan to attend: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9LD8PJhBmhuKU5f.
RESEARCH A LA MODE PRESENTS: FLYING SQUIRRELS IN APPALACHIA
Wednesday, Sep 21, 5:30-6:30pm, 2062 Derring (Museum)
Do you know that there are flying squirrels in Virginia? Attend this presentation and learn about the fascinating ways biologists are studying these endangered species and why they are sentinels for climate change in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Come for the talk and stay for free ice cream! Research a la Mode is a monthly venue for graduate students from different departments to gather and hear a talk by one of their peers, creating an opportunity to practice communicating their research to an audience unfamiliar with their discipline in order to cut down on reliance on jargon and to simplify and clarify their presentation skills. RALM aims to help graduate students become better teachers, researchers and communicators. Posted on behalf of GEOS doctoral student Lisa Whalen, lashley@vt.edu.
COMMUNITY VOICES: ADVENTURES IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Wednesday, Sep 21, 7:00-8:00pm, Alexander Black House
Rick Cavey will speak about Adventures in Community Engagement: Building Consensus by Tapping Individual Motivation. Posted on behalf of Heather Lyne, grad student in public and international affairs, hlyne27@vt.edu.
INFO MEETING ON ASSOCIATION FOR INDIA’S DEVELOPMENT – BBURG CHAPTER
Saturday, Sep 24, 6:00pm, Room 300 Squires Student Center
Association for India’s Development (AID) is a non-profit organization promoting sustainable and equitable development by supporting grass-root organizations in India. AID (Blacksburg chapter) is looking for volunteers and is planning to hold this orientation for students interested in knowing more about the organization. Light refreshments will be provided. To register, please email Shreya Roy Choudhury at shreyarc@vt.edu.
DINING ETIQUETTE – register now!
Tuesday, Sep 27, 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. To register: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9MRUmvjodQLNYTb. This event is part of the Graduate School’s professional development workshop series. Email to grads@vt.edu with any questions.