November 13 -19, 2017

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
– Ask the Academy: 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. GUAC TALK WITH THE DEAN
Monday, Nov 13, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room B
How’s your semester going? Do you have questions or comments about graduate life? If you answered yes — or if you answered no, but still want to attend a discussion about graduate life — join this month’s Guac Talk with Dean DePauw. There will be guacamole (of course), great conversation, and hopefully you! This event is brought to you by the Graduate Student Assembly.

3. INFO FROM DEAN DEPAUW ON IMPACT TO GRAD STUDENTS OF PROPOSED TAX CUTS

Monday, Nov 13, 4:30pm, GLC Room B
The Graduate School and university administrators and faculty are aware of graduate students’ concerns about the potential financial impacts of proposed tax reform bills in Congress. Please visit our web page on the Graduate School website (https://graduateschool.vt.edu/tax-bill-potential-impact.html) for information about the House and Senate tax bills, with links to them, a statement about what university administrators are doing, and additional resources and news articles about the tax bills. This page will be updated regularly as we receive new information. Dean DePauw will be available at 4:30pm today (Nov 13) to answer questions.

4. GLC WELLNESS ROOM GRAND OPENING DAY OF EVENTS – registration requested
Tuesday, Nov 14, 8:00am-4:00pm, GLC Wellness Room (formerly known as Room G)
Stop by the newly refurbished wellness room to participate in gentle yoga (8-9am), mindfulness exercises (9-10am), gratitude practices (10am-2pm), lunch refreshments (11am-1pm), mindful tea (2-3pm), or recharge yoga (3-4pm). Meet with representatives from health and wellness related officec during lunch and share your ideas for how graduate students may be best served by Rec Sports, Hokie Wellness, Schiffert, and Cook Counseling. Light refreshments served all day. Bring your Hokie Passport to swipe into the room!  Please register at https://graduatelifecenter.vt.edu/svs-at-the-glc/Wellness.html for the activities you are planning to attend.

5. ASK THE ACADEMY: GTA WALK-IN ADVISING

Tuesday & Wednesday, Nov 14 & Nov 15, 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. Can’t make it in person? Send your questions and comments to Ask a Fellow.

6. LITTLE HOKIE(TM) HAND-ME-DOWN

Tuesday, Nov 14, 12:00-6:00pm, GLC Multi-purpose Room (Students)
Wednesday, Nov 15, 9:00am-12:00pm, GLC Multi-purpose Room (Staff)
Shop for gently used clothes, books, toys, bedding, medical supplies, school supplies, formula (unexpired), bathing & grooming supplies (unopened), strollers, car seats, baby gear, diapers, etc.  Students come by the GLC Multi-Purpose room Nov 14 from 12:00-6:00pm and Staff come by the same location on Nov 15 from 8:00am-12:00pm. Bags are provided. For more information, click here or contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu.

7. LETTERS OF LOVE TO REFUGEE CHILDREN
Tuesday, Nov 14, 1:30-6:00pm, GLC Lobby
Write a short note of support, love, and holiday greeting to the people displaced by violence in Syria. You will be guided on how to submit a letter of love through Letters of Love website, where they will be translated, printed, and sent to Syrian, Iraqi, Yazidi and Rohingya refugee communities’ children. For more information refer to Letters of Love’s Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/lettersoflove2017/ or contact graduate student Jeena Sajimon at jeenams@vt.edu.

8. MINGLE LIKE YOU MEAN IT
Tuesday, Nov 14, 5:30-7:00pm, GLC Room F
How are you at networking when it comes to large receptions, conferences or other professional events? Feel like you need to get better? Improve your mingling skills at this interactive session where you’ll practice introductions, opening lines and more with fellow graduate students. Sign-up here.

9. GRAD MINDFULNESS
Wednesday, Nov 15, 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.

10. "THE LOST ART OF DISAGREEMENT: CIVIL DISCOURSE IN A CULTURE OF OUTRAGE"
Wednesday, Nov 15, 8-9:30pm, Colonial Hall, Squires Student Center
American society is deeply fractured.  Our current moment makes discussion of important social, political, and religious issues difficult and risky.  The temptation to label those with whom we disagree ("extremist", "racist", "unpatriotic", "hateful") makes conversation beyond our differences extremely challenging.  Is there a way to bridge these differences and have conversation across deep disagreement?  Dr. Christian Lundberg (UNC) and Dr. Christian Matheis (VT) will discuss how we can engage important issues with others, even those with whom we strongly disagree.  Grad student Daniel Chen invites you to come to this event ready to be challenged to step out of your comfort zone and engage across differences. Sponsored by the Bradley Study Center and Chi Alpha.

11. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Nov 16, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room       
Enjoy free coffee, tea, and snacks.  Join your fellow graduate students and GLC staff.  Socialize and relax!   Bring your own mug if you can.

12. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT – FREE WEEKLY DROP IN CHILD CARE (REGISTRATION NOW REQUIRED)
Thursday, Nov 16, 6:00-8:30pm, Women’s Center, 206 Washington St., Bburg
On a trial basis Kids’ Night Out (KNO) is going to try a system of preregistering. Each week there will be a link on the home page (www.womenscenter.vt.edu) where parents can sign kids up. The aim is to have the link posted to the website by Monday afternoon each week. There will a “Doodle Poll” with a limited number of spots and when that is full, additional children for that week will no longer be accepted. Because of this, the following is requested: 1) Please only register if you are sure you are going to be able to make it; 2) so that everyone can have a chance to utilize KNO, if you have been coming regularly, perhaps wait until later in the week to see if there are still spots available. For more information, contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu or 231-7806.

13. TAKE A BREAK(ZONE) WITH THE GLC FELLOWS
Thursday, Nov 16, 2017, 7:00 – 9:00pm, BreakZone
Join the GLC Fellows at the BreakZone on Thursday, November 16 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm for FREE bowling! This event will be a great way to relax and have some fun before the Thanksgiving holiday break. Come bowl as many or as few games as you would like. More information about the BreakZone, located in Squires Student Center, can be found here. If you are interested in attending, please fill out this survey before it closes on Tuesday, November 14 at 11:59pm. As this event is sure to be fun for all ages, please indicate if you plan to bring any non-student individuals (ie. a spouse, significant other, children, etc.). Contact Danielle Lewis at mdlewis4@vt.edu if you have any questions.

Administrative Announcements
14. UH3004: IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS FOR ART, DATA, AND RESEARCH – 1st posting
This winter semester class in the Cube at the Moss Arts Center, hosted by the Honors College and the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology, is now open to Graduate Students. This class provides students with a unique Wintermester experience in Blacksburg to receive hands on experience learning about immersive environments in the Cube, a facility like no other in the world. By the end of this class, you will create a project that includes: motion capture, virtual reality, immersive projection, and spatial audio.  e course will demonstrate the applicability of virtual environments across a wide range of disciplines. Course meets Jan 2-13, 2018 on MTWHF from 9:00am – 12:45pm and is instructed by Zachary Duer, School of Visual Arts (zachduer@vt.edu) and Tanner Upthegrove, Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (tannerupthegrove@vt.edu). For more info, go to  http://icat.vt.edu/uh3004/. To register, visit www.winter.edm.vt.edu.

15. FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION NOW OPEN – 1st posting
The 2018-2019 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is open now for US citizens and permanent resident.  The 1819 FAFSA will determine your federal aid eligibility for Fall 2018, Spring 2019 and Summer 2019.  While there is not a specific deadline for graduate students, it is recommended that you submit the FAFSA by early spring semester so that the financial aid office has time to process the application and prepare your aid for the new academic year.   The FAFSA is available at http://www.fafsa.gov .  If you need help with your FAFSA, stop by the financial aid office during one of their FAFSA Friday events on Dec 1  from 3:00-7:00pm. Staff will be available to help you submit the FAFSA as well as answer any questions you may have.  Posted on behalf of Stephanie Breeding, sbreed@vt.edu.

16. NOMINATIONS & APPLICATIONS FOR 2017-2018 DIVERSITY SCHOLARS INVITED – 2nd posting
Diversity scholars are graduate students who specialize in and advocate for the awareness, knowledge, and skills associated with diversity and inclusion in the Graduate School and greater community. Diversity scholars propose, design, and implement projects that enhance the quality of life at Virginia Tech. Nominations are due by Friday, December 1st (self-nominations accepted). Applications are due by Friday, December 15th, and must include: 1) A recent copy of your C.V./Resume. 2) A brief proposal (overview/extended abstract). 3) A one-page, draft timeline of the steps required to carry out the project. Additional information and instructions available at the Application website: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eJ3zc4T21iUnORL. Contact Christian Matheis at matheisc@vt.edu for more info.

17. GSA "DR. RICH" CAP & GOWN LOTTERY – 2nd posting
If you are graduating this fall and/or participating in commencement ceremonies, you are eligible to borrow a graduate cap and gown from the GSA for $10! Note that the $10 fee helps us to keep the program running. The "Dr. Rich" Cap & Gown Lottery loans a limited number of gowns and caps to grad students participating in Fall 2017 graduation ceremonies via a lottery. Caps and gowns must then be returned to the GSA in acceptable condition for cleaning and use by future graduating students. The lottery will open on November 15th, and close on November 29th. You can access the lottery by visiting the link: bit.ly/capandgown_fall2017. Those chosen in the lottery will be notified no later than December 6th, and must still purchase their own hoods, tassels, and any other required regalia. All items are used, but gowns have been dry cleaned and steamed, and caps have been disinfected. Email GSA Director of Programs Brittany Boribong at boribong@vt.edu with questions.

18. EPORTFOLIO STUDENT SHOWCASE – 2nd posting
As part of the ePortfolio initiative at Virginia Tech, the Libraries and its partners invite you to participate in the Fall 2017 Showcase. There will be 3 cash awards for graduate students: $500 for the 1st place, $250 for the second place, and $100 for the third place. Participating is pretty simple: Join the Portfolium network, add at least 5 samples of your work, and reflect on the learning in each one of these entries. For more information, visit eportfolios.vt.edu/showcase or email Miko Nino (mnino@vt.edu).

19. JOIN THE NANOTECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGE – 2nd posting

NanoEarth, an NSF center on earth and environmental nanotechnology housed here at VT-ICTAS, is hosting a Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship Challenge. All VT students are eligible to enter to complete with a business idea that utilizes nanotechnology to tackle sustainability challenges in aras like public health, agriculture, clean water, renewable energy, and beyond. Winners will be awarded a $2,500 grant to help turn the business idea into reality. Proposals are due Dec 1. Check out the top of the NanoEarth news page for more details and application forms www.nanoearth.ictas.vt.edu/news.html. For more information please contact Dr. Matt Hull at mahull@vt.edu.

20. APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED: $10,000 PHI KAPPA PHI DISSERTATION FELLOWSHIP – 2nd posting
Writing your dissertation? Apply for a $10,000 Phi Kappa Phi #DissertationFellowship by Nov 30 at www.phikappaphi.org/dissertation. Ten fellowships of $10,000 each will be awarded in 2018. To be eligible, applicants must be an active Phi Kappa Phi member in the dissertation writing stage of doctoral study. All pre-dissertation requirements should be met by the November 30 deadline including approval of the dissertation proposal. The selection process for a dissertation fellowship examines how the fellowship will contribute to the completion of the dissertation, the significance of original research, and endorsement by the dissertation chair. Recipients will receive $10,000 to apply toward 12 months of dissertation writing. Click here, to start your application. For more information read the Dissertation Fellowship FAQs or download the Dissertation Fellowship fact sheet. If you have additional questions, please contact @Kelli Partin at kpartin@phikappaphi.org.

21. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED FOR SPRING ’18 – 2nd posting
Learn about the importance and benefits of data management including creating a data management plan. Covers data organization, policies, documentation, storage, ethics, access, security, analytical tools, grant requirements (proposal and post- award), proper attribution, archiving, other issues and topics related to data in scholarly communication. Pass/ Fail Only, 1 Credit Hour, Online Lecture.

22. SEEKING SCHOLARLY ARTICLES FOR GRAD STUDENT-RUN JOURNAL AT VT – 3rd posting
Community Change, an online, peer-reviewed, graduate student-run journal at Virginia Tech that explores multiple approaches to democratic community development and change, is accepting submissions for its second issue. We solicit scholarly articles (4,000-6,000 words), book reviews (1,000-1,500 words), multimedia, and artwork that analyze responses to the evolving political and social landscape since the 2016 election. This might include, but is not limited to: 1) explorations of new initiatives, on-going activism, and community organizing and how they have changed their work since 2015 campaign and 2016 election; 2) historical movements and groundwork that have informed current responses; and 3) pieces reflecting on tactics and strategies employed to resist, counter, and educate about xenophobia, white supremacy, and other ideologies or political doctrines. The submission deadline is December 18, 2017. For more information and submission instructions, please visit www.communitychange.ipg.vt.edu.

23. GRDP APPLICATION REVIEW – 3rd posting

The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) is looking for graduate student volunteers to review applications for the Graduate Research Development Program (GRDP). To review applications, you must be a graduate student, and you must be one that did not apply to the fall 2017 GRDP application cycle. Although we cannot compensate you with money, we do compensate with free food and eternal gratitude. To sign up, visit bit.ly/GRDP-fall2017-appreview.

Jobs:  None at this time

Volunteers and research participants sought
24. FACIAL EMOTION RECOGNITION INTERVENTION FOR CHILDREN WITH ASD – 1st posting
The goal of this study is to assess the feasibility of an attention modification intervention to attenuate deficits in facial emotion recognition and expression in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We are enrolling children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 9 to 12 years of age, who may show difficulties recognizing facial expressions for 5 week, 10 session computer treatment. Parent and child will also be asked to complete three assessment sessions during the course of the treatment. Participants will receive $20 per assessment session, in addition to $20 for completing all treatment sessions, for up to $80 total.
Study will take place at the Child Study Center at Virginia Tech. If interested, contact Andrea Trubanova Wieckowski at atruban@vt.edu or call (540) 231-2024.

25. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BETTER UNDERSTAND CAUSES OF FEAR – 1st posting
Yes, Halloween is gone but our study is still here. We are looking for participants over 18 years old to measure their physiological changes while they watching video clips that cause fear, as defined in entertainment industry. We are exploring ways to build a stimulus that arose fear. For those of you who watch too many TV shows instead of doing your research (like me), this is NOT that episode from “Black Mirror”, you will survive. If you are interested, please email me at rtasooji@vt.edu.

26. SHORT WALKING AND RUNNING STUDY – 2nd posting
Male and female participants are needed for a study that requires two short (20-40 minutes) visits. Participants must be 18-30 years old and able to run at a 9 minute/mile pace for a short time. If you are interested, please email us at granata-la-g@vt.edu

27. 2 AND 4 MILE RUNNING STUDY – 2nd posting
Female participants are needed for a study that requires two visits (less than 1 hour each). Participants must be 18-30 years old and able to complete a 4 mile outdoor run. If you are interested, please email us at granata-la-g@vt.edu.

28. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VIRTUAL REALITY STUDY – 3rd posting
The 3DI group is seeking volunteers to participate in a research study with virtual reality (VR) technologies. Our team is exploring user interfaces that can help users to mark distant objects in a simulated scene (for VR). The project is supervised by Dr. Doug Bowman in Computer Science and will make use of state-of-the-art VR equipment. If you are interested in participating, please contact Yuan Li at yli92@vt.edu for more details.

Upcoming events:
GLC CAFÉ: THANKSGIVING WEEK EDITION

Monday, Nov 20, 2:30-4:30pm, GLC Reading Room       
Enjoy free coffee, tea, and snacks.  Join your fellow graduate students and GLC staff.  Socialize and relax!   Bring your own mug if you can.

T-BREAK LUNCH 2017
Tuesday, Nov 21, 11:30am-1:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
You are not alone! Join others who don’t get to leave for Thanksgiving break for some soup (meat and vegetarian versions), dessert, games and conversation. Meet other graduate students, international students, and Grad School, Cranwell and Division of Student Affairs staff, and enjoy some good food in good company. Please sign up at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0GtybwvqYY7Pm3X to help us estimate the food that will be needed. This event is co-sponsored by the Graduate School and the Cranwell International Center.

PREPARING TO TEACH FOR THE FIRST TIME DISCUSSION PANEL

Monday, Nov 27, GLC Room F, 5:30-7:00p.m
Teaching for the first time this Spring? Have questions? The Virginia Tech Academy of Graduate Teaching Excellence is happy to host a panel of experienced teachers to talk about the first time teaching experience! Come ask questions and engage in some seriously fun pedagogical discussion!

AMERICAN INDIAN CONNECT LUNCH

Friday, Dec 1, 12:00-1:00pm, Graduate Life Center, Room F
Join the Graduate School Office of Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives for lunch in honor of Native American Heritage Month and connect with fellow Native American faculty, staff and students while enjoying some free food! RSVP Link coming soon. All are welcome to attend! Questions? Contact Luisa at luisab93@vt.edu.

GRAD WOMEN’S ALLIANCE COOKIE EXCHANGE

Friday, Dec 1, 12:00 – 2:00pm, Norris 325
Bake and bring a dozen (or two!) of your favorite cookies to share with the Graduate Student Women’s Alliance in our First Annual Cookie Exchange. Be sure to bring a copy of your recipe so we can make a recipe book and send it to all of the attendees! Happy Holidays!

WINTER LIGHTS, MUSIC, & PARADE

Friday, Dec 1, 5:25-8pm, GLC Lobby/Henderson Lawn
Come join the Graduate Fellows and fellow students for the Blacksburg Tree Lighting Ceremony (5:40pm), followed by Tuba Christmas (6pm), and Holiday Parade (7pm)! We will meet in GLC Lobby at 5:25pm and then walk over to Henderson Lawn. Anyone is welcome to join us for this family friendly event! Contact Athulya Simon at aasimon@vt.edu with any questions.

SYMPOSIUM ON ART & ICONOGRAPHY

Saturday, Dec 2, 2:00pm, St. Philip’s Anglican Church, 306 Progress Street NE, Blacksburg
Graduate Student Rebecca Williams invites you to a free symposium on art and iconography with Russian Orthodox, Los Angeles-based professor and iconographer Jonathan Edwards. This event will explore the continuing relevance of antiquity to the modern day and provide an opportunity for discourse on the topic. There will be a discussion panel and Q&A session along with the talk. This is the perfect event for historians, artists, philosophers, theologians, and humanists of all backgrounds to expand their knowledge of an ancient art form and contribute their own insights. Please see the attached flyer and visit the website for more information!

Please let me know if you have any questions. Have a great week!

Sue

Susan Kass
Student Services Coordinator
Virginia Tech Graduate School
120 Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown
(0325) Blacksburg, VA 24061
540.231.4558 (p)
540.231.3714 (f)
www.graduateschool.vt.edu 
www.glc.vt.edu