October 23, 2003

Vol. 14, No. 16

The "8 1/2 x 11 News" is published each week by the Department of Public Relations. News of campus interest should be sent to
Ed Delaney, 412-268-1609 (ed47@andrew.cmu.edu) or Bruce Gerson, 412-268-1613 (bg02@andrew.cmu.edu). The newsletter is available on the official.cmu-news and cmu.misc.news bulletin boards.

2001 Editions are available online.

2002 Editions are available online.

Previous editions are available online.

Carnegie Mellon has announced an integrated initiative designed to ensure safety for every computer log-on, from home users to small businesses and large corporations. To achieve this goal, the university will combine its existing expertise and related research centers under one umbrella organization called Carnegie Mellon CyLab.

—CyLab builds upon the university's proven problem-solving approaches and record of interdisciplinary research by bringing together more than 50 researchers and 80 students from the College of Engineering, the School of Computer Science, the Heinz School and the CERT Coordination Center (CERT/CC) at the Software Engineering Institute. The CERT/CC also partners with the Department of Homeland Security in the activities of U.S. CERT, a coordination point to prevent, protect from and respond to Internet attacks.

—"Securing the nation's critical infrastructure requires proactive protection, effective detection and immediate response to threats," said President Jared Cohon. "Our new CyLab is designed to work with speed and great efficiency to shore up security breaches that can compromise the Internet-based electronic ties that enhance communications and services that bind so many enterprises together into a network that is the foundation of our economic prosperity."

—Pradeep Khosla, head of Electrical and Computer Engineering and CyLab co-director, said the new lab will bring together the university's expertise in information assurance, including research and development, public policy, response and prediction. "We will ensure privacy and security by tackling cybersecurity issues from a variety of angles," Khosla said. "In cyberspace, threats move very quickly. This is not just a national security issue, but it is a national economy issue, too."

—Richard Pethia, director of CERT/CC and CyLab co-director, said much has changed in the way people think about security since Sept. 11, 2001. "Our definition has broadened, our understanding of increasing threats has sharpened and our ideas about how to protect and preserve our national security have evolved in new ways," he said. Further information: www.cmu.edu/PR/releases03/031022_newinitiative.html

ALUMNI GATHER ON CAMPUS THIS WEEKEND FOR HOMECOMING

Carnegie Mellon will welcome back alumni at this year's Homecoming Weekend, Friday, Oct. 24 - Sunday, Oct. 26. Homecoming events include college and department receptions, the Philharmonic concert celebrating the School of Music's 90th anniversary, the Alumni Awards ceremony, Saturday morning seminars, President Jared Cohon's address, the football game versus Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and reunion dinners and receptions.

—Further information: www.cmu.edu

MCS OFFERS NEW INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE COURSE FOR FRESHMEN

The Mellon College of Science (MCS) offers an unusual course for first-year students called "EUREKA: An Interdisciplinary Laboratory Experience" that combines biological sciences, physics, chemistry and mathematical sciences. "EUREKA challenges students to understand and solve problems through creative thinking rather than textbook learning," said Eric Grotzinger, associate dean of MCS undergraduate affairs and one of the developers of the course.

—EUREKA culminates in students using forensic techniques culled from their lab experience to solve the hypothetical murders of two professors in a fictitious Carnegie Mellon department. Further information: www.cmu.edu/PR/releases03/031017_mcsfirstyear.html

NEWS BRIEFS

—The university community is invited to nominate members of the faculty, staff and administration for Carnegie Mellon's three major educational awards: the Academic Advising Award (formerly called the Undergraduate Advising Award but changed to recognize the advising of graduate students), The Robert E. Doherty Award for Sustained Contributions to Excellence in Education and The Ryan Award for Meritorious Teaching. Nominations in the form of a letter of no more than two pages addressed to Susan Ambrose, associate provost for education, Cyert Hall 125, must be received by Nov. 3 to be considered for this academic year. Further information: official.cmu-news, Sept. 23.

—The 2004 Benefits Open Enrollment period is Nov. 3 - 14. All full- and part-time employees who are benefits-eligible can enroll online through HR Connection (hr.web.cmu.edu). If you are eligible for benefits and do not receive a packet of materials by Nov. 3, contact the Benefits Office at 412-268-4747 or hrhelp@andrew.cmu.edu.

—The offices at 407 South Craig—Accounting, Payroll, Property Accounting, Financial Reporting and Cost Analysis—have moved to the University Technology Development Center on Henry St.

PERSONAL MENTION

—Statistics Professor illiam F. Eddy has been named the chairman of the influential Committee on National Statistics (CNSTAT), effective July 1, 2004. A standing committee of the National Academies, CNSTAT serves to contribute to a better understanding of important national issues by working to improve the statistical methods and information on which public policy decisions are based. Eddy is the university's second professor to serve as CNSTAT chairman. Stephen Fienberg, the Maurice Falk University Professor of Statistics and Social Science, chaired CNSTAT from 1981 to 1987.

—Ignacio Grossmann, the Rudolph and Florence Dean Professor and University Professor of Chemical Engineering, has received the 2003 Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences Computing Society Prize for research excellence in the interface between operations research and computer science. The specific citation is for Grossmann's "contributions to Nonlinear Mixed Integer Programming and Process Design with emphasis on the incorporation of logic-based modeling and algorithms for engineering optimization."

—Peter Andrews, professor of mathematics, received the Herbrand Award for Distinguished Contributions to Automated Reasoning at the 19th International Conference on Automated Deduction. The award cited "his seminal contributions and pioneering research in type theory, mating-based theorem proving, automated deduction in higher-order logic, proof presentation, logic education and his many other contributions to the field of automated reasoning." Information: www.cmu.edu/PR/releases03/031020_pandrews.html

—Donna I. Marano, director of finance and administration, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been elected treasurer of the Society of Research Administrations International, 2003-2005.

—The Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association held its 25th anniversary symposium on Oct. 16 & 17 in the University Center. Nicolas Sawaya won the Geoffery D. Parfitt Award. The other winners of the competition were: Carl Laird and John Siirola for the Symposium Awards; James Vernille and Dimitrios Gerogiorgis, Honorable Mention; Christy White, Bhawna Bhatia and Kalyani Varanasi for the Poster Awards. Further information: symposium.cheme.cmu.edu/103/index.html

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

—Saturday, Oct. 25: The Bookstore is hosting a book signing with Professor Emeritus Ted Fenton, author of "Maggie Murphs, A History of Margaret Morrison College 1906-1973" and Evelyn Hively (MM'50), who wrote "A Private Madness: The Genius of Elinor Wylie." 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., in the Bookstore's upper level.

—Saturday, Oct. 25: The Graduate School of Industrial Administration's open house for its MBA flextime program (designed for those interested in obtaining an MBA while continuing their careers). 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Room 152, Posner Hall. Further information: www.cmu.edu/mba or call 412-268-5687.

—Tuesday, Oct. 28: Speak Your Mind: Diversity Discussion and Dinner. Topic: "Between the Lines: Multiple Racial and Ethnic Identities." 5:30 - 7 p.m., West Wing TV Room. Facilitator: Marian Aguiar, assistant professor of English. To reserve your place for the discussion/dinner, contact Emily Half, ehalf@andrew.cmu.edu or 412-268-2075. Space is limited. Sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs.

—Friday, Oct. 31: Lizabeth Cohen will discuss her book, "A Consumer's Republic: The Politics of Mass Consumption in Postwar America." 3:30 p.m., Giant Eagle Auditorium, Baker Hall. Cohen, a former Carnegie Mellon history professor, argues that we have largely ignored or misunderstood the political significance of the consumer culture. Her talk is sponsored by the departments of History and English.

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