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Students are continuously pushed to develop a sound system of ethics by making decisions in which they must rely upon a set of values. When a student sees someone abusing alcohol or drinking when they are under-age, what should they do? Should a student take a job with a company that doesn't create environmentally or socially conscious products? How much community service is enough? In each of these situations students must rely on a system of ethics and values to justify their actions. However, defining values is hard work and insight into the application of a value is often a second-hand thought in today's hectic world. The college is planning a speakers series to help students and other community members with values-based decision making.
This annual event will provide an opportunity for students to hear the words, stories, and expertise of nationally known speakers and philosophers as well as faculty, staff, and parents that have (1) taken the time and energy to engage in the tough work of defining one of the Honor Code's core values and (2) understands the implications of ‘doing something' when one believes in one or more of those values.
Students, staff and faculty are invited to participate in the first Honor Code Values Speaker series by suggesting a speaker. Please forward your suggestions with a brief rationale to Assistant Dean of Student Life Nick Tatar (nick.tatar@olin.edu) by February 28. All suggestions will be carefully reviewed by a six-member committee of the Honor Board.
Construction on East Hall continues to progress at a good pace. The masonry and furniture design work has been completed. Additionally, the crew is nearing completion on the following projects -- the upper floors of the north wing, the roof, electrical and plumbing rough-in, and the underground utilities. The contractor continues to work six days a week and is still projecting substantial completion in late March. For more information visit the East Hall website.
The Big Conversations committee is collecting suggestions from the community for speakers who would be willing to participate in a future Big Conversations event at Olin.
The committee seeks speakers who have made an impact on the world through their work. Speakers should be comfortable discussing how their values and choices have influenced the lives of others, their industry, and/or the community. While there are many wonderful people who fit these criteria, respondents are asked to be mindful of a few things – the committee does not pay speakers fees, speaker participation requires a day-long commitment, and the emphasis for the day will be on a value-driven life. Kindly submit suggestions to our wiki by February 16, 2005. To add content to the wiki, simply click the “edit” button at the bottom of the page and add a new line to the table.
In order to meet your publication needs, the Office of Communication has developed a publication request form. The form is also located on BlackBoard (Olin Community>Olin in General>Departments>Communication>Publication Form). Community members who are working on a new publication are asked to fill out the form and then send it to communication@olin.edu.
Financial Services is pleased to announce that ending balances in Budget Review now reflect the whole fiscal year's activity. Financial Service was unable to bring over all of the detail transactions, so a “net change” (the balance from the beginning of the fiscal year until December 31 when Olin transitioned to Jenzabar), was entered as a lump sum. This lump sum amount is labeled "July-Dec Net Change" with a vendor name of “Joanne Kossuth.” Please see the Sample Budget Review to see what it looks like. Unfortunately, if you would like to see detailed information on that balance, you'll have to log into Account View. If you don't have too many accounts, it might be easiest if you make yourself a hard copy from AccountView for reference. Please contact Tricia Benson (ext. 2422) if you have any problems with Budget Review.
Recently there have been several reports of unauthorized visitors on campus who are soliciting their products and services in our buildings. Some of these people are very well dressed and act like they are here on the recommendation of an Olin community member.
If you are approached in a public area or in your office, ask if the solicitor has an appointment with a specific person at Olin. If they do not, then you should explain that we have a no soliciting policy and they will need to leave the campus. If the person persists, you can tell to set up an appointment with the purchasing department to discuss doing business with the College. Contact information for the purchasing department can be found on Olin's website. Once the solicitor leaves you, please contact Public Safety so they can conduct appropriate follow up and ensure the person has left campus.
Olin College was invited to apply for membership in the New Media Consortium and our application was accepted. Olin is now one of 200 designated New Media Centers in the U.S.
The New Media Consortium (NMC) is an international not-for-profit consortium of nearly 200 leading colleges, universities, museums, corporations, and other learning-focused organizations dedicated to the exploration and use of new media and new technologies.
Inquiries should be directed to Joanne Kossuth.
Olin College is a member of ECAR (Educause Center for Applied Research). As such, Olin community members have access to a number of research studies. Examples of recent research studies include: Supporting E-Learning, Enterprise Systems, Institutional Transformation, and Alignment. To create a profile and gain access to these studies, visit: http://www.educause.edu/Login/603. Inquiries should be directed to Joanne Kossuth.
The College is currently seeking qualified candidates for several positions. Employees are reminded that HR is always happy to accept referrals.
Until the HR staff assistant position is filled; Tricia Benson will temporarily be processing all absence and compensatory time-off reports and tracking all paid time off. Employees should direct this information to Tricia Benson (ext. 2422) until further notice.
The Olin College website continues to expand and now includes a webpage for parents (both current and prospective). To check out the content, visit http://www.olin.edu/parents/.
An exceptional time management workshop -- Getting Things Done: Mastering Workflow -- may soon be offered at Olin College if there is enough interest. This one-day seminar, which delivers a dynamic, systematic, five-phase approach to dealing effectively with the incoming “stuff” of our lives, will be facilitated by a David Allen Company consultant. The seminar provides practical methodology for utilizing paper and computer-based systems to get organized and manage your work. The seminar will also offer tips on using Olin's Microsoft Outlook to manage tasks. Contact Beth Schirick if you are interested in attending. The ability to offer this workshop depends on the amount of interest.
Habitat for Humanity at Olin College will host a Faculty/Staff Talent Show on Thursday, February 22 from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Olin dining hall. Habitat invites all faculty and staff to participate and showcase their talents. This event will raise money to support East Polk County Habitat, which will be hosting Olin's Collegiate Challenge team. Collegiate Challenge is a Habitat-sponsored activity that invites teams of college students to travel to work sites across the country and work during their Spring Breaks. Olin's 15 person team is traveling to Winter Haven, Fla. this spring. Habitat's fundraising committee already raised over $900 and is now working to raise $600 in the next two months. Donations will be accepted at the entrance.
The following speakers will be coming to the Olin campus as part of the IT Tech Talk speaker series. All Tech Talks will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Olin College auditorium. Inquires should be directed to Mary Fitzpatrick.
- Women and Technology Professions
On Tuesday, March 1, the Olin College Information Technology department will host a panel discussion on “Women and Technology Professions” as part of the IT Tech Talk speaker series. The panel will feature Judy Bergeron, vice president and partner of MTS Services, Cynthia Golden, executive director of Professional Development for Educause, Dr. Tracey Leger-Hornby, associate CIO and ITS director at Brandeis University, Karen Sullivan, education coordinator for FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), and Kathryn Hughes, vice president of Marketing for Jenzabar, Inc.
- Panel on Network and Services Design
Do you wonder how networks are designed? Or what factors come into play and how network services impact aesthetics? If so, join Roy Chamberlain, RCCD and Chuck Myers (who has the inside scoop on East Hall) on Monday, March 15 to discuss how to make networks work for you and your projects.
- What do Lawyers have to do with IT?
Join Don Ballman on Tuesday, April 12, for an inside look at why IT professionals should care about relationships with attorneys and the law.
- Educause Center for Applied Research: The Networking Study
On Tuesday, May 3, Judy Pirani of the Educause Center for Applied Research will discuss how Olin compares to the other institutions represented in this study. Understand the role of networks both on and off campus in an overview presented by the study's author.
IT is seeking student volunteers to be interviewed for the External Technology Advisory Board strategic white paper on the use of technology. The interviews will be related to the use and perceptions of technology now and what the students imagine it will be in 2010. Video assistance for these interviews is also requested. Please contact Joanne Kossuth if you are interested.
The Olin/HR Training update is now available. Faculty and staff may sign up for a number of seminars, including vegetarian cooking and avoiding fad diets, Excel, Access and Outlook computer training, and courses on leadership, presentation skills, interpersonal communication, and much more. Contact Beth Schirick if you require additional information.
The New Philharmonia Orchestra will present “A Celebration of Words and Music” on Saturday, February 12 at 8:00 p.m. in the Sorenson Center. Attendees will enjoy the passionate beauty of Brahms' Third Symphony and a performance of Shostakovich's Hamlet. Several Olin students will be playing in the orchestra, including Kat Kim, Jerzy Wieczorek, Janet Tsai, and Dan Bufford. Special reduced price tickets are available for the Babson/Olin community if a reservation is made prior to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 11. Tickets for adults are $12.50, $11 for seniors, and $4 for students. Call 617-527-9717 or email info@newphil.org to make a reservation or request more information.
"Endowment at Harvard Leads Pack,"
By Jay Fitzgerald, Boston Herald, February 11, 2005
“Olin Student Misses a Million,” By David Ertischek, Needham Times, February 10, 2005
“Wave of Generosity from Needhamites,” By Franceen Shaughnessy, Needham Times, February 10, 2005
“Shake IT Up,” By Sandra Gittlen, Network World, January 31, 2005
In the last issue we asked you to identify the six faculty members (that are still teaching here) hired by Olin College in September 2000. Lynn Stein was the first to correctly answer Joanne Pratt, John Bourne, Steve Holt, Diana Dabby, Brian Storey and herself. Lynn will be receiving Olin Gear for her correct response. Olin trivia buffs...
Q: What are the Olin Corporation's main lines of business today?
A: First person to correctly respond to Jennifer Thomas receives a prize.
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