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The “Frankly Gathering” faculty/staff meeting that had been scheduled for Wednesday, December 1 has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a later date. This has been done so that the administration can make an important presentation to staff about the finances of the college (the faculty have already heard this presentation). The financial presentation has been scheduled for Wednesday, December 15 from 11 pm -12 noon in the Olin Center Auditorium. Please mark your calendars.
The Olin Seminar Series will feature Dr. Paul DiMilla on Tuesday, November 30 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. His talk is entitled, "Current and Future Opportunities at the Interface of Engineering and the Life Sciences." Dr. DiMilla is Visiting Professor of Bioengineering, Olin College and Visiting Scholar, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University. For more information, visit http://projects.olin.edu/seminars.
We are approaching year-end and want to ensure that pertinent information displays correctly on your W-2. Please take a moment and reference your most recent pay stub to verify your name, address, and social security number. Your name and social security number must match exactly to what is on your social security card. Please visit our website if you would like to view this information online. Your W-2 will be sent to the address on your pay stub. If anything is incorrect, please notify the Payroll Department by December 6, 2004. Contact Diane Griffin, Wendy Peterson, or Jean Vellante with questions.
From November 15 through April 15 of each calendar year, overnight parking on campus is limited to the main parking lot A, tiers 4 and 5. Should these tiers be filled, tier 6 will serve as an overflow overnight parking lot.
Faculty and staff who may be traveling out of town during these months and leaving their vehicle on campus overnight, must park in tiers 4 and 5 of parking lot A. Should these tiers be filled, tier 6 will serve as an overflow overnight parking lot. Modular residents should ensure their vehicles are parked on the soccer field side of C lot.
- OIR Eureka Grants
Eureka Grants support innovative ideas developed after the start of the semester. Last month four Olin students received a Eureka Grant from OIR to attend the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) national conference. This conference provided students with the to interact with other students and professionals, attend a career fair, learn about future career opportunities and internships, meet company representatives, and learn more about developing Olin's SWE chapter.
- OIR Grants
OIR Grants also support innovative ideas developed before the start of the semester. Nine students were awarded OIR Grants to pursue activities ranging from attending technology and engineering conferences to participating in the product development process. Several students will present their research results at a professional conference in 2005 and others will conduct a feasibility study for creating a Boston-area FIRST regional event.
- ISURB Projects
OIR provides support for the Independent Study Undergraduate Research Board (ISURB), which is responsible for research and independent study programs at Olin. This semester, twenty students are involved in nine research projects and seven independent study projects. These research activities involve materials sciences, math, mechanical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, biological sciences, and social sciences projects.
Each year the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) releases a report that includes institutional benchmarking data. This benchmark report compares colleges on a national scale and with similar (“peer”) institutions by reviewing their success in five clusters of effective educational practice: level of academic challenge, active and collaborative learning, student-faulty interactions, enriching educational experience, and supportive campus environment. In the 2004 report, Olin College ranked higher than the national average and its “peer” institutions in all five categories. In general, the report indicates that Olin students are more engaged in the measured educational practices than students at other colleges. For more information, visit http://www.iub.edu/~nsse/.
The raffle held on November 17 in conjunction with the faculty/staff social, raised just over $500 for the Needham Community Council's Thanksgiving dinner program. Thanks to all who participated. The social committee extends a special thank you to the following companies for their contributions, CompUSA, Not Your Average Joe's, Wash World, Domino's Pizza and Border Cafe.
The December 1 Tech Talk, “Challenges and Technology Evolution of Managing our Global R&D Environment,” with Tony Leger of Nortel has been postponed until a later date. More information forthcoming.
As a reminder, Benefit Enrollment Forms are due by Tuesday, November 30 to Human Resources, OC 320. All benefits changes will be effective January 1, 2005.
Employees will be receiving new BCBS ID cards because there will be a slight name change to the BCBS Health Plans from the current names. (New names are: HMO Blue Value Plus New England, HMO Blue New England, PPO Blue Care Elect Preferred.)
The 2005 holiday schedule is now available. The document is posted on Blackboard.
The College is currently seeking qualified candidates for several positions. Employees are reminded that HR is always happy to accept referrals.
The Summer Book Program Advisory Committee has narrowed the initial list of 82 titles recommended by members of the Olin community to six for thorough consideration over the next three months:
- Copenhagen, by Michael Frayn
- Emergence, by Steven Johnson
- Gaviotas: A Village to Reinvent the World, by Alan Weisman
- Mountains Beyond Mountains: Healing the World – The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, by Tracy Kidder
- Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea, by Gary Kinder
- Walking on Water: Reading, Writing and Revolution, by Derrick Jensen
Thank you to everyone who submitted suggestions. A recommendation will be sent to Provost David Kerns by the end of February.
Is there some question about the college you'd like answered? There are two ways you can send your questions about Olin College, or suggestions for improvement. You can e-mail questionbox@olin.edu, or write a note on forms provided and place them in the Question Box on the mezzanine level of the Olin Center. Someone will research the answer to your question, and a response will be e-mailed, or posted on the Question Box, within two weeks.
Do you have an interesting idea for a co-curricular offering? Would you enjoy sharing one of your hobbies with a few Olin students next semester? There were more than 340 “enrollments” in the 27 co-curriculars offered last spring and this fall. Since students are limited to no more than two such “enrollments,” a high percentage of students participate in this unique program. Brief descriptions and proposed budgets are due to Rod Crafts by December 9. Please send questions or suggestions to Rod.
Babson College is renovating their West Gate campus entrance. During the renovation the gate will be closed to traffic. Babson will provide updates as the project proceeds. Once completed, the revised entrance will improve traffic safety as well as appearance. If you have any questions please contact Steve Tolley at 781-239-4253.
Please note the following changes to the Lunchtime Seminar schedule:
- Avoiding Stress has been moved to December 10 (originally slated for November 12)
- Low-back Injury Prevention has been moved to Olin Auditorium, Babson College (originally schedule for Reynolds 241)
The full Lunchtime Seminar schedule is available on Blackboard.
Gordon Bok, a folk artist, grew up around the boatyards of Camden, Maine and sailed on the lovely old schooners that hail from that port. As he sailed, he sang songs and ballads of the sea. His mastery of six and 12 string guitars is his well-known trademark. He will perform at the Homegrown Coffeehouse on November 20 at 8:00 p.m. The Homegrown Coffeehouse is located at the First Parish Unitarian Church, at the corner of Great Plain and Dedham Ave. Admission, which will benefit the Church, is $17 for adults and $14 for students and seniors. For more information, visit www.uuneedham.org.
“Building Relationships Means Better IT Contracts,” Educause Quarterly, By Joanne Kossuth and Donald Ballman, November 1, 2004
“Able Scholars (an interview with Sherra Kerns),” By Michelle M. Lang, Design News, November 8, 2004
“Vroom! Students Steer their Own Project,” By Valentina Zic, Needham Times, November 11, 2004
Last week we asked
what year the many businesses of F.W. Olin came together under the corporate name of Olin Industries, Inc. Kyle Rader ('08) was the first to correctly answer 1944. Kyle will be receiving Olin Gear for his correct response. Olin trivia buffs, do you know...
Q: What is F.W. Olin's birth date (month, date and year)?
A: First person to correctly respond to Jennifer Thomas receives a prize.
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