1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC (all on a walk-in basis; no appointment needed)
- 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)
- Statistical consulting by LISA: Wednesdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
- Writing support: Wednesdays (6-9pm) and Thursdays (6-9pm), GLC Videoconference Room
2. TOWN OF BLACKSBURG TOURS
Tuesday and Thursday, Sep 6 and 8, 3:00pm & 1:00pm, meet in GLC Lobby
Go on a walking tour of Blacksburg with fellow grads, led by Town-of-Blacksburg staff. Explore the original town limits and see some of the oldest structures in
Blacksburg. Wear comfortable shoes! Meet in the GLC Lobby at least ten minutes before the tour is scheduled and then the group will walk together to the municipal building, where the tour will begin. Sign up here.
3. COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
Tuesday, Sep 6, 5:00-6:00pm, GLC Student Lounge
Meet other graduate students and GLC Fellows and enjoy refreshments and good conversation along with graduate student leaders. This is the last of this series as part of orientation. The GLC café on Thursdays will continue throughout the semester.
4. STAT SHORT COURSE: WHAT LISA CAN DO FOR YOU, ANT T-TEST/ANOVA TUTORIAL
Tuesday, Sep 6, 5:00-7:00pm, Fralin Auditorium
Taught by Dr. Anne Ryan, this short course will first explain the services provided by the Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (LISA) and second it will offer t-test and ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) training for researchers. The statistical training will include the discussion of the one sample t-test, the two sample t-test, matched-pairs t-test, ANOVA, and data analysis examples using JMP statistical software. More information>>.
5. GSA MOVIE NIGHT AT THE LYRIC: HARRY POTTER!
Tuesday, Sep 6, 6:50pm, The Lyric
Join your fellow grads at the historic Lyric Theater (downtown on College Ave) to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2! Meet in front of the Lyric at 6:50pm. Tickets are $6.00 per person. Contact Amanda Shea with questions.
6. HAVE YOUR RESUME CRITIQUED!
Wednesday, Sep 7, 1:30-5:00pm. GLC Study Room (46)
Walk-in career advising is available weekly in the GLC, but this week it’s especially important that you get your resume in good shape to be ready for next week’s job fairs (Engineering Expo 9/13-14 and Business Horizons 9/15). If you can’t make it into the GLC, Career Services will also have extended walk-in hours at the Smith Career Center on Wednesday from 9:00am-4:00pm for resume critiques. Normal walk-in hours at the Smith Career Center are M-F, 12-3pm).
7. CAREER FAIR PREPARATION FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
Wednesday, Sep 7, 5:30pm, GLC Room F
There are several large job fairs on campus this fall and employers are interested in talking with graduate students —- especially at the master’s level. Do you know how to present yourself to an employer at a job fair? What to ask? What they’ll expect? Come to this seminar to learn a few tricks of this trade!
8. LEARN TURKISH AT VT
Starting Wednesday, Sep 7, 6:00pm, Cranwell International Center
Experienced teachers are offering Turkish language classes at the Cranwell International Center through the Intercultural Understanding Club. You don’t need to know any Turkish to start these classes; courses are offered from elementary to advanced levels. For the fall program: One hour-long class per week, four classes in a month. Please register via http://www.icuc.org.vt.edu/turkish. Please email graduate student Haktan Suren if you have any questions. Classes are free and open to anyone interested.
9. 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. Some weeks we’ll have faculty guests; at other times we’ll feature coffee from different countries; sometimes we’ll have graduate student organizations as hosts. But there will always be coffee, tea and cookies! Please contact us if you have any comments or suggestions about this event.
10. HUME CTR INFO SESSION ABOUT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
Wednesday, Sep 7, 5:00-7:00pm, GLC Room G
The Hume Center offers an annual scholarship and fellowship program for students interested in careers in the national security sector, both in industry and civil service. Two-year, $3,000 per year graduate fellowship, open to all graduate students. Learn more>>. Pizza provided.
11. HOW TO SURVIVE FINANCIALLY IN GRADUATE SCHOOL
Thursday, Sep 8, 5:00-6:00pm, GLC Room C
Learn tips from graduate students about how to live on a tight budget and utilize the resources around you while in graduate school. A representative from Freedom First Credit Union will also give advice on loans and finances. Bring your questions and enjoy free pizza while you learn how to make the most of your money! Sign up here.
12. MIND/BODY YOGA WORKOUT
Thursday, Sep 8, 5:30-7:00pm, GLC Room F
Treat yourself to a fund group session with Kristen DeAngelis. Yoga strengthens and sculpts the body while relaxing the mind, making it a perfect practice to get you ready for the fall semester. By linking movements and postures to breath, this class will offer a flow of one movement to the next (Vinyassa). All levels are welcome. Bring your own yoga mat. Learn more and register.
13. KIDS NIGHT OUT
Thursdays during semester (except breaks & football nights), 6:00-8:30pm, VT Women’s Center
Take advantage of this free drop-in evening of childcare for 2 to 12-year-old kids of VT students, provided by the Women’s Center. Kids must be toilet trained. Fun, crafts, toys, games and new friends, plus a snack. No pre-registration required. For additional information contact Jessie Meltsner.
14. CPR TRAINING SESSION
Friday, Sep 9, 8:30am-12:00pm, GLC Room G
You never know when a friend or colleague will be in need of CPR. Make sure you know the proper steps. Tony Mills from Environmental Health and Safety will lead this training for graduate students. The training fee of $20 includes a quick reference manual, full training manual with DVD, barrier mask and a two year certification from the National Safety Council. Sign up here.
15. VETERAN/MILITARY STUDENT RESOURCE FAIR
Friday, Sep 9, 11:30am-6:00pm, Owens Banquet Hall
Veteran and active military graduate students are invited to this resource fair designed to meet the specific needs of VT students. Information will be available about VA health services, resources, VA health care enrollment and eligibility, women’s health, mental health, My HealtheVet online information, improving access to rural Veterans. All veterans, their spouses, caregivers, or members of the community who would like to learn more information about VA programs and services are encouraged to attend.
16. GRADUATE SCHOLARS SOCIETY (GSS) INFO SESSION AND REGISTRATION
Friday, Sep 9, 2:00-3:00pm, GLC Room B
GSS is a society of graduate students who form into discussion groups of 5-8 students to meet 5+ times during the semester in relaxed environments on or off campus. Each group’s discussions are lead by a faculty leader and graduate student leader knowledgeable on the group’s topic. Topics this fall are:
(1) Taking an Oath for Ethical Research and Scholarly Integrity led by Ishwar Puri (2) University Emergency Preparedness – Are we ready for disaster? led by Michael J. Mulhare (3) The World’s Energy Demand – Go Nuclear? led by Mark Pierson (4) Through the Looking Glass – The Influence of Measurement Technology on Scientific Research led by Joe Pitt and (5) Shaping Music Through Technology: Linux Laptop Orchestra(L2Ork) led by Ivica Ico Bukvic. Please register for a discussion group and/or the info session here.
17. GSA WELCOME BACK HAPPY HOUR – WITH AN INT’L TWIST!
Friday, Sep 9, 5:00-7:00pm, GLC Student Lounge
GSA is hosting their annual “Welcome Back Happy Hour” featuring international brews. The cost is $5.00/person (cash) at the door for 2 beers (or 6 tastings) and snacks ($2 for snacks only). All graduate students, post-docs, and faculty members are welcome to come and enjoy a great start to the semester. Valid ID required for entry. Contact Amanda Shea with any questions.
18. ISVT ANNUAL SHOWCASE
Saturday, Sep 10, 6:00-7:00pm, Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires
The Iranian Society at VT invites you to this showcase that represents the cultural contribution and scholarly achievements of the Iranian community at Virginia Tech and promotes the exchange of ideas between researches from variety of backgrounds. Posters will be evaluated by a committee of faculty members from pertaining colleges and the awards ceremony will follow. This message is posted on behalf of master’s student Aida Farough.
19. LATE REGISTRATION FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSE: SCI, TECH & POLICY INTERPLAY
Sign up now for ESM 6984, an interdisciplinary course about the interplay of science, technology and policy. Invited speakers include many individuals of international repute, including representatives from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the U.S. Department of State, the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Energy, and academics such as the director of the Ctr of the Harvard Science, Technology and Public Policy Program and former dean of engineering at UC Santa Barbara and Harvard. Instructor of record: Dr. Satish Kulkarni. CRN 98260, R, F 3:30-6 PM, 2:30-5 PM, NOR 325.
20. FREE GRAD STUDENT HANDBOOK & PLANNER WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
Pick up your free copy of the 2011-12 Graduate Student Handbook and Planner (courtesy of the Graduate School) in the GLC while supplies last. Planners are available in the student services area (120 GLC), at the information desk and in the Reading Room.
21. GRADUATE SCHOOL FEATURED GRADUATE STUDENT
Nominate yourself, a friend, or fellow graduate student to be recognized on the
Graduate-School website as a Featured Graduate Student! This program is designed to showcase the diversity of perspectives graduate students bring to our community and to present a more personal side of graduate student life. View the Graduate School’s current featured graduate student and nominate a graduate student!
22. GOBBLERFEST SURVEY – PLEASE PROVIDE FEEDBACK BY MIDNIGHT 9/5
In order to continuously improve the Gobblerfest experience for everyone, the Gobblerfest 2011 planning team would like to hear from you! Please complete a short survey about your experience – it should only take about 10 minutes of your time. If you attended Gobblerfest and respond to this survey, you will be entered to win two (2) tickets to see Bill Cosby or the Plain White T’s! Both performers will be coming to campus this fall. Please enter your name and email address at the end of the survey to be entered into the drawings. Access the survey here. The survey will close on Sep 5 at 11:59pm. Thank you for your time, and welcome to the Hokie neighborhood!
23. 2011-12 UNIVERSITY-SPONSORED HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN – SIGN UP BY OCT 3
At Virginia Tech, domestic students are encouraged, but not required, to have personal health insurance. International students and veterinary medicine student are required to have health insurance either through VT plan (provided by Aetna) or a comparable plan. Eligible graduate assistants wishing to use the health care subsidy must enroll in the VT plan. Highlights of the Aetna plan include:
– Enhanced benefits when used with Schiffert Health Center
– Coverage anywhere – at school, home or traveling and through the summer
– Access to travel assistance services, including emergency assistance 24/7
– Access to Aetna’s nationwide network of health care professionals
– Vision benefits included within the medical plan
– Optional dental insurance plan available
Learn more, or call Aetna Student Health at (866) 577-7027. Fall Open Enrollment Deadline: October 3rd.
24. NEW GRAD ASSISTANTSHIP POSITION OPEN – 1st posting
VT University Relations is looking to fill a graduate assistantship position asap. The GA will provide desktop support for Windows-based and Mac systems for approximately 50 professionals in University Relations. The GA will also be responsible for handling support requests related to the 4 display units in the Burruss Hall foyer and 8 units in the Visitor and Undergraduate Admission Center. Responsibilities span three distinct buildings on the VT campus, requiring that the GA be flexible and capable of getting from one location to another. Must be proficient in traditional suites of office software (i.e., MS Windows 7, Office) and Mac), as well as specialized software to produce hi def video productions and high quality page-makeup publications, and familiar with Flash and other graphic programs. Web development/experience/proficiency a plus. Exceptional problem-solving and customer service skills are highly desired. If interested, contact BJ Norris, 540-231-1614. Submit application by 5 pm, Monday, September 12.
25. GRAD ASSISTANTSHIP POSITION OPEN – 2nd posting
VT Department of Music Digital Interactive Sound & Intermedia Studio (DISIS) is looking to fill a GA position as soon as possible. The assistantship includes full tuition waiver plus a monthly stipend (approx. level 7). GA will assist in daily operations of the studio (software and equipment maintenance, assistance with conducting specific research projects including Linux Laptop Orchestra (L2Ork)). Music training and computer programming skills are desired. Knowledge of Linux is a plus. For additional info please contact Dr. Ivica Ico Bukvic at ico@vt.edu. Additional info on DISIS; additional info on L2Ork.
26. SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR STUDENT-GRANT PROGRAM
Do you have a unique idea that could help improve your community? Do you want to work with a community organization to create a lasting impact? The Social Entrepreneur grant can provide seed money for students who have a creative project or idea to address a specific need in their community. You could be awarded up to $1000 to start your project! Read more about this program and its requirements, and get the application here. Deadline for fall cycle: Oct 10. If you need help developing your ideas, recruiting community partners or a faculty advisor, or tying the project into your academic pursuits, please contact Jake Grohs at CSECP.
27. RESEARCH STUDY PARTICIPANTS NEEDED – 1st posting
Participants are sought for a study about loads on the knees while performing industrial tasks. Participants must be males or females between 18-30, and (1) should not have any current or recent history of ankle, knee and hip joint injury (2) should not experience pain or discomfort while squatting or kneeling on the floor (3) should exercise regularly (4) should have no abnormal health condition. Participants will perform simulated industrial tasks and will be expected to attend just one session lasting for about 2.5 hours. No compensation will be provided. Experimental protocols have been approved by VT IRB Interested individuals should contact Navaneeta.
28. PAID PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY OF 2-WAY COMMUNICATION – 1st posting
Researchers are looking for couples to participate in a study about two-way telecommunication using remote touch and audio channels. Participating couples must be: (1) over 18 years old; (2) have been dating over 1 year or married w/o kids; (3) speak English as the main language with each other; (4) at least one member affiliated with Virginia Tech. This IRB-approved study examines the effects of remote touch and audio channel on communication particularly in instances where the couple has feelings about a topic and when they may disagree. Couple will be situated in two study rooms and asked to have three discussion sessions through audio or remote touch and audio channels. The whole experiment will take 2 hours. Each dyad will be compensated with $30 for a complete participation. To begin, please complete this survey. Contact Rongrong Wang, wangr06@vt.edu, with questions.
29. RESEARCH SUBJECTS NEEDED FOR HNFE STUDY – 1st posting
Research subjects are wanted for a study to determine whether daily consumption of corn oil/omega-3 fat will influence muscle soreness, damage and inflammation that occurs after weight training. Must consume supplement for 45 days, perform strenuous weight training bout, go through several weeks of weight training program developed by the researchers, and provide seven blood samples over 45 days. Must be healthy males (non-smokers, no orthopedic limitations to exercise; no chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, bleeding, or inflammatory diseases); 18-28; schedule compatible with testing and training. Benefits: development of personal weight training program by experienced professionals, financial compensation up to $175. If interested, contact vthnfe@gmail.com for more information.
30. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BIOMECHANICS STUDY – 1st posting
Participants are sought for a study investigating the effects of prolonged flexion on the biomechanics of the human torso. The study consists of five separate experimental sessions (each lasting approximately 1 hour) and participants will be compensated $10/hour. To qualify you must be 18-29 and regularly exercise at least 2-3 times per week. For more information or to inquire about participation, please contact Neema. Please include your age, gender, and general availability when responding.
31. RECRUITMENT VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT – 2nd posting
The Graduate School Office of Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives is seeking recruiters. If you would like to help in the recruitment of more graduate students from your alma mater, home country, or from your discipline, please contact Dannette Beane or 540-231-6529. Recruitment materials, travel funds and training are available. Emphasis is given to recruitment involving Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges, and conferences focused on underrepresented students (this includes women in STEM).
32. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BIOMECHANICS STUDY I – 3rd posting
Participants are sought for a study investigating the effects of flexion and lifting on the biomechanics and neuromuscular control of the human torso. The study consists of six separate experimental sessions (each lasting approximately 2 hrs) and participants will be compensated $10/hour. To qualify you must be between the ages of 18-29, have a lean body, and regularly exercise at least 2-3 times per week. For more information or to inquire about participation, please contact Brad. Please include your age, gender, and general availability when responding.
33. UPCOMING EVENTS:
SHORT STAT COURSES FOR NON-STAT MAJORS
LISA (Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis) is providing a series of evening short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research. The focus of these 2-hr courses is on teaching practical statistical techniques for analyzing or collecting data. Instructions and registration >>. Short courses will be held from 5-7PM.
Remaining Fall 2011 Schedule:
Tuesday, Sep 13 & Thursday, Sep 15: Introduction to JMP; *
Tuesday, Sep 20: Introduction to Design and Analysis of Experiments;
Tuesday, Sep 27 & Thursday, Sep 29: Introduction to R; *
Tuesday, Oct 4: Applying Statistics in Research: Case Studies;
*These courses will be held in 3080 Torgersen, all other courses are held in Fralin Auditorium. They are one-session courses offered twice so that more students can attend. For more information, please visit www.lisa.stat.vt.edu.
GRADUATE HONOR SYSTEM PANELIST TRAINING
Do you think upholding academic integrity at Virginia Tech is important? If so, then you may want to serve as a panelist for the Graduate Honor System. The GHS is looking for both faculty and students to join a volunteer team of panelists who serve on investigative and judicial panels and may hold information sessions/orientations to academic departments about the GHS. Learn more about the GHS. To become a panelist, you must attend a one-hour training session. The next training sessions will be:
- Wednesday, September 14 @ 9:00 am in GLC Room C
- Thursday, September 15 @ 7:00pm in GLC Room B
- Friday, September 16 @ noon in GLC Room B
Please complete this survey to indicate which training session you would attend.
CHINESE MID-AUTUMN TALENT SHOW
Friday, Sep 16, 7:30pm, GLC Auditorium
The Chinese annual Mid-Autumn Festival is just around corner, and VT-ACSS (Association of Chinese Students and Scholars at Virginia Tech) is hosting a talent show to celebrate this great traditional festival with all Chinese students, scholars, families, friends and anyone who is interested in this festival. Join for lots of fun, mooncakes, and excellent performances! Learn more>> . Contact Carol (Yunzhou) at yunzhouzhang211@gmail.com, with questions or concerns.