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AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2005-22
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CONTENTS
1) AWG DISCUSSION: ISSUES FACING WOMEN DEPARTMENT CHAIRS, DEANS, AND
OTHER ACADEMIC LEADERS
2) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS ACTION ALERT: 9-27-05
3) 2005 POWDER RIVER BASIN COALBED METHANE CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 20-22,
2005
4) THE 2006-2007 AIP STATE DEPARTMENT SCIENCE FELLOWSHIP – OPPORTUNITY
FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENTISTS
5) THE ROBERT L. BATES SCHOLARSHIP
6) POSITION OPENINGS
2005-057 James Madison University - Applied, Shallow Earth, Geophysics
2005-080 San Diego State University - Stratigraphy/Sedimentology and
Low-
Temperature Geochemistry
2005-091 Santa Clara University - Tenure-Track Assistant Professor,
Environmental
Physical Geography/Geology
2005-097 Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences/University at
Albany, SUNY –
Two Tenure Track Faculty Positions
7) CONTACT INFORMATION
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Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of E-mail News
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1) AWG DISCUSSION: ISSUES FACING WOMEN DEPARTMENT CHAIRS, DEANS, AND
OTHER ACADEMIC LEADERS
WHEN: Tuesday, October 18, 2005, Lunch 12:15-1:15
WHERE: GSA Meeting, Salt Palace Convention Center, Room 254A, Salt
Lake City, UT
(We will also schedule a similar session at the AGU meeting in San
Francisco in December)
We welcome all who are interested in these issues. Please feel free to
share this with any other colleagues who might be interested. If you
anticipate attending this discussion, please send an email to Heather
Macdonald (rhmacd@wm.edu) so we can estimate the number of box lunches
we'll need.
We look forward to seeing many of you on Oct. 18!
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2) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS ACTION ALERT: 9-27-05
*** Support for the Energy and Mineral Schools Reinvestment Act ***
In A Nutshell: The Energy and Mineral Schools Reinvestment Act (EMSRA)
provides funds for existing programs at accredited petroleum and mining
schools, applied geology and geophysics programs, and to individuals
for degrees in petroleum & mining engineering, petroleum/mining geology &
geophysics and mineral economics. EMRSA was in a reconciliation draft
of a budget bill from the House Committee on Resources until September
25 when it was moved into the National Energy Supply Diversification
and Disruption Prevention Act as section 674. This new energy bill will
be considered by the House Resources Committee starting on September 28
and it may move to mark-up and consideration by the full House during
the first week of October. The full text of the bill is available at
http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/issues/emr/energyprint0926.pdf.
It is unclear whether this new energy bill will be passed by Congress
because it includes other more controversial measures, such as section
683 which discusses drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
(ANWR). In addition there is a section (677) entitled National Geologic
Data and Mapping Fund Act of 2005 that will be of special interest to
many of AGI's Member Societies because it offers support for geologic data
preservation.
It is possible that EMSRA might be moved to another part of legislation
that could be passed by Congress this year if there is enough support
for the section. Please consider sending a letter by FAX to the members
of the House Resources Committee to offer your support for EMSRA,
section 674. A list of the members and their FAX numbers are given below.
* * * * * * * * * *
The Energy and Mineral Schools Reinvestment Act (EMSRA) provides funds
for existing programs at Accreditation Board for Engineering and
Technology (ABET)-accredited petroleum and mining schools, applied geology
and geophysics programs, and to individuals for degrees in petroleum &
mining engineering, petroleum/mining geology & geophysics and mineral
economics. All schools accepting the funds have a duty to increase the
number of undergraduates enrolled in the supported programs and to produce
more engineers, geologists and geophysicists for the petroleum and
mining industries. All students receiving a scholarship have a duty to
complete a degree program in energy and mineral resource geosciences or
engineering.
Below is a list of what EMSRA entails and a list of talking points
explaining why EMSRA is important and should be supported by Congress. You
may use these talking points in your letter. Finally there is a list of
the House Resources members and their FAX numbers, so you can send your
letter by FAX to them as soon as possible.
*** What EMSRA does ***
*Repeals the currently unfunded and inoperative Mining & Mineral
Resource Institutes Act of 1984 which vested the Secretary of the Interior
with responsibility for the program.
*Makes it national policy to preserve and foster the human capital
necessary for National economic, energy and minerals security
*Declares that petroleum and mining schools and applied geology and
geophysics schools which produce the human capital are national assets
which will be assisted with Federal funds.
*Creates funding to maintain and encourage the growth of the energy and
minerals workforce to meet the national needs.
*Focuses on the exploration and production of energy and mineral
resources.
*Like the repealed 1984 Act, EMSRA continues to keep the Secretary of
the Interior in charge, but the process also creates a strong voice for
the states and industry
*Funds go to support existing programs at Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology (ABET)-accredited petroleum and mining schools,
applied geology and geophysics programs, and to individuals for degrees
in petroleum & mining engineering, petroleum/mining geology &
geophysics and mineral economics.
All schools accepting the funds have a duty to increase the number of
undergraduates enrolled in the supported programs and to produce more
engineers, geologists and geophysicists for the petroleum and mining
industries.
*** Why EMSRA (Talking points) ***
*Without an adequate workforce, the basic building blocks of the
economy – energy and minerals cannot be domestically produced
*Workforce availability has become a significant problem for the
domestic petroleum and mining industries.
*Industry reports worker shortages at all levels of operations –
including skilled miners, rig workers and engineers and geologists.
*At a Resources subcommittee hearing in the 108th Congress, witnesses
from both the petroleum and mining industry confirmed the lack of
readily available personnel.
*The domestic petroleum and mining industries pay some of the highest
wages and salaries to hard working men and women who are qualified.
*The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission’s Petroleum
Professionals Blue Ribbon Task Force called on all levels of government and
industry to take steps to address the professional worker shortage.
*Enrollments in domestic petroleum and mining programs have been in
sharp decline for the last two decades and many of the formerly active
schools of petroleum and mining engineering have been closed – the
industries looking for qualified people to fill these jobs are often forced to
turn to foreign schools to fill their vacancies.
*Industry and professional society reports have repeatedly warned that
not enough students are graduating from these programs schools to
replace the large number of active engineers and geologists who will be
eligible to retire in the next 10 years.
*Economic pressures and demands for cost savings placed on the
University Systems have forced school leaders to scrutinize high cost programs,
often leading to the closure of petroleum and mining despite the
obvious need for their continued existence – the nation is now down to 17
petroleum schools (from 34 in 1983) and 12 mining schools (from 25 in
1983).
*Federal funding of studies and research in petroleum and mining has
been under attack by OMB and the death of the old Federal Bureau of Mines
killed all funding for mining schools under the Mining and Mineral
Resource Institutes Act of 1984.
*** House Committee on Resources ***
Republican Members and their FAX numbers
Jim Saxton, NJ: 202 225 0778
Elton Gallegly, CA: 202 225 1100
Don Young, AK: 202 225 0425
John J. Duncan Jr., TN: 202 225 6440
Wayne T. Gilchrest, MD: 202 225 0254
Ken Calvert, CA: 202 225 2004
Barbara Cubin, WY: 202 225 3057
George P. Radanovich, CA: 202 225 3402
Walter B. Jones Jr., NC: 202 225 3286
Greg Walden, OR: 202 225 5774
Chris Cannon, UT: 202 225 5629
Henry Brown, SC: 202 225 3407
Luis Fortuno, PR: 202 225 2154
John E. Peterson, PA: 202 225 5796
Cathy McMorris, WA: 202 225 3392
Marilyn Musgrave, CO: 202 225 5870
Louie Gohmert, TX: 202 225 5866
Steve Pearce, NM: 202 225 9599
Thelma Drake, VA: 202 225 4218
Bobby Jindal, LA: 202 226 0386
Jim Gibbons, NV: 202 225 5679
Thomas Tancredo, CO: -
Rick Renzi, AZ: 202 226 9739
JD Hayworth, AZ: 202 225 3263
Jeff Flake, AZ; 202 226 4386
Richard Pombo, CA (Chair): 202 226 0861
Democrat Members and their FAX numbers
George Miller, CA: 707 645 1870
Ed Markey, MA: 202 226 0092
Dale Kildee, MI: 202 225 6393
Peter DeFazio, OR: 202 225 0032
Eni Faleomavaega, American Samoa: 202 225 8757
Neil Abercrombie, HI: 202 225 4580
Frank Pallone Jr., NJ: 202 225 9665
Donna M. Christensen, V. Islands: 202 225 5517
Ron Kind, WI: 202 225 5739
Jay Inslee, WA: 202 226 1606
Grace Napolitano, CA: 202 225 0027
Dennis Cardoza, CA: 202 225 0819
Madeleine Bordallo, Guam: 202 226 0341
Jim Costa, CA: 202 225 9308
Stephanie Herseth, SD: 202 225 5823
Solomon Ortiz, NM: 202 226 1134
Tom Udall, NM: 202 226 1331
Mark Udall, CO: 202 226 7840
Charlie Melancon, LA: 202 226 3944
Dan Boren, OK: 202 226 3038
Raul Grijalva, AZ: 202 225 1541
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3) 2005 POWDER RIVER BASIN COALBED METHANE CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 20-22,
2005
We are pleased to invite you to the 2005 Powder River Basin Coalbed
Methane Conference, October 20-22, 2005 at the South Dakota School of
Mines and Technology campus in Rapid City, SD.
Over the past decade, there has been tremendous growth in the
exploration and production of coalbed methane in the Powder River Basin. This
growth has been fueled by new insights, technological advancements and
practical innovations to enhance productivity, reduce costs and mitigate
environmental impacts. This conference will focus on these issues and
tackle critical questions including:
* What role will coalbed methane play in meeting North America's
natural gas demand?
* Where will future coalbed methane exploration and production
activity be focused?
* How can we successfully explore and develop other types of
biogenic gas plays related to
coalbed methane?
Participants will learn the answers to these questions and many more
during the first two days of the conference. The School of Mines has
worked hard to provide speakers who are some of the top experts in the
coalbed methane field. The speakers and their topics can be reviewed at
www.sdsmt.edu/cbmconference.
On Saturday, October 22, participants have an additional opportunity to
take a field trip into the coalbed methane area near Gillette, Wyoming.
Registration is $275 for the conference and $195 for the additional
field trip. To view the conference agenda, find out more information, or
to register, visit www.sdsmt.edu/cbmconference.
Discount motel accommodations are available at the Comfort Inn &
Suites. Call 1-800-801-2671 for reservations and mention the Coalbed Methane
Conference in order to receive the special rate.
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4) THE 2006-2007 AIP STATE DEPARTMENT SCIENCE FELLOWSHIP – OPPORTUNITY
FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENTISTS
The U.S. Department of State needs scientific and technological
expertise as it addresses complex issues ranging from energy policy to
homeland security. Through its State Department Science Fellowship program,
the American Institute of Physics offers an opportunity for scientists
to make a unique and substantial contribution to the foreign policy
process.
AIP is now seeking applicants for its 2006-2007 State Department
Fellowship. Qualified members of any of the 10 AIP Member Societies are
eligible to apply; see www.aip.org/gov/sdf.html for details on the program
or contact Audrey Leath (aleath@aip.org, 301-209-3094) if you have
questions or need additional information. Applications for the AIP
Fellowship are due by 1 November 2005 for the Fellowship selection in early
2006.
The AIP State Department Fellowship enables scientists to spend a year
working in a bureau or office of the U.S. Department of State. The
Fellows become actively involved in the foreign policy process while
contributing their scientific and technical expertise and analytical
capabilities to the Department. AIP's Fellowship program was established in
2001 in response to concerns within the scientific community that the
State Department's scientific and technical capabilities were in decline.
Current and former AIP State Department Science Fellows have worked in
the Bureaus of Intelligence and Research, European and Eurasian
Affairs, Political-Military Affairs, Economic and Business Affairs,
Information Resource Management, and OES. Their portfolios have included topics
as varied as emerging S&T issues, European and Russian science policy,
the World Summit on Sustainable Development, critical infrastructure
protection, export controls, use of remote sensing imagery, biotechnology
and the safety of agricultural products. AIP's first State Department
Science Fellow, George Atkinson, is now serving as Science and
Technology Adviser to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
AIP's 2005-2006 State Department Fellow, Tegan Blaine, will start her
Fellowship after completing a Ph.D. in Oceanography at the University of
California's Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She will serve in
the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific
Affairs (OES), working on sustainable development, particularly as it
pertains to water issues.
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5) THE ROBERT L. BATES SCHOLARSHIP
The Robert L. Bates Scholarship will fund a student to attend the 42nd
FORUM ON THE GEOLOGY OF INDUSTRIAL MINERALS, May 7-13, 2006 in
Asheville, North Carolina, USA, hosted by the North Carolina Geological Survey.
The scholarship with cover the student’s travel and Forum expenses to
attend the technical sessions and field trips to industrial sites. A
paper presentation is welcome, but not required for nomination.
Students in earth sciences with undergraduate junior standing through
graduate student level will be considered. A strong inclination towards
industrial minerals is necessary. Application details are available
on:
http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/NCIndustrialMineralsForum/index.htm
The deadline for receipt of application and supporting letters is
February 1, 2006 to:
Robert L. Bates Memorial Scholarship Awards Committee
c/o George Edwards, 6706 NW 18th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32605, USA
Tel/Fax +1 352-372-8974 gedwards@atlantic.net,
The Scholarship Fund, a permanent memorial to Professor Bob Bates, a
remarkable educator, author, and founder of the Forum, is designed to
encourage students to enter into the field of industrial minerals.
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6) POSITION OPENINGS
2005-057
James Madison University
Applied, Shallow Earth, Geophysics
The Department of Geology & Environmental Science at James Madison
University seeks applications for a tenure track position at the assistant
professor level, beginning Fall 2006. A Ph.D. at the time of
appointment is required. Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate courses
in applied geophysics and other courses in the geosciences for both
majors and non-majors. High quality research involving undergraduates is
expected.
Applicants should submit: 1) a cover letter, including the names and
contacts of three references, 2) a curriculum vitae, and 3) a statement
of teaching philosophy and research interests to:
geophysics@csm.jmu.edu
Additional supporting materials should be mailed to: Dr. Lance E.
Kearns, c/o Geophysics Search Committee, Dept. of Geology & Environmental
Science, MSC 7703, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807.
Review of completed applications will begin after October 14, 2005.
Please visit our website at http://www.jmu.edu/geology for additional
information and an expanded description of this position.
James Madison University is an equal opportunity/Affirmative
Action/equal access employer and especially encourages applications from women,
minorities and persons with disabilities.
* * * * * * * * * *
2005-080
San Diego State University
Stratigraphy/Sedimentology and Low-Temperature Geochemistry
The Department of Geological Sciences at San Diego State University
invites applications for two tenure-track Assistant Professor positions,
one in stratigraphy/sedimentology and one in low temperature
geochemistry, beginning Fall 2006. A Ph.D. is required at time of appointment and
post-doctoral experience is preferred. We seek motivated
teacher-scholars who will establish vigorous, externally funded and nationally
recognized research programs involving both graduate and undergraduate
students. Research specialty within the two positions is open but will
preferably complement and build on existing strengths in the department
which has extensive analytical and computational facilities. See
http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/. The successful candidates will have
teaching responsibility at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Applicants should submit a cover letter, statement of research and teaching
interests, curriculum vitae, and names and contact information of three
re
ferences to: Faculty Search Committee, Department of Geological
Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego CA 92182-1020. Deadline Nov
1, 2005.
SDSU is a Title IX, equal opportunity employer and does not
discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, religion, national origin,
sexual orientation, gender, marital status, age, disability or veteran
status, including veterans of the Vietnam era.
* * * * * * * * * *
2005-091
Santa Clara University
Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Environmental Physical
Geography/Geology
The Environmental Studies Institute at Santa Clara University invites
applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in
Environmental Physical Geography/Geology starting September 2006. We are
seeking to fill out the Institute’s program with a more physically-based
environmental scientist who has strong interdisciplinary interests.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in environmental science, physical geography,
environmental geology, or related discipline. Research experience in
resource management, water resources, soil resources, or climatology is
desirable, especially if incorporating GIS. Candidates must have a
research plan with clear opportunities to involve undergraduates. The ideal
candidate will have teaching experience and be able to teach
introduction to environmental science, lower division earth science, GIS, and an
upper division course in his or her area of expertise. For more
information about our programs and faculty see http://www.scu.edu/envs.
Applicants should submit (1) curriculum vitae, (2) statement of
teaching philosophy, (3) statement of research interests, and (4) statement
describing experiences working or living with people of diverse cultures
and identities and how such experiences enhance teaching and learning
to: Physical Geography/Geology Search Committee, Environmental Studies
Institute, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
95053. Please also arrange for three letters of recommendation to be
sent to this same address. The application deadline is October 21, 2005.
Santa Clara University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action
employer committed to excellence through diversity, and, in this spirit,
particularly welcomes applications from women, persons of color, and
members of historically underrepresented groups. The University will
provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with a
disability.
* * * * * * * * * *
2005-097
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences/University at Albany, SUNY
Two Tenure Track Faculty Positions
The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (DEAS) of the
University at Albany, State University of New York, seeks applicants for two
tenure-track faculty positions at the Assistant Professor level,
effective September 2006. These are 10-month appointments that allow
supplementary summer salary from research funding. The successful candidates
will be expected to carry out the responsibilities of a full-time faculty
member in the DEAS (specifically the Atmospheric Science program).
Though this appointment will formally be in the DEAS, opportunities exist
for interaction with members of the Atmospheric Sciences Research
Center and the local National Weather Service office, both located on
campus.
Qualified candidates for these two positions should have respective
expertise in: (i) synoptic or mesoscale meteorology or numerical weather
prediction, and (ii) climate variability and predictability, and have a
strong dynamical background. They must have a doctorate in atmospheric
science, meteorology, or a closely related field by the date of the
appointment. They are expected to provide evidence that they can teach
with distinction at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and be an
effective mentor of graduate students. They must demonstrate ability to
build and maintain a strong, externally funded research program.
Candidates must also address in their applications their abilities to work
with and instruct culturally diverse populations.
The deadline for applications is November 15, 2005. Qualified
candidates should submit a detailed curriculum vitae, publication reprints, a
statement of research and teaching goals, and the names and contact
information of three referees to Chris Thorncroft, Department of Earth and
Atmospheric Sciences, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington
Avenue, Albany, NY 12222 USA; phone: 518 442-4555; fax: 518 442-5825;
e-mail: chris@atmos.albany.edu. For more information about the DEAS and this
announcement, please refer to http://www.atmos.albany.edu and the Human
Resources website at http://hr.albany.edu/content/vacancy.asp
The University at Albany is an EO/AA/IRCA/ADA Employer. Position
pending final budget approval.
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7) CONTACT INFORMATION
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