0. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – last updated 8/14/2017
– Career Advising: on hiatus for the summer
– Cook Counseling: on hiatus for the summer
– Graduate School hours: 8:00-5:00 begin 8/14/17
– Immigration advising hours: MWF 1:00-4:00pm, TTh 9:00am-12:00pm
– Writing assistance: reserve appointment at https://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html
1. US STUDENT FULBRIGHT INFO SESSION
Wednesday, Aug 23, 10:00am, GLC Room C
This interactive workshop introduces participants to the Fulbright program that offers US citizens funding opportunities to research or study abroad in more than 140 countries.
2. LYRIC THEATRE TOUR
Wednesday, Aug 23, 4:00pm
Tour the Lyric Theatre to experience the 1930s design and learn about opportunities to volunteer. All participants will receive a free movie pass. Arrive at The Lyric by 3:55p at the latest.
3. WELCOME BACK BBQ HOSTED BY THE GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY
Wednesday, Aug 23, 5:00-8:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
New and returning graduate students are invited by the VT Graduate Student Assembly to their annual Welcome Back BBQ. Weather permitting, the event will take place inside and on the GLC Lawn as well. Food from Hethwood Market, with vegetarian options available. See the official Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1946208605651706/ , and some colorful flyers.
4. HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UP
Thursday, Aug 24, 2:00-4:30pm, GLC Lobby
Stop by the GLC lobby to sign up for student health insurance with Aetna and ask representatives any questions you may have.
5. GLC CAFÉ IS REPLACED BY “MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME IN BBURG”
Thursday, Aug 24
Just this week the GLC Café is replaced by a welcome event for our new and returning students. Stop by for free refreshments and community.
6. MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME
Thursday, Aug 24, 4:30-6:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Attend this relaxed social event to connect with faculty, staff, new and returning students and resources that can help you succeed in graduate school and maintain a healthy life balance. Free refreshments for all; door prizes for new students! Sign up online if you are planning to attend: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a8XPyVVMAKV1Scd. This event replaces the weekly GLC café just this one time. The café will return next week on its regular 3:30-5:00 schedule in the Reading Room.
7. NEW GRADUATE STUDENT ORIENTATION
Friday, Aug 25, 9:00am, GLC Auditorium
New students are invited to this information session and meet Graduate School and university leaders and learn about graduate education and the graduate community at Virginia Tech. Returning students are welcome to join at 11:00 to enjoy some light refreshments and mingle with new students.
8. HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UP
Friday, Aug 25, 10:00am-1:00pm, GLC Lobby
Stop by the GLC lobby to sign up for student health insurance with Aetna and ask representatives any questions you may have.
9. LAIGSA WELCOME BACK BBQ
Saturday, Aug 26, 5:00pm, Duckpond
Grad students are invited to the Latin American and Iberian Grad Students Association Welcome Back BBQ. Enjoy beach volleyball and fried yucca, plantains and more.
10. GRADUATE PREFERRED PARKING LOTTERY SIGN UP OPEN – 1st posting
The lottery sign up for the Graduate Preferred Parking Program started by GSA is open. Up to 75 graduate students will receive a graduate preferred parking permit to park in the assigned spaces in the Perry Street Lot 3. Students with the graduate preferred permit may also park in any C/G parking. Cost this year is $312. To register for the lottery, email parking@vt.edu with the eligible student’s first and last name and PID by next Wednesday, Aug 23, 5:00pm. Winners will be notified via email shortly thereafter. Questions? Call Parking and Transportation at 540-231-3200 or email parking@vt.edu.
11. TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP TO OPENCON CONFERENCE – 1st posting
Graduate students are encouraged to apply for a travel scholarship, sponsored by the University Libraries and the Graduate School, to OpenCon, a conference for early career researchers on open access, open data, and open education. One Virginia Tech graduate student will be selected to attend the conference, which will be held in Berlin, Germany on November 11-13. Read reports from Virginia Tech attendees in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Apply by Sep 5 at bit.ly/VTOpenCon2017.
12. IMPROVE YOUR RESEARCH SKILLS – 1ST posting
GRAD 5124, Research Skills for Graduate Students, is a 1-credit, fully-online course offered by University Libraries in Fall 2017. Five discipline-specific sections are offered. Sign up in HokieSpa for the one that relates to your subject area! Questions? Contact Lisa Becksford at lisab5@vt.edu.
13. STUDENTS INVITED TO JOIN INTERNATIONAL LGBTQ+ GROUP – 1st posting
AcrossBorders@VT provides a friendly group and space for international LGBTQ+ students/faculty/affiliates of Virginia Tech to discuss concerns about their sexuality and coming out, and support one another. Given that the international population comes from cultures different from the one(s) in the US, the group aims to provide a more customized support to the international LGBTQ+ population. The group ensures confidentiality and privacy of all members. If interested or have questions, contact acrossborders.vt@gmail.com. Email to join the confidential Facebook group to connect with other international LGBTQ+ people.
14. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – 2nd posting
Little Hokie Hangout, the Graduate School Child Care Center, is still accepting applications for Fall 2017. Morning sessions are almost full, but there are some spots left for afternoons (11:30am-2:30pm) and evenings (2:30pm-6:00pm). For information and applications please email childcare@vt.edu
15. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WOMEN PURSUING A PhD – 2nd posting
The P.E.O. Scholar Award is open for women pursuing a PhD. The competitive merit-based scholarships offer $15,000 for outstanding women in the final two years of their program. Awardees must demonstrate a strong research path, publications, awards, and service activities showing maturity, seriousness of purpose, and clearly defined research objectives. The local application consisting of a concise 1-2 page letter and resume deadline is Sep 6, 2017. Send to Verlyn Stromberg, 2506 Manchester St, Blacksburg, VA 24060 or verlyn@vt.edu. If you have any questions, email or call (540) 239-0253.
16. CREATIVE STUDENTS SOUGHT FOR MAGAZINE – 2nd posting
The Interloper, Virginia Tech’s LGBTQ Magazine, is now accepting writers, editors, photographers, and artists for Issue #7 this fall. There will be an interest meeting on Sunday, Sep 10 at 4:00pm in the Intercultural Engagement Center. All are welcome to participate. If interested or have questions, email Maggie at theinterlopervt@gmail.com.
17. INTERNATIONAL TEACHING ASSISTANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY – 1st posting
VT researchers are conducting a longitudinal study during Fall 2017 to understand the experiences of international teaching assistants (ITAs) at Virginia Tech. Participants must be graduate teaching assistants in an engineering department at the university with an F-1 or a J-1 visa. The study involves 3 interviews lasting approximately 45-60 minutes each and weekly journal responses taking about 10-15 minutes each. $20 Kroger gift card upon completion of each interview. Weekly reflection prompt response enters you in raffle for $25 Kroger gift card. Contact Ashish Agrawa, Dept. of Engineering Education at 540-922-5125 or ashishag@vt.edu for more info.
18. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL STUDY – 1ST posting
Participants are needed for a research study about metabolic cost of lifting with and without a wearable exoskeleton. Must be 18-65 years old with no recent or prior musculoskeletal disorders or back injuries. A weight range of 155 – 190 lbs is preferred. Should be able to comfortably lift about 25% of bodyweight from the floor to waist height. Will perform a variety of lifting tasks both with and without the exoskeleton during two experimental sessions. Compensation: $10/hour. If interested, email Mehdi Alemi at malemi@vt.edu or call at 317-473-1736.
19. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VIRTUAL REALITY STUDY – 2nd posting
The 3DI group is seeking volunteers to participate in a research study with virtual reality (VR) technologies. The team is investigating how VR can help researchers to better understand complex scientific data. The project will make use of state-of-the-art VR equipment. If you are interested in participating, contact Wallace Lages at wlages@vt.edu for more details.
20. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VR INTERACTION STUDY – 2nd posting
Participants sought for a user study between 8/20 and 9/2 in a project called “Object Manipulation in Virtual Reality” at the Moss Arts Center. The participants in the study will have a chance to experience the latest technology of Virtual Reality, including head-mounted display and hand tracking input devices. Open to anyone 18+ with normal vision (corrected or uncorrected) and normal range of arm/hand motion. Compensation: $10 . If interested, contact Run Yu (runyu@vt.edu) .
21. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR DIET STUDY – 2nd posting
Volunteers needed for a study examining how diet influences muscle metabolism. Participants must be: between the ages of 18-40; females on monophasic oral contraceptive and not pregnant; not currently taking any medications (other than above); non-smokers; no major medical problems; and willing to eat a high fat diet for 5 days. You will receive extensive health information and may receive up to $400 in compensation. If interested, contact the Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory at Virginia Tech. e-mail: westerndiet@gmail.com website: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_eKX222gpcgRqZL.
Upcoming events:
COMPUTING AND MOBILE DEVICE HELP – 1st posting
Monday, Aug 28, 5:00pm, GLC Room B
A staff member from 4Help (VT’s IT assistance department) will be on hand to help you learn about connecting your devices to wireless, figuring out two-factor authentication, where to get software, backup options and more. Bring your device(s) and your questions!
INTERVARSITY GRADUATE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP: 9/1 – 1st posting
Friday, Sep 1, 6:00-8:00pm, GLC Room B
A diverse, welcoming, student-led community that explores how Christian faith informs academic and professional work invites you to join. They gather regularly for Bible study, shared meals, and mutual encouragement through the ups and downs of graduate school. All are welcome for a free dinner at the first monthly gathering. For more info, visit: http://gcfvt.wordpress.com/.
BLACK GRADUATE STUDENT COMMUNITY WELCOME BACK COOK OUT – 1st posting
Saturday, Sep 2, 4:00-dusk, Bburg Municipal Park, shelter II
Celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of the semester with BGSO. Eat, play some games, vibe to the music and bask in the melinated greatness of the VT Black graduate student community. This is a family friendly event. If you would like to be added to the BGSO listserv and/or become involved with BGSO, email to Cheryl Montgomery at clmontgo@vt.edu w/ "BGSO" in the subject.
LEARN ABOUT THE BOOK OF MORMON – note date change!
Sunday, Sep 10, 6:30pm, 1408 Jennelle Rd., Blacksburg.
Have you ever wondered what the Book of Mormon is about? Perhaps you’ve heard of the Broadway play, or what some call the "Mormon Bible"? On behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, grad student Kevin Watson invites you to attend an evening event all about the Book of Mormon. All are welcome to attend! Questions? Contact Kevin at wk223@vt.edu.