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AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2005-1
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CONTENTS
1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW - DECEMBER 2004
2) POSITION OPENINGS
2004-064 Wright State University - Environmental Sciences Ph.D.
Program and Fellowships
2004-091 Georgia Southern University - Temporary Position in
Coastal Geology
2004-114 University of Texas at El Paso, Department of Geological
Sciences - Assistant or Associate Professor (2 Positions)
2004-125 Trinity University - Visiting Assistant Professor, Earth
Materials
2004-134 UNC-Chapel Hill - Geological Oceanography and/or
Sediment Dynamics (three tenure-track positions)
2004-137 SRI International - Undergraduate Internships in Physics
2004-138 National Academies
2005-02 The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota, Inc. -
2005 Summer Internships
2005-03 University of Wisconsin-Madison - Faculty Position in
Geophysics
2005-04 Strategic Center for Coal - General Engineer/Physical
Scientist (two positions)
3) CONTACT INFORMATION
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Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of E-mail News
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW - DECEMBER 2004
* 109th Congress Convenes
* More Cabinet Changes for Bush Administration Second Term
Department of Energy
NASA
Department of Interior
* OMB Issues New Peer Review Guidelines
* President Elevates Oceans to Cabinet-level Priority
* OMB-OSTP Issue FY06 Budget Guidance on Science
* Treasury Dept. Loosens Restrictions on Research Publication
* DOI Estimates More Natural Gas Reserves
* Stronger Role for Federal Science Advisors, Report Recommends
* New U.S. Math and Science Scores Available
* Evolution Roundup
Pennsylvania
Oklahoma
Missouri
Kansas
Wisconsin
South Carolina
* May 10-11 are Congressional Visit Days
* How to Find Key Federal Register Notices
* New Updates to Website
*** 109th Congress Convenes ***
The 109th Congress officially convened on Tuesday, January 4th as newly
elected and reelected senators as well as the members of the House of
Representatives were sworn into office. After finally wrapping up the
Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 budget process in December and resting through the
holidays, members of Congress are ready to get to work. Many issues
have already been declared priorities for President Bush, who will be
sworn in for his second term at noon on Thursday, January 20th, including
revamping Social Security, rewriting the tax code, limiting
class-action lawsuits, and having the Senate confirm his judicial nominees.
Congress, though, has some details to work out before they can actually
begin working.
At the start of each new Congress, the majority must set the rules for
the next two years. This means that each committee's jurisdiction must
be clearly defined, chairmen approved and committee assignments doled
out.
While the minority party does not decide committee jurisdiction or
chairmanships, the Democratic Caucus will decide committee assignments for
their members. Senate Democrats began this process last month. The
defeat of Senate Minority Leader Tom Dashle (D-SD) in the November
elections left a void in the Senate democratic leadership's top slot.
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) has been chosen for the job and has given up his
seat on the Environment and Public Works Committee but will retain the
important Appropriations Committee perch from which he is able to fight
the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository.
Other changes include the departure of Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and
Bob Graham (D-FL) from the Environment and Public Works Committee, making
way for new Democrats joining the panel - Senator Frank Lautenberg
(D-NJ) and freshman Senator Barak Obama (D-IL). The Senate Energy and
Natural Resources Committee will see two new Democrats on the panel,
including Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and freshman Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO).
They replace Graham, Schumer and Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN). There are no
new Democrats joining the Budget or the Appropriations committees, as
the party's loss of one seat on each due to Hollings' retirement gives
the Democrats 10 Budget Committee members and 13 Appropriations Committee
members. Senate Republicans will begin doling out Committee
assignments as early as the first week in January.
As is the nature of the House, when each new Congress convenes there
are lots of decisions to be made about chairmanships, committee
assignments and jurisdiction. This year, the House chose Rep. Jerry Lewis
(R-CA) as the new Appropriations Committee Chairman because Rep. Bill Young
(R-FL) is stepping down from that post. The Appropriations
Subcommittees may also have some new Chairmen in the ranks. There's a rumor that
former Appropriations Chairman Young may want to head up one of the
subcommittees, which would set off a furious round of musical chairs among
the current chairmen. Also in limbo is the role of Rep. Jim Walsh
(R-NY), who is term limited in his current post as chairman of the VA-HUD
Subcommittee, with jurisdiction over the NASA, National Science
Foundation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency annual budgets.
Further complicating this process is a rumor that surfaced following
the Republican Leadership Retreat that the Republican Leadership is
thinking about restructuring the appropriations bills. There's little
rhyme or reason to the current way certain agencies are paired together in
appropriations bills and the thinking would be to structure bills in a
way that would better reflect Republican priorities. One of the bills
being batted around within this idea is a Science bill that would
encompass all federal science investment from NASA to the National
Institutes of Health to Department of Energy and more. There are good arguments
for and against this idea. An editorial appeared on the December 16th
issue of Nature that concisely points out many of the concerns people
have voiced about this idea. We'll know soon enough if this is a real
change the Congress will make or another idea left for another time.
*** More Cabinet Changes for Bush Administration Second Term ***
*Department of Energy*
Following the announcement by Spencer Abraham that he would retire as
Secretary of Energy, President George Bush nominated Deputy Treasury
Secretary Samuel Bodman to be the new Energy Secretary. In remarks at the
White House on December 10th, Bush said: "Sam Bodman is an experienced
executive who has served in my administration as Deputy Secretary of
Commerce and Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. During his varied and
distinguished career in the private sector, Sam has been a professor at
MIT, president of an investment firm, the chairman and CEO of an
industrial company with operations worldwide. In academics, in business, and in
government, Sam Bodman has shown himself to be a problem solver who
knows how to set goals and he knows how to reach them. He will bring to
the Department of Energy a great talent for management and the precise
thinking of an engineer. I thank him for agreeing to serve once again."
Bodman has a B.S. in chemical engineering from Cornell Universi
ty and a ScD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he
was an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering. His previous
experience included service as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of
Commerce, where he had oversight over NOAA, NIST, and the Patent and
Trademark Office. House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY)
and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Pete V. Domenici
(R-NM) both issued statements supporting the Bodman nomination. Bodman will
appear before Domenici's committee for a confirmation hearing that will
be scheduled in the coming weeks.
A brief biography for Bodman can be read at
http://www.treas.gov/organization/bios/bodman-e.html
The full text of Bush's statement and Bodman's response is available at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/12/20041210-3.html.
*NASA*
In a five-page hand- written letter to President Bush, NASA
Administrator Sean O'Keefe announced his resignation in December. In this letter,
Administrator O'Keefe explained his decision to leave to be able to
spend more time with his family. O'Keefe has served as NASA Administrator
for almost three years, during which the Administration developed, in
response to critics, a vision for the space agency. Additional
information on O'Keefe's decision to resign, including a copy of his letter,
can be viewed at http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/aok_resigns.html.
The White House has not yet named a replacement.
*Department of the Interior*
Interior Deputy Secretary J. Steven Griles, the former oil and coal
industry lobbyist who spearheaded a push for increased energy development
on public lands, resigned from the number two position at the DOI
effective Jan. 31, 2005, unless a replacement is confirmed sooner.
In other DOI news, on December 1st, Secretary of the Interior Gale
Norton announced that she had accepted the resignation of Assistant
Secretary for Water and Science Bennett Raley who has held the post since
2001. The Assistant Secretary for Water and Science discharges the duties
of the Secretary with the authority and direct responsibility to carry
out the statutory mandate to manage and direct programs that support
the development and implementation of water, mineral, and science
policies and assist the development of economically and environmentally sound
resource activities. The Assistant Secretary oversees the programs of
the Bureau of Reclamation and the United States Geological Survey. In
accepting Raley's resignation, Secretary Norton commended Raley for his
work on western water issues.
Following Bennett Raley's resignation, Secretary Norton named Tom
Weimer Acting Assistant Secretary for Water and Science. Weimer has served
as the principal deputy assistant secretary for the past three and a
half years. Weimer has eighteen years of federal service and previously
served as Chief of Staff to former Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan, Jr.
Weimer has served as professional staff for the House Committees on
Interior and Science, as well as legislative director for National
Laboratory Affairs at the University of California. Weimer received bachelors
and masters degrees in systems engineering from Harvey Mudd College and
the master of electrical engineering degree from the University of
Washington.
*** OMB Issues New Peer Review Guidelines ***
On December 17th the White House Office of Management and Budget issued
"peer review" guidelines aimed at formalizing the process of science
performed by government agencies undergoing outside review. Science used
by the U.S. EPA, the Department of the Interior, the Army Corps of
Engineers and other federal agencies to support major rules and regulations
will be subject to review by non-governmental experts for the first
time under these new standards.
According to Greenwire, supporters of the guidelines -- in the Bush
Administration and industry -- say that the guidelines will help ensure
that federal policy is shaped by sound scientific practices. But critics
claim the guidelines are an effort by the executive branch to seize
control of the release of scientific information and slow the creation of
new federal rules.
The guidelines separate scientific information meriting peer review
into two types. The first requires federal agencies to appoint an
independent peer review panel for science supporting rules or policies costing
industry, states or local governments more than $500 million in any
year. While this is a higher cost threshold than industry officials
wanted, Sean Moulton, an information policy analyst at OMB Watch, said OMB
can effectively order an agency review by designating this type of
science "highly influential." The second type of science affected by the
guidelines is "influential scientific information," such as risk
assessments, environmental and natural resources computer modeling, data and
other technical analyses. Agencies can subject these types of scientific
information to the same rigorous peer review as highly influential
science or they can get them peer reviewed by a small group of experts in
one environmental or natural resources discipline. Agencies can su
bject influential scientific information to the lower level of peer
review, but the guidelines direct agencies to "choose a peer review
mechanism that is adequate" based on a variety of factors including whether
science is new, the extent of prior peer reviews, and the expected costs
and benefits that will result from its use. "More rigorous peer review
is necessary for information that is based on novel methods or presents
complex challenges for interpretation," the rule states.
Greenwire reported that the White House substantially revised the
guidelines since they were first proposed in September 2003 (see
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/dataquality.html). Among the
changes is a proposal that would grant federal agencies the right to release
scientific documents about an "emerging public health or medical risk"
without first getting OMB approval. Another change OMB made was to make
clear that science already reviewed by the National Academy of Sciences
is not subject to the peer review guidelines.
The new guidelines can be found online at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/inforeg/peer2004/peer_bulletin.pdf.
*** President Elevates Oceans to Cabinet-level Priority ***
As part of the formal response to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy
report, President Bush signed an executive order creating a new
Cabinet-level "Committee on Ocean Policy" to coordinate federal ocean policy on
December 17th. The executive order would direct Cabinet secretaries
and officials ranging from the Commerce secretary to the national
intelligence director to coordinate ocean-related matters and provide advice
on ocean policies. The advisory body would be tasked with facilitating
coordination on ocean matters among federal, state, tribal and local
government entities. The group, to be led by the chairman of the White
House Council on Environmental Quality, is similar in concept to the
commission's proposal for an executive-branch national oceans council.
The commission had also recommended the president appoint an assistant to
the president for oceans policy.
The Ocean Commission found federal oversight is too fractured to
protect ocean ecosystems that are being decimated by pollution, overfishing
and other factors. Among 200 recommendations, the commission called for
consolidating management responsibilities within the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and boosting federal ocean
research funding. The White House "U.S. Ocean Action Plan" did not include
recommendations to consolidate authority within NOAA or move that agency
toward independence, as the commission had called for. The House and
Senate are expected to sift through a myriad of proposals toward that
goal during the 109th Congress.
*** OMB-OSTP Issue FY06 Budget Guidance on Science ***
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) set the FY06 science budget by
issuing a joint memorandum outlining the Administration's research
priorities. Homeland Security R&D remains the Administration's top research
focus. Also included in the list were Networking and Information
Technology R&D and the National Nanotechnology Initiative.
A new emphasis area titled "Priorities of the Physical Sciences"
suggests:
"Priority will be given to research that aims to close significant gaps
in the fundamental physical understanding of phenomena that promise
significant new technologies with broad societal impact. . . . Priority
will be given to those instrument- or facility- related investments with
the greatest promise for the broadest scientific impact. Of particular
interest are investments leading to the development of next-generation
light sources."
"Biology of Complex Systems" and "Climate, Water and Hydrogen Research"
round out the list.
The guiding memo is available at: http://www.ostp.gov/html/m04-23.pdf
*** Treasury Dept. Loosens Restrictions on Research Publication ***
In September 2003, the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign
Assets Control (OFAC) issued a ruling that scientific publishers would
need a special license to edit papers submitted by researchers from
embargoed countries (Cuba, Iran, and Sudan). While the ruling is
relatively recent, the prohibition is not. It is illegal for U.S. entities to
provide services to persons living in countries embargoed by the U.S.
The issue surfaced in the summer of 2001 when a bank identified an
attempted transaction between the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) and an institution in Iran. IEEE and other scientific
organizations began working with OFAC to clarify the definition of
"services," and learned that OFAC considered peer review and editing of
scholarly manuscripts to fall under the category of prohibited activities.
Until this time, scholarly publishers largely thought these "services"
were not prohibited by Treasury Department regulations. The Trea
sury Department, however, affirmed that its definition of services did
include editing scholarly papers. "U.S. persons may not provide the
Iranian author substantive or artistic alterations or enhancements of the
manuscript, and IEEE may not facilitate the provision of such
alterations or enhancements," wrote R. Richard Newcomb, director of OFAC. Trade
policy prohibits "the reordering of paragraphs or sentences, correction
of syntax, grammar, and replacement of inappropriate words by U.S.
persons," according to an OFAC guidance letter. U.S. entities, including
scholarly publishers, would require a special license to provide these
"services."
The ruling was OFAC's interpretation of an amendment to the 1988
Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act, known as the Berman amendment, after
its sponsor, Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA). The amendment exempted from
economic embargo "any information or informational materials including but
not limited to, publications." Reagan Administration officials,
however, interpreted that statement as banning publication of all but "fully
created" materials that received no "substantive or artistic alteration
or enhancement." The recent ruling recaptured the attention of Rep.
Berman, who called the restrictions on editing "patently absurd." Rep.
Berman requested that OFAC reconsider its decision to require a specific
license for peer review and editing.
Throughout 2004, various representatives of the scientific publishing
community have worked with OFAC to clarify Treasury Department
requirements. On Friday, December 17, 2004, the Department of Treasury
officially issued a new rule in the Federal Register (Vol. 69, No. 242),
"revising the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, the Sudanese Sanctions
Regulations, and the Iranian Transactions Regulations to add general the date
of publication.
Interested individuals wishing to provide OFAC with comments on the new
rule or requesting further changes may submit comments at any time.
Briefly, the new rule still requires that U.S. entities obtain a
general license from OFAC to provide certain services to Cuba, Iran and
Sudan. However, the rule ensures that "certain activities relating to
publishing" are permitted. "Each of the general licenses is similar in
structure and scope, authorizing a variety of activities relating to
publishing with appropriate exceptions, such as those for the governments of
each of the sanctioned countries." The new rule specifically notes
that the governments of Cuba, Sudan, or Iran "does not include any
academic and research institutions and their personnel."
Questions, requests for guidance, or information concerning the
application for a license should be directed to the Department of Treasury's
Office of Foreign Assets Control.
*** UNESCO Division of Earth Sciences Terminated ***
UNESCO has decided to dissolve the Division of Earth Sciences as part
of a restructuring plan within the organization. Following the
retirement of Dr. Wolfgang Eder (Division Director) at the end of November
2004, a decision not to replace the Director was made by UNESCO. Further,
UNESCO intends to dissolve the existing Division, reduce funding to the
geosciences and to reallocate existing activities amongst other
divisions.
Although an "official press release" will not occur until this spring,
it is thought that the following activities: International Geoscience
Programme (IGCP), Geoparks, International Cooperation, Earth Observation
and Capacity Building could be subsumed within the Division of
Ecological Sciences. The Disaster Reduction program may be transferred to the
Division of Basic and Engineering Sciences.
After decades of high profile success in science research within IGCP,
this program will undergo a 50% reduction in funding from UNESCO for
2006. There are no assurances regarding the viability of the program
beyond 2006. Many geoscientists around the world have participated in and
benefited directly from IGCP projects and this funding cut will have
serious long-term repercussions to the geosciences.
*** DOI Estimates More Natural Gas Reserves ***
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) announced an interim update of
offshore energy resources that estimates undiscovered technically
recoverable offshore gas resources at 406.1 trillion cubic feet. This mean
estimate for 2003 is 12 percent higher than MMS's 2000 national
assessment of 362.2 tcf.
MMS releases the broad national assessments every five years, while
offering the interim updates "in response to significant information
obtained from new exploration and development activity, and on occasion to
incorporate major improvements in methodology and modeling."
Gas resources in the Gulf of Mexico account for much of the increase,
with the new interim update showing total Gulf reserves at 232.5 tcf,
compared to roughly 192 tcf in the 2000 national assessment. Increased
estimates of so-called deep shelf recoverable resources, which are gas
reserves more than 15,000 feet below the sea floor, contributed to the
new estimates, according to MMS.
In other news, the interim update and information provided by MMS shows
a 1 percent increase in offshore oil resources, to 76 billion barrels.
That includes a jump of 1.2 billion barrels of estimated resources in
the Atlantic Ocean based on the information gained from recent Canadian
drilling, bringing the Atlantic total to 3.5 Bbbl.
Other areas were nearly unchanged, with the gulf and Pacific Ocean mean
oil estimate slightly lower, while the Alaska estimate was a tad
higher. The assessment cautions that some resources were not included in the
new estimate because the figures take into account 2 billion barrels of
oil and 8 tcf of gas that "were discovered and moved to the reserves
category during this time period." The interim update does not address
what portion of the reserves is currently commercially viable to
extract.
The update is available online at
http://www.mms.gov/revaldiv/PDFs/2003NationalAssessmentUpdate.pdf
*** Stronger Role for Federal Science Advisors, Report Recommends ***
Scientists have long sought to ensure that public policy decision
makers have access to the best available scientific and technical
information, and that this information is used to inform public policy decisions.
According to many scientists, however, the process by which the White
House and Congress receive scientific advice is in need of reform. On
the heels of the release of the latest National Academies report for
improving executive branch science and technology advisory panels and the
process for recruiting and retaining senior executive branch appointees
responsible for scientific programs, the Federation of American
Scientists (FAS) has issued "Flying Blind: The Rise, Fall, and Possible
Resurrection of Science Policy Advice in the United States."
Henry Kelley, an author of the report and president of FAS, has said
that the report is not meant as a political commentary. Kelley told the
Chronicle of Higher Education that "We [FAS] throw rocks at a lot of
different people. There is a lot of blame to go around. Our interest
here is not to attack the current administration." The report contends
that while the need for effective science and technology advice
continues to increase, "the infrastructure for providing such help is in a
state of crisis." Acknowledging that technical analysis is almost never
sufficient to make wise choices, "absent competent, timely, targeted
scientific and technical analysis, these decisions will depend on
unchallenged assertions by special interests and ideologues." A real and
negative consequence will be poorly designed programs and costly mistakes.
Examples of how the scientific advisory process has been weakened at
the highest levels of government include Congress' decision to disband
the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) in 1996, and in the current
administration the position of science advisor seemingly lacks the same
status and proximity to the President as previous advisors have enjoyed
(i.e., title and an office in the West Wing of the White House).
The report proposes actions for Congress and the White House. Congress
is called upon to recognize that while the National Academies provide a
valuable and necessary function, their role is not sufficient.
Congress should "start a significant effort with OTA's ability to assemble
external expertise and conduct detailed analysis of complex technical
subjects as a distinct organization within GAO [Government Accountability
Office] reporting directly to the GAO director."
As for the President, the report calls for a strengthened role for
existing White House-level science organizations and the presidential
science advisor. More specifically, the President should seek passage of
legislation to "(a) establish a strong National Science and Technology
Council (NSTC) managed by a civilian executive secretary appointed by the
President, formalizing the role of the Presidential science and
Technology advisory; and (b) reauthorize the Office of Science and Technology
Policy as an office that would secure independent advice through
independent advisory boards, conduct timely assessments of science and
technology policy issues using both internal staff and sponsoring studies in
the National Academies and possibly other organizations." Other
recommendations are also presented. The report is currently available online
at http://www.fas.org/main/home.jsp.
*** New U.S. Math and Science Scores Available ***
The National Center for Education Statistics has released results on
the performance of U.S. students from the Trends in International
Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). TIMSS, conducted every four years, is
an assessment of fourth- and eighth-graders in mathematics and science.
TIMSS first collected data in 1995, and then again from eighth-graders
in 1999. With the 2003 data collection, TIMSS offers the first
international trend comparisons in mathematics and science at grades four and
eight. TIMSS measures how well students acquired the mathematics and
science knowledge that they have encountered in school. That is, the
content of the TIMSS assessment is based on the curricula of
participating countries. Because countries vary in the ways in which mathematics
and science are taught as well as the content covered in their
school-based courses, this means that the TIMSS assessment should be considered
a general indicator of the knowledge of a nation's students. For
example, in some countries, large proportions of eighth-graders have
been exposed to early and advanced topics in algebra and geometry,
whereas in the United States, a significant proportion of eighth-graders
have not yet been exposed to these topics, or have only encountered the
earliest notions. The following is a sample of the TIMSS results:
Mathematics:
- In 2003, U.S. fourth-grade students scored 518 in mathematics, on
average, exceeding the international average of 495 for the 25
participating countries.
- In 1995, U.S. fourth-graders also scored 518 in mathematics, on
average, indicating that there has been no change in the average mathematics
performance of U.S. fourth-graders over these 8 years.
- In 2003, U.S. eighth-grade students scored 504 in mathematics, on
average, exceeding the international average of 466 for the 45
participating countries.
- In contrast to their fourth-grade counterparts, U.S. eighth-graders
improved in mathematics between 1995 and 2003, from an average score of
492 in 1995 to an average of 504 in 2003.
Science:
- In 2003, U.S. fourth-grade students scored 536 in science, on
average, exceeding the international average of 489 for the 25 participating
countries.
- In comparison to the fourth-grade science results in 1995, U.S.
fourth-graders score in 2003 appeared to be lower than the 1995 score, but
the difference was not statistically significant.
- In 2003, U.S. eighth-grade students scored 527 in science, on
average, exceeding the international average of 473 for the 45 participating
countries.
- In comparison to the earlier TIMSS data collections, U.S.
eighth-graders improved in science, from an average score of 513 in 1995 to an
average of 527 in 2003. U.S. eighth-graders showed improvement in science
between 1999 and 2003 as well.
For more details and to download the full TIMSS report, visit
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2005/timss03.
*** Evolution Roundup ***
* Pennsylvania *
On December 14, eleven parents from Dover, Pennsylvania – represented
by the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union,
Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and attorneys from
Pepper Hamilton LLP – filed suit in federal court to overturn the
"intelligent design" policy of the Dover Area School Board. The plaintiffs in
Kitzmiller et al. v. Dover Area School District argue that teaching
intelligent design – which consists of discredited creationist criticisms
of evolution that are supposed to lead to the conclusion that
supernatural intervention by an "intelligent designer" must have been responsible
for the history of life – is government establishment of religion when
taught as science in a public school science class. Vic Walczak,
attorney for the Pennsylvania chapter of the ACLU, said that "Teaching
students about religion's role in world history and culture is proper, but
disguising a particular religious belief as science is not," at the
press conference announcing the suit. He added, "Intelligent design
is a Trojan Horse for bringing religious creationism back into public
school science classes."
Reaction to the complaint was swift. A trenchant editorial in the York
Dispatch began by observing, "The intelligent design/creationist clique
on the Dover Area School Board now have the national media attention
they've been angling for – and so much for their mandated
responsibilities to the students and district residents," and went on pointedly to
describe the procedure for running for school board. Angie Yingling, a
member of the Dover Area School Board who initially voted for the policy
but later reversed her position and threatened to resign over the
policy, told the Associated Press, "Anyone with half a brain should have
known we were going to be sued." The Discovery Institute issued a press
release calling on the board to withdraw and rewrite its policy. But
Richard Thompson, an attorney for the Thomas More Law Center, which
describes itself as a "not-for-profit public interest law firm dedicated to
the defense and promotion of the religious freedom of Christians,
time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life," indicated
that his firm would represent the Dover Area School District to defend
the "intelligent design" policy. Speaking to the San Francisco
Chronicle, Thompson acknowledged the "religious implications" of "intelligent
design," but expressed confidence in the prospects for a legal victory.
NCSE's Nicholas Matzke took a different view, saying, "Evolution is
great science and this intelligent design stuff is religiously motivated
pseudo-science," adding, "it seems like a pretty clear-cut case to us."
* Oklahoma *
On December 7th, Oklahoman's for Excellence in Science Education (OESE)
launched an organizational website providing information about
evolution education in the state of Oklahoma. The site is located at
http://www.biosurvey.ou.edu/oese and contains a lot of information
about teaching evolution, Oklahoma's evolution debate and instructions on
how to sign up for the Oklahoma list serve.
* Missouri *
On December 1st, House Bill 35 was introduced in the Missouri House of
Representatives. (Although the legislature is not in session until
January 5, 2005, in Missouri it is possible to "prefile" bills and
resolutions in order to expedite legislation.) HB 35 would require that:
"All biology textbooks sold to the public schools of the state of
Missouri shall have one or more chapters containing a critical analysis of
origins. The chapters shall convey the distinction between data and
testable theories of science and philosophical claims that are made in the
name of science. Where topics are taught that may generate
controversy, such as biological evolution, the curriculum should help students to
understand the full range of scientific views that exist, why such
topics may generate controversy, and how scientific discoveries can
profoundly affect society."
The second and third sentences, of course, are modeled after the
so-called Santorum-language, present only in the Joint Explanatory Statement
of the Conference Committee for the No Child Left Behind Act and not in
the act itself. The sponsor of the bill, Cynthia Davis, was a
cosponsor of both of last year's "intelligent design" bills in the Missouri
House of Representatives, HB 911 and HB 1722. HB 911 would have required
"the equal treatment of science instruction regarding evolution and
intelligent design" in Missouri's public schools, and moreover would have
provided that "Willful neglect of any elementary or secondary school
superintendent, principal, or teacher to observe and carry out the
requirements of this section shall be cause for termination of his or her
contract" and "Each public school classroom in this state from grades
eight through twelve in which science is taught exclusively shall post a
copy of this section in a conspicuous manner." These draconian provi
sions were absent from its successor, HB 1722, but no action was taken
on either bill before the end of the legislative session on May 14,
2004.
For the text of HB 35 as introduced, visit:
http://www.house.state.mo.us/bills051/biltxt/intro/HB0035I.htm.
* Kansas *
As predicted, the balance of power on the Kansas Board of Education
tilted in favor of anti-evolutionists after the November 2, 2004,
election. When Kathy Martin replaces Bruce Wyatt on the District 6 seat on the
board in January 2005, the anti-evolution faction will have a 6-4
majority. Kansans are thus braced for a reprise of 1999's battle over the
place of evolution in the state's science standards, and they got a taste
of it on December 14, 2004, when the first draft of a revised set of
science standards was received by the board. Board member John Bacon
complained that the opinions of supporters of teaching creationism and
"intelligent design" alongside evolution were ignored, and eight members
of the twenty-six member committee submitted a "minority report,"
authored with the assistance of the Intelligent Design Network, which
criticized the draft for promoting a "naturalistic" definition of science and
for not sufficiently encouraging students "to critically analyze
the theory of biological evolution."
Nevertheless, the first draft of the standards, as submitted, was
accepted by the board and is now scheduled to be discussed in public
meetings around the state in January 2005; it will undergo further rounds of
revisions and evaluation, with a final draft to be voted on by the board
in June. A recent editorial in the Wichita Eagle advised the board not
to monkey with the standards: "Evolution, like it or not, is a bedrock
of modern science, in fields as diverse as paleontology and human
genome research. It has revolutionized science and our understanding of the
world. Every student should know and understand it – regardless of
whether they personally believe it. ... But the most 'scientific' of the
creationist theories, intelligent design, has little support in the
mainstream scientific community. So why would we teach it in our science
classrooms?" As in 1999, the National Center for Science Education is
working with concerned Kansans – especially those at Kansas Citize
ns for Science – to help to ensure that evolution education in the
Sunflower State remains uncompromised.
* Wisconsin *
On December 6, 2004, the Grantsburg, Wisconsin, school board passed a
third version of a resolution on its science curriculum by a vote of 6
to 1. Two previous versions of the policy were widely criticized as
obvious attempts to require or allow the teaching of various forms of
creationism, including "intelligent design," in the district's science
classes. The policy states:
"Students are expected to analyze, review, and critique scientific
explanations, including hypotheses and theories, as to their strengths and
weaknesses using scientific evidence and information. Students shall
be able to explain the scientific strengths and weaknesses of
evolutionary theory. This policy does not call for the teaching of creationism
or intelligent design."
Despite the welcome clarification in the last sentence, the singling
out of evolution for special attention is still problematic. NCSE's
Susan Spath told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, "We'll have to wait and
see what materials are produced" to implement the new policy. Signs are
not good, though: at a meeting in late November, the school board
allowed a proponent of "intelligent design" creationism to make a lengthy
presentation and to screen a videotape, while denying requests to allow a
biologist to speak at a later meeting.
In other news, on December 16, the Grantsburg school board received a
letter signed by almost 200 members of the Wisconsin clergy urging the
board "to preserve the integrity of the science curriculum by affirming
the teaching of the theory of evolution as a core component of human
knowledge." In all, about 3000 science professors, religion professors,
science educators, and members of the clergy from across the state have
signed letters of protest to the board about its antievolution
policies, thanks in large part to the efforts of NCSE member Michael Zimmerman,
the dean of the College of Letters and Science at the University of
Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Grantsburg Superintendent Joni Burgin is reportedly
unimpressed, however, writing in an e-mail to the St. Paul Pioneer Press
that "The amount of letters and the number of signatures does not
matter. The school board feels that they must do what is right for
Grantsburg students and the Grantsburg community." Concerned residents of
Grantsburg are planning to hold a public forum on January 8, 2005, on
evolution, creationism, and public education – and on what is really
right for science education in Grantsburg.
* South Carolina *
On December 15, 2004, S 114 was introduced (by prefiling) in the South
Carolina Senate and referred to the Committee on Education. In
addition to revising two aspects of the system whereby the state selects
textbooks, S 114 would, if enacted, establish a nineteen-member South
Carolina Standards Committee, charged to "study standards regarding the
teaching of the origin of species; determine whether there is a consensus on
the definition of science; [and] determine whether alternatives to
evolution as the origin of species should be offered in schools." The idea
of such a committee was broached in the last legislative session, in a
context that amply revealed its antievolutionist motivations.
*** May 10-11 are Congressional Visit Days ***
The 10th annual Congressional Visit Day is scheduled for May 10-11,
2005. The CVD is a two-day annual event that brings scientists,
engineers, researchers, educators, and technology executives to Washington to
raise visibility and support for science, engineering, and technology.
CVD is an important opportunity to make science issues and science
funding a priority for the 109th congress. More information about CVD is
available at www.aas.org/cvd/. The site contains a downloadable packet
of briefing materials updated to demonstrate the need for sustained
federal investment in scientific research.
*** How to Find Key Federal Register Notices ***
Federal Register announcements regarding federal regulations, agency
meetings, and other notices of interest to the geoscience community are
listed in chronological order and show the federal agency involved, the
title, and the citation. The Federal Register is available online at
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/frcont04.html. Information on
submitting comments and reading announcements are also available online
at http://www.regulation.gov.
*** New Updates to Website ***
OMB Data Quality Standards (12-23-04)
Political Challenges to the Teaching of Evolution (12-23-04) Natural
Gas Policy (12-16-04) Climate Change Policy Overview (12-16-04)
High-Level Nuclear Waste Legislation (12-10-04)
Special update prepared by Emily Lehr Wallace, AGI Government Affairs
Program
Sources: ABC News, American Institute for Biological Sciences,
American Institute of Physics, Chronicle of Higher Education, Department of
Interior, Discovery Institute, Environment and Energy Daily,
International Union of Geological Sciences, National Center for Education
Statistics, Roll Call, Triangle Coalition, Washington Post, White House Office
of Science and Technology Policy, York Dispatch.
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2) POSITION OPENINGS
2004-064
Wright State University
Environmental Sciences Ph.D. Program and Fellowships
The Environmental Sciences Ph.D. Program at Wright State University
provides a strong interdisciplinary focus on stressor fate and effects in
3 areas of faculty expertise: Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry,
Environmental Stressors, and Environmental Geophysics and Hydrogeology.
There are over 30 program faculty from the Departments of Biological
Sciences, Chemistry, Geological Sciences, Pharmacology & Toxicology, and
Physics. Wright State University is located in Dayton, Ohio with a
student enrollment of approximately 17,000. The ES program began in 2002
and is a program of excellence with internationally recognized research.
Research and Teaching Assistantships are available (>$18,000 stipend +
tuition & fee waiver). In addition, the prestigious YSI Fellowship is
available for $25,000 (+ tuition & fee waiver) to outstanding
applicants. Students are encouraged to apply to the program and for financial
awards with either a B.S. or M.S. degree from a relevant major (e.
g., biology, chemistry, geology, physics, toxicology, environmental
sciences). There is no deadline for applications, however review of
applications will begin in January with awards made at any time. For more
information see www.wright.edu/academics/envsci.
* * * * * * * * * *
2004-091
Georgia Southern University
Temporary Position in Coastal Geology
Position Description
The Department of Geology and Geography invites applications for a
temporary position in coastal geology. Specific areas of expertise might
include, but are not limited to, beach and near-shore sedimentation,
coastal geomorphology, shallow marine environments, or coastal plain
geology. This individual will teach sedimentation and stratigraphy, coastal
geology, and will share responsibility for courses in environmental
geology and historical geology and associated laboratories. The rank
(either Assistant or Associate Professor of Geology) and salary will be
commensurate with the applicant's experience and accomplishments.
Preference will be given to candidates who have active research projects on
the Atlantic Coast of the United States, who apply GIS to their research,
and those with prior undergraduate teaching experience. A PhD in
geology or a closely related field must be completed by the position
starting date of August 1, 2005. The one-year position may be renewable
for two additional one-year appointments.
The University and the Department
Georgia Southern University (http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/), a unit
of the University System of Georgia, is the largest center of higher
education in the southern half of Georgia. The Department of Geology and
Geography offers courses that lead to the BS and BA degrees with majors
in both geography and geology. The Department's web site
(http://cost.georgiasouthern.edu/geo/) provides an overview of our
programs, faculty, and facilities, as well as a more extensive description
of this position.
Application Information
Please direct a letter of application including a statement of research
and teaching interests, a curriculum vitae, supporting documentation
(such as reprints and evidence of teaching effectiveness), and the names,
e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers for three references to: Dr.
Charles H. Trupe, Search Committee Chair, Department of Geology and
Geography, P.O. Box 8149, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
30460-8149. Initial review of applications begins on December 15, 2004 and
will continue until the position is filled.
The names of applicants and nominees, résumés, and other general
non-evaluative information may be subject to public inspection under the
Georgia Open Records Act. Persons who need reasonable accommodations under
the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to participate in the
search process should notify the Search Committee Chair. Georgia Southern
University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution.
* * * * * * * * * *
2004-114
University of Texas at El Paso
Department of Geological Sciences
Assistant or Associate Professor (2 Positions)
Description: The Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas
at El Paso, is inviting applications for two full time tenure-track
positions, one in hydrology and one in earth system science at either the
assistant or associate rank, beginning in September 2005. We are
particularly interested in finding candidates with strong interdisciplinary
focus who are also intrigued by the prospect of exploring environmental
challenges that stem from urban development in a bi-national arid
region.
HYDROLOGY: All specialties in hydrology are encouraged to apply
including groundwater hydrology, surface water hydrology, and
surface/groundwater interaction. The region offers many exciting research topics as we
rely heavily on groundwater resources, supplemented with limited flows
from the Rio Grande.
EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE: We seek applicants with research and teaching
interests that include isotope geochemistry, geobiology, soil science,
surface processes, and the interactions of lithosphere, hydrosphere, and
atmosphere.
The Department of Geological Sciences supports undergraduate, M.S., and
Ph.D. degrees in Geological Sciences as well as interdisciplinary
undergraduate, M.S., and Ph.D. programs in Environmental Science and
Engineering. The candidates are expected to teach introductory classes as
well as upper division and graduate classes that serve both the
Environmental and Geological Sciences. The Department is in a spacious building
that contains extensive analytical and computing facilities and has
excellent capabilities in remote sensing, GIS and environmental
geophysics, which may be applied to research. In addition, the collaborative
research environment on our campus affords easy access to a superb variety
of analytical equipment in other departments. For more information
about activities and facilities, visit our web site at
http://www.geo.utep.edu.
Qualifications Required: The candidates must have Ph.D. degrees at the
time of appointment. We are seeking candidates capable of building
active research programs and who enjoy collaborative research.
Application Procedure: Candidates should send a letter of application,
curriculum vitae, description of teaching and research interests, and
the names of three people willing to provide professional references to:
Diane Doser, Chair Department of Geological Sciences, The University of
Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas 79968, doser@geo.utep.edu. Review of
applications will begin immediately and will continue until positions
are filled.
The University of Texas at El Paso is an equal opportunity employer
committed to excellence through diversity. Underrepresented groups are
encouraged to apply. The University is also a recipient of a National
Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award to increase
the participation of women in academic science and engineering careers.
The ADVANCE initiative includes an active dual career partner program.
* * * * * * * * * *
2004-125
Trinity University
Visiting Assistant Professor, Earth Materials
The Department of Geosciences at Trinity University invites
applications for a one-year term appointment at the rank of visiting assistant
professor beginning in August, 2005. The appointment is renewable.
Primary teaching responsibilities include: upper division courses in earth
materials and tectonics and introductory geoscience courses in the
University’s Common Curriculum. Applicants should have a specialization
that includes laboratory and field work in mineralogy, petrology or
geochemistry, and that broadens the scope of existing faculty specializations
which include volcanology, sedimentology, structural geology,
invertebrate paleontology, geophysics and geomorphology/Quaternary geology. Our
department, a member of the Keck Geology Consortium, emphasizes
excellence in undergraduate teaching and opportunities for undergraduate
research.
Applications must include a letter of application, curriculum vitae,
undergraduate and graduate transcripts, a detailed description of
teaching philosophy and research interests, and contact information for three
references; sent to Geosciences Search, Department of Geosciences,
Trinity University, One Trinity Place, San Antonio, Texas 78212-7200
(email: geosearch@trinity.edu). Further information about the department and
search can be found at http://www.trinity.edu/departments/geosciences/.
Specific questions can be directed to Dr. Glenn Kroeger (email:
gkroeger@trinity.edu). Review of completed applications will begin
January 15, 2005. Women and minority candidates are strongly encouraged
to apply. Trinity University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
* * * * * * * * * *
2004-134
UNC-Chapel Hill
Geological Oceanography and/or Sediment Dynamics (three tenure-track
positions)
The Marine Sciences Program of the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill seeks to fill three (3) tenure track faculty positions spanning
the areas of Geological Oceanography, Marine Geology and Sediment
Dynamics. Two positions will be at the Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS)
on the coast in Morehead City, and one will be in the Department of
Marine Sciences (MASC) in Chapel Hill.
Department of Marine Sciences Position: All aspects of geological
oceanography will be considered. We encourage applicants whose research
complements existing strengths and/or cuts across traditional disciplinary
boundaries (see www.marine.unc.edu/MASC.html for further information).
The candidate filling the MASC position will be expected to teach one
course per semester.
Institute of Marine Sciences Positions: Estuarine, coastal and
continental shelf processes are focal areas at IMS, and interest in
observational studies is desirable (see www.marine.unc.edu/IMS.html for more
information). The IMS positions carry no formal teaching requirement,
although undergraduate and graduate teaching opportunities exist.
The selected individuals will be expected to develop vigorous,
externally funded research programs, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and
direct graduate students. Qualifications include a PhD in Geological
Oceanography, Marine Geology, Engineering or a related field.
Post-doctoral experience is preferred. We anticipate that these positions will be
filled at the Assistant Professor level; one position at IMS might be
filled at the Associate Professor level. Nine months’ salary support is
provided for each position.
Applicants should submit a CV and statements of research and (for MASC)
teaching interests. Also arrange for four letters of reference to be
sent to the Chair, Geological Oceanography Search Committee, UNC-Chapel
Hill, Dept. of Marine Sciences, Venable Hall CB#3300, Chapel Hill, NC
27599. Please indicate whether you would like to locate at IMS or MASC.
Applications will be considered beginning March 1, 2005. The
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity employer.
* * * * * * * * * *
2004-137
SRI International
Undergraduate Internships in Physics
The Molecular Physics Laboratory of SRI International, a not-for-profit
research organization located in the San Francisco Bay Area (CA),
solicits applications for its NSF sponsored Research Experiences for
Undergraduates (REU) program. This program provides a stipend and travel
funds for undergraduate students from U.S. colleges and universities to
participate in research projects at SRI for 12-weeks during the summer.
Participants must be enrolled in a program leading to the bachelor's
degree in physical sciences or engineering and must be U.S. citizens or
permanent residents.
The deadline for applications for this year is March 1, 2005. For
further information and application forms visit our website at
http://www.sri.com/psd/reu.
* * * * * * * * * *
2004-138
National Academies
We are soliciting nominations to serve on a National Research Council
committee for a new study, "Assessing the Performance of Surface and
Subsurface Engineered Barriers." The committee charge is given below. We
are looking for expertise in the following areas:
municipal/hazardous/radioactive waste containment; hydrogeology; environmental engineering;
mining; geochemistry; geotechnical/geological engineering;
instrumentation/sensor technology; geology; risk assessment; and environmental
regulation.
Committee Charge
In order to develop and describe an improved framework for assessing
the effectiveness of surface and subsurface engineered barriers, an ad
hoc committee will complete the following tasks:
(1) Describe and assess current and emerging containment systems for
land disposal, heap leach mining, and other applications:
How is their performance defined?
For how long are they effective, and what factors affect their
lifetimes?
Are there designs used in other countries that could improve system
performance?
(2) Assess and describe the current state of science and engineering
with respect to the following:
Risk assessment methodology (components vs. overall system,
deterministic and probability-based methods, natural analogs)
System installation (construction quality assessment)
Performance monitoring (type, amount, methods, retrofitting existing
systems)
Sustainability (utilization of monitoring data, remediation of systems
leaks)
(3) Identify data gaps and long-term research needs.
Please reply with any nominations by January 22, 2005.
Caetie Ofiesh, Research Assistant
Board on Earth Sciences and Resources
The National Academies
202 334 1952
cofiesh@nas.edu
* * * * * * * * * *
2005-02
The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota, Inc.
2005 Summer Internships
Work in one of North America’s top fossil interpretive sites and learn
other aspects of the Mammoth Site’s museum operations. The summer
internship is a paid 40-hour workweek experience for a 10-12 week period.
The duties would include Preparation and Conservation of fossil
materials (16 hours) and Interpretation and Museum Store Operations
(approximately 24 hours per week). Upon completing individual preparation
training, the intern will qualify to work in the bonebed.
The position will involve conducting educational tours for the general
public and interacting with the public when working in the preparation
lab or bonebed. Bone consolidation, preservation, and reconstruction
will be a function of this position.
Factors that will be considered include: experience in paleontology or
geology, lab experience, and interpretive skills. The position
requires excellent public communications skills, and good physical condition
for work in the laboratory and bonebed and to assist with educational
programs.
We are soliciting undergraduate and graduate students in geology,
paleontology. We are also interested in students studying natural sciences
and museum studies.
Limited housing is available on Mammoth Site property at no cost to the
intern. Forty hour paid ($6.75/hr) workweeks, (additional volunteer
time would be up to you), 20% discount on museum store books and
merchandise. E-mail Kris at kmt1@mammothsite.com or call 605-745-6017 ext. 32
for more details and an application.
Application deadline is April 1, 2004.
* * * * * * * * * *
2005-03
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Faculty Position in Geophysics
The Department of Geology and Geophysics invites applications for a
tenure-track assistant professor position in geophysics beginning August
2005. The evaluation of candidates will focus primarily on their
potential for innovative scientific research and teaching. We invite
applications
from outstanding candidates across the spectrum of geophysical
research, and particularly encourage candidates who would interact with our
existing programs in geodynamics, seismology, structural geology, and
tectonophysics. Teaching responsibilities are at both
the graduate and undergraduate level. Applicants should submit a
resume, statement of research interests, and names of three or more
references by March 1, 2005, to:
Geophysics Search Committee Chair
Department of Geology and Geophysics
University of Wisconsin-Madison
1215 W. Dayton St.
Madison, WI 53706
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an equal-opportunity/affirmative
action employer and encourages applications from women and minorities.
* * * * * * * * * *
2005-04
Strategic Center for Coal
General Engineer/Physical Scientist (two positions)
Announcement No.: NETL-05-03
Opening Date: 01-05-05
Closing Date: 01-26-05
Position: Interdisciplinary: General Engineer/Physical Scientist,
GS-801/1301-12/13
Location: Strategic Center for Coal
Office of Coal & Power R&D, Power Systems Projects
Division
Morgantown, WV or Pittsburgh, PA Area of Consideration:
Government Wide
Announcement No.: NETL-05-04
Opening Date: 01-05-05
Closing Date: 01-26-05
Position: Interdisciplinary: General Engineer/Physical Scientist,
GS-801/1301-12/13
Location: Strategic Center for Coal
Office of Coal & Power R&D, Power Systems Projects
Division
Morgantown, WV or Pittsburgh, PA Area of Consideration:
All Sources
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