September 28, 2007

To: The UMBC Community

Fr: Antonio Williams, Chief, UMBC Police

Re: Emergency Text Messaging Alert System

Recent tragedies like the ones at Virginia Tech and Delaware State are prompting colleges and universities across America, including UMBC, to reevaluate their emergency communications. Keeping our campus safe is of the utmost importance, and to ensure that accurate, timely information is communicated about emergencies, we have purchased an emergency alert text-messaging system, E2Campus. We ask that you sign up today at http://my.umbc.edu/notifications.

Signing up for E2Campus is easy, and will keep you informed about potential campus safety hazards and campus closures due to weather. It is compatible with mobile phones, Blackberries, “smart phones,” satellite phones, e-mail, wireless PDAs and pagers. Normal text-messaging rates apply. There are no additional charges.

Please sign up for E2Campus today. We also ask that you encourage your fellow classmates, faculty and staff to sign up as well.

Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery in Baltimore Magazine
Settling in the United States in 1962 after marrying Arthur Miller, Australian photographer Inge Morath turned to portraiture and the American landscape. The “Road to Reno” exhibit at the Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery documents an 18-day trip Morath and a colleague took from New York to the Nevada city set for The Misfits, John Huston's anti-western and both Marilyn Monroe's and Clark Gable's final movie. Baltimore magazine cites the exhibit in its October 2007 issue.

www.baltimoremagazine.net/

Freeman Hrabowski, UMBC President, in the News
Some leading African American educators in Maryland believe that some black high school students are failing to achieve in part because their parents are failing to invest themselves in their children’s education. UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski told the Baltimore Sun, “We have to admit to ourselves that large numbers of parents are not as involved in their children’s education as they need to be. We have to get away from thinking that if the children aren’t doing well, it is the teacher’s fault.” The article, “A Critical Gap,” appeared on Sept. 23.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/ideas/bal-id.educate23sep23,0,1052310.story

In its October 2007 issue, Baltimore magazine recalls the life of the late Baltimore businessman and public servant Walter Sondheim Jr. “He taught us the meaning of the word citizen, and the importance of believing in ourselves,” President Hrabowski said.

www.baltimoremagazine.net/

UMBC's New Multicore Computational Center in the News
A partnership between UMBC and IBM has launched the new Multicore Computational Center, or the MC2. The MC2 will work to harness the supercomputer power at the heart of Sony’s Playstation3 gaming console. The MC2 will explore new frontiers in computer modeling applications for aerospace/defense, financial services, healthcare/life sciences and predicting climate change and weather. Three television outlets – WBAL-TV, WBFF-TV (Fox) and WMAR-TV – reported on the dedication ceremony of the center on Sept. 21. The WBAL-TV report, which includes an interview with UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski, and a profile by the technology blog Engadget can be seen below:

www.wbaltv.com/video/14176513/index.html

www.engadget.com/2007/09/25/umbc-ibm-team-up-to-create-playstation-3-based-supercomputer/

Robert Provine, Psychology, in the News
Robert Provine, professor of psychology, discussed his research on contagious behaviors such as yawning and his quest to design a yawn so powerful it would make everyone who saw it yawn back. National Public Radio (NPR) interviewed Provine in a report aired on Sept. 24. The NPR report is summarized in a Wall Street Journal news brief on Sept. 6, available to subscribers only.

www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14654608

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the News
New York Times columnist Paul Krugman cited Tom Schaller’s research on the impact of race in Southern politics, as documented in Schaller’s book Whistling Past Dixie. “There’s a large statistical literature on the subject, whose conclusion is summed up by the political scientist Thomas F. Schaller in his book Whistling Past Dixie: ‘Despite the best efforts of Republican spinmeisters to depict American conservatism as a nonracial phenomenon, the partisan impact of racial attitudes in the South is stronger today than in the past.’ ” The column, “Politics in Black and White,” ran on Sept. 24.

www.nytimes.com/2007/09/24/opinion/24krugman.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Schaller’s latest column in the Baltimore Sun assessed the candidacy of Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton. Schaller writes that if Clinton wins the nomination, “she assumes the burden of being the Democratic presidential candidate in what may be the most favorable cycle her party has had since 1976… (T)he pressure that would immediately fall on Mrs. Clinton’s shoulders to win the White House would be immense – and the blame, if she were to lose, would be endless and merciless.” The column, “Poor Mrs. Clinton: She Has Everything Going for Her in the ’08 Race,” ran on Sept. 26.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller26sep26,0,1291494.column

Political analysts are divided over whether the decision by the four leading Republican candidates to skip a presidential debate – set at a historically black college in Baltimore and focusing on issues of importance to minority voters – is likely to inflict enduring wounds. “When you have candidates who are already questionable on choice, already questionable on gay rights, already perhaps not acceptable on issues like immigration, do they want to go the further, additional step and answer questions on affirmative action, in front of a black audience?” Schaller told the Baltimore Sun. The story, “Analysts Split on Impact of Debate Snub,” appeared on Sept. 27.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.debate27sep27,0,6954938.story

UMBC President, Faculty Speak at Data Mining Conference
President Hrabowski and UMBC faculty will speak at the National Science Foundation Symposium on Next Generation of Data Mining and Cyter-Enabled Discovery for Innovation. The general chair of the event is Hillol Kargupta, who will also be a speaker at the event. Other speakers include President Freeman Hrabowski and Tim Finin, professor of computer science and electrical engineering.

This three-day event, October 10-12, will offer a unique perspective of what the leading researchers, practitioners and government program leaders of this field think about how the next generation of data mining technology will impact our life in future. It will explore the emerging solutions for a wide spectrum of items from our everyday life -- design of new drugs, privacy protection, homeland defense and other issues. For more information, visit www.cs.umbc.edu/~hillol/NGDM07/.

Senior Pascaline Cette Wins "A" Flight at Quinnipiac Invitational
Senior Pascaline Cette won the “A” Flight singles of the Quinnipiac Women’s Invitational last weekend. Cette opened with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Rhode Island’s Nyssa Peele and then knocked off Yulia Smirnova, 6-4, 6-0 of conference rival Binghamton in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, the native of Menton, France handled Danielle Viola of Sacred Heart, 6-2, 6-2 and then edged previously unbeaten Mary Wilson of host Quinnipiac, 7-6 (5), 6-2.

Junior Cornelia Carapcea won the consolation singles in the A Flight.

Retrievers Grab Weekly Conference Awards
Sophomore Ashley Oscars the America East Conference Player of the Week while sophomore Kira Giles garners Setter of the Week honors for the week ending Sept. 23, the conference announced Tuesday.
www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/wvball/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=3589

Airi Yoshioka, Music, Receives McGraw-Hill Robert Sherman Award
Violinist and music professor Airi Yoshioka has been awarded the $10,000 McGraw-Hill Companies' Robert Sherman Award for Music Education and Community Outreach. The award recognizes and assists “a recent Juilliard alum who is deeply involved in music education and community outreach and who has demonstrated outstanding musicianship.” On October 3, Yoshioka’s live performances will be broadcast on WQXR. For more information, visit www.wqxr.com.

Bob Carpenter, Economics, on WYPR-88.1 FM
Bob Carpenter, associate professor of economics, joined a panel discussion on WYPR-88.1 FM of the economic conditions impacting Maryland’s horse breeding and racing operations. Carpenter was a guest on “The Marc Steiner Show.” The live broadcast aired on Sept. 18.

www.wypr.org/M_Steiner.html

Christopher Corbett, English, in Baltimore's Style Magazine
Christopher Corbett, professor of the practice in the English department, authored “On the Roadshow” for the September/October 2007 issue of Baltimore's Style magazine. The column focused on the popularity of the Public Broadcasting Service program Antiques Roadshow, which stopped recently in Baltimore.

www.baltimorestyle.com/index.php/style/article/4374/

Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun
Democrats in Maryland strongly favor their party’s presidential frontrunner, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. The most critical aspect of recent polling data is the strength of Clinton’s support in the black community, Donald Norris, professor of public policy, told the Baltimore Sun. The article, “Clinton, Guiliani Top Maryland Poll,” ran on Sept. 18.

www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.poll18sep18,0,580582.story

Robert Provine, Psychology, in the Catonsville Times
The Catonsville Times profiled Robert Provine, professor of psychology, and his research on the science of laughter. “The essential element for laughter is not a joke, but another person,” Provine told the newspaper. The article, “Research Subject of UMBC Professor a Laughing Matter,” appeared on Sept. 12.

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=351&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1300355&om=1

Bill Thomas, Erickson School, on WYPR-88.1 FM
Bill Thomas, a professor in the Erickson School, joined Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast on WYPR-88.1 FM for a discussion of “naturally occurring retirement communities,” or NORCs, and other alternatives to nursing homes. The interview aired on Sept. 19.

www.wypr.org/MD_MORNING.html

Carolyn Tice, Social Work, in the Baltimore Sun
With the seasonal surge in bedroom vacancies at the start of every college school year, families contemplate how to use the extra space. Carolyn Tice, associate dean in the department of social work, discussed the emotions connected to remaking a child’s room after he or she has left for college. “It’s one step toward emancipation. If they’re fortunate enough to go to college and have the support of their parents, there has to be communication along the way to support the transition,” Tice told the Baltimore Sun. The article, “Space Race Heats Up as Child Leaves,” ran on Sept. 15.

www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-te.to.bedroom15sep15,0,5522559.story

UMBC in the Baltimore Sun
Researchers at a new computing lab at UMBC will develop applications for IBM’s Cell Broadband Engine, the processor that powers Sony’s PlayStation3 gaming console. The UMBC-IBM partnership was cited in the Baltimore Sun in its “Business Digest.” The item, “UMBC, IBM Join in Processor Lab,” appeared on Sept. 18.

www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-bz.digest18sep18,0,2561660.story

UMBC Faculty, Alumni in City Paper’s Best of Baltimore
Five members of the UMBC community received Best of Baltimore awards from Baltimore’s City Paper: the Lafayette Gilchrist Trio, led by Lafayette Gilchrist ’92, Africana studies, received Best Band; Xerxes Mehta, professor of theatre, was named Best Director; Keri Burneston ’99, visual and performing arts, received Best Burlesque for her duo, Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey; and Emily Hunter '06, visual arts and American studies, and Arthur Soontornsaratool '05 visual arts, received "Best Little Magazine" for Locus.

www.citypaper.com/bob/story.asp?id=14435

www.citypaper.com/bob/story.asp?id=14522

www.citypaper.com/bob/story.asp?id=14475

www.citypaper.com/bob/story.asp?id=14507

To: The UMBC Community

Fr: Larry Wilt, Director, Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery

Michael Romary has given notice of his retirement as of September 16, 2007. He has served the campus for 17 years in the Library Reference Department. He came to Baltimore
with strong credentials in reference work and information literacy (known then as bibliographic instruction). He had completed his M.L.S.degree at Indiana University and worked there as a cataloger in the Lilly Library and a reference librarian and cataloger at the Career Services
Library before moving on to the Hudson Institute, on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. He moved to Ohio to become the reference and interlibrary loan librarian at Ohio State University's Mansfield campus, after which he followed his academic
spouse to Austin College, working primarily in reference and bibliographic instruction.

Michael expanded UMBC's bibliographic instruction program beginning in the 1990's and then pioneered the development of the Library component for UMBC's student success programs, such as the library component of the Honors College's Research Methods course, the
McNair program and the First Year Initiative, as well as the writing seminars. In addition to these projects and his regular reference and liaison work, he took over responsibility for the Library's federal and state documents depository programs and undertook
experiments in offering online instruction aids as the Internet made these possible.

In addition, Michael advocated strongly for services for students with disabilities and for campus safety issues; many improvements in these areas were brought about by his advocacy. He has represented the Library on UMBC committees and on the Faculty Senate.

Throughout, faculty, staff and students have appreciated his dedication and hard work in the service of instructional and library ideals.

Michael has been out on family medical leave this summer and is currently not in town. He hopes to be in Baltimore in early to mid October and I am hoping that he will visit us then. Meanwhile, let us join in wishing him the best in his retirement.

Photo Caption:
UMBC faculty members Andy Miller (left) and Claire Welty (far right) join USGS’s Jim Gerhart (second from left) and Dan Soeder outside the new building.

Years of partnership between environmental and water scientists at UMBC and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are now etched in bricks and mortar. The USGS Maryland-Delaware-District of Columbia Water Science Center has moved over 60 hydrologists, engineers and biologists to a 23,500-square-foot facility in bwtech@UMBC, and the building is abuzz with activity.

Scientists at the USGS Center are dedicated to long-term monitoring of the region’s streams, rivers and aquifers to better understand the balance between nature and humans across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. They use a network of about 150 high- and low-tech gages across the region to monitor a vast array of water data. In addition to helping keep the Bay healthy, USGS research helps partners like the National Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency predict flash-floods and monitor flood prone areas.

From the dry streambed pondstone landscaping outside to the natural patterns on walls and floors, the USGS building’s form and function show hydrologists’ input. The rear loading dock area is custom-made for the dirty business of water science fieldwork, with parking for specialized trucks and a mud room for cleaning gear. A small locker room helps scientists who have been working in often polluted or sewage-contaminated waterways hit the showers on the way to analysis labs.

Even more important than the custom design of the building is the physical connection to UMBC that enhances opportunities for faculty research collaboration, student internships, conferences, lectures and symposia.

“It’s so wonderful to have USGS right across the street,” said Claire Welty, director of the Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UMBC. “It will help us recruit faculty and students, and also raises the national visibility of UMBC’s strengths in environmental research.”

Welty, a groundwater hydrologist, and Professor of Geography and Environmental Systems/flood expert Andy Miller were the two key faculty drivers in encouraging the USGS center to relocate to campus from the White Marsh area.

“We are so happy USGS is here,” said Miller. “It’s a big milestone after many years of research teamwork between UMBC, USGS, the U.S. Forest Service and other federal, state and local agencies on environmental issues that impact the entire region. Most students and faculty at UMBC don't yet know just how much is going on here right now, and how rapidly our research, education and internship activities are growing in areas related to water. The USGS move is going to enhance our collaboration in so many ways, and will provide great opportunities for our students as well,” he said.

According to Jim Gerhart, director of the USGS Center, the new home is a great fit. "We're really excited about it," he said. "We hope to improve the level of the science we do by being that close and interacting with the faculty. And we hope it's reciprocal."

The USGS Center will host an open house on Oct. 24 from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. The entire UMBC campus community is welcome to come tour the building and learn more about USGS research and fieldwork.

September 6, 2007

To: The UMBC Community

Fr: Freeman Hrabowski

Re: Presidents Climate Commitment

This past month, I joined more than 330 college and university presidents in signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. This document expresses our deep concern regarding “the unprecedented scale and speed of global warming and its potential for large-scale, adverse health, social, economic, and ecological effects.” It also emphasizes the need for “colleges and universities [to] exercise leadership in their communities and throughout society” in addressing climate change.

By signing the document, I am committing UMBC to (1) developing “a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality as soon as possible;” (2) initiating a number of “tangible actions to reduce greenhouse gases while the more comprehensive plan is being developed;” and (3) making our “action plan, inventory, and periodic progress reports publicly available by providing them to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.” Through our research and curriculum we are committed also to “providing the knowledge and the educated graduates” needed to help move the world toward climate neutrality.

I have asked Provost Arthur Johnson and Vice President for Administration and Finance Lynne Schaefer to lead UMBC’s efforts in meeting this commitment.

We will continue to update the campus community on our plans. For more information on the Climate Commitment, please visit www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/html/commitment.php.

Assistant Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Carney, Berger Selected to U.S. Elite Team
UMBC’s two new assistant women’s lacrosse coaches, Quinn Carney and Kelly Berger were both selected to the 2007-08 U.S. Elite Team following a tryout on Aug. 5 at UMBC Stadium.
www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/wlacrosse/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=3543

Volleyball Freshman Bridget Scheetz Named America East Rookie of the Week
UMBC volleyball freshman Bridget Scheetz earned the America East Conference Rookie of the Week award for the week ending Sept. 3, the conference announced on Tuesday.
www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/wvball/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=3547

Men's Soccer: Retrievers Blank Temple, 2-0 to Capture Anders Soccer Classic
The UMBC men’s soccer team captured the Anders Soccer Classic with a 2-0 victory over Temple at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. The Retrievers, 2-1 winners over Air Force on Friday, captured the title of the season-opening tournament.
www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/msoccer/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=3541

Former Retriever Drew Westervelt ’07 Selected by Philadelphia in National Lacrosse League Draft
Former UMBC attackman Drew Westervelt ’07, economics, was selected by the Philadelphia Wings in the third round of the 2007 National Lacrosse League entry draft held at the Pepsi Center on Saturday, Sept. 1.
www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/mlacrosse/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=3544

Joseph Gribbin, Erickson School, on WYPR-88.1 FM
Joseph Gribbin, an affiliate professor in the Erickson School, was a guest panelist on “The Marc Steiner Show” on WYPR-88.1 FM, for a discussion of the challenges facing the United States in the 21st century. Gribbin, an expert on fiscal issues and fiscal policy, is a loaned executive to the Erickson School from the Social Security Administration, where he has served as associate commissioner since 1987. The live broadcast aired on Sept. 5.
www.wypr.org/M_Steiner.html

Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the News
Across Baltimore, the undecided voter is prevalent. “Typically, you expect the number of undecideds to reduce significantly close to the election, and we’re looking at percentages here that are between a quarter and a third,” Donald Norris, professor of public policy and director of the Maryland Institute for Policy Analysis & Research told the Baltimore Sun. The article, “Decision Time Nears for City’s Undecided,” appeared on Sept. 4.
www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-te.md.ci.undecided04sep04,0,5020148.story

One week before Baltimore's Democratic primary, the race for City Council president remained tight, with Michael Sarbanes, a longtime activist, and incumbent Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake attracting nearly equal support. "I am very, very surprised that Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is not doing better. (Sarbanes is) doing twice as well as white candidates in the past running against credible black candidates,” Norris told the Baltimore Sun. The story, “Council President Race a Near Tie,” ran on Sept. 3.
www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-te.ci.president03sep03,0,7695688.story

Despite recent gains by her nearest rival, Councilman Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr., Interim Mayor Sheila Dixon continues to lead the race for mayor of Baltimore. “My guess is it's all over but the final tally as far as the Mitchell campaign is concerned. When you're down by 27 points with less than two weeks to go, it's virtually impossible and unheard of to come back,” Norris told the Associated Press in a story carried by the Baltimore Examiner. The article, “Poll: Dixon Keeps Lead in Mayor’s Race, Mitchell Makes Small Gain,” appeared on Sept. 2.
www.examiner.com/a-913302%7EPoll__Dixon_keeps_lead_in_mayor_s_race__Mitchell_makes_small_gain.html

Tom Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun
Associate Professor of Political Science Tom Schaller’s latest column in the Baltimore Sun discussed the recent series of moral stumbles by the Republican Party. Schaller argues that the party “not only has exploited the gay marriage issue with ballot measures and even a proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution but also deigns to stand atop its self-erected pulpits and lecture liberals, Democrats and the rest of the country about the need to affirm and protect America’s ‘ moral values.’ ” The column, “ ‘Moral Values’ Party Stumbles Again,” ran on Sept. 5.
www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller05sep05,0,7653081.column

Socially conservative voters do not appear to be the major prize in this year’s Republican presidential primaries. Still, Schaller told the Baltimore Sun, “A 10 percent defection in the conservative coalition is enough to prevent the Republicans from holding the White House. And these continued scandals have got to give some of these moral values organizations reasons to take pause.” The story, “GOP Hoping Craig is a Faded Memory by November ’08,” ran on Sept. 1.
www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.craig01sep01,0,216178.story

John Rennie Short, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun
An opinion column in the Baltimore Sun by Professor of Public Policy John Rennie Short examined some of the influences behind the subprime lending crisis. “It is time that we critically evaluate the costs as well as the touted benefits of promoting homeownership. Over the long haul, the gains are not so impressive as advertised,” Short wrote. His commentary, “Homeownership: the Sacred Cow of U.S. Housing Policy,” ran on Sept. 4.
www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.homeownership04sep04,0,2455100.story

Bill Thomas, Erickson School, in National Real Estate Investors
In a question-and-answer session with National Real Estate Investors magazine, Bill Thomas, a professor in the Erickson School, shared his views on how seniors housing too often fails its residents. He also discussed new models he has developed to foster a sense of community among the elderly. The interview, “Outspoken Geriatrician Says Today’s Seniors Housing Product Lacks a Sense of Community,” appeared on Aug. 27.
http://nreionline.com/news/William_H_Thomas_Q_A/

Renee van der Stelt, CADVC, in the Baltimore Sun
A collection of installations and drawings based on mapping techniques, produced by Renee van der Stelt, projects coordinator in the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture, are on view through Oct. 13 at Ellipse Arts Center in Arlington, Va. The Baltimore Sun said the “amazingly precise cut-paper maps (are) so detailed one could easily mistake them for high-resolution photos taken by high-flying reconnaissance satellites.” The article, “Attention to Detail,” ran on Sept. 2.
www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/custom/altoday/bal-al.obsessive02sep02,0,4922516.story

Effective September 15, UMBC will implement a new computer-based research compliance training program. The new program is referred to as CITI - the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative. CITI replaces the current human and animal research compliance training and will be the required education program for all UMBC principal investigators and research staff (faculty, staff, graduate students and undergraduate students) involved in such research. CITI is a well-respected Web-based training product designed, updated and maintained by a number of nationally known research professionals and is housed at the University of Miami.

For more information about the CITI program and enrollment instructions, go to the Human and Animal Research Protections Office (HARPO) Web site at www.umbc.edu/HARPO and click on the Training link. Researchers will have the option of choosing the appropriate training for Human Research Investigators or Animal Care and Use Investigators.

Contact Timothy Sparklin in HARPO at 5-2737 or sparklin@umbc.edu with any questions.

English Language Center Conversation Partner Program
The UMBC English Language Center invites you to join its Conversation Partner Program where you can help provide our international students with a natural setting to practice and enhance their communication skills.

If you are interested in learning about other cultures and making friends with international students, please contact Tsisana Maysuradze at conv@umbc.edu or call ext. 5-3854.