Weekly Events:
1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES
2. WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS
3. GLC CAFÉ: WEDNESDAY EDITION
4. GLC CAFÉ: SURPRISE EDITION
Administrative Announcements:
5. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED FOR FALL ’18
6. GRADUATE STUDENTS INVITED TO SUBMIT WRITING – 1st posting
7. GRADUATE SCHOOL SUMMER HOURS TO END 8/3 – 3rd posting
8. HEALTH INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT JUL 16-SEP 10 – 3rd posting
9. CHECK YOUR RESIDENCY STATUS FOR IN-STATE TUITION – 3rd posting
10. SIGN UP FOR PAYMENT PLAN FOR COMP FEES AND CFE FEE – 3rd posting
11. REGISTRATION AVAILABLE FOR FIW 6004: PEDAGOGY FOR THE SCIENCES – 3rd posting
Jobs:
12. GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY (GSA) PROGRAM CHAIRS FOR 2018-2019 – 1st posting
13. ENGINEERING EDUCATION ACADEMIC ADVISING GRAD ASSISTANT – 2nd posting
14. BUILDING MANAGER POSITION AT THE GRADUATE LIFE CENTER (FALL 2018) – 2nd posting
15. GRADUATE ASSISTANT WITH VIRGINIA TECH TRIO PROGRAMS – 3rd posting
16. LAB RESEARCH ASSISTANTS\HELPERS NEEDED – 3rd posting
Volunteers and research participants sought:
17. STUDENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WELCOME BACK BBQ – 1st posting
18. GRAD STUDENT VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR WELCOME WEEK & ORIENTATION – 2nd posting
Upcoming events:
– HOW TO USE THE EHS SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
– VOTING INFORMATION BOOTH
– WELCOME BACK BBQ HOSTED BY THE GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY
– INAUGURAL ACCESSIBILITY HACKATHON
– US STUDENT FULBRIGHT INFO SESSION
– HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UP
– MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME
– SAFETY AND HEALTH COMPLIANCE OBLIGATIONS
– LUNCH WITH THE DEAN
– 2018 UNDERREPRESENTED/MINORITIZED STUDENT LUNCHEON
– BUILDING A WINNING RESUME/CV
– FINDING RESOURCES AND ACCESSING MATERIALS AT VT LIBRARIES
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 8:00am-5:00pm, W 9:30am-5:00pm
– 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 consulta
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– 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://lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html
3. GLC CAFÉ: WEDNESDAY EDITION
Wednesday, Aug 8, 3:30-5:30pm, GLC 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.
4. GLC CAFÉ: SURPRISE EDITION
Thursday, Aug 9, 3:30-5:30pm, GLC Reading Room
If you want to know what the surprise is, then show up to 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.
Administrative Announcements:
5. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED FOR FALL ’18 – 1st posting
Learn about the importance and benefits of data management including creating a data management plan. This 8-week course 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, In-Person (Synchronous). Course begins 8/23 and ends on 10/11; meets 10am-noon in Newman Library 207A. Possibility of remote access; non-Blacksburg students should email alop@vt.edu before enrolling.
6. GRADUATE STUDENTS INVITED TO SUBMIT WRITING – 1st posting
The student blog RE: Reflections and Explorations, offered through the Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance, is a great vehicle to share research ideas and theories with a broader audience. All VT graduate students are eligible to offer essays as long as they address a policy, politics or governance issue or concern. Students in Agricultural Leadership and Community Education, ASPECT, Government and International Affairs, Human Development, Planning, Governance and Globalization (PGG), Natural Resources, Public Administration and Public Policy, Political Science, Rhetoric and Writing, Sociology and Urban Affairs and Planning are particularly encouraged to submit essays. To find examples of past topics, read archived essays. Dr. Max Stephenson, Professor of Public and International Affairs, serves as editor and final arbiter of all submissions. Sign up now using this Google Spreadsheet. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Send questions to mneda14@vt.edu or parrish1@vt.edu .
7. GRADUATE SCHOOL SUMMER HOURS END 8/3 – 3rd 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. The 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.
8. HEALTH INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT JUL 16-SEP 10 – 3rd 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.
9. CHECK YOUR RESIDENCY STATUS FOR IN-STATE TUITION – 3rd 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.
10. SIGN UP FOR PAYMENT PLAN FOR COMP FEES AND CFE FEE – 3rd 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.
11. REGISTRATION AVAILABLE FOR FIW 6004: PEDAGOGY FOR THE SCIENCES – 3rd 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:
12. GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY (GSA) PROGRAM CHAIRS FOR 2018-2019 – 1st posting
The GSA is currently accepting applications for 2018-2019 program chairs! Each paid position will be have responsibilities related to implementing the GSA’s programs, attending meetings, and volunteering at GSA-sponsored events. We’re seeking applicants who are excellent time-managers and multi-taskers; who are great communicators and writers; who are creative problem-solvers. All chairs will work under the supervision of the Executive Board, and directly with the Director of Programs. This year, we are hiring a chair to manage our Travel Fund Program, our Graduate Research Development Program, and our annual Research Symposium and Exposition. For more information on each position, visit http://bit.ly/2018GSAchairs. To apply, please complete the Google Form located at the above webpage, which includes general information and questions pertaining to chair interests. Please send any questions to Chelsea Corkins at ccorkins@vt.edu. Applications are due on Friday, August 24th, at 5:00pm.
13. ENGINEERING EDUCATION ACADEMIC ADVISING GRAD ASSISTANT – 2nd 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.
14. BUILDING MANAGER POSITION AT THE GRADUATE LIFE CENTER (FALL 2018) – 2nd 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 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.
15. GRADUATE ASSISTANT WITH VIRGINIA TECH TRIO PROGRAMS – 3rd 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.
16. LAB RESEARCH ASSISTANTS\HELPERS NEEDED – 3rd 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.
Volunteers and research participants sought:
17. STUDENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WELCOME BACK BBQ – 1st posting
GSA is asking for student volunteers to help with set-up, welcoming participants, serving food, clean-up, and more. The Welcome Back BBQ will take place on Wednesday, August 15th on the GLC lawn from 5PM-8PM. Volunteers will receive a complimentary ticket to our Fall Beer & Wine Social in October, the biggest event of the Fall worth a $20 value!!! Email questions to Lehi Dowell at ldowell@vt.edu. Sign up at: https://survey.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1X5yPHiz8tyU4CN.
18. GRAD STUDENT VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR WELCOME WEEK & ORIENTATION – 2nd 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.
Upcoming events:
HOW TO USE THE EHS SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Wednesday, Aug 15, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C
The Environmental Health and Safety SMS is designed to help labs and workgroups manage their safety responsibilities as outlined in the university Health and Safety Policy. The SMS provides tools to assign and track training, enroll persons in EHS training, register laser systems and nanomaterials usage, and request chemical waste pickups. If chemicals, class 3 or 4 laser systems or nanomaterials are used in a lab, the use of the SMS is mandatory. This training will provide an overview of how to use the SMS. Bring your own lunch! Sign up here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3aZZK5McUsc7X37.
VOTING INFORMATION BOOTH
Wednesday, Aug 15, 4:00-6:00pm, GLC Lobby
Pick up information about how to get registered to vote in Virginia or how to submit an absentee ballot in your home state.
WELCOME BACK BBQ HOSTED BY THE GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY
Wednesday, Aug 15, 5:00-8:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
New and returning graduate students are invited by the Graduate Student Assembly to our annual Welcome Back BBQ. Weather permitting, the event will take place inside and on the GLC Lawn as well. We will have food from Hethwood Market, with vegetarian options! See the official Facebook event page at http://bit.ly/GSAbbq2018 – we will be having live music provided by Panda Bag, a local band comprised of grad students!
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.
US STUDENT FULBRIGHT INFO SESSION
Thursday, Aug 16, 1:00pm, GLC Room B
This interactive workshop will introduce participants to the US Student Fulbright program, an exchange initiative of the US State Department that offers US citizens funding opportunities for independent research/study projects, graduate degree enrollment, and English teaching assistantships in more than 140 countries. Sponsored by the Global Education Office. For more information, contact Betty Anderson (betty.anderson@vt.edu).
HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UP
Thursday, Aug 16, 2:00-4:30pm, GLC Lobby
Stop by to sign up for student health insurance with Aetna and ask representatives any questions you may have. No appointment necessary.
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME
Thursday, Aug 16, 4:30-6:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Connect with faculty, staff, new and returning graduate students and resources that can help you settle in and succeed in Blacksburg. Light refreshments and many door prizes will be provided! Sign up here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5sZKPSg3bu247FH
SAFETY AND HEALTH COMPLIANCE OBLIGATIONS
Tuesday, Aug 21, 5:00-6:00pm, GLC Room F
This training session will provide an overview of the safety and health-related requirements established by university policy. In your role, you may be responsible for complying with or enforcing these requirements. The session will cover training requirements, hazard assessments, chemical use and disposal, medical services, use of biological agents, animals, and human-related research activities. Training will be led by Environmental Health and Safety staff. Sign up here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3DaohfeOF6nrcPj
LUNCH WITH THE DEAN
Wednesday, Aug 22, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C
Meet Graduate School Dean Dr. Karen DePauw and graduate students at a free lunch. Learn about the latest in graduate education and share your perspectives in a casual setting. Sign-up here:
https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0OCE3J4mB2revch.
2018 UNDERREPRESENTED/MINORITIZED STUDENT LUNCHEON
Thursday, Aug 23, 2018, 12:00-2:00pm, Graduate Life Center Multipurpose Room.
The Graduate School’s Office of Recruitment, Diversity, and Inclusion offers a luncheon to all underrepresented and/or minoritized students. These groups include racial/ethnic minorities, sexual/gender minorities, and others who identify as a minority in graduate education. Student group leaders, faculty/staff mentors, and community allies are invited to be present at the luncheon to offer guidance and encouragement to new students. All faculty, staff, and students can register by clicking the following link: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5yyi4smf8uwaSTr. For assistance, please contact Dr. Justin Grimes at jgrimes18@vt.edu.
BUILDING A WINNING RESUME/CV
Thursday, Aug 23, 4:15-5:15pm, GLC Room F
Having a well-polished resume is the most critical step toward getting an interview. Start early to be ready for fall career fairs and on-campus interviews. Hosted by Career and Professional Development.
FINDING RESOURCES AND ACCESSING MATERIALS AT VT LIBRARIES
Thursday, Aug 23, 500-6:30pm, Newman Library 207A
Learn about the ways that the University Libraries at Virginia Tech support graduate students throughout their time at the university, from their first semester all the way to finishing a thesis or dissertation. Each session will feature a presentation from library staff, a Q&A, and an optional tour of Newman Library. Pizza and drinks provided. Sign up at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2t9XWU8BIU9bM0Z.