October 10-16, 2011

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC (on a walk-in basis unless otherwise noted)

  • Career services advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, GLC Study Room
  • Counseling:  Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room (across from Room G)
  • GLC Café: Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm, Reading Room
  • Statistical consulting by LISA: Wednesdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
  • Writing support: Wednesdays (6-9pm) and Thursdays (6-9pm), GLC Videoconference Room – information on reserving a spot>>

2. ONE-WOMAN SHOW: WONG FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST
Tuesday, Oct 11, 8:00pm, GLC Auditorium
Performance artist Kristina Wong examines a very serious topic (displacement and depression) through a comic lens. While Wong doesn’t know the answer to the questions she raises, she puts the onus on herself to figure it out through humor, wit, and heaps of unfinished knitting, all in 70 minutes. While the performance is based on the experiences of a particular group, Asian-American women, the issues raised are relevant to a much broader audience – practically anyone who has been displaced from their own culture into another can relate to the pains of trying to fit in, to not being understood by one’s own family and/or the new environment, to feeling like an alien, and more. Free refreshments will be provided prior to the performance. See more >>.  

3. THE PHD MOVIE ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Wednesday, Oct 12, 7:00 pm, The Lyric
The GSA brings to you The PHD Movie, based on the popular web-comic by Jorge Cham (see www.phdcomics.com). The film delves into the unique and funny culture of academia and follows four graduate students as they struggle to find balance between research, teaching, and their personal lives. Tickets are $5.00 and will be available during GSA Office Hours Tue 8-10am and Wed 1:30-3:30pm in the GLC Graduate Student Organization Office (21 GLC). Questions: Contact Swetha Kumar.

4. GLC CAFÉ
Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Enjoy free coffee and tea in the GLC Reading Room on Thursday afternoons and socialize with your fellow grads. This week’s special: a surprise – you’ll have to come to find out what it is. Bring your own mug if you can. Please contact us at grads@vt.edu if you have any comments or suggestions about this event.

5. GRAD STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES IN ADVISOR-ADVISEE RELATIONSHIPS
Thursday, Oct 13, 5:30-7:00pm, GLC Room C
Learn more about how to build a successful relationship with your academic advisor and how to find the mentoring you need. Light refreshments will be served. Contact Akiko  with any questions.

6. HISPANIC-LATINO HERITAGE MONTH LUNCHEON
Friday, Oct 14, 11:30AM-1:00pm GLC room F
The Graduate School hosts the Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month luncheon open to all students, featuring Douglas Garcia, Executive Director of Federal Relations and Outreach for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Topics discussed will include internship and fellowship opportunities, trends of Hispanics in education, and how to get involved in HACU. Please complete this survey if interested in attending.

7. GRAD STUDENT PHOTO-ART-WRITING CONTEST: GRAD LIFE THROUGH THE EYES OF GRADS
The Graduate School invites submissions of art work, photography and written work by graduate students for display in the GLC for the Graduate School’s Open House on October 21 and beyond. All pieces will be displayed on October 21 and November 12; selected pieces will be displayed from October 21, 2011 through March 2012. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art, photography, or written work) per graduate student. Learn more>>.

8. GRAD STUDENT TALENT SOUGHT FOR GLC OPEN HOUSE

The Graduate School is seeking bands and solo acts to provide entertainment on the GLC Plaza and in the Graduate Life Center (GLC) at the Oct 21 GLC open house. Performers will receive applause and a t-shirt! The open house will run from 10am-3pm. To join the slate of performers, please fill out this survey. Please contact Monika Gibson if you have any questions: 540-231-4558 or gibsonm@vt.edu. Learn more about the GLC Open House.

9. REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT DURING GLC OPEN HOUSE
The first ever GLC Open House Cornhole Tournament will take place on Friday, Oct 21, 1:00-3:00pm on the GLC Lawn.  Up to ten teams of two will compete in a double-elimination tournament. At least one member of each team must be a graduate student. Sign up here. Learn more about the GLC Open House.

10. GSA LOGO DESIGN CONTEST
The Graduate Student Assembly is seeking entries from students to re-design their logo. The logo will be used on GSA marketing materials including but not limited to those imprinted or in electronic form. You can win a $100 university bookstore sponsored gift card and build your resume! The deadline for submission of the color and B&W logo and release form is Nov 4. Details, submission and release form are available online. Email any questions to GSA. No e-mail or offline submissions will be accepted.

11. FALL MEMBERSHIP DRIVE FOR PHI BETA DELTA HONOR SOCIETY IN INTL EDUCATION
Phi Beta Delta recognizes the scholarly achievement of international students and scholars, U.S. students who have studied abroad, and faculty and staff who are involved in international activities. There are four categories of members:
(1) intl students who have demonstrated high scholastic achievement at their US institutions; (2) domestic students who have demonstrated high scholastic achievement in the pursuit of academic studies abroad; (3) distinguished faculty, staff, and visiting scholars; and (4) honorary members. More information and application; or contact Betty Watts at bettyw@vt.edu or 231.6452. Application deadline: Oct 18.

12. NEED YOUR INPUT ABOUT PROGRAMMING – 2nd posting
The GLC Fellows need your input regarding bringing workshops of interest to the Graduate Life Center that are geared towards graduate students. Please fill out this short survey to help GLC Fellows plan according to your interests. Email Megan at stuartma@vt.edu if you have any questions.

13. FREE SUPPORT GROUP FOR EXPECTING COUPLES – 2nd posting
As many as 90% of couples experience a significant decline in relationship satisfaction after having their first child. The Mindful Transition to Parenthood Program can help couples prepare for this transition in a healthier way: participants will learn how to connect more deeply with their partner; practice effective communication and stress management; reduce pain during birth; ways to lower risk of postpartum depression. Participants will engage in research-based mindfulness practices and couples activities to enhance their relationships. Understand more about how becoming parents can change your relationship and meet other couples in the same shoes. This group is led by Laura Gambrel, a doctoral candidate in marriage and family therapy. Meetings are on Sundays, Oct 23-Nov 13, 3:30-5:30pm. Register by Oct 16 at http://www.lauragambrel.com/, or e-mail her at lauraeg@vt.edu.

14. IDR ACCEPTING MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW – 3rd posting
Iota Delta Rho, the Interdisciplinary Research Honor Society, is accepting applications for membership beginning, Monday, Sep 26 through Monday, Oct 24.    Information on the society, the application process and the membership application packet are available at  http://www.idrsociety.org/membership/application/. If you have any questions about the application process, please send an email to Tammyep@vt.edu

15. CTR FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS ORG FUNDS PROGRAM
The Organization Funds Program is now available to registered student organizations who wish to complete a project or event that impacts the community and is service-oriented. Your organization could be awarded up to $1000 to make the project or event a reality. Read the announcement for more information and details about applying at: http://tinyurl.com/OrganizationFundsAnnouncement. To apply, fill out the online application at http://tinyurl.com/OrganizationFundsProgram11-12. Applications for fall cycle are due Oct 14. If you need some help honing your ideas or have logistical questions, please contact Jake Grohs at jrgrohs@vt.edu.

16. CONFERENCE TRAVEL FUNDS THROUGH CSECP -3rd posting

The Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships (CSECP) invites you to apply for the Conference Travel Fund Program that offers up to $500 to students who are accepted to present on a civic engagement-related topic, research, or project at a professional meeting or conference. Grants are awarded in 2 cycles, Fall (conference dates 10/21-2/27) and Spring (conference dates 2/27-9/10). Learn more>>.

17. SURVEY INVITATION FOR COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

All VT students are invited to express their opinions about the town of Blacksburg. This is your opportunity to share what you like about the town and what you would like to see changed, whether it’s housing, transportation, the environment, or the feel of downtown. Please take this 10-minute survey to provide your feedback. The survey will be open Oct 12-26. Survey results will be discussed during a “Community Conversation” between town staff and VT students on Nov 3, 7-9pm, 113 McBryde.

18. GRAD-UGRAD MENTORING PROGRAM SEEKING VOLUNTEERS – 3rd posting
The GSA’s Graduate Undergraduate Mentoring Program (GUMP) is looking for graduate volunteers to serve as mentors and advisors to undergraduates interested in pursuing graduate school. GUMP matches undergraduate and graduate students in mentoring relationships in order to expose undergraduate students to the graduate experience as they consider further study and to provide graduate students with the opportunity to develop mentoring skills as they share their own personal experiences with the undergraduate students in the program. There’s more than one way to get involved! Please visit http://www.gsa.uusa.vt.edu/programs/gump or email gump@vt.edu if you’re interested.

19. GRDP REVIEWERS SOUGHT – 3rd posting
The Graduate Research Development Program (GRDP) of the GSA provides monetary support to graduate students for research conducted at Virginia Tech. The GSA is looking for graduate students who are not applying for funding during the current application cycle to serve as GRDP reviewers. This can be a great resume-building experience. Please fill out the following survey if you are interested in getting involved: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1316547868011. Questions: Contact Milad Radiom, GRDP Chair, at mradiom@vt.edu.

20. UPCOMING EVENTS:

ADVANCE-VT GRAD LUNCH SEMINAR: TIPS ON PURSUING POSTDOC POSITIONS – REGISTER NOW!
Monday, Oct 17, 12:00–1:30pm, GLC Room F
In many academic disciplines, students complete postdoctoral positions prior to becoming faculty members. Join Dr. Daniela Cimini to learn more about the many opportunities that postdoctoral positions can provide as well as things to consider when applying for such positions. AdvanceVT Graduate Student Lunch Seminars are designed to help graduate students prepare for careers in academe. All graduate students and postdocs are welcome, and lunch is provided. Register by Wednesday, Oct 12.

ETD WORKSHOP SERIES:  COPYRIGHT, PERMISSIONS AND MORE
Tuesday, Oct 18, 7:00pm, GLC Room G
Gail McMillan, director of the digital library and archives in the University Libraries, will discuss copyright, permissions and representing other author’s works in your ETD.

EARN YOUR AMATEUR (HAM) RADIO LICENSE
Tuesday, Oct 18, 7:00pm, Dogwood Room in Squires
The VT Amateur Radio Association will administer amateur radio license exams on campus. To obtain study materials or learn more about amateur radio, visit http://www.arrl.org/licensing-preparation-exams or contact grad student Nathaniel Frissell at nafrissell@vt.edu or 973-787-4506.  Exams are $15, and a photo ID and social security number are required.

DOCUMENTARY & PRESENTATION: WE ARE EGYPT – VOICES LEADING TO REVOLUTION
Thursday, Oct 20, 6:00pm, GLC Auditorium
Sponsored by a variety of organizations including ASPECT, the Alliance for Social, Political, Ethical and Cultural Thought, this event brings to VT film director Lillie Paquette for a showing of the documentary followed by discussion. Contact Heba El-Shazli at heba@vt.edu if you have any questions.

GLC OPEN HOUSE
Friday, Oct 21, 10:00am-3:00pm, everywhere in the GLC
The Graduate School will host an open house in the nationally recognized, award-winning Graduate Life Center (GLC).  Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend to learn more about the services and spaces the facility offers. Special events for graduate students include an art, writing and photo contest, cornhole tournament, scavenger hunt, free refreshments, and more. Details>>.

GSA FALL 2011 WINE SOCIAL

Friday, Oct 21, 5:30-9:00, University Club
Join your fellow grad students for the GSA Fall Wine Social! Wine service ends at 8:30pm. Tickets are $10 for wine and snacks; $5 for GSA delegates and cabinet members and $2 for just snacks. Volunteers get in for free. If you would like to volunteer to help with the event, please fill out this survey: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1317947153695. Valid state-issued ID required for entry. Questions? Contact Amanda Shea at ashea04@vt.edu.

FREE MOVIE: EL LABERINTO DE FAUNO (PAN’S LABYRINTH)
Friday, Oct 21, 7:00pm, Colonial Hall in Squires
LAIGSA, the Latin American and Iberian Graduate Students Association, invites you to the free showing of Pan’s Labyrinth (with English subtitles). The movie won 3 Academy Awards. For more information contact Raul Saucedo at rsaucedo@vt.edu.

DIWALI AND ISA GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION
Sunday, Oct 23, 5:00-10:00pm, various locations
The Indian Student Association invites you to their exuberant celebration of Diwali and their golden jubilee, with Indian music, dance, cultural show, fireworks, and dinner, and a special performance by America’s got Talent performers Kruti Dance Academy from Atlanta. The program includes: 5:30-7:30pm cultural show in Burruss Auditorium (free); 7:30-8:00pm fireworks on the Drillfield (free); and 8:00-10:00pm – dinner in Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires (ticket required). Dinner consists of unlimited, full course authentic Indian cuisine catered by Taaza. Ticket price: 12$ for members; $14 for non-members. Purchase your ticket>>.