August 14-20, 2017

0. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – last updated 8/14//2017
– Career Advising: on hiatus for the summer
– Cook Counseling: on hiatus for the summer
– Graduate School hours: 8:00-5:00 beginning 8/14/17
– Immigration advising hours: MWF 1:00-4:00pm, TTh 9:00am-12:00pm
– Writing assistance: reserve appointment at http://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html

1. COMMUNITY GATHERING IN SOLIDARITY WITH CHARLOTTESVILLE
Monday, Aug 14, 4:00pm, Black Cultural Center
The staff in the Cultural and Community Centers stand in solidarity with Charlottesville against racism and hate. In light of the weekend events, they are hosting a gathering to allow students, faculty, and staff a community space for reflection and sharing and to discuss responses and opportunities for action. All students and university community members are invited to attend. Pizza and drinks will be available. If you are in need of support, the Dean of Students office in East Eggleston and the Cook Counseling Center in Schiffert are available to help. In addition, the staff in the Cultural and Community Centers can provide advocacy, support, and a listening ear.

2. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Aug 17, 3:30-5:00pm, Graduate School lobby
Enjoy free coffee, tea, and cookies in the company of fellow graduate students and Grad School staff; network, socialize, relax! Bring your own mug if you can. The café will move to the Graduate School lobby and patio for the summer while the elevator is being replaced.

3. MATERIALS REQUESTED FOR WELCOME WEEK INFORMATION FAIR – 2nd posting Do you provide a service (editing? catering?) other grad students would be interested in? Looking for a new drummer for your band? Is your student organization recruiting new members? Send the Graduate School your flyers (quarter- or half-page only) by August 16 and they will be placed on information tables in the GLC for Graduate Student Welcome Week (August 21-25). Materials can be sent by campus mail to Graduate School 0325 or dropped off at 120 GLC. Contact Anthony Szczurek (anthos9@vt.edu) if you have any questions.

4. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS 1 CR CLASS OPEN – 3rd posting Virginia Tech Libraries is offering an 8-week version of GRAD 5024 this fall in collaboration with James Madison University. The class will begin on 8/31 and end on 10/19, and is offered pass/fail. Class times are 10am-12pm on Thursdays. Enrollment is open and 11 more seats remain. Topics will include: Data Management Plans (DMPs), data security, data organization, data citations, ethical use of data, publishing datasets, and metrics of impact. Register through HokieSPA drop/add (note that the course listing incorrectly shows this as a full-semester class

5. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – 1ST posting
Little Hokie Hangout, the Graduate School Child Care Center, is still accepting applications for Fall 2017. Morning sessions are almost full, but there are some spots left for afternoons (11:30am-2:30pm) and evenings (2:30pm-6:00pm). For information and applications please email [childcare@vt.edu%20]childcare@vt.edu

6. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WOMEN PURSUING A PhD – 1st posting
The P.E.O. Scholar Award is open for women pursuing a PhD. The competitive merit-based scholarships offer $15,000 for outstanding women in the final two years of their program. Awardees must demonstrate a strong research path, publications, awards, and service activities showing maturity, seriousness of purpose, and clearly defined research objectives. The local application consisting of a concise 1-2 page letter and resume deadline is September 6, 2017. Send to Verlyn Stromberg, 2506 Manchester St, Blacksburg, VA 24060 or verlyn@vt.edu. If you have any questions, email or call (540) 239-0253.

7. GA POSITION IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION – 2nd posting
The Department of Engineering Education is seeking applications for an academic advising graduate assistant for the 2017-18 academic year. Specific details can be found at: http://enge.vt.edu/content/dam/enge_vt_edu/undergraduate/ga.pdf.

8. GA OPENING IN OFFICE OF ACADEMIC DECISION SUPPORT II – 3rd posting
VT’s Office of Academic Decision Support is looking for a Graduate Assistant for Fall 2017 to assist with the development and maintaining of SQL-Server apps. Must have expertise in SQL, T-SQL, SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and excellent work ethic, dependable, and good oral and written communication skills. Preferred skills: experience with JavaScript and ASP.NET, using C# or VB.NET, HTML, and IIS. Interested graduate students can send their information to Daniel Hung, [chung@vt.edu%20]chung@vt.edu by Aug 20, 2017, or until position is filled.

9. VOLUNTEER AT THE BBURG FARMER’S MARKET – 3rd posting
Volunteers are needed at the Blacksburg Farmer’s Market to help run the information booth on market days during the summer. The market days are Wednesdays and Saturdays and shifts are three hours each. Wednesday, the market is open 12:00 to 6:00 pm and the shifts are 12:00 to 3:00 pm and 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Saturday, the market is open from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm and the shifts are 8:00 am to 11:00 am and 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Farmer’s Market is near Squires and the GLC. More information is on the sign up link at https://signup.com/client/invitation/6775657374/1219389/false#!1219389/false/false. Email grad student Aubrey Stephenson aubb0b@vt.edu with questions.

10. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VIRTUAL REALITY STUDY – 1st posting
The 3DI group is seeking volunteers to participate in a research study with virtual reality (VR) technologies. The team is investigating how VR can help researchers to better understand complex scientific data. The project will make use of state-of-the-art VR equipment. If you are interested in participating, please contact Wallace Lages at wlages@vt.edu for more details.

11. CREATIVE STUDENTS SOUGHT FOR MAGAZINE – 1st posting
The Interloper, Virginia Tech’s LGBTQ Magazine, is now accepting writers, editors, photographers, and artists for Issue #7 this fall. There will be an interest meeting on Sunday, Sep 10 at 4:00pm in the Intercultural Engagement Center. All are welcome to participate. If you have any questions or are interested in joining, email Maggie at theinterlopervt@gmail.com.

12. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VR INTERACTION STUDY – 1st posting
Participants sought for a user study between 8/20 and 9/2 in a project called “Object Manipulation in Virtual Reality” at the Moss Arts Center. The participants in the study will have a chance to experience the latest technology of Virtual Reality, including head-mounted display and hand tracking input devices. Open to anyone 18+ with normal vision (corrected or uncorrected) and normal range of arm/hand motion. Compensation: $10 . If interested, contact Run Yu (runyu@vt.edu) .

13. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR DIET STUDY – 1st posting
Volunteers needed for a study examining how diet influences muscle metabolism. Participants must be: between the ages of 18-40; females on monophasic oral contraceptive and not pregnant; not currently taking any medications (other than above); non-smokers; no major medical problems; and willing to eat a high fat diet for 5 days. You will receive extensive health information and may receive up to $400 in compensation. If interested, contact the Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory at Virginia Tech. e-mail: westerndiet@gmail.com website: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_eKX222gpcgRqZL.

Upcoming events:

SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING PARTY
Monday, Aug 21, 1:00-4:00pm, Grad School Lawn
Kick off welcome week by viewing the solar eclipse in the company of fellow grads. Initial coverage of the sun will begin at 1:08pm with maximum coverage at 2:37pm. Fifty viewing glasses will be available (while supplies last). Snacks and supplies to make your own viewing projector will be provided.

ROANOKE STUDENT LIFE SHOWCASE
Monday, Aug 21, 2:00 – 5:00 pm, Atrium of VTCarilion Research Institute, 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA 24016.
Join current and new graduate students and medical students to see all that Roanoke has to offer at the first annual Roanoke Student Life Showcase hosted by the Roanoke Graduate Student Association. There will be local vendors, giveaways, and ice cream! For questions, email Jordan Darden at jdarden@vt.edu.

US STUDENT FULBRIGHT INFO SESSION
Wednesday, Aug 23, 10:00am, GLC Room C
This interactive workshop introduces participants to the Fulbright program that offers US citizens funding opportunities to research or study abroad in more than 140 countries.

WELCOME BACK BBQ HOSTED BY THE GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY Wednesday, Aug 23, 5:00-8:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
New and returning graduate students are invited by the VT Graduate Student Assembly to their annual Welcome Back BBQ. Weather permitting, the event will take place inside and on the GLC Lawn as well. Food from Hethwood Market, with vegetarian options available. Stay tuned for the official Facebook event page, and some colorful flyers.

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME Thursday, Aug 24, 4:30-6:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Attend this relaxed social event to connect with faculty, staff, new and returning students and resources that can help you succeed in graduate school and maintain a healthy life balance. Free refreshments for all; door prizes for new students! Sign up online if you are planning to attend: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a8XPyVVMAKV1Scd. This event replaces the weekly GLC café just this one time. The café will return next week on its regular 3:30-5:00 schedule in the Reading Room.

LEARN ABOUT THE BOOK OF MORMON Sunday, Sep 3, 6:30pm, 1408 Jennelle Rd., Blacksburg.
Have you ever wondered what the Book of Mormon is about? Perhaps you’ve heard of the Broadway play, or what some call the "Mormon Bible"? On behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, grad student Kevin Watson invites you to attend an evening event all about the Book of Mormon. All are welcome to attend! Questions? Contact Kevin at wk223@vt.edu.