^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ AWG E-MAIL NEWS 20001-4, 4 February 2001 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ CONTENTS: 1) CHRYSALIS SCHOLARSHIP-DEADLINE MARCH 1 2) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW-JANUARY 2001 3) UPCOMING WORKSHOPS 4) BOOKS OF INTEREST 5) POSITION OPENINGS ***Texas A&M University-Tenure Track Faculty Position, Siliciclastic Sedimentologist/Stratigrapher ***University of Pittsburgh-Sedimentary Geology 6) SUBMISSION, ADVERTISING, ADDRESS CHANGE & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111 11 1) THE ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN GEOSCIENTISTS $750 CHRYSALIS SCHOLARSHIPS PURPOSE Scholarships for women who need money to complete their theses. To be used for typing, drafting, child care, or whatever it takes to finish the thesis and complete a Masters or PhD degree program in a geoscience field. Two $750 scholarships will be awarded in 2001. Additional smaller scholarships may be awarded at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee. CRITERIA 1. The applicant must be a woman whose education has been interrupted for at least one (1) year. 2. The applicant must be a candidate for an advanced degree in a geoscience field. 3. The applicant must be completing her thesis during the current academic year. 4. The applicant should be a woman who has contributed and will continue to contribute to both the geosciences and the larger world community through her academic and personal strengths. APPLICATION PROCEDURE The applicant must submit: 1. A letter of application which contains a short statement of: A. Her background. B. Her career goals and objectives. C.How she will use the money with a small budget (i.e. $250.00 for slides; $250.00 for typing; $250.00 for babysitting). D. The nature and length of the interruption to her education and the expected graduation date (May, 2001 or December, 2001). Please include your thesis topic and specifically address your current involvement in and future goals/contributions to both the geosciences and the larger community. 2. Two (2) letters of reference:* The first from her advisor and the second from a person of her choice who can attest to her qualifications for this award. Her thesis advisor should include the anticipated date of completion of her degree. * Letters of reference should specifically address the above listed criteria. PLEASE NOTE: Application materials consist of three letters. There is no additional application form. All application materials should be clearly labeled with the applicant's name and address and should be sent to: AWG: CHRYSALIS SCHOLARSHIPS G&H PRODUCTION COMPANY, LLC #930, 518 - 17th Street Denver, CO 80202 303-534-0708 (Phone) 303-436-0609 (Fax) Deadline for application is March 1, 2001 Scholarships will be awarded by March 31, 2001 22222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222 2222222222222222222222222222 2 2) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW-JANUARY 2001 ** California Electricity Crisis Receives National Attention Rising electricity bills and rolling blackouts have brought the California energy crunch into the spotlight, providing the new Administration and new Congress the chance to talk up a national energy policy. On January 31st, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a well- attended hearing to discuss the California situation and how its effects are creeping beyond the California border and into other western states. Testimony was heard from California utility representatives of both investor and privately owned firms, energy industry experts, and financial consultants. The panelists agreed that in the long term the California electricity market was going to have to be restructured -- most recommending a completely deregulated market. Potential short-term solutions to the crisis were discussed in detail due to the threat of more severe shortages of power during the summer months. Senators and panelists both stressed the need for the public to understand that electricity is not generated by, as stated by Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), "flipping a light switch." A complete summary of the hearing is available at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis107/ca_elec_hearing.html. At the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, President Bush announced on January 29th that Vice President Cheney will head a task force that will report back to the president on "how best to cope with high energy prices and how best to cope with reliance upon foreign oil; how best to encourage the development of pipelines and power- generating capacity in the country so that we can better help out fellow citizens." The task force, to be called the Energy Policy Development Group, will include several senior members of the Cabinet. Most likely, there will be several hearings and meetings in the coming months on the California situation and establishing a national energy policy. ** National Monument Designations, Public Land Actions Under Fire Before leaving office on January 20th, President Clinton designated seven new national monuments and expanded an existing monument. The seven new monuments are Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, Pompey's Pillar National Monument, Carrizo Plain National Monument, Sonoran Desert National Monument, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, Minidoka Internment National Monument, and U.S. Virgin Island Coral Reef National Monument. Buck Island Reef National Monument was expanded by 18,135 acres. More information and descriptions of the new monuments can be found on the Department of the Interior website at http://www.doi.gov/news/archives/001221.html. In response to these and other eleventh-hour actions by the outgoing administration regarding public lands, President Bush instructed a 60-day stay on publishing new regulations in the Federal Register in order for the new administration to review "any new or pending regulations." This order will not affect the newly designated national monuments but will affect the proposed U.S. Forest Service Roadless Initiative (http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis106/roadless.html) that would restrict road building and logging in 60 million acres of national forest around the country. On Capitol Hill, new House Resources Committee Chairman James Hansen (R-UT) has announced that his committee will be carefully reviewing several of the Clinton Administration regulations and national monument designations. In a press release, Hansen stated: "Congress has the authority to review this and 60 legislative days to do so. I can promise you a thorough and vigorous review." More information on public lands issues is available at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis.html#public. ** New House Science Committee Chairman Outlines Agenda Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), the new Chairman of the House Science Committee, gave his first public speech in his new role on January 31st. Speaking to the Universities Research Association, he outlined his visions for the committee in the coming Congress: "I want to ensure that we have a healthy, sustainable, and productive R&D [research and development] establishment -- one that educates students, increases human knowledge, strengthens U.S. competitiveness and contributes to the well-being of the nation and the world. With those goals in mind, I intend to concentrate initially on three priorities -- science and math education, energy policy and the environment -- three areas in which the resources and expertise of the scientific enterprise must be brought to bear on issues of national significance." Boehlert hopes the committee will foster communication between scientists and different sectors in environmental science and policy. With respect to energy policy, Boehlert said he would focus "on ensuring that we concentrate sufficiently on alternative sources of energy - wind, solar, fuel cells, etc. -- and on conservation and efficiency." More excerpts from Boehlert's speech are available from the American Institute of Physics Bulletin of Science Policy News at http://www.aip.org/enews/fyi/2001/011.html. ** Natural Hazards Caucus Holds Event, Releases Discussion Paper On January 22nd, the Congressional Natural Hazards Caucus kicked off its activities in the new 107th Congress with a roundtable event to consider the impacts of the recent earthquake in El Salvador and to discuss the broader natural hazards challenges facing the United States. In conjunction with the event, caucus co-chairs Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) and Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) released a discussion document prepared for the caucus, highlighting why the nation is becoming more vulnerable to natural disasters and what actions Congress can take to solve the problem. An AGI special update contains a description of the event and links to the discussion paper: http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis107/hazards_caucus0101.html. ** Bush Administration Retains USGS Director In a move that signals a return to tradition, the Bush Administration has asked Charles G. "Chip" Groat to continue as Director of the U.S. Geological Survey. For the first century of the survey's existence, the director's position did not change when a new political party took over the White House, reflecting the survey's role as a source of objective scientific information to support policy decisions. According to sources in the new administration, the decision to retain Groat was made easier by strong external support. AGI and several of its member societies sent letters to the Bush-Cheney transition team and Interior Secretary Gale Norton endorsing Groat and the non-partisan nature of the position. Groat's retention received strong support from numerous leading geoscientists in the private sector, including the trustees of the AGI Foundation. Support for the director was not limited to the geoscience community -- biological societies and other USGS stakeholder groups also sent letters to the transition team and Norton. In another victory for non- partisan science leadership, National Science Foundation Director Rita Colwell appears likely to complete the final three years of her six-year term despite initial reports that the Bush administration might seek her resignation. ** IPCC Releases Climate Change Report The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its "Report Summary for Policymakers of Working Group I" this month, announcing dire predictions for future climate change. The highly publicized report asserts that atmospheric temperatures have increased in the last four decades, causing ice to melt, sea level to rise, increased precipitation, cloud cover, and frequency of El Nino/La Nina events. According to the report, there is strong evidence that human activity is the major cause of increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In contrast, it finds that natural factors have made only small contributions to the increases in temperature and greenhouse gas concentrations. The report explains the reasons for heightened confidence in recent climate models that predict continued rise in sea level and global average temperature in response to past, present, and future human activities. Critics have been quick to point out the report's heavy reliance on climate model results for its assertions of large temperature increases in the coming century. Some also question the report's interpretation of existing temperature data. The purpose of the Working Group I report is to present the state of climate change science, although it also states the importance of continued research and monitoring. Two other working groups of the IPCC will release their reports separately, giving implications and recommendations to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (http://www.unfccc.de). An official report summary can be found on the IPCC website (http://www.ipcc.ch) or the U.S. Global Change Research Program website (http://usgcrp.gov/usgcrp/new.htm), which is updated every two weeks with new developments in global change issues. ** Alabama Revisits Science Standards and Evolution The Alabama Board on Education is expected to vote February 8th on state science standards, called Course of Study, which will replace standards approved five years ago that brought the state into the limelight of the evolution debate. The new standards include a greater focus on earth science but also contain a preface that echoes language in the state's textbook disclaimers describing evolution as a "controversial theory." The Geological Society of Alabama has posted a version of the proposed standards at http://www.westga.edu/~geology/algs_web/ala_gs.html. An AGU alert provides more news regarding the standards and information on how Alabama geoscientists can send comments: http://www.agu.org/cgi-bin/asla/asla-list?read=2001- 05.msg. ** AGI Co-Sponsors Transition Luncheon On January 22nd, AGI co-sponsored a Capitol Hill luncheon for congressional staff on the importance of having scientists in presidential appointee positions. Dr. Mary Good, former Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, presented a report from the National Academy of Sciences that describes the importance of having scientists in the government, especially in presidential service (http://www.nationalacademies.org/presidentialappointments). Included in the report are the "50 Most Urgent Science and Technology Presidential Appointments." The second speaker, Carole Plowfield, a researcher with the Brookings Institution, presented a report compiled from the results of a survey of potential and confirmed presidential appointees (http://www.brookings.appointee.org). The report makes recommendations for changing the appointment process to make it less embarrassing and less confusing for potential appointees as well as suggests ways to bring the perception of public service into a more positive light. The third speaker, Abram Hutchings of the Cato Institute, challenged the notion that simply having a scientific background qualifies one for an appointee position. He stated that other skills in business, or social science might be necessary to be effective in an appointee position. Also, he pointed out that politics corrupts science and therefore it is better to keep scientists in objective, information-gathering positions. Now that the Bush-Cheney Administration has been inaugurated, the political appointment process has shifted from the Transition Office to the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. Contact information and other material on the appointment process is available from AGI's "Presidential Transition 2000: Geoscience Related Federal Appointments" at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/transition.html. ** Welcome to AGI/AAPG Semester Intern University of Nevada Reno geoscience major Mary Patterson has joined AGI's Government Affairs Program for the spring semester as an AGI/AAPG Geoscience and Public Policy Intern. She will be spending four months with AGI attending congressional hearings, researching policy issues, and writing issue updates for the program's website. We welcome Mary and gratefully acknowledge support for the internship provided by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. -Monthly review prepared by David Applegate and Margaret Baker, AGI Government Affairs Program, and AGI/AAPG Semester Intern Mary Patterson. 33333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333 3333333333333333333333333333 33 3) UPCOMING WORKSHOPS The following workshops of interest to AWG members will be conducted at the Geological Society of America Cordilleran Section meeting in April. ***Gender Equity Workshop (Co-Sponsored by the Association for Women Geoscientists - L.A. Chapter, GSA Committee on Minorities and Women, and National Association for Black Geologists and Geophysicists.) Monday, Tuesday, April 9, 6:30-10 pm. Leuren Moret, former President, Association for Women Geoscientists (510) 845-3139, leurenmoret@yahoo.com Limit: 40. Cost: none Gender equity issues will be discussed in an informal workshop forum. Key factors which are necessary to gain tenure are collecting information and documentation to support your case, integrity with yourself when dealing with injustice, establishing clear cut departmental criteria for obtaining tenure and promotions, and prioritizing activities which support tenure. Lawsuits should be a last resort remedy for gender inequity. Soft money positions bring out disparities for women in science, and discourage women in science careers. Integrating science content and pedagogy, a new focus in the earth sciences, is reflected by new positions for "science educators" in research departments. Attracting minorities and the disabled to the earth sciences is important for diversity, but requires improved understanding of their differences and needs. ***************************************************************** **************************** ************************** ***Job Hunting Workshop (Co-Sponsored by the Association for Women Geoscientists - L.A. Chapter, GSA Committee on Minorities and Women, and National Association for Black Geologists and Geophysicists.) Tuesday, April 9, 7:30-9:30 pm. Leuren Moret, former President, Association for Women Geoscientists (510) 845-3139, leurenmoret@yahoo.com Limit: 40. Cost: none Learn the job-hunting skills necessary to survive in today's changing and challenging job market. These skills may be applied to academia, government, and industry. 1) How to use two methods to seek employment opportunities: searching for advertised jobs in your area of specialty and networking for the hidden job market. 2) How to network through professional organizations as well as through casual contacts. 3) How to write a resume and CV that will get you an interview. 4) How to get interviewing skills that will differentiate you from the competition. 5) How to create your own job description for a more satisfying career experience. 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444444444444444444444444 4 4) BOOKS OF INTEREST A book especially interesting for AWG members and other women geologists is an autobiography of Katharine Fowler-Billings called "Stepping Stones" (ISBN is 1-878-50812-1). It is available from Amazon.com (remember to click on Amazon.com from the AWG website) and can also be ordered directly from Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences by email (www.Yale.edu/CAAS), fax (203 432-5712) or US Mail (PO Box 208211 New Haven, CT 06520) for $35.00, plus $3.95 s/h. The CAAS is about to publish the autobiography of John Rodgers, Prof. Emeritus of Yale University call "The Company I Kept". 55555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555 55555555555555 5) POSITION OPENINGS ***Texas A&M University-Tenure Track Faculty Position, Siliciclastic Sedimentologist/Stratigrapher The Department of Geology and Geophysics at Texas A&M University invites applications for a tenure-track appointment at the Assistant Professor level in siliciclastic sedimentology/stratigraphy. Review of applicants will begin on 15 January 2001, with an anticipated starting date of August 2001. The successful candidate is expected to teach at both graduate and undergraduate levels and will develop and conduct an externally funded research program. A Ph.D. is required by the time employment begins. The specific research field of the successful candidate is open, although experience in petrographic and facies analyses, modern stratigraphic studies, and basin-scale studies is desirable. The ideal candidate should be interested in developing ties with the petroleum industry. Expertise with quantitative approaches to sedimentologic/ stratigraphic analysis is also desirable. We seek an individual who will complement existing departmental programs in basin studies, environmental studies, global change and paleoclimate, petroleum geosciences, reservoir characterization, sedimentary geochemistry, seismic interpretation, sequence stratigraphy, and tectonics and sedimentation. Significant opportunities also exist for the successful candidate to interact with colleagues in the Departments of Petroleum Engineering, Geography, and Oceanography and geoscientists at the Ocean Drilling Program. For additional information about the Department of Geology & Geophysics at TAMU and research facilities, please check our website at http://geoweb.tamu.edu. Submit a curriculum vitae, selected reprints, a statement of research and teaching interests, and a list of at least three references with postal addresses, phone and fax numbers, and email addresses to: Dr. Steven L. Dorobek, Chair, Siliciclastic Search Committee, Department of Geology & Geophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3115. Women and members of minority groups are especially encouraged to apply. TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY ***************************************************************** **************************** *************************** ***University of Pittsburgh-Sedimentary Geology The Department of Geology & Planetary Science at the University of Pittsburgh invites applications for a tenure track assistant professor position in sedimentary geology to begin September 2001, pending budgetary approval. We seek an outstanding person who is undertaking significant field based research in the area of sedimentology/sedimentary processes and stratigraphy. Research specialties may include, but are not limited to, studies of global change as recorded in the sedimentary record, the interaction of sedimentary and climatic processes, basin analysis in both ancient and modern systems, and clastic sedimentology. Preference will be given to candidates whose expertise will complement ongoing research in the department (see www.geology.pitt.edu) especially in surficial processes, Quaternary geology and global change, low temperature geochemistry and isotope geology, hydrogeology, regional tectonics, and geomorphology of planetary surfaces.The successful candidate will be expected to develop a vigorous, externally funded research program, and participate actively in undergraduate (B.A. and B.S.) and graduate (M.S. and Ph.D.) teaching. Completion of the Ph.D. by the start date is required. Our department consists of nine faculty, two lecturers, 130 undergraduate majors and 20 graduate students. Department resources include paleomagnetism lab, remote sensing and planetary geology labs, GIS/computer lab, and geochemistry facility with clean lab, ICP-AES, and thermal ionization mass spectrometer. To apply, send curriculum vitae, statement of research and teaching interests, copies of up to five publications, and the names, addresses, email and phone numbers of at least three references to: Sedimentary Geology Search Committee Chair, Department of Geology and Planetary Science, 321 EH, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 The closing date for applications is Febru-ary 15, 2001. The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and members of minority groups under-represented in academia are especi- ally encouraged to apply. 66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666 6666666666666666666666666666 6 6) SUBMISSION, ADVERTISING & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION ***Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of AWG E-Mail News. For submissions to AWG E-Mail News, contact Editor Joanne Kluessendorf at editor@awg.org. For advertising, contact the Ad Editor at ads@awg.org. PLEASE SEND AD COPY OR OTHER SUBMISSIONS AS RTF FILES OR AS PART OF AN E-MAIL MESSAGE ***For membership information or to join AWG, visit our website at or contact our business office at