CHECK BACK IN THE SPRING FOR ALL OF UML CAMPUS EVENTS AND INFO!
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT,
Kate Watt
WUML News Dept
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Sunday, December 09, 2007
News Update 12-10-07
Campus News
The River Ambassador Program here at UMass Lowell to advantage of All America Recycles Day to host its Environmental Expo. The youth-based environmental group got to spread its message correlating recycling with environmental benefits. The Expo taught the students all aspects of recycling and incorporated fashion into the cause. A guest at the Expo, Pat Howland, did her part by shrinking old adult-sized sweaters and redecorating them for use by children. Amy Glowacki, Park Ranger for the Lowell National Historical Park, taught the pros and cons of polyester. The Park Ranger Uniforms are made almost solely from polyester, a material that isn’t eco-friendly and a contributor to global warming. The main point of these lessons was to show innovative ways to recycle.
Chancellor Marty Meehan spoke at a science-based state conference a few weeks ago, and is working steadfastly on what he has promised. “This year is the 50th anniversary of the launching of Sputnik by the USSR. That tiny craft streaking across the night sky set off an international space race but, more importantly, it got America in gear,” Meehan said in his keynote address. “All of a sudden, it was a matter of national security to be at the top of our game in science and technology. “Today, it’s a matter of national economic insecurity when you look at how fast India, China and other nations are wearing down our edge in research, technology, inventions and development of talent.” The main message of the speech was that Science and technology are going to play a very big role in our economic future, and that our educational efforts in these areas need to be coordinated and accelerated.
This month, this Tuesday as a matter of fact, Chancellor Marty Meehan will speak to Dr. Fred Lewis's Political Science classes. He is inviting all students to attend his speech, which will be in O' Leary Library Room 222 at 12:30 PM.
Students will also get one more chance to get their flu shots before the end of the holiday season. Students will be able to recieve their shots on December 14th, from 9 AM to 1 PM in the West Wing meeting room of the Costello Gym on North Campus. Anyone with questions can send them by email to Joan_Lehoullier@uml.edu. This is being done before the winter and flu season kick into high gear.
National News
Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina has been forced to end its fall semester early last Friday, due to an outbreak of whooping cough. 16 students have been suspected to have the sickness so far. The outbreak appears to have started when one infected student returned to campus this fall, Keirstead said. Twelve students are confirmed to have the bacterial infection, while another four cases are suspected, Keirstead said. An additional 158 students were tested, isolated and given antibiotics, while 1,200 students who showed no symptoms were given antibiotics as a precaution. 4200 more students will be given a vaccination to prevent the sickness. About 2,000 have already been given the vaccine.
Lastly, from Cape Canaveral in Florida, NASA delayed the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis yesterday, until next January. The shuttle launch was delayed due to a gauge in the fuel tank failing for the second time in four days. With only a few days remaining in the launch window for the shuttle, senior managers have decided to stand down until next month so that the problem can be better understood. Shuttle managers had said they would halt the countdown and call everything off if any of the four hydrogen fuel gauges acted up. Three failed during Thursday's launch attempt; no one knows why. Launch director Doug Lyons said Sunday's failure was similar to what happened before, except only one gauge malfunctioned this time.
That pretty much does it for the news today on Monday, December 10th.
The River Ambassador Program here at UMass Lowell to advantage of All America Recycles Day to host its Environmental Expo. The youth-based environmental group got to spread its message correlating recycling with environmental benefits. The Expo taught the students all aspects of recycling and incorporated fashion into the cause. A guest at the Expo, Pat Howland, did her part by shrinking old adult-sized sweaters and redecorating them for use by children. Amy Glowacki, Park Ranger for the Lowell National Historical Park, taught the pros and cons of polyester. The Park Ranger Uniforms are made almost solely from polyester, a material that isn’t eco-friendly and a contributor to global warming. The main point of these lessons was to show innovative ways to recycle.
Chancellor Marty Meehan spoke at a science-based state conference a few weeks ago, and is working steadfastly on what he has promised. “This year is the 50th anniversary of the launching of Sputnik by the USSR. That tiny craft streaking across the night sky set off an international space race but, more importantly, it got America in gear,” Meehan said in his keynote address. “All of a sudden, it was a matter of national security to be at the top of our game in science and technology. “Today, it’s a matter of national economic insecurity when you look at how fast India, China and other nations are wearing down our edge in research, technology, inventions and development of talent.” The main message of the speech was that Science and technology are going to play a very big role in our economic future, and that our educational efforts in these areas need to be coordinated and accelerated.
This month, this Tuesday as a matter of fact, Chancellor Marty Meehan will speak to Dr. Fred Lewis's Political Science classes. He is inviting all students to attend his speech, which will be in O' Leary Library Room 222 at 12:30 PM.
Students will also get one more chance to get their flu shots before the end of the holiday season. Students will be able to recieve their shots on December 14th, from 9 AM to 1 PM in the West Wing meeting room of the Costello Gym on North Campus. Anyone with questions can send them by email to Joan_Lehoullier@uml.edu. This is being done before the winter and flu season kick into high gear.
National News
Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina has been forced to end its fall semester early last Friday, due to an outbreak of whooping cough. 16 students have been suspected to have the sickness so far. The outbreak appears to have started when one infected student returned to campus this fall, Keirstead said. Twelve students are confirmed to have the bacterial infection, while another four cases are suspected, Keirstead said. An additional 158 students were tested, isolated and given antibiotics, while 1,200 students who showed no symptoms were given antibiotics as a precaution. 4200 more students will be given a vaccination to prevent the sickness. About 2,000 have already been given the vaccine.
Lastly, from Cape Canaveral in Florida, NASA delayed the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis yesterday, until next January. The shuttle launch was delayed due to a gauge in the fuel tank failing for the second time in four days. With only a few days remaining in the launch window for the shuttle, senior managers have decided to stand down until next month so that the problem can be better understood. Shuttle managers had said they would halt the countdown and call everything off if any of the four hydrogen fuel gauges acted up. Three failed during Thursday's launch attempt; no one knows why. Launch director Doug Lyons said Sunday's failure was similar to what happened before, except only one gauge malfunctioned this time.
That pretty much does it for the news today on Monday, December 10th.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
12/6/07 News Update
National News
The 19 year-old gunman who, according to police, killed eight people and then himself at a Nebraska mall left a suicide note, recently discovered. The note stated that the 19 year-old gunman predicted that the shootings would make him famous. The note was discovered by the gunman's landlord, Maruca Kovac, who found the suicide note after receiving a phone call from him a few minutes before the shootings.
"He basically said how sorry he was for everything. He didn't want to be a burden to people and that he was a piece of s--- all his life and that now he'd be famous." Is what Kovac had to say about the note.
Chief Thomas Warren of the Omaha Police Department believes the shootings were "premeditated", but also "appeared to be very random and without provocation."
The gunman is identified as Robert A. Hawkins of Bellvue, Nebraska.
The weather forecast for Thursday afternoon in Cape Canaveral, FL, seems like it will be perfect for the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis, which will hopefully allow the continuation of on-time takeoffs. Fueling of the shuttle bean at daybreak. If the shuttle does launch on time today, it will make it the 4th on time launch in a row for Atlantis.
The shuttle will carry a crew of seven and Europes space station lab, named Columbus. NASA's Destiny lab went up in 2001, and Columbus will be the second laboratory added to the space station, Japan will follow with a huge lab Kibo, which will go up in three sections beginning with the next shuttle mission in February.
Scientific work in Columbus will start almost immediately.
Local News
A rollover accident on the Lowell Connector caused some problems during the commute this morning, around 8:05am. The motorist in the accident had minor injuries, and police were able to open the road to traffic at about 8:40am.
Lowell City Manager Bernie Lynch said last night that the average home in Lowell will see a $30 increase in taxes this year, amounting to a 1% increase. The state average for the tax hike is $170. "The city of Lowell only owing up $20 is a really remarkable achievement for us," Lynch said. He also mentioned that 40% of the nearly 23,000 residential properties in the city could see tax bills actually decrease this year.
Campus News
Beginning next fall, students who live within 20mi of UMass Lowell in Southern NH can save more than $6,000 per year on the cost of their education. For the 2007-2008 academic year, out-of-state tuition and fees total just over $20,000 annually. Under the new program, students who qualify will be able to pay just under $14,000 annually. The program, called Proximity Regional Rate Program is based on the New England regional program, which allows out of state students studying a major not offered at their home-state campus to receive a reduced tuition, and also provides a reduction of about $6,000 per year.
Participating students are also eligible for on-campus housing after their first semester.
Sports News
Five of the University's six varsity teams qualified for the NCAA championships this fall, which makes this a strong season for UML athletics. The field hockey team advanced the furthest, and competed in the Division II national championship game for the third time in five years.
The men's soccer team ended one of its bests seasons by losing to Franklin Pierce in the New England Region Championship game. The women's soccer teams were also qualified for the NCAA's, but were eliminated in the first round by Merrimack College.
The Menes cross country team finished 13th, and the women's cross country team finished 21st at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championship. Both were the top finishing team in the Northeast region, and Junior Ruben Sanca placed 24th overall to earn All-America status.
For all of UMass Lowell's sports details and schedules, visit GORIVERHAWKS.com
That's the latest on news and sports on WULM Lowell 91.5FM!
The 19 year-old gunman who, according to police, killed eight people and then himself at a Nebraska mall left a suicide note, recently discovered. The note stated that the 19 year-old gunman predicted that the shootings would make him famous. The note was discovered by the gunman's landlord, Maruca Kovac, who found the suicide note after receiving a phone call from him a few minutes before the shootings.
"He basically said how sorry he was for everything. He didn't want to be a burden to people and that he was a piece of s--- all his life and that now he'd be famous." Is what Kovac had to say about the note.
Chief Thomas Warren of the Omaha Police Department believes the shootings were "premeditated", but also "appeared to be very random and without provocation."
The gunman is identified as Robert A. Hawkins of Bellvue, Nebraska.
The weather forecast for Thursday afternoon in Cape Canaveral, FL, seems like it will be perfect for the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis, which will hopefully allow the continuation of on-time takeoffs. Fueling of the shuttle bean at daybreak. If the shuttle does launch on time today, it will make it the 4th on time launch in a row for Atlantis.
The shuttle will carry a crew of seven and Europes space station lab, named Columbus. NASA's Destiny lab went up in 2001, and Columbus will be the second laboratory added to the space station, Japan will follow with a huge lab Kibo, which will go up in three sections beginning with the next shuttle mission in February.
Scientific work in Columbus will start almost immediately.
Local News
A rollover accident on the Lowell Connector caused some problems during the commute this morning, around 8:05am. The motorist in the accident had minor injuries, and police were able to open the road to traffic at about 8:40am.
Lowell City Manager Bernie Lynch said last night that the average home in Lowell will see a $30 increase in taxes this year, amounting to a 1% increase. The state average for the tax hike is $170. "The city of Lowell only owing up $20 is a really remarkable achievement for us," Lynch said. He also mentioned that 40% of the nearly 23,000 residential properties in the city could see tax bills actually decrease this year.
Campus News
Beginning next fall, students who live within 20mi of UMass Lowell in Southern NH can save more than $6,000 per year on the cost of their education. For the 2007-2008 academic year, out-of-state tuition and fees total just over $20,000 annually. Under the new program, students who qualify will be able to pay just under $14,000 annually. The program, called Proximity Regional Rate Program is based on the New England regional program, which allows out of state students studying a major not offered at their home-state campus to receive a reduced tuition, and also provides a reduction of about $6,000 per year.
Participating students are also eligible for on-campus housing after their first semester.
Sports News
Five of the University's six varsity teams qualified for the NCAA championships this fall, which makes this a strong season for UML athletics. The field hockey team advanced the furthest, and competed in the Division II national championship game for the third time in five years.
The men's soccer team ended one of its bests seasons by losing to Franklin Pierce in the New England Region Championship game. The women's soccer teams were also qualified for the NCAA's, but were eliminated in the first round by Merrimack College.
The Menes cross country team finished 13th, and the women's cross country team finished 21st at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championship. Both were the top finishing team in the Northeast region, and Junior Ruben Sanca placed 24th overall to earn All-America status.
For all of UMass Lowell's sports details and schedules, visit GORIVERHAWKS.com
That's the latest on news and sports on WULM Lowell 91.5FM!
Sunday, December 02, 2007
News Update 12-3-07
Campus News
A new, fire-retardant paint has been introduced into campus buildings, due to a partnership with a local company dealing with fire safety. The paint is called PyroTarp, and is made by the company Bradford Industries. Since many of the on-campus buildings are almost a hundred years old, and thus are constructed primarily of wood and other flammable materials, many believe that the use of Pyro Tarp will help reduce risk of fire on campus. The paint reflects the heat and absorbs it. It is designed to stop combustion of materials, preventing fire from spreading and limiting smoke, according to Bradford Industries.
Victor Piper, a former undergraduate student here at UMass Lowell's Electrical Engineering Department, helped design a special computer keyboard for a man living in the area that has cerebral palsy. The man, Yeth John Kong, is a resident in Tyngsboro who loves to write poetry, but found it difficult due to his condition. He conducted a survey of commercial solutions already on the market, but found them unsuitable for Kong’s specific need. “Yeth needed a way to enter text more rapidly,” he says. “I decided to seek an approach that would combine hardware and software.” He was assisted by ZiCorp, a Canadian company dealing with intelligent interface solutions, in its development. The project cost less than $100 dollars.
Many scientific disciplines and institutions, including biologists, taxonomists and research institutions have been working quietly on a massive and ambitious project: to identify and catalog every living biological species on planet Earth. Called the Consortium for the Barcode of Life, or CBOL, the project, which was launched in 2004 by the Smithsonian Institution with funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, is committed to applying molecular barcode technology as a means of identifying every organism. Rick Hochberg, an assistant professor of zoology in UMass Lowell’s Biological Sciences Department, is involved in CBOL as an associate researcher for the Smithsonian. “A molecular bar code is a short sequence of DNA, or nucleotides, from a mitochondrial gene called cytochrome c oxidase I,” says Hochberg. “This gene varies by about 1 to 2 percent per species, which means that in theory, each species will have a unique DNA barcode.”
The UMass Lowell hockey team, the Riverhawks, have been enjoying a huge growth of popularity and attendance lately. This is believed to be a result of a strong season ticket sales effort and creative promotional activities that are attracting new fans. Despite playing teams that historically don’t draw big audiences — in months when baseball is more on sports fans minds than hockey — the River Hawks are averaging about 3,500 fans per game, including a large student fan base. “The buzz I’m hearing is about the change in the environment at the arena,” says Athletic Director Dana Skinner. “Coach Blaise MacDonald told me the UMass Amherst game (on Nov. 10) was the first time he could remember when the fans cheering actually picked the team up in the third period. There’s really a buzz at home games this year.” It's interesting to note that two of the first home games of the season were wins against the University of Alabama-Huntsville, a team without a local fan base or a well-known national reputation.
National and World News
Thousands of customers with without power in the Midwest Sunday, as a huge winter storm made its way across it and is currently affecting New England right now. At least 10 traffic deaths have been blamed on weather-related traffic accidents. Winter storm warnings were in effect into Monday in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and into Tuesday in parts of New York state. On the other side of the weather system, warnings were issued for parts of Michigan, where freezing rain and sleet was predicted to turn to all snow late Sunday. As of now, the snow is expected to continue until 11:00 AM this morning.
Lastly, a pardon is being discussed by Sudan's president Omar al-Bashir and two British lawmakers for a teacher who is being charged with insulting religion in the region. The announcement came shortly after the two British lawmakers -- in Khartoum since Saturday to secure the release of Gillian Gibbons -- announced they were delaying their planned departure from the capital. Nazir Ahmed and Sayeeda Warsi, Muslim members of the House of Lords, have been working to persuade the Sudanese government that releasing Gibbons would create international goodwill toward their country. Gibbons is currently under fire for allowing her classmates to name a teddy bear "Mohammed," the name shared by a prophet of the Muslim faith. Some protestors have even gone as far to call for her execution. The pardon will be discussed for most of the day today.
That just about does it for the news for this Monday, December 3rd.
A new, fire-retardant paint has been introduced into campus buildings, due to a partnership with a local company dealing with fire safety. The paint is called PyroTarp, and is made by the company Bradford Industries. Since many of the on-campus buildings are almost a hundred years old, and thus are constructed primarily of wood and other flammable materials, many believe that the use of Pyro Tarp will help reduce risk of fire on campus. The paint reflects the heat and absorbs it. It is designed to stop combustion of materials, preventing fire from spreading and limiting smoke, according to Bradford Industries.
Victor Piper, a former undergraduate student here at UMass Lowell's Electrical Engineering Department, helped design a special computer keyboard for a man living in the area that has cerebral palsy. The man, Yeth John Kong, is a resident in Tyngsboro who loves to write poetry, but found it difficult due to his condition. He conducted a survey of commercial solutions already on the market, but found them unsuitable for Kong’s specific need. “Yeth needed a way to enter text more rapidly,” he says. “I decided to seek an approach that would combine hardware and software.” He was assisted by ZiCorp, a Canadian company dealing with intelligent interface solutions, in its development. The project cost less than $100 dollars.
Many scientific disciplines and institutions, including biologists, taxonomists and research institutions have been working quietly on a massive and ambitious project: to identify and catalog every living biological species on planet Earth. Called the Consortium for the Barcode of Life, or CBOL, the project, which was launched in 2004 by the Smithsonian Institution with funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, is committed to applying molecular barcode technology as a means of identifying every organism. Rick Hochberg, an assistant professor of zoology in UMass Lowell’s Biological Sciences Department, is involved in CBOL as an associate researcher for the Smithsonian. “A molecular bar code is a short sequence of DNA, or nucleotides, from a mitochondrial gene called cytochrome c oxidase I,” says Hochberg. “This gene varies by about 1 to 2 percent per species, which means that in theory, each species will have a unique DNA barcode.”
The UMass Lowell hockey team, the Riverhawks, have been enjoying a huge growth of popularity and attendance lately. This is believed to be a result of a strong season ticket sales effort and creative promotional activities that are attracting new fans. Despite playing teams that historically don’t draw big audiences — in months when baseball is more on sports fans minds than hockey — the River Hawks are averaging about 3,500 fans per game, including a large student fan base. “The buzz I’m hearing is about the change in the environment at the arena,” says Athletic Director Dana Skinner. “Coach Blaise MacDonald told me the UMass Amherst game (on Nov. 10) was the first time he could remember when the fans cheering actually picked the team up in the third period. There’s really a buzz at home games this year.” It's interesting to note that two of the first home games of the season were wins against the University of Alabama-Huntsville, a team without a local fan base or a well-known national reputation.
National and World News
Thousands of customers with without power in the Midwest Sunday, as a huge winter storm made its way across it and is currently affecting New England right now. At least 10 traffic deaths have been blamed on weather-related traffic accidents. Winter storm warnings were in effect into Monday in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and into Tuesday in parts of New York state. On the other side of the weather system, warnings were issued for parts of Michigan, where freezing rain and sleet was predicted to turn to all snow late Sunday. As of now, the snow is expected to continue until 11:00 AM this morning.
Lastly, a pardon is being discussed by Sudan's president Omar al-Bashir and two British lawmakers for a teacher who is being charged with insulting religion in the region. The announcement came shortly after the two British lawmakers -- in Khartoum since Saturday to secure the release of Gillian Gibbons -- announced they were delaying their planned departure from the capital. Nazir Ahmed and Sayeeda Warsi, Muslim members of the House of Lords, have been working to persuade the Sudanese government that releasing Gibbons would create international goodwill toward their country. Gibbons is currently under fire for allowing her classmates to name a teddy bear "Mohammed," the name shared by a prophet of the Muslim faith. Some protestors have even gone as far to call for her execution. The pardon will be discussed for most of the day today.
That just about does it for the news for this Monday, December 3rd.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
News Update 11-26-07
Campus News
On November 30th, the memory of the late Prof. Sukant Tripathy will be honored this Friday at the Wannalancit Mills from 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM. Several top scientists, in the fields of semiconductors, metals, ceramics and polymers, will speak at the 2007 Sukant Tripathy Annual Memorial Symposium. Tripathy was a renowned researcher and was the fromer director for the Center for Advanced Materials. Colleaguse from both university and industry will be brought together at this event, and many topics concerning scientific study of materials will be discussed.
Also this Friday, the UMass Lowell Center for Women and Work will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary. From 11:30 AM to 7 PM in Cumnock Hall, a ceremony called "Women's Works: A Celebration of Creativity and Schlarship" will be held. It will primarily feature women with ties to the university displaying and selling their own creations. Things that will be available there will include crafts, art, poetry, food, and publications, including Meg Bond's new book, "Workplace Chemistry: Promoting Diversity through Organizational Change." The center is an interdisciplinary institution that has worked to advance knowledge about the relationship between gender and work through research, enhance understanding through education and training, and challenge inequalities through institutional change for the past decade.
In Health news, it is once again flu season, and people are already scrambling to get flu shots. It is said that starting November 27th, UMass Lowell will be offering flu shots to students on campus and commuting. You can get your flu shot at Cumnock Hall from 10 AM to 2 PM on the 27th, as long as you flash your UML ID and pay $15 dollars in cash or credit.
The entire University of Massachusetts system set a record this year, with all UMass schools combined spending well over $400 million dollars on research and development for all the schools. According to National SWcience Foundation figures released last week, this makes the University of Massachusetts in general the third largest academic research institution in the state, behind MIT and Harvard. Of total spending, 60 percent went to life sciences, 20 percent to physical sciences and engineering, 6 percent to mathematical and computer sciences, and 5 percent to environmental sciences. UMass Lowell took part in this massive spending effort by spending $29 million dollars over the fiscal year.
3,035 high school students in the Boston region won John and Abigail Adams Scholarships this fall, around the South Boston region. Hull, Middleborough, Pembroke, Brockton, Scituate, West Bridgewater, Holbrook, and Rockland high schools were the ones that had the biggest increases of winning students, at least over 20 percent. To win, students must be in the top 25 percent in their district and score Advanced on one MCAS exam and either Advanced or Proficient on the other. Students must also maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better while in college to keep receiving aid. This scholarship awards free tuition for state colleges, including UMass Lowell. It is speculated that some of these scholarship winners will be onsidering UMass Lowell as their school of choice.
Investigation continues over the case of a woman who was found dead in the home of a motorist who crashed his car in Methuen on November 20th. Jeffrey McGee, 36, was injured in the crash along with a 4-year old passenger. The woman was found in his home in Chelmsford, her throat slashed. Middlesex District Attorney Gerard T. Leone Jr. has stated that this incident of violence is an isolated case, and is not a cause for public alarm. The woman is speculated to be 31 years old, and to be McGee's wife and mother to the 4-year old. Elizabeth Stachowicz, a 20-year-old student at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell who lives there, said the residents are quiet and trouble is rare at the apartment complex where the murder is said to have taken place. This news comes within weeks after a series of burglaries took place at UMass Lowell, which is partially the reason why Leone had to state that this was not a cause for public alarm.
National News
In New York City, homelessness has been on the rise, with some homeless families unfairly being denied shelter. While the number of homeless single adults has declined 19 percent since then, officials acknowledge that the number of homeless families is at an all-time high, with more than 9,500 in the shelter system. The Legal Aid Society has been taking city officials to court, saying that some families have unfairly been considered ineligible for aid, but the city has vehemently denied this. For example, recently a family of five, the Rosas, were denied shelter by the city because it was believed that they had relatives in Puerto Rico with whom they could stay, and because of a new city policy, social workers also denied the family emergency one-night shelter. Last year, 51.6 percent of homeless families that were deemed to be ineligible for shelter in the city were found later to be eligible. The City Council of New York is trying their best at this time to resolve the situation.
Lastly, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney had some pessimistic comments about this week's upcoming Middle East Peace Conference in Annapolis, Maryland. His reply to a question in an audience yesterday when asked about it was "I always like people to talk to each other and I'm hopeful, but I'm not terribly optimistic about it." At this time, Romney does not currently believe that the Palestinians are at all capable of forming a secure and stable government in Israel. "It's very difficult to establish peace when you don't have somebody across the table who has responsibility and can manage their side of the table," he said. "My expectations are modest because of their inability to really follow the road map." This is not the first time that Romeny has expressed this sentiment about Israel or the Middle East.
That'll do it for the news on this Monday, November 26th 2007.
On November 30th, the memory of the late Prof. Sukant Tripathy will be honored this Friday at the Wannalancit Mills from 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM. Several top scientists, in the fields of semiconductors, metals, ceramics and polymers, will speak at the 2007 Sukant Tripathy Annual Memorial Symposium. Tripathy was a renowned researcher and was the fromer director for the Center for Advanced Materials. Colleaguse from both university and industry will be brought together at this event, and many topics concerning scientific study of materials will be discussed.
Also this Friday, the UMass Lowell Center for Women and Work will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary. From 11:30 AM to 7 PM in Cumnock Hall, a ceremony called "Women's Works: A Celebration of Creativity and Schlarship" will be held. It will primarily feature women with ties to the university displaying and selling their own creations. Things that will be available there will include crafts, art, poetry, food, and publications, including Meg Bond's new book, "Workplace Chemistry: Promoting Diversity through Organizational Change." The center is an interdisciplinary institution that has worked to advance knowledge about the relationship between gender and work through research, enhance understanding through education and training, and challenge inequalities through institutional change for the past decade.
In Health news, it is once again flu season, and people are already scrambling to get flu shots. It is said that starting November 27th, UMass Lowell will be offering flu shots to students on campus and commuting. You can get your flu shot at Cumnock Hall from 10 AM to 2 PM on the 27th, as long as you flash your UML ID and pay $15 dollars in cash or credit.
The entire University of Massachusetts system set a record this year, with all UMass schools combined spending well over $400 million dollars on research and development for all the schools. According to National SWcience Foundation figures released last week, this makes the University of Massachusetts in general the third largest academic research institution in the state, behind MIT and Harvard. Of total spending, 60 percent went to life sciences, 20 percent to physical sciences and engineering, 6 percent to mathematical and computer sciences, and 5 percent to environmental sciences. UMass Lowell took part in this massive spending effort by spending $29 million dollars over the fiscal year.
3,035 high school students in the Boston region won John and Abigail Adams Scholarships this fall, around the South Boston region. Hull, Middleborough, Pembroke, Brockton, Scituate, West Bridgewater, Holbrook, and Rockland high schools were the ones that had the biggest increases of winning students, at least over 20 percent. To win, students must be in the top 25 percent in their district and score Advanced on one MCAS exam and either Advanced or Proficient on the other. Students must also maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better while in college to keep receiving aid. This scholarship awards free tuition for state colleges, including UMass Lowell. It is speculated that some of these scholarship winners will be onsidering UMass Lowell as their school of choice.
Investigation continues over the case of a woman who was found dead in the home of a motorist who crashed his car in Methuen on November 20th. Jeffrey McGee, 36, was injured in the crash along with a 4-year old passenger. The woman was found in his home in Chelmsford, her throat slashed. Middlesex District Attorney Gerard T. Leone Jr. has stated that this incident of violence is an isolated case, and is not a cause for public alarm. The woman is speculated to be 31 years old, and to be McGee's wife and mother to the 4-year old. Elizabeth Stachowicz, a 20-year-old student at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell who lives there, said the residents are quiet and trouble is rare at the apartment complex where the murder is said to have taken place. This news comes within weeks after a series of burglaries took place at UMass Lowell, which is partially the reason why Leone had to state that this was not a cause for public alarm.
National News
In New York City, homelessness has been on the rise, with some homeless families unfairly being denied shelter. While the number of homeless single adults has declined 19 percent since then, officials acknowledge that the number of homeless families is at an all-time high, with more than 9,500 in the shelter system. The Legal Aid Society has been taking city officials to court, saying that some families have unfairly been considered ineligible for aid, but the city has vehemently denied this. For example, recently a family of five, the Rosas, were denied shelter by the city because it was believed that they had relatives in Puerto Rico with whom they could stay, and because of a new city policy, social workers also denied the family emergency one-night shelter. Last year, 51.6 percent of homeless families that were deemed to be ineligible for shelter in the city were found later to be eligible. The City Council of New York is trying their best at this time to resolve the situation.
Lastly, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney had some pessimistic comments about this week's upcoming Middle East Peace Conference in Annapolis, Maryland. His reply to a question in an audience yesterday when asked about it was "I always like people to talk to each other and I'm hopeful, but I'm not terribly optimistic about it." At this time, Romney does not currently believe that the Palestinians are at all capable of forming a secure and stable government in Israel. "It's very difficult to establish peace when you don't have somebody across the table who has responsibility and can manage their side of the table," he said. "My expectations are modest because of their inability to really follow the road map." This is not the first time that Romeny has expressed this sentiment about Israel or the Middle East.
That'll do it for the news on this Monday, November 26th 2007.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
News Update 11/20/07
National News
California Attorney General Jerry Brown is suing nearly two-dozen companies for manufacturing and selling toys that contain lead. The suit would force the companies, including Mattel and Toys R Us, to change the way the products are inspected. Michael Green with the Center for Environmental Health says he applauds the state for doing what the federal government won't. Some of the other toy sellers named in the suit include Wal-Mart, Target, Sears and Costco.
Nearly ten-thousand people in the U.S. were targets of hate crimes last year. FBI statistics show the number of hate crimes reported to law enforcement agencies rose eight percent, after hitting a decade low in 2005. ABC News cites the statistics as showing that more than half the reported hate crimes were motivated by a racial bias. Statistics also show that almost 20 percent of hate crimes showed a religious bias, 15-and-a-half percent involved a sexual orientation bias and 12 percent demonstrated bias based on ethnicity or national origin.
State News
Sixteen years, six governors, and 15-billion-dollars later the Big Big project is finally coming to an end. The "Boston Globe" reports the Big Dig office will officially close on December 31st. The largest public works project in the nation's history has brought years of detours,161 new highway lanes, tunnel leaks, lawsuits and a skyrocketing price tag that started out at under three-billion-dollars. At the height of the project the staff numbered eleven-hundred, in addition to five-thousand construction workers. By the end of the year just 38 people will remain on the project. Officials say it could take up to three years to wrap up all the financial and legal details.
Governor Patrick's life science bill has hit a roadblock on Beacon Hill. Despite a push by the administration, the legislature is not likely to act on it before they adjourn for the year tomorrow. Patrick wants the state to invest a billion-dollars in the biotechnology industry over ten years. The governor argues if the state doesn't make the commitment life science companies could decide not to expand in Massachusetts.
Sports
Around the majors, Mike Lowell is reportedly returning to the Red Sox with a new three-year deal, Tom Glavine agreed to a one-year pact with Atlanta, Mariano Rivera accepted the Yankees' three-year contract, and Greg Maddux agreed to a one-year pact with the Padres.
The Boston Bruins face off in Toronto tonight against the Maple Leafs. Game starts at 7pm.
UML Field Hockey Players; Michelle Harrington, Missy Seeley, and Jayne Vagenas, were named to the 2007 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II All-American First Team. while Jaci Moulton was named to the All-American Second Team. The River Hawks finished the season 19-3 and made their fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament, including winning the NCAA championship in 2005. UML captured the 2007 Northeast-10 regular season with a 15-1 regular season conference record. The River Hawks won the NE-10 tournament title for the fifth straight year.
For all of UMass Lowell’s sports details and schedules, visit goriverhawks.com.
That's the latest in weather, news, and sports on WUML Lowell 91.5 fm!
California Attorney General Jerry Brown is suing nearly two-dozen companies for manufacturing and selling toys that contain lead. The suit would force the companies, including Mattel and Toys R Us, to change the way the products are inspected. Michael Green with the Center for Environmental Health says he applauds the state for doing what the federal government won't. Some of the other toy sellers named in the suit include Wal-Mart, Target, Sears and Costco.
Nearly ten-thousand people in the U.S. were targets of hate crimes last year. FBI statistics show the number of hate crimes reported to law enforcement agencies rose eight percent, after hitting a decade low in 2005. ABC News cites the statistics as showing that more than half the reported hate crimes were motivated by a racial bias. Statistics also show that almost 20 percent of hate crimes showed a religious bias, 15-and-a-half percent involved a sexual orientation bias and 12 percent demonstrated bias based on ethnicity or national origin.
State News
Sixteen years, six governors, and 15-billion-dollars later the Big Big project is finally coming to an end. The "Boston Globe" reports the Big Dig office will officially close on December 31st. The largest public works project in the nation's history has brought years of detours,161 new highway lanes, tunnel leaks, lawsuits and a skyrocketing price tag that started out at under three-billion-dollars. At the height of the project the staff numbered eleven-hundred, in addition to five-thousand construction workers. By the end of the year just 38 people will remain on the project. Officials say it could take up to three years to wrap up all the financial and legal details.
Governor Patrick's life science bill has hit a roadblock on Beacon Hill. Despite a push by the administration, the legislature is not likely to act on it before they adjourn for the year tomorrow. Patrick wants the state to invest a billion-dollars in the biotechnology industry over ten years. The governor argues if the state doesn't make the commitment life science companies could decide not to expand in Massachusetts.
Sports
Around the majors, Mike Lowell is reportedly returning to the Red Sox with a new three-year deal, Tom Glavine agreed to a one-year pact with Atlanta, Mariano Rivera accepted the Yankees' three-year contract, and Greg Maddux agreed to a one-year pact with the Padres.
The Boston Bruins face off in Toronto tonight against the Maple Leafs. Game starts at 7pm.
UML Field Hockey Players; Michelle Harrington, Missy Seeley, and Jayne Vagenas, were named to the 2007 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II All-American First Team. while Jaci Moulton was named to the All-American Second Team. The River Hawks finished the season 19-3 and made their fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament, including winning the NCAA championship in 2005. UML captured the 2007 Northeast-10 regular season with a 15-1 regular season conference record. The River Hawks won the NE-10 tournament title for the fifth straight year.
For all of UMass Lowell’s sports details and schedules, visit goriverhawks.com.
That's the latest in weather, news, and sports on WUML Lowell 91.5 fm!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
News Update 11-18-07
Campus News
One million dollars was recieved from the state a few weeks ago, by UMass Lowell to renovate the Bellegrade Boathouse, and renovations are starting to go underway. The one million dollars will help to get the project started, however donations and other funds will help with most of the work, according to Marty Meehan. It has already been planned that the Boathouse, which is used by the UML and Lowell High School crew teams and the Merrimack River Rowing Association, will recieve a new roof, new windows, doors, gutters, trim, siding, bathrooms, boat docks, signs, and systems to prevent flooding at the boathouse, as well as repairs to fencing and the building's deck.
UMass Lowell is trying to establish a closer connection with the Lowell business community, and is doing so by forming a partnership with the Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank, along with the Aide Family. The Aides own some 25 area Dunkin Donuts restaurants. In 1968, Tom Adie's father, William, started the first store on Chelmsford Street in Chelmsford, just off I-495. Also, it is worth noting that Lowell Five is the city's oldest financial institution. It is speculated that there is much more to come out of this partnership, including a McDonalds on campus, among other businesses that will hopefully generate more money for the University.
For a brief story in sports, Riverhawks goal Nevin Hamilton is finally starting to hit his stride, even after recovering from an injury last season. So far, Hamilton has been started in the first seven games this season. Hamilton, 1-1-2 with a 2.89 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage in his starts, posted a career-high 36 saves in a 3-3 tie against UMass-Amherst last weekend.
National News
Debate over the use of force, perceptions of threats and police training have arisen this week, after there has been much discussion about an incident in New York where 18 year old Khiel Coppin was shot to death by NYPD officers on November 12th. Coppin was outside of his home, and had a hairbrush in his hand, which the officers believed was a gun. Police came to the home after a 911 call from Coppin was responded to, saying he had a gun. Coppin was mentally ill. It has been said by many debaters and analysts that sometimes on the field, candy bars, wallets, even baggy pants have been percieved as guns or other weapons. A candlelight vigil was held for the teenager Tuesday, and further investigation by the NYPD and federal and state authorities has commenced since the incident.
Lastly, according to a private research group's controversial analysis of annual FBI crime statistics, Detroit has been named America's most dangerous city. The data was published by CQ Press, a unit of Congressional Quarterly Inc. Supposedly, Detroit leads the nation in homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and auto theft. The study has come under a lot of fire by government officials lately, mostly by the FBI and the American Society of Criminology. Its accuracy and findings have been called into question, and criticized as "too simplistic."
That'll do it for the news on this Monday, November 19th.
One million dollars was recieved from the state a few weeks ago, by UMass Lowell to renovate the Bellegrade Boathouse, and renovations are starting to go underway. The one million dollars will help to get the project started, however donations and other funds will help with most of the work, according to Marty Meehan. It has already been planned that the Boathouse, which is used by the UML and Lowell High School crew teams and the Merrimack River Rowing Association, will recieve a new roof, new windows, doors, gutters, trim, siding, bathrooms, boat docks, signs, and systems to prevent flooding at the boathouse, as well as repairs to fencing and the building's deck.
UMass Lowell is trying to establish a closer connection with the Lowell business community, and is doing so by forming a partnership with the Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank, along with the Aide Family. The Aides own some 25 area Dunkin Donuts restaurants. In 1968, Tom Adie's father, William, started the first store on Chelmsford Street in Chelmsford, just off I-495. Also, it is worth noting that Lowell Five is the city's oldest financial institution. It is speculated that there is much more to come out of this partnership, including a McDonalds on campus, among other businesses that will hopefully generate more money for the University.
For a brief story in sports, Riverhawks goal Nevin Hamilton is finally starting to hit his stride, even after recovering from an injury last season. So far, Hamilton has been started in the first seven games this season. Hamilton, 1-1-2 with a 2.89 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage in his starts, posted a career-high 36 saves in a 3-3 tie against UMass-Amherst last weekend.
National News
Debate over the use of force, perceptions of threats and police training have arisen this week, after there has been much discussion about an incident in New York where 18 year old Khiel Coppin was shot to death by NYPD officers on November 12th. Coppin was outside of his home, and had a hairbrush in his hand, which the officers believed was a gun. Police came to the home after a 911 call from Coppin was responded to, saying he had a gun. Coppin was mentally ill. It has been said by many debaters and analysts that sometimes on the field, candy bars, wallets, even baggy pants have been percieved as guns or other weapons. A candlelight vigil was held for the teenager Tuesday, and further investigation by the NYPD and federal and state authorities has commenced since the incident.
Lastly, according to a private research group's controversial analysis of annual FBI crime statistics, Detroit has been named America's most dangerous city. The data was published by CQ Press, a unit of Congressional Quarterly Inc. Supposedly, Detroit leads the nation in homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and auto theft. The study has come under a lot of fire by government officials lately, mostly by the FBI and the American Society of Criminology. Its accuracy and findings have been called into question, and criticized as "too simplistic."
That'll do it for the news on this Monday, November 19th.
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