Carnegie Mellon University

The Piper

CMU Community News

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August 23, 2012

News Briefs

Library Renovation in Progress

As you enter Hunt Library for the next month or so, you'll find a large construction zone on the first floor. But the library is carrying on above, below and around it.

"Student favorites — the Café, Quiet Study, 24/5 — are there. Some people and machines have moved around, but we’ll guide you to them. We’ve squeezed in extra seating on other floors to help make up for seats in the area now under renovation,” said Dean Gloriana St. Clair.

By Sept. 10, customary amenities again will be conveniently located near the entrance — workstations, printers, copiers, scanner, PlaidCa$h, change machine and ATM — while the rest of the renovation is completed.

“We plan to celebrate the renovated space with students in October,” St. Clair said. The new first floor plan and sample arrays of paint colors, fabrics and other finishes for new space are displayed in the library lobby.

CMU Recognized for Green Roofs

CMU is featured by the Mother Nature Network among 20 colleges recognized for their green roofs. CMU's profile states most of the university's six green roofs use a tray system, and a number of them are equipped with collection tanks that provide water for other purposes on campus. It also mentions the school is a leader in solar energy, recycling and water management. Read the full story.

Discounts for CMU Community

Staff Council has once again teamed up with the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival to offer the university community the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets to this year’s festival. Students, faculty, and staff can purchase adult tickets for $13.45 (a $3.50 savings) and children’s tickets for $7.00 (a $1 savings) through Sept. 14. Tickets can be ordered by fax, mail, or online at  http://www.pittsburghrenfest.com/groupdiscount.html. Festival dates are weekends from Aug. 25 – Sept. 30 and Labor Day. Visit the Staff Council website at http://www.cmu.edu/staff-council for more information.

Students, faculty and staff can also receive a 10 percent discount at the Mongolian Grill at 428 South 27th Street at the Southside Works. You must present your CMU ID to be eligible for the discount.

Seminar Will Help Those Seeking NIH Research Grants

The Grant Training Center will present a seminar, titled “How To Obtain Peer-Reviewed NIH Research Grants,” at Carnegie Mellon on Oct. 22. This one-day seminar is geared for junior faculty, students and administrators who are beginning the process of submitting grants to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It also is relevant for seasoned researchers who wish to refresh their knowledge of the new NIH requirements and the peer review process. The cost, including breakfast and lunch, is $335. For more information and to register, go to http://www.granttrainingcenter.com/

New Policy Impacts Federally Funded Researchers

CMU is implementing a new policy and process to comply with the new federal financial conflict of interest regulations. This policy was developed with input from many individuals on campus and led by the University Research Council. Policy and process changes will have some impact on all researchers with federal funding. The biggest change is for individuals with funding from a Public Health Service (PHS) Agency.  PHS agencies include:

  • National Institutes of Health;
  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality;
  • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry;
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
  • Food and Drug Administration;
  • Health Resources and Services Administration;
  • Indian Health Services;
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The federal compliance deadline for PHS funded researchers is Aug. 24, 2012. All researchers submitting proposals to, or receiving awards from, a PHS agency on or after that date need to comply with the new regulation. Compliance involves disclosure of Significant Financial Interests (as defined in the regulation).  Changes for all federally funded researchers will be phased in over the next six months as proposals are submitted and awards received.
 
To learn more about the policy and process changes, please attend the following information session:

  • Wednesday Aug. 29, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.  in the Connan Room, University Center.

Additional sessions will be scheduled throughout the fall.
 
Information about the new policy and process will soon be available on the ORIC website. Details will also be e-mailed prior to the compliance deadline.

Seeking Alumni Award Nominations

Nominations for the 2013 Alumni Awards are now being accepted through Saturday, Sept. 1. Each year the Alumni Association honors alumni, students and faculty who have given outstanding service to the university, and alumni who have achieved exceptional success in their chosen professions. A nomination form, list of previous award recipients and descriptions of each award category can be found at http://www.cmu.edu/alumniawards. All nomination forms should be submitted with the nominee's vitae and at least two letters of support. For more information, contact the office at 1-800-226-8258 or alumni-awards@andrew.cmu.edu.

Escort/Shuttle Service Changes In Effect

Major changes went into effect for the CMU Shuttle/Escort Service this past Monday, Aug. 13. All of the changes, including route maps, stops and schedules for each shuttle and escort route and more, can be found on the Shuttle/Escort website. The changes include:

  • The Escort Service will no longer be designated by neighborhoods (Squirrel Hill, Shadyside or Oakland). Instead, Color Zones will be used to designate areas covered by each bus. The “Blue Zone” bus will cover the Shadyside area from Morewood Avenue to Shady Avenue. The “Green Zone” bus will cover Oakland from Morewood Avenue to Craft Avenue. The “Red Zone” bus will cover the outer area of Squirrel Hill and the “Yellow Zone” bus will cover the inner area of Squirrel Hill closest to campus.
  • Due primarily to safety concerns, the Mellon Institute and INI stops have been eliminated and Craig Street service is reduced to one Escort stop at 300 S. Craig St. Passengers can card into the building at any time and wait for the Escort bus in the comfort of the vestibule. It is a safe, warm and secure place that is also headquarters to University Police.  
  • Shuttle/Escort will now provide transportation to the Greenfield neighborhood via the PTC Shuttle, which has been re-routed. The new route includes three stops on Greenfield Ave. and will have service to the PTC and campus.

For more information, contact Lt. Joseph Meyers at 268-4202.

University Store Extends Hours

The University Store will have extended hours for the following days:

  • Aug. 20-24 and 31 — 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Aug. 25 and 26 — 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Aug. 27-30 — 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.

The store will be closed in observance of Labor Day Sept. 1-3 and reopen Sept. 4.