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Earth Day,  April 19th at 4pm, located at the Learning Center

 

 

 

Dr. Roni Neff

The program is also sponsoring an event with Cintas on March 23 in front of Russell House.  Cintas specializes in securely shredding documents (as well as everything else paper) and then recycles all of the material.  More details to come!

The goal is to recycle as many tons of material as we can, in a way that we will be 100% recycled.

For more information about Cintas document management services, visit www.cintas.com/documentmanagement

Contact Krista Wodecki at 7-3921 or at wodecki@mailbox.sc.edu if you have questions about the upcoming event.

 

Article of Interest:

· USC President’s Report Series - Focus: Sustainable Energy

Go here to view article.

 

Faculty Meeting with VP of Research:

When:  March 28, 2012 at 12noon

Where:  Taber Room, EWS 201 (catered event)

Important: Please contact Krista Wodecki at 7-3921 or wodecki@mailbox.sc.edu and let her know if you plan to attend.

 

New 2012 Fall Course:  ENVR 399 - Sustainable Green Building

For more information on the course, go here.

   

From the Provost

Joseph B. and Toby Ggittler prize at Brandeis University

A letter and information concerning the Joseph B. and Toby Gittler Prize is here.  The award includes a cash prize of $25,000 and a medal.  The deadline for nominations is April 15.

 

Leadership Initiative Grant opportunities

deadline for applications: march 23, 2012

The Carolina Leadership Initiative announces a call for applications for the 2012-2013 Student Leadership Scholars Program (see attached application).  Additional information can be found at website http://www.sc.edu/provost/leadership/program/index.shtml.    Also, a call for proposals for the Teaching Excellence Grant on Teaching Leadership which is offered by the Carolina Leadership Initiative and the Center for Teaching Excellence is attached.  Additional information can be found at website http://www.sc.edu/cte/grants/index.shtml

 

WFO SPRING 2012 LUNCHES ON THE SIXTEENTH

Preston’s at Noon

Drop-in lunches will be proctored by a faculty member and will revolve around discussions of specific topics.  All lunches will be held at Preston’s at Noon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Please RSVP at www.sc.edu/provost/rsvp.

March 16^th, 2012 -- Teaching Across Generations: How do you manage and motivate different age cohorts in your classroom? Share your suggestions and questions about teaching Millennials, Gen-Xers, Boomers, and Traditionalists.

April 16^th, 2012  --  Tenure and Review Strategies:  Whether you have completed the process, or are preparing your file for T&P (or 3^rd Year Review), come share practical advice and insight about the process.

 

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES SPRING 2012 FORUM SERIES

Dates for the Undergraduate Studies Spring 2012 Forums have been set.  The forums provide an opportunity to receive informational updates and for those interested to provide input as we work together to continuously strengthen and improve the undergraduate academic experience.  

All Forums will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the Russell House Theater at USC-Columbia and will be broadcast live on the internet to facilitate participation at Columbia and the Regional campuses.  All faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend.

SPRING 2012 UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES Forums

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Russell House Theater

University Forum:  Carolina Core --  Tuesday, February 28

University Forum:  USC Connect  --  Tuesday, March 20

University Forum:  Undergraduate Advising  --  Tuesday, April 17

For more information please contact Helen Doerpinghaus, Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies, at doerpihi@mailbox.sc.edu.

 

Faculty News

Awards

Baruch Institute

Dr. Daniel Tufford's research project entitled "Carolinas Integrated Sciences and Assessments" is funded by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for $80,669.

Dr. Dianne Greenfield's research project entitled "Development of a Novel Genetic Approach to Rapidly Detect and Quantify Fish Eggs of Commercially Important Species: a New Tool for Fisheries Management" is funded by SC Sea Grant Consortium/NOAA for  $52,536.

 

Earth and Ocean Sciences

Dr. Gwen Geidel has been selected to receive the Richard and Lela Barnhisel Researcher of the Year Award from the American Society of Mining and Reclamation. The letter states "Your peers identified that your research in this field has been outstanding and has had significant impact on the science and technology development in the area of mined land reclamation."  The award will be presented at the awards banquet of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation meeting in Tupelo, MS on June 13, 2012.  

Dr. Subrahmanyam Bulusu received confirmation from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) of a new 3-year award for $345,000 starting 5/1/2012 as sole PI.  Last year, ONR awarded $60,000 in seed money for this research project titled, “Northern Indian Ocean Salt Transport (NIOST): Estimation of Fresh and Salt Water Transports in the Indian Ocean Using Remote Sensing, Hydrographic Observations and HYCOM simulations", resulting in a total award of $405,000. Dr. Bulusu wanted to personally thank his graduate students, Ebenezer Nyadjro and Gary Grunseich, who contributed significantly to this research, and will be graduating soon.

 

Publications

Measuring Ocean Acidification Impacts in the Southern Ocean

Dr. Sean Place’s research trip to the Antarctic was featured in IMBER and on the USC’s CAS website: http://www.cas.sc.edu/dean/news/2012/0112-place.html.  For several months, he along with research team (B-199-M) collected data on the physiological response of endemic fish species of the Ross Sea to a high CO2 environment.

 

Funding and Educational Opportunities

Research Mentoring Institute

~Message sent on behalf of the Vice President for Research~

**The message below was sent last fall to announce the Research Mentoring Institute.  If you would like to participate as a mentor in any category, please email Jack Beasley at beaslejd@mailbox.sc.edu with your name, contact info and a list of those you would like to mentor.  The Mentoring Institute website will soon be up and running and we would like to populate it prior to it's launch.**

 

Dear Colleagues,

Mentoring students, post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty is crucial for successful career enhancement and professional advancement.  While across USC’s campus many departments offer peer mentoring programs, I have felt the need to create a centralized mentoring initiative that all mentees can benefit from.  To that end, the Office of the VP for Research will develop a Research Mentoring Institute: A virtual institute with a database of volunteer faculty interested in serving as mentors to students and junior faculty.  Here are a few examples:

 

Undergraduate Research:  We will create a database of faculty interested in serving as mentors for honors students and Magellan Scholars so that interested students can contact suchfaculty to discuss the opportunity to work under their supervision. 

Graduate students:  Faculty mentors who have served previously as mentors on NIH F31 grants or similar programs supported by other Federal agencies or Private Foundations can volunteer to review grants written by graduate students who are applying for such awards. 

Post-doctoral Fellows:  Same as above but to mentor Post-docs applying for NIH F32 or similar mechanisms of funding.  Also, senior post-docs are eligible to apply for Pathway to Independence awards (NIH K99/R00).  Thus, such researchers need help in developing their research application and importantly, career development plan. 

Junior faculty:  Often junior faculty need  help from senior established investigators to guide them in writing their first nationally competitive grant application.  While we may not have enough mentors to precisely match each research topic, often mentors who have served on national review panels can give overall critiques that first-time applicants might miss, such as the grant being broad and diffuse, lacking focus, innovation, significance, global hypothesis, synergy, etc.  Such senior faculty can often quickly scan through an application and provide useful tips to strengthen the grant application. 

 

To achieve these goals, we will create a database of faculty who are interested in serving in each of these categories.  This will allow some mentees such as undergraduate researchers to directly contact the mentors or in other instances, such as graduate students, post-doctoralfellows, and junior faculty who need help in getting their grants reviewed, to contact our office so that we can match them with experienced mentors.    In addition, as a new part of the GRANT training program, we will   organize small review sessions from senior mentors to discuss the secrets to successful grant writing. Additionally through GRANT, we will encourage junior faculty to take established coursessuch as Basic Grant Writing, R01s and Beyond, NIH Peer Review, How to Find Proposal Funding, and others.

I know that this is a lot of additional work for senior faculty but I am also aware that such faculty take pride when their mentees successfully secure funding and recognition through which the mentees can successfully launch their careers and promote professional advancement.  The Office of Research would honor the efforts of the mentors with recognition at the end of each year.  We appreciate your help in participating in this initiative.

Sincerely,

Prakash Nagarkatti

 

Climate Change Continuing Education Symposium for Faculty - Free

The National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE), Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (CEDD) and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC)  invite you to participate in a series of weekly webinars that will introduce you to exciting resources for teaching about climate change science and solutions that are located on the CAMEL (Climate Adaptation and Mitigation E-learning) web portal (www.CAMELclimatechange.org).

NCSE will provide a “digital badge” of participation to registered faculty members.

 

Each webinar will feature a faculty member discussing a teaching module or exercise and how to use it in your teaching. The modules to be discussed are designed for undergraduate students, primarily at an introductory level.

Webinar weekly schedule >>

March 20 -  May 22, 2012

Tuesdays, 3 pm Eastern Time

Registration  >>  Click on the appropriate date . Register today for one or all sessions.

1.       March 20 - Introduction to the CAMEL Resource,  Andy Jorgensen, University of Toledo

2.       March 27 - David Kitchen, University of Richmond, Recent Climate Change

3.       April 3 - Arnold Bloom, Un. California - Davis, Climate Change and Wine

4.       April 10 -  Kevin Spigel, Unity College: A Mini-Module Approach to Understanding Climate Change

5.       April 17 -  Tricia Mynster, University of Nevada – Las Vegas, Climate Change Impacts on Colorado River Water Supply

6.       April 24 -  Octaviana Trujillo, Northern Arizona University and Teresa Newberry, TOCC – Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Climate Change

7.       May 1 -  Dave Hassenzahl, Chatham University, NASA Time Machine Visualization

8.       May 8  - Stephanie Pfirman and Patrick Callahan, Barnard College

9.       May 15 - Mike Finewood, Chatham University,  Climate Change and Food

10.   May 22  - Lisa Bosman and William Van Lopik, College of the Menominee, Climate Change and Energy from an American Indian Perspective

 

The symposium is open to members of the CAMEL climate change community. To join the community, go to www.CAMELclimatechange.org

For additional information contact:  ginny@ncseonline.org

All webinars will be archived and posted on the CAMEL portal.

The CAMEL project is funded by the National Science Foundation. Many of the modules were developed with funding from the NASA Innovations in Climate Change Education program.

 

12th International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements

The 2013 ICOBTE Conference organizing committee cordially invites you to participate in the 12th International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements (ICOBTE). One of the conference themes is “Sustainable Remediation and Management of Contaminated Sites”. Session topics include the fate and effects of trace elements, micronutrients and radionuclides, including their chemical speciation, bioavailability, toxicity, food chain pathways, rhizosphere interactions, etc. The Conference will be held at the University of Georgia’s Conference Center & Hotel (http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/) in Athens, GA from June 16-20, 2013. Additional details are available at the conference website, http://icobte2013.org/. 

                The 12^th ICOBTE is a continuation of the very successful ICOBTE series, held most recently in China (2007), Mexico (2009), and Italy (2011). The ICOBTE Conference brings together scientists, professionals and policy makers providing a multidisciplinary arena for discussing the latest scientific developments concerning the biogeochemistry of trace elements and metalloids, analytical methods for trace element detection, speciation and bioavailability, recent advances in remediation technologies and regulatory measures for trace element contaminated sites. These subjects will be discussed in a series of special symposia organized by leading international experts.

                The Conference will also host plenary lectures and technical sessions on relevant issues related to trace element biogeochemistry, as well as technical excursions, specialized training seminars, and social events. The request for Special Symposium proposals opens February 1, 2012 (see website for details). The call for on-line abstract submissions will open June 1, 2012, with a deadline for abstract submission of November 30, 2012. For additional information, please check the Conference website or contact organizers directly.

 

SE Lake & Watershed Conference

The Southeastern Lake and Watershed Conference is coming up in May!  The conference brings together interested individuals from the eight states of EPA Region 4 for opportunities to share information and ideas.  This year it is back in Georgia and is hosted by the Georgia Lakes Society, an affiliate of NALMS.  The theme is “Ripple Effect: Balancing the Needs of Water Resources for a Sustainable Future.”

Click for conference information!
(or go to www.georgialakes.org - scroll to News & Events)

 

Call for Abstracts - 2012 S.C. Water Resources Conference

Abstracts are now being accepted at www.scwaterconference.org

The conference is coordinated by Clemson University’s Center for Watershed Excellence in conjunction with a statewide planning committee. The purpose of the conference is to provide an integrated forum for discussion of water policies, research projects and water management in the state. The event focuses on research and policies vital to the quality of life and economic prosperity of South Carolina and seeks to build productive collaboration among key stakeholders and interested citizens from across the state. The 2008 and 2010 conferences each brought together over 300 attendees from municipal water authorities, environmental engineering and consulting firms, colleges and universities, environmental law firms, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, economic development organizations, utility companies, land trusts and governmental entities.

The deadline for abstract submittal is March 30th. Please visit www.scwaterconference.org for all conference details and the proceedings from the 2008 and 2010 conferences. Additional questions about the conference can be directed to the conference coordinator, Dawn Anticole White at dawnw@clemson.edu or (864) 656-2618.

 

SCNPS Symposium, Clemson University, April 13-15

Native Plants: Living History Lessons" - April 13, 14 & 15, 2012 at the Madren Center, Clemson University

Native plants are attractive and resourceful collaborators in natural communities, and they increase the beauty and sustainability of our landscapes. In addition, they are living, breathing (well, transpiring!) lessons on the history of the place where they are found. American native plants, by definition, have occupied their physiographic space for at least 500 years. In truth, they are surviving descendants of the natural ecosystems that occupied that place in pre-Columbian times, in pre-Ice Age times, in pre-human times, and far beyond that.

Our annual Native Plant Symposium will feature Philip Juras, a wonderful writer and painter of current and historic native plant landscapes. He will host a book signing on Friday evening. Recently he has taken on the task of rendering topographic and plant community views of important sites from William Bartram’s travels, working from historical site descriptions and from remnants of these and the few similar sites still available.

INFORMATIONAL BROCHURE (PDF file)
Rregistration form (Fillable PDF file)

** To use this registration form, please download it to your computer. There you can fill it out, save it, then either print it out and mail it in to Amy Fendley, 270 Thunder Valley Rd, Seneca, SC 29678 -OR- Attach it to an e-mail and send to registration@scnps.org. (Registrations sent to this e-mail address will be retrieved by Ted Thern, state treasurer, as well as by Amy Fendley.) If you wish to pay by credit card, please call Ted Thern at 864 859 2383. Ted will place your charge on our secure credit card terminal. Otherwise please mail a check to Amy Fendley at the address above.

 

Student Services

Many of you have already signed up for advisement, which begins next week.  Please be aware that you will be expected to bring the appropriate attached form – completed – with you to the meeting with your advisor.  Also, please arrive with a list of courses you want to take next semester (the fall and summer course schedule is now available on the Registrar’s website:  http://registrar.sc.edu/html/Course_Listings/)

ENVR Advisements Forms

BS in ENVR Sci Requirements

If you have any questions, please contact Shelley Schlenk at schlenk@mailbox.sc.edu

 

Collecting supplies for African children

You can make a difference to underprivileged children in South Africa!  Donate the following items, and Joan Hurley will bring them with her to the Mossel Bay Research Lab in Cape Town this summer.

Sanitary items for girls*

Art supplies (paints, crayons, markers, books, etc)

Sports equipment (deflated basketballs, soccer and rugby balls)

Note that these are specific items requested by the community near the research lab.  Please bring donations to PSC 108, and Joan will get them to Africa.

THANK YOU!!

*girls are not allowed in school during their monthly cycles, but sanitary items can enable them to attend*

 

Environmental Science Scholarships

All ENVR majors with a cumulative GPA over 3.0 are invited to apply for a scholarship, which pays $250 per semester beginning with Fall 2012 (plus a tuition discount for out-of-state students). 

If you wish to apply, please complete the application found here and return it to Shelley Schlenk with your essay and a letter of recommendation from one of your professors.  You do not need to provide a transcript.  Applications are due in full by April 1, and scholarship recipients will be notified within two weeks of that date.

** Please note: if you are already receiving a scholarship from our program, you do not need to reapply!  Your award will be automatically renewed provided you remain one of our majors and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA :-) **

Summer Courses

Sustainable Development and Indigenous Studies in Belize: Summer 2012

ISIS is offering several exciting courses in the summer for students interested in Indigenous Studies or Latin American and Caribbean Studies.  This is a great opportunity to earn college credit, gain valuable practical experience and experience the rich culture and ecology of Belize.  The courses incorporate field experiences and interactive opportunities with indigenous groups and communities in Belize.  The summer field program includes the following courses in Indigenous, Latin American and Caribbean Studies (and ISIS offers courses in others areas as well):
•    Traditional Knowledge: Sustainable Agriculture, Medicinal Plants & Cosmology
•    Indigenous Peoples of Belize and Central America
•    Sustaining Communities: Development for the Future
•    Cultural and Eco Tourism: Business and Economic Development in Action

This year's summer program is offered during two sessions over June and July. The courses are described in more detail in the attached flyer.  Students take two intensive courses over the period of one month.  The fee for the four week program is $3975, which includes tuition, field trips, housing and local transportation.   A single two week course is $2,500.  The syllabi are available online at www.isisbelize.com.

There are also opportunities with ISIS for faculty to teach or bring their own students groups to Belize and for student internships so please feel free to email Filiberto Penados, fpenados@isisbelize.com.  Cynthia Reece, the Program Manager with ISIS, will respond to questions related to housing, travel planning, course costs, and custom programs, creece@isisbelize.com.

 

Funding Available - Fellowship

Sustainable Technology Research Fellow

The Environmental Studies Program at Oberlin College invites applications for the position of Sustainable Technology Research Fellow. This is a full-time, one-year position (renewal for additional years contingent on grant funding), beginning as soon as a suitable applicant can be hired, reporting to the Director of the Environmental Studies Program.

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will assist in the development and management of a novel technological system of building and bioregional "dashboards" and other devices that provide city and college residents with environmentally and socially contextualized real-time feedback on electricity and water flows through college, residential and commercial buildings and through the City of Oberlin.

More information on the project can be found at:

www.oberlindashboard.org.

 

Requirements: We seek an individual with a bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience, with advanced computer skills and leadership potential and strong organizational skills who is excited by the opportunity to develop and manage novel technology designed to motivate and empower citizens to take care of the environment. Reliability, creativity, ability to independently trouble shoot and solve technical problems and to collaborate as a team member are necessary.

Desired Qualifications: General hardware and software problem solving skills and experience; scripting (e.g. php); database management (SQL); system administration and system management experience; web design (HTML, XML); project management.  It is not essential that applicants have all of these skills and experiences, but we are looking for someone who has the demonstrated ability to learn and teach themselves new skills as needs arise.

Compensation:  Within the range established for this position, salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes an excellent benefits package.

To Apply: Applicants should submit a résumé, along with a cover letter describing qualifications and interest in the position and contact information for at least three references to: Dr. John Petersen, Director of Environmental Studies Program, Oberlin College, 122 Elm Street, Oberlin, OH 44074, or john.petersen@oberlin.edu by March 30, 2012. Review of applications will start immediately and continue until the position is filled.

http://new.oberlin.edu/home/jobs/jobs_detail.dot?id=3872517