June 3, 2004

Vol. 14, No. 45

The "8 1/2 x 11 News" is published each week by the University Advancement Division. News of campus interest should be sent to one of the following editors:   Ed Delaney, 412-268-1609 (ed47@andrew.cmu.edu)
  Bruce Gerson, 412-268-1613 (bg02@andrew.cmu.edu)
  Susan Cribbs, 412-268-7521 (cribbs@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.

2003 Editions are available online.

Previous editions are available online.

Human Resources has announced the following changes for tuition benefits:

—Waiting Period Established: Staff hired on or after Sept. 1, 2004, must complete six months of benefits-eligible employment before they can receive tuition benefits to take classes.

—Tuition Benefit for Staff Children Increased: As of the fall 2004 semester, the benefit for children attending other institutions has been increased to $2,600 per semester.

—Part-Time Service Credit: Beginning July 1, 2004, staff who move from part-time to full-time employment may be granted credit toward the five-year service requirement for tuition benefits for children. For each employment year in which the staff member was benefits-eligible and worked at least 1,000 hours, six months credit will be given (up to three years of credit). To learn more about the requirements and features of tuition benefits, go to http://hr.web.cmu.edu/default.asp?sectionID=150.

STUDY FOCUSES ON CITY SCHOOL CONSOLIDATIONS

Carnegie Mellon's Institute for the Study of Information Technology and Society (InSITeS) and the Center for the Advancement of Applied Ethics will conduct a public survey and research study about school closings and consolidations in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. The first phase of the study will be conducted on campus and will involve more than 500 participants selected through a telephone survey to represent a cross-section of city residents. The survey will take place between July 10 and Aug. 1, and will include polling, presentations and deliberation using a software application developed by the researchers specifically to support this project.

—The second phase of the experiment entails a year-long continuation of the deliberations among 452 of these participants online. Participants will identify topics of public concern and engage in an online discussion and survey of each issue. The research team will try to determine which online practices and technologies best promote vigorous and respectful deliberations.

—The project is financially supported by the National Science Foundation and jointly sponsored by InSITeS and the Center for the Advancement of Applied Ethics at Carnegie Mellon.

—Further information: www.heinz.cmu.edu/whatsnew/discuss.html

SPIN-OFF RECEIVES FINANCING FOR PLASTIC THAT CONDUCTS ELECTRICITY

Carnegie Mellon spin-off Plextronics SM, Inc., has received investor and state financing totaling $3.4 million to bolster research and production of a plastic that conducts electricity. The material, called Plexcore, could be integrated into miniaturized electronic devices, flexible flat panel displays and coatings that could solve costly problems such as electrostatic discharge and corrosion. Plextronics has secured total financing of $4.6 million since its July 2002 founding.

—Plexcore conducts electricity a million times faster than anything comparable, according to its creator, Richard McCullough, dean of the Mellon College of Science. Since its initial discovery, McCullough's laboratory has developed and patented commercially scalable ways to make high-grade, bulk quantities of this inherently conducting polymer. The lab also has developed processes that enable Plexcore to blend with other materials so that they offer a flexible, wide range of product applications. —Information: www.cmu.edu/mcs/about-mcs/news/040526-plex.html

PERSONAL MENTION

—The School of Computer Science (SCS) has awarded its Allen Newell Medal for Research Excellence to Reid Simmons, research professor in the Robotics Institute. Simmons' research focuses on developing fully autonomous robots that function for long periods of time in natural, social environments. Some of those robots include Xavier, which navigated the hallways of Wean Hall, and Valerie, the robot receptionist in Newell-Simon Hall. Information: www.cmu.edu/PR/releases04/040602_rsimmons.html

—Dean Randal E. Bryant has announced the new recipients of three term chairs in the School of Computer Science. James D. Herbsleb, associate professor in the Institute for Software Research International, received the A. Nico Habermann Chair; Srinivasan Seshan, associate professor in the Computer Science Department, was awarded the school's Finmeccanica Chair; and Yoky Matsuoka, assistant professor in the Robotics Institute, received the Anna McCandless Junior Faculty Chair. Each chair has a term of three years.

—Kiron K. Skinner, assistant professor of history and political science and director of the International Relations Program, has been appointed by President Bush to the U.S. National Security Education Board. The U.S. government created the board in 1991 to promote Americans' understanding of international affairs and foreign cultures, strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and enhance international cooperation and security. The board includes seven senior federal officials, including representatives from the departments of education, state, defense and the CIA. Skinner is the co-editor of the New York Times best sellers "Reagan: A Life in Letters" and "Reagan, In His Own Hand: The Writings of Ronald Reagan that Reveal His Revolutionary Vision for America." She is a member of the U.S. Defense Policy Board and the Council of Foreign Relations.

—Katia Sycara, SCS research professor, has received an honorary doctorate from the Department of Computer Science and Communications Systems Engineering of the University of the Aegean "in recognition of her outstanding scientific, academic and professional contributions to the field of artificial intelligence." The ceremony took place May 10 in Samos, Greece. Information: www.aegean.gr/intro_en.htm

—Professor of Art James Duesing will present his animation, "Tender Bodies," at three international festivals this summer: the International Festival of Short Films and New Images in Rome (June 4 - 10); the Seoul Animation Center in Seoul, Korea (June 11, 12 and 13), and the 16th World Festival of Animated Film in Zagreb, Croatia (June 14 - 19).

—Megan Hilty, 2004 graduate of the musical theatre program, won the $10,000 first place award in the National Society of Arts and Letters' annual competition, held in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, May 20 - 22.

—Three Carnegie Mellon student-athletes have been voted onto the 2004 Men's Academic All-American College Division District II Spring At-Large Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America. They are: senior golfer David Korpi, junior swimmer Chris Pearson and junior tennis player Boris Sofman. The District II region includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Student-athletes named to the district first team qualify for the national ballot. To be eligible, a student-athlete must carry a 3.20 GPA or higher and be a starter or significant reserve on their team.

—Takahiro Noguchi, an artist who received his MBA from Carnegie Mellon in 2003, has won a Fulbright Award to study in India. Noguchi, whose work combines public art and technology, works at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. The Fulbright will enable him to explore the relationship between information technology workers in India (mainly those working in call centers) and end-users living in the U.S.

—Robert S. Bowman, who retired in 1985 as executive vice president of the Carnegie Mellon Institute of Research, died on May 24 at the age of 86.

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

—Friday, June 4: Carnegie Mellon's Sustainable Landscape Architecture Project, an effort to involve inner-city youth in improving their environment by gaining college prep skills and awareness in urban landscaping and architecture, will celebrate the vision of these future landscape artists and architects from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the College of Fine Arts Building's Great Hall. The presentation and reception is free and open to the public.

—Saturday, June 19: The Heinz School information session for the Master of Public Management, Master of Science in Information Technology and Master of Science in Educational Technology Management programs. 10 a.m., Hamburg Hall, Room 1003. These part-time programs, which offer evening courses all year round, begin in January, May and August. For information or to RSVP, contact Amy George at 8-4720 or ageorge@andrew.cmu.edu. Further information: official.cmu-news, June 2.

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