1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC
- Career Advising: W 2:00-5:00pm, Info kiosk in lobby
- 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 (email grads@vt.edu for more info)
- Writing assistance: Wednesdays, 2-4:30pm, Room A; reserve appointment at http://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing/.
2. THE DIVINE: A PLAY FOR SARAH BERNHARDT
Monday-Thursday, Nov 7-17, Studio Theatre, Squires Student Center
Why revisit the past? Find out at The Divine, a compelling new play about the power of art in our lives, the horrors of censorship, lies and secrets, the destruction of innocence, and the oppression of the Church in early 1900s. This is the first U.S. production of the play and tickets are on sale now! More information at www.performingarts.vt.edu/thedivine. Contact MFA student Gabrielle Piazza at gpiazza3@vt.edu with any questions or group ticket inquiries.
3. DISCOVER ISLAM
Tuesday, Nov 8, 12:30-2:00pm, Info Booth A in Squires Student Center
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). For more information contact grad student Haitham Elmarakeby, marakeby@vt.edu.
4. GLC COMMUNITY US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS SCREENING
Tuesday, Nov 8, 8:00-11:00pm, GLC Lounge
This is it! The long-awaited 2016 US Presidential Election concludes and the next commander in chief is… Who? Come to find out and unwind from a busy week by watching live TV coverage as various local results roll in. The Graduate Fellows host a screening night with light refreshments and friendly conversations. If you have any questions, email Erik Fendik at ef@vt.edu.
5. GLC CAFÉ: MAYBE SURPRISE EDITION
Thursday, Nov 10, 3:30-5:00pm, Reading Room
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. There might be a surprise this Thursday.
6. GRADUATE STUDENT TOWN HALL – PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION
Thursday, Nov 10, 5:00-6:30pm, GLC Room F
Join fellow graduate students to discuss the current and future climate surrounding parking and transportation at Virginia Tech. This meeting will be an opportunity for you to share first-hand experiences, needs, and unique opinions on how to better manage transportation across VT and the surrounding area in order to best accommodate graduate students. Potential policy for the fall semester will be produced from this meeting. Contact Chelsea Corkins (ccorkins@vt.edu) or Tara Reel (tdreel@vt.edu) with any questions.
7. GLC COMMUNITY GAME NIGHT
Thursday, Nov 10, 7:30-9:30pm, GLC Lounge
Unwind from a busy day/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, Jenga, and Apples to Apples, just to name a few. If you have any questions, email Scarlet Soult at scarlet7@vt.edu.
8. DANCE MARATHON #FTK
Friday, Nov 11, 6:00pm-12:00am, Squires Student Center Old Dominion Ballroom
Do you love kids? Do you enjoy seeing their smiley faces? Do you like (or love) to dance? Join the dance marathon on November 11 to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network, and the Carilion Children’s Hospital in Roanoke. If you want to get involved or are looking for more information, contact master’s student Kelly Fomenko at kfomenko@vt.edu. Lear more at http://www.vthon.org/.
9. GREEN GRADS OF TECH PROGRAM – 1st posting
Graduate students are invited to participate in the Office of Sustainability’s “Green Graduates of Virginia Tech” program and receive a free green graduation cord. If you are interested, fill out this survey at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1KZ1PpVD7VrM2tn or post how you pledge to support a sustainable world and a photo of yourself to the GGVT facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Green-Graduates-of-Virginia-Tech-465341976985523/timeline, along with your name, major(s), and college(s) and receive a free green sustainability cord for graduation. Submit your pledges by Friday, Dec 9 and the office will coordinate with you to deliver the green cord prior to graduation. Posted on behalf of Katy Shepard, grad assistant in the Office of Sustainability. Contact Katy at kshepard@vt.edu with questions.
10. FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION NOW OPEN FOR 2017-18 – 1st posting
The 2017-18 FAFSA is available now! For 2017-18 the application will use your 2015 federal income tax information. The VT Financial Aid office strongly recommends that you use the Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to transfer your tax information from the IRS website to the FAFSA; you will be given this option when you submit the 1718 FAFSA. While there is no specific FAFSA deadline for graduate students, it is recommended that you complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to that Financial Aid has enough time to review and prepare your financial aid award for the upcoming year. Posted on behalf of University Scholarship and Financial Aid office, sbreed@vt.edu.
11. FAFSA FRIDAYS – 1st posting
While financial aid advisors e are always available to help with any FAFSA questions you may have, they have set aside specific days/times when additional staff will be available to help you get the FAFSA complete for 2017-18. They are available in the Student Services Building at the following days/times: Dec 2, 3:00–5:00pm; Jan 6, 3:00–5:00pm.
12. FINANCIAL AID FOR WINTER SESSION – 1st posting
If you have not used your full fall semester unsubsidized loan, you may use all or a portion of this loan for the Winter session. If you have used your full fall semester unsubsidized loan, your only option for Winter aid would be the Federal Graduate PLUS loan or a Private/ Alternative loan. Below are some links with more information about these two types of loans. You must be registered for Winter session before your financial aid eligibility can be evaluated. Graduate Loans: http://www.finaid.vt.edu/types_of_aid/loans/plus-grad/index.html;
Private/Alternative Loans: http://www.finaid.vt.edu/types_of_aid/loans/alternative/index.html. Posted on behalf of University Scholarship and Financial Aid office, sbreed@vt.edu.
13. CHRISTMAS STORE APPLICATIONS OPEN – 2nd posting
Low-income graduate students with children are invited to apply to shop at the Montgomery County Christmas Store. Review the website at www.mcchristmasstore.org for eligibility requirements and dates. For more information contact Molly McClintock at mollymcclintock235@gmail.com, 540/239-6432.
14. GSA "DR. RICH" CAP AND GOWN PROGRAM—LOTTERY SIGN-UP OPEN THROUGH NOV 18 – 2nd posting
Graduating in December but don’t want to purchase a cap and gown? GSA offers free caps and gowns on loan for commencement through the "Dr. Rich" Cap and Gown Program. Due to high demand, the system is lottery-based, and gowns are loaned out on a randomized basis. Find details and fill out the lottery sign-up at gsa.vt.edu/what-we-can-offer-you. Questions? Email Kasey Richardson, Administrative Director, kasey@vt.edu.
15. GSA ACCEPTING DONATIONS OF GENTLY USED GRADUATION GOWNS – 2nd posting
If you have an old Virginia Tech cap and gown sitting around, consider donating them to the GSA "Dr. Rich" Cap and Gown Program for loan to future graduate students participating in commencement. Find details about how to donate at gsa.vt.edu. Questions? Email Kasey Richardson, Administrative Director, kasey@vt.edu.
16. INTERIM OMBUDSPERSON AVAILABLE TO ASSIST GRADUATE STUDENTS
Dr. Anne McNabb, the Interim Ombudsperson in the Graduate School during the next few months, is available to assist graduate students until a permanent replacement for Monique McKay is on board. Anne is available in the Graduate School in 120 GLC and can be reached at (540) 231-9573. Call or email her at happy@vt.edu for an appointment.
17. NEW SPRING 2017 COURSE: STEM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (CRN 19497)
Learn more about construction workforce issues and engage with members of industry, policy makers, and researchers to discuss key professional development and labor issues in construction. Build new alliances, models and best practices for federal, regional, and local construction workforce initiatives through this graduate course. If you are interested, register for CRN 19497, [W 1:25-4:00pm, 323 Bishop-Favrao Hall]. If you have questions, contact the instructor, Dr. Denise R Simmons, at densimm@vt.edu.
18. GSA TRAVEL FUND REVIEW HELP (FREE FOOD) – NOV 4 and 11 – 3rd posting
Want free food? Want a shiny new line on your CV? The GSA needs your help reviewing applications to the Travel Fund Program. Reviewers are expect to volunteer for at least 2 hours over the two dates, and will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate. If you are willing to be a reviewer, please fill out the following survey: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0wApxMh2sswUXbL. If you have questions, contact TFP Chair Zack Shiner at gsaTravelFund@gmail.com.
19. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON USER BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDES DURING ONLINE SEARCH – 2nd posting
Participants are needed for a study assessing user behavior and attitudes while performing online web search. This project involves a lab-based experiment during which participants carry out assigned search tasks online and answer questions regarding the nature of the tasks. Experiment time about 60 min. Must be at least 10 or older. If a minor (age 10-17) would like to participate, a parent will need to provide consent by signing a Parent’s Consent Form in addition to an Assent Form signed by the participant. For further information or to enroll, contact Sarang Joshi at sarang87@vt.edu or send text message to 248-705-7830.
20. STUDENT VETERANS SOUGHT FOR INTERVIEW ABOUT THEIR TRANSITION FROM MILITARY TO COLLEGE – 2nd posting
Student veterans (both ugrad and grad) born after 1980 and attending a public or private four-year or two-year college in Virginia (doesn’t have to be VT), who have completed at least 9 hours each semester during the last two consecutive semesters (i.e. 9 credits each in Fall and Spring), are recruited to participate in a 45-60-minute interview to discuss their experience of transitioning from the military to college. Interviews are audio-recorded and will take place online at a convenient time for the veteran. Compensation for participation is a $10 Amazon Gift Card. For more information or to sign up, visit https://sites.google.com/a/vt.edu/militarytocollege/sign-up-screening-form or contact Chris Davidson at chrid13@vt.edu or 540-320-4880.
21. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON TRAVEL PATTERNS AND MOOD – 3rd posting
VT researchers in urban affairs & planning and psychology are seeking participants for a pilot study on mood states in transport environments. Participants will first complete a short entry questionnaire in Qualtrics, then will be provided with a link to install an Android GPS app called Daynamica (only compatible with Android smartphones ) to track transportation mode, route, and distance of your daily travel. Upon completing each trip, you will be asked to report your mood with a brief survey. Must be 18 or older. Ten $50 Amazon gift cards will be awarded randomly to participants who complete a trip survey for at least five trips for one week. Raffle entry twice for completing trip survey for at least five trips for a second week. If interested, contact Steve Hankey at hankey@vt.edu, (540) 231-7508, or visit the study website at https://travelmoodsite.wordpress.com/.
22. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR USER BEHAVIOR DURING ONLINE SEARCHES – 3rd posting
Participants are needed for a study assessing user behavior and attitudes while performing online search on the web. This project involves a laboratory-based experiment with assigned search tasks to be performed online. While performing these tasks, participants will be asked questions regarding the nature of the tasks. The approximate time for the study is 60 minutes. Must be 10 or older above. For minors (age 10-17) to participate, their parent will need to provide consent in addition to an Assent Form which would be signed by the participant. For further information or to enroll in the study, contact email sarang87@vt.edu or send a text message to 248-705-7830.
Upcoming events:
FULBRIGHT INFO SESSIONS FOR US STUDENTS
Monday, Nov 14, 1:00, 2:30, and 4:00pm, GLC Room G
In conjunction with International Education Week, a series of interactive workshops will be held about the Fulbright program that offers US citizens funding opportunities for independent research/study projects, graduate degree enrollment, and English teaching assistantships in more than 140 countries. Eligible applicants include graduating seniors, recent graduates, master’s and doctoral candidates, and young professionals with up to 5 years of professional study and/or experience. Students at all academic levels are welcome to attend. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to begin planning their candidacy early. For more information, contact Betty Watts (bettyw@vt.edu; 231-7220)
CREATING COMMUNITY IN A DIVERSE COLLEGE ENVIRONMENT
Wednesday, Nov 16, 9:30am-12:00pm, Owens Banquet Hall
Graduate Teaching Assistants are invited to this workshop by master diversity trainer Lee Mun Wah. There will also be a workshop just for students on “How to Have a Dialogue Across Cultures,” from 2:00-4:00 pm in Owens Ballroom. Finally, there is a campus film viewing from 6:00-9:00 pm in GLC Auditorium. Pre-registration for any or all of these events is encouraged: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_88JzDHpZ9eJTFEp.
PARENT SUPPORT LUNCH GROUP
Wednesday, Nov 16, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room G
Join fellow Hokie parents for a parent support group luncheon. Special guest Sarah Pahl, Youth Services Manager with the Blacksburg Library, will share information about programs that can benefit your family. Spouses and children are always welcome. Please sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4fabaa28a1ff2-november to help organizers plan. Questions? Email childcare@vt.edu