News Briefs
Waitlist for Parking Enrollment Now Open
The waitlist for parking enrollment is now open through June 15. (For faculty and staff who wish to retain their current parking assignment, no action is required.)
If you wish to be added to the waitlist, visit the following link https://parking.campusservices.cmu.edu. Click “login” on the left-hand side of the screen. Once you are logged in, click “order permit” and follow the instructions.
Please add your name the waitlist if you are a:
- Current permit holder interested in switching to a different location.
- New applicant requiring to park on campus for the 2017-18 year.
- Student (undergrad/grad) interested in parking for the 2017-2018 year.
Please note: Waitlist assignments are not guaranteed. Refer to the FAQ page on the Parking and Transportation website for any additional questions regarding the waitlist process. If you have any questions, contact Michelle Porter at mporter@andrew.cmu.edu.
Researchers Develop Gecko-Inspired Gripping System
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems have developed a soft gripping system that uses differential air pressure and a gecko-inspired adhesive for exceptional bonding to three-dimensional objects. The findings were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week.
A soft gripping system capable of strong and reversible adhesion to non-flat surfaces is particularly critical for applications in transfer printing, robotics, and precision manufacturing. In these areas, adhesion-controlled grasping of complex three-dimensional surfaces is very challenging because the adhesive must be soft enough to enable intimate contact under light pressure but stiff enough to support high load and fracture strength.
“Until now, there has been a fundamental trade-off between soft, mechanically compliant interfaces and high adhesion strength,” said Metin Sitti, a director in Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems. “With this soft gripping system, we’ve demonstrated that you can have both.”
Sitti, also an adjunct professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, has long focused his research on the unique features of the gecko lizard.
Employee Day at Kennywood Park is June 10
This year’s staff picnic at Kennywood Park is Saturday, June 10. Tickets will go on sale beginning Wednesday, May 24. CMU employees can purchase two Funday tickets for $15 each (valid only on June 10) and additional Funday tickets for $23 each. Pavilion 7 will be reserved for the CMU community. The children's (ages 10 & under) prize giveaway and ice cream distribution will be at 1 p.m. at Pavilion 7.
Ticket sale times and dates are as follows:
- May 24, Cohon University Center, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- May 31, Cohon University Center, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- June 1, Cohon University Center, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- June 2, Cohon University Center, 11:30 a.m - 1 p.m.
- June 7, Mellon Institute, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- June 7, Cohon University Center, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
- June 8, Cohon University Center, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- June 9, Cohon University Center, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
You must have your own CMU ID to purchase tickets. Cash only.
"Tartan Ink" Now Accepting Copy, Print and Ship Orders; Storefront To Open in July
Campus Services is pleased to announce the opening of a new copy, print and ship center "Tartan Ink," located in the basement of the Cohon University Center, down the hall from the Credit Union.
Please note: the storefront will be closed for renovations during the month of June. However, orders for this location are being accepted via email, at the Tepper Copy Center in the basement of Posner Hall, or online.
Also, you can use WebCopy to submit copy and print requests online. WebCopy accepts most standard file formats and sizes up to 100MB. The site is secure, so confidential matter can be safely submitted via Webcopy. If you have hard copy files, you can still go online, fill out the form, and request pick up of your originals.
The Tartan Ink opening marks the beginning of a joint venture between the University Copy Centers and Printing & Mailing Services under the leadership of Pat Herbster and Dan Tyson. With their vision of serving the campus community, they have revitalized the services offered and expanded services to include UPS shipping once the new storefront opens.
Stay tuned for more details on Tartan Ink's grand opening in early July. Please direct questions or concerns to James Ward at jward1@andrew.cmu.edu.
Warner Hall Elevator Out-of-Service Through Early July
The elevator machinery and controls for Warner Hall are over 50 years old – well past their expected useful life — so to ensure safety and reduce risk of an unplanned interruption, the university will fully overhaul the elevator this summer, beginning close of business on Monday, May 22. Unfortunately, as a result, the elevator must be out-of-service during this seven-week project. It is expected the elevator will be up and running by Monday, July 9.
The work will create hardship for building occupants and campus visitors. Special arrangements and alternate work locations are being developed for those who require them during this period. There will be a receptionist and signage located on the first floor of Warner Hall to assist building occupants and campus visitors.
Nominations Now Open for the Andy Awards
Nominations are now being accepted through July 6 for the 2017 Andy Awards, the university-wide staff recognition program that honors staff for their outstanding performance and significant impact on the university.
Awards are given in five categories: Commitment to Excellence, Commitment to Students, Innovative and Creative Contributions, Spirit and Teamwork, and Collaboration.
The nomination process has been streamlined this year making it easier for you to nominate deserving recipients.
Learn more about the Andy Awards and nomination process.
Tepper Quad Project To Cause Lot Closure, Lane Restriction
As work for the Tepper Quad project progresses, the next phase of construction will cause the Morewood parking lot and the inbound curb lane of Forbes Avenue, between Morewood Avenue and the traffic light at Hamburg Hall, to close, beginning Thursday, May 25. Permit holders for the Morewood parking lot may park in the East Campus Garage.
The lot closure and lane restriction, which is expected to continue into August, will have several implications, including:
- The inbound bus stop on Forbes, just west of Morewood will close. The inbound bus stop in front of Hamburg Hall will remain open. (In early July, the Hamburg Hall stop will be permanently eliminated and the Morewood stop will re-open.)
- The sidewalk adjacent to the inbound curb lane will be closed between Morewood and Hamburg Hall.
- Vehicular access to the Morewood parking lot will be from Morewood Drive between Morewood Gardens and Stever House. The drive will only be open to vehicles traveling to University Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Cyert Center for Early Education, Housing Services, FMS and Morewood Gardens (deliveries only).
The Morewood parking lot is expected to re-open in August when work will shift to the west, causing the inbound curb lane to close between Morewood Avenue and the bridge over South Neville Street.
For more news and updates, visit the Campus Design and Facility Development website.