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AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2003-23
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CONTENTS
1) AWG ELECTION RESULTS
2) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS SPECIAL UPDATE: 10-11-03
3) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 2003
4) E-MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES
5) POSITION OPENINGS
* Trinity University - Assistant Professor of Geosciences
* Western Carolina University - Tenure Track Position in
Structural Geology/Applied Geophysics
* Hydrometeorologist/SUNY Brockport
* Pennsylvania State University - Assistant Professor in Astrobiology
* Pennsylvania State University - Faculty Positions in
Geosciences: Hydrogeology, Geophysics, Petrology
* Pennsylvania State University - Geoscience Education
* Geomorphology/Gustavus Adolphus College
6) CONTACT INFORMATION

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Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of E-mail News

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1) AWG ELECTION RESULTS

AWG is pleased to announce the new officers and delegates whose terms began
on October 1, 2003. These are:

President: Helen Delano
President Elect: Allyson Anderson
Secretary: Cynthia Fisher
Editor: Marguerite Toscano
Past President: Mary Gillam
Northeast Delegate: Susan Halsey
Northeast Alternates: Jean Crespi and Lisa Schultz
Rocky Mountain Delegate: Eloise Kendy
Rocky Mountain Alternates: Carol Strong and Norma Castaneda
South Central Delegate: Jean Hsieh
South Central Alternate: Libby Stern
Southeast Delegate: Kathleen Moran
Student Representative: Jessica Moore
Student Alternate: Tamie Jovanelly

Continuing officers and delegates are:

Treasurer: Kata McCarville
Pacific Delegates: Phyl Halvorson and Nadine Langley
Pacific Alternates: Marcia Knadle and Imelda Cragin
Rocky Mountain Delegate: Elizabeth Pottorff
North Central Delegate: Kate Pound
North Central Alternate: Pam Cox
Northeast Delegate Laurie Scheuing

Thanks to all of them for their volunteer efforts for AWG!

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2) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS SPECIAL UPDATE: 10-11-03

*** President Bush's Earth Science Week 2003 Message ***

The following presidential message was released by the White House in
recognition of Earth Science Week 2003, which extends from October 12th to
18th. The message joins proclamations issued by numerous state governors
and city mayors.

AGI thanks President Bush for this statement and thanks all the
geoscientists who have organized the many Earth Science Week activities
going on across the United States and around the world.

*************************

THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington

October 10, 2003

I send greetings to those celebrating Earth Science Week 2003, sponsored by
the American Geological Institute.

Earth Science Week provides an opportunity to recognize our progress in
conservation through environmental stewardship and the contributions of
geologists, geophysicists, and other environmental scientists. These
professionals help preserve our natural resources, protect our health, keep
us safe from natural disasters, and increase our appreciation for the
Earth's beauty.

This year's theme, "Eyes on Planet Earth," highlights the importance of
monitoring the environment and caring for it wisely. On July 31, 2003, the
United States hosted the first-ever Earth Observation Summit in Washington,
D.C., where participants discussed a 10-year goal of creating an
international, integrated, comprehensive, and coordinated Earth observation
system.

I applaud dedicated scientists and students in Earth science and technology
for their efforts to learn more about this important field. I also commend
educators, parents, and all those who help raise awareness about our
planet. Your efforts help us become better stewards of our precious natural
resources.

Laura joins me in sending our best wishes.

George W. Bush

*************************

Special update prepared by David Applegate, AGI Government Affairs Program.

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3) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 2003

* Energy Conference Faces Contention, Delay
* FY2004 Appropriations -- Not Yet Showing the Money
* USGS Coalition Sends Funding Letter to Conferees
* National Petroleum Council Releases Natural Gas Policy Report
* Congressional Natural Gas Task Force Issues Report
* Evolution at Issue in Texas, Minnesota, Wyoming
* Senate Holds Confirmation Hearing on New EPA Administrator
* Hearing on EPA Elevation to Cabinet Level Raises Restructuring Debate
* House Passes Bill to Minimize Earthquake Hazards
* Marine Mammals to Get Added Protections
* Geoscientists to Storm Capitol Hill March 3-4, 2004
* AGI Foundation Announces Congressional Fellowship Endowment
* Celebrate Earth Science Week 2003 from October 12th-18th!
* AGI Government Affairs Program Wins USGS Powell Award
* AGI/AAPG Spring Semester Intern Applications Welcome
* List of Key Federal Register Notices
* New Material on Web Site

*** Energy Conference Faces Contention, Delay ***

Senate Democrats scored an apparent victory in August when the Senate
Republican leaders, eager to recess, replaced their version of
comprehensive energy legislation with a version passed last year when
Democrats held the majority. But that victory was short-lived. Since the
first and only meeting of the House-Senate conference committee that is
hammering out a final bill,
Democrats have largely been excluded from the process. As drafts have been
vetted by staff on both sides of the aisle, Republicans have taken control
of the conference and negotiated each provision that will ultimately be
presented to the full House and Senate. Since senators will spend October 6
- 10 in their districts followed by House members spending Columbus Day
week with their constituents back home, the conference committee is not
expected to resume work on the energy bill until October 20th at the
earliest. Here is how things are beginning to shape up:

* The difficult ethanol debate centers on how the energy bill will address
methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE). The issues are a federal MTBE ban and
liability protection for MTBE producers, both of which are important to
petroleum-state representatives led by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay
(R-TX). These issues have tied the conference in knots, even splitting the
GOP caucus along regional lines. Adding to the turmoil is the rumor that
some Republicans want an October 1, 2003, start date for the MTBE liability
waiver, rather than simply using the energy bill's date of enactment,
according to a source familiar with negotiations. The language would mean
that September 30th was the last day any lawsuit could have been filed
against an MTBE producer using a defective product claim.
* Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) and House Ways
and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA) must work out differences
between the House energy bill's $18.1 billion in tax breaks and the Senate
energy bill's $14.5 billion in tax breaks.The latest reports suggest that
these negotiations have not yet begun.
* The electricity provisions of the bill are being honed to do two things:
delay the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's contentious proposal on
standard wholesale power market design and mandatory regional transmission
organizations, while preserving the commission's ability to continue
crafting voluntary market structures and policies that would help promote
reliability, particularly in the wake of the August 14th blackout.
* Language authorizing an Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas inventory and
opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling will most
likely survive into the final conference report. At the same time,
renewable portfolio standards and climate change provisions favored by some
Democrats and environmentalists will not be included, according to E & E
Daily and Greenwire. All of these topics are virtually guaranteed to
provoke filibusters in the Senate.
* In a victory for oil companies, draft energy conference report language
prohibits the U.S. EPA from regulating a controversial oil and gas
extraction method under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The language, which
House and Senate conferees have already released as part of the oil and gas
title to the energy bill, refines "underground injection" under the Safe
Drinking Water Act to exclude hydraulic fracturing from the definition of
the term. EPA would not be permitted to bar the drilling technique for
"operations related to oil and gas production activities," the draft
states. The provision, which was in the House bill, also excludes natural
gas storage from the definition of underground injection.According to E & E
Daily, this underground injection language overturns a 2001 decision by the
11th Circuit Court of Appeals requiring EPA to regulate hydraulic
fracturing - the process of injecting chemicals into the soil to extract
oil and natural gas - as a drinking water contaminant.

For a thorough history of the energy legislation, see
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/energy.html .

*** FY2004 Appropriations -- Not Yet Showing the Money ***

Continuing Resolution -- So that lawmakers can continue to debate the
funding levels for various agencies past the date when the 2004 fiscal year
(FY) begins on October 1st, last week Congress was forced to pass its first
continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government operating at
fiscal year (FY) 2003 levels, plus some supplemental spending, through
Halloween. The CR allows federal agencies with budgets not yet approved by
Congress to begin the new fiscal year at current levels.Earlier this year,
Congress approved eight CRs before finally agreeing in February to a $396
billion omnibus package for FY 2003.

VA/HUD Appropriations -- The Senate Appropriations Committee passed the FY
2004 VA, HUD & Independent Agencies spending bill during a mark-up session
on September 4th.The committee funded the National Science Foundation (NSF)
at $5.585 billion, up $276 million from last year and $104 million above
the budget request. The accompanying report (S. Rpt. 108-143) notes that
"the Committee continues to be supportive of the pursuit of a doubling path
for NSF funding. However, due to funding constraints, the Committee is not
able to provide such funding at this time, but will continue to pursue
these efforts in the future."

Within NSF, the Research and Related Activities account is slated to
receive a total of $4.22 billion, a 4% increase. Within this account, the
Geosciences Directorate is provided with $692 million, $5 million more than
requested but the same level as FY 2003. The Office of Polar Programs is
funded at $342 million, nearly $12 million over the request. The Major
Research Equipment and Facilities Construction account totals $150 million,
a slight increase over the FY 2003 funding level but almost $53 million
less than the budget request. Earthscope is provided with $43.7 million,
approximately $1.3 million less than requested. (It is our understanding
that NSF revised the request, and the committee granted that amount.) The
committee also provided $8 million to continue construction of the Network
for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) and $1.3 million for the South
Pole Station modernization effort. As the Committee did not fund any "new
starts" for FY04, there is no funding for the National Ecological
Observatory Network (NEON) or International Ocean Drilling Program (IODP),
both of which were funded in the House bill. NSF's Education and Human
Resources activities are funded at $976 million, an increase of $73 million
above last year's level and $38 million above the budget request figure.
Within that total, the Math and Science Partnerships (MSP) program would
receive $145 million for MSP, $55 million short of the budget request of
$200 million, but $18 million above existing funding.

In other of the bill's provisions, the Committee correctly noted that NASA
is at a "crossroad in history."They provide NASA a total appropriation of
$15.3 billion in FY2004, which is level with last year's funding and $130
million below the president's request. As the House Science Committee wraps
up its investigation into the tragic loss of the Shuttle Columbia, the
House and Senate conferees will most certainly make changes to NASA's
funding level in conference to reflect new or different priorities.
In funding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Committee
allocates $8.18 billion, which is $552 million above the budget request and
$105 million above last year's allocation. This bill, along with five
others, is waiting to be passed by the full Senate sometime in October.For
a more detailed account of the Senate's allocations for the VA/HUD bill,
see http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/appropsfy2004_vahud.html#senate .

Interior Appropriations -- The Senate finally passed its version of the FY
2004 Interior & Related Agencies spending bill on September 23rd, two
months after the bill passed the Appropriations Committee.Part of the
hold-up has been a contentious provision proposed by Senate Minority Whip
Harry Reid (D-NV) to add language to the Senate bill that would prohibit
the use of funds for new competitive sourcing studies in the Department of
the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service. Although Reid's amendment failed,
that will not be the last of this debate. The House included language
similar to that proposed by Reid when it passed the Interior bill this
summer.The House and Senate will have to reach an agreement on this
language when they meet to hammer out the differences between their bills.
They will also have to consider the administration's position on this
language -- the President has threatened to veto any bill barring
competitive sourcing studies. The conference must also reach compromises on
funding for the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of Energy's Fossil
Energy Research and Development program, the Bureau of Land Management, the
Minerals and Management Service, the National Park Service and the
Smithsonian, among other geoscience-related programs.More at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/appropsfy2004_interior.html .

*** USGS Coalition Sends Funding Letter to Conferees ***

On September 30th, the USGS Coalition sent a joint letter signed by 33
coalition organizations to members of the conference committee for the
Fiscal Year 2004 Interior and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The
letter thanks conferees for restoring proposed cuts in the president's
budget request, and encourages them to provide additional support to "help
USGS meet the tremendous need for science in support of public policy
decision-making." The conferees are representatives and senators who sit on
the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Interior and Related
Agencies as well as the chairman and ranking member of the full
appropriations committees. The conference could start as early as October
8th with hopes of crafting a final bill by the end of October. Copies of
the letter are available at http://www.usgscoalition.org .

*** National Petroleum Council Releases Natural Gas Policy Report ***

Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham was on hand at the 112th meeting of the
National Petroleum Council in Washington, DC on September 25th.There, the
Council presented, approved and released their report, "Balancing Natural
Gas Policy -- Fueling the Demands of a Growing Economy."Penned by industry
leaders and members of the Bush administration, the report asserts that a
"fundamental shift" in the nation's gas supply-and-demand balance has led
to price volatility and the doubling of natural gas prices in the past two
years. The report recommends increased imports of liquefied natural gas,
construction of an Alaskan natural gas pipeline and allowing drilling in
currently protected coastal areas and federal lands, particularly in the
Rocky Mountains. Further, it recommends lifting moratoria and allowing gas
production off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico
near the Florida panhandle.Conservation and greater energy efficiency were
touted as possible near-term fixes to prevent prices from skyrocketing. A
complete draft of the Summary of Findings and Recommendations is available
at http://www.npc.org. Print copies will be available in mid-October.

*** Congressional Natural Gas Task Force Issues Report ***

In response to the current natural gas issues, House Speaker Dennis Hastert
(R-IL) created the Task Force for Affordable Natural Gas, which is composed
of 18 Republicans from the Energy and Commerce Committee and Resources
Committee. The intended purpose of the task force is to report to the
Speaker on the causes of the gas supply shortage and possible short-term
solutions. On September 30th, the task force issued its final report, which
found several shortcomings in U.S. policies that have led to tight supplies
of gas.These include:lack of regulatory certainty and incentives to produce
and transport gas on federal lands; lack of ability to identify potential
natural gas resources using 21st-century technology; and difficulty in
obtaining access to federal lands.The task force also recommended several
solutions, including: conducting a natural gas resource inventory on
federal lands; creating a federal office to coordinate permitting and
environmental review of natural gas projects; facilitating cooperation
among federal and state agencies and stakeholders on leasing and permitting
for natural gas production and transportation projects; streamlining the
permitting of natural gas projects on federal lands; and ensuring timely
decisions on lease applications for gas production on federal lands, thus
permitting requests for natural gas pipelines and production on federal lands.

In response to the report, House Speaker Hastert issued a statement calling
on the task force members and chairmen to "continue working together to
find environmentally responsible ways to increase domestic supplies of
natural gas and promote fuel diversity." In response, one of the task force
chairs, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-LA),
told E & E Daily that this report was merely "stage one" in a process of
monitoring how natural gas supply, production and demand relate to the use
of other fuels that will continue through the next year. In other words,
the Task Force lives on.Information about the Task Force, its members, and
the report is available at
http://energycommerce.house.gov/naturalgastaskforce/ .

*** Evolution at Issue in Texas, Minnesota, Wyoming ***

State and local challenges to the teaching of evolution have been coming
fast and thick this summer and fall. The AGI Government Affairs Program web
site now features a map that highlights the affected states (which we're
adding to at the rate of one or two per month) and has information on how
geoscientists can get involved at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/evolution.html .This month's
developments include:

* The Texas State Board of Education held its final hearing on biology
textbook adoption on September 10th. The hearing lasted nearly 12 hours,
and 140 Texans testified. Drafts are due from publishers on October 3rd,
with a vote scheduled for November 7th. Individual districts may choose
their own textbooks, but will only be reimbursed for those that are
state-approved. Most of the biology textbook authors have signed a
statement supporting evolution.
* The Minnesota State Department of Education released draft science
education standards authored by a "citizens committee."The standards do not
mention alternative theories, despite Education Commissioner Cheri Yecke's
urging to the contrary. Following the public hearings currently being
conducted in 14 towns and cities across the state, a final draft is due to
state legislators on February 1, 2004.
* In late September, according to reports from the Associated Press, the
Park County School District #6 in Cody, Wyoming adopted a new Religion
Policy. Among other provisions, the policy, as reported by the AP, "...also
spells out religious curriculum. Religions can be taught in school, but one
religion cannot be endorsed. Creationism can be taught in science classes
but only among a variety of theories."
* Also in Wyoming, the Washakie County School District #1 in Worland
granted initial approval to a measure that would permit science teachers to
teach alternatives to the theory of evolution. The policy reads: "It shall
by the policy...when teaching Darwin's theory of evolution that it is only
a theory and not a fact. Teachers shall be allowed in a neutral and
objective manner to introduce all scientific theories of origin and the
students may be allowed to discuss all aspects of controversy surrounding
the lack of scientific evidence in support of the theory of evolution." The
board must
approve the evolution-education measure two more times before it is
officially approved, so there is still a short period of time for concerned
residents in the Worland school board's jurisdiction to become engaged in
the process.

For commentary on the spate of anti-evolution flare-ups around the country,
please see "Opposition to Evolution Takes Many Forms" in the September
issue of Geotimes, online at http://www.geotimes.org/sept03/scene.html .

*** Senate Holds Confirmation Hearing on New EPA Administrator ***

On September 23rd, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a
confirmation hearing for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Administrator nominee Utah Governor Mike Leavitt (R). Remaining cordial on
Leavitt's background, Senate Democrats denounced President Bush's
environmental record even as Committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-OK)
chastised them for using the hearing to attack the administration. Leavitt
remained noncommittal on EPA policy, instead focusing on his skills as a
"problem solver." Environmental groups are leery about Leavitt's
decentralized environmental approach, as evidenced by the National
Environmental Trust's web site sporting the slogan "The Environment: Love
It or Leavitt!" This discord underscored the frustrations faced by any EPA
administrator. Leavitt has already encountered an obstacle in Democratic
Senators Hillary Clinton (NY), Joseph Lieberman (CT), John Kerry (MA) and
John Edwards (NC), who have vowed to procedurally block Leavitt's
confirmation until the White House answers a number of environmental
questions.Republicans could override the blocks by passing a motion of
cloture, but this would require 30-60 hours of floor debate, giving Senate
Democrats the opportunity to further scrutinize the White House's
environmental record and cluttering an already busy fall schedule. More at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/epa_admin.html.

*** Hearing on EPA Elevation to Cabinet Level Raises Restructuring Debate
***

On September 9th, the Bush Administration indicated for the first time that
it would support the restructuring of EPA during a House Subcommittee on
Energy Policy, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs hearing on the
elevation of EPA to departmental status. This fifth hearing to date on the
matter focused on two bills. H.R. 37 would simply transform EPA into the
Department of Environmental Protection while H.R. 2138 would revamp it,
creating three Offices (Policy, Planning and Innovation; Science and
Information; and Implementation, Compliance and Enforcement), and establish
a Bureau of Environmental Statistics (BES) to collect and analyze
environmental data. Acting EPA Administrator Marianne Horinko and White
House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, speaking
on behalf of the Administration, acknowledged that the new structure would
be more manageable and well coordinated. They also said that a BES would
allow EPA initiatives to be based upon more sound science -- a weakness for
which EPA has been criticized in the past. Subcommittee Ranking Member John
Tierney (D-MA), on the other hand, voiced concerns that EPA's "new" mission
as written in H.R. 2138 would limit EPA's jurisdiction and that EPA
elevation could become mired in a restructuring debate. Additional
misgivings arose about decreased public access to information and a new set
of coordination problems that might result from H.R. 2138. More at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/epa_science.html .

*** House Passes Bill to Minimize Earthquake Hazards ***

While not quite in September, the House passed an important piece of
geoscience legislation on October 1st: H.R. 2608, a bill to reauthorize the
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. After a non-contentious
debate, the House approved the measure by voice vote. The bill now goes
over to the Senate for their consideration. When the Senate staff was
briefed on
the bill during the August recess, they indicated that a hearing would be
held in late winter or early spring of next year. The Senate appears likely
to develop its own version of the bill rather than adopting the House
version.More at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/nehrp.html.

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4) E-MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES

MentorNet One-on-One Mentoring Programs are a chance to make a big
difference in the life of someone else, while spending as little as 20
minutes a week using email.

MentorNet's One-on-One Mentoring Programs pair women community college,
undergraduate and graduate students and postdocs as proteges with female or
male professionals from all sectors as mentors for one-on-one, email-based
mentoring (e-mentoring) relationships.

Our flagship Industry E-Mentoring Program is for proteges interested in
working in industry or at a government laboratory or agency, while our
Academic Career E-Mentoring Program (new for 2003) is for graduate students
and postdocs interested in a faculty career.

The program has proven effective by providing "real world" information,
encouragement, advice, and access to networks that are otherwise often
unavailable to women students in the male dominated fields of engineering
and science. This why over 90% of participants would recommend MentorNet's
e-mentoring programs to a friend or colleague.

How can you volunteer to be a mentor?
1) Join the MentorNet Community.
2) Sign in to the Community and follow the One-on-One Mentoring Programs
links to create a mentor profile.

Since 1998, MentorNet has matched nearly 20,000 proteges and mentors with
strong results. We hope you will join them!

For more information, please go to www.MentorNet.net

MentorNet's sponsors include 3M Company, AT&T Foundation, Cisco Systems,
EMC Corporation, Engineering Information Foundation, GE Foundation, IBM
Corporation, Intel Corporation, Intel Foundation, Los Alamos National
Laboratory, Microsoft Corporation, NASA Ames Research Center, National
Science Foundation , Naval Research Laboratory, SAP Labs, Schlumberger,
Solectron and Affiliated Partners NSPE and Sigma Xi.

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5) POSITION OPENINGS

Trinity University
Assistant Professor of Geosciences

The Department of Geosciences at Trinity University, a member of the Keck
Geology Consortium, invites applications for a tenure-track position at the
rank of Assistant Professor beginning in August 2004. Candidates must be
dedicated to excellence in undergraduate teaching and to an active research
program that includes the involvement of undergraduates. Teaching
responsibilities will include upper and lower division courses in the major
and introductory Geoscience courses in the University's Common Curriculum.
Participation in the development of field and interdisciplinary courses is
expected. Applicants should have a specialization that includes a
significant component of field work and that complements the existing
faculty specializations in igneous petrology, structural geology,
invertebrate paleontology, geomorphology/Quaternary geology, and
geophysics. Applications must include a letter of application, curriculum
vitae, undergraduate and graduate transcripts, a detailed description of
teaching philosophy and research plans, and 3 letters of recommendation;
sent to Dr. Glenn Kroeger, Department of Geosciences, Trinity University,
One Trinity Place, San Antonio, Texas 78212-7200 (email:
gkroeger@trinity.edu). Further information about the department and search
can be found at http://www.trinity.edu/departments/geosciences/. Review of
completed applications will begin December 1, 2003. Women and minority
candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Trinity University is an Equal
Opportunity Employer.

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Western Carolina University - Tenure Track Position in Structural
Geology/Applied Geophysics

The Geosciences Program at Western Carolina University invites applications
for a tenure track position at the Assistant Professor level beginning in
August 2004.The individual will teach structural geology, applied
geophysics, and courses in the university's liberal studies program. The
area of specialty is open; however, we are looking for an individual who
will fit into our developing environmental geology emphasis. The candidate
must have a strong commitment to quality undergraduate teaching in a
liberal arts environment and to the continued expansion of our vibrant
undergraduate research program. A PhD and some teaching experience are
preferred.However, ABDs are also encouraged to apply. WCU is a member of
the University of North Carolina system.

Applicants should send statements of teaching and research interests,
curriculum vitae, copies of all transcripts, and three letters of reference
to Steven Yurkovich, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources
Management (phone 828.227.7367), Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC
28723 (yurkovich@wcu.edu). Review of completed applications will begin
January 12, 2004. Western Carolina University is an EEO/AA employer. Women
and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

WCU faculty will be at the GSA Meeting in Seattle in November.Please feel
free to contact them for further information.

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Hydrometeorologist/SUNY Brockport

Department of the Earth Sciences invites applications for a tenure track
Assistant Professor, beginning August 2004. Required qualifications: Ph.D.
in hydrometeorology, hydrology, meteorology, or a closely related field; or
completion by the time of appointment; expertise in hydrologic response to
precipitation; ability to teach undergraduate courses in meteorology,
hydrology, climatology, and/or computational methods in the earth sciences;
and ability to work in a culturally diverse environment. Preferred
qualifications: Expertise in land-water-air interactions and/or remote
sensing of earth processes; ability to develop an upper division course
that integrates earth science disciplines; experience working with Unidata
or other meteorological and hydrological analysis and display software
packages; proficiency in numerical modeling and/or ArcGIS. Successful
candidate is expected to develop research projects in hydrometeorology
involving undergraduate students; participate in college and departmental
service. Screening begins 12/01/03. Submit letter of application, resume,
statement of teaching philosophy, transcript showing highest degree earned,
and three reference letters to Affirmative Action Office, SUNY College at
Brockport, 421 Allen Administration Building, 350 New Campus Drive,
Brockport, NY 14420-2929. Electronic submissions may be sent to:
affirm@brockport.edu. Attachments must be in Microsoft Word, rich text
format or PDF file.AA/EOE

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Pennsylvania State University
Assistant Professor in Astrobiology

The Department of Geosciences at Penn State University invites applications
for a tenure track faculty position (Assistant Professor level) in
Astrobiology. The position is co-funded by the College of Earth and Mineral
Sciences and the Huck Institutes for Life Sciences. The candidate's
academic home will be in the Department of Geosciences.

The successful candidate will join the Penn State Astrobiology Research
Center (PSARC), one of the founding members of the NASA Astrobiology
Institute (NAI), and pursue research that will complement/advance the
research carried out by the PSARC members. Current PSARC research foci are:
geochemical and paleontological record of the early Earth's biosphere,
photochemical reactions of sulfur and iron in the early Earth, genomic
record of the Earth's early biosphere, laboratory microbial simulations,
modern analogues of Precambrian microbial ecosystems, and planetary
habitability and life detection.

Applicants should demonstrate the potential for developing a significant
research program and high quality teaching. A Ph.D. is required at the time
of appointment. We will begin consideration of candidates on December 1,
2003 and will continue until suitable candidates are identified.

Applications should include a complete resume, examples of published work,
a statement outlining research and teaching interests and the names and
addresses of at least four individuals who could provide references. Send
application materials to: Chair, Astrobiology Search, Department of
Geosciences, 503 Deike Bldg., The Pennsylvania State University, University
Park, PA 16802.

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the
diversity of its workforce. For more information on the Department of
Geosciences and PSARC go to http://www.geosc.psu.edu and
http://psarc.geosc.psu.edu.

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Pennsylvania State University
Faculty Positions in Geosciences
Hydrogeology, Geophysics, Petrology

The Department of Geosciences at Penn State University expects to hire
three tenure-track Assistant Professors over the next three years in the
areas of hydrogeology (broadly defined), geophysics (lithospheric
deformation in particular, including active tectonics and satellite
geodesy), and petrology (igneous and metamorphic processes,
high-temperature geochemistry). We invite applications in any of these
fields for the first position with a possible starting date of July 1,
2004. Outstanding candidates who creatively apply theoretical,
observational, and/or experimental approaches are encouraged to apply. This
broad search is designed to complement and advance research and education
taking place in the Department and University as well as target new
opportunities.

Applicants should demonstrate a distinguished record of scholarship and
potential for developing a vigorous research program at Penn State, and
they are expected to contribute to core teaching. Review of applications
will begin December 1st, 2003 and will continue until a suitable candidate
is found. Applications should include a complete vita, a statement
outlining teaching and research interests, and names and addresses of four
or more references. Send application materials to: Search-Committee Chair,
Department of Geosciences, 503 Deike Building, The Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, PA 16802.

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the
diversity of its workforce. Women and members of underrepresented groups
are encouraged to apply. For more information on the Department of
Geosciences go to http://www.geosc.psu.edu.

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Pennsylvania State University
Geoscience Education

The Department of Geosciences at Penn State University invites applicants
for a fixed-term faculty position in Geoscience Education. This position is
part of an established program to improve instruction in courses for majors
and non-majors. The Department enrolls 120 undergraduate majors and a
comparable number of graduate students, and it offers a diverse suite of
General Education courses to over 3500 students annually.

Expectations: We seek a dynamic individual to work with faculty members in
developing an integrated core course sequence for undergraduate majors in
our Geosciences BS and BA programs. Experience in curriculum design is
desirable. The position will involve extensive interaction with faculty
members and students to build consensus on desired learning outcomes in our
programs, focusing on higher-order learning skills as well as specific
content.

Terms: The initial term of the position is 1-3 years, with renewal possible
to a maximum of 5 years. Teaching and co-teaching within the core
curriculum will be negotiated on an individual basis, depending on the
interests and areas of expertise of the candidate. The successful applicant
will have the opportunity to build and maintain his/her research program
through pursuit of external funds.

Qualifications: Qualifications include a Ph.D. at the time of appointment
and a record of effective classroom teaching. Preference will be given to
applicants with advanced degrees in the Geosciences, but we will consider
applications with appropriate experience in both education and in related
science disciplines. We invite applications from senior faculty members who
wish to hold this position while on sabbatical leave from their home
institution, as well as junior faculty members who are at the initial
stages of their careers.

Review of applications will begin December 1st, 2003 and will continue
until a suitable candidate is found. Applications should include a complete
vita that includes research interests, a teaching portfolio, a statement
discussing previous experience in curriculum design and thoughts about
curriculum revision in the geosciences, and names and addresses of three or
more references. Send application materials to: GeoEducation Search
Committee Chair, Department of Geosciences, 503 Deike Building, The
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802.

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the
diversity of its workforce. Women and members of underrepresented groups
are encouraged to apply.

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Geomorphology/Gustavus Adolphus College

Gustavus Adolphus College invites applications for a tenure track position
at the assistant professor level in geomorphology, with preferred emphasis
in glacial geology. Teaching responsibilities will include geomorphology,
introductory geology, and preferably hydrogeology. The opportunity to
develop additional courses (including travel courses) related to the
candidate's specialty is encouraged. The successful candidate will be a
broadly trained earth scientist with a sincere interest in undergraduate
teaching and commitment to the liberal arts tradition. The candidate is
expected to engage in an active research program, to generate and supervise
senior theses. The Ph.D. is required.

The Geology Department at Gustavus Adolphus College consists of three
full-time members. The Department is committed to providing a curriculum
for our majors that is field- and research-oriented, and contributes
significantly to the general education program of the college.

Candidates should submit a letter of application stating qualifications,
statements of teaching philosophy and research interests, curriculum vitae,
and three to five letters of recommendation to James Welsh, Chair,
Department of Geology, Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 West College Ave.,
St. Peter, MN 56082. Review of applications will begin on November 10,
2003, and continue until the position is filled. Preliminary interviews
will be held at the national GSA Meeting in Seattle.

Gustavus Adolphus College is a coeducational, private, residential national
liberal arts college of 2500 students, located in south central Minnesota
in the scenic Minnesota River Valley. The area contains diverse glacial
landforms and bedrock that ranges in age back to 3.6 billion years.

It is the policy and practice of Gustavus Adolphus College to provide equal
educational and employment opportunities for all. We specifically encourage
applications from women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

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