Posted on by chameleo

March 3-9, 2014

1.  WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC – updated 3/3

  • Career Services walk-in advising: Wednesdays 2:00-5:00pm, GLC Lobby
  • Cook Counseling walk-in services: Thursdays and Fridays 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room
  • Financial Aid advising: Tuesdays 8:30-10:30 by appointment; 10:30-12:30 by walk-in, Room A
  • GLC Café: 3:30-5:00 every Thursday, Reading Room – year round!
  • Graduate School business hours: M,Tu,Th,F: 8:00am-5:00pm; W: 9:30am-5:00pm
  • Writing Center walk-in assistance: Thursdays 4:30-7:30, Room D (additional hours in the Library)

NO WALK-IN SERVICES DURING SPRING BREAK

2. SHORT STAT COURSE FOR GRADS: INTRO TO JMP
Tuesday & Wednesday, Mar 4 & 5
LISA (Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis) provides a series of evening short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research and learn practical statistical techniques for analyzing or collecting data. See www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=short_courses for instructions on how to register and to learn more. Remaining Spring 2014 Schedule:

  • Tuesday, Mar 18: Advanced Topics in R: parallel processing, structural equation modeling, and the bootstrap;
  • Tuesday, Apr 1 (no kidding): Survey Design and Analysis;
  • Tuesday, Apr 10: Accelerating statistical calculations using inexpensive graphics cards;
  • Tuesday, Apr 15: Multiple Imputation and Missing Data;

*Two sessions of the same course to accommodate more attendees.

3. SALARY NEGOTIATION 101 FOR WOMEN
Wednesday, Mar 5, 4:00-5:30pm, GLC Room C
This workshop is designed to empower college women and provide them with the tools to negotiate salaries and benefits as they approach the job market. Participants work through some exercises to gain concrete negotiation skills, learn about the personal consequences of the gender wage gap, learn how to benchmark reasonable salaries and benefits, and gain insight into their own bottom line and personal budget. Please register at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1393857918884.

4. INTERVIEWING SKILLS
Wednesday, Mar 5, 5:30-6:30pm, GLC Room G
Be prepared for initial screening interviews as well as on-site interviews. This seminar addresses interviewing basics, employer expectations, and insights into behavioral interviews. Sponsored by Career Services. Contact Amy McPherson at amcphers@vt.edu if you have questions.

5. CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS ON DIVERSITY: TEACHING RACE AT HWCU’S
Thursday, Mar 6, 3:00-4:45pm, Global Technology Ctr, 2nd floor, Norris Hall
Hosted by the Inclusive Pedagogy Initiative in the Office for Diversity and Inclusion and presented by David Brunsma, this event explores the walls of whiteness through conversation about race at Historically White Colleges and Universities. Please register at www.cider.vt.edu.

6. ENOUGH: BASICS OF SELF-DEFENSE
Wednesday, Mar 6, 6:00-7:30pm, RLRO Center in Detrick Hall
The Blacksburg Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. inviteS women of all ages to attend this program. Presenter Officer John Tarter will provide information on how to prevent domestic violence, statistics on domestic violence, and resources that will help you or someone you know who may be experiencing domestic abuse. There will also be an interactive self-defense demonstration that you won’t want to miss. If you have any questions. please email ppd@bacdst13.org. This message is posted on behalf of grad student Brielle Wright, bswright@vt.edu.

7. MONTHLY VIRTUAL GLC (vGLC) CAFÉ: COMPLETION GUIDELINES
1st Thursday each month, starting Mar 6, 12:00-1:00pm, vGLC Lobby
Join Graduate School staff once a month for online chats in the vGLC. Enter  the vGLC lobby at http://virtual.glc.vt.edu. The vGLC extends VT’s graduate-education community from campus to computer. Download the software at http://openlife01.cc.vt.edu:9500/wifi (Create Avatar) http://imprudence.googlecode.com/files/Imprudence-1.4.0-beta-2 (Imprudence Viewer/Software) 1.4.0-beta-2 Mac (Intel) http://imprudence.googlecode.com/files/imprudence-1.4.0-beta-2-mac.zip. If you have questions or suggestions, please email Marija Telbis-Forster mtelbisf@vt.edu

8. GLC CAFÉ WITH BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
Thursday, Mar 6, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
The GLC Café is offered throughout the year with free coffee, tea, and cookies in the company of your graduate-student and Grad-School colleagues. Bring your own mug if you can.

9. SPRING BREAK
Friday, Mar 7 5:00pm to Sunday, Mar 16
Does spring break exist if no graduate student gets to take it?

10. GRADUATE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – 1st posting
The Graduate Student Assembly’s Graduate Research Development Program (GRDP) will be accepting applications Mar 24-31 for the 2014 spring cycle. GRDP provides monetary support to graduate students for research associated with their thesis or dissertation. The maximum awards are $500 for master’s students and $700 for doctoral students. To submit applications or for more information about the program, eligibility, application process, and FAQs, search scholar for “GSA GRDP Spring 2014” to access the site. Note that the current GSA website does not have the most up to date forms and information. Please disregard all information found on the GSA website.  Applications are due by Apr 1, 2014. Email Amanda Nelson (GSAGRDPChair@gmail.com) with any questions.

11. STREET FAIR REGISTRATION NOW OPEN – 1st posting
The Council of International Student Organization (CISO) invites student organizations to participate in the 55th annual International Street Fair on Sunday, Apr 27 from 12:00-5:00pm on College Avenue near Squires Student Center.  You can participate by applying for a booth online and/or applying for a performance slot here https://docs.google.com/a/vt.edu/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ah5WfC33KALWdDFPU0JBdUdId1o2WVJ4QURHZzFOSGc&usp=drive_web#gid=0. Contact Noha at noha@vt.edu with any questions.

12. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR GSA ANNUAL RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM – 2nd posting
The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) will hold its 30th annual Graduate Research Symposium on Wednesday, Mar 26 in the Graduate Life Center as part of Graduate Education Week. This event showcases the best of graduate research and offers a unique opportunity for graduate students to present their research in a collegial, on-campus conference. This is a competitive conference, and top presenters receive monetary awards. Submission deadline: Monday, Mar 10. Submit your research abstract at: http://blogs.lt.vt.edu/graduatestudentassembly/graduate-research-symposium/graduate-research-symposium-abstract-submission/. Please note that abstracts should be written in a widely accessible style. If you have any questions, contact Joyce Zhu, Research Symposium Chair: niz@vt.edu, or Jenn Gooding, GSA Executive Assistant: jgooding@vt.edu.

13. SUBMISSIONS ARE INVITED FOR GLC ART AND PHOTO CONTEST – 2nd posting
The Graduate School invites submissions of art work and photography by graduate students for display in the GLC during Graduate Education Week (Mar 24-28) and beyond. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art and/or photography) per graduate student. Photos may be submitted online at https://secure.graduateschool.vt.edu/imageupload/ to be printed by the Graduate School. Submission deadline: Monday, Mar 17, 2014.  Learn more at http://www.graduatelifecenter.vt.edu/contest.html.

14. LISA STATISTICAL COLLABORATION SERVICES – 2nd posting
Since 2008 more than 1,200 graduate students have advanced their research by collaborating with statisticians from LISA (Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis). Request a collaboration meeting today (www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=loginredirector) for advice on designing your study or experiment, analyzing your data, or interpreting your results. Initial meetings typically last for one hour and can be followed-up with additional meetings if necessary to help you answer your research questions. LISA collaborations often result in co-authored publications finished faster and published in a more prestigious journal than what would be possible without expert help from a LISA statistical collaborator. For more information about LISA’s free services, visit www.lisa.stat.vt.edu.

15. VT ENGAGE CALL FOR PROPOSALS – 2nd posting
VT Engage requests proposals for the ’14-’15 John E. Dooley Student Engagement Grant (JEDSEG). This grant funds highly motivated students or student teams who plan to invest in their community by creating an opportunity for active civic engagement. Two awards of $750 each are available. For more information and to access the application materials, please visit www.engage.vt.edu or email Lauren Kennedy at kennedy0@vt.edu. Application deadline: Mar 28, 5pm.

16. A DAY IN THE LIFE OF… PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT – 3rd posting
Do you want to help raise awareness about diversity and cultural differences? If so, consider collaborating for the “A day in the life…” project. Participants will be asked to provide information about a typical day and to send a current picture; posters will be shown around the University. For more information, email grad student Homero Murzi at hmurzi@vt.edu.

17. GLC FELLOWS APPLICATION PROCESS OPEN FOR 2014-15 – 2nd posting
Residence Life and the Graduate School are seeking motivated graduate students who are committed to building graduate community, for two GLC Fellow positions for the 2014-15 academic year. An ideal candidate would have previous residence life and/or event planning experience, though it is not a requirement. Applicants must submit a formal cover letter, resume and letter of recommendation, as well as complete the following survey: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1392921221707. Information about cover letter requirements is at the survey link; full job description is at www.graduatelifecenter.vt.edu. Apply by Mar 19, 2014. Contact Lauren Surface at lkeister@vt.edu or Sarah Loth at sloth85@vt.edu  if you have questions.

18. GLC SOFTBALL TEAM RECRUITING MEMBERS – 1st posting
Spring means: Softball! GLC fellows invite all grad students to be a part of the GLC  intramural softball team (open to males and females). There is no prior softball experience required but if you have played before, you can help the team. This is a great way to make friends and play a great game. Games will start in late March. Complete a quick survey at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1393602070192 and secure a spot on the team.

19. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS- 1st posting
International students 18 or older who have left their country to study in the United States are sought for this study. Must not have grown up in the US and have English as a second language to participate in an online survey on “International Students’ Barriers While Pursuing Higher Education in the US.” As an international student, your thoughts and experiences are valuable in helping researchers raise awareness about foreign students` difficulties, facilitate international students` adjustment process, and improve international college students’ well-being and health in the U.S.  Access the survey at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bHMGR1zzZP7ue4l; takes 30-40 minutes to complete. If you have any questions, please contact Elmira Hamidi at elmirah@vt.edu.

20. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR FOCUS GROUPS ON GRAD STUDENT NEEDS – 1st posting
Graduate students are conducting focus groups in order to better understand and serve the needs of VT graduate students. Following a Graduate School Climate Survey completed last April, three themes were identified which will drive the discussion of the following focus groups:

  • Students with families: Mar 3, 3:30-4:30pm, GLC Room C;
  • Students with disabilities: Mar 6, 5:00-6:00pm, GLC Room B
  • Adult learners/students over the age of 30: Mar 21, 3:30-4:30pm, GLC Room G. 

All graduate students are welcome to come and voice their experiences on what can be done to make the Graduate School accommodating to all! No registration required.  If interested, please attend. For more information, contact Bethany Martindale at blmart@vt.edu.

21. ABSTRACT REVIEWERS SOUGHT FOR GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM – 2nd posting
The Graduate Student Assembly is looking for abstract reviewers for its 30th annual Graduate Research Symposium to be held on Wednesday, Mar 26 in the GLC. This is a chance to see the other side of conferences as a peer reviewer, as well as an excellent item for your CV.  Abstracts are written in a cross-disciplinary style, and reviewers are not required to be experts in each discipline. If you are interested, please sign up at: http://blogs.lt.vt.edu/graduatestudentassembly/graduate-research-symposium/graduate-research-symposium-abstract-reviewer-sign-up-2/. If you have any questions, contact Joyce Zhu, Research Symposium Chair: niz@vt.edu, or Jenn Gooding, GSA Executive Assistant: jgooding@vt.edu.

22. SURVEY PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH ON SMART PHONE APP – 2nd posting
To assist a computer science graduate student in her researching and implementing a smartphone application for campus-wide communication, consider taking a short research survey on mobile device usage.  The survey should take less than approximately ten minutes.  Your anonymous contributions will provide valuable statistics for the research project.  Please email any questions or inquiries to Kimberly Zeitz at kazeitz@vt.edu. The survey is accessible at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1392736001836.

23. LGBQ YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS WANTED FOR RESEARCH PROJECT – 3rd posting
VT researchers are recruiting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer youth and young adults age 13-21 to participate in a project exploring the decision to come out to family as gay, lesbian, bisexual or queer.  The questionnaire and in-depth interview will take about 2-2.5 hours and participants will receive a $10 gift card for their feedback. The PI is in the process of developing a program to help youth make safe and successful disclosure decisions to family; this research will help inform that project.  Researchers would like to hear from youth that have and have not yet come out to family.  Participation is voluntary and strictly confidential (VT IRB 13-331).  If you have questions or would like to discuss eligibility, email VTProjectSMYLE@gmail.com or call (540)-231-4235, or visit https://www.facebook.com/VTProjectSMYLE

24. PARENTS OF LGB YOUTH/YOUNG ADULTS WANTED FOR RESEARCH  PROJECT -3rd posting
Researchers are recruiting parents who have had a child disclose to them in the last five years that they are lesbian, gay or bisexual when the child was 13-21.  The brief questionnaire and in-depth interview will take approximately 1-2 hours and participants will receive a $10 gift card for their feedback.  The PI is in the process of developing a program to help youth make safe and successful disclosure decisions to family; this research will help inform that project. Participation is voluntary and strictly confidential(VT IRB 13-331).   If you have questions or would like to discuss eligibility, email VTProjectSMYLE@gmail.com or call (540)-231-4235, or visit https://www.facebook.com/VTProjectSMYLE.

25. RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR USER STUDY OF BIOINFORMATICS RESOURCE – 3rd  posting
Participate in a study to investigate the underlying processes of bioinformatics experiments. The study will take approximately 2 hours and will involve eye-tracking with think-aloud while you perform tasks using a computer. Preferred participants are proficient in the use of bioinformatics resources, are familiar with the process of functionally analyzing a gene sequence.We will compensate participants at a rate of $10 per hour for a maximum of 2 hours, or a maximum of $20 total. The protocols in this study have been approved by the VT IRB (14-055). If you are interested, please contact Jongsoon Park via email babirong@vt.edu or call 540-558-8369.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

SPRING BREAK SWEET TREATS AND GAMES
Friday, Mar 14, 2:00-4:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
You are not alone! Join others who are working through spring break and enjoy some home-baked sweets, coffee and tea, brought to you by your friendly volunteer bakers who work in the Graduate School and the GLC. It is also pie day, so there might be some sweet and savory pies as well. Bring your favorite board game or cards and stick around to play! Please register at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1393863784460 to help organizers plan for the food.

MARKETING THE BRAND: YOU!
Wednesday, Mar 19, 11:30 am-1:00pm, Brush Mountain Room A, Squires
Marketing “you” as a brand is not just about finding a new job. Join this Women’s Month program exploring how perception is brand; a job title does not define you; how to use online media, networking and traditional tactics to build a loyalty base among your colleagues, supervisors, and executives.  Light lunch will be served. Sponsored by Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP) and The Graduate School. Register at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1392930036869.