Recurring Events:
1. WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES
2. WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS
This Week’s (and Next Week’s) Events:
3. NO ITEM THREE THIS WEEK
4. END OF SEMESTER WELLNESS EVENT (register by 12/8)
5. INTERFAITH EVENING DIALOGUES FOR STUDENTS – DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE
6. END OF SEMESTER CONCERT AT THE MOSS
7. GLC CAFÉ: HOT CIDER EDITION
8. DONUT GIVE UP
Administrative Announcements:
9. QUIET STUDY SPACES AVAILABLE FOR EXAM WEEK
10. WRITING SUBMISSIONS INVITED – 1st posting
11. CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT – 1st posting
12. GRAD 5124 – LIBRARY RESEARCH SKILLS (CRN 15396) – 3rd posting
13. DR. RICH CAP & GOWN RENTAL PROGRAM (UNTIL DEC 10) – 3rd posting
14. GREEN GRADUATES OF VT CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS – 3rd posting
15. CALL FOR PAPERS FOR GRAD CONFERENCE – 3rd posting
16. NIH-FUNDED POSTDOC TRAINING PROGRAM IN RESEARCH & TEACHING – 3rd posting
17. GRAD STUDENT TEAMS INVITED TO INDOOR SOCCER LEAGUE – 3rd posting
Jobs:
18. PART-TIME (30 hr) WAGE POSITION IN HNFE AVAILABLE
19. GRAD ASSISTANT: CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING – 3rd posting
20. HALF-TIME GRA OPENING FOR SPRING 2020 – 3rd posting
Volunteers and research participants sought:
21. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: SELF DRIVING CAR RESEARCH STUDY – 3rd posting
22. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR DRIVING SIMULATOR STUDY – 3rd posting
Upcoming events:
GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY – 12/20
YALDA NIGHT CELEBERATION (Register by 12/14)
Recurring Events
1. WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES
– Career Advising: Thursdays, 3:00-5:00pm, GLC Lobby, starting Sep 19. Also see: https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/gradcareeropportunity/.
– Cook Counseling: Thursdays & Fridays, 1:00-5:00pm. Will begin Friday Aug 30
– Graduate School advising hours: MTThF 8:00am-5:00pm, W 9:30-4:00, 120 GLC
– Immigration advising hours: MWF 1:00-4:00pm, TTh 9:00am-12:00pm, Room 120 GLC
– Writing assistance: reserve appointment at https://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html
2. WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS:
– Yoga classes for grads: Wed, 11:30am-12:15pm, GLC Wellness Room (last class Dec. 11)
– Writing strategies for grads: Mon, 9:30-11:00am and Wed, 12:30-2:00pm, Room D; Make an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com.
– Conversational English support for grads: Wed and Fri, 2:30-3:30pm, GLC Room D
Practice conversational English with the help of our community volunteers. Make an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com.
– GLC Café: 2nd and 4th Wed and every Thu, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
– Kids’ Night Out free childcare: Thu, 6:30-8:30pm, VT Women’s Center, 206 Washington St; Contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu with any questions. Sign up at https://doodle.com/poll/5fcyia8in5btq2ek.
This Week’s Events
3. NO ITEM THREE THIS WEEK
Just checking to see if you are paying attention.
4. END OF SEMESTER WELLNESS EVENT
Wednesday, Dec 11, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Squires Student Center, Breakzone
The Graduate School Office of Recruitment, Diversity, and Inclusion invites you to join fellow graduate students at this end of semester event to relax and enjoy playing bowling, billiards, foosball, and table tennis. The event is free and all are welcome to attend. Please register at: http://bit.ly/EndofSemesterEvent by December 8. For assistance contact Dr. Justin Grimes at jgrimes18@vt.edu.
5. INTERFAITH EVENING DIALOGUES FOR STUDENTS – DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE
Wednesday, Dec 11, 5:30-7:00pm, 3310 Torgersen Hall
Graduate and undergraduate students are invited to participate in a dialogue with people with diverse worldviews. Discussions about world issues through an interfaith lens. Conversations about religious, spiritual, and secular diversity. For more information about the Interfaith Initiative, subscribe to the weekly newsletter at tinyurl.com/interfaithcircle.
6. END OF SEMESTER CONCERT AT THE MOSS
Wednesday, Dec 11, 7:30-9:30pm, Moss Arts Center
Itraab (Virginia Tech’s Arabic music ensemble) invites you to their end-of-semester concert featuring guest performers Anne Rasmussen (oud) and Lillie Gordon (violin). The program highlights instrumental and vocal works from Lebanon, including beloved favorites made famous by Fairouz, Sabah, and Ziyad Rahbani. Itraab includes students, faculty, and community members and is directed by Anne Elise Thomas. Since 2014 the ensemble studies and performs classical and contemporary repertoire from the Middle East and North Africa. This concert is free and open to all. See https://artscenter.vt.edu/experiences/itraab-arabic-music-ensemble-in-concert.html for more information. Posted on behalf of grad student Osama (Sam) Alsalous, salous@vt.edu.
7. GLC CAFÉ: HOT CIDER EDITION
Thursday, Dec 12, 3:30-5:00pm, Reading Room
Take a break from your end-of-semester exams and projects and enjoy some hot cider, coffee and tea in the company of fellow grads. Some home-baked cookies might appear as well.
8. DONUT GIVE UP
Thursday, Dec 12, 6:00 pm until out of donuts, GLC Reading Room
The GLC Fellows are sponsoring donuts from Carol Lee on Reading Day in the Reading Room. Come take a break and enjoy a free donut!
Administrative Announcements:
9. QUIET STUDY SPACES AVAILABLE FOR EXAM WEEK
If you are looking for somewhere to study and work during exam time, the following resources are available:
Graduate Life Center (GLC) – All meeting rooms are open without reservation on Dec 12, 13, 16, 17, and 18, 7:30am-10:00pm. Room D, Reading Room, Wellness Room and Lounges are available 24/7 with Hokie Passport.
Smith Career Center (Washington St.) – Dec 12, 13, 16, 17, and 18, 8:00am-4:30pm: 27 private rooms that can accommodate up to three students each on a first-come, first-served basis as well as a common area for larger study groups.
Squires Student Center – A variety of spaces and resources are available to all students, including snacks after 8:00pm. Go to https://vt.edu/finals.html for more details.
10. WRITING SUBMISSIONS INVITED – 1st posting
The student blog RE: Reflections and Explorations, offered through the VT 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 ALCE, ASPECT, GIA, HD, PGG, Natural Resources, PAPP, Political Science, Rhetoric and Writing, Sociology and Urban Affairs and Planning are particularly encouraged to submit essays. Find examples of past topics, at 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. Questions? Contact Heather Parrish (parrish1@vt.edu).
11. CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT – 1st posting
Virginia Tech is invested in creating a campus where all students can learn and thrive in a safe and supportive community. To help gain a better understanding of students’ experiences and well-being, The Office for Equity and Accessibility is asking students to participate in the third Campus Climate Survey of Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct that takes about 20 minutes to complete and includes questions about your personal experiences with gender-based violence as a student, and your thoughts on the resources available on campus. Participation is voluntary and all responses will be anonymous. Must be 18 or older. Suvery is open this week at: https://baseline.campuslabs.com/vpiasu/aausexualassaultclimate2019. 20 students will be selected by a random drawing of all completed survey to receive a Swell water bottle. Some of the questions in this survey may be uncomfortable or triggering. Please know that resources are available to you should you need them. To find help, go to www.stopabuse.vt.edu.
12. GRAD 5124 – LIBRARY RESEARCH SKILLS (CRN 15396) – 3rd posting
All are welcome to join this online, Health Sciences / Biomedical section elective P/F 1-credit course this Spring 2020 regardless of disciplinary or degree focus; however, those who have a research interest related to health or biomedical sciences will benefit most. The course is designed to increase successful completion of comprehensive literature reviews and project proposals; identify key information sources, use advanced searching skills and citation management tools, and explore important research planning topics such as: building professional identity, evidence-based practice, data management, sharing research results, and authorship. Email Ginny Pannabecker, vpannabe@vt.edu, with questions.
13. DR. RICH CAP & GOWN RENTAL PROGRAM (UNTIL DEC 10) – 3rd posting
Graduating soon? Daunted by having to purchase a cap and gown to participate in commencement? Never fear: the Graduate Student Assembly’s “Dr. Rich” Cap and Gown Program (named for GSA’s previous director of finance, Richard Rodrigues, who began the program) will loan a limited number of graduation gowns and caps to graduate students participating in the Fall 2019 graduation ceremonies. Program details are available on the GSA website and you can apply to the lotto via this survey. Posted on behalf of the GSA.
14. GREEN GRADUATES OF VT CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS – 3rd posting
Graduating this December or in May? Share how you will live a sustainable life after college and receive a free green cord to wear during graduation. Just fill out the survey below by answering how you will live a sustainable life and provide a picture of yourself. We will then post your response and picture to our Facebook page and you will receive your free green cord! https://tinyurl.com/greenhokie. Posted on behalf of Kaitlyn Franczek, franczek@vt.edu.
15. CALL FOR PAPERS FOR GRAD CONFERENCE – 3rd posting
Submit papers for the 2020 ASPECT Graduate Conference “Contested Knowledges: Social, Political, Ethical and Cultural Perspectives.” The committee will accept paper proposals from graduate students across disciplinary boundaries in the humanities, social sciences, and related fields. The conference will take place on the VT campus in Blacksburg on Apr 24-25. Deadline for proposals is Friday, Dec 13. For the full call for papers, visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g3YCsZEhs0QNWtF8D1p_h2AFIzwxAlmD/view?usp=sharing. Posted on behalf of Sarah Plummer, splummer@vt.edu.
16. NIH-FUNDED POSTDOC TRAINING PROGRAM IN RESEARCH & TEACHING – 3rd posting
VCU IRACDA provides trainees with a traditional mentored research experience, plus mentored teaching experience and aims to increase diversity in the biomedical workforce. Applications are currently accepted for postdoctoral fellows who will begin work at VCU in 2020. For more information and the online application, visit the VCU Center on Health Disparities website at: https://healthdisparities.vcu.edu/researchtraining/postdoctoral-programs/iracda/. Must be US citizen or permanent resident to be considered.
17. GRAD STUDENT TEAMS INVITED TO INDOOR SOCCER LEAGUE – 3rd posting
Registration for the Blacksburg Indoor Soccer League (BISL) is open for the 2019-20 season. The BISL offers a full season of play through February at the Blacksburg Community Center on 725 Patrick Henry Drive. The League plays six aside on a good sized playing area with a high ceiling. Two Referees and a Scorekeeper are provided for each game. The BISL is an opportunity to play fast-paced soccer during the winter months. The League starts in December; games are played on weekend afternoons, evenings, and nights. E-mail the BISL at blacksburgindoor@gmail.com if you would like to enter a team or have any questions. Posted on behalf of Rec Sports, aglick@vt.edu.
Jobs:
18. PART-TIME (30-hr) WAGE POSITION IN HNFE AVAILABLE
The Metabolism Core at HNFE is looking for an immediate hire (start around Jan 15, end around May 15) to assist with a large research project. Selected candidate is expected to work both with other team members and independently; will have some laboratory/bench experience; some experience with small rodents in a laboratory setting; an outstanding work ethic. An individual with a B.S. in a STEM field is preferred. Part time (~30 hrs/wk), $15/hr, no benefits. Background check required. Send resume and cover letter describing your interest, experience and earliest availability to metabolism@vt.edu.
19. GRAD ASSISTANT: CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING – 3rd posting
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning seeks a graduate student with strong organization and communication skills, as well as an interest in higher education pedagogy, for Spring 2020 for a position that includes tasks in planning and completing projects and events, supporting center staff, conducting research and case studies, and other duties as assigned. Requires mature and professional demeanor; positive and approachable attitude; ability to communicate with diverse groups of faculty, staff, and students; strong written and oral communication skills. Successful candidates will be able to work both independently and in a team, have strong organizational skills, and be flexible. 20 hrs/wk, with stipend and tuition remission. If interested, email cover letters and CVs to James Harder, Research and Project Specialist, at jharder@vt.edu. Indicate “Applying for Graduate Assistantship” in the subject line.
20. HALF-TIME GRA OPENING FOR SPRING 2020 – 3rd posting
Graduate student sought for a half-time (10 hrs/wk) assistantship for research team to help investigate the nature of contemporary engineering work by comparing descriptions of work reported in interviews to representations of that work in LinkedIn profiles of recent engineering graduates. Seeking a research assistant with skills and interest in natural language processing or related areas to help develop tools and strategies for analyzing LinkedIn profiles. This project is a collaboration between the Department of Science, Technology, and Society (STS) and the Department of Engineering Education (EngE). If you have any questions or are interested in the position, contact Dr. Lee Vinsel at leev@vt.edu.
Volunteers and research participants sought:
21. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: RESEARCH STUDY ON SELF DRIVING CAR INTERFACES –
3rd posting
The Mind Music and Machine Lab at Virginia Tech is seeking individuals to participate in a study to determine the usability and effect of In-Vehicle displays (Visual, Auditory & Tactile) on driver state and performance in an autonomous vehicle. During the study volunteers will be asked to drive in a driving simulator environment. Driving performance may be recorded with cameras/screen recordings during the study. Participants may be asked to wear an eye tracker during the study. Study will last about one hour. Compensation of $10 for participation. For more information, please contact Harsh Sanghavi (harshks@vt.edu). Register here:https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3E1ZGgT1QyItFgF.
22. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR DRIVING SIMULATOR STUDY – 3rd posting
The Mind Music and Machine Lab at Virginia Tech is seeking individuals to participate in a study to determine the effects of in-vehicle auditory alerts on driver behaviors at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings (HRGCs) on driver response. During the study, volunteers will be asked to drive in a driving simulator environment for 2 to 3 minutes before listening to various auditory alerts. The study will last approximately one hour. $10 compensation for participation. For more information, contact Chihab Nadri (cnadri@vt.edu). This study is being conducted under the supervision of Dr. Myounghoon Jeon (myounghoonjeon@vt.edu).To participate, please fill the following form, https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aY09meRwbbMJ1Zj.
Upcoming events:
GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Friday, Dec 20, 2:30pm Cassell Coliseum
Celebrate graduating master’s and doctoral students for their achievements. The ceremony will be live streamed on VT’s website. Learn more at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/what-you-need-to-graduate/commencement.html.
YALDA NIGHT CELEBERATION
Saturday, Dec 21, 6:00-10:00pm, Squires Commonwealth Ballroom
Celebrate the longest night of the year (Yalda) with friends, food, Persian music and dance. All are welcome. Please RSVP before Dec 14: https://forms.gle/GK8E9NUPZeQ7RERj8. Posted on behalf of grad student Neda Moayerian mneda14@vt.edu.