Graduate School Announcements
February 15, 2016
Contents

Kudos:
Graduate Students Help Validate Gravitational Waves


Congratulations to Andrew Bohn, Francois Hebert and William Throwe, doctoral students in physics, for their role in validating the first direct detection of gravitational waves - as predicted 100 years by Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.

Bohn, Hebert, and Throwe, worked with special effects consultants on the recent movie, Interstellar, to visualize colliding black holes by gravitational lensing.

Graduate School Student Wins Top Scholarship 

Ozias Moore ILR MS '13/PhD '16 has won the top graduate student scholarship given by the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology. 

The award recognizes graduate career achievement and is intended to assist doctoral students in the industrial and organizational psychology field with the costs of dissertation work.




 
Graduate Student to Present Paper

Congratulations to Bin Xu, a doctoral student in the field of information sciencefirst author of a paper on the research to be presented at the ACM conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing.

In the study, researchers found that the ephemeral design of the social media app Snapchat encourages intensely personal conversations between users. 

Also involved in the study was Pamara Chang, a doctoral student in communication.

Have Good News to Share with the Graduate and Professional Student Community? 

Let us know when good things happen to graduate students; for instance, papers published, fellowships earned, jobs, post doctoral appointments, research breakthroughs, or any other graduate student news. We will print it in the Kudos section of the Announcements.  

From the Registrar:

Important Course Enrollment Deadlines

 

  • Last day to add courses and change credit hours is Wednesday, February 10th
  • Last day to drop courses or change grading options is March 23rd

Changes to course enrollment are not permitted after official course enrollment dates. In accordance with University policy, the Graduate School will only accept enrollment petitions for truly exceptional cases.

Dates and Deadlines:
February 
  • February 16: Time Out
  • February 16: Student representatives for Diversity Council deadline
  • February 18: Facilitating class discussions
  • February 18:  Using LinkedIn in your job search
  • February 19: Resumaniacs/resume review
  • February 22: Individual development plan workshop
  • February 22: Preparing for a career fair
  • February 23: Summer opportunities fair
  • February 24: Careers in Psychology and Social Work Panel  
  • February 25: Understanding and Managing Job/Internship Offers
  • February 25: Nonprofit and Government Career Fair
  • February 25: Investment Management Careers Series
  • February 29: Strengths-Based Networking and Mentoring
March
  • March 2: Virtual career fair
  • March 4: Deadline for ARHD application
  • March 5: Teaching Conference
  • March 17: Final round for the Three Minute Thesis Competition
  • March 23: Last day to drop courses
  • March 23: Peace studies fellowship deadline
Graduate School Programs:
"Becoming More Productive," a Workflow Workshop Series for Graduate Students
  • Tuesday March 1st from 4:30 - 6:00 PM in Olin 106G:  Humanities/Social Sciences
  • Tuesday March 8 from 2-3:30 pm in Mann 160:  Physical and Life Sciences
  • Wednesday March 9 from 2-3:30 pm in Mann 160:  Social Sciences
The Cornell Library and the Graduate School are co-sponsoring "Becoming More Productive," a workflow workshop series for graduate students on March 1st, 8th, and 9th.  
Each engaging and informative session will allow you to learn from fellow graduate students in your subject area a range of strategies for gathering, storing, organizing and synthesizing all your information and data for your research and teaching. 

Come learn to be more productive! 

Note-you are welcome to attend more than one, or all, of these free workshops.
 Questions?  Please email Jim Morris-Knower @ [email protected]

Updates for our Students with Families
 
Student Partners / Spouses Looking for Employment at Cornell University? 
 
Consider attending the Navigating Cornell Careers - Thursday, February 25 from 10:00am-12:00pm at the East Hill Office Building (395 Pine Tree Road, Room 345).  Are you interested in a non-academic position at Cornell University and have secured work authorization in the United States?  If so, please join Ms. Sonja Baylor, Cornell Human Resources Recruiter, to discuss job search tips, application process and overall information about working at Cornell University. Please register for the session by February 23.
 

Perspectives
 
Sexual Culture at Cornell:  What Does That Even Mean? 
Tuesday, February 23  |  12:30 - 1:30 PM (Lunch Provided at 12:15 PM)  |  102 Mann Library
 
Take a roller-coaster ride through the history of our sexual culture in American and at Cornell. We will consider how social norms around sex and sexuality are shaped, changed, and navigated on and off campus. Additionally, we'll discuss how the new Title IX and New York State mandates involving sexual violence education and prevention play into our sexual culture, both individually and societally. Presenter:  Jessie Bonney-Burrill, Public Health Fellow, Skorton Center for Health Initiatives. RSVP by February 19
 
Next Session: The Necessities of Personal Safety | Thursday, March 10 |  12:30 - 1:30 PM
 

Teaching and Future Faculty:

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Practitioner Program

Applications due February 24, 2016

  

CU-CIRTL and the Center for Teaching Excellence are now recruiting graduate and postdoctoral applicants to join the Spring 2016 Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Practitioner program. Through participation in a series of four workshops from March-May 2016, participants will receive training and support needed to conduct a small-scale classroom research project and present the results. SoTL Practitioners will have the opportunity to develop a manuscript on their teaching project and will receive a monetary stipend for meeting all requirements. They will become part of a community of fellows advancing teaching excellence at Cornell. Both individuals and pairs/small teams may apply for this program; send inquiries to Kimberly Williams at: [email protected]  

  

Learn more

 
Upcoming Opportunities for:
Graduate Students, Future Educators, and Teaching Assistants
                                                                                                                    
 
GET SET Discussion: Facilitating Class Discussions with Confidence
Thursday, Feb 18, 12:00-1:00 p.m. (421 CCC)
Discussions are a good way to engage your students in course content. What strategies can you use to effectively facilitate these discussions? What challenges could you face? Participants will explore best practices and strategies.

Saturday, March 5 (8:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in 251 Malott Hall)
 
A unique opportunity to:
      Interact during lunch-time discussions with peers and renowned Cornell faculty
      Complete GET SET certificates by attending concurrent workshops
      Get peer feedback on your teaching practice
      Earn a certificate of participation in the U-wide
 
Bring a $5 refundable deposit before 10 a.m. Friday, March 4, to 420 CCC in order to reserve your registration.
Careers:

Want to make a difference in a residential community? Apply to become an ARHD!

 

The Assistant Residence Hall Director (ARHD) is a graduate or professional student position designed to contribute to the overall mission of Residential and New Student Programs in creating an exceptional on-campus living experience for residential students. The ARHD position is a 15-hour per week, live-in position in a residence hall that serves either first-year students, upper level students, or members of a Program House.

 

Application Deadline: March 4, 2016 by 12:00PM

Interviews: March 15-23, 2016

Offers: late March 2016

 

For complete information, visit the ARHD position website: http://rnsp.dos.cornell.edu/org/rnspstudentstaffselection/ARHD

 

Click here to apply!

PhD and Master's Virtual Career Fair

March 2

Are you looking for a job? If so, Cornell graduate students, post-docs, and alumni are invited to attend the PhD & Master's Virtual Career Fair, a unique event that helps job seekers meet employers in a time-efficient, virtual way.

 

For additional information and to register go tohttps://www.careereco.com/Fair/EventDetails?fairId=ccdbb01d-2d75-4cfb-aa82-a555012722b9

 

Using LinkedIn in Your Job Search


 
Thursday, February 18

4:45pm

198 Statler

Resumaniacs/Resume Reviews


 
Friday, February 19

1:30pm

103 Barnes Hall

Preparing for a Career Fair Visit

 

Monday, February 22

4:45pm

233 Plant Sciences Building

Summer Opportunities Fair

 

Tuesday, February 23

1:00pm

Statler Ballroom

Understanding and Managing Job/Internship Offers

Wednesday, February 24
4:45pm
253 Malott Hall

Careers in Psychology and Social Work Panel

Wednesday, February 24
4:30pm
280 M Van Rensselaer

Nonprofit and Government Career Fair

Thursday, February 25
1:00pm
Statler Ballroom

Investment Management Careers Series

Thursday, February 25
4:30pm
G01 Stimson Hall

Strengths-Based Networking and Mentoring

Monday, February 29
5:00pm
228 Malott Hall
Fellowships, Postdocs and Awards:

Schwarzman Scholars Program


 

Thursday, April 28, 5:00-6:30 p.m.

Kaufmann Auditorium, Goldwin Smith Hall


 

Robert Garris, Schwarzman Scholars Global Director of Admissions, will be hosting this information session to discuss the Schwarzman Scholarship-an award that provides one fully-funded year of master's degree study at Tsinghua University in Beijing in one of three fields:  public policy, international studies, or economics and business.  Applicants must have an excellent academic record and demonstrate leadership and openness to other cultures.  Cornellians of all countries, up to 28 years of age, are eligible and encouraged to attend. 


 

(Co-sponsored by the Fellowships Program,, Cornell Career Services, 103 Barnes Hall, 255-6931.)

http://schwarzmanscholars.org/

Graduate Fellowship in Peace Studies


 

(Awarded by the Judith Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, Einaudi Center for International Studies)


 

The fellowship supports Cornell Ph.D. students who plan to be in absentia during 2016-17 conducting research that explicity treats issues of security, conflict, or collective violence.  The award covers in absentia tuition plus a stipend and health insurance.  Application deadline:  March 11, 2016.

To access the informational flyer and to download the application:  http://pacs.einaudi.cornell.edu/graduate-fellowships

Luce Scholarship Information Session


 

(Both programs are in 103 Barnes Hall.)


 

Wednesday, March 23, 12:15 p.m. (Pre-register at [email protected])

Tuesday, April 5, 4:35 p.m.

The Luce Scholars Program funds one-year paid internships in Asia for non-Asia specialists.  The intent of the program is to provide an immersion experience in Asia for a highly qualified group of young Americans who would not otherwise have the opportunity to come to know Asia intimately.  Applicants must not yet be 30 years of age by July 1st of the year they enter the program.  


 

http://www.hluce.org/lsprogram.aspx

[email protected]                  255-6931

CCST Fellowship Application Now Open


 

CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship, led by the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST)CCST is now seeking applicants for its 2017 Fellowship class, and applications opened this week on December 1st.


 

"CCST's mission is for science to inform decision-making in California," says CCST Deputy Director Amber Mace, who oversees the fellowship program. "And what better way to do that than to embed PhD scientists directly with decision-makers? So CCST created a program to train and mentor scientists and engineers in the policymaking process, and place them as staffers with Assembly and Senate offices in the California State Legislature."


 

 

The Fellowship is open to scientists holding a PhD degree, professional engineers, medical doctors, and those holding equivalent degrees in veterinary medicine, dentistry, and certain social sciences. Fellowship placements have included both Democratic and Republican legislators in the Assembly and Senate. About 10 fellows are accepted each year from around the country, with degrees from more than 30 institutions including Stanford, Cornell, DukeEmory, and University of California campuses.

Cornell-Heidelberg Exchange Fellowships for the  2016-2017 Academic Year 

Two Exchange Fellowships for study at the University of Heidelberg/Germany cover tuition and fees plus provide a monthly stipend of 700 Euro for ten months. In addition, the University of Heidelberg will cover the fees for a preparatory language course beginning in September (participants will receive an additional monthly stipend) and, if desired, for a language course (4 hrs per week) that is offered throughout the academic year. 

The competition is open to graduating seniors and current graduate students, from all academic units in the university. Courses in medicine and law are not available to exchange students. Some courses in biosciences are restricted, contact Paul Fleming ([email protected]) for more information. Applicants must have a good knowledge of the German language (e.g. advanced/B2 level) by the beginning of the German academic year in October. 

Application material must include CV (complete with local address, telephone number and e-mail address), transcript, a rationale for study at the University of Heidelberg (circa 1-2 pages, single-spaced), one letter of recommendation from a professor in the student's field, and the completed application form. Contact Miriam Zubal [email protected]) to request the application form. Please contact Paul Fleming, [email protected], with any questions. 

Students interested in the exchange can find extensive information online at www.uni-heidelberg.de/international-exchange 

DEADLINE: All Application material to Miriam Zubal, 183 Goldwin Smith Hall on or before March 15, 2016

Dr. Eugene Owen Scholarship for Research on the International Assessment of Student Achievement
The application deadline for this scholarship is April 30, 2016.

This scholarship honoring the memory of Dr. Eugene Owen supports young scholars who will advance the understanding of international differences in student educational achievement to which he devoted much of his career. During his 30 years at the National Center for Education Statistics, he made seminal contributions to the development of cross-national surveys, such as the Program for International Student Assessment.

The Owen Scholarship will be awarded to senior graduate students or outstanding pre-tenure scholars (less than five years since award of the PhD) conducting research that advances the understanding of international differences in student achievement. Recipients will be scholars who contribute to research and policy about education and teaching in a cross-national perspective. The Owen Scholarship is open to applicants from both North American and non-North American institutions.

Read more...
From the BEST Program:

Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) Events

 

Feb 16 Careers and Skills for Graduate Students in Physics and Beyond

http://best.cornell.edu/index.cfm/events.details?eventID=809 

 

Mar 3 SciTech Career Connection (in Syracuse)

http://best.cornell.edu/index.cfm/events.details?eventID=851 

 

March 17, 18, 25 Pre-Seed Workshop

http://best.cornell.edu/index.cfm/events.details?eventID=885 

 

...and many more events on our website


 

See also news about BESTies here, and to learn about how one can benefit from BEST opportunities

How do you get involved?

Wellness:

Gannett Health Services - Group Counseling Available in Spring 2016

 

Group counseling is a powerful venue for growth and change. Not only do you receive tremendous understanding, support, and encouragement from others facing similar issues, but you also gain different perspectives, ideas, and viewpoints on those issues.  Most students, though somewhat apprehensive at first, report that the group experience was helpful far beyond their expectations. We offer groups because they work for students. Every semester, our groups focus on a wide variety of topics.  

 

Group counseling is available for women, men, graduate students, undergraduate, and mix groups on different days of the week and times of the day.  There are also support groups for sexual assault/trauma, bereavement, healthy eating, stress, anxiety, depression, and bipolar.  Participation is offered at no charge to registered Cornell students.

   
More information is available. 

Graduate Women's Therapy Group

Meeting time: Thursdays, 5:00-6:30 PM

 

The Graduate Women's group is a weekly process oriented group that will provide a safe space for women pursuing graduate degrees to explore their relational concerns and personal difficulties. In process groups, the group serves as a safe & confidential space to receive multiple perspectives, feedback, and support from other graduate women. The group will work towards further developing clients' esteem, self-awareness, and relationship skills.  If you are interested, please call 607-255-5208 to set up a brief meeting with the a group facilitator.

Stonewalled? Frustrated? Ignored? Have a conflict or concern?
 
The Office of the Ombudsman is a safe place to turn for help. You can meet confidentially and off the record with an ombudsman to discuss options for any concerns or issues.
 
What an ombudsman does:
  • actively listens to you
  • provides information about Cornell policies, protocols, and resources
  • provides guidance on how to have a difficult conversation
  • helps you identify responsible options for moving forward
  • lets you control the process
  • respects your privacy and maintains confidentiality
To make an appointment to speak privately with an ombudsman, please email or call us at 607-255-4321. This is a free service for students, faculty, and staff.
 
For more information, please visit our website: www.ombudsman.cornell.edu

Need Some Help?  Consider Let's Talk 

 

Do you have a concern, problem, or issue that you would like some insight from a trained professional that is free, confidential, and you do not need to make an appointment?  Consider the Let's Talk program as counselors can help provide insight, solutions, and information about other resources.  Counselors hold walk-in hours at sites around campus Monday through Friday; times and locations occasionally change throughout the semester.   More information, hours and locations.

From Cornell Minds Matter - Open to all graduate and professional students

  • Free Yoga is back!  -  Mondays and Thursdays, 5 - 6:15 pm in WSH Garden Room.  Open To All Cornell students for Free. All skill levels welcome. Increase your physical and mental well-being. We will have some yoga mats, but if you have one, please bring it.  Everyone loves our teacher, Jyoti Kessler!
  • Creative Arts for Health and Well-Being - With the amazing Angela Han!  All Wednesdays  7 - 8:15 PM, Starting Feb 3. Slope Studio, 2nd Floor Willard Straight Hall (go down the steps across from the International Lounge).  No artistic skill necessary. Join others in a relaxing and supportive atmosphere to create, reflect and grow. Discover your strengths, self-confidence and what you have to appreciate. Come to all 4 sessions or just one. Try it, you'll like it! Free and all materials provided.  Sponsored by Cornell Minds Matter and Slope Studio
  • 4 Steps to Happiness, Academic Success and Social Connections - TUESDAY, February 2th, 4:30 - 5:30 pm, 5th Floor Lounge, Willard Straight Hall.  Practice techniques that will increase your happiness, cultivate optimism and build social connections. Delicious Refreshments and Giveaways.  Meet great people.  Open to all undergraduate and graduate students.
Around Campus:
NYS Latino Leadership Summit

Join us March 5th, 2016 at Cornell University to create a Latino community which actively connects, shares ideas, and encourages cross-collaboration across Latino-oriented organizations. 

Register here

Sign Up for Sparks Talks


 

It's more important than ever for scholars to communicate clearly -- whether to students, prospective employers, funding agencies or the general public. SPARK Talks (Scholars Present about Research and Knowledge), hosted by Cornell University Library, gives graduate students and postdocs a chance to present and get feedback from an interdisciplinary audience. The Spring 2016 SPARK Talks theme is Play, and it will take place March 22, at Mann Library 102, followed by a reception with wine, snacks and networking. A week before the event, participants will attend a workshop with Theater Professor David Feldshuh aimed at enhancing their communication skills. Some comments from last semester's presenters: "Don't have enough words! Simply mind-blowing"; "It was a really positive experience, especially for someone, like myself, who hasn't done it many times in the past." Apply to present by Monday, February 22, 2016.

The 2016 production at Cornell University is coming...   THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20 AT 7:30 PM IN BAILEY HALL

(Doors open at 6:30PM)

 

Based on V-Day founder Eve Ensler's Obie award winning play, The Vagina Monologues explores and celebrates women. By turns passionate, amusing, devastating, emotional, and empowering, this collection of stories taken from interviews with women throughout the world has developed into an international phenomenon that gives voice to women's relationships with their vaginas.

 

All proceeds from the Cornell production go to the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County, which helps them to continue and expand their work to end sexual violence. In the past we have raised over $11,000 in a single performance for this amazing organization! We hope you'll support the performance and its beneficiary this year!

 

Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door, and are available at BaileyTickets.com or from cast members.

Group rates (of 10 or more) are available by contacting George Holets at [email protected]

 

If you need accommodations to participate in this event, or have any questions, please contact:  [email protected], as soon as possible.   Sponsored by the Cornell Women's Resource Center.  Funded in part by the Student Assembly.

From Cornell Cinema

Need a break? Go see a film right on campus in a classic movie theatre, with state-of-the-art projection, in Willard Straight Hall. Regular ticket price for grad students is just $6 (less with a Six Pass). If you'd like to receive Cornell Cinema's weekly e-blast directly, which includes links to trailers and special event information, sign-up at their website: cinema.cornell.edu, where you'll also find show times.

FREE Concerts at Noon 

The Department of Music offers two different 'noon tunes' series throughout the semester. These concerts are only 45 minutes long, starting at 12:30 p.m. and lasting no longer than 1:15 p.m.  They are casual; attendees can bring their lunches with them, if they wish - and come and go as they wish. Check  http://music.cornell.edu/calendar/midday-music/ 
Library Chats in the Stacks
 
Genetic Modification and Food Quality: A Down to Earth Analysis
Book talk by Joe Regenstein  (Food Science)
Thursday, Feb. 18 at 4:00 pm
Mann Library, Stern Seminar Room 160
 
The safety and health benefits of GMO foods has been a contentious issue in the media lately, and the development of recombinant DNA methods has changed the face of the food industry. Prof. Regenstein lays out the benefits and drawbacks of gene-modified food sources in the human diet.
 
 
Still Life: Suspended Development in the Victorian Novel
Book talk by Elisha Cohn  (English)
Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 4:30 pm
Olin Library, Room 107
 
What does it mean to dream over a book? Cohn explores the 19th century aesthetics of agency through the Victorian novel's fascination with states of reverie, trance, and sleep, drawing upon the writings of novelists Charlotte Bront�, George Eliot, George Meredith, and Thomas Hardy.
 
All events are free and open to the public. Light refreshments served. For more information, visit booktalks.library.cornell.edu.

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