Events
1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – last updated 9/25/2017
– Career Advising: Wednesday, 2:00-5:00pm, Info kiosk in lobby
– GTA Walk-In Advising: Tuesday and Wednesday, GLC Room A, 4:00-6:00pm
– Cook Counseling: Thursdays and Fridays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room
– Graduate School hours: MTThF 8:00-5:00pm, W 9:30-5
– Immigration advising hours: MWF 1:00-4:00pm, TTh 9:00am-12:00pm Room 120
– Writing assistance: reserve appointment at https://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html
2. CHRISTIAN FACULTY/GRAD STUDENT LUNCH
Tuesday, Oct 17, 12:30-1:20pm, Brush Mountain Room, Squires Student Center
Topic: “Developing the ‘Whole’ Student: Connecting Academics and Student Life”
Dr. Patty Perillo, Vice President for Student Affairs at Virginia Tech, will share the importance of connecting all aspects of the university community to serve the ‘whole’ student. How can faculty, staff, and student affairs professionals work together to further the common good of students? Faculty, staff, and graduate students are invited to attend. Lunch will be provided, and $5 donations will be accepted. Register at: https://goo.gl/forms/AzgrhtAsq2uOtKwn1. Sponsored by the Bradley Study Center.
3. GTA WALK-IN ADVISING
Tuesday & Wednesday, Oct 17 & 18, GLC Room A, 4:00-6:00pm
Do you have questions about teaching or grading? Are you experiencing a challenge in the classroom that you don’t know how to resolve? Drop by to chat, share experiences, and get advice from Fellows of the Graduate Academy for Teaching Excellence. Light refreshments will be provided; bring your own mug if you can.
4. RESEARCH A LA MODE: Using Social Media Data to Learn about Tourist’s Online Behavior
Tuesday, Oct 17, 2017, 5:00-6:00pm, Museum, 2062 Derring Hall
Research a la Mode is a monthly venue for graduate students from different departments to come together and hear a talk by one of their peers. In this month’s talk Jonilda Bahja, a PhD student in Hospitality and Tourism Management, will discuss how analyzing social media data from TripAdvisor, Expedia etc., can provide new insights about traveler behaviors. In the past, conventional research methods, such as surveys, interviews, and focus groups have been used to analyze traveler behaviors. Over the last decade, the growth and richness of social media data generated by users raised the interest of hospitality and tourism researchers analyzing large quantities of extracted online reviews and photos using a diversity of methods and computational tools, paving the way to a new research paradigm called “social media analytics.” This nontraditional and data-driven research approach draws novel insights and contributes to better understand traveler behaviors. Come for the talk and enjoy free ice cream!
5. GRAD MINDFULNESS
Wednesday, Oct 18, 11:00-11:30am, 5071 Derring Hall
Meets every Wednesday. At each meeting there will be a short guided mindfulness exercise followed by time to practice on your own. You don’t need to stay for the whole time. Feel free to just drop in, just take care to not disturb others. Here is a link to a cool free mindfulness app! Email lashley@vt.edu with any questions.
6. LEARN ABOUT “BUILDING PEOPLE FOR WORK” – A NEW SPRING 2018 COURSE
Wednesday, Oct 18, 5:00-6:00pm, Bishop-Favrao Hall, outside of office 310A
Join Dr. Denise Simmons, Assistant Professor in the Myers-Lawson School of Construction and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, if you would like to learn about a new special topics course she is offering in Spring 2018 titled “Building People for Work.” Pizza will be served. To learn more about Dr. Simmons and her research, see www.denisersimmons.cee.vt.edu.
7. PANEL DISCUSSION ON LGBTQ+ EXPERIENCES IN AGRICULTURE FIELD
Wednesday, Oct 18, 5:00-6:00pm, Newman Library, Scale-Up Classroom (1st floor behind the cafe)
Students for Cultivating Change presents a panel discussion on LGBTQ+ student experiences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech. Students and alumni with diverse backgrounds, identities, current university affiliation and experiences will talk about being LGBTQ+ in the diverse fields of agriculture. Following the panel there will be an interest meeting for undergraduate and graduate students to form a club of those individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ or their allies in CALS. Doors open at 4:30pm and refreshments will be provided. Questions can be sent to Ryan Amaral (ramaral1@vt.edu) or Dr. Donna Westfall-Rudd (mooredm@vt.edu).
8. DINING ETIQUETTE
Wednesday, Oct 18, 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 tips, and a pizza meal during which you can network with graduate students. Register here.
9. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Oct 19, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Enjoy free coffee, tea, and cookies in the company of fellow grad students and Grad School staff; network, socialize, relax! Bring your own mug if you can.
10. WOMEN’S ALLIANCE WORKSHOP: BUDGETING & FINANCE FOR THE FEMALE GRAD STUDENT
Thursday, Oct 19 12-1:30pm in GLC Room C
The graduate committee of the Women’s Alliance invites you to bring your lunch for a workshop themed around finances and budgeting as a female graduate student. Further, we will discuss strategies and resources for negotiation of your future salary. RSVP here:
https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_50SkiXQRug3dA57
11. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT – FREE WEEKLY DROP IN CHILD CARE
Thursday, Oct 19, 6:00-8:30pm, Women’s Center, 206 Washington St., Bburg.
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) on Thursdays from 6:00-8:30pm, at the Women’s Center. No need to pre-register. We have games, toys, books, crafts, homework help, and plenty of FUN! 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. The Women’s Center is located at 206 Washington Street, enter up the stairs in the parking lot. For more information, contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu or 231-7806.
12. INTERNATIONAL CAFÉ HOUR: MALAYSIA
Friday, Oct 20, 4:00-5:30pm, Deet’s Place, Dietrick Dining Center
The International Café Hour is an opportunity for all to engage in conversations, create friendships, share their culture, and to connect with the VT community in a casual and comfortable environment. The program is designed to be both social and educational so join us. This program is a wonderful opportunity for students to connect and learn across cultures! This month’s café hour is sponsored by The Malaysian Student Organization. For more info, see our webpage: International Café Hour.
13. JOE’S TREES DAY TRIP
Sunday, Oct 22, 12:00pm-4:00pm
Join your fellow grad students and the Graduate Fellows on a trip to one of the New River Valley’s best kept secrets! Joe’s Trees is a family owned business that runs a pumpkin patch each fall. There are tons of fun activities including hay rides, pumpkin picking, a corn maze, and bubble ball, as well as great food. Make sure to bring some cash in order to participate in these awesome activities or in case you find any good smelling food. If you are interested in joining, fill out this survey before it closes on Wednesday, October 18th. Contact Danielle Lewis at mdlewis4@vt.edu if you have any questions!
Administrative Announcements
14. INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH HONOR SOCIETY SEEKS NEW MEMBERS – 1st posting
The Interdisciplinary Research Honor Society is recruiting new members! This is a wonderful opportunity to meet other students doing interdisciplinary research and support interdisciplinarity on campus. If your research is interdisciplinary please check out our requirements and application procedures at http://www.idrsociety.org/membership/membership/ or email Jessie at mjessie1@vt.edu with any questions. Deadline Nov 15.
15. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLL – PLEASE TAKE SURVEY – 2nd posting
The Graduate Professional Development series for Spring 2018 is currently being developed and we need your help. Please go here to take part in a two minute survey. Thanks!
16. INTRO SESSIONS INSPIRED BY SOFTWARE CARPENTRY – REGISTRATION OPEN – 2nd posting
A group of graduate students will be offering software carpentry-inspired sessions on Git and the Unix Shell.
Oct 20: The Unix Shell (9:00am – Noon), Oct 31: The Unix Shell (10:00-11:30am), and Nov 9: Git (12:30pm-3:30pm). Registration is now open at this link.
17. GSA GRADUATE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (GRDP) – 2nd posting
Wednesday, Oct 18 at 12:00am – Wednesday, Oct 25 at 11:59pm
Do you have a research idea that deserves funding? The GSA Graduate Research Development Program (GRDP) provides research grant funds to support graduate research. PhD students may be awarded up to $1,000 and Master’s students up to $750 to support their projects. The application will open at 12:00am on October 18, and will close on October 25 at 11:59pm. The application guidelines and more information can be found at bit.ly/GRDP-fall2017. If you have questions, contact the GRDP Chair at gsaGRDP@gmail.com.
18. SIGN UP FOR “INTERNATIONAL VOICES” – 2nd posting
The Cranwell International Center runs International VOICES (Valuable Opportunities for Intercultural Communication, Education, and Sharing) to showcase VT’s global diversity and facilitate opportunities for international students to share their culture, perspectives, and life experiences with the broader community. International students are matched with campus and community partners who wish to invite speakers for presentations, small group conversations, and panel discussions. The program provides international students with opportunities to: talk to interested audiences; help break down stereotypes and prejudices; improve public-speaking skills; form relationships on campus and in the community; contribute to open and accepting community; help prepare global citizens; and add a meaningful experience to their resume. Public-speaking training and support provided as needed. Learn more and sign up at http://international.vt.edu/advocacyandsupport/international-voices-.html. Direct questions to Cranwell Intl Ctr, 540.231.6527 or international@vt.edu.
19. OPEN EDUCATION TEACHING INQUIRY GROUP – 3rd posting
Faculty and future faculty interested in exploring the potential of open educational practices are invited to join a Teaching Inquiry Group. Practices important to open education include: sharing your work, feedback/transparency, ideas & agency, licenses/giving credit/ethics, and students as central. The group will meet to discuss readings related to open education, Creative Commons licensing, creation of open educational resources with (and without) students, understanding the various "opens," application of open source philosophy to teaching & learning, and related topics and readings identified by the group. Meetings will be scheduled for 1-2 times per month. Fall 2017 meetings are scheduled for Oct. 5, 12, 26, Nov 2, 30, and Dec 7. Please contact Anita Walz arwalz@vt.edu from the University Libraries to express interest and to obtain updated location information.
20. SUBMISSIONS INVITED TO GLC PHOTO AND ART CONTEST – 3rd posting
The Graduate School invites submissions of art work and photography by graduate students for display in the GLC during Fall Open House (Oct 28) and beyond. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art and/or photography) per graduate student. To learn more and for the link to submission go to https://graduatelifecenter.vt.edu/glc-art-and-photo-contest.html. Submission deadline: Friday, Oct 20, 2017.
Jobs: None at this time
Volunteers and research participants sought
21. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: TREATMENT OF FEAR OF DOGS IN 4-7 YR OLD CHILDREN – 1st posting
A new study at the Virginia Tech Child Study is looking for interested participants in a treatment research study for 4-7 year old children with fears of dogs that are interfering in their lives. Parents will be provided with a book which has been designed to assist young children in becoming more comfortable around dogs. Parents will meet with a clinician who will teach them how to read the book with their child and do activities at home to improve their child’s fear. If the child’s fear level remains high, parents will be offered the opportunity to come in to the clinic for additional treatment. Treatment is offered at no cost and families will be compensated for completing pre-treatment and follow-up assessment sessions. If you are interested in participating in this study, please call the Child Study Center at 540-231-8276 or e-mail childstudycenter@gmail.com for further information.
22. VOLUNTEER FOR ECONOMIC STUDY – EARN MONEY FOR MAKING DECISIONS – 2nd posting
Virginia Tech researchers are currently seeking participants aged 18 and older for a research study. The study involves making interactive decisions on a computer and completing surveys. The study takes place in the Virginia Tech Economics Laboratory in 2088 Derring Hall. The study will take about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. Participants receive $10 and may receive an additional $25 depending on choices made by you and the other participants. All compensation will be paid in cash at the conclusion of the experiments. If interested, sign up for an experiment session at https://vteconlab.sona-systems.com. Questions? Email vteconlab@gmail.com.
23. SEEKING PARTICIPANTS FOR “SIT-STAND” DESK STUDY – 3rd posting
During this study participants will be asked to perform general office tasks using a sit-stand desk. Participants will also be expected to bring a laptop to perform office tasks of their choice during the time of the experiment. Three experimental sessions of about 4.5 hours each are required. During this study body posture and muscle activity will be assessed using non-invasive methods. Participants must be ages 18-40 years, have no current or recent (past one year) history of low-back pain or other musculoskeletal injuries, and use a computer for at least four hours/day. Compensation is $10/hr. If interested, call or email Jang-Ho Park at 703-463-6638 or jhparkvt@vt.edu.
24. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR OSTEOPATHIC ASSESSMENT STUDY – 3rd posting
The Kevin P. Granata Lab is seeking volunteers for a study examining osteopathic assessment and manipulation. Participation in the study would include an osteopathic assessment and a biomechanical assessment; osteopathic manipulation and a second biomechanical assessment may also be included in participation. Volunteers must be between 18 and 35 years of age and have no past or current lower extremity injuries that required medical care. If you meet these requirements and are interested in participating, please contact Cherice Hughes-Oliver at granata-lab-g@vt.edu or (540) 231-4294.
Upcoming events:
WORKING IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXTS: WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?
Monday, Oct 23, 5:00-6:30pm, GLC Room F
Interested in learning about to working abroad or in international/diverse contexts, with international colleagues and populations? The panel presenters will discuss intercultural communication, their experiences of conducting research and working abroad, and how students can learn to be open to different ways of working in the world. Register here.
“CLEAN PLATE CLUB: COMBATING FOOD WASTE IN AMERICA”
Tuesday, Oct 24, 4:00-5:15pm, Multipurpose Room, Newman Library
Up to 40 percent of all edible food is wasted in the United States. Food waste has recently gained traction in social media, and within the last couple years, many initiatives have been created to combat this extensive problem. The talk will be led by Susan Chen, recipient of the 2017 Janet L. Cameron Scholarship. Susan Chen is currently a graduate student in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise and is researching food waste behaviors in children. Join this conversation as it explores the past and present issues around food waste and explores solutions to prevent this in the future.
USING BODY LANGUAGE TO COMMUNICATE YOUR RESEARCH
Tuesday, Oct 24, 4:30-6:00pm, GLC Room F
The way research and work is communicated is just as important as the information itself. This session will cover basic tips and strategies for learning open and clear body language that supports, not distracts from, communicating your research. Register here.
PROFESSIONALIZE YOUR WRITING
Thursday, Oct 26, 6:00-7:00pm, GLC Room F
This session will teach participants topnotch writing skills, while helping promote groundbreaking research and innovative ideas. Students will be guided through specific practices that can immediately apply to current and future projects. Whether aiming for publication or preparing a thesis/dissertation, this workshop will provide strategies and resources to help participants elevate writing and meet goals. Take away information to improve a manuscript’s language, sentence-level structure, and clarity. Register here.
NO PIPELINE! DISCUSSION PANEL
Thursday, Oct 26, 7:00pm, GLC Auditorium
The Greens at Virginia Tech, chaired by graduate student Ryan Wesdock, are hosting a two-part speaker series. The first is a No Pipeline! Discussion Panel with speakers discussing how to stop an environmental catastrophe from destroying our water, our air, and our land. To find out more, visit our Facebook events https://www.facebook.com/events/153165675281656
THE THOUGHTFUL COAL MINER LECTURE
Friday, Oct 27, 6:30pm, Haymarket Theater, Squires
The Greens at Virginia Tech, chaired by graduate student Ryan Wesdock, are hosting a two-part speaker series. The second event is a lecture by Nick Mullins titled “The Thoughtful Coal Miner” (www.thoughtfulcoalminer.com). Mr. Mullins will talk about the intersection of environmental politics, climate change, coal mining, and big business in the 21st century. To find out more, visit our Facebook events
https://www.facebook.com/events/965044630328061
BGSO HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY
Saturday, Oct 28, 10:00pm-2:00am, The Reserve, 204 Draper Rd., Blacksburg
Issa costume party!!!! Enjoy a night of music and Halloween fun with BGSO. Fellow graduate student, Courtney "DJ King Court" Lawrence will be spinning all night. There will be cash prizes for the most creative and original costumes, so come dressed to impress. Tickets are $5.00 and can be purchased at https://bgsohalloween.eventbrite.com
GSA TRAVEL FUND PROGRAM (TFP)
Wednesday, Nov 1 at 12:00am – Wednesday, Nov 8 at 11:59pm
The Graduate Student Assembly’s Travel Fund Program will open for applications on November 1st at 12:00am, and will close on November 8th at 11:59PM. This program can provide partial support for professional or conference travel occurring between July 1st and December 31st, 2017. We will release the application guide in the coming weeks, so keep checking bit.ly/TFP-fall2017 for updates and information. If you have questions, send them to gsaTravelFund@gmail.com.