Carnegie Mellon University

The Piper

CMU Community News

Piper Logo
September 13, 2012

News Briefs

Symposium To Preview New Energy Institute

The university community can preview Carnegie Mellon’s new energy institute launching this fall at a Friday, Sept. 21 symposium titled “From Technology to Policy: Energy Research at Carnegie Mellon.” The symposium will be held at 4:30 p.m. in the Hillman Center’s Rashid Auditorium, Room 4401. A reception will follow.

The event will feature faculty experts from across the university presenting their energy-related work, ranging from water and shale gas development to green buildings and federal policies. The new energy institute, which will be led by professors Granger Morgan and Andrew Gellman, will bring together CMU’s vast energy research expertise to focus on the long-term transition from a fossil fuel energy economy of today to a sustainable energy future.

To attend the symposium, please RSVP online at http://www.cmu.edu/event/energy.

Honorary Degree Nominations Due Oct. 15

You can now nominate candidates to receive honorary degrees from Carnegie Mellon. Nominees must have achieved pre-eminent levels of distinction in fields identified with educational, research or performance programs at CMU. They also must have demonstrated respect and appreciation for the responsibilities of citizenship and service to society. Honorary degrees are granted to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their professions, to the U.S. or to the world, and whose life and work are broadly connected to the highest aims and aspirations of the university.
 
It is desirable that nominees have connections to the university, and nominations of women and underrepresented minorities are especially welcome. Nominations are due Oct. 15. For more information, including the nomination form, go to http://www.cmu.edu/honorary/.

Department of English’s Literary and Cultural Studies Program Celebrates 25 Years

Carnegie Mellon’s Literary and Cultural Studies Program in the Department of English focuses on the interpretation of individual cultural artifacts — films, novels, plays and music — and how their meanings are created and distributed and impact different cultures. Founded in 1986 as one of the first programs of its kind in the United States, the Literary and Cultural Studies Program is celebrating its 25th anniversary with events on Sept. 20 and 21. The events will showcase the program’s faculty, alumni and students’ wide range of expertise, including a “Cultural Studies and Real Life” panel featuring seven accomplished alumni and talk by acclaimed author Larry Grossberg. For the full schedule of events, visit http://www.hss.cmu.edu/pressreleases/pressreleases/LCS25.html.

Campus Conversation on Climate Change

To get student input on various practical action items and policy issues, Carnegie Mellon's Program for Deliberative Democracy (PDD) will host a Campus Conversation on Climate Change from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29 in the University Center's Wiegand Gym. The event — which will include students from nine different schools in Pittsburgh — will use the principles and practices of deliberative democracy to address practical issues that have been developed through discussions with members of the Pittsburgh Higher Education Consortium on Climate Change. Read more at http://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2012/september/sept6_deliberativedemocracy.html.

The Honorable Tom Ridge To Discuss the Presidential Election Season

As Election Day nears, voters will be faced with an increasing amount of political rhetoric from the two presidential campaigns. The Honorable Tom Ridge, former governor of Pennsylvania (R), will give a talk on “Political Leadership in the Presidential Election Season” from 4:30 - 5:45 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 27 in Kresge Theater. Governor Ridge will survey the political landscape and explore the primary issues of this campaign and America’s future. His talk is sponsored by CMU’s Center for International Relations and Politics and the Pre-Law Program.

Nominations Now Open for Education Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the Doherty Award, the Ryan Award, the Academic Advising Award and the Gelfand Award, which will be presented on April 30, 2013.

  • The Robert E. Doherty Award for Sustained Contributions to Excellence in Education is given to a member of the university community who has made substantial and sustained contributions to excellence in education.
  • The William H. and Frances S. Ryan Award for Meritorious Teaching is given annually to a full-time faculty member who has demonstrated unusual devotion and effectiveness in teaching undergraduate or graduate students.
  • The Academic Advising Award recognizes members of the university community who have achieved excellence in providing undergraduate academic advising.
  • The Gelfand Award is given annually to a member of the university community who has combined sustained, effective community service with academic coursework and a deliberate process of student reflection to enhance the learning experience, teach social responsibility, and improve some aspect of life in the community.

The nomination deadline is Nov. 5. For more information about the awards and nomination process, go to http://www.cmu.edu/celebration-of-education/.

School of Music Launches Facebook Page for the Orchestras

In advance of the Sept. 16 Philharmonic concert at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland, the School of Music has launched a Facebook Page for its three orchestras — the Philharmonic, Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra. The Facebook Page for the Orchestras will be where the school shares information about upcoming performances, interviews with conductors and special guests as well as video excerpts and photos from previous concerts. Find the Orchestras on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CarnegieMellonOrchestras

Institutional Research and Analysis Offers Research Capacity Workshop Series

The Institutional Research and Analysis staff is offering a new educational resource for staff, faculty, and students. The four-part workshop series is titled “Building Your Research Capacity.”

The four workshops are:

Starting at the Beginning: Creating Good Research Questions

2 – 4 p.m., Oct. 9, Connan Room, University Center

The "Other" Data Collection Methods: Focus Groups and Interviews

2 – 4 p.m., Dec. 4, Peter/Wright/McKenna Rooms



Asking Good Questions: The Methodology of Survey Design

2 – 4 p.m., Feb. 5, Peter/Wright/McKenna Rooms



Spreading the Good (and Bad) Word: Analyzing Data and Reporting Results

1 – 4 p.m., April 9, Connan Room, University Center


All are welcome. Workshop descriptions and a link to the registration form are available at http://www.cmu.edu/ira.

Buggy Freeroll Practices To Begin

The annual Buggy freeroll practices will start this Saturday, Sept. 15. Practices take place on Saturdays (6 - 8:50 a.m.) and Sundays (6 - 9 a.m.) on Tech Street, Frew Street and Schenley Drive (weather permitting).  Vehicles will not be able to access or park on these streets during practice times. Permits have been obtained from the City of Pittsburgh. Four Pittsburgh police officers will be present for each date from 5-9 a.m. (roads will close at 5 a.m.). Police officers will be positioned at the far end of Westinghouse Drive; behind Carnegie Library by the bridge; Panther Hollow Bridge; and at the top of Schenley Drive by Forbes Avenue near the golf course.  Margaret Morrison is closed after Donner House (at the stop sign). Contact the Sweepstakes Committee at buggy@andrew.cmu.edu with any issues or concerns.

Practice dates are:

  • Sept. 15, 16, 23, 29
  • Oct. 6, 7, 13, 14, 27, 28
  • Nov. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18
  • Feb. 9, 10, 16, 17
  • March 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31
  • April 6, 7, 13, 14

Spring Carnival is April 19-21, 2013.

Reserve Clusters Multimedia Items Online

Clusters Services is pleased to announce a new online system for Clusters Multimedia Lending for the fall semester. This system allows users to reserve equipment and the CFA 321 Sound Room, browse lending items and guides, and track their borrowing history. Additionally, several new items have been added to the Multimedia Lending collection, including GoPro Hero2 camcorders, Pico Pocket Projectors and Canon Rebel T3i DSLRs. University affiliates with a valid Andrew userID and current Carnegie Mellon ID card may access the new system at http://www.cmu.edu/computing/clusters/lending/ (Campus Network only, VPN required off campus). A full list of equipment can be viewed at http://www.cmu.edu/computing/clusters/lending/lending-list.html. Direct questions or feedback to Clusters Multimedia Lending at cfa-multimedia@andrew.cmu.edu.

Washington Semester Program Offers Information Sessions

Undergraduates from any course of study who would value firsthand public policy experience are invited to apply to CMU’s Washington Semester Program (WSP), sponsored by the university's Center for International Relations and Politics. In this semester-long program, students live, work and study in Washington, D.C., coming into direct contact with political, business and community leaders, and learning about the most pressing policy issues of the day. Interested students can download a program brochure and application at http://www.cmu.edu/ir/academic-programs/washington-semester-program/index.html.
 
A WSP information session will be held 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 24, in Baker Hall 154R. All application materials must submitted no later than Oct. 5. For more information contact cmuwsp@andrew.cmu.edu.