1. COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
Wednesday, Jan 20, 5:00-6:00pm, GLC Student Lounge
Friday, Jan 29, 1:00-2:00pm, GLC Student Lounge
Meet other new graduate students and enjoy refreshments and good conversation along with Graduate School staff members and graduate student leaders who will answer any lingering questions on your mind.
2. EXPECTANT GRADUATE STUDENTS INTEREST MEETINGS
Thursday, Jan 21, 5:00-6:00pm, Room D in the GLC
Wednesday, Jan 27, 5:00-6:00pm, Room D in the GLC
There seems to be an interest in starting a new group to support pregnant graduate students and graduate students’ spouses through the sharing of ideas, resources, and moral support. The Graduate School supports this initiative and will provide some initial resources to get the group started, if there is sufficient interest among graduate students. If you are interested in joining such a group, please attend one of the interest meetings and/or fill out this short survey.
3. TOWN OF BLACKSBURG TOUR
Friday, Jan 22, 10:00am, meet in the GLC Lobby at 9:45am
Ever wonder how Blacksburg evolved into what it is today? Join your fellow graduate students and their friends and family on a tour of Blacksburg that focuses on the history of the town, beginning with the reasons it was formed through the development of the town as an educational center. The tour will cover the oldest buildings in the downtown area from the mid 1700’s through today! If you have questions please contact Lindsay Moss.
4. GRADUATE NETWORK FOR COMMUNITY-ENGAGED SCHOLARSHIP
Friday, Jan 22, 12:00-1:00pm, Room G in the GLC
Keynote speaker Jim Dubinsky, Director for Student Engagement & Community Partnerships. All graduate students interested in becoming involved with graduate student engagement in service and community are invited to attend. Have a slice of pizza, learn about opportunities for community service or community-engaged scholarship in your research, and network with other graduate students and groups. Spring semester meetings will be held on the last Friday in February and March, culminating in April with a poster session highlighting graduate student community-engaged scholarship. Sponsored by CSECP- Center for Student Engagement & Community Partnerships. To learn more, contact Leigh Lally.
5. GSA HAPPY HOUR
Friday, Jan 22, 5:00-7:00pm, GLC Student Lounge
GSA is hosting this "Welcome Back" happy hour! All graduate students, post-docs and faculty are invited to come and have a good time. $5.00 at the door is good for 2 brews and snacks ($2.00 for those not drinking alcohol).
6. APPLICATIONS FOR GRAD BOV REP POSITION NOW ACCEPTED
Apply to be the 2010-2011 Graduate Student Representative to the Board of Visitors! Represent your fellow graduate students to the administration of Virginia Tech and “Be the change!” Visit the BOV Grad Rep website for the application or more information, or contact Rebecca French.
7. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS 2010
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($500-$1000 each) and award certificate. Consider applying or discuss the possibility of your nomination by your advisor/department for any of the following awards that will be given out during our annual awards banquet on March 25, 2010:
– Outstanding Dissertation in (1) math, sciences and engineering, and (2) in social sciences and humanities
– Graduate Student Teaching Excellence
– Graduate Student Service Excellence
– Graduate Man and Woman of the Year
– Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college
Visit the Graduate School’s website for additional information on the specifics and requirements for each award. Nomination/Application deadline is February 5, 2010.
8. GRAD OMBUDSPERSON OFFICE IN NEW LOCATION
The Graduate Student Ombudsperson, Ennis McCrery, has moved! Come visit the new office in Room 114, in the Graduate Life Center. If you are more comfortable meeting elsewhere, however, the ombudsperson is willing to meet with you at other locations. Appointments are recommended: please call 540-231-9573 or email grdombud@vt.edu. For more information, visit www.graduate.ombudsman.vt.edu.
9. FREE TAX ASSISTANCE
New River Community Action offers free assistance with taxes for VT employees, including graduate students, whose income is less than $49,000. Appointments required – call 231-3213 or email to schedule one. Service offered in New Hall West on Mondays, 1:00-5:00pm, Feb 1-Apr 15.
10. REGISTER FOR CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION PEDAGOGY
Register now for this free conference on Feb 18-19 at The Inn at Virginia Tech. This annual conference is focused on teaching excellence and the scholarship of teaching and learning in higher education, featuring two invited keynote speakers (Lisa Lattuca and Mary Taylor Huber), 42 research- and practice-based sessions, and over 40 posters. Registration is open to faculty, administrators, and graduate students. Conference attendance is free and includes lunch both days as well as a printed copy of the conference proceedings to be distributed following the conference. For more information and registration, visit the conference website.
11. SPRING 2010 INTERDISCIPLINARY & GENERAL INTEREST COURSE OFFERINGS:
—GLOBAL AND ETHICAL IMPACT OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Taught by an interdisciplinary group of faculty from engineering, business, liberal arts and human sciences colleges, Institute for Critical Technology andApplied Science (ICTAS), and office of academic assessment, this course will provide an overview of historical, technological, cultural, and scientific factors that influence the development of emerging technologies. Students will examine the influence of emerging technologies on contemporary life within and beyond the United States; explore various theoretical frameworks for making ethical decisions for ensuring responsible technological development; and examine the role of policy and regulation in a globalized society. ENGE 5984, CRN 18252, 9:00-11:00 W, 3 credits. Learn more.
—INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
This course is of special value to students considering or already engaged in interdisciplinary research. Faculty from civil engineering, geosciences, biological sciences, chemistry, physics, and psychology will lead the course, complemented by guest lectures from individuals around campus. Students will hear about successful and not-so-successful interdisciplinary endeavors, consider how this growing and vital approach to science and engineering is impacting career opportunities, and develop team grant-writing skills, all while exploring the cultural and discipline-specific factors that impact successful interdisciplinary efforts. GRAD 5134, MW 11:15am-12:30pm, GLC.
—FREE MARKETS AND INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM
The Finance Department offers this free elective course that explains the underlying ideas and principles of capitalism and the free market economy. It is NOT a technical finance/economics course filled with equations and graphs, but rather a thoughtful discussion of Capitalism that provides a comparison to the other "isms," Socialism, Fascism, and Communism along with a discussion of contemporary economic issues. For example, the course will explore subjects such as the economic and political reasons for the “housing crisis,” and the subsequent economic panic; the pros and cons of nationalized health care, the efficacy of the “stimulus package,” and more. Instructor: Douglas Patterson. FIN 5284, CRN 18094: TTh 12:30-1:45pm, or CRN 18494: TTh 2:00-3:15pm.
—ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO WELLNESS-SPRING 2010 COURSE
Taught by Dr. Douglas K Lindner, this course examines several mind-body practices primarily related to the Ayurveda medicine and the yoga tradition. Examples of these practices include hatha yoga, breath work, meditation, Ayurveda medicine, herbs, and art therapy. Students will also examine a general philosophical framework for understanding the function of these practices, and discuss their historical place in the development of South Asian religions, their impact on health and well being, and their relationship to conventional western medicine. Guest lecturers will cover many of these topics. Students will be required to adopt two practices and report on the impact of these practices. EDCI 5784, CRN 17772, 5:00-6:15pm TTh, 3 Credits.
12. UPCOMING EVENTS:
LUNCH WITH THE DEAN – SIGN UP NOW!
Jan 26 and Feb 4, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C
Meet Graduate School Dean Dr. Karen DePauw and several graduate student leaders at this free lunch and learn about the latest in graduate education. Share your perspectives in a casual setting.
Sign up for the January 26 Lunch
Sign up for the February 4 Lunch
STUDENT AFFAIRS JOB SEARCH WORKSHOPS
The Job Search Process: Friday, Jan 29,1:00–5:00PM; GLC Room F (tentative)
Job Interview Simulation: Friday, Feb 5, 1:00–5:00PM; GLC Room F (tentative)
Are you ready to get your dream job in Student Affairs? Do you need more help to prepare for the search and interview process? From deciding on jobs that fit you to preparing for the placement conferences and on-campus interviews, all the way to accepting that perfect position, these workshops will provide a vigorous preparation and interview simulation to make sure you are prepared for your Job Search in Student Affairs. For more information or to register as a “candidate in training,” please contact Kelley Woods, Assistant Director for Residence Life, 540-231-9812.
FROM VINTAGE TO VELOUR: PARTYING THROUGH THE DECADES
Friday, Jan 29, 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Break out your poodle skirts, go-go boots, leg warmers, and skinny jeans for this welcome back party sponsored by the GLC Fellows. Dress up in fashion from your favorite decade, listen to a variety of music from old-school until now, and enjoy snacks and refreshments. Bring a picture of yourself from the past to share! It will be a totally cool and rad event. Be there or be square!