News briefs

01 May 2002 |

Energy expert Amory Lovins to talk May 7
Energy expert Amory Lovins, an experimental physicist and chief executive officer for research at the Rocky Mountain Institute, will present a free talk, “Energy Policy for the 21st Century,” at 6 p.m., May 7, in Wheeler Auditorium.

Lovins’ work focuses on the transformation of the auto and other industries toward advanced resource productivity. He was named by the Wall Street Journal as one of 39 people worldwide “most likely to change the course of business in the ’90s.”

Free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Sign language interpretation services will be provided. For information, call 642-5116 or see gspp.berkeley.edu.

UC launches study of undergrad experience
A UC research team has launched an ambitious study of the student experience.

Beginning April 23, students who entered UC’s eight undergraduate campuses as freshmen in the fall of 1998 and the fall of 2001, and transfer students who entered in the fall of 2000 and 2001, were invited to respond to a questionnaire concerning their participation in the academic and cultural life of the university.

Students who complete the survey are entered in a drawing for $100 bookstore gift certificates, with each campus awarding 10 certificates. One UC student participant will be awarded a $2,002 grand prize.

Hazardous waste proposals due May 31
Environment, Health and Safety is currently accepting proposals on reducing the amount of hazardous waste generated by the campus.

Faculty, faculty-sponsored students and administrators are eligible to propose projects involving research, development or action plans on reducing chemical, medical or radioactive waste.

Last year EH&S awarded more than $22,000 in hazardous waste minimization grants to three departments.

Applications will be accepted through May 31. For information, call 642-3073 or see www.ehs.berkeley.edu.

Eye technology wins business plan contest
Adaptic Systems, a company to correct vision problems and cure eye diseases, has garnered the $50,000 grand prize in the UC Berkeley Business Plan Competition.

The team of Berkeley engineering students won for their business plan to offer significantly improved optical technologies, including pharmaceuticals that prevent blindness, LASIK surgery, custom contact lenses and early detection of eye diseases.

Retirement planning series begins June 7
The UC Berkeley Retirement Center will offer an eight-week pre-retirement planning program starting June 7. The class meets on Friday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m, with no class on July 5. Topics include wellness, housing and geography, UC benefits and investments, financial and legal planning, and creating satisfaction in retirement.

Because class size is limited to 40 participants, only those who are vested and are over 50 years of age are eligible for this first series. The course will be offered once per semester.

To enroll, go to hrweb.berkeley.edu/ice/home, choose “enroll now,” and select “Pre Retirement Planning Program.” For information, call 642-5461.

Statement on ‘Justice in Palestine’ group
Dean of Students Karen Kenney issued a statement April 26 to clarify misunderstandings on the temporary suspension of Students for Justice in Palestine as a registered student group. The text of the statement is available online at www.berkeley.edu/news.

I-House hosts awards fundraiser May 6
Leon Panetta, former congressman and Clinton chief of staff; Elizabeth Farnsworth, senior correspondent for “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer”; and San Francisco attorney Jay Paxton will be honored at International House’s 14th annual Celebration and Awards Gala.

The campus community is invited to attend the fundraising event, which begins at 6:30 p.m., Monday, May 6, in the I-House Chevron Auditorium.

For tickets, at $250 per person, call 642-4128.

UC marks opening of Washington Center
Chancellors and representatives from the UC campuses and members of the California Congressional delegation gathered April 23 to dedicate the university’s new facility, the UC Washington Center.

The 11-story center, located at 1608 Rhode Island N.W. in the Scott’s Circle area of Washington, D.C., is home to more than 250 students, faculty and staff. Students from UC campuses participate in internships and academic programs at the center while living in the facility’s on-site residence.

Haas School awarded distance-learning gift
The Haas School of Business will receive $900,000 from the SBC (Pacific Bell) Foundation to provide a state-of-the-art distance-learning classroom. Construction on the classroom is scheduled for completion in September.