News Briefs
CMU a Leader in Development of Renewable Electricity Production
For the 17th consecutive year, Carnegie Mellon University has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as a national leader in the development of renewable electricity production.
In 2017, CMU ranked 7th among universities and 66th among all corporations, institutions and government agencies in the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Of the seven leading universities in this tabulation, Carnegie Mellon is one of only three institutions that use RECs to reduce the environmental impact for 100 percent of its electricity use. Over time, CMU has sought creative ways to minimize the environmental impact of its electricity use. For example, in 2017 and 2018, CMU purchased RECs from the Prairie Breeze wind energy farm in Nebraska, where renewable electricity generation replaces sources with the highest carbon dioxide emissions in the nation.
Beginning in October 2017, Carnegie Mellon took another step in reducing its environmental impact by entering into a unique agreement to purchase 100 percent of its electricity supply from a wind farm in central Illinois over the next two years with extensions available through 2021.
“We know that the electricity we are using is coming from the local grid. However, we can say with confidence that all the electricity we are purchasing is coming from renewable sources,” said Donald Coffelt, associate vice president for Facilities Management and Campus Services.
Carnegie Mellon was recognized as Green Power Partner of the year in 2001 and 2011.
Find out more about the EPA program for colleges and universities.
CMU Launches Undergraduate Degree in AI
Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science (SCS) will offer a new undergraduate degree in artificial intelligence beginning this fall, providing students with in-depth knowledge of how to transform large amounts of data into actionable decisions.
SCS has created the new AI degree, the first offered by a U.S. university, in response to extraordinary technical breakthroughs in AI and the growing demand by students and employers for training that prepares people for careers in AI.
"Specialists in artificial intelligence have never been more important, in shorter supply or in greater demand by employers," said SCS Dean Andrew Moore. "Carnegie Mellon has an unmatched depth of expertise in AI, making us uniquely qualified to address this need for graduates who understand how the power of AI can be leveraged to help people."
Women's Golf Team Places 5th in NCAA Championships
Charlotte Simpson was named to the All-East Region team by the Women's Golf Coaches Association.
Carnegie Mellon's women's golf team finished fifth at the NCAA Division III Championships last week at El Campeón Course at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida. It was the team's first appearance in the NCAAs after only its fourth season of intercollegiate competition.
The Tartans posted a 72-hole team score of 1,286 (321-318-320-327). Claremont Mudd Scripps won the national title (1,261) after defeating Williams College in a playoff.
Freshman Charlotte Simpson and junior Carly Jordan led the Tartans and tied for 18th overall with a four-round score of 320. Simpson posted rounds of 73, 81, 84 and 82, while Jordan carded rounds of 80, 82, 77 and 81. Simpson was named to the All-East Region team by the Women's Golf Coaches Association.
Staff Art Exhibition Wednesday
The inaugural Staff Art Exhibition will take place during the CMU Community Picnic on Wednesday, May 23. Between 11:30 a.m and 1:30 p.m., picnic goers are invited to browse artwork created by CMU staff, which will be on display in the Cohon University Center’s Kirr Commons.
“This idea originated when a couple of staff members were saying they wished there was an opportunity for staff to exhibit their art on campus,” said Krista Campbell, senior associate director of Institutional Partnerships and a member of Staff Council. “It’s important to take advantage of opportunities like this to celebrate the wide variety of talent represented within the staff community at CMU. We hope the idea will lead to a larger venue, a longer period of time for the exhibition, and more and different works of art.”
For information on how to get involved in future staff art exhibits, please contact Staff Council at staff-council@andrew.cmu.edu.
Join the Let’s Ride Summer Fitness Challenge
Students, faculty and staff are invited to join CMU’s Let’s Ride Summer Fitness Challenge, five one-hour bicycle sessions from noon to 1 p.m., beginning Wednesday, May 30.
- May 30: Bike Handling Skills in Wiegand Gym, Cohon Center
- June 6: Campus Vacation – ride to Upper Panther Hollow
- June 13: Basic Bike Repairs in Wiegand Gym, Cohon Center
- June 20: City Cycling and Campus Loop
- June 27: Ride to South Side and Back (special time: 5 p.m.)
All rides will be a casual pace and Bike Share bikes will be available. To register, contact Pattye Stragar at pls@andrew.cmu.edu or Karen Brooks at kbr00ks@andrew.cmu.edu.
Kennywood Park Community Day is June 9
Carnegie Mellon's Community Day at Kennywood Park is Saturday, June 9. Tickets will go on sale beginning Wednesday, May 23. CMU employees can purchase two Funday tickets for $15 each (valid only on June 9) and additional Funday tickets for $23 each. Pavilion 7 will be reserved for the CMU attendees. A prize giveaway for children (ages 10 & under) and ice cream distribution will begin in Pavilion 7 (behind Skyrocket) at 1 p.m.
Ticket sale times and dates are as follows:
- May 23, Cohon University Center, 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.
- May 24, Cohon University Center, 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m.
- May 30, Cohon University Center, 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m.
- May 31, Cohon University Center, 11:30 a.m -1 p.m.
- June 5, Cohon University Center, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
- June 6, Mellon Institute, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
- June 7, Cohon University Center, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. & 4-5 p.m.
- June 8, Cohon University Center, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
You must have your own CMU ID to purchase tickets. Cash only. No refunds or exchanges.
Updates to University Policies Seek Your Feedback
Two University Policies have been updated and will be open for comment from the university community for the next 30 days. The policies are:
Business Travel and Expense Policy
The current Business & Travel Expense (BTE) Policy went into effect on March 14, 2011. The 2018 Policy refresh reflects changes to the travel industry landscape, updates to university procurement policies and requirements, and feedback from campus stakeholders regarding opportunities to enhance Policy understanding and compliance. The revised Policy is now an abbreviated version that has removed redundancies and procedures to be more concise as recommended by university leadership. However, the core content and allowable/unallowable expenses in the current version of the Policy has not significantly changed.
Financial Records Retention Policy
The current Financial Records Retention Policy went into effect on Jan. 14, 1997. The proposed Policy update reflects expansion to the categories and descriptions of Financial Records, updates to retention time period requirements, updates to the administration of the Policy to support university compliance with legal and other regulatory retention requirements, and feedback from stakeholders regarding opportunities to enhance the understanding of and compliance to the Policy.
To provide comments, please go to the Policies website.