This week in GSA 2.22.16
PDF VERSION
Mingle with Your Mentor: Free Event
Graduate students and their advisors are invited to network with others over a glass of wine or beer and light refreshments.
Tuesday, Mar 1
5:00-6:30pm
University Club
Contact Monika Gibson
Serve as a Delegate-at-Large: Available Immediately
Commission on Equal Opportunity & Diversity
Update: POSITION FILLED
- Commission on Staff Policies and Affair
More info here, monthly, 4th Tuesday, 2pm – 3:30pm (NECTR 2317)
What is a delegate-at-large?
- A delegate-at-large can be any graduate student. They are appointed by the executive board and approved by the GSA rather individual departments.
What does this position do?
Your duty in this position is to attend the meetings to represent the GSA and graduate student body. If interested contact Tara Reel
Two-Factor Log In System Changes
The University is moving towards a 2-factor authentication system that will be mandatory for all Virginia Tech users beginning July 4th. This is a result of hacking attempts on the University escalating since last September, which have lead to small cases where direct-deposit or personal information was changed.
We’ve heard your concerns and are working with the University to address them. In the meantime, we’d love to hear your thoughts through a campus-wide survey. It only takes a minute, and you can do it right on your phone!
Link is here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_cSBZFxMOTKZzOAJ&source=email.
The GSA will have representatives from Virginia Tech come and speak to delegates at our February 25th meeting. We will have a presentation on the rationale behind the two-factor login system and provide opportunity for students to ask questions.
GSA Officers 2016-2017
Each year the members of the executive board are elected by members of the GSA. If you are interested in serving in any of the following positions, please contact us at gsa@vt.edu to get more information on procedures, nominations, and elections.
Officers up for election:
| § President | § Vice President |
| § Director of Programs | § Director of Communications |
| § Director of Finance |
Elections will be run by members of the Judiciary Committee of the GSA. Elections are held in the last meeting (April). More information about each of the positions can be found in our GSA Constitution under Section 5 or on Page 6.
Celebrate Black History Month!
It is the fourth week of Black History Month! Celebrations continue with events each week. Upcoming events for this week include the following:
Monday, February 22
Ask Big Questions Conversation: When do you take a stand and what advantages do you have?
5:30pm-7:30pm, Black Cultural Center, Squires Student Center
Thursday, February 25
Countdown to the 25th Anniversary of the Black Cultural Center (BCC) at Virginia Tech
2:00pm-4:00pm, Black Cultural Center, Squires Student Center
Friday, February 26
Black History Month Bowl
7:00pm, Graduate Life Center (GLC) Auditorium
Saturday, February 27
Get on the Bus: Feeding America
8:00am-2:00pm, Feeding America of Southwest Virginia
The Intercultural Engagement Center will include information throughout the month.
For more information (summary and contact info) on the events:
http://www.iec.vt.edu/assets/docs/bhmevents.pdf
TFP: REVIEWERS NEEDED
The GSA Travel Fund Program (TFP) will open in Mid-March for the Spring cycle. This cycle will provide financial assistance to those travelling for conferences between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2016.
Each cycle, TFP applications are reviewed and approved. This is a non-competitive application, but reviewers are still needed!
If you are interested in serving as a reviewer please contact Marie Stettler Kleine and Omchand Mahdu, GSA TFP Co-Chairs: gradtravelfund1516@vt.edu
Don’t forget! Serving as a reviewer looks great for your CV and is a way for you to give back to the University community.
More information on the TFP: https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/graduatestudentassembly/travel-fund-program/
Welcome Reception for New Provost for Inclusion & Diversity
Virginia Tech will host welcome receptions for two of the newest members of the university’s leadership team. The public is invited to welcome them to the community.
- When: Wednesday, Feb. 24, 3 to 5 p.m.
- Where: Latham Ballroom, Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center, 901 Prices Fork Road
The community is welcome to attend the receptions and no RSVP is required. For information, email Shannon Harvey or visit http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2016/02/020116-provost-welcomereceptions.html
Qualitative Workshop Opportunity: FREE
Are you interested in learning about Grounded Theory? The Department of Human Development is holding a interactive, hands on workshop regarding Grounded Theory Methdology.
This workshop will be guided by Dr. Jennifer Hardesty of the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign.
Graduate students from all departments with an interest in grounded theory are welcome to attend.
Grounded Theory: A Workshop Session will take place
Thursday, February 25th
1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Wallace Hall, Rm. 340
RSVP is required and is capped to 40 students.
Or, copy-paste this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JSKJQ5G
The workshop is free to graduate students.
Questions? Visit: http://blogs.lt.vt.edu/quintstate2016/connect/ for contact information.
Health Field Day
The American Heart Association’s HeartChase here at Virginia Tech wants to encourage graduate students and the Graduate Student Assembly to take part in this fun event on April 6th.
HeartChase is a 1-day, “adult field day” with the mission of endingheart disease and stroke through fundraising and getting the community active!
Please email Savannah Kramer (Executive Chair of the AmericanHeart Association’s HeartChase here at Virginia Tech) smkramer@vt.edu for more information. Or check out their website at Health Field Day.