GLC Weekly

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC

• Career services advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, Study Room
• Counseling:  Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room (across from Room G)
• GLC Café: AM 9-10 on first and last Thursdays; PM 3:30-5:00 every Thursday, Reading Room
• Statistical consulting by LISA: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
• Writing support: Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room; contact Emily Love, remily4@vt.edu

2. BROWN BAG LUNCH: USING SURVEY DATA FROM CIRP & NSSE
Monday, Apr 30, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room C
The Office of Assessment and Evaluation offers this talk over lunch:  The CIRP survey is administered to entering freshmen at VT and the NSSE (National Survey on Student Engagement) provides a measure of how engaged our VT freshmen and seniors are with their classes, their colleagues, and their professors.  This session will discuss how the results of these surveys can inform our delivery of programs.

3. POKER TOURNAMENT
Tuesday, May 1, 8:00pm, GLC Room D
Compete in a poker game with graduate students for a chance to win some cool Hokie gear and other awards. Refreshments and snacks will be provided! To sign up, email GLC Fellow Kiril at kiril@vt.edu.

4. DIVERSITY SPOTLIGHT
Wednesday, May 2, 9:30-11:30am, GLC Multipurpose Room
The Graduate School Office of Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives invites you to presentations and dialogue led by 2012 Diversity Scholars. Business casual attire requested; light refreshments will be served. Contact Dannette Beane at dannette@vt.edu with questions.

5. GSA JEWELRY MAKING AT BEADSBURG
Wednesday, May 2, 6:00-8:00pm, Beadsburg
Reward yourself for a semester of hard work by making your own jewelry! No experience is necessary – just bring yourself! Tools and professional assistance will be provided along with $5 towards your jewelry. Please fill out the following survey to attend, as space is limited: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1334770251750. Participants will meet in the GLC lobby at 5:45 if you would like a ride. For any questions, contact Swetha Kumar (swethak@vt.edu).

6. SPECIAL STUDY-ROOM SCHEDULE IN THE GLC FOR READING DAY AND EXAMS
To help grad students study for exams, work on papers, and complete group projects, GLC meeting rooms will operate on a special schedule starting reading day:
Room B and C will be open 10am-10pm on Saturday, May 5
Room D will be open 24/7 on May 3,4,5, 6,7,8; 
Room G will be open 1:00-9:30pm on May 3,4,7,8, 9; and 10am-10pm on May 5
No reservations required; spaces are available on a first-come first-served basis. Look out for a refreshment cart coming through from time to time with treats to keep your spirits high and your body well sugared and caffeinated.

7. GLC CAFÉ AM and PM!
Thursday, May 3, 9:00-10:00am and 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room   
Take a quick break and grab a cup of coffee or tea and chat with fellow grads before you resume your studying/working/grading/defending or whatever it is that you are doing at this time of the semester. Bring your own mug if you can for your coffee/tea break. Free coffee, tea and light snacks provided every week.

8. RELAX AND RECHARGE
Thursday, May 3, 5:30-8:00pm, GLC Student Lounge
Don’t miss the last event for the academic year organized by the GLC Fellows. This will be a great opportunity to take a break from studying or just hang out with fellow graduate students before the end of the semester. There will be great food, music and games! For more info contact GLC Fellow Kiril at kiril@vt.edu.

9. FOCUS ON PHOTOGRAPHY: SEEING PHOTOGRAPHICALLY
Friday-Saturday, May 4–5
The Virginia Tech Alumni Association announces a special weekend event designed to take your photography to the next level: you already know the technical basics of digital photography, but there are still tools to learn and techniques to master. Sessions begin with fast and fun instructions, allowing plenty of time for hands-on activities that reinforce fundamental photography principles and lead participants on the journey to seeing photographically. More information>>.

10. DIRECTIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS WHO PLAN TO ATTEND UNDERGRADUATE CEREMONY
Graduate students who plan to process at the Undergraduate (University) Ceremony should arrive at 10:45 am at the Rector Field House. Please do not arrive earlier or later than the scheduled time. The visit of First Lady Michelle Obama will cause it to take longer for processors to be cleared through security to enter Lane Stadium. Additional security measures will include metal detection screening. Once screened, participants will not be permitted to leave the staging area. Robes should remain unzipped for security screening. Students and guests who wish to watch the university commencement from the stands should proceed directly to Lane Stadium for security check and seating. More details>>

11. HONOR SYSTEM SEARCH FOR CHIEF JUSTICE NOW OPEN – 2nd posting
The Graduate Honor System is searching for a new chief justice due to the impending graduation of the current chief justice, Katelin Shugart-Schmidt. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
— must be a graduate student in good standing who has been in residence for a minimum of one semester
— be able to serve as Chief Justice for at least one year while enrolled full-time in the Blacksburg campus
Preferably applicants should have experience as a GHS investigator or panelist. Apply by May 25 by submitting a statement of purpose and a resume to gibsonm@vt.edu. The new Chief Justice will be selected by a committee and ratified by the Graduate Student Assembly and the Commission on Graduate Studies and Policies before final appointment by the president.

12. ART, PHOTO AND WRITING CONTEST WINNERS POSTED
Winners (by popular vote) of the spring 2012 grad art, photo and writing contest have been posted in the GLC. Congratulations also go  to the winners of the GLC International “Hokies Around the World” photo contest: Tied for first place: Joowon Im and Neeraj Pramodkumar; Second place: Mostefa Brougui.

13. CALL FOR TEDxVT SPEAKER NOMINATIONS
TED is coming to Virginia Tech! On Saturday, Nov 10, 2012, the inaugural TEDxVirginiaTech event will take place; currently speaker nominations are invited from the VT community. Submit nominations by Friday, May 18. Nominees should be excellent presenters with amazing ideas… ideas worth spreading.  This year’s theme is "knowing." To learn more about TEDxVirginiaTech, the theme, the nomination process, and to nominate someone to speak at this event, please visit http://tedxvirginiatech.com. If you have any questions, please contact the TEDxVirginiaTech Steering Committee Chair, Dr. C. Edward Watson, Associate Director of the Center for Instructional Development and Educational Research (CIDER) at edwatson@vt.edu (540-231-7930).

14. STUDY SEEKS CHILDREN WITH ASD OR CONCERNS OF ASD – 2nd posting
A new study at the VT Autism Clinic is examining mother-child interactions in children with a diagnosis or concerns of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Children ages 4-11 with an ASD (Autism, Asperger’s, or PDD-NOS) or concerns of an ASD are sought for age-appropriate play-based tasks involving mother and child (1 visit) at the VT Autism Clinic in Blacksburg, VA or Roanoke Higher Education Center in Roanoke, VA. Flexible scheduling – daytime, evening, or weekend appointments available. A brief summary of the autism and cognitive assessments is available upon request. If you are interested in participating, please contact Tyler Hassenfeldt at thassen@vt.edu or call 412-600-8304.

15. VT CREW CLUB SEEKS COACHES FOR 2012-2013 SEASON – 3rd posting
VT Crew club is looking for graduate students who have experience rowing or coxing and would be interested in coaching the rowing team for the upcoming academic year. No previous coaching experience required. Multiple positions are available for varsity, novice, men’s, or women’s team coaching. The team is a club team, but competes against other collegiate programs from club to D1 throughout the US. If you are interested, please contact the current women’s novice coach, Meghan McNulty mkmcnult@vt.edu.

16. SUBJECTS NEEDED FOR FALL IMPACT STUDY -3rd posting
The Locomotion Research Laboratory in the ISE Department is looking for male and female volunteers, ages 18-70, to participate in a biomechanics experiment involving impact force predictions in fall accidents. The experiment will take place in Whittemore 556, and participants will have to perform tasks that measure grip strength, object striking force, and natural reactions during the initial phase of a fall. The entire experiment will require one session of about 2-3 hours. This may include non-business hours such as nights and weekends for those who have many classes during the day. Participants will be compensated $10/hour. If you are interested, please complete this survey, and you will be contacted if you match schedule and qualification needs. If you know anybody who may be interested, please forward this message to them.

17. SUMMER INSTRUCTOR NEEDED FOR UPWARD BOUND, ALGEBRA 2 – 1st posting
The VT Upward Bound Program is looking for someone to teach high-school-age participants this summer in the Summer Residence Program on campus Jun 25 – Jul 26. Instructor(s) needed for Geometry and higher. Classes meet Mon–Thu except  (Jul 4 week, classes will be M, T, Th, F). Pay:  $800 per section (2 sections likely). If interested, call and/or forward a resume and reference letter to: Tom Wilson, director of Upward Bound, tom.wilson@vt.edu, 540-231-6911; fax  540-231-1266, ub.ts@vt.edu. Upward Bound is designed to prepare first generation and/or low-income high school students to pursue a college education. 

18. GSA CALL FOR PROGRAM CHAIRS
The GSA is still accepting applications for the following positions: Website Director and GSA Events Chair.  If you are looking to get involved and gain valuable leadership experience, consider serving the graduate student community as a GSA Program Chair. As program chair, you will have the opportunity to be creative, work with a diverse group of students, and actively participate in an assortment of events.  Please view the GSA website at http://www.gsa.graduateschool.vt.edu/ for a full description of each position. Contact the current chairs with any position-specific questions. Application deadline: until position is filled. Submit letter of interest, resume/CV, and goals for 2012-2013. Interviews will be conducted shortly after applications are received. Direct general questions and send resumes to Elaine Mathis, efm28@vt.edu.

19. GRA OPENING FOR 2012-13: GIS WEB APP DEVELOPER – 3rd posting 
The Enterprise GIS division of VT Information Technology, in conjunction with the Blacksburg Electronic Village, seeks a highly motivated graduate student for a full-time GRA (Fall 2012 to Spring 2013, with the possibility of renewal) to develop interactive GIS-based web applications.  Please see http://www.gis.it.vt.edu/jobs/ for the full position description.  Qualified candidates should forward resumes and cover letters to egisjobs@bev.net.

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC

• Career services advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, Study Room
•  Counseling:  Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room (across from Room G)
• GLC Café: AM 9-10 on first and last Thursdays; PM 3:30-5:00 every Thursday, Reading Room
• Statistical consulting by LISA: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
• Writing support: Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room; contact Emily Love, remily4@vt.edu

2. BROWN BAG LUNCH BY ASSESSMENT & EVAL: REPORTING & DISPLAYING DATA Monday, Apr 23, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room C The Office of Assessment and Evaluation offers this talk over lunch about the many ways to graphically display quantitative data, some more effective than others.  This session will describe how to select the best method according to the purpose of the report and the information available.

3. DIALOGUE WITH THE DEAN 2.
Monday, Apr 23, 5:30-7:00pm, GLC Room B
End of the semester and still haven’t met the Dean of the Graduate School? Join other grads for Dialogue with the Dean to discuss graduate student life and university policy issues with Dean Karen DePauw. Dinner will be provided. Please register if you wish to attend: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1334084232611. This event is sponsored by the GSA. Questions, contact Swetha Kumar at swethak@vt.edu.

4. WHETHER SYSTEM: A TOWN HALL NATION EVENT
Monday, Apr 23, Tuesday, Apr 24 & Wednesday Apr 25, 7:00pm, Theatre 101
"Whether System" blends storytelling, music, theatre, and a culminating "town hall event"–original in its design–to build awareness and invite healthy, productive public dialogue around community issues. Members of the Building Home team created "Whether System" in response to stories and perspectives collected from Building Home’s 20+ community gatherings in the city of Radford and the counties of Giles, Pulaski, Montgomery, and Floyd.  What’s your vision for the future of the NRV? Come talk with us in an environment of performance, interaction, and collaboration. www.townhallnation.org

5. DST MAY WEEK CELEBRATION: BREAK A SWEAT WITH ZUMBA
Monday, Apr 23, 6:30-7:30pm, GLC Room G
The women of the Blacksburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. invites you to participate their 2012 MayWeek Celebration, which is designed to stress the importance of higher education within the local community. This year’s theme is: "A Celebration of Life: Investing in a Better You!" Please bring water and a towel. No dance skills required. This event is posted on behalf of doctoral student Kacie Allen, kaciea1@vt.edu.

6. IC-SNA ROUNDTABLE: A METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH TO ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKS
Monday, Apr 23, 7:00pm, Williams Hall
The Interdisciplinary Consortium for Social Network Analysis hosts its final meeting of the semester to discuss research and articles involved with both Social Network Analysis and online networks (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, etc.).  If you are interested in SNA, online networks, social media, or research in this domain, please join the group. If you plant to attend, please email grad student Matt Fornito at mfornito@vt.edu to obtain the short list of articles that will be discussed that the meeting.

7. DST MAY WEEK CELEBRATION: COOK IT WITH KROGER – HEALTHY COOKING ON A BUDGET
Tuesday, Apr 24, 6:30-8:30pm, Kroger Bistro
The women of the Blacksburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. invites you to participate their 2012 MayWeek Celebration, which is designed to stress the importance of higher education within the local community. Learn how to cook scrumptious and healthy meals on a budget with Kroger’s own Chef Chris Martin. Free Food, Fun, Prizes, and more!  A chance to win a $50.00 Kroger gift card! This event is posted on behalf of doctoral student Kacie Allen, kaciea1@vt.edu.

8. OVERCOMING STRESS IN GRAD SCHOOL WITH COOK COUNSELING
Wednesday, Apr 25, 4:00-5:00 pm, GLC Room C
As the semester is coming to a close and deadlines, exams, and assignments are approaching, it’s important to not get overwhelmed. Learn valuable strategies from Cook Counseling Ctr staff on ways to maintain your sanity as a graduate student. Light snacks will be provided. Sponsored by the GLC Fellows. Questions: Contact Megan Stuart, stuartma@vt.edu.

9. DST MAY WEEK CELEBRATION: DELTAS SAY ENOUGH!
Wednesday, Apr 25, 7:00pm, Johnston Student Ctr, Rm 100
The women of the Blacksburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. invites you to participate their 2012 MayWeek Celebration, which is designed to stress the importance of higher education within the local community. This is a Domestic Violence Forum hosted by the Mu Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. This event is posted on behalf of doctoral student Kacie Allen, kaciea1@vt.edu.

10. GLC CAFÉ AM and PM!
Thursday, Apr 26, 9:00-10:00am and 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room   
Take a quick break and grab a cup of coffee or tea and chat with fellow grads before you resume your studying/working/grading/defending or whatever it is that you are doing at this time of the semester. Bring your own mug if you can for your coffee/tea break. Free coffee, tea and light snacks provided every week.

11. COUPONING 101
Thursday, Apr 26, 4:00-5:00pm, GLC Room G
If you’re like the typical graduate student, looking for ways to stretch your grad school dollars (and often questioning why you’re so poor), this workshop is for you! Learn with other grads all about the technique of couponing and other money-saving strategies from Lauren Surface, student services coordinator in the Graduate School. Not only has Lauren been couponing for years, but she has learned how to capitalize on savings in the New River Valley area. Sponsored by the GLC Fellows. Questions: Contact Megan Stuart, stuartma@vt.edu.

12. MOVIE ON THE LAWN
Friday, Apr 27, 8:00pm, Graduate School Lawn
Kick back and relax with the movie Inception.  Free drinks and popcorn will be provided. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the evening. Rain location: Graduate Life Center Multipurpose Room. Contact Swetha Kumar at swethak@vt.edu if you have questions.

13. BIKE THE HUCKLEBERRY
Sunday, April 29, 10:30am, GLC Lobby
Join the GLC Fellows and other graduate students for a bike tour of the beautiful Huckleberry trail.  The ride is approximately 13 miles and mostly flat.  We will also stop at the Coal Mining Heritage park to have a picnic lunch and to do a brief hike on the Cool Mining Loop trail.  We suggest that you bring your own bike and  helmet but if you do not have a bike, the GLC has five bikes to rent.  If you’re interested in participating, please fill out this survey: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1334332167508  The first five to register who do not have bikes will have access to the GLC bikes.  We will meet outside the GLC Lobby on Otey Street.  For more information, contact Eric Hodges at hodgeseb@vt.edu

14. HONOR SYSTEM SEARCH FOR CHIEF JUSTICE NOW OPEN
The Graduate Honor System is searching for a new chief justice due to the impending graduation of the current chief justice, Katelin Shugart-Schmidt. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
– must be a graduate student in good standing who has been in residence for a minimum of one semester
– be able to serve as Chief Justice for at least one year while enrolled full-time in the Blacksburg campus Preferably applicants should have experience as a GHS investigator or panelist. Apply by May 25 by submitting a statement of purpose and a resume to gibsonm@vt.edu. The new Chief Justice will be selected by a committee and ratified by the Graduate Student Assembly and the Commission on Graduate Studies and Policies before final appointment by the president.

15. STUDY SEEKS CHILDREN WITH ASD OR CONCERNS OF ASD – 1st posting
 A new study at the VT Autism Clinic is examining mother-child interactions in children with a diagnosis or concerns of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Children ages 4-11 with an ASD (Autism, Asperger’s, or PDD-NOS) or concerns of an ASD are sought for age-appropriate play-based tasks involving mother and child (1 visit) at the VT Autism Clinic in Blacksburg, VA or Roanoke Higher Education Center in Roanoke, VA. Flexible scheduling – daytime, evening, or weekend appointments available. A brief summary of the autism and cognitive assessments is available upon request. If you are interested in participating, please contact Tyler Hassenfeldt at thassen@vt.edu or call 412-600-8304.

16. COMMENCEMENT VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT – 3rd posting
The university commencement committee is seeking graduate student volunteers to serve as ushers at the Spring ceremonies on May 11. The University Graduate Commencement will be held at 8:30 am in Cassell Coliseum and the University Ceremony will be at 12 noon.  Ushers should arrive at least one hour prior to the ceremony. If you are interested in serving the university community in this manner, please contact Thomas W. Broyles, tbroyles@vt.edu, or by phone at 540-239-4365.

17. VT CREW CLUB SEEKS COACHES FOR 2012-2013 SEASON – 2nd posting
VT Crew club is looking for graduate students who have experience rowing or coxing and would be interested in coaching the rowing team for the upcoming academic year. No previous coaching experience required. Multiple positions are available for varsity, novice, men’s, or women’s team coaching. The team is a club team, but competes against other collegiate programs from club to D1 throughout the US. If you are interested, please contact the current women’s novice coach, Meghan McNulty mkmcnult@vt.edu.

18. GRAD STUDENT ACTION PHOTOS SOUGHT FOR SPOTLIGHT – 3rd posting
The Graduate School spotlights the activities of current graduate students in photos that could be used in various PowerPoint presentations and displays throughout the year, including reflection slideshows during the fall and spring graduate commencement ceremonies. Please share your digital photos in which you are engaged in some type of academic endeavor – teaching, tutoring, performing research, giving a workshop, attending a conference or professional society meeting, or any aspect of your life as a graduate student. Send digital photos to grads@vt.edu.

19. SUBJECTS NEEDED FOR FALL IMPACT STUDY -2nd posting
The Locomotion Research Laboratory in the ISE Department is looking for male and female volunteers, ages 18-70, to participate in a biomechanics experiment involving impact force predictions in fall accidents. The experiment will take place in Whittemore 556, and participants will have to perform tasks that measure grip strength, object striking force, and natural reactions during the initial phase of a fall. The entire experiment will require one session of about 2-3 hours. This may include non-business hours such as nights and weekends for those who have many classes during the day. Participants will be compensated $10/hour. If you are interested, please complete this survey at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1332271377038, and you will be contacted if you match schedule and qualification needs. If you know anybody who may be interested, please forward this message to them.

20. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY OF SITTING EFFECTS – 3rd posting
You are invited to participate in a study aimed at testing muscle activities in a seated posture. Participants must be in no current or recent history (1 year) of physical disorders affecting the shoulder, knee, or lower back, exercise on a regular basis (2-3/wk), and be between ages 18-64. Participants must perform a one-hour computer-based typing tasks in a laboratory setting. Each experiment session will last 3 to 4 hours and Participants will be compensated $10/hour. For more information, please respond to sjayvt@gmail.com.

21. GRA OPENING FOR 2012-13: GIS WEB APP DEVELOPER – 2nd posting
The Enterprise GIS division of VT Information Technology, in conjunction with the Blacksburg Electronic Village, seeks a highly motivated graduate student for a full-time GRA (Fall 2012 to Spring 2013, with the possibility of renewal) to develop interactive GIS-based web applications.  Please see http://www.gis.it.vt.edu/jobs/ for the full position description.  Qualified candidates should forward resumes and cover letters to egisjobs@bev.net.

22. UPCOMING EVENTS:

BROWN BAG LUNCH: USING SURVEY DATA FROM CIRP & NSSE
Monday, Apr 30, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room C The Office of Assessment and Evaluation offers this talk over lunch:  The CIRP survey is administered to entering freshmen at VT and the NSSE (National Survey on Student Engagement) provides a measure of how engaged our VT freshmen and seniors are with their classes, their colleagues, and their professors.  This session will discuss how the results of these surveys can inform our delivery of programs.

POKER TOURNAMENT
Tuesday, May 1, 8:00pm, GLC Room D
Compete in a poker game with graduate students for a chance to win some cool Hokie gear and other awards. Refreshments and snacks will be provided! To sign up, email GLC Fellow Kiril at kiril@vt.edu.

GSA JEWELRY MAKING AT BEADSBURG
Wednesday, May 2, 6:00-8:00pm, Beadsburg
Reward yourself for a semester of hard work by making your own jewelry! No experience is necessary – just bring yourself! Tools and professional assistance will be provided along with $5 towards your jewelry. Please fill out the following survey to attend, as space is limited: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1334770251750. Participants will meet in the GLC lobby at 5:45 if you would like a ride. For any questions, contact Swetha Kumar (swethak@vt.edu).

RELAX AND RECHARGE
Thursday, May 3, 5:30-8:00pm, GLC Student Lounge
Don’t miss the last event for the academic year organized by the GLC Fellows. This will be a great opportunity to take a break from studying or just hang out with fellow graduate students before the end of the semester. There will be great food, music and games! For more info contact GLC Fellow Kiril at kiril@vt.edu.

FOCUS ON PHOTOGRAPHY: SEEING PHOTOGRAPHICALLY
Friday-Saturday, May 4–5
The Virginia Tech Alumni Association announces a special weekend event designed to take your photography to the next level: you already know the technical basics of digital photography, but there are still tools to learn and techniques to master. Sessions begin with fast and fun instructions, allowing plenty of time for hands-on activities that reinforce fundamental photography principles and lead participants on the journey to seeing photographically. For more information, go to http://www.alumni.vt.edu/drillfieldseries/photography.html.

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC

• Career services advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, Study Room
• Counseling:  Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room (across from Room G)
• GLC Café: AM 9-10 on first and last Thursdays; PM 3:30-5:00 every Thursday, Reading Room
•  Statistical consulting by LISA: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
• Writing support: Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room; contact Emily Love, remily4@vt.edu

2. H.O.K.I.E. ROUNDTABLE EVENTS
Tuesday, Apr 17, 7:00pm, GLC Room C – Ability Wednesday, Apr 18, 6:30pm, GLC Room C – Race and Age Monday, Apr 23, 5:00pm, GLC Room D – Religion Tuesday, Apr 24, 7:00pm, GLC Room C – Sexual Orientation To facilitate a movement toward developing and maintaining inclusive excellence at VT, H.O.K.I.E. roundtable events (Honoring Our Kinship Through Inclusive Excellence) will take place to offer the opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to share their perspectives and offer suggestions for improvement. The goal of H.O.K.I.E. is to evaluate where VT currently stands in relation to the core principles of diversity, inclusion, and equity. This event is posted on behalf of Natasha Amanda Cox, nacox@vt.edu, doctoral student in human development.

3.GSA COMEDY FOR A CURE
Tuesday, Apr 17, 7:00pm, GLC Auditorium
Come out and support American Cancer Society Relay For Life with a full night of comedy! Natasha Leggero, who frequently appears on ‘Chelsea Lately’ and has been a judge on ‘Last Comic Standing’ will be headlining this show, with local comedian Anthony Quinn as the feature act. This event is free and open to the public; a suggested donation of $10 is encouraged.  All proceeds will go directly to Relay for Life. Laugh and help a good cause! Questions? Contact Swetha Kumar, swethak@vt.edu.

4. EARN YOUR AMATEUR (HAM) RADIO LICENSE
Tuesday, Apr 17, 7:00pm, Dogwood Room, Squires Student Ctr
The VTAmateur Radio Association will be administering amateur radio license exams. To obtain study materials or learn more about amateur radio, visit http://www.arrl.org/licensing-preparation-exams or contact doctoral student Nathaniel Frissell at nafrissell@vt.edu or 973-787-4506. Exams are $15, and a photo ID and social security number are required.

5. COMMUNITY VOICES: GRAD LUNCH ROUNDTABLE AND EVENING TALK I.
Wednesday, Apr 18, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room B; Talk at 6:30pm, Old Dominion Ballroom, Squires
Dr. Avila Kilmurray, Director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, will deliver the VT Ut Prosim Lecture on “Peacebuilding & Partnerships.” Avila Kilmurray has a distinguished international career in areas related to social justice work, global peace making, and the Northern Ireland peace process. The graduate student brownbag roundtable will take place both days (4/18 & 4/19) at 12pm in the GLC, with dessert provided. Contact Andy Morikawa for information at andymorikawa@vt.edu. This event was submitted by graduate student Kate Preston.

6. CHALLENGING YOUth TO BE AN EDUCATED VOTER
Wednesday, Apr 18, 6:00-8:00pm, 129 McBryde
The purpose of this non-partisan forum will be to encourage and challenge students to be educated voters. Find out about trusted sources of information, electoral process, and issues impacting the 2012 presidential election. Get your questions answered by knowledgeable panelists: Dr. Craig Brains, associate prof, and Dr. Karen Hult, prof in political science; Dr. Brian Cook, prof in Center for Public Administration and Policy, Dr. Marco Grimaldo, president and CEO of the VA Interfaith Ctr for Public Policy;  No specific candidates will be endorsed. Panelists will highlight and discuss hot topics in today’s politics that affect our generation. A Twitter feed will be available during the discussion. This event is posted on behalf of doctoral student Kacie Allen, kaciea1@vt.edu.

7. DE-MYSTIFYING THE MIDDLE EAST AND ITS PEOPLE: A FRANK DISCUSSION Wednesday, Apr 18, 6:30–8:30pm, GLC Room F
Workshop presented by Barbara Petzen, Education Director for the Middle East Policy Council’s Teach Mideast program. Do you have questions about the Middle East and Islam? Most do. This two-hour seminar will help to illuminate these critical and often misunderstood topics. Presenter and participants will analyze stereotypes and more complex realities, foster media literacy, introduce the diversity of the Middle East and Muslim cultures and religious experience, and weigh multiple points of view. This invitation is posted on behalf of doctoral student Heba El-Shazli.
 
8. COMMUNITY VOICES: GRAD LUNCH ROUNDTABLE AND EVENING TALK II.
Thursday, Apr 19, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C; Talk at 7:00pm, The Lyric
Dr. Craig Ramey will challenge your thinking on the role of the early years in our society and economy with his talk, “Democracy, Employment, and Civility: The Crisis in Early Childhood Supports.”  Ramey is a distinguished research scholar and professor at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute, and specializes in the study of factors affecting children’s health and the development of intelligence, social competence, and academic achievement.

9. GSS TOURS PRESENTS: THE HORTICULTURE GARDENS
Thursday, Apr 19, 1:00-2:30pm, meet at the gardens off Washington St
Spring has come to Blacksburg, and what better time is there to have a walk with horticulture professor Stephanie Huckestein through the gardens during blooming season! Space is limited, so register early: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1333560115140. Accepted registrations will be confirmed by email. If you have any questions, please contact Wes Cardwell at wcardwel@vt.edu.

10. GLC CAFÉ PM
Thursday, Apr 19, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room   
If you missed all Graduate Education Week events but would like to have a GEW 2012 t-shirt, please stop by the GLC café this week to get one, while supplies last. Bring your own mug if you can for your coffee/tea break. Coffee, tea and light snacks provided every week.

11. CAMPUS CLIMATE FOCUS GROUP
Thursday, Apr 19, 4:00-5:30pm, GLC Room F
Have you ever felt like Virginia Tech could be doing more to promote diversity and inclusion or possibly that Virginia Tech does some really great things in those areas? Are there issues you have dealt with as a graduate student surrounding the current campus climate and do you have ideas on ways to improve them? Come out to this discussion on the issues of campus climate here at Virginia Tech and become a part of the solution as we take time to gauge current problems and to build a stronger sense of community for graduate students! Food and drinks will be served. Please RSVP to Bianca Baker at bbaker07@vt.edu.

12. GSS TOURS PRESENTS: PIZZA SOCIAL & TOUR OF HONORS RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE (HRC)
Thursday, Apr 19, 5:30-7:30pm, meet outside D2 dining facility on campus **Note – originally scheduled for April 17, date was changed**
Did you know there is a community of 300 plus University Honors students (both graduate and undergraduate) staying in Ambler Johnston Hall on campus? This is a special opportunity to mingle with some of the honors students at a pizza social as the last GSS event of the semester. Come learn about the lifestyle of Honors students and their focus on multidisciplinary experiences. Space is limited, so register early: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1334584448653. Accepted registrations will be confirmed by email. If you have any questions, please contact Wes Cardwell at wcardwel@vt.edu.

13. CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION WORKSHOP Friday, Apr 20, 10:00-11:30am, GLC C
Please join presenters Franny Howes and Michelle Seref, doctoral students in rhetoric and writing, for a workshop on the social relations of interdisciplinary collaboration. Presenters will explore how different systems of power relations act as metaphors in the academy.  The workshop will also examine interdisciplinary communication as a form of intercultural communication, and how cultural awareness can prepare scholars to collaborate and avoid misunderstanding. This workshop is sponsored by the Diversity Scholars program of the Graduate School. Please register by contacting Franny Howes at fhowes@vt.edu.

14. $TART $MART SALARY NEGOTIATION WORKSHOP FOR GRADS
Friday, Apr 20, 2:00-4:30pm,  GLC Room G
The Women‘s Center is proud to partner with AAUW-Blacksburg/VT to host $tart$mart, a collaboration between the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the WAGE Project, developed to empower college women and provide them with the tools to negotiate salaries and benefits as they approach the job market. This salary-negotiation workshop provides nuts-and-bolts training to help college women obtain fair and realistic first salaries. Workshop participants participate in 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. Registration is required at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1333550876460. For more information please contact Sharbari Dey at sharbari@vt.edu.

15. VT CREW CLUB SEEKS COACHES FOR 2012-2013 SEASON
VT Crew club is looking for graduate students who have experience rowing or coxing and would be interested in coaching the rowing team for the upcoming academic year. No previous coaching experience required. Multiple positions are available for varsity, novice, men’s, or women’s team coaching. The team is a club team, but competes against other collegiate programs from club to D1 throughout the US. If you are interested, please contact the current women’s novice coach, Meghan McNulty mkmcnult@vt.edu.

16. GRAD STUDENT ACTION PHOTOS SOUGHT FOR SPOTLIGHT – 2nd posting
The Graduate School spotlights the activities of current graduate students in photos that could be used in various PowerPoint presentations and displays throughout the year, including reflection slideshows during the fall and spring graduate commencement ceremonies. Please share your digital photos in which you are engaged in some type of academic endeavor – teaching, tutoring, performing research, giving a workshop, attending a conference or professional society meeting, or any aspect of your life as a graduate student. Send digital photos to grads@vt.edu.

17. PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE JOURNAL EDITORIAL BOARD CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – 2nd posting
Are you looking for an opportunity to serve the graduate student community in a scholarly fashion?  Do you want experience working with a peer-reviewed scholarly journal?  Consider applying for a position on the editorial board of the multidisciplinary student journal Public Knowledge Journal (ISSN 1948-3511).  You can contact the current Editor-in-Chief to learn more about the available positions, or read about each position at http://pkjournal.org under “call for 2012-2013 Editorial Board.” Deadline for applications (statement of interest, CV, and contact information): May 2.  Please contact Sarah Surak at editor@pkjournal.org with questions or concerns.

18. COMMENCEMENT VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT
The university commencement committee is seeking graduate student volunteers to serve as ushers at the Spring ceremonies on May 11. The University Graduate Commencement will be held at 8:30 am in Cassell Coliseum and the University Ceremony will be at 12 noon.  Ushers should arrive at least one hour prior to the ceremony. If you are interested in serving the university community in this manner, please contact Thomas W. Broyles, tbroyles@vt.edu, or by phone at 540-239-4365.

19. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR A SENSORY EVALUATION OF A NEW FOOD PRODUCT – 1st posting
Participants are sought to evaluate a new food prototype: a gluten-free cookie bar.  The test will be conducted at the Food Science and Technology Building in the Sensory Laboratory (room 127) on Apr 18, from noon to 5:30 PM.  The evaluation should last no longer than 15 minutes.  If you have any questions, contact Margo Duckson at maduckgo@vt.edu.

20. SUBJECTS NEEDED FOR FALL IMPACT STUDY -1st posting
The Locomotion Research Laboratory in the ISE Department is looking for male and female volunteers, ages 18-70, to participate in a biomechanics experiment involving impact force predictions in fall accidents. The experiment will take place in Whittemore 556, and participants  will have to perform tasks that measure grip strength, object striking force, and natural reactions during the initial phase of a fall. The entire experiment will require one session of about 2-3 hours. This may include non-business hours such as nights and weekends for those who have many classes during the day. Participants will be compensated $10/hour. If you are interested, please complete this survey at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1332271377038, and you will be contacted if you match schedule and qualification needs. If you know anybody who may be interested, please forward this message to them.

21. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY OF SITTING EFFECTS – 2nd posting
You are invited to participate in a study aimed at testing muscle activities in a seated posture. Participants must be in no current or recent history (1 year) of physical disorders affecting the shoulder, knee, or lower back, exercise on a regular basis (2-3/wk), and be between ages 18-64. Participants must perform a one-hour computer-based typing tasks in a laboratory setting. Each experiment session will last 3 to 4 hours and Participants will be compensated $10/hour. For more information, please respond to sjayvt@gmail.com.

22. CALL FOR STUDENT CONDUCT PEER ADVISORS – 3rd posting
Applications to serve as a Student Conduct Peer Advisor (PA) for the 2012-2013 academic year are now available. This is an exciting leadership opportunity available to undergraduate and graduate students interested in serving in a peer support role in the Virginia Tech community. Applications are available in the Student Conduct office in 141 New Hall West. If you have any questions, contact Mark McKenzie at mtmckenz@vt.edu or studentconduct@vt.edu. Apply at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1332526447439.

23. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY OF INFANTS’ REFERENTIAL LEARNING – 3rd posting
VT’s Infant Perception Lab is recruiting 13-15 month old infants for a study of referential learning and social attention. Infants are seated on their parents’ lap and watch movies of colorful objects while hearing lists of words repeated by an adult woman for two of the three tasks involved in this study. In between these two movie tasks, researchers conduct a brief assessment of the infant’s joint attention, by looking at posters and playing with wind-up toys in a play interaction with a research assistant. Each appointment should take no longer than an hour, and each participant receives a certificate of participation as a keepsake. If you are interested in having your child participate or would like more information, please email Laura Mills (lmills11@vt.edu).

24.  MORE PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR SLIP AND FALL STUDY – 3rd posting Participants aged 20-64 are needed for a Locomotion Research Lab study about the effects of localized muscle fatigue on risks of slips and falls. This study consists of four sessions, with each session lasting 2-3 hours. Compensation will be paid on an hourly basis at $10/hour, with $40 bonus for those who finish the entire study. Please contact Xuefang Wu at xfwu@vt.edu for more details.

25. RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR CANDY PRODUCT SURVEY AND STUDY – 3rd posting
Participants are sought for a candy product survey and study. Anyone may participate in the survey. For the study, participants will be asked to consume candy products and answer questions about those products. The study will take approximately 10 minutes and participants will be compensated with a small snack. If you are interested, please fill out the survey at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1333335032666 

26. GRA OPENING FOR 2012-13: GIS WEB APP DEVELOPER – 1st posting
The Enterprise GIS division of VT Information Technology, in conjunction with the Blacksburg Electronic Village, seeks a highly motivated graduate student for a full-time GRA (Fall 2012 to Spring 2013, with the possibility of renewal) to develop interactive GIS-based web applications.  Please see http://www.gis.it.vt.edu/jobs/ for the full position description.  Qualified candidates should forward resumes and cover letters to egisjobs@bev.net.

27. UPCOMING EVENTS:

DIALOGUE WITH THE DEAN
Monday, Apr 23, 5:30-7:00pm, GLC Room B
End of the semester and still haven’t met the Dean of the Graduate School? Join other grads for Dialogue with the Dean to discuss graduate student life and university policy issues with Dean Karen DePauw. Dinner will be provided. Please register if you wish to attend: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1334084232611. This event is sponsored by the GSA. Questions, contact Swetha Kumar at swethak@vt.edu.

OVERCOMING STRESS IN GRAD SCHOOL WITH COOK COUNSELING
Wednesday, Apr 25, 4:00-5:00 pm, GLC Room C As the semester is coming to a close and deadlines, exams, and assignments are approaching, it’s important to not get overwhelmed. Learn valuable strategies from Cook Counseling Ctr staff on ways to maintain your sanity as a graduate student. Light snacks will be provided. Sponsored by the GLC Fellows. Questions: Contact Megan Stuart,stuartma@vt.edu.

FOCUS GROUPS FOR ASSESSMENT OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES
The VP of Diversity and Inclusion at VT is seeking to review and strengthen systemic assessment, planning and evaluation processes for Diversity and Inclusion initiatives. As part of this effort, focus groups will be held to discuss a range of related topics and to engage participants in an exercise designed to generate innovative approaches to assessing LGBTQ faculty and staff  satisfaction and needs, as well as initiatives designed to support the LGBTQ community. The focus group will be held on Apr 25, 4:30–6:30pm (Intended for the LGBTQ Community and Allies); register by 4/22.
If you are interested and willing to participate, register by completing this survey: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1333650393328/.

COUPONING 101
Thursday, Apr 26, 4:00-5:00pm, GLC Room G
If you’re like the typical graduate student, looking for ways to stretch your grad school dollars (and often questioning why you’re so poor), this workshop is for you! Learn with other grads all about the technique of couponing and other money-saving strategies from Lauren Surface, student services coordinator in the Graduate School. Not only has Lauren been couponing for years, but she has learned how to capitalize on savings in the New River Valley area. Sponsored by the GLC Fellows. Questions: Contact Megan Stuart, stuartma@vt.edu.

MOVIE ON THE LAWN
Friday, Apr 27, 8:00pm, Graduate School Lawn
Kick back and relax with the movie Inception.  Free drinks and popcorn will be provided. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the evening. Rain location: Graduate Life Center Multipurpose Room. Contact Swetha Kumar at swethak@vt.edu if you have questions.

BIKE THE HUCKLEBERRY
Sunday, April 29th @ 10:30am, GLC Lobby
Join the GLC Fellows and other graduate students for a bike tour of the beautiful Huckleberry trail.  The ride is approximately 13 miles and mostly flat.  We will also stop at the Coal Mining Heritage park to have a picnic lunch and to do a brief hike on the Cool Mining Loop trail.  We suggest that you bring your own bike and  helmet but if you do not have a bike, the GLC has five bikes to rent.  If you’re interested in participating, please fill out this survey: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1334332167508  The first five to register who do not have bikes will have access to the GLC bikes.  We will meet outside the GLC Lobby on Otey Street.  For more information, contact Eric Hodges at hodgeseb@vt.edu

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC

• Career services advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, Study Room
• Counseling:  Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room (across from Room G)
• GLC Café:
  •  AM 9:00-10:00 on first and last Thursdays;
  •  PM 3:30-5:00 every Thursday, GLC Reading Room
• Statistical consulting by LISA: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
• Writing support: Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room; contact Emily Love, remily4@vt.edu

2. ASSESSMENT BROWN BAG LUNCH: USING FOCUS GROUPS
Monday, Apr 2, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room C
Focus groups provide an alternative to surveys or to face-to-face interviews as a way to collect valid information important for the evaluation of a program.  This session will focus on how to organize, deliver, and report results from a focus group. This event is sponsored by the Office of Assessment and Evaluation.

3. VIRTUAL CAREER FAIR
Tuesday-Thursday, Apr 3-5,
http://secacc.careereco.net/files/2012/03/SEC_ACC_evite_student-withsponsors.jpg

4. STRATEGIES TO PREPARE FOR A DIFFICULT CONVERSATION WITH YOUR ADVISOR
Tuesday, Apr 3, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Room C
Would you like to know strategies to prepare for a difficult conversation with your advisor?  Join the dialogue!  Panelists are Dr. Anne McNabb,  biological sciences, Dr. Marc Edwards, civil engineering, and Ms. Ennis McCrery graduate ombudsperson. Register here. Contact Akiko Nakamura at nakamura@vt.edu with any questions about this event.

5. MOVIE NIGHT: LIMITLESS
Tuesday, Apr 3, 8:00pm, GLC TV Lounge
Come and watch the movie “Limitless” together with fellow Graduate students. More information about the movie and a trailer can be found at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1219289/. Light refreshments will be provided!

6. BROWN BAG LUNCH: THE IMPACT OF VA GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN BBURG AND THE NRV
Wednesday, Apr 4, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room G
The VT Urban Affairs & Planning Department and Town of Blacksburg Planning Department will host this discussion. Bring your lunch and join an interactive discussion with Blacksburg’s Mayor Ron Rordam and Towns Attorney Larry Spencer, about the impact of the Virginia General Assembly in Blacksburg and the NRV.

7. GRAD SCHOLARS SOCIETY PRESENTS: THE CHALLENGES OF MODERN MINING (COAL & URANIUM)
Thursday, Apr 5, 1:00-2:00pm, GLC Room B
Three experienced panelists Drs. Robert J Bodnar, Roe-Hoan Yoon, and Michael E Karmis will start the discussion with some introductory remarks, followed by 30 minutes of audience questions, comments and general discussion. Light refreshments provided, and other food allowed. Express interest here. If you have any questions, please contact Wes Cardwell at wcardwel@vt.edu. Check out the GSS calendar for more events.

8. GLC CAFÉ AM/PM
Thursday, Apr 5, 9:00-10:00am and 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room   
We are bringing the morning café back! On the first and last Thursday of every month, GLC Café will be both in the morning and in the afternoon. The afternoon café will continue weekly without interruption. If you missed all Graduate Education Week events but would like to have a GEW 2012 t-shirt, please stop by the GLC café this week to get one, while supplies last.

9. MINDFUL MEDITATION
Thursday, Apr 5, 5:30-6:30pm, GLC Room G
This is a session led by Sofia Nelson, a certified integral yoga instructor who also holds a master’s degree in phychology. A lifelong seeker, she has been practicing many aspects of yoga for over 25 years. This pranayama workshop will introduce breathing techniques that are specifically designed to aid in deep relaxation, stress relief, rejuvenation and meditation.

10. GRAD DIVERSITY SCHOLARS PRESENT: FILM AND DISCUSSION ON A MUSLIM WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE
Thursday, Apr 5, 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Room G
A Muslim Woman’s Perspective is an intimate look at a diverse group of Muslim women living in the Pacific Northwest in the USA. By creating a forum where Muslim women can freely engage in an open dialogue about complex issues, filmmaker Farah Nousheen exposes a vast and fascinating array of thoughts and ideas. This event is posted on behalf of doctoral student Heba El-Shazli, heba@vt.edu.

11. FALL 2012 COURSE: EDCI 5784, Autoethnography as Methodology
Thursdays, 4:00-7:00pm
Taught by Kris Tilley-Lubbs: An alternative methodology for conducting research, autoethnography explores the social, political, historical, psychological, and cultural realms through personal introspection and reflection. Students will read significant and foundational works by leading scholars in the field, particularly those by Carolyn Ellis, Art Bochner, Carol Rambo, Ron Pelias, and Christopher Poulos. There will also be ample opportunity for autoethnographic writing and feedback.

12. CALL FOR STUDENT CONDUCT PEER ADVISORS
Applications to serve as a Student Conduct Peer Advisor (PA) for the 2012-2013 academic year are now available. This is an exciting leadership opportunity available to undergraduate and graduate students interested in serving in a peer support role in the Virginia Tech community. Applications are available in the Student Conduct office in 141 New Hall West. If you have any questions, contact Mark McKenzie at mtmckenz@vt.edu or studentconduct@vt.edu. Apply at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1332526447439.

13. 2012 INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH ESSAY CONTEST – 2nd posting
Iota Delta Rho, an interdisciplinary honor society at VT, invites all students to participate in this year’s essay contest! Write 500 words or less answering the following question: Choose a public audience (not a university-based one; i.e. an elementary school class, church group, or members of Congress).  How would you explain to them the value of interdisciplinary research? Submit your essay to Carol Johnson, cjohns49@vt.edu, along with a cover page that includes the essay title, applicant name, program/college/degree level, and a short biography.  Deadline: Sunday, Apr 1, midnight.  The winner will receive a prize and acknowledgement at the upcoming IDR Day on Apr 10. For more information on Iota Delta Rho, visit http://www.idrsociety.org/.

14. SCUBA/OPEN WATER DIVE CERTIFICATION WITH OCVT
The Outdoor Club at Virginia Tech is organizing a open water dive certification class for students and club members who are interested in diving.  The class is for beginners and will teach necessary skills for diving up to 40ft independently.  Certification is good for life. Sign up and get detailed information. Email Nimal Lobo at nlobo@vt.edu with questions.

15. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY OF INFANTS’ REFERENTIAL LEARNING – 1st posting
VT’s Infant Perception Lab is recruiting 13-15 month old infants for a study of referential learning and social attention. Infants are seated on their parents’ lap and watch movies of colorful objects while hearing lists of words repeated by an adult woman for two of the three tasks involved in this study. In between these two movie tasks, researchers conduct a brief assessment of the infant’s joint attention, by looking at posters and playing with wind-up toys in a play interaction with a research assistant. Each appointment should take no longer than an hour, and each participant receives a certificate of participation as a keepsake. If you are interested in having your child participate or would like more information, please email Laura Mills (lmills11@vt.edu).

16. MORE PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR SLIP AND FALL STUDY – 1st posting
Participants aged 20-64 are needed for a Locomotion Research Lab study about the effects of localized muscle fatigue on risks of slips and falls. This study consists of four sessions, with each session lasting 2-3 hours. Compensation will be paid on an hourly basis at $10/hour, with $40 bonus for those who finish the entire study. Please contact Xuefang Wu at xfwu@vt.edu for more details.

17. RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR CANDY PRODUCT SURVEY AND STUDY – 1st posting
Participants are sought for a candy product survey and study. Anyone may participate in the survey. For the study, participants will be asked to consume candy products and answer questions about those products. The study will take approximately 10 minutes and participants will be compensated with a small snack. If you are interested, please fill out the survey at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1333335032666 

18. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR DIVERSITY FOCUS GROUPS – 2nd posting
To facilitate a movement toward developing and maintaining inclusive excellence at VT, H.O.K.I.E. roundtable events (Honoring Our Kinship Through Inclusive Excellence) will take place to offer the opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to share their perspectives and offer suggestions for improvement. The goal of H.O.K.I.E. is to evaluate where VT currently stands in relation to the core principles of diversity, inclusion, and equity. Not only will the roundtable serve to educate faculty, staff, and students, it will also be used as a forum for feedback on how the participants feel these principles have been handled within the university. Six different sessions will be held:

• Apr 9, 6pm – Age
• Apr 12, 7pm – Gender
• Apr 17, 7pm – Ability
• Apr 18, 6:30pm – Race
• TBA – Sexual Orientation
• TBA – Religion

If you are interested in attending, please contact doctoral student Natasha Cox at nacox@vt.edu.

19. RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON UNLOADING PANEL WALLS – 2nd posting
Participants will be required to perform several manual material handling tasks required to unload panel walls from a panel stack. Two-hour session plus 20-min preliminary session for a $10/hr compensation. Must be 18-40, male or female, no current or recent history of a physical disorder affecting the shoulder, knee, lower back, or ankle; exercise on a regular basis (2-3/wk). If interested, contact Courtney Haynes at 724-272-8574, chaynes7@vt.edu.

20. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BIOMECHANICS STUDY – 2nd posting
Participants are sought for a study investigating the effects of load size and weight and the use of assistive devices during load carriage. Participants are invited to complete either or both of two separate experimental sessions (each lasting approximately 2-3 hrs) and will be compensated $10/hour. During these sessions, participants will be asked to carry a variety of loads across a path or on a treadmill. Must be male, 18-35 years old, regularly exercise at least 2-3 times/wk, and have a relatively low body fat percentage. For more information or to inquire about participation, please contact Khoirul at khoirul@vt.edu. Please include your age, gender, and general availability when responding.

21. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR EFFECTS OF IMMERSION IN ANALYSIS OF
MICRO-CT DATASETS STUDY – 3rd posting
Participants are sought for the IRB-approved study of "Effects of immersion in analysis of micro-CT datasets with a head-mounted display." The study consists of answering a few questions related to two selected micro-CT datasets, which will be volume-visualized on a state-of-the-art head-mounted display system, in the Blacklab of the center for HCI and department of computer science at KnowledgeWorks-II building of CRC. The whole experiment lasts about an hour. Must be over 18 with no or minimal background in micro-CT imaging to participate in this experiment, and not have participated in a similar experiment in 2011. Available time slots: http://people.cs.vt.edu/blaha/schedule.html . Please email to blaha@vt.edu, with your preferred time slot to sign up for your participation. Researchers are providing free pickup and drop service from Cassell Coliseum to study venue and return to Cassell Coliseum for all participants signing up after Mar 7.

22. CALL FOR GSA PROGRAM CHAIR APPLICATIONS – 2nd posting
If you are looking to get involved and gain valuable leadership experience, consider serving the graduate student community as a GSA Program Chair. As program chair, you will have the opportunity to be creative, work with a diverse group of students, and actively participate in an assortment of events.  Applications are currently accepted from proactive students for the following positions: Website Director, Research Symposium Chair, Graduate & Professional School Fair Chair, Graduate Research & Development Program Chair, Travel Fund Program Chair, GSA Events Chair, and GSA Historian. Please view the GSA website at http://www.gsa.graduateschool.vt.edu/ for a full description of each position. Contact the current chairs with any position-specific questions. Application deadline: Friday, Apr 6. Submit letter of interest, resume/CV, and goals for 2012-2013. Interviews will be conducted the following week. Direct general questions and send resumes to Elaine Mathis, efm28@vt.edu. 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

IDR DAY 2012
Tuesday, Apr 10, 5:00-9:30pm, The Inn at Virginia Tech
The Interdisciplinary Research Honor Society (IDR) is sponsoring the 2nd Interdisciplinary Research Day (IDR Day 2012) at Virginia Tech. Enjoy an evening of exciting discussions about transdisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity. The event will begin with welcoming new honor members into the society and a review of this year’s accomplishments. Then the audience will subdivide into groups to tackle modern-day wicked problems through creative integration of the different disciplines represented in the group. Dinner is provided. Registration is FREE but required due to limited spaces. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. For the event program and registration, please go to: http://www.idrsociety.org/idr-day-2012/.

GRAD SCHOLARS SOCIETY PRESENTS: TECHNOLOGY ADICTION – HOW REAL IS IT AND WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?
Wednesday, Apr 11th, 1:30-2:30pm, GLC Room B
Three experienced panelists Drs. Joseph Pitt, Robert Stephens, and Richard Hirsh will start the discussion with some introductory remarks, followed by 30 minutes of audience questions, comments and general discussion. Light refreshments provided, and other food allowed. Express interest here. If you have any questions, please contact Wes Cardwell at wcardwel@vt.edu.

DISTRESSED CITIES CONFERENCE    
Thursday and Friday, Apr 12-13
Please join the School of Public and International Affairs for a conference on Distressed Cities, hosted on VT’s Blacksburg campus. Check the conference  website for details. This message is posted on behalf of doctoral student Anja Bieri.

15TH ANNUAL EBONY AFFAIR: A CRYSTAL STAIR – REGISTER NOW!
Friday, Apr 13, 7:00-9:00pm, Custom Catering Center
The Black Graduate Student Organization invites you to their annual Ebony Affair, a semi-formal red-carpet dinner banquet recognizing outstanding faculty members, students, and community members who actively engage in their motto: “Lifting As We Climb.” The Ebony Affair provides exposure to cultural expressions, and facilitates networking opportunities among students, faculty, staff, and the community. Invited guests and sponsors include university departments, community organizations and business, and individuals from the community. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.bgso.org.vt.edu/sponsors.html for $12 each, which includes dinner, gift bag, and entertainment following the event. If you have any questions, please contact Shernita Lee, shernita@vt.edu.
 
BOV GRAD LUNCHEON WITH PRESIDENT, PROVOST, & GRADUATE DEAN
Tuesday, Apr 17, 12:00-1:30pm, The Inn
Attend the next and final graduate luncheon of the spring semester with VP and dean for graduate education, Dr. Karen DePauw, President Steger and Provost McNamee at the Inn at Virginia Tech. Spaces are limited, so if you are interested in attending, please fill out this survey.  Graduate students selected for attendance will be contacted by Apr 14. Contact Michelle McLeese at mmcleese@vt.edu or bovgradrep@vt.edu with any questions.

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC

• Career services advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, 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: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
• Writing support: Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room; contact Emily Love, remily4@vt.edu

2. NERD WARS: MASTER’S VS. PH.D.’S
March 1-28, GLC Front Desk
Relay for Life Team “Graduates for a Cure” is hosting an adaptation of the penny wars starting March 1st. Stop by the GLC Front Desk and donate your loose change into a jar according to your degree status (Master’s or Ph.D.) All donations will be benefit American Cancer Society Relay for Life! The GLC bulletin board will be updated regularly to show whether Masters or Ph.Ds are ahead. The winner of this competition will be announced during Graduate Education Week on March 28th! Don’t let your fellow graduates down…may the best group win! Questions: Contact GLC Fellow Megan Stuart at stuartma@vt.edu.

3. GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK! – Full schedule here

4. ETD REVIEW RUSH!
Monday, Mar 26, 9:30-10:30am;
Tuesday, Mar 27, 2:30-3:30pm;
Thursday, Mar 29, 10-11am, all in GLC Room C
If you are graduating this semester and finishing up your ETD, come to one of these sessions to have a pre-submission review of your ETD by Graduate School staff and make sure that it is ready to be submitted.  Bring your laptop and a copy of your ETD in pdf format. Contact gradappl@vt.edu or 540-231-8636 with any questions.

5. SAFE ZONE TRANING FOR GRADS – REGISTER NOW!
Monday, Mar 26, 10:00am-12:00pm, GLC Room B
Interested in becoming Safe-Zone certified? Catherine Cotrupi, VT’s LGBTQ coordinator, offers a grads-only section of the Safe Zone Overview session required to start your certification and training. This session is for individuals interested in learning more about the LGBTQ Community. Topics addressed in the first training session include: common LGBTQ terms; sexual orientation vs. sexual identity; the coming out process; experiences of LGBTQ individuals; how you can be a Safe-Zone ally. Please register here. This is also a sponsored Graduate Education Week event. Contact Catherine for more information. Free GEW t-shirts at this event.

6. CAREER BOOSTER SEMINARS
Tuesday, Mar 27, 4:00-5:00pm, GLC Rooms C and F
The job search processes for industry and academic positions are unique. Participate in the academic job search seminar in Room C, or the industry search one in Room F to understand how best to approach your job search and learn what you might experience in the process. Sponsored by Career Services.  Free GEW t-shirts at this event.

7. DANCING AND SMOOTHIES
Tuesday, Mar 27, 7:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Take a mini-vacation from your research and recharge by breaking a sweat to the popular Wii game, Just Dance! Afterwards, enjoy smoothies provided by the GLC Fellows. Free GEW t-shirts at this event.

8. COMMUNITY VOICES: GRAD ROUNDTABLE AND EVENING TALK
Tuesday, Mar 27, Grad Roundtable in the GLC, talk: 7:00pm, Lyric Theatre
Bob Summers, Entrepreneur and Founder of TechPad will present "Project Blacksburg: The Growing of an Open Source Community.”  Summers specializes in Internet software companies for the consumer and enterprise markets. A graduate student roundtable on this topic will take place Tuesday, 3/27 in the GLC, time & room location TBA. Contact Andy Morikawa for information at andymorikawa@vt.edu. This event was submitted by graduate student KatePreston.

9. GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM AND EXPOSITION
Wednesday, Mar 28, 9:00am-3:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
The symposium is a unique opportunity for students to interact with each other to pave the way for interdisciplinary research discussion and collaboration. The event promises to be an interactive networking forum between participants, faculty, departments, research entities and corporate bodies. The program features oral and poster presentations by students from various disciplines. Detailed schedule>>.

10. GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM KEYNOTE: DAN PALLOTTA
Wednesday, Mar 28, 6:30pm, GLC Auditorium
Author of Uncharitable and writer for the Harvard Business Review, Dan Pallotta will provide a new perspective on for-profit charity organizations. His company, Pallotta Teamworks, invented the multi-day AIDSRides and Breast Cancer 3-Days. His work has been called "revolutionary" by former US senator Gary Hart and, according to The Stanford Social Innovation Review, his contribution "deserves to become the nonprofit sector’s new manifesto". This event is part of Graduate Education Week and is free and open to the public.

11. LOUNGE AT THE LIBRARY
Thursday, Mar 29, 11:30am-1:00pm, Grad Lounge at 416 Newman Library
Enjoy a free light lunch and informational session with subject librarians available to assist you with your research questions.

12. GSS PRESENTS: lumenHAUS TOURS
Thursday, Mar 29, 11:00am; Register here
Friday, Mar 30, 2:00pm; Register here
The Grad Scholars Society hosts these tours of the award-winning solar house designed and built by a team of VT students and faculty. Advance registration required. You will receive a confirmation when your registration is accepted. Contact Wes Cardwell at wcardwel@vt.edu with questions.

13. GRAD NIGHT AT THE LYRIC: EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE
Thursday, Mar 29, 7:00 and 9:30pm, The Lyric
Enjoy a free night at the movies with fellow grads, compliments of the Graduate School and The Lyric in recognition of Graduate Education Week. Pick up a free ticket at the GLC Information Desk or in 110 GLC while supplies last.

14. EINSTEIN’S TELESCOPE: THE HUNT FOR DARK MATTER AND DARK ENERGY IN THE UNIVERS
Thursday, Mar 29, 7:00pm book signing; 7:30pm lecture, GLC Auditorium
Dr. Evalyn Gates, executive director and CEO of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, discusses the search for an unknown dark energy in the universe. Sponsored by the Department of Physics, College of Science, the Graduate School, and Women in Leadership and Philanthropy.

15. STS ANNUAL LECTURE: URANIUM FROM AFRICA AND THE POWER OF NUCLEAR THINGS
Friday, Mar 30, 3:00pm, Torg 2150
The department of Science and Technology in Society presents the 23rd annual Nicholas Mullins lecture on uranium from Africa and the power of nuclear things, presented by Dr. Gabrielle Hecht, professor of history at the University of Michigan. A reception will follow the lecture. For more information contact grad student Monique Dufour at msdufour@vt.edu.

16. GRAD OLYMPICS 2012 – register by Mar 27!
Friday, Mar 30, 3:00-4:30pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
This light-hearted competition among graduate student teams will put your wit, physical skills and team spirit to the test. Up to ten teams of 4-5 members may compete for great prizes (including $50 gift certificate to The Cellar). No prior experience necessary, but resourcefulness and knowledge of the GLC are a plus. All materials are provided. Register by 3/27. You will be notified if your registration is accepted.

17. BIG COOK OUT
Friday, Mar 30, 4:30-6:30pm, GLC and Grad School lawn
Enjoy free food, music, and games at this luau-themed cook out. Learn a hula dance and compete for prizes by wearing your wildest Hawaiian shirt. If shines, food will be served on the Grad School patio. If rains, food service will be in the Grad School lobby. But one way or another, there will be food, music, and fun, so take part of it! Remaining GEW t-shirts will be handed out at this event while supplies last.

18. SONG OF KOREA CULTURE SHOW
Saturday, Mar 31, 7:00pm, GLC Auditorium
The Korean American Student Association invites you to attend its annual culture show, Song of Korea. Enjoy a show about Korean culture while following the story of Kwon Park. Doors open at 6:30pm

19. 2012 INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH ESSAY CONTEST – 1st posting
Iota Delta Rho, an interdisciplinary honor society at VT, invites all students to participate in this year’s essay contest! Write 500 words or less answering the following question: Choose a public audience (not a university-based one; i.e. an elementary school class, church group, or members of Congress).  How would you explain to them the value of interdisciplinary research? Submit your essay to Carol Johnson, along with a cover page that includes the essay title, applicant name, program/college/degree level, and a short biography.  Deadline: Sunday, Apr 1, midnight.  The winner will receive a prize and acknowledgement at the upcoming IDR Day on Apr 10. More information on Iota Delta Rho >>.

20. SCUBA/OPEN WATER DIVE CERTIFICATION WITH OCVT
The Outdoor Club at Virginia Tech is organizing a open water dive certification class for students and club members who are interested in diving.  The class is for beginners and will teach necessary skills for diving up to 40ft independently.  Certification is good for life. To sign up and get detailed information, visit: http://tinyurl.com/82cqedv. Email Nimal Lobo at nlobo@vt.edu with questions.

21. AEL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED – 3rd posting
Alpha Epsilon Lambda (AEL) Graduate Honor Society, the only academic excellence and leadership honor society of graduate and professional school students, is now accepting applications for new members. Graduate students may become members based on their academic achievements and leadership experiences. Apply by Apr 1.  The induction ceremony for new members will take place on Thursday, Apr 26. For more information visit the AEL website (see above) or contact Andrea Tiwari at ajtiwari@vt.edu with any questions.

22. BAD DESIGN CONTEST –  3rd posting
The Human Factors and Engineering Society is hosting an on-campus "bad design" contest to spread the word about what human factors engineers do. The contest is simple: 1. Find something that is poorly designed on campus 2. Take a picture and write a few sentences about it. 3. Redesign a solution 4. Complete the entry form at http://goo.gl/LXDSz. 1st place is a $50 cash prize and 2nd place is a $25 cash prize. Questions can be emailed to hfesvt@gmail.com. This message is posted on behalf of master’s student Julee Harlow.

23. CALL FOR GSA PROGRAM CHAIR APPLICATIONS – 1st posting
If you are looking to get involved and gain valuable leadership experience, consider serving the graduate student community as a GSA Program Chair. As program chair, you will have the opportunity to be creative, work with a diverse group of students, and actively participate in an assortment of events.  Applications are currently accepted from proactive students for the following positions: Website Director, Research Symposium Chair, Graduate & Professional School Fair Chair, Graduate Research & Development Program Chair, Travel Fund Program Chair, GSA Events Chair, and GSA Historian. Please view the GSA website for a full description of each position. Contact the current chairs with any position-specific questions. Application deadline: Friday, Apr 6. Submit letter of interest, resume/CV, and goals for 2012-2013. Interviews will be conducted the following week. Direct general questions and send resumes to Elaine Mathis, efm28@vt.edu. 

24. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR SPEAKING UNITED – ENCOUNTERING DIFFERENCE
International students who enjoy the arts, painting, singing, dancing, reciting poetry and expressing themselves through any artistic form are invited to participate in this opportunity to interact through different artistic forms and encounter different cultures in an atmosphere of joy and enthusiasm. The event will take place on the Drillfield on Wednesday, Apr 4. If interested, contact Yanka Petkova yanka1@vt.edu or call 540-577-7342; may also submit poetry quotes in your national language or in any dialect. Deadline: Mar 29.

25. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR DIVERSITY FOCUS GROUPS – 1st posting
To facilitate a movement toward developing and maintaining inclusive excellence at VT, H.O.K.I.E. roundtable events (Honoring Our Kinship Through Inclusive Excellence) will take place to offer the opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to share their perspectives and offer suggestions for improvement. The goal of H.O.K.I.E. is to evaluate where VT currently stands in relation to the core principles of diversity, inclusion, and equity. Not only will the roundtable serve to educate faculty, staff, and students, it will also be used as a forum for feedback on how the participants feel these principles have been handled within the university. Six different sessions will be held with the topics of: race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion and age. The groups will begin in April. If you are interested in attending, please contact doctoral student Natasha Cox at nacox@vt.edu.

26. RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON UNLOADING PANEL WALLS – 1st posting
Participants will be required to perform several manual material handling tasks required to unload panel walls from a panel stack. Two-hour session plus 20-min preliminary session for a $10/hr compensation. Must be 18-40, male or female, no current or recent history of a physical disorder affecting the shoulder, knee, lower back, or ankle; exercise on a regular basis (2-3/wk). If interested, contact Courtney Haynes at 724-272-8574, chaynes7@vt.edu.

27. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BIOMECHANICS STUDY – 1st posting
Participants are sought for a study investigating the effects of load size and weight and the use of assistive devices during load carriage. Participants are invited to complete either or both of two separate experimental sessions (each lasting approximately 2-3 hrs) and will be compensated $10/hour. During these sessions, participants will be asked to carry a variety of loads across a path or on a treadmill. Must be male, 18-35 years old, regularly exercise at least 2-3 times/wk, and have a relatively low body fat percentage. For more information or to inquire about participation, please contact Khoirul at khoirul@vt.edu. Please include your age, gender, and general availability when responding.

28. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR EFFECTS OF IMMERSION IN ANALYSIS OF
MICRO-CT DATASETS STUDY – 2nd posting
Participants are sought for the IRB-approved study of "Effects of immersion in analysis of micro-CT datasets with a head-mounted display." The study consists of answering a few questions related to two selected micro-CT datasets, which will be volume-visualized on a state-of-the-art head-mounted display system, in the Blacklab of the center for HCI and department of computer science at KnowledgeWorks-II building of CRC. The whole experiment lasts about an hour. Must be over 18 with no or minimal background in micro-CT imaging to participate in this experiment, and not have participated in a similar experiment in 2011. Available time slots: http://people.cs.vt.edu/blaha/schedule.html . Please email to blaha@vt.edu, with your preferred time slot to sign up for your participation. Researchers are providing free pickup and drop service from Cassell Coliseum to study venue and return to Cassell Coliseum for all participants signing up after Mar 7.

29. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A STUDY ON ANKLE SPRAIN RISK FACTORS – 3rd posting
Healthy, young adults (18-35) with and without a history of ankle sprains are sought for participation in an IRB-approved research project on ankle sprain risk factors. The project consists of 3 sessions, of which participants may complete one or a combination. Participants must perform a series of static and dynamic athletic tasks to assess the effects of running speed on motor control (study 1), perform single leg drop landings before and after fatigue (study 2), and complete ankle stiffness and position sense evaluations under fatigued and braced conditions (study 3). Compensation: $10/hr. Requirements: Active (exercising at least 2-3/wk); either no history of ankle sprains or ≥ 2 sprains to the same ankle; No current and/or chronic pain in ankles, knees, hips, back, or neck; No prior joint surgeries on the lower limbs; No neuropathies, muscle weakness, vestibular disorders, or current injuries; Not currently using ankle tape or braces for exercise or participating in physical rehabilitation. If interested, contact Courtney Haynes by at chaynes7@vt.edu, 724-272-8574.

30. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON WORKING IN GROUPS – 3rd posting
The VT Center for Human-Computer Interaction invites you to participate in a study of users playing a design game together, to study how people interact with one another in coming up with design ideas. Participants will be entered into a raffle for one of two $100 prizes (there will be at most 36 participants in this raffle). You will be asked to play a computer-based design game with 2 other players. Available 1-hour time slots are listed at https://bitly.com/designgamestudy. If interested, email tgm+dg@vt.edu <mailto:tgm%2Bdg@vt.edu>  for more information or to request any of the listed time slots, or to request a different time. The study takes place in McBryde 106A.

31. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR DISSERTATION STUDY ON MUSCLE ENDURANCE – 3rd posting
You are invited to participate in a VT dissertation research study on muscle endurance. Participants will perform a set of endurance tests involving the shoulder in a laboratory setting in the Industrial and Systems Engineering department. The study consists of 2 sessions, each lasting about 1 hr. Compensation: $15/hour. Requirements: not involved in any regular aerobic or resistance training, age 18-25 or 50-65, and no current or recent history of a physical disorder affecting the shoulder. Overweight individuals are especially needed.  Study protocols have been approved by the VT IRB (11-597). Please contact Lora Cavuoto at lcavuoto@vt.edu with any questions or if interested in participating.

32. HRC GRADUATE FELLOW POSITION OPENING FOR 2012-13 – 1st posting
The HRC Graduate Fellow serves the intellectual life and educational mission of the
Honors Residential College (HRC) and University Honors. The fellow will take an active part in the college, work closely with the Faculty principal, the Honors staff, and the Student Life Coordinator (SLC) to provide leadership for the HRC. Must reside in the HRC; work 20 hrs/wk; perform administrative tasks, serve as a resource and liaison, attend staff meetings and training sessions; maintain office hours; conduct HRC tours; other duties. Compensation: Housing and meal plan and in-state tuition scholarship. To learn more about the HRC and this position, visit http://www.housing.vt.edu/llc/hrc/index.php. To apply, send pdfs of a cover letter of interest and a résumé or CV to Dr. Robert Stephens, Principal of the HRC, at rosteph2@vt.edu before 5:00pm on Friday, Mar 30. Address questions to Dr. Stephens.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

ASSESSMENT BROWN BAG LUNCH: USING FOCUS GROUPS
Monday, Apr 2, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room C
Focus groups provide an alternative to surveys or to face-to-face interviews as a way to collect valid information important for the evaluation of a program.  This session will focus on how to organize, deliver, and report results from a focus group. This event is sponsored by the Office of Assessment and Evaluation.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION DIALOGUE WITH FACULTY AND OMBUDSPERSON
Tuesday, Apr 3, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Room C
To foster successful advisor-advisee relationships, there will be a dialogue on conflict resolution in graduate education. Panelists are Dr. Anne McNabb,  biological sciences, Dr. Marc Edwards, civil engineering, and Ms. Ennis McCrery graduate ombudsperson. Register here. Contact Akiko Nakamura at nakamura@vt.edu with any questions about this event.

MOVIE NIGHT: LIMITLESS
Tuesday, Apr 3, 8:00pm, GLC TV Lounge
Come and watch the movie “Limitless” together with fellow Graduate students. More information about the movie and a trailer can be found at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1219289/. Light refreshments will be provided!

GRAD DIVERSITY SCHOLARS PRESENT: FILM AND DISCUSSION ON A MUSLIM WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE
Thursday, Apr 5, 6:30-8:30pm, GLC Room F
A Muslim Woman’s Perspective is an intimate look at a diverse group of Muslim women living in the Pacific Northwest in the USA. By creating a forum where Muslim women can freely engage in an open dialogue about complex issues, filmmaker Farah Nousheen exposes a vast and fascinating array of thoughts and ideas. This event is posted on behalf of doctoral student Heba El-Shazli, heba@vt.edu.

IDR DAY 2012
Tuesday, Apr 10, 5:00-9:30pm, The Inn at Virginia Tech
The Interdisciplinary Research Honor Society (IDR) is sponsoring the 2nd Interdisciplinary Research Day (IDR Day 2012) at Virginia Tech. Enjoy an evening of exciting discussions about transdisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity. The event will begin with welcoming new honor members into the society and a review of this year’s accomplishments. Then the audience will subdivide into groups to tackle modern-day wicked problems through creative integration of the different disciplines represented in the group. Dinner is provided. Registration is FREE but required due to limited spaces. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. Event program and registration>>.

DISTRESSED CITIES CONFERENCE    
Thursday and Friday, Apr 12-13
Please join the School of Public and International Affairs for a conference on Distressed Cities, hosted on VT’s Blacksburg campus. Check the conference  website for details: http://distressedcities.wordpress.com. This message is posted on behalf of doctoral student Anja Bieri.

15TH ANNUAL EBONY AFFAIR: A CRYSTAL STAIR – REGISTER NOW!
Friday, Apr 13, 7:00-9:00pm, Custom Catering Center
The Black Graduate Student Organization invites you to their annual Ebony Affair, a semi-formal red-carpet dinner banquet recognizing outstanding faculty members, students, and community members who actively engage in their motto: “Lifting As We Climb.” The Ebony Affair provides exposure to cultural expressions, and facilitates networking opportunities among students, faculty, staff, and the community. Invited guests and sponsors include university departments, community organizations and business, and individuals from the community. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.bgso.org.vt.edu/sponsors.html for $12 each, which includes dinner, gift bag, and entertainment following the event. If you have any questions, please contact Shernita Lee, shernita@vt.edu.

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC

• Career services advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, 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: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
• Writing support: Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room; contact Emily Love

2. NERD WARS: MASTER’S VS. PH.D.’S
March 1-28, GLC Front Desk
Relay for Life Team “Graduates for a Cure” is hosting an adaptation of the penny wars starting March 1st. Stop by the GLC Front Desk and donate your loose change into a jar according to your degree status (Master’s or Ph.D.) All donations will be benefit American Cancer Society Relay for Life! The GLC bulletin board will be updated regularly to show whether Masters or Ph.Ds are ahead. The winner of this competition will be announced during Graduate Education Week on March 28th! Don’t let your fellow graduates down…may the best group win! Questions: Contact GLC Fellow Megan Stuart.

3. BROWN BAG TALKS: HOW TO DESIGN EFFECTIVE SURVEYS
Monday, Mar 19, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room C
This session provides tips on the survey process and how to create and administer effective surveys that increase response rates and provide reliable data. This session is offered by the Office of Assessment and Evaluation. Register here.

4. INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS WORKSHOP
Monday, Mar 19, 7:00pm, Pamplin 30
The Interdisciplinary Consortium for Social Network Analysis (IC-SNA) is hosting a presentation/workshop for faculty and graduate students interested in (1) learning about SNA and/or (2) gaining insight into using it in their own research. Social network analysis focuses on discovering patterning of human’s (or any living being’s) interaction. This overview will cover the history and foundation of SNA, terminology, methods, practical usage, modern/interesting research, and applications for analyzing data.  Registration is not required.  Please contact Matt Fornito with questions or comments.

5. GSS TOURS PRESENTS: THE VT COAL POWER PLANT
Wednesday, Mar 21, 1:00-2:30pm, meet in GLC Lobby 12:30pm or at Power Plant bldg
Did you know there is a coal power plant on campus? Here is your opportunity to partake in a guided tour through the power plant, including an introductory presentation by plant associate director Byron Nichols summarizing how the plant works. Special bonus: Peer inside a working coal furnace while wearing eye protection. Space is limited, so register early. Accepted registrations will be confirmed by email. Check out the GSS calendar for more spring tour opportunities.

6. GRAD SCHOLARS SOCIETY PRESENTS: ETHICAL CHALLENGES WITH PLAGIARISM AND THE WWW
Thursday, Mar 22, 1:00-2:00pm, GLC Room C
Three experienced panelists Drs. Shelli B Fowler, Uwe Tauber and Ishwar Puri will start the discussion with some introductory remarks, followed by 30 minutes of audience questions, comments and general discussion. If you have any questions, please contact Wes Cardwell. Check out the GSS calendar for more discussion panels.

7. GLC CAFÉ PM
Thursday, Mar 22, 3:30-50:00pm  GLC Reading Room
Enjoy free coffee and tea and socialize with your fellow grads. Bring your own mug if you can. Please contact us at grads@vt.edu if you have any comments or suggestions about this event.

8. GSA SPRING 2012 WINE SOCIAL
Friday, Mar 23, 5:30-9:00pm, University Club
Take a break from your hectic semester and join your fellow grad students at the GSA Spring 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. Valid state-issued ID required for entry. Contact Amanda Shea with any questions.

9. 3RD ANNUAL LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP: EMOTIONAL LEADERSHIP
Saturday, Mar 24, 10:00am-5:30pm, Pamplin 30
The Alpha XI chapter of Alpha Epsilon Lambda at VT hosts this workshop for graduate students, focusing on the issues of emotional intelligence and personality as they relate to leadership. During the workshop participants will complete a personalized assessment of their emotionally intelligent leadership skills, and take part in a panel discussion with prominent local leaders from different sectors of society. The workshop includes a $5 registration fee to cover the cost of the personalized assessment. Lunch and refreshments are provided free of charge. Space is limited to 50 graduate students, so register now.  For more information visit the AEL website or contact Andrea Tiwari at ajtiwari@vt.edu.

10. GRAD STUDENT PHOTO-ART-WRITING CONTEST: Deadline extended to 3/21
The Graduate School invites submissions of art work, photography and written work by graduate students for display in the GLC during Graduate Education Week (Mar 26-30) and beyond. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art, photography, or written work) per graduate student. Learn more>>.

11. GRAD OLYMPICS 2012 – register now!
Put your wit, physical skills and team spirit to the test in this highlight of Graduate Education Week, a light-hearted competition among graduate student teams on Friday, Mar 30, 3:00-4:30. Up to ten teams of 4-5 members may compete for great prizes (including $50 gift certificate to The Cellar). No prior experience necessary, but resourcefulness and knowledge of the GLC are a plus. All materials are provided. All teams must pre-register by March 23 and wait for confirmation that their registration was accepted. You will be notified if your registration is accepted. Teams will receive extra points for a creative team name, flag design and team cheer.

12. AEL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED – 2nd posting
Alpha Epsilon Lambda (AEL) Graduate Honor Society, the only academic excellence and leadership honor society of graduate and professional school students, is now accepting applications for new members. Graduate students may become members based on their academic achievements and leadership experiences. Apply by Apr 1.  The induction ceremony for new members will take place on Thursday, Apr 26. For more information visit the AEL website (see above) or contact Andrea Tiwari at ajtiwari@vt.edu with any questions.

13. BAD DESIGN CONTEST – 2nd posting
The Human Factors and Engineering Society is hosting an on-campus "bad design" contest to spread the word about what human factors engineers do. The contest is simple: 1. Find something that is poorly designed on campus 2. Take a picture and write a few sentences about it. 3. Redesign a solution 4. Complete the entry form. 1st place is a $50 cash prize and 2nd place is a $25 cash prize. Questions can be emailed to hfesvt@gmail.com. This message is posted on behalf of master’s student Julee Harlow.

14. COMMENCEMENT LODGING ALTERNATIVE
The Division of Student Affairs’ Conference and Guest Services office offers an alternative to hotel lodging for spring commencement. Residence hall spaces are available to provide convenient, low-cost accommodations for families and guests of graduating students. Advance reservations for lodging are required, and full payment is due at the time that reservations are made.  Reservations and payment may be made online. 

15. TAKE A STANCE FOR A CURE: JOIN A GRADS RELAY TEAM – 3rd posting
Join GSA and the GLC Resident Fellows for 2012 Relay For Life at Virginia Tech, taking place Apr 20 on the Drillfield. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a year-long fundraiser building up to a life-changing event that gives everyone a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. Sign up as part of the Graduate Student Relay Team>>. For a $10.00 donation, you will become a team member and receive a Relay t-shirt. For more information, contact Megan Stuart, stuartma@vt.edu or Swetha Kumar, swethak@vt.edu.

16. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR EFFECTS OF IMMERSION IN ANALYSIS OF
MICRO-CT DATASETS STUDY – 1st posting
Participants are sought for the IRB-approved study of "Effects of immersion in analysis of micro-CT datasets with a head-mounted display." The study consists of answering a few questions related to two selected micro-CT datasets, which will be volume-visualized on a state-of-the-art head-mounted display system, in the Blacklab of the center for HCI and department of computer science at KnowledgeWorks-II building of CRC. The whole experiment lasts about an hour. Must be over 18 with no or minimal background in micro-CT imaging to participate in this experiment, and not have participated in a similar experiment in 2011. Available time slots: http://people.cs.vt.edu/blaha/schedule.html . Please email to blaha@vt.edu, with your preferred time slot to sign up for your participation. Researchers are providing free pickup and drop service from Cassell Coliseum to study venue and return to Cassell Coliseum for all participants signing up after Mar 7.

17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A STUDY ON ANKLE SPRAIN RISK FACTORS – 2nd posting
Healthy, young adults (18-35) with and without a history of ankle sprains are sought for participation in an IRB-approved research project on ankle sprain risk factors. The project consists of 3 sessions, of which participants may complete one or a combination. Participants must perform a series of static and dynamic athletic tasks to assess the effects of running speed on motor control (study 1), perform single leg drop landings before and after fatigue (study 2), and complete ankle stiffness and position sense evaluations under fatigued and braced conditions (study 3). Compensation: $10/hr. Requirements: Active (exercising at least 2-3/wk); either no history of ankle sprains or ≥ 2 sprains to the same ankle; No current and/or chronic pain in ankles, knees, hips, back, or neck; No prior joint surgeries on the lower limbs; No neuropathies, muscle weakness, vestibular disorders, or current injuries; Not currently using ankle tape or braces for exercise or participating in physical rehabilitation. If interested, contact Courtney Haynes, 724-272-8574.

18. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON WORKING IN GROUPS – 2nd posting
The VT Center for Human-Computer Interaction invites you to participate in a study of users playing a design game together, to study how people interact with one another in coming up with design ideas. You will be asked to play a computer-based design game with 2 other players. Available 1-hour time slots are listed here. If interested, email tgm+dg@vt.edu for more information or to request any of the listed time slots, or to request a different time. The study takes place in McBryde 106A.

19. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR DISSERTATION STUDY ON MUSCLE ENDURANCE – 2nd posting
You are invited to participate in a VT dissertation research study on muscle endurance. Participants will perform a set of endurance tests involving the shoulder in a laboratory setting in the Industrial and Systems Engineering department. The study consists of 2 sessions, each lasting about 1 hr. Compensation: $15/hour. Requirements: not involved in any regular aerobic or resistance training, age 18-25 or 50-65, and no current or recent history of a physical disorder affecting the shoulder. Overweight individuals are especially needed.  Study protocols have been approved by the VT IRB (11-597). Please contact Lora Cavuoto at lcavuoto@vt.edu with any questions or if interested in participating.

20. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR MATERIAL HANDLING STUDY – 3rd posting
Participants are sought to assess performance of portable measurement systems during manual material handling tasks. Must be 18-40; female; no current or recent history of a physical disorder affecting the shoulder, knee, lower back, or ankle; exercise on a regular basis (2-3 times per week); shoe size >= 9. Participants will be required to perform several manual material handling tasks in a single ~2.5 hr experimental session. Compensation: $10/hour. Please call or email Sunwook Kim if interested: 540-557-7763 or sunwook@vt.edu. 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK!  official website

SAFE ZONE TRANING FOR GRADS – REGISTER NOW!
Monday, Mar 26, 10:00am-12:00pm, GLC Room B
Interested in becoming Safe-Zone certified? Catherine Cotrupi, VT’s LGBTQ coordinator, offers a grads-only section of the Safe Zone Overview session required to start your certification and training. This session is for individuals interested in learning more about the LGBTQ Community. Topics addressed in the first training session include: common LGBTQ terms; sexual orientation vs. sexual identity; the coming out process; experiences of LGBTQ individuals; how you can be a Safe-Zone ally. Please register here. This is also a sponsored Graduate Education Week event. Contact Catherine for more information.

GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM AND EXPOSITION
Wednesday, Mar 28, 9:00am-3:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
The symposium is a unique opportunity for students to interact with each other to pave the way for interdisciplinary research discussion and collaboration. The event promises to be an interactive networking forum between participants, faculty, departments, research entities and corporate bodies. The program features oral and poster presentations by students from various disciplines. Detailed schedule.

GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM KEYNOTE: DAN PALLOTTA
Wednesday, Mar 28, 6:30pm, GLC Auditorium
Author of Uncharitable and writer for the Harvard Business Review, Dan Pallotta will provide a new perspective on for-profit charity organizations. His company, Pallotta Teamworks, invented the multi-day AIDSRides and Breast Cancer 3-Days. His work has been called "revolutionary" by former US senator Gary Hart and, according to The Stanford Social Innovation Review, his contribution "deserves to become the nonprofit sector’s new manifesto". This event is part of Graduate Education Week and is free and open to the public.

EDIBLE BOOKS CONTEST BY VT LIBRARIES
Friday, Mar 30, 2:00-4:00pm, 1100 Torgersen (Museum)
Edible book contests are about being creative with books and food. Entries can look like, poke fun, interpret, or highlight a book or element of a book. Entries can be sweet, savory, salty, bitter…anything! See images from the Newman Library pilot program in 2011 on the Newman Library Flickr site or look for other examples on the web. Register by Mar 23:  http://tinyurl.com/VTEdibleBooks2012.

STS ANNUAL LECTURE: URANIUM FROM AFRICA AND THE POWER OF NUCLEAR THINGS
Friday, Mar 30, 3:00pm, Torg 2150
The department of Science and Technology in Society presents the 23rd annual Nicholas Mullins lecture on uranium from Africa and the power of nuclear things, presented by Dr. Gabrielle Hecht, professor of history at the University of Michigan. A reception will follow the lecture. For more information contact grad student Monique Dufour at msdufour@vt.edu.

15TH ANNUAL EBONY AFFAIR: A CRYSTAL STAIR – REGISTER NOW!
Friday, Apr 13, 7:00-9:00pm, Custom Catering Center
The Black Graduate Student Organization invites you to their annual Ebony Affair, a semi-formal red-carpet dinner banquet recognizing outstanding faculty members, students, and community members who actively engage in their motto: “Lifting As We Climb.” The Ebony Affair provides exposure to cultural expressions, and facilitates networking opportunities among students, faculty, staff, and the community. Invited guests and sponsors include university departments, community organizations and business, and individuals from the community. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.bgso.org.vt.edu/sponsors.html for $12 each, which includes dinner, gift bag, and entertainment following the event. If you have any questions, please contact Shernita Lee.

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC

• Career services advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, 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: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
• Writing support: Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room; contact Emily Love, remily4@vt.edu

2. NERD WARS: MASTER’S VS. PH.D.’S
March 1-28, GLC Front Desk
Relay for Life Team “Graduates for a Cure” is hosting an adaptation of the penny wars starting March 1st. Stop by the GLC Front Desk and donate your loose change into a jar according to your degree status (Master’s or Ph.D.) All donations will be benefit American Cancer Society Relay for Life! The GLC bulletin board will be updated regularly to show whether Masters or Ph.Ds are ahead. The winner of this competition will be announced during Graduate Education Week on March 28th! Don’t let your fellow graduates down…may the best group win! Questions: Contact GLC Fellow Megan Stuart at stuartma@vt.edu.

3. BROWN BAG TALKS: USING RUBRICS TO MEASURE STUDENT LEARNING
Monday, Mar 12, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room C
A rubric is a scoring tool used in authentic assessments that articulates criteria upon which works are evaluated.  This session will focus on the development and use of rubrics for program level assessment work. This session is offered by the Office of Assessment and Evaluation. Register at http://www.cideronline.org/events/events2.cfm.

4. WORK/LIFE BALANCE PANEL
Tuesday, Mar 13, 12:30–1:30pm, Torg 1100
This panel presentation is designed specifically for graduate students and faculty who struggle to fit an academic career into a fulfilling personal life. Graduate students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to attend. Registration is not required. Learn more at http://frec.vt.edu/fs/.

5. CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS FOR GRAD STUDENTS
Tuesday, Mar 13, 3:30–4:30pm, Graduate Life Center
Among other events, the "Showcase of Female Scientists" event features three different concurrent workshops for graduate students and postdocs. Students and postdocs from all academic disciplines are encouraged to attend. Workshop topics are "Making a Life in Blacksburg," "Interview Skills and Curriculum Vita Preparation," and "Stress Management." Advance registration for the graduate student workshops is required, and is available at http://frec.vt.edu/fs/.

6. SHORT STAT COURSE: BAYESIAN METHODS FOR REGRESSION IN R
Tuesday, Mar 13, 5:00-7:00pm, 3060 Torgersen Hall
The Lab for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis provides evening short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research. The focus of these two-hour courses is on teaching practical statistical techniques for analyzing or collecting data. See http://www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=short_courses for instructions on how to register and to learn more. This course will cover Bayes’ Rule and how it inspired the Bayesian paradigm of statistics, with particular emphasis on linear regression methods; how Bayesian inference differs from classical/frequentist inference, what tools are needed for Bayesian inference, and when Bayesian inference is superior. Examples will be provided for some simple regression analyses in R. For these examples, participants will interpret output, look at diagnostic plots, and discuss what hypotheses  can be tested. Follow LISA on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Statistical.collaboration or Twitter (www.twitter.com/LISA_VT) to be the first to know about LISA events!

7. AAUW POWERFUL PRESENCE LUNCH
Wednesday, Mar 14, 12:00-1l:00pm, 1100 Torg (Torgersen Museum)
Join fellow grads and other university women for this month’s power presence lunch to discuss the Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley. Light refreshments will be provided. To find out more about the Blacksburg Branch of AAUW, please visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/AAUW-Blacksburg-Virginia-Tech/160413817304755.

8. GLC CAFÉ PM
Thursday, Mar 15, 3:30-5:00pm  GLC Reading Room
Enjoy free coffee and tea and socialize with your fellow grads. Bring your own mug if you can. Please contact us at grads@vt.edu if you have any comments or suggestions about this event.

9. TAXES 101
Thursday, Mar 15, 6:00pm, Community Ctr Room, C’burg Library (125 Sheltman St)
The BAC of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated presents this tax workshop. Join this interactive presentation where an experienced tax preparer will provide you with free tax information and answer any questions you may have.  Even if you have already filed, this is a good opportunity to learn about new tax information provided by the tax preparer.  For more information contact Kacie Allen at kaciea1@vt.edu.

10. GLC FELLOWS HIKE TO THE CASCADES
Saturday, Mar 17, 10:30am, meet in front of the GLC on Otey Street
The GLC Fellows will lead this hike up to the beautiful Cascades waterfall. For those who don’t have a car, transportation can be arranged.  However, to help with transportation costs, if you are able to drive please consider doing so.  Please bring lunch to have a picnic at the top of the falls. If you’re interested, sign up at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1330445119946  For more information contact Eric Hodges at hodgeseb@vt.edu.

11. AID SPRING CONCERT: TAAL 2012
Sunday, Mar 18, 2:00-3:30pm, Haymarket Theater, Squires
The Association for India’s Development (AID), Blacksburg chapter, a graduate student organization, invites you to its annual Spring concert, hosting Dr. Suman Sharma (http://www.sumansharma.com/), a renowned sitarist and vocalist. Dr. Sharma completed her doctorate in music at the University of Delhi and she is a well-known sitar teacher in the Tri-State area. This event is free and open to the public.

12. GRAD STUDENT PHOTO-ART-WRITING CONTEST SPRING 2012
Submission deadline 3/16
The Graduate School invites submissions of art work, photography and written work by graduate students for display in the GLC during Graduate Education Week (Mar 26-30) and beyond. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art, photography, or written work) per graduate student. Learn more at http://www.graduatelifecenter.vt.edu/contest.html.

13. GRAD OLYMPICS 2012 – register now!
Put your wit, physical skills and team spirit to the test in this highlight of Graduate Education Week, a light-hearted competition among graduate student teams on Friday, Mar 30, 3:00-4:30. Up to ten teams of 4-5 members may compete for great prizes. No prior experience necessary, but resourcefulness and knowledge of the GLC are a plus. All materials are provided. All teams must pre-register by March 23 and wait for confirmation that their registration was accepted.  To pre-register, fill out this survey: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1330550322087. You will be notified if your registration is accepted. Teams will receive extra points for a creative team name, flag design and team cheer.

14. AEL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED – 1st posting
Alpha Epsilon Lambda (AEL) Graduate Honor Society, the only academic excellence and leadership honor society of graduate and professional school students, is now accepting applications for new members. Graduate students may become members based on their academic achievements and leadership experiences. Apply by Apr 1, through http://www.ael.graduateschool.vt.edu/application-process/.  The induction ceremony for new members will take place on Thursday, Apr 26. For more information visit the AEL website (see above) or contact Andrea Tiwari at ajtiwari@vt.edu with any questions.

15. BAD DESIGN CONTEST
The Human Factors and Engineering Society is hosting an on-campus "bad design" contest to spread the word about what human factors engineers do. The contest is simple: 1. Find something that is poorly designed on campus 2. Take a picture and write a few sentences about it. 3. Redesign a solution 4. Complete the entry form at http://goo.gl/LXDSz. 1st place is a $50 cash prize and 2nd place is a $25 cash prize. Questions can be emailed to hfesvt@gmail.com. This message is posted on behalf of master’s student Julee Harlow.

16. COMMENCEMENT LODGING ALTERNATIVE
The Division of Student Affairs’ Conference and Guest Services office offers an alternative to hotel lodging for spring commencement. Residence hall spaces are available to provide convenient, low-cost accommodations for families and guests of graduating students. Advance reservations for lodging are required, and full payment is due at the time that reservations are made.  Online reservations and payment may be made at www.housing.vt.edu/commencement. 

17. TAKE A STANCE FOR A CURE: JOIN A GRADS RELAY TEAM – 2nd posting
Join GSA and the GLC Resident Fellows for 2012 Relay For Life at Virginia Tech, taking place Apr 20 on the Drillfield. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a year-long fundraiser building up to a life-changing event that gives everyone a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. To sign up as part of the Graduate Student Relay Team, visit: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12SA/1685396684?pg=team&fr_id=41402&team_id=1022346. For a $10.00 donation, you will become a team member and receive a Relay t-shirt. For more information, contact Megan Stuart, stuartma@vt.edu or Swetha Kumar, swethak@vt.edu.

18. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A STUDY ON ANKLE SPRAIN RISK FACTORS – 1st posting
Healthy, young adults (18-35) with and without a history of ankle sprains are sought for participation in an IRB-approved research project on ankle sprain risk factors. The project consists of 3 sessions, of which participants may complete one or a combination. Participants must perform a series of static and dynamic athletic tasks to assess the effects of running speed on motor control (study 1), perform single leg drop landings before and after fatigue (study 2), and complete ankle stiffness and position sense evaluations under fatigued and braced conditions (study 3). Compensation: $10/hr. Requirements: Active (exercising at least 2-3/wk); either no history of ankle sprains or ≥ 2 sprains to the same ankle; No current and/or chronic pain in ankles, knees, hips, back, or neck; No prior joint surgeries on the lower limbs; No neuropathies, muscle weakness, vestibular disorders, or current injuries; Not currently using ankle tape or braces for exercise or participating in physical rehabilitation. If interested, contact Courtney Haynes by at chaynes7@vt.edu, 724-272-8574.

19. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON WORKING IN GROUPS – 1st posting
The VT Center for Human-Computer Interaction invites you to participate in a study of users playing a design game together, to study how people interact with one another in coming up with design ideas. You will be asked to play a computer-based design game with 2 other players. Available 1-hour time slots are listed at https://bitly.com/designgamestudy. If interested, email tgm+dg@vt.edu for more information or to request any of the listed time slots, or to request a different time. The study takes place in McBryde 106A.

20. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR DISSERTATION STUDY ON MUSCLE ENDURANCE
You are invited to participate in a VT dissertation research study on muscle endurance. Participants will perform a set of endurance tests involving the shoulder in a laboratory setting in the Industrial and Systems Engineering department. The study consists of 2 sessions, each lasting about 1 hr. Compensation: $15/hour. Requirements: not involved in any regular aerobic or resistance training, age 18-25 or 50-65, and no current or recent history of a physical disorder affecting the shoulder. Overweight individuals are especially needed.  Study protocols have been approved by the VT IRB (11-597). Please contact Lora Cavuoto at lcavuoto@vt.edu with any questions or if interested in participating.

21. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR MATERIAL HANDLING STUDY – 2nd posting Participants are sought to assess performance of portable measurement systems during manual material handling tasks. Must be 18-40; female; no current or recent history of a physical disorder affecting the shoulder, knee, lower back, or ankle; exercise on a regular basis (2-3 times per week); shoe size >= 9. Participants will be required to perform several manual material handling tasks in a single ~2.5 hr experimental session. Compensation: $10/hour. Please call or email Sunwook Kim if interested: 540-557-7763 or sunwook@vt.edu. 

22. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR ONLINE SURVEY – 3rd posting
This study examines how superstition attitude will impact potential tourists’ intention to visit a destination so that relevant organizations (e.g. destination management/marketing organizations) could better understand potential tourists’ behaviors, identify a niche-market encompassing those prone to superstition, and tailor the tourism products to the needs and beliefs of potential tourists. The survey is anonymous and confidential. Must be at least 18 and have traveled within the past 12 months to participate in the survey: https://virginiatechtraining.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3ltB0PoEfFOIzxa.
Please address any questions to Carol Zhang (zyz211@vt.edu).

23. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR SLIP/FALL STUDY – 3rd posting
Participants aged 20-64 are needed for a Locomotion Research Lab study titled effects of localized muscle fatigue on risks of slips and falls. This study consists of four sessions, with each session lasting 3-4.5 hours. Compensation will be paid on an hourly basis, at $10/hour, with $40 bonus for those who finish the entire study. Please contact Xuefang Wu at xfwu@vt.edu for more details.

24. PARTICIPATE IN “SEX AND THE WORKPLACE” SURVEY – 3rd posting
This online survey assesses students’ perceptions of acceptable and unacceptable co-worker interactions. Rating scenes depicting sexualized interaction at work allows researchers to determine which social characteristics affect the development and reinforcement of moral boundaries. This IRB-approved dissertation research is conducted by a sociology student and will take less than 10 minutes to complete. The survey is completely anonymous; graduate-student participation is greatly needed. Enter the study:  https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_7ajXlxzwBuIi4hm. Must be at least 18 and a current VT undergad or graduate student to participate in this survey. Please contact Angela Barlow at barlow.a@vt.edu with questions or comments.

25. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY OF SITTING EFFECTS – 3rd posting
You are invited to participate in a VT study aimed at testing muscle activities in a seated posture. Participants must be between the ages 18-64, in no current condition or recent history (1-yr) of physical disorders affecting the shoulder, knee, or lower back; and exercise on a regular basis (2-3 times/wk). Participants will be required to perform several computer-based typing tasks in a lab setting. Each experiment session will last 2 to 3 hours; participants will be compensated $10/hr. For more information email to sjayvt@gmail.com.

26. HAPPY PARENTS, HAPPY BABY RESEARCH STUDY – 3rd posting
Are you expecting your first child? As many as 90% of couples experience a significant decline in relationship-satisfaction after having a baby. The Mindful Transition to Parenthood Program can help couples meet this transition in a healthier way, which will make you happier and support the well-being of your baby. In this free support group, you will connect with other couples, learn effective communication skills, practice stress management, and learn how to reduce your risk of postpartum depression. The group is led by Laura Gambrel, a doctoral candidate in marriage and family therapy, and is part of a dissertation research study. Participants have the opportunity to win a $250 gift card. The group meets on Thursday evenings 6:00-8:00, Apr 12-May 3. Register by Apr 1 at http://www.lauragambrel.com/ or e-mail Laura at lauraeg@vt.edu

27. GLC FELLOWS POSITIONS OPEN FOR 2012-2013 – 2nd posting
Residence Life and the Graduate School are seeking motivated graduate students who are committed to building graduate community, for three GLC Fellow positions for the 2012-2013 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=1330467616751. A detailed position description can be found on the Graduate Life Center website at www.graduatelifecenter.vt.edu. Apply by Mar 16, 2012. Please contact Lauren Surface at lkeister@vt.edu or Whitney Bortz at whitney8@vt.edu if you have questions.

28. GLC WAGE POSITIONS NOW OPEN FOR REMAINDER OF SPRING 2012 – 3rd posting
Applications are being accepted for GLC wage positions for the remainder of the semester and beyond. The position ad is posted at https://listings.jobs.vt.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/Welcome_css.jsp, then click the Student tab, and Student Centers & Activities "VT Graduate Student" Pool for Graduate Information Associate and Graduate Services Associate. For more information about the GLC Graduate Services or Information Associates positions, please visit the SCA/GLC Employment Page http://www.studentcenters.vt.edu/employment/students/areas.php or email the GLC Operations Manager, Jordan DeWitt, at sjdewitt@vt.edu. The posting closes on Mar 16.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

BROWN BAG TALKS: HOW TO DESIGN EFFECTIVE SURVEYS
Monday, Mar 19, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room C
This session provides tips on the survey process and how to create and administer effective surveys that increase response rates and provide reliable data. This session is offered by the Office of Assessment and Evaluation. Register at http://www.cideronline.org/events/events2.cfm.

GSA SPRING 2012 WINE SOCIAL
Friday, Mar 23, 5:30-9:00pm, University Club
Take a break from your hectic semester and join your fellow grad students at the GSA Spring 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 the following survey: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1331158429078. Valid state-issued ID required for entry. Contact Amanda Shea at ashea04@vt.edu with any questions.

3RD ANNUAL LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP: EMOTIONAL LEADERSHIP
Saturday, Mar 24, 10:00am-5:30pm, Pamplin 30
The Alpha XI chapter of Alpha Epsilon Lambda at VT hosts this workshop for graduate students, focusing on the issues of emotional intelligence and personality as they relate to leadership. During the workshop participants will complete a personalized assessment of their emotionally intelligent leadership skills, and take part in a panel discussion with prominent local leaders from different sectors of society. The workshop includes a $5 registration fee to cover the cost of the personalized assessment. Lunch and refreshments are provided free of charge. Space is limited to 50 graduate students, so register now: http://www.ael.graduateschool.vt.edu/events/aellw-register/.  For more information visit http://www.ael.graduateschool.vt.edu/events/ or contact Andrea Tiwari at ajtiwari@vt.edu.

SAFE ZONE TRAINING FOR GRADS – REGISTER NOW!
Monday, Mar 26, 10:00am-12:00pm, GLC Room B
Interested in becoming Safe-Zone certified? Catherine Cotrupi, VT’s LGBTQ coordinator, offers a grads-only section of the Safe Zone Overview session required to start your certification and training. This session is for individuals interested in learning more about the LGBTQ Community. Topics addressed in the first training session include: common LGBTQ terms; sexual orientation vs. sexual identity; the coming out process; experiences of LGBTQ individuals; how you can be a Safe-Zone ally. Please register here:
https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1328045816783. This is also a sponsored Graduate Education Week event. Contact Catherine at cotrupi@vt.edu for more information.

GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM AND EXPOSITION
Wednesday, Mar 28, 9:00am-3:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
The symposium is a unique opportunity for students to interact with each other to pave the way for interdisciplinary research discussion and collaboration. The event promises to be an interactive networking forum between participants, faculty, departments, research entities and corporate bodies. The program features oral and poster presentations by students from various disciplines. For a detailed schedule, visit: http://www.gsasymposium.graduateschool.vt.edu/.

GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM KEYNOTE: DAN PALLOTTA
Wednesday, Mar 28, 6:30pm, GLC Auditorium
Author of Uncharitable and writer for the Harvard Business Review, Dan Pallotta will provide a new perspective on for-profit charity organizations. His company, Pallotta Teamworks, invented the multi-day AIDSRides and Breast Cancer 3-Days. His work has been called "revolutionary" by former US senator Gary Hart and, according to The Stanford Social Innovation Review, his contribution "deserves to become the nonprofit sector’s new manifesto". This event is part of Graduate Education Week and is free and open to the public.

EDIBLE BOOKS CONTEST BY VT LIBRARIES
Friday, Mar 30, 2:00-4:00pm, 1100 Torgersen (Museum)
Edible book contests are about being creative with books and food. Entries can look like, poke fun, interpret, or highlight a book or element of a book. Entries can be sweet, savory, salty, bitter…anything! See images from the Newman Library pilot program in 2011 on the Newman Library Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vtnewmanlibrary/sets/72157627279496995/ or look for other examples on the web. Register by Mar 23:  http://tinyurl.com/VTEdibleBooks2012.

0. GRAD SCHOOL CLOSED ON 3/8, 8:00am-1:00pm
The Graduate School will be closed for a half a day on Thursday, Mar 8. We’ll reopen at 1:00pm. On all other days this week the Graduate School is open with regular business hours (8-5). Use your Hokie Passport to enter the GLC on the Otey Street or Bookstore side.
   
1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
All weekly services are on a hiatus during spring break, except GLC Café!
– GLC Café: Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm, Reading Room

2. SPRING BREAK PITY PARTY: THE BREAKFAST CLUB! – register by noon on Monday, 3/5
Tuesday, Mar 6, 10:00am-12:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
You are not alone on campus during spring break! Join others who are working through spring break and enjoy a home-cooked brunch with vegetarian and meat options, brought to you by your friendly and enthusiastic volunteer chefs who also happen to work in the Graduate School and Res Life. The food will be so good that everyone who left town will turn green with envy when they find out what they missed.  Please register by noon on Monday, 3/5 to give us an idea of how much food to prepare.

3. NERD WARS: MASTER’S VS. PH.D.’S
March 1-28, GLC Front Desk
Relay for Life Team “Graduates for a Cure” is hosting an adaptation of the penny wars starting March 1st. Stop by the GLC Front Desk and donate your loose change into a jar according to your degree status (Master’s or Ph.D.) All donations will be benefit American Cancer Society Relay for Life! The GLC bulletin board will be updated regularly to show whether Masters or Ph.Ds are ahead. The winner of this competition will be announced during Graduate Education Week on March 28th! Don’t let your fellow graduates down…may the best group win! Questions: Contact GLC Fellow Megan Stuart.

4. GLC CAFÉ PM
Thursday, Mar 8, 3:30-50:00pm  GLC Reading Room
Enjoy free coffee and tea and socialize with your fellow grads. 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. REGISTER FOR GRAD OLYMPICS 2012!
Put your wit, physical skills and team spirit to the test in this highlight of Graduate Education Week, a light-hearted competition among graduate student teams. Up to ten teams of 4-5 members may compete for great prizes. No prior experience necessary, but resourcefulness and knowledge of the GLC are a plus. All materials are provided. All teams must pre-register and wait for confirmation that their registration was accepted.  The Olympics will take place on Friday, Mar 30, 3:00-4:30 in the GLC Multipurpose Room and surrounding area. To pre-register, fill out this survey. You will be notified if your registration is accepted. Teams will receive extra points for a creative team name, flag design and team cheer. Registration deadline: March 23.

6. GRAD STUDENT PHOTO-ART-WRITING CONTEST SPRING 2012
The Graduate School invites submissions of art work, photography and written work by graduate students for display in the GLC during Graduate Education Week (Mar 26-30) and beyond. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art, photography, or written work) per graduate student. Learn more at http://www.graduatelifecenter.vt.edu/contest.html.

7. BAD DESIGN CONTEST
The Human Factors and Engineering Society is hosting an on-campus "bad design" contest to spread the word about what human factors engineers do. The contest is simple: 1. Find something that is poorly designed on campus 2. Take a picture and write a few sentences about it. 3. Redesign a solution 4. Complete the entry form at http://goo.gl/LXDSz. 1st place is a $50 cash prize and 2nd place is a $25 cash prize. Questions can be emailed to hfesvt@gmail.com. This message is posted on behalf of master’s student Julee Harlow.

8. COMMENCEMENT LODGING ALTERNATIVE
The Division of Student Affairs’ Conference and Guest Services office offers an alternative to hotel lodging for spring commencement. Residence hall spaces are available to provide convenient, low-cost accommodations for families and guests of graduating students. Advance reservations for lodging are required, and full payment is due at the time that reservations are made.  Online reservations and payment>>>. 

9. TAKE A STANCE FOR A CURE: JOIN A GRADS RELAY TEAM
Join GSA and the GLC Resident Fellows for 2012 Relay For Life at Virginia Tech, taking place Apr 20 on the Drillfield. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a year-long fundraiser building up to a life-changing event that gives everyone a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. Sign up as part of the Graduate Student Relay Team>>. For a $10.00 donation, you will become a team member and receive a Relay t-shirt. For more information, contact Megan Stuart, stuartma@vt.edu or Swetha Kumar, swethak@vt.edu.

10. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR MATERIAL HANDLING STUDY – 1st posting
Participants are sought to assess performance of portable measurement systems during manual material handling tasks. Must be 18-40; female; no current or recent history of a physical disorder affecting the shoulder, knee, lower back, or ankle; exercise on a regular basis (2-3 times per week); shoe size >= 9. Participants will be required to perform several manual material handling tasks in a single ~2.5 hr experimental session. Compensation: $10/hour. Please call or email Sunwook Kim if interested: 540-557-7763 or sunwook@vt.edu. 

11. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR ONLINE SURVEY – 2nd posting
This study examines how superstition attitude will impact potential tourists’ intention to visit a destination so that relevant organizations (e.g. destination management / marketing organizations) could better understand potential tourists’ behaviors, identify a niche-market encompassing those prone to superstition, and tailor the tourism products to the needs and beliefs of potential tourists. The survey is anonymous and confidential. Must be at least 18 and have traveled within the past 12 months to participate in the survey. Please address any questions to Carol Zhang (zyz211@vt.edu).

12. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR SLIP/FALL STUDY – 2nd posting
Participants aged 20-64 are needed for a Locomotion Research Lab study titled effects of localized muscle fatigue on risks of slips and falls. This study consists of four sessions, with each session lasting 3-4.5 hours. Compensation will be paid on an hourly basis, at $10/hour, with $40 bonus for those who finish the entire study. Please contact Xuefang Wu for more details.

13. PARTICIPATE IN “SEX AND THE WORKPLACE” SURVEY – 2nd posting
This online survey assesses students’ perceptions of acceptable and unacceptable co-worker interactions. Rating scenes depicting sexualized interaction at work allows researchers to determine which social characteristics affect the development and reinforcement of moral boundaries. This IRB-approved dissertation research is conducted by a sociology student and will take less than 10 minutes to complete. The survey is completely anonymous; graduate-student participation is greatly needed. Enter the study>>. Must be at least 18 and a current VT undergad or graduate student to participate in this survey. Please contact Angela Barlow at barlow.a@vt.edu with questions or comments.

14. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY OF SITTING EFFECTS – 2nd posting
You are invited to participate in a VT study aimed at testing muscle activities in a seated posture. Participants must be between the ages 18-64, in no current condition or recent history (1-yr) of physical disorders affecting the shoulder, knee, or lower back; and exercise on a regular basis (2-3 times/wk). Participants will be required to perform several computer-based typing tasks in a lab setting. Each experiment session will last 2 to 3 hours; participants will be compensated $10/hr. For more information email to sjayvt@gmail.com.

15. HAPPY PARENTS, HAPPY BABY RESEARCH STUDY – 2nd posting
Are you expecting your first child? As many as 90% of couples experience a significant decline in relationship-satisfaction after having a baby. The Mindful Transition to Parenthood Program can help couples meet this transition in a healthier way, which will make you happier and support the well-being of your baby. In this free support group, you will connect with other couples, learn effective communication skills, practice stress management, and learn how to reduce your risk of postpartum depression. The group is led by Laura Gambrel, a doctoral candidate in marriage and family therapy, and is part of a dissertation research study. Participants have the opportunity to win a $250 gift card. The group meets on Thursday evenings 6:00-8:00, Apr 12-May 3. Register by Apr 1 at http://www.lauragambrel.com/ or e-mail Laura at lauraeg@vt.edu

16. GSA TRAVEL AND RESEARCH FUND PROGRAMS – deadline Mar 11
The GSA Travel Fund Program (TFP) supports grad students presenting research at conferences. If you are a full-time student traveling to present at a conference between Jan 1 and Jun 30, 2012, you are eligible to apply to the TFP to be reimbursed.  Funding ranges up to $350 for master’s students and $500 for doctoral students. Application period: Feb 10- Mar 11, 2012 (5:00pm). Learn more at http://www.gsa.uusa.vt.edu/programs/travel_fund. Questions, contact Robyn Jones, TFP Chair at GSATFPChair@gmail.com.  The GSA-Grad Research Development Program (GRDP) supports qualified research and innovative ideas proposed by VT graduate students (awards up to $600 for selected doctoral and $400 for master’s proposals).  Applications go through a rigorous review by a panel of graduate students and faculty members. Learn more at http://www.gsa.uusa.vt.edu/programs/research_program. Apply by Mar 11, 2012 (5:00pm). Questions, contact GRDP chair, Milad Radiom, at SAGRDPChair@gmail.com.

17. GLC FELLOWS POSITIONS OPEN FOR 2012-2013 – 1st posting
Residence Life and the Graduate School are seeking motivated graduate students who are committed to building graduate community, for three GLC Fellow positions for the 2012-2013 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 this survey. A detailed position description can be found on the Graduate Life Center website. Apply by Mar 16, 2012. Please contact Lauren Surface at lkeister@vt.edu or Whitney Bortz at whitney8@vt.edu if you have questions.

18. GTA POSITION AVAILABLE FOR AY 2012-13 – 2nd posting
Interested in new media and innovation in teaching and learning?  Would you like to work closely with the Faculty Development Institute and Center for Innovation in Learning?  Dr. Gardner Campbell, Director of Faculty Development and Innovative Initiatives and Associate Professor of English, has created a position that offers a qualified graduate student a GTA position for AY 2012-13 with the possibility of summer employment.  Review of applications begins this Friday, March 2.  More information about the position and the application process>> .

19. GLC WAGE POSITIONS NOW OPEN FOR REMAINDER OF SPRING 2012 – 2nd posting
Applications are being accepted for GLC wage positions for the remainder of the semester and beyond. The position ad is posted online, then click the Student tab, and Student Centers & Activities "VT Graduate Student" Pool for Graduate Information Associate and Graduate Services Associate. For more information about the GLC Graduate Services or Information Associates positions, please visit the SCA/GLC Employment Page or email the GLC Operations Manager, Jordan DeWitt, at sjdewitt@vt.edu. The posting closes on Mar 16.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

WORK/LIFE BALANCE PANEL
Tuesday, Mar 13, 12:30–1:30pm, Torg 1100
This panel presentation is designed specifically for graduate students and faculty who struggle to fit an academic career into a fulfilling personal life. Graduate students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to attend. Registration is not required. Learn more at http://frec.vt.edu/fs/.

CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS FOR GRAD STUDENTS
Tuesday, Mar 13, 3:30–4:30pm,
Graduate Life Center
Among other events, the "Showcase of Female Scientists" event features three different concurrent workshops for graduate students and postdocs. Students and postdocs from all academic disciplines are encouraged to attend. Workshop topics are "Making a Life in Blacksburg," "Interview Skills and Curriculum Vita Preparation," and "Stress Management." Advance registration for the graduate student workshops is required.

SHORT STAT COURSE: BAYESIAN METHODS FOR REGRESSION IN R
Tuesday, Mar 13, 5:00-7:00pm, 3060 Torgersen Hall;
The Lab for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis provides evening short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research. The focus of these two-hour courses is on teaching practical statistical techniques for analyzing or collecting data. Instructions on how to register and earn more>>. This course will cover Bayes’ Rule and how it inspired the Bayesian paradigm of statistics, with particular emphasis on linear regression methods; how Bayesian inference differs from classical/frequentist inference, what tools are needed for Bayesian inference, and when Bayesian inference is superior. Examples will be provided for some simple regression analyses in R. For these examples, participants will interpret output, look at diagnostic plots, and discuss what hypotheses  can be tested.

AAUW POWERFUL PRESENCE LUNCH
Wednesday, Mar 14, 12:00-1l:00pm, 1100 Torg (Torgersen Museum)
Join fellow grads and other university women for this month’s power presence lunch to discuss the Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley. Light refreshments will be provided. To find out more about the Blacksburg Branch of AAUW, please visit their Facebook page.

TAXES 101
Thursday, Mar 15, 6:00pm, Community Ctr Room, C’burg Library (125 Sheltman St)
The BAC of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated presents this tax workshop. Join this interactive presentation where an experienced tax preparer will provide you with free tax information and answer any questions you may have.  Even if you have already filed, this is a good opportunity to learn about new tax information provided by the tax preparer.  For more information contact Kacie Allen at kaciea1@vt.edu.

BOV GRAD LUNCHEON WITH PRESIDENT STEGER, PROVOST MCNAMEE – Sign up now!
Friday, Mar 16, 12:00-1:30pm, The Inn
Attend the first graduate luncheons of the spring semester with President Steger and Provost McNamee at the Inn at Virginia Tech. Spaces are limited, so if you are interested in attending, please fill out this survey. Graduate students selected for attendance will be contacted by March 14. Contact Michelle McLeese at mmcleese@vt.edu or bovgradrep@vt.edu with any questions.

GLC FELLOWS HIKE TO THE CASCADES
Saturday, Mar 17, 10:30am, meet in front of the GLC on Otey Street
The GLC Fellows will lead this hike up to the beautiful Cascades waterfall. For those who don’t have a car, transportation can be arranged.  However, to help with transportation costs, if you are able to drive please consider doing so.  Please bring lunch to have a picnic at the top of the falls. If you’re interested, sign up here.   For more information contact Eric Hodges at hodgeseb@vt.edu.

SAFE ZONE TRANING FOR GRADS – REGISTER NOW!
Monday, Mar 26, 10:00am-12:00pm, GLC Room B
Interested in becoming Safe-Zone certified? Catherine Cotrupi, VT’s LGBTQ coordinator, offers a grads-only section of the Safe Zone Overview session required to start your certification and training. This session is for individuals interested in learning more about the LGBTQ Community. Topics addressed in the first training session include: common LGBTQ terms; sexual orientation vs. sexual identity; the coming out process; experiences of LGBTQ individuals; how you can be a Safe-Zone ally. Please register here. This is also a sponsored Graduate Education Week event. Contact Catherine at cotrupi@vt.edu for more information.

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC

• Career services advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, Study Room
• Counseling:  Wednesdays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room (across from Room G)
• GLC Café: Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm, Reading Room
• Statistical consulting by LISA: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
• Writing support: Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room; contact Emily Love, remily4@vt.edu

2. COMMUNITY VOICES: LEADING AND LIGHTING SOCIAL CHANGE
Tuesday, Feb 28, Grad Roundtable: 12:00pm, GLC Room C; Talk: 7:00pm, The Lyric
Woody Crenshaw, President of SustainFloyd, will speak on “Leading and Lighting Social Change: Ag, Arts & Advocacy.” Bring your lunch and join the graduate student brown-bag roundtable in GLC Room C (dessert & bottled water will be provided). Crenshaw is a founding member and President of rapidly growing SustainFloyd, a social benefit organization, and owner of a high-end lighting studio in Floyd, VA.  His interests include local innovation and entrepreneurship for sustainable development, revitalization of agriculture and farming, economic development, leadership, and the creative economy.  This message is posted on behalf of grad student Kate Preston.

3. AMERICANS FOR INFORMED DEMOCRACY CLUB: ARAB SPRING MOVEMENTS
Tuesday, Feb 28, 7:00-9:00pm, 140 Holden Hall North Wing
Panelists Dr. Edward Weisband, Mr. John Boyer and doctoral student Heba F. El-Shazli bring students and professors together to discuss and learn about Arab Spring movements and their broader significance. Introductory comments by the panelists will be followed by a guided discussion and audience Q&A.MA

4. GSS TOURS PRESENTS: HORTICULTURE GREENHOUSES
Wednesday, Feb 29,  2:00-3:30pm, meet at greenhouses on Washington St   
Have you ever wondered what the VT horticulture students are doing in the winter? They are exercising their green thumbs inside the greenhouses! Here is your opportunity to partake in a guided tour through the greenhouses and learn first-hand what work and research occurs. Special bonus: plant potting activity. Space is limited, so register early: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1329507281831. Accepted registrations will be confirmed by email. Check out the GSS calendar for more tour opportunities.

5. 17th ANNUAL GEOSCIENCES STUDENT RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
Thursday-Friday, Mar 1-2, 9:00am–5:30pm 4069 Derring Hall
Join the Department of Geosciences for this annual symposium, a two-day event of graduate and undergraduate talks on their current research.  Topics will include bio/geochemistry, hydrogeosciences, geophysics, geobiology, structural  geology, petrology, sedimentology, and stratigraphy. More information>>.

6. NERD WARS: MASTER’S VS. PH.D.’S
March 1-28, GLC Front Desk
Relay for Life Team “Graduates for a Cure” is hosting an adaptation of the penny wars starting March 1st. Stop by the GLC Front Desk and donate your loose change into a jar according to your degree status (Master’s or Ph.D.) All donations will be benefit American Cancer Society Relay for Life! The GLC bulletin board will be updated regularly to show whether Masters or Ph.Ds are ahead. The winner of this competition will be announced during Graduate Education Week on March 28th! Don’t let your fellow graduates down…may the best group win! Questions: Contact GLC Fellow Megan Stuart.

7. GLC CAFÉ PM
Thursday, Mar 1, 3:30-50:00pm  GLC Reading Room
Enjoy free coffee and tea and socialize with your fellow grads. Bring your own mug if you can. Please contact us at grads@vt.edu if you have any comments or suggestions about this event.

8. COFFEE, TEA, WINE AND SODA: HOW THE BEVERAGES YOU LOVE ARE AFFECTING YOUR HEALTH
Thursday, Mar 1, 5:30-6:30pm, GLC Room G
This session we will explore the controversy surrounding coffee, tea, soda and wine: their health consequences for women, including how these beverages relate to common health concerns including anxiety, osteoporosis, depression, heart disease and breast cancer.  The session will include an interactive discussion as well as a questionnaire.  Katherine developed a passion for natural medicine while studying psychology and chemistry as an undergrad student at VT. She attended Naturopathic Medical school at the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) in Portland, OR.

9. GLC CONVERSATION GROUP: A COMMUNITY WITHIN A COMMUNITY
Fridays, through Mar 30, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room D
Bring your lunch and join this group of GLC residents and other grad students to get to know one another through casual conversations. Discussions may include current events, the nature of graduate study, and games that promote conversation. If you have any questions, contact Whitney Bortz, GLC residential learning coordinator, at whitney8@vt.edu, 231-5691.

10. GRAD STUDENT PHOTO-ART-WRITING CONTEST SPRING 2012
The Graduate School invites submissions of art work, photography and written work by graduate students for display in the GLC during Graduate Education Week (Mar 26-30) and beyond. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art, photography, or written work) per graduate student. Learn more >>.

11. COMMENCEMENT LODGING ALTERNATIVE
The Division of Student Affairs’ Conference and Guest Services office offers an alternative to hotel lodging for spring commencement. Residence hall spaces are available to provide convenient, low-cost accommodations for families and guests of graduating students. Advance reservations for lodging are required, and full payment is due at the time that reservations are made.  Online reservations and payment >>>. 

12. TAKE A STANCE FOR A CURE: JOIN A GRADS RELAY TEAM
Join GSA and the GLC Resident Fellows for 2012 Relay For Life at Virginia Tech, taking place Apr 20 on the Drillfield. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a year-long fundraiser building up to a life-changing event that gives everyone a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. To sign up as part of the Graduate Student Relay Team, visit: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12SA/1685396684?pg=team&fr_id=41402&team_id=1022346. For a $10.00 donation, you will become a team member and receive a Relay t-shirt. For more information, contact Megan Stuart, stuartma@vt.edu or Swetha Kumar, swethak@vt.edu.

13. BECOME A GLOBAL AMBASSADOR THROUGH CRANWELL INT’L CTR, 2012-13
The Global Ambassadors program is an exciting and engaging leadership development opportunity for current Virginia Tech students seeking to develop their global leadership skills. Global Ambassadors are charged with welcoming new international students to the Virginia Tech community and continuing meaningful interactions with students and the community throughout the academic year. Any currently enrolled student who has been at VT for at least one semester may apply. Fill out the online application  by Mar 6 and submit a reference form by Mar 14. Learn more >>.

14. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR ONLINE SURVEY – 1st posting
This study examines how superstition attitude will impact potential tourists’ intention to visit a destination so that relevant organizations (e.g. destination management/marketing organizations) could better understand potential tourists’ behaviors, identify a niche-market encompassing those prone to superstition, and tailor the tourism products to the needs and beliefs of potential tourists. The survey is anonymous and confidential. Must be at least 18 and have traveled within the past 12 months to participate in the survey. Please address any questions to Carol Zhang (zyz211@vt.edu).

15. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR SLIP/FALL STUDY – 1st posting
Participants aged 20-64 are needed for a Locomotion Research Lab study titled effects of localized muscle fatigue on risks of slips and falls. This study consists of four sessions, with each session lasting 3-4.5 hours. Compensation will be paid on an hourly basis, at $10/hour, with $40 bonus for those who finish the entire study. Please contact Xuefang Wu at xfwu@vt.edu for more details.

16. PARTICIPATE IN “SEX AND THE WORKPLACE” SURVEY – 1st posting
This online survey assesses students’ perceptions of acceptable and unacceptable co-worker interactions. Rating scenes depicting sexualized interaction at work allows researchers to determine which social characteristics affect the development and reinforcement of moral boundaries. This IRB-approved dissertation research is conducted by a sociology student and will take less than 10 minutes to complete. The survey is completely anonymous; graduate-student participation is greatly needed. Enter the study>>. Must be at least 18 and a current VT undergad or graduate student to participate in this survey. Please contact Angela Barlow at barlow.a@vt.edu with questions or comments.

17. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY OF SITTING EFFECTS – 1st posting
You are invited to participate in a VT study aimed at testing muscle activities in a seated posture. Participants must be between the ages 18-64, in no current condition or recent history (1-yr) of physical disorders affecting the shoulder, knee, or lower back; and exercise on a regular basis (2-3 times/wk). Participants will be required to perform several computer-based typing tasks in a lab setting. Each experiment session will last 2 to 3 hours; participants will be compensated $10/hr. For more information email to sjayvt@gmail.com.

18. HAPPY PARENTS, HAPPY BABY RESEARCH STUDY – 1st posting
Are you expecting your first child? As many as 90% of couples experience a significant decline in relationship-satisfaction after having a baby. The Mindful Transition to Parenthood Program can help couples meet this transition in a healthier way, which will make you happier and support the well-being of your baby. In this free support group, you will connect with other couples, learn effective communication skills, practice stress management, and learn how to reduce your risk of postpartum depression. The group is led by Laura Gambrel, a doctoral candidate in marriage and family therapy, and is part of a dissertation research study. Participants have the opportunity to win a $250 gift card. The group meets on Thursday evenings 6:00-8:00, Apr 12-May 3. Register by Apr 1 at http://www.lauragambrel.com/ or e-mail Laura at lauraeg@vt.edu

19. GSA FOLLOW UP SURVEY NEEDS YOUR HELP! – Final posting
Five years ago the GSA sponsored a survey of graduate students to determine the need, and willingness to pay, for statistical assistance in research. We are now sponsoring a short follow-up survey (5-15 minutes), and ask that all graduate students complete this survey regardless of whether you have used statistical assistance. Your responses are greatly appreciated and needed! Please contact GSA cabinet member Michelle McLeese at mmcleese@vt.edu with any questions.

20. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR PILOT STUDY – 3rd posting
Researchers in HNFE are conducting a study to determine the validity of diet and physical activity questionnaires. You may be eligible to participate if you are 21 years of age or older. The study involves three visits to a campus lab, with a total time of about 1.5. Participants will be compensated $25. If interested in participation, please complete an online screening form. For more information, please contact Shaun in the Laboratory for Eating Behaviors and Weight Management at 540-231-7918 or sriebl@vt.edu.

21. PARTICIPATE IN LIBRARY SURVEY – 3rd posting
As part of the implementation of the Summon Discovery Service by Vt’s University Libraries, the library is assessing its use and effectiveness among faculty and students. Through this survey your feedback is requested on your use of, and experiences with Summon, and your perception of its effectiveness in finding research information. The information collected will provide insight into how the Libraries might enhance the service to meet research needs of users. The survey should take approximately 12-15 minutes, and you may exit the survey at any time. Click this link to review the informed consent and begin the survey:  http://www.lib.vt.edu/RIS/consent.html. Must be at least 18 years old to participate.

22. GTA POSITION AVAILABLE FOR AY 2012-13
Interested in new media and innovation in teaching and learning?  Would you like to work closely with the Faculty Development Institute and Center for Innovation in Learning?  Dr. Gardner Campbell, Director of Faculty Development and Innovative Initiatives and Associate Professor of English, has created a position that offers a qualified graduate student a GTA position for AY 2012-13 with the possibility of summer employment.  Review of applications begins this Friday, March 2.  For more information about the position and the application process, please use the following link:   http://tinyurl.com/7j6962h.

23. GLC WAGE POSITIONS NOW OPEN FOR REMAINDER OF SPRING 2012 – 1st posting
Applications are being accepted for GLC wage positions for the remainder of the semester and beyond. The position ad is posted at https://listings.jobs.vt.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/Welcome_css.jsp, then click the Student tab, and Student Centers & Activities "VT Graduate Student" Pool for Graduate Information Associate and Graduate Services Associate. For more information about the GLC Graduate Services or Information Associates positions, please visit the SCA/GLC Employment Page http://www.studentcenters.vt.edu/employment/students/areas.php or email the GLC Operations Manager, Jordan DeWitt, at sjdewitt@vt.edu. The posting closes on Mar 16.

24. AQUATICS & INSTRUCTIONAL GRAD ASSISTANT/INTERNSHIP – 3rd posting
This is a full year commitment as a FT graduate student or paid intern with VT Recreational Sports. Responsibilities include assisting in the planning, development, and implementation of a comprehensive aquatics/instructional program comprising of adult and children swim lessons, health and safety classes, gymnastics lessons, and Master’s Swim. Other responsibilities: assist in the hiring, training, supervising, and evaluation of part-time 80+ employees; oversee eight student supervisors, and assist with student payroll, web development, budget planning, policy development, and the equipment inventory/purchasing process. Must have LGI and/or WSI certifications. Preferred certifications: WSI-IT, LGI-IT, CPO, and/or AFO. Application deadline: Apr 2 or until position filled. Submit letter of application, resume, list of at least three references, and copy of unofficial transcript through 2011 Fall Semester to: Nigel Harris, assistant director of Aquatics and Instructional Programs, VT Rec Sports, 142 McComas Hall, CMC 0358, nigelh@vt.edu.

25. MARKETING GRAD ASSISTANT -3rd posting
Under the direction of the marketing manager in Rec Sports, this position’s responsibilities include: assist with hiring, training, and supervising part-time student marketing personnel and budget management; coordination of evaluation and assessments of promotional opportunities and programs; work with Recreational Sports staff and student employees to coordinate on and off-site program promotions and special events; coordinate distribution of all marketing materials and cultivate relationships with targeted campus and community groups; help develop and edit marketing materials and department website; write press releases and promotional ads; and other duties. Required: word processing, spreadsheet and desktop publishing computer skills; effective oral and written communication skills. Preferred: 1-2 years undergrad involvement in recreational sports, sports marketing, and/or related field, as well as aspirations towards a career in sports marketing, sales skills and special events experience. Application deadline: Mar 30 or until position is filled. Submit letter of application, resume, list of at least three references, and copy of unofficial transcript through 2011 Fall Semester to: Cathy Kropff, Rec Sports Marketing Manager, 142 McComas Hall, CMC 0358, ckropff@vt.edu .

UPCOMING EVENTS:

SPRING BREAK PITY PARTY: THE BREAKFAST CLUB!
Tuesday, Mar 6, 10:00am-12:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
You are not alone on campus during spring break! Join others who are working through spring break and enjoy a home-cooked brunch with vegetarian and meat options, brought to you by your friendly and enthusiastic volunteer chefs who also happen to work in the Graduate School and Res Life. The food will be so good that everyone who left town will turn green with envy when they find out what they missed.  Please register to give us an idea of how much food to prepare .

WORK/LIFE BALANCE PANEL
Tuesday, Mar 13, 12:30–1:30pm, Torg 1100
This panel presentation is designed specifically for graduate students and faculty who struggle to fit an academic career into a fulfilling personal life. Graduate students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to attend. Registration is not required. Learn more at http://frec.vt.edu/fs/.

CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS FOR GRAD STUDENTS
Tuesday, Mar 13, 3:30–4:30pm,
Graduate Life Center
Among other events, the "Showcase of Female Scientists" event features three different concurrent workshops for graduate students and postdocs. Students and postdocs from all academic disciplines are encouraged to attend. Workshop topics are "Making a Life in Blacksburg," "Interview Skills and Curriculum Vita Preparation," and "Stress Management." Advance registration for the graduate student workshops is required, and is available at http://frec.vt.edu/fs/.

BOV GRAD LUNCHEON WITH PRESIDENT STEGER, PROVOST MCNAMEE – Sign up now!
Friday, Mar 16, 12:00-1:30pm, The Inn
Attend the first graduate luncheons of the spring semester with President Steger and Provost McNamee at the Inn at Virginia Tech. Spaces are limited, so if you are interested in attending, please fill out this survey. Graduate students selected for attendance will be contacted by March 14. Contact Michelle McLeese at mmcleese@vt.edu or bovgradrep@vt.edu with any questions.

SAFE ZONE TRANING FOR GRADS – REGISTER NOW!
Monday, Mar 26, 10:00am-12:00pm, GLC Room B
Interested in becoming Safe-Zone certified? Catherine Cotrupi, VT’s LGBTQ coordinator, offers a grads-only section of the Safe Zone Overview session required to start your certification and training. This session is for individuals interested in learning more about the LGBTQ Community. Topics addressed in the first training session include: common LGBTQ terms; sexual orientation vs. sexual identity; the coming out process; experiences of LGBTQ individuals; how you can be a Safe-Zone ally. Please register here. This is also a sponsored Graduate Education Week event. Contact Catherine at cotrupi@vt.edu for more information.

1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC

• Career services advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, Study Room
  
• Counseling:  Wednesdays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room (across from Room G)
  
• GLC Café: Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm, Reading Room
  
• Statistical consulting by LISA: Weekdays, 1:00-3:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room
  
• Writing support: Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm, GLC Videoconference Room; contact Emily Love, remily4@vt.edu

2. ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION BROWNBAG LUNCH: WRITING STUDENT
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Monday, Feb 20, 12:00-1:30pm, GLC Room C
This session provides tips on developing measurable outcomes that are linked to the program or unit mission and which lead to improvement.  Topics include avoiding outcomes that are too general, are difficult to measure, or outside the program’s control.

3. IRO PRESENTS: CAREERS IN INT’L AFFAIRS, DEVELOPMENT OR
RELATIONS
Tuesday, Feb 21, 7:00pm, 1010 Torgersen
Join four panelists representing organizations as varied as the Peace Crops, NGO’s, Depts of Defense and State, and the CIA to learn about a variety of potential careers in international fields. The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A. Posted on behalf of Heba El-Shazli, doctoral student and panelist representing non-profit/non-govn organizations.

4. GLC FELLOWS MARDI GRAS MOVIE NIGHT: THE HANGOVER
Tuesday, Feb 21, 7:00pm, GLC Student Lounge
Celebrate Mardi Gras with your fellow graduate students by watching The Hangover and enjoying some snacks. Bring your beads and masks if you like! Light refreshments will be served. For more information contact GLC Resident Fellow Eric Hodges.

5. FULBRIGHT INTEREST MEETING
Wednesday, Feb 22, 6:30pm, Cellar
Attend the third get together this year and get to know fellow VT Fulbright Scholars (current and alumni); enjoy a couple of hours of conversation in a multicultural and diverse group. Please RSVP here. Contact Fulbright alum Tobias or Fulbrighter Patrick  with questions and comments about this initiative.

6. GLC CAFÉ: INTRODUCING A MORNING VERSION THIS WEEK, 
SPONSORED BY SPOKE’N BEANS!
Thursday, Feb 23, 8:30-10:00am  GLC Reading Room
Enjoy free coffee and tea and socialize with your fellow grads. This week’s special sponsor: Spoke’n Beans (see http://www.spokenbeans.com). Bring your own mug if you can. Starting this week the GLC Café will be alternating each week between morning and afternoon. Please contact us at grads@vt.edu if you have any comments or suggestions about this event. 

7. GRAD SCHOLAR SOCIETY TOURS PRESENTS: INSTITUTE FOR CRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLIED SCIENCE
Friday, Feb 24, 2:00-3:00pm, meet in GLC Lobby 1:30pm or at the ICTAS building
The ICTAS Vision is to be among the top-rated institutes globally in transformative, sustainable technologies geared toward societal needs. A tour guide will walk the group through the ICTAS1 building, introducing the facilities available to students conducting cutting-edge research in sustainable technologies. The tour includes a guided intro to the Sustainable Energy Lab. Space is limited, so please register in advance. Accepted registrations will be confirmed by email. Confirmed participants may meet in the GLC Lobby at 1:30pm and walk to ICTAS1 together, or may meet the group at ICTAS1 building. Check out the GSS calendar for more tour opportunities: http://gss.grads.vt.edu/current_groups.html.

8. SKI, SNOWBOARD OR SNOWTUBE!
Friday, Feb 24, meet at 3:30 at the GLC circle
The GLC Fellows are organizing a trip to Winterplace ski resort in WV. Transportation provided; Limited space is available, so hurry and sign up. Participants will be responsible for lift tickets and equipment rental. For pricing and other information visit http://www.facebook.com/events/375415275803356/. Return by about midnight. For more information contact Kiril Stoyanov at kiril@vt.edu.

9. GLC CONVERSATION GROUP: A COMMUNITY WITHIN A COMMUNITY
Fridays, through Mar 30, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room D
Bring your lunch and join this group of GLC residents and other grad students to get to know one another through casual conversations. Discussions may include current events, the nature of graduate study, and games that promote conversation. If you have any questions, contact Whitney Bortz, GLC residential learning coordinator, at whitney8@vt.edu, 231-5691.

10. GRAD STUDENT PHOTO-ART-WRITING CONTEST SPRING 2012
The Graduate School invites submissions of art work, photography and written work by graduate students for display in the GLC during Graduate Education Week (Mar 26-30) and beyond. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art, photography, or written work) per graduate student. Learn more >> .

11. COMMENCEMENT LODGING ALTERNATIVE
The Division of Student Affairs’ Conference and Guest Services office offers an alternative to hotel lodging for spring commencement. Residence hall spaces are available to provide convenient, low-cost accommodations for families and guests of graduating students. Advance reservations for lodging are required, and full payment is due at the time that reservations are made.  Online reservations and payment may be made at www.housing.vt.edu/commencement. 

12. TAKE A STANCE FOR A CURE: JOIN A GRADS RELAY TEAM
Join GSA and the GLC Resident Fellows for 2012 Relay For Life at Virginia Tech, taking place Apr 20 on the Drillfield. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a year-long fundraiser building up to a life-changing event that gives everyone a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. Sign up as part of the Graduate Student Relay Team>>. For a $10.00 donation, you will become a team member and receive a Relay t-shirt. For more information, contact Megan Stuart, stuartma@vt.edu or Swetha Kumar.

13. BECOME A GLOBAL AMBASSADOR THROUGH CRANWELL INT’L CTR
The Global Ambassadors program is an exciting and engaging leadership development opportunity for current Virginia Tech students seeking to develop their global leadership skills. Global Ambassadors are charged with welcoming new international students to the Virginia Tech community and continuing meaningful interactions with students and the community throughout the academic year. Any currently enrolled student who has been at VT for at least one semester may apply. Fill out the online application by Mar 6 and submit a reference form by Mar 14. Learn more at http://www.international.vt.edu/programs/globalambassadors.php.

14. SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS TO NOMINEES FOR GSA ELECTION
Elections to GSA Executive Board are scheduled for Feb 23 at 5:30-7:00pm in GLC MPR. The candidates will be listed at http://www.gsa.uusa.vt.edu/about/nominees. In addition, on-the-floor nominations are accepted as well. The election will be preceded by a Q&A session with all the nominees for each position, moderated by  Monika Gibson from the Graduate School. The GSA invites questions from the graduate student body; submit your question on this survey. Questions from this pool will be chosen for the candidates. Feedback: Shree Narayanan at snsnair@vt.edu.

15. GSA CALL FOR NEW EXEC OFFICERS FOR 2012-2013
Are you interested in becoming the next GSA (Graduate Student Assembly) president, vp of membership, vp of programs, secretary, or treasurer? If so, join the GSA at the Feb 23 delegate meeting in the multipurpose room at the GLC  from 5:30-7pm for the annual officer/executive board elections! Contact Shree Narayanan, GSA President at snsnair@vt.edu or gsa@vt.edu with any questions.

16. SHORT STAT COURSES THIS SPRING
LISA (Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis) provides a series of evening short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research and provide 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. All short courses are 5-7pm. Seats are still available for the Feb 23 and Feb 28 sessions. You can join the waiting list for the other courses. Each of these courses will be screen/audio recorded. After processing this videos will be posted on Vimeo (www.vimeo.com/lisavt) for individuals that are unable to attend. We will also be teaching the very popular R courses in the summer and fall semester.
Remaining Spring 2012 Schedule:

• Feb 21 and 23:  Plotting Data in R through Excel;*
• Feb 28: Regression Analysis with Categorical Factors using JMP and R;
• Mar 13:  Bayesian Methods for Regression in R;*

*These courses will be held in 3060 Torgersen; all other courses will be held in GLC Room F. LISA provides statistical advice, analysis, and education to VT researchers by offering individual collaboration meetings, walk-in consulting, educational short courses, and support for interdisciplinary research projects. LISA’s statistical collaborators are trained to help researchers design experiments, analyze and plot data, run statistical software, interpret results, and communicate statistical concepts to non-statisticians. For more information visit: www.lisa.stat.vt.edu.

17. INTERDISCIPLINARY SOCIETY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – 3rd posting
Iota Delta Rho, the Interdisciplinary Research Organization and Honor Society is accepting applications for membership in the Honor Society through Feb 20.  IDR was founded by VT graduate students in spring 2011 and is the only interdisciplinary research society for students in the U.S. Please consider applying to this unique organization. IDR has many levels of membership, including a membership available for those who only wish to participate at the organization level. Information on these different membership levels, application packages, and FAQ sheet can be found at http://www.idrsociety.org/.  If you have any questions, please contact Tammy Parece at tammyep@vt.edu.

18. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR PILOT STUDY – 2nd posting
Researchers in HNFE are conducting a study to determine the validity of diet and physical activity questionnaires. You may be eligible to participate if you are 21 years of age or older. The study involves three visits to a campus lab, with a total time of about 1.5. Participants will be compensated $25. If interested in participation, please complete an online screening form here. For more information, please contact Shaun in the Laboratory for Eating Behaviors and Weight Management at 540-231-7918 or sriebl@vt.edu.

19. PARTICIPATE IN LIBRARY SURVEY – 2^nd posting
As part of the implementation of the Summon Discovery Service by Vt’s University Libraries, the library is assessing its use and effectiveness among faculty and students. Through this survey your feedback is requested on your use of, and experiences with Summon, and your perception of its effectiveness in finding research information. The information collected will provide insight into how the Libraries might enhance the service to meet research needs of users. The survey should take approximately 12-15 minutes, and you may exit the survey at any time. Click this link to review the informed consent and begin the survey:  http://www.lib.vt.edu/RIS/consent.html. Must be at least 18 years old to participate.

20. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON EFFECTS OF IMMERSION IN   ANALYSIS OF MICRO-CT DATASETS – 3rd posting
Participants are sought for the IRB-approved study of “Effects of immersion in analysis of micro-CT datasets with a head-mounted display.” The study consists of carrying out few tasks (answering few questions) related to two selected micro-CT datasets, which will be volume-visualized on a state-of-the-art  headmounted display system, in the Blacklab of the center for HCI and department of computer science at KnowledgeWorks-II building of CRC. The whole experiment will last for about an hour. First come first served.  Must be over 18 with no or minimal background in micro-CT imaging to participate in this experiment, and not have participated in a similar experiment in 2011. Available time slots: http://people.cs.vt.edu/blaha/schedule.html . Please email to blaha@vt.edu, with your preferred time slot from the above page to sign up for your participation.

21. PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY ON EMOTION-REGULATION IN PRESCHOOLERS – 3^rd   posting
Do you have a child between 3 and 7 years of age? A new study is investigating children with or without autism and their ability to manage their emotions. The study is conducted at the VT Autism Clinic on 3110 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, or at the Roanoke Higher Education Center on 108 N. Jefferson St., Roanoke. For more information please contact Nuri Reyes at VTCareStudy@gmail.com or call 540-231-2053. Compensation: $30.

22. AQUATICS & INSTRUCTIONAL GRAD ASSISTANT/INTERNSHIP – 2nd posting
This is a full year commitment as a FT graduate student or paid intern with VT Recreational Sports. Responsibilities include assisting in the planning, development, and implementation of a comprehensive aquatics/instructional program comprising of adult and children swim lessons, health and safety classes, gymnastics lessons, and Master’s Swim. Other responsibilities: assist in the hiring, training, supervising, and evaluation of part-time 80+ employees; oversee eight student supervisors, and assist with student payroll, web development, budget planning, policy development, and the equipment inventory/purchasing process. Must have LGI and/or WSI certifications. Preferred certifications: WSI-IT, LGI-IT, CPO, and/or AFO. Application deadline: Apr 2 or until position filled. Submit letter of application, resume, list of at least three references, and copy of unofficial transcript through 2011 Fall Semester to: Nigel Harris, assistant director of Aquatics and Instructional Programs, VT Rec Sports, 142 McComas Hall, CMC 0358, nigelh@vt.edu.

23. MARKETING GRAD ASSISTANT -2^nd posting
Under the direction of the marketing manager in Rec Sports, this position’s responsibilities include: assist with hiring, training, and supervising part-time student marketing personnel and budget management; coordination of evaluation and assessments of promotional opportunities and programs; work with Recreational Sports staff and student employees to coordinate on and off-site program promotions and special events; coordinate distribution of all marketing materials and cultivate relationships with targeted campus and community groups; help develop and edit marketing materials and department website; write press releases and promotional ads; and other duties. Required: word processing, spreadsheet and desktop publishing computer skills; effective oral and written communication skills. Preferred: 1-2 years undergrad involvement in recreational sports, sports marketing, and/or related field, as well as aspirations towards a career in sports marketing, sales skills and special events experience. Application deadline: Mar 30 or until position is filled. Submit letter of application, resume, list of at least three references, and copy of unofficial transcript through 2011 Fall Semester to: Cathy Kropff, Rec Sports Marketing Manager, 142 McComas Hall, CMC 0358, ckropff@vt.edu .

UPCOMING EVENTS:

ADVANCE-VT LUNCH SEMINAR: STRATEGIES FOR WRITING SUCCESSFUL GRANT PROPOSALS: 2/27 (register by Feb 22)
Monday, February 27, 2012, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., GLC F
Join Dr. Brenda Davy and Dr. Amy Pruden-Bagchi as they share general advice for writing effective grant proposals as well as their experiences applying for National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) grants. 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, February 22nd.

IDR SOCIAL AND SEMINAR: MULTIDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION – MAKING IT WORK
Monday, Feb 27, 12:00-1:00pm, 310 ICTAS Bldg I
The Interdisciplinary Research Honor Society (IDR) invites you to its second social / seminar series event this spring. Guest speaker Prof. Layne T. Watson, professor of computer science and mathematics at Virginia Tech, will give a talk about multidisciplinary collaboration. Food and drinks will be served. Please register at https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1329503916554.

AMERICANS FOR INFORMED DEMOCRACY CLUB: ARAB SPRING MOVEMENTS
Tuesday, Feb 28, 7:00-9:00pm, 140 Holden Hall North Wing
Panelists Dr. Edward Weisband, Mr. John Boyer and doctoral student Heba F. El-Shazli bring students and professors together to discuss and learn about Arab Spring movements and their broader significance. Introductory comments by the panelists will be followed by a guided discussion and audience Q&A.

GSS TOURS PRESENTS: HORTICULTURE GREENHOUSES
Wednesday, Feb 29, Wednesday, 2:00-3:30pm, meet at greenhouses on Washington St   
Have you ever wondered what the VT horticulture students are doing in the winter? They are exercising their green thumbs inside the greenhouses! Here is your opportunity to partake in a guided tour through the greenhouses and learn first-hand what work and research occurs. Special bonus: plant potting activity. Space is limited, so register early. Accepted registrations will be confirmed by email. Check out the GSS calendar for more tour opportunities: http://gss.grads.vt.edu/current_groups.html.

COFFEE, TEA, WINE AND SODA: HOW THE BEVERAGES YOU LOVE ARE AFFECTING YOUR HEALTH
Thursday, Mar 1, 5:30-6:30pm, GLC Room G
This session we will explore the controversy surrounding coffee, tea, soda and wine: their health consequences for women, including how these beverages relate to common health concerns including anxiety, osteoporosis, depression, heart disease and breast cancer.  The session will include an interactive discussion as well as a questionnaire.  Katherine developed a passion for natural medicine while studying psychology and chemistry as an undergrad student at VT. She attended Naturopathic Medical school at the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) in Portland, OR.

SAFE ZONE TRANING FOR GRADS – REGISTER NOW!
Monday, Mar 26, 10:00am-12:00pm, GLC Room B
Interested in becoming Safe-Zone certified? Catherine Cotrupi, VT’s LGBTQ coordinator, offers a grads-only section of the Safe Zone Overview session required to start your certification and training. This session is for individuals interested in learning more about the LGBTQ Community. Topics addressed in the first training session include: common LGBTQ terms; sexual orientation vs. sexual identity; the coming out process; experiences of LGBTQ individuals; how you can be a Safe-Zone ally. Please register here:https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1328045816783. This is also a sponsored Graduate Education Week event. Contact Catherine at cotrupi@vt.edu for more information.