GSA SEPTEMBER 27th - ANNOUNCEMENTS

2011

GSA FUN ACTIVITIES (2nd Post): THE PHD MOVIE ADVANCE TICKETS!
GSA will be screening The PHD Movie at the Lyric Theater on Wednesday, October 12th at 7:00 pm! The PHD Movie is based on the popular web comic by comedian Jorge Cham (www.phdcomics.com). The film delves into the unique and funny culture of Academia and follows four graduate students (Cecilia, Mike, Tajel, and the "Nameless Grad Student") as they struggle to find balance between research, teaching, and their personal lives. Tickets are $5.00 and will be available during GSA Office Hours Tue 8-10am and Wed 1:30-3:30pm in GLC Graduate Student Organization Office (21 GLC). Questions: Contact Swetha Kumar at swethak@vt.edu GSA VP of Programs.

GSA SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

DIALOGUE WITH THE DEAN I, SPONSORED BY GSA - Tuesday, October 4th, GLC (RM. C), 5:30-7pm. Come discuss graduate student life and university policy over dinner with Dean DePauw on Tuesday, October 5th from 5:30-7pm in the GLC (Rm. C). This is YOUR opportunity to bring on the issues that matter most to you! Space is limited; please RSVP here: (https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1316563557804) Any questions/Information contact: Swetha Kumar (swethak@vt.edu) - VP of Programs

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES (3RD POST)

I.GSA-GRADUATE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (GRDP); CYCLE I The GSA-GRDP is a competitive research funding program administered by the GSA to support qualified research and innovative ideas proposed by VT graduate students (awards up to $600 for selected PhD proposals and $400 for selected Master proposals). Applications go through a rigorous review process by a panel of graduate students and faculties. Visit http://www.gsa.uusa.vt.edu/programs/research_program to learn more about this opportunity. Applications open September 14th. Any questions/Information: should be directed to Milad Radiom, at (GSAGRDPChair@gmail.com) GRDP Chair II.GSA-Travel Fund Program (TFP): CYCLE I The GSA Travel Fund Program (TFP) is here to help relieve some of your financial burdens associated with presenting research at a conference. If you travel between July 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011, you are eligible to apply to the TFP to be reimbursed up to $350 as a masters or $500 as a doctoral student. Applications opened Sept 14 until Oct 15, 2011(5pm). Please review http://www.gsa.uusa.vt.edu/programs/travel_fund. Any questions/Information: should be directed to Franklin Warren, at (GSATFPChair@gmail.com) GTFP Chair

Questions/Suggestions contact: Shaimaa Abdallah GSA VP Membership (shaimaa@vt.edu )

GSA SEPTEMBER 27th - ANNOUNCEMENTS

2011

UPCOMING EVENTS
I. Academic I.a. THE BLACK GRADUATE STUDENT ORGANIZATION PRESENTS NAVIGATING DEPARTMENTAL POLITICS: PART 2 - (1ST POST) TIME/LOCATION: Wednesday, Oct. 5th at 7:15 p.m. in the GLC Rm G.

There's more to grad school than research, teaching, and taking classes. Departmental/university politics can make or break a graduate career. The panel will discuss how to navigate departmental politics political minefield and advice on what to do if you get stuck! Be there! Confirmed Panel Members: Dr. Karen DePauw, Vice President and Dean of Graduate Education Dr. Guy Sims, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Manbeena Sekhon, Cook Counseling Center Ms. Ennis McCreary, Graduate Student Ombudswoman* Ms. Jasmine Graham (Submitted Prelim, Sept. 2011) Ms. Keyana Ellis, PhD Candidate, Agricultural and Extension Education (Defended Prelim Aug 2011) Ms. Kenya King, PhD Candidate,Clinical Psychology (Proposing Dissertation Oct. 2011) Dr. Jonathan Gaines, Mechanical Engineering (Defended dissertation Sept. 2011) *(ombuds definition: investigates complaints and mediates fair settlements)
I.b. HISPANIC LATINO HERITAGE MONTH LUNCHEON - (1ST POST) TIME/LOCATION: Friday, October 14, 2011 from 11:30-1pm GLC room F The Graduate School hosts a Hispanic Latino Heritage Month luncheon open to all students featuring Douglas Garcia, Executive Director of Federal Relations and Outreach for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Topics discussed include internship and fellowship opportunities, trends of Hispanics in education, and how to get involved in HACU. Please complete the following survey if interested in attending https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1314727806340 I.c. FIRST INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (2ND POST) SYMPOSIUM IN VIRGINIA TECH

We are happy to announce that the Interdisciplinary Research Honor Society () is organizing the first Interdisciplinary Research Symposium at Virginia Tech on Nov 4th, 9am-4pm, in the Graduate Life Center (GLC) Multipurpose room. The goal of this symposium is to showcase student research projects to promote and recognize the interdisciplinary work being performed at Virginia Tech by both graduate and undergraduate students. Please visit our website for FREE registration to the event and view additional information on abstract submission at http://symposium.idrsociety.org Abstracts should be submitted to symposium@idrsociety.org by Oct 2nd. II. Cultural (1ST POST) STRONG TOGETHER INITIATIVE The Office for Diversity and Inclusion will host a formal kickoff of the Strong Together Initiative with a reception Friday, Oct. 7, from 1 3 p.m., in Latham Ballroom at the Inn at Virginia Tech. A special presentation on the Virginia Tech Principles of Community as well as remarks by students and

Questions/Suggestions contact: Shaimaa Abdallah GSA VP Membership (shaimaa@vt.edu )

GSA SEPTEMBER 27th - ANNOUNCEMENTS

2011

university officials will begin at 1:30 p.m. The reception, which is free and open to all Virginia Tech students, staff, faculty, and community members, will also serve as a welcome-to-campus mixer for recently hired employees and their families. The Strong Together Initiative is a year-long effort to promote inclusion and unity at Virginia Tech and will include a variety of programming and promotional efforts geared toward raising awareness and application of the Principles of Community among students, staff, and faculty. RSVPs are not required, but are appreciated. If you plan to attend, please send an email to diversity@vt.edu. If you are a person with a disability and may need an accommodation to participate in this program, please notify Perry Martin at 540-231-7500 or diversity@vt.edu.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS - (2nd POST)

I. GSA Graduate Undergraduate Mentoring Program (GUMP) COMMITTEE We are seeking volunteers for this years revised program. The intention is to create a shadowing program where undergraduate students shadow a graduate mentor. This new program is based on successful programs at other universities whereby undergraduates can get a taste for graduate school while forming real relationships with graduate students whom they can contact for advice in the future. Students will spend 2-4 hrs per week with a graduate student observing routine activities. They will rotate every two weeks for a set period of six weeks in the Spring semester, allowing for a diverse experience with three different mentors. Committee volunteers are needed to help with advertisement materials, recruiting graduate students, hosting one short orientation meeting in the fall semester, and hosting one program completion meeting in the spring semester. Questions/Information contact: Risa Pesapane rpesapan@vt.edu GSA GUMP Chair. II.GSA HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE (HCC) The VT Graduate Student Assembly Health Care Committee is dedicated to improving the health mental and physical of our graduate student body through facilitating discussions and advocating policy changes with the administration of Virginia Tech. Our dedicated consecutive members/team after three years of hard work, last year had a major success and a break through leading to great improvements. We were able to get a new Health Insurance vendor, AETNA, with better benefits and service quality, a 90% subsidy for Grad Students. This year we are seeking volunteers to follow on our HCC PLAN 2011-2012. Check our FB page (no account is needed!) for more information about earlier work milestones: http://www.facebook.com/pages/VT-GSA-Health-Care-Committee/105179039565894#!/pages/VTGSA-Health-Care-Committee/105179039565894?sk=info Questions/Information contact: Amit Amritkar amritkar@vt.edu - GSA HCC Chair (2011-2012). III. BLACKSBURG DOWNTOWN TAILGATE Downtown Blacksburg Inc. is looking for volunteers for the upcoming Downtown Tailgate on September 30th at 5:00pm!! Volunteers will be checking IDs and selling tickets. If interested: contact: Laureen Blakemore at events@downtownblacksburg.com

Questions/Suggestions contact: Shaimaa Abdallah GSA VP Membership (shaimaa@vt.edu )

GSA SEPTEMBER 27th - ANNOUNCEMENTS

HELP IS ON THE WAY!!

2011

All LISA Courses are from 5-7pm this semester in either Fralin Auditorium or 3060/3080 Torgersen Hall. For Full schedule & Registration check: www.lisa.stat.vt.edu/?q=short_courses I. TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO R! Tuesday & Thursday September 27 & 29*; Instructor: Sai Wang Location/Time: 3060 Torgersen Hall from 5-7pm Course Topics: R is a free computing and graphical software/environment for statistical analysis. This short course consists of 3 sections: Section 1 provides introduction to R programming basics, such as data objects in R, loops, import/export datasets, along with examples of data manipulation/cleaning. Section 2 discusses the R graphing environment and how to create some basic statistical plots. Section 3 introduces how to perform basic statistical analysis in R, such as t-tests, ANOVA and linear regression. *The Tuesday and Thursday courses are identical. Individuals are encouraged to attend the session that fits their schedule.

REPEATED
I. LISA (LABORATORY FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS) SERIES OF EVENING SHORT COURSES III. NEW STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN! IV. *"LIKE" OUR NEW FACEBOOK FAN PAGE* I. LISA (LABORATORY FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS) SERIES OF EVENING SHORT COURSES (3RD POST) To help graduate students who use statistics in their research. The focus of these two-hour courses is on teaching 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. Short courses will be held from 5-7PM. Please see our website for the full schedule. II. NEW STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN! - (DUE DATE: OCT 3rd 2011) The 2011-2012 VT student health insurance plan provided by Aetna Student Health is now available for enrollment online at http://www.aetnastudenthealth.com. Graduate students (GA's, GTA's and GRA's) eligible for the health insurance subsidy should choose a "subsidy plan" and should show a $0 balance when completing the enrollment process. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact the Student Medical Insurance Office at smi@vt.edu or call 540-231-6303. Aetna Student Health will be the new student health insurance carrier for the 2011-2012 academic year. Learn more about the insurance plans and rates at http://www.co.vt.edu/Risk/index.html

Questions/Suggestions contact: Shaimaa Abdallah GSA VP Membership (shaimaa@vt.edu )

GSA SEPTEMBER 27th - ANNOUNCEMENTS

III. *"LIKE" OUR NEW FACEBOOK FAN PAGE* Graduate Student Assembly invites you to LIKE our new interactive Facebook page:

2011

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Virginia-Tech-Graduate-Student-Assembly/101362179953389). You will receive updates about current GSA news, events and programs right in your Facebook newsfeed! Also, you will be able to share departmental events by posting event information directly on our Facebook wall. For a full listing of summer events, visit the Google Calendar on the GSA Website (http://www.gsa.uusa.vt.edu) including trips to the Cascades, the Summer Wine Social, and the annual Welcome Back BBQ!

Questions/Suggestions contact: Shaimaa Abdallah GSA VP Membership (shaimaa@vt.edu )