Carnegie Mellon University

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CMU Community News

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October 24, 2013

News Briefs

Benter Foundation Endows Math Scholarship

Carnegie Mellon has received $1 million from The Benter Foundation to establish an endowed undergraduate scholarship for students majoring in mathematical sciences. The Benter Foundation Mathematics Scholarship recognizes Carnegie Mellon's leadership in applied mathematics and honors former Carnegie Mellon President Jared L. Cohon.

"I'm delighted to endow an undergraduate scholarship in mathematics at Carnegie Mellon. Supporting talented students is critical today if we are to grow innovative leaders in basic research, computer science, business and other fields that rely on quantitative skills," said Bill Benter, president of The Benter Foundation Board of Directors. "Throughout his tenure at Carnegie Mellon, Jared Cohon vigorously supported the idea of creating access to higher education and the quantitative skills needed to innovate. We are pleased to continue this legacy though this scholarship." Read the full announcement.

PSC Lands $7.6 Million NSF Grant

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has approved a grant to the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC) to develop a prototype Data Exacell (DXC), a next-generation system for storing, handling and analyzing vast amounts of data. The $7.6-million, four-year grant will allow PSC to architect, build, test and refine DXC in collaboration with selected scientific research projects that face unique challenges in working with and analyzing “Big Data.”

“We are very pleased with this opportunity to continue working cooperatively to advance the state of the art based on our historical strengths in information technologies and to apply the resulting advances to a wide range of important scientific research,” said CMU President Subra Suresh and University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark Nordenberg.

“The focus of this project is data storage, retrieval and analysis for what is known as Big Data,” said Michael Levine, PSC scientific director. “The Data Exacell prototype builds on our successful, innovative activities with a variety of data storage and analysis systems.”

Big Data is a broad field including challenges from both traditional high-performance computing and other fields of research that depend on methodologies more focused on data collection and analysis than on computation. These fields not only require very large amounts of data but also require access methods and performance beyond the capability of traditional large data stores. The Data Exacell project will directly address these required enhancements.

Read the full announcement.

Alumni Association Board Seeks New Members

The Alumni Association Board (AAB) seeks nominations for its 2014 class. Each year, the board elects five new members to serve four-year terms, beginning July 1. The AAB strives to strike a balance among its members with regard to college affiliation, year of graduation, gender, ethnicity and geographic representation. In addition, the board gives particular weight to the depth and breadth of the nominee’s current and previous volunteer experiences with CMU. To view the AAB Frequently Asked Questions and access the AAB Nomination Form, visit: http://alumni.cmu.edu/s/1410/alumni/index.aspx?sid=1410&gid=1&pgid=375 The nomination deadline is Nov. 30. Questions? Please contact Lynn DeFabio at defabio@cmu.edu.

DEA National Take Back Day is Saturday

The Carnegie Mellon Police Department (CMUPD) will participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) National Take Back Initiative from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26.  The purpose is to promote and facilitate the safe disposal of unused or expired controlled, non-controlled and over the counter medications.  The collection site will be at the CMU Police Station at 300 S. Craig Street (enter on the Filmore Street side of the building).

All medications will be collected in pill, gel, cream, patch and liquid form.  Liquid products and creams will be collected in their containers. This program is totally anonymous. There will be no requests for identification nor will any questions be asked of the participants. Participants may remove any personal information from bottles or packaging prior to submittal.

Illegal substances such as marijuana and methamphetamines are not part of this initiative.  Syringes will not be collected due to the potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens. The CMUPD thanks you in advance for your support of this initiative.  For more info, go to www.dea.gov.

Alcohol, Drug Policies Online

The university's annual alcohol and drug policies brochure is available online.  The university takes seriously its obligation to ensure community members understand Pennsylvania law and the university’s policies and expectations regarding alcohol and other drugs. Additionally, CMU seeks to provide information on the support available for anyone in need. The publication was compiled as a resource by staff in the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs. Please do not hesitate to contact Student Affairs at 412-268-2075 should you have questions or comments.

Give to the United Way

Carnegie Mellon’s 2013 United Way campaign is underway and will run through Dec. 12. Last year the university community raised more than $175,000 for United Way and the health and human service organizations it supports. We are still looking for volunteers who would like to serve on CMU’s United Way campaign committee.

You can help make this year a success by incorporating the theme “Live Generously” through donating, advocating or volunteering for CMU’s campaign. Please check out www.cmu.edu/hr/unitedway to make your pledge and find out how to volunteer with local organizations. Visit this webpage often throughout the campaign for success stories, contests and campaign progress.

Nominations Due for Dietrich College Teaching Award

Nominations for the Dietrich College's 2013-2014 Elliott Dunlap Smith Award for Distinguished Teaching and Educational Service are due Nov. 4. Nominees must have achieved distinction as a teacher and educator in the college, and perhaps also in the university, higher education in general, and/or his or her discipline. Nominations should consist of a letter (two pages, maximum, signed by at least three faculty, students or staff) and should be submitted to Joanne Ursenbach, c/o the Dietrich College Dean’s Office, Baker Hall 154. For more information, go to http://www.hss.cmu.edu/pressreleases/pressreleases/edsmithaward.html.

C-MITES Offers Fun Classes for Bright Kids

Carnegie Mellon Institute for Talented Elementary and Secondary Students (C-MITES) offers half-day and full-day fun weekend workshops for academically talented students in grades K-10. The workshops in October and November include Your Awesome Body, Hands-on Algebra, Amazing Apples and Extreme Weather Trends. Workshops are offered at CMU and at two locations near Philadelphia. 

Visit http://www.cmu.edu/cmites/weekend_workshops.html for more information about Weekend Workshops or to register online. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and financial aid is available. You can also contact C-MITES at cmites@cmu.edu or 412-268-1629 ext. 1.

Textbook Adoptions Due

Faculty and departmental administrators are reminded to submit Spring course material adoptions as soon as possible via cmu.verbacollect.com or by email to Matt Senvisky at msenvisk@andrew.cmu.edu. Early adoptions mean more rental textbooks, more used books and better textbook pricing for students.

Staff Council Offers Tickets to Idlewild’s Hallowboo

Staff Council is offering discounted tickets to Idlewild Park’s Hallowboo. Tickets are good any Saturday and Sunday from noon – 6 p.m. through Oct. 27. Tickets are $13.50 each (cash only, please); the regular ticket price is $29.99. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets, should contact Sharon Cavlovich at sharonw@cmu.edu. Ticket quantities are limited.

Please see the Staff Council website for other available discounts.

Open Benefits Forum is Oct. 29

How will the Affordable Care Act affect CMU employees? Find out when Staff Council presents its annual Open Benefits Forum from noon – 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 29 in McConomy Auditorium, University Center. Join members of the Human Resources Benefits Office as they review upcoming changes to staff benefit plans and answer your questions. Open to all staff members not represented by a bargaining unit.

AED/CPR Training Offered

The Environmental Health & Safety Department is offering two upcoming AED/CPR training classes for the university community. Those who have been certified more than two years ago also can attend to renew your certification. All classes begin at 10 a.m. and last about two hours. The schedule is as follows:

  • Nov. 14 - Mellon Institute Social Room
  • Nov. 26 - University Center, Dowd Room

Register for classes at https://ehs-apps.andrew.cmu.edu/secure/ALERT-Online/aed/registration.aspx

Nominations Now Open for Education Awards

The nomination period for the Celebration of Education is now open. Nominations are being accepted for the Doherty, Ryan, Academic Advising, Barbara Lazarus and Gelfand awards. The nomination deadline is Nov. 4. Read more at http://www.cmu.edu/celebration-of-education/.

Responsible Conduct of Research Seminar Series Continues

CMU's Office of Research Integrity and Compliance (ORIC) is once again sponsoring the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Seminar Series during the fall semester to provide faculty, students and staff with an overview of topics typically covered in RCR curricula. All sessions will be held from 12 – 1 p.m. in the University Center’s McKenna/Peter conference room.  Upcoming sessions are as follows:
 
  • Wednesday, Oct. 30: Conflict of Interest
  • Thursday, Nov. 7: Safeguarding International Research
  • Wednesday, Nov. 13: Mentor Trainee, Relationships, and Collaboration
More information is available on the RCR website.  Space is limited, so please register early.