This Week’s Events:
0. Ongoing Services – updated 12/6/21
1. FREE FOOD AND COFFEE – WORLD TURKISH COFFEE DAY CELEBRATION
2. GLC CAFE
3. FACULTY AND GRADUATE STUDENT COFFEE
4. PARENT SUPPORT LUNCH
5. RE-CHARGE FOR FINALS
6. SCIENCE POLICY EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY CLUB (SPEAC) GENERAL BODY MEETING
7. SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS SEMINAR
Administrative Announcements:
8. DR. RICH CAP & GOWN RENTAL PROGRAM (UNTIL DEC 13) – 1st posting
9. GRAD 5124 – LIBRARY RESEARCH SKILLS (CRN 16007) – REGISTER NOW! – 1st posting
10. ART FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (AEJ) – SEEKING MEMBERS – 1st posting
11. GRADUATE CONTRACT TARDINESS SURVEY – 3rd posting
Jobs:
12. GRAPHICS DESIGN INTERN AT THE VT CORPORATE RESEARCH CENTER- SPRING 2022 – 3rd posting
Volunteers and research participants sought:
13. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A PROSOCIAL/HELPING BEHAVIOR STUDY – 1st posting
14. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR USER STUDY ON SHAPES AND SOUNDS – 1st posting
15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VIRTUAL REALITY RESEARCH USER STUDY – 1st posting
16. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR SHOE PANEL MATERIALIZATION STUDY – 1st posting
17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY AT THE MIND MUSIC AND MACHINE LAB – 3rd posting
Upcoming Events:
18. CONFLICT COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP (Encore Presentation): GET UNSTUCK – HOW TO STOP TALKING PAST EACH OTHER AND START TALKING WITH ONE ANOTHER – December 14
19. SOE DOCTORAL STUDENTS’ HOLIDAY PARTY – December 14
20. MAINTAINING WELLNESS IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL RACE CONNECT EVENT – December 15
21. SAVE THE DATE: TIMBERBEAST SPORTS COMPETITION – February 26
0. Ongoing Services – updated 12/6/21
- GRADUATE SCHOOL: In person drop-off or pick-up of documents and materials M-F 9:00-4:00pm, 120 GLC. Request one-on-one assistantship or academic advising by using our online request form to set-up a Zoom session or come by during our office hours.
- CAREER ADVISING: schedule career advising appointment via https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html ; In-person drop-in advising every Wednesday, 2-4pm in the Graduate School (120 GLC). NOTE: Career Advising has ended for the semester and will resume in the spring semester.
- COOK COUNSELING: Drop-in Zoom hours, Tuesdays 10am-12pm and Thursdays and Fridays 3pm-5pm, Zoom links found here. To make an appointment, visit: https://vt-ucc.titaniumhwc.com/ScheduleGraduateFirstCookConnect (Students must pay the summer health fee or daily use fee which can be reimbursed through Aetna. Students must be in Virginia)
- WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/
- GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: contact for appointment at gradstudentombud@vt.edu, 540-231-9573
1. FREE FOOD AND COFFEE – WORLD TURKISH COFFEE DAY CELEBRATION
Tuesday, December 7, 5:30-8pm, Squires Commonwealth Ballroom B
Celebrate World Turkish Coffee Day with freshly brewed Turkish Coffee with different flavors, Turkish food, and desserts. Furthermore, upon high request, we will have individual fortune reading sessions! Please complete the RSVP form: https://forms.gle/Yt2R4D1zpfMkN6bG8 to indicate your attendance so that we can plan. Don’t forget to save your spot for fortune-telling using the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45A8AD2BA5F4C70-fortune We have limited space! Sponsored by the Turkish Student Association.
2. GLC CAFÉ
Wednesday, December 8 and Thursday, December 9, 3:30-5pm, GLC Reading RoomEnjoy coffee, tea, cookies and conversations (and perhaps a tasty surprise this week) with other graduate students and Graduate School staff. Bring your own mug if you can! The GLC Café occurs every Thursday and the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, from 3:30-5pm.
3. FACULTY AND GRADUATE STUDENT COFFEE
Thursday, December 9, 8-9:30am, Bradley Study Center, 104 Faculty Street
You’re cordially invited to join Christian faculty and graduate students for a time of coffee and discussion. Bring your mug, we have the coffee (and donuts!) Contact mikeweaver@vt.edu or coogan@vt.edu.
4. PARENT SUPPORT LUNCH
Thursday, December 9, 12-1pm, GLC Room F
Meet other graduate student parents at this lunch sponsored by the Graduate School. Learn about resources available to you and connect with other parents. There will be simple activities for your children to participate in, so bring them as well! Please complete the following survey, by Tuesday at 5pm, so we know how many to plan for. https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9t37BRMC2f5RhLE If you have questions, contact Lauren Surface at lkeister@vt.edu
5. RE-CHARGE FOR FINALS
December 9-15, Bradley Study Center, 104 Faculty Street
The BSC will be open to grad students for studying during exams. Come over and find a quiet place to study. We’ll also be hosting a free soup lunch at 12:30-2pm on Thursday, December 9. To see the hours we’ll be open, click: https://www.bradleystudycenter.org/event/exams/. Contact mikeweaver@vt.edu or coogan@vt.edu.
6. SCIENCE POLICY EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY CLUB (SPEAC) GENERAL BODY MEETING
Thursday, December 9th, 5-6pm EST, 210 Kelly Hall
Take a break from the end of semester chaos and join us for our December meeting to learn about fellowship opportunities in science policy! Linnea Saby from UVA will be joining us to talk about her experience with the NASEM Christine Mirzayan program. This will be an informal discussion with plenty of opportunity to ask questions. As an additional incentive to come, THERE WILL BE SNACKS! If you prefer to join via Zoom, the link is: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/89776445183. Please contact us with any questions at speacvt@gmail.com.
7. SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS SEMINAR
Saturday, December 11, 2-4pm, Harvest Baptist Church, Blacksburg
“Surviving the Holidays” by GriefShare is a free seminar presented by Harvest Baptist Church in Blacksburg. The pain of losing a loved one is often magnified during the holidays, we wanted to provide a space of encouragement and support to any who may be grieving this season. All are welcome. For more information and free registration, visit https://www.griefshare.org/holidays. Submitted by graduate student, Tiffany Roach.
8. DR. RICH CAP & GOWN RENTAL PROGRAM (UNTIL DEC 13) – 1st 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 GPSS’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 2021 graduation ceremonies. Program details are available on the GPSS website and you can apply to the lotto via this survey. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqKKX2B4bzXGRQkyMI610aJ9nDnVb0q2uzE24YacUOSwARXw/viewform?usp=sf_link Posted on behalf of the GPSS.
9. GRAD 5124 – LIBRARY RESEARCH SKILLS (CRN 16007) – REGISTER NOW! – 1st posting
GRAD 5124 is an online, Health Sciences / Biomedical section of this elective 1-credit course on offer this Spring 2022. You are welcome to join regardless of your disciplinary or degree focus; however, you will get the most out of it if you have a research interest related to health or biomedical sciences. This 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. Feel free to reach out to Ginny Pannabecker, vpannabe@vt.edu with any questions you have about the course.
10. ART FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (AEJ) – SEEKING MEMBERS – 1st posting
We are a group of scientists, artists, and beyond, using art to amplify the voices of those disproportionately impacted by climate change. For more information about AEJ, you can check out our GoblerConnect page (https://gobblerconnect.vt.edu/organization/na). Also, if you are interested in participating in this organization or just getting updates about our events, please fill out this google form. (https://forms.gle/zt4xuCNcmfJpU2kr9) For questions, please contact Ali Namayandeh (anamayandeh@vt.edu).
11. GRADUATE CONTRACT TARDINESS SURVEY – 3rd posting
Have you ever received your contract late? Did you have to pay fees? Do you feel confident in your funding sources for the duration of your program? Fill out this survey to share your experience so the STS Graduate Student Organization can advocate for more secure funding for all grad students around campus: https://forms.gle/24t4C4a6PiAUR4Fr5 If you have questions, email the STS GSO at leffjr@vt.edu.
12. GRAPHICS DESIGN INTERN AT THE VT CORPORATE RESEARCH CENTER- SPRING 2022 – 3rd posting
This position will work under the Marketing & Communications Manager. The intern will design clear engaging graphic communications for print and web. This will include marketing and communication brochures, flyers, website, and social media. Assists the manager on other projects, collateral, and creative tasks, as necessary. A full position description can be viewed here: https://www.vtcrc.com/careers/graphics-design/
13. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A PROSOCIAL/HELPING BEHAVIOR STUDY – 1st posting
Participants are needed for a study (IRB #21-328) on colleague/peer interactions. Because peer mentoring and helping others is so valuable in graduate programs, graduate students are a great context to study these phenomena. Some of you might have helped me with a mentoring study last year; this is similar to that. I am looking to learn about generativity and prosocial behavior in the workplace. I would like to ask you to complete a survey that should take about 20 minutes. The Qualtrics link to the only survey in this Virginia Tech research study is included below. You are eligible if you are a student working/studying with peers in your program. Please note that your participation is voluntary and confidential. I understand the end of the semester can be busy; your experience is really valuable and your insight is really important! For more information about the study, please contact Ryan Musselman at musselman@vt.edu. Here is the survey: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9ueUyw41QsQUVb8.
14. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR USER STUDY ON SHAPES AND SOUNDS – 1st posting
Participants are needed to test an audiovisual system that converts elementary visual shapes into sounds, in a user study (Virginia Tech IRB #21-097) to collect data that will help examine what the ideal sound for each shape and movement will be and whether the system can provide multi-modal user experience. Participants will listen to the sounds and provide answers to multiple-choice questions and subjective questions regarding whether or not sonification reasonably depicts the shapes, and the user’s overall experience. This study is designed to provide a fun multi-sensory experience. Participants must beabove 18 years old and have normal hearing and vision, and headphones is welcome to participate. You can sign up for this user test here: Appointment Calendar. The test will be held over Zoom and questions will be given via Qualtrics XM, an online survey platform. Both links will be provided after the test session is scheduled. The approximate time required to complete this assessment will be 50-60 minutes. A $10 Amazon gift card will be given at the end of successful completion of the assessment. If you have any questions about this research, contact Woohun Joo at joowh@vt.edu.
15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VIRTUAL REALITY RESEARCH USER STUDY – 1st posting
The 3D Interaction (3DI) group at Virginia Tech is inviting you to participate in a research study with virtual reality (VR) technologies (IRB#21-836). Our team is investigating the best ways to interact with clusters in VR, and this study compares various methods of cluster interaction with virtual data and information. The study will make use of state-of-the-art VR technologies such as the Varjo XR-3. The entire experimental session will take 60 minutes. Participants need to be at least 18 years old, and have normal vision (or corrected vision with contact lens). Upon completion, participants will be awarded with a $15 Amazon e-gift card. Participation will be on a first come first serve basis. For more information, please contact Ibrahim Tahmid at iatahmid@vt.edu.
16. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR SHOE PANEL MATERIALIZATION STUDY – 1st posting
The Granata Biomechanics Lab at Virginia Tech is recruiting participants between the ages of 18 and 35 for a biomechanics research study (protocol number 21-678). Study participation will only involve a single visit lasting approximately 1 hour. The study aims to biomechanical differences between shoes with differing panel materialization. Participants will complete questionnaires and three rounds of four agility tasks. Eligible participants will wear either a men’s shoe size 10 or a female size 8, exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes a day, participate in sports involving running and change of direction, will have had no lower extremity injuries in the last two months that has limited physical activity for more than two days. If you would like more information about the study, please contact Adam Luftglass at adluft@vt.edu or (571) 765-0109
17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY AT THE MIND MUSIC AND MACHINE LAB – 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 agents on driver experiences and performance in semi-automated vehicles (#19-088). During the study, you will be asked to drive in a driving simulator. Criteria for eligibility are: 1) active driver with a valid license; 2) age 18+ with good health; 3) normal vision and hearing (Due to device limitation, participants cannot wear glasses during the study but contact lens are okay). The study will last approximately 120 minutes. Each participant will receive a compensation of $20 for participation. For more information, please contact Manhua Wang (manhua@vt.edu). This study is being conducted under the supervision of Dr. Myounghoon Jeon (myounghoonjeon@vt.edu).
18. CONFLICT COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP (Encore Presentation): GET UNSTUCK – HOW TO STOP TALKING PAST EACH OTHER AND START TALKING WITH ONE ANOTHER
Tuesday, December 14, 3:30pm, Zoom, Register here: https://bit.ly/Conflictseminar
The end of the semester is here and it is the perfect time to reflect on how well we are communicating in our working relationships. The Graduate School’s Ombuds Office is bringing back Robert Polanco for an encore presentation of this seminar aimed at providing concrete skills to overcome the hesitancy to engage in those important conversations that you may have put off. Communication leads to understanding, understanding leads to collaboration, and collaboration leads to respect. The major challenge to respect is obstructed communication. To meet this challenge, the following questions need to be answered: What are the underlying reasons for obstructed communication, what are some examples of obstructed communication, and what can be done to either preempt or remove obstructions. Join us to explore these questions and set you up for success as you continue your graduate education. Register here: https://bit.ly/Conflictseminar
19. SOE DOCTORAL STUDENTS’ HOLIDAY PARTY
Tuesday, December 14, 7pm, Blacksburg Wine Lab, 223 Gilbert St. Blacksburg
We have a large table reserved so come and join us as we bring the Fall semester to a celebratory conclusion! This form is not a requirement to attend, but it will help us get a more accurate headcount: https://forms.gle/t4DGsEM4LiAsA16H7 For some added fun, we will be doing a white elephant gift exchange. If you wish to participate in the game, please bring a gift valued at around $10. The gift could be anything serious or silly! If you bring a gift, you will leave with one as well. Please let Rene Hernandez (rhernandez@vt.edu) or Lauren May (laurenmay@vt.edu) know if you have any questions. We hope to see you all there!
20. MAINTAINING WELLNESS IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL RACE CONNECT EVENT
Wednesday, December 15, 3pm-4:30pm, GLC Room F
Join us to learn wellness tips as well as ways to stay connected and healthy over the winter break. Special appearance by Cook Counseling Center and the VT Therapy Dogs. Refreshments will be served. RSVP at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b8xkDic3E4uJvlc. Questions, email ordi@vt.edu
21. SAVE THE DATE: TIMBERBEAST SPORTS COMPETITION
Saturday, February 26, 2022 8am-5:30pm
Timberbeast is a sports competition that showcases Virginia Tech and surrounding colleges/universities in both technical and physical outdoor events! Admission is free and open to the public! Come for events such as archery, axe throwing, crosscut, and more! A raffle giveaway for STIHL Equipment, will be offered with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network through Log-A-Load. Sponsored by The Forestry Club at Virginia Tech. Questions? Contact Ryane Cronk, Graduate Ambassador at rlcronk06@vt.edu.