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April 28, 2009
President Obama Addresses the National Academy of Science
On April 27th, 2009 President Obama addressed the assembled US National Academies members. The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council make up the National Academies. They are private, nonprofit institutions that provide science, technology, and health policy advice under a 1863 congressional charter.
From the NAS Press Release:
"President Barack Obama announced new initiatives and investments in scientific research, innovation, and education, declaring once again to restore science to its rightful place. "The days of science taking a back seat to ideology are over," he said.
Calling science "more essential for our prosperity, our security, our health, and our environment than it has ever been," Obama said he is going to make major investments -- 3 percent of the gross domestic product -- in research and innovation. This exceeds the amount invested in 1964 at the height of the space race. He emphasized the importance of using funds to encourage high-risk, high-return research and to support researchers at the beginning of their careers."
,,,
"The president committed to doubling the budgets of three key science agencies -- the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy's Office of Science, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He also announced the launch of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, a new Department of Energy organization modeled after the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. And Obama said he would triple the number of NSF graduate research fellowships."
Video:
http://edg1.vcall.com/video/nas/launch.asp
Audio only:
http://nationalacademies.org/podcast/20090427.mp3
Still photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalacademyofsciences/sets/72157617300994183/
Text:
http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php?id=65
Press Release from the NAS:
http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=20090427
Posted by florador at 12:05 PM
April 23, 2009
Library merger meeting
I'd like to remind everyone of the meeting tomorrow, Friday the 24th, to
discuss the library new service model report, which I sent out earlier.
This is the last time for you to comment before the library administration
writes a report that will be sent to the Provost.
As a reminder, on p. 4 of that report, it is recommended that the Biology
Library merge with the ACES library in the spring of 2010.
If you can't make it to the meeting, please send your comments to Paula
Kaufman, ptk@illinois.edu, and/or Scott Walter, swalter@illinois.edu. They
will be revising the report and sending it to the Provost very quickly, so
the sooner you respond the more likely they'll be able to consider your
issues.
The meeting will be from 10-11AM, Friday, April 24 in Room 66 of the Mail
Library. That's down in the basement if you haven't been there before. I
hope to see you there.
Diane Schmidt
Biology Librarian
Posted by mmalliso at 4:26 PM
April 15, 2009
Biology Open House Research Poster Competition
The Biology Open House* is preparing an Undergraduate Research Poster Competition for Biology majors. The Open House is being held on Saturday, April 25th, on the second and third floors of the Natural History Building. Participants will be required to present their research to judges and a small audience. The best presenters will be awarded a monetary prize, the value of which is to be determined later. All you need to do is register by e-mailing Kamil Stelmach (kstelm2@illinois.edu).
*The Biology Open House is an event for middle school and high school participants of the Science Olympiad**, their parents, and middle/high school teachers to find out more about biology and what the programs at U of I have to offer. The Open House is being hosted by two student groups: Ligase MCB Club and the Illinois Biological Society .
**The Science Olympiad is a national organization that encourages science competitions between middle/high school students. Competitions include everything from being quizzed on science knowledge to building rockets, planes, catapults and robots.
Posted for
Kamil Stelmach
Illinois Biology Society Secretary
Illinois Biological Society (IBS) Biology Open House Poster Competition Chairman
*****************************
Melody Allison
Assistant Biology Librarian and Associate Professor of Library Administration
Biology Library
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
101 Burrill Hall, 407 South Goodwin
Urbana, IL 61801
mmalliso@illinois.edu
(217) 333-7461; 3654
Posted by mmalliso at 10:29 AM
April 14, 2009
Biology Library closure, part 2
Hello, everyone,
Here is the latest "New Service Model" proposal from the University
Library. As you'll see in the proposal, they still plan on closing the
Biology Library, merging it with the agriculture library. According to the
proposal as written, the Biology Library would close May 2010, although
our books and journals might not be moved to ACES until as late as
December 2010. The timing and details of the proposal are subject to
change, but the major actions are probably going to take place.
There will be another open session for comments held Friday, April 24th,
from 10:00 - 11:00 am in Room 66 in the basement of the Main Library.
Please plan on attending if you possibly can, and if not send your
comments by then to Paula Kaufman, ptk@illinois.edu, and Scott Walter,
swalter@illinois.edu.
Diane Schmidt
Biology Librarian
Posted by mmalliso at 10:04 AM