July 30 – August 5, 2018

Weekly Events:
1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES
2. WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS
3. SUE’S ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY AT VT
4. GLC CAFÉ: CF TIRAMISU TAKE II/SCIENCE EXPERIMENT
5. MINI-VACATION AT THE GLC: BEACH BALL ON THE LAWN

Administrative Announcements:
6. GRADUATE SCHOOL SUMMER HOURS TO END 8/3 – 2nd posting
7. HEALTH INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT JUL 16-SEP 10 – 2nd posting
8. CHECK YOUR RESIDENCY STATUS FOR IN-STATE TUITION – 2nd posting
9. SIGN UP FOR PAYMENT PLAN FOR COMP FEES AND CFE FEE – 2nd posting
10. REGISTRATION AVAILABLE FOR FIW 6004: PEDAGOGY FOR THE SCIENCES – 2nd posting

Jobs:
11. ENGINEERING EDUCATION ACADEMIC ADVISING GRAD ASSISTANT – 1st posting
12. BUILDING MANAGER POSITION AT THE GRADUATE LIFE CENTER (FALL 2018) – 1st posting
13. GRADUATE ASSISTANT WITH VIRGINIA TECH TRIO PROGRAMS – 2nd posting
14. LAB RESEARCH ASSISTANTS\HELPERS NEEDED – 2nd posting
15. GRADUATE ASSISTANT CAPITAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT – 3rd posting

Volunteers and research participants sought:
16. GRAD STUDENT VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR WELCOME WEEK & ORIENTATION – 1st posting
17. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR AN OVERNIGHT SLEEP STUDY – 3rd posting
18. 9-10-YR-OLDS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH STUDY – 3rd posting

Upcoming events:
19. INAUGURAL ACCESSIBILITY HACKATHON

Weekly Events
1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES:
– Career Advising: On hiatus for summer. See the Grad Students Career Ops blog for more info on career opportunities: https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/gradcareeropportunity/
– Cook Counseling: On hiatus for summer.
– Graduate School hours: MTThF 9:00-4:00pm, W 9:30-4:00
– Immigration advising hours: MWF 1:00-4:00pm, TTh 9:00am-12:00pm Room 120
– Summer graduate writing assistance: see Writing Center website at  https://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html

2. WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS:
– Writing strategies consultations: Mondays 10:30-12:00pm, GLC Room A (https://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html )
– Grad mindfulness: On hiatus for summer.
– Conversational English Support for Graduate Students in GLC: Community volunteers will help you practice conversational English in a group setting from 2:30-3:30 Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For more information (and to sign up), see Writing Center website: https://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html

3. SUE’S ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY AT VT
Has it really been a year already?! Time flies when you’re having fun! Happy Anniversary to me!

4. GLC CAFÉ: CF TIRAMISU TAKE II/SCIENCE EXPERIMENT
Thursday, Aug 2, 3:30-5:00pm, Reading Room
If 15 graduate students can eat 5 lbs of cubicle farm tiramisu in 20 minutes, how long does it take for an unknown number of graduate students to eat 10 lbs of it? Come to find out and become part of the experiment! IRB approval was not sought for this study; participate at your own risk. Results will not be published in any reputable journal. And aside from all that, 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.

5. MINI-VACATION AT THE GLC: BEACH BALL ON THE LAWN
Friday, Aug 3, 2:00-3:30pm, Graduate School patio
If you can’t get away for a vacation this summer, take at least an hour and a half off and enjoy some summer refreshments and games on the Grad School lawn and patio. Wear your Hawaiian shirt, drink some virgin mojito or margarita, and play some games. Reserve your flight at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bg3OafeoxHNBg6V.

Administrative Announcements:
6. GRADUATE SCHOOL SUMMER HOURS TO END 8/3 – 2nd posting
The Graduate School’s offices in the GLC will operate with summer hours, 9:00am-4:00pm daily, with student services opening at 9:30 on Wednesdays until Friday, Aug 3. Regular hours of 8:00am-5:00pm with 9:30 opening on Wednesdays will resume on Monday, Aug 6.  he Graduate Life Center remains accessible 24/7 to all graduate students with a valid Hokie Passport. A secure drop box immediately outside GLC 120 is available for form submissions outside our business hours.

7. HEALTH INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT JUL 16-SEP 10 – 2nd posting
The open-enrollment period for the 2018-19 university-sponsored student health insurance plan by Aetna will end Sep 10. Review the insurance plan and enrollment details at https://risk.controller.vt.edu/studentmedicalinsurance.html and sign up by the deadline if you don’t have insurance coverage yet.

8. CHECK YOUR RESIDENCY STATUS FOR IN-STATE TUITION – 2nd posting
If you believe you are considered an in-state resident, please check your Hokie Spa account to make sure that your correct residency is reflected. This info can be found under “View your General Student Information.” New graduate students who are Virginia Tech undergraduates are not automatically coded as in-state. To receive in-state residency, students must fill out a Graduate In-State Tuition Request form. For more information on In-state tuition eligibility, please go to https://graduateschool.vt.edu/admissions/tuition-and-costs/in-state-tuition-and-residency.html.

9. SIGN UP FOR PAYMENT PLAN FOR COMP FEES AND CFE FEE – 2nd posting
Graduate students on assistantship appointment may pay their comprehensive and CFE fees through a payment plan during the fall and spring semesters. Enrollment is managed through Hokie SPA and you must sign up each semester if you wish to take advantage of this opportunity. The payment plan allows you to pay your comprehensive and CFE fees over the course of the semester.  The plan debits coincide with university payroll dates and adjust seamlessly with changes to your account balance.

10. REGISTRATION AVAILABLE FOR FIW 6004: PEDAGOGY FOR THE SCIENCES – 2nd posting
This fall semester, Dr. Brian Murphy is offering FIW 6004: Pedagogy for the Sciences for the last time. This 2-credit P/F course was mistakenly left out of the Fall online schedule. Intended as an introduction and reflective consideration of a variety of topics in modern teaching and learning theory and practice. Past participants have been students who definitely intend to pursue a teaching career in higher education, students who are curious about effective approaches to any teaching situation (e.g., public outreach), and students who are curious about various aspects of teaching and learning as it may relate to their possible career paths.  Both M.S. and Ph.D. students are welcome. Course qualifies for credit “in your field” for the Graduate School’s ‘Future Professoriate Certificate’ (https://graduateschool.vt.edu/transformative-graduate-education-experience/future-professoriate/future-professoriate-certificate.html). Meets at a time, to be selected, that is amenable to all participants for 2.5 hours weekly for 10 weeks to facilitate deep discussion. Course will start the week of August 27 to accommodate those who will be attending the American Fisheries Society Annual meeting in Atlantic City Aug 19-23.

Jobs:
11. ENGINEERING EDUCATION ACADEMIC ADVISING GRAD ASSISTANT – 1st posting
The Department of Engineering Education is seeking applications for an academic advising graduate assistant for the 2018-2019 academic year. The GA will be the official advisor for students and report directly to the Director of Advising and Director of Enrollment Management. Must be a current grad student with excellent communications skills including the ability to make public presentations. Requires strong organizational and analytical skills and experience with Microsoft and Adobe products. Preference given to degrees or experience in academic advising, engineering, or assessment. If interested, email your resume/CV, cover letter and three professional references to marlenal@vt.edu. Applications accepted until position is filled. For specific details go to: https://enge.vt.edu/content/dam/enge_vt_edu/undergraduate/ga.pdf.

12. BUILDING MANAGER POSITION AT THE GRADUATE LIFE CENTER (FALL 2018) – 1st posting
Oversee daily operations of the GLC by monitoring service, safety, and security of this space created for graduate students. Duties include walking rounds, responding to issues, and completing reports, in addition to the facilitation of the co-curricular and administrative programs of the student center services and their events. Directly responsible for event management bookings, opening & closing of the building, and submitting of facility work orders and daily reports. Must possess strong communication and customer service skills, along with the ability to move event equipment (tables and chairs). Looking for flexible staff members willing to work as least two shifts a week and have weekend availability. Pay is $12/hr. To apply, please go to “SECL VT Graduate Student Pool – Summer Employment” on https://listings.jobs.vt.edu/ and submit an application and resume by Aug 10. Once applied, send email to Steve Buchner (satlbuch@vt.edu) to inform him of the submission.

13. GRADUATE ASSISTANT WITH VIRGINIA TECH TRIO PROGRAMS – 2nd posting
Virginia Tech TRIO Programs is hiring a 9 mo (Aug – May) 20 hr/wk Graduate Assistant for the 2018-2019 academic year to assist the Upward Bound programs for Roanoke City, Salem, and Southwest VA. The federally-funded educational opportunity programs help high school students overcome academic, social, and cultural barriers to postsecondary education. Participation in TRIO Programs tutorials, which occur one Saturday per month on the main campus, will be required. May also be additional travel or evening activities assigned, as needed. Candidates must successfully pass a criminal background check and possess a valid driver’s license. Mileage or state vehicles are provided for travel to target high schools to meet with students and families. To apply, email cover letter, resume, and list of 3 references to UpwardBound@vt.edu.

14. LAB RESEARCH ASSISTANTS\HELPERS NEEDED – 2nd posting
The Rhizosphere and Soil Microbial Ecology lab has an ongoing research project exploring the association between soybean and helper microbes living in root-zone. Project has an opening for students to help graduate students in field and lab work. Fieldwork will take place until mid-October. It will include taking plant measurements, collecting plant samples and harvesting. Lab duties include, but are not limited to, preparation of bacterial cultures and DNA sequencing libraries. Familiarity with a biology lab setting is preferred. Pay is $9/hr. If interested, please send your resume to markwill@vt.edu.

15. GRADUATE ASSISTANT CAPITAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT – 3rd posting
Aid the Strategic Initiatives and Business Analysis team in the development of a university analytics unit by providing expertise in the field of statistics. 9 mo.position, 20 hrs/wk during the hours of 9:00am-5:00pm. with opportunity for renewals and potential for summer work as well. Possess a strong statistics or other mathematics background; experience in statistical software packages (e.g. R, SAS); possess excellent oral and written communication skills; proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; ability to collaborate with clients and to work as part of a team. Experience using visualization tools (e.g. Tableau, MicroStrategy); interest in data science, analytics, and/or business administration and an interest in applied statistics preferred. If interested, please send your resume and a cover letter to dcrotts@vt.edu.

Volunteers and research participants sought:
16. GRAD STUDENT VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR WELCOME WEEK & ORIENTATION – 1st posting
The Graduate School is looking for graduate student volunteers (graduate ambassadors) to assist with GTA training workshop (Aug 14), the Welcome Center and New Graduate Student Orientation in the GLC (Aug 13-17). Roles include workshop check-in in the morning, information and guidance to attendees; Welcome Center staffing; orientation crowd control; student panel in orientation; program set up, and more. If you are available and interested in assisting with any of these events, please fill out this short survey: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cCNzh3Hf2WMdAjP. Training will be offered to all grad ambassadors.

17. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR AN OVERNIGHT SLEEP STUDY – 3rd posting
The Neural Dynamics and Neural Engineering Lab in the School of Neuroscience is looking for participants for an overnight sleep study on mental imagery and dreaming. The participant will perform a mental imagery task consisting of watching five-second videos with missing audio or visual components. The participant will then sleep in the lab overnight. Throughout the task and sleep, the participant will be wearing an EEG cap with saline gel. The study lasts for one session of one night. Volunteers should have no history of neurological, psychological, or sleep disorders. Please contact proan13@vt.edu for more information.

18. 9-10-YR-OLDS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH STUDY – 3rd posting
The C.A.P. Lab in the Psychology Department at VT is looking for 9-10 year old children for a new study focusing on children’s ability to learn how to regulate their emotions and its impact on memory. Subjects must be healthy, born after a full-term pregnancy, and weighed at least 6 pounds at birth. During this visit, subjects will watch some short video clips, some for memory and others to elicit specific emotions, play some word and computer games. In addition, we are interested in collecting information about the physiological components of these abilities. Subjects will wear a stretchy EEG cap to collect brain wave activity and ECG electrodes to collect heart rate activity. The visit should last about 1.5 hours. $20 Target gift card for parents and a toy for children. Childcare for siblings can be provided.  If interested, contact Tatiana Garcia-Meza at 231-2320 or tgarcia@vt.edu.

Upcoming events:
19. INAUGURAL ACCESSIBILITY HACKATHON
Thursday, Aug 16, 9:00-4:00pm, Newman Library Athenaeum (Room 124) or via Zoom at: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/847701424
Sponsored by Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS), a unit of the Division of IT. The Hackathon is a come and go as you please event, where members of our Accessible Technologies staff will be available to answer your accessibility questions. Topics will include but are not limited to: creating or editing closed captions; checking color contrast; testing your content (Canvas or websites) for accessibility; using or testing with assistive technologies. If interested, please RSVP at this link so we can be certain to have adequate support staff and snacks available during peak hours. Please direct questions to assist@vt.edu.