Submit items to Lauren Bivona or Norm Meader at enews@email.arizona.edu preferably by 5:00 pm Wednesday of each week. Please include "EarthWorks" in the subject line.
In This Issue:
- Departmental News
Geosciences in the Media- Tucson Citizen: Mineral Museum gets $1M donation
- Arizona Daily Star: UA Experts Help Find Pre-Zeus Religion in Greece
University News- Galapagos Marine Ecology (ECOL 496O/596O)
- Undergraduate Marine Science Classes at Shoals Marine Laboratory
Funding/Job Opportunities- Parents & Family Association Grant Application Process
- Undergraduate Research Grants Available from the UA
- Association for Women Geologists - Scholarships & Stipends
- Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Mineral Physics – Stony Book University
Professional Organizations- Geological Society of America Cordilleran/Rocky Mountain Joint Section Meeting, 19-21 March 2008, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Call for Abstracts - AIPG-AHS-3rd IPGC 2008 Symposium
- Association for Women Geologists – Lecturer Program
Upcoming Talks (Geosciences)
Upcoming Talks (UA)- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Colloquium (Tuesday)
- Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research Seminar (Wednesday)
- Hydrology and Water Resources Seminar (Wednesday)
- College of Science - The Edges of Life Lecture (Wednesday)
- IGERT Seminar in Archaeological Sciences (Friday)
Course Announcements
DEPARTMENTAL NEWS
From the Head
REMINDER – Chemical Inventory Deadline - February 28, 2008
This is a reminder concerning the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requirement for the university to collect and submit inventory information for specified Chemicals of Interest (COIs). RM&S will compile submitted data to prepare the required institutional submission to DHS.
Information about the new DHS rule and the online survey tool can be accessed at: http://risk.arizona.edu/dhs/index.shtml
Karl W. Flessa
Professor and Head [top]
GEOSCIENCES IN THE MEDIA
Tucson Citizen: Mineral Museum gets $1M donation
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/76913.php
February 14, 2008 [top]
Arizona Daily Star: UA Experts Help Find Pre-Zeus Religion in Greece
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/225032/February 14, 2008 [top]
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Phased Retirement Program for Optional Retirement Plan Participants
The Arizona Board of Regents approved a new voluntary Phased Retirement Program (PRP) for Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) participants at their January 2008 meeting. This program provides participants with the opportunity to reduce their work load and replace the reduction in income by making withdrawals from the Optional Retirement Plan, enabling a gradual transition into retirement. It also offers eligible Optional Retirement Plan participants a post-retirement return to work option, which has been previously prohibited.
The Phased Retirement Program will be effective beginning July 1, 2008. Interested Optional Retirement Plan participants and their department heads, deans/vice presidents are encouraged to begin their planning discussions. More materials, including eligibility requirements and administrative procedures will be available on the Human Resources website at http://www.hr.arizona.edu/. [top]
COURSE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Galapagos Marine Ecology (ECOL 496O/596O)
Galapagos Marine Ecology (ECOL 496O/596O) is a 3-6 unit course set in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Swim with sea lions and sea turtles, visit many of the most spectacular islands in the archipelago, and spend one week doing a service project with a local school. The course is designed for secondary school science teachers, but anyone is welcome to apply. Course dates are July 8-Aug 3, 2008.
For more information, contact Katrina Mangin at mangin@u.arizona.edu or 520-626-5076 or visit the course website at http://www.eebweb.arizona.edu/courses/galapagos/. [top]
Undergraduate Marine Science Classes at Shoals Marine Laboratory
Shoals Marine Laboratory, located on an island in the Gulf of Maine, offers more than 20 different courses in the marine sciences in summer, 2008.
Courses include Marine Conservation Biology, Marine Botany, Field Ornithology, Coastal Ecology & Bioclimates, Sharks, Sustainability, and Underwater Research.
SML specializes in undergraduate courses, with academic credit awarded by Cornell University or the University of New Hampshire.
Fore more information, see http://www.sml.cornell.edu/index.html. [top]
FUNDING/JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Parents & Family Association Grant Application Process
The UA Parents & Family Association is pleased to announce its annual call for grant proposals/applications. The deadline for completed proposals/applications is Friday, April 4, 2008 at noon. The Parents& Family Association will review all grant proposals and applications and make award decisions at its May 16, 2008 Board meeting.
The Parents & Family Association grant awarding philosophy is to provide support on a one-time basis to programs and services that will benefit as many current undergraduate students as possible and fill real and immediate needs. In order to be considered for a grant, applications must indicate how specific projects for which funding is being requested meet this primary criteria. Previously successful grants can be viewed on our website at www.uafamily.arizona.edu (select Parents & Family Association and then Association Committees - PDFs of grants are at the bottom of the page).
If you have any questions, please contact Keith Humphrey, Assistant Dean of Students, at 621-7057 or at khumphrey@arizona.edu. [top]
Undergraduate Research Grants Available from the UA
Each year the Vice President for Research allocates $40,000 to the Honors Undergraduate Research Grant fund. Undergraduates can apply for a stipend or other expenses needed for a personalized research endeavor. Awards typically do not exceed $1300. The proposal submitted by the prospective student researcher must have the support of a faculty member, who cosigns the proposal and commits to serve as a research mentor and advisor.
See, http://www.honors.arizona.edu/HonorsStudents/research.htm [top]
Association for Women Geologists - Scholarships & Stipends
• Chrysalis Scholarship - Two $2,000 awards (Usually March 1)
The Chrysalis Scholarship provides degree-completion funding for two women geoscience graduate students whose education has been interrupted for at least one year. The awards are intended to cover thesis/dissertation costs such as typing or drafting expenses, child-care, or anything necessary to assist a degree candidate during those critical, final days.
• AWG Minority Scholarship - $5000 (deadline extended to May 30, 2007)
This scholarship encourages young minority women to pursue an education and later a career in the geosciences. It provides financial aid and matches the student with a mentor in the same field who will offer guidance and support. This exchange will enhance the student’s experience and provide a view of the world ahead.
• Geologist in the Parks – Three positions with $2,500 stipends for women graduate students or professionals to work a term in a National Park with the NPS. Applications due April 1.
For more information about all these programs: www.awg.org. [top]
Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Mineral Physics – Stony Book University
Supported by a Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) grant through NSF, the Mineral Physics Institute sponsors scholarships for selected undergraduates to work at Stony Brook in a 10-week summer program of intense research. From the time of its inception in 1992 through 2007, 112 students from a variety of undergraduate major fields of study at institutions across the United States have completed individual research projects in this "Summer Scholars" program.
See: http://www.mpi.stonybrook.edu/summerscholars/. [top]
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Geological Society of America Cordilleran/Rocky Mountain Joint Section Meeting, 19-21 March 2008, Las Vegas, Nevada
I. Early Registration Deadline 18 February 2008
Early registration deadline is less than a week away so register now to ensure your space on field trips, workshops, and other events.
Access the online registration form at: http://www.geosociety.org/sectdiv/cord/08mtg/registration.htm
Save money and avoid lines by registering early!
Please note: All speakers must register for the meeting. All persons participating in a field trip or workshop only must also register. (Note: Special registration fees may apply for people attending only a field trip or workshop but not technical sessions)
Cancellation deadline: Monday, 25 February 2008.
II. Hotel Registration Deadline 17-20 February 2008
Hotels
Make your hotel reservation in the GSA hotel block before rooms fill up. There are three hotels in the GSA block. This block of rooms, at a special GSA rate, will be available for a limited time.Please visit the Web site for more details, http://www.geosociety.org/sectdiv/cord/08mtg/lodging.htm. [top]
Call for Abstracts - AIPG-AHS-3rd IPGC 2008 Symposium
Changing Waterscapes and Water Ethics for the 21st Century
and
Global Geoscience Practice, Standards, Ethics, and Accountability
AIPG-AHS-3rd IPGC Conference: September 20-24, 2008 in Flagstaff, Arizona - Online Registration Available soon!
Visit, http://www.aipg.org/2008/AIPG-AHS-3IPGC.htm. [top]
Association for Women Geologists – Lecturer Program
The Association for Women Geoscientists Distinguished Lecturer Program provides well-known female speakers who are available to give talks or lectures in most disciplines of the geosciences on their areas of interest. Departments and organizations can receive up to $800 per year toward speaker expenses. While most speakers do not require fees, it is expected that the host will provide for travel, food, and lodging costs.
For more information about this program, visit www.awg.org. [top]
UPCOMING TALKS (GEOSCIENCES)
Department of Geosciences Colloquium (Thursday)
Who: Lynn Soreghan, School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma
What: Ice in Equatorial Pangaea
When: Thursday, February 21, 4:00-5:00 pm
Where: Koffler Building (CBS) Room 216
Semester Schedule: http://www.geo.arizona.edu/events/colloquium.htm
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UPCOMING TALKS (UA)
Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Colloquium (Tuesday)
Who: Dr. William F. Bottke, Southwest Research Laboratory
What: An Asteroid Breakup 160 My Ago as the Probable Source of the K-T
Impactor
When: Tuesday, February 19, 3:30 pm
Where: Kuiper Space Sciences Building Room 308
Semester Schedule: http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/calendar/calendar_plus.php
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Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research Seminar (Wednesday)
Who: Scott St. George, University of Arizona, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research
Title: The Prominence of Decadal Variability in North American Precipitation
When: Wednesday, February 20, 12:00 noon
Where: Tree-Ring West Room 20 (Math Annex/Old Purchasing and Stores)
Semester Schedule: http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/events.html
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Hydrology and Water Resources Seminar (Wednesday)
Who: Harold W. Bentley, Hydro Geo Chem Inc., Tucson and Scottsdale, Arizona
Title: The Baro-pneumatic Method of Estimating Landfill Gas Generation and Designing Efficient LFG Collection Systems
When: Wednesday, February 20, 4:00 pm
Where: Harshbarger Building Room 206
Semester Schedule: http://aegir.hwr.arizona.edu/calendar/Seminars/Seminars%202008/HWR%20-%20Fall%202007%20Schedule%20-%202.htm.
College of Science Lecture Series - The Edges of Life (Wednesday)
Who: Michael Gill, Associate Professor, Philosophy
Title: Life's Technological Edge: The Singularity is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology
When: Wednesday, February 20, 7:00 pm
Where: Centennial Hall
Semester Schedule: http://cos.arizona.edu/edges/
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IGERT Seminar in Archaeological Sciences (Friday)
Who: Christine Hastorf, UC Berkeley
Title: Cooking and Foodways in Early Settled Life: The Social Life of Formative Communities in the Titicaca Basin, Bolivia
When: Friday, February 22, 3:00-5:30 pm
Where: Haury (Anthropology) Building Room 216
Semester Schedule: http://datamonster.sbs.arizona.edu/IGERT/sem2008.php
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