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AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2006-05
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CONTENTS
1) ANNOUNCING AWG GIP POSITIONS FOR 2006
2) AWG CRAWFORD FIELD CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS
3) REQUEST FOR 2006 SCIENCE FAIR JUDGES
4) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW - JANUARY 2006
5) AGI SPECIAL UPDATE-- DOE FY2007 BUDGET REQUEST
6) AGI SPECIAL UPDATE - USGS FY2007 BUDGET REQUEST
7) AGI SPECIAL UPDATE - NSF FY2007 BUDGET REQUEST
8) POSITION OPENINGS
2006-006 Michigan State University - Geological Science: Assistant
Professor
2006-012 The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost
College (UTB/TSC) ¡V
Environmental Sciences Faculty Position
2006-014 Hobart and William Smith Colleges - Environmental
Geoscientist
2006-015 Cornell College - Temporary Position in
Quaternary/Environmental Geology
2006-018 University of Southern Indiana - Instructor in Geology
2006-019 Iowa State University - CHRONOS Internship Opportunities -
Summer 2006
9) CONTACT INFORMATION
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Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of E-mail News
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1) ANNOUNCING AWG GIP POSITIONS FOR 2006
AWG has received funding from AWGF for three positions for 2006.
Please apply only for positions for which you are specifically
qualified. Call or email the Park Contacts for each of the positions before
applying.
Applications consist of;
„« Cover letter addressing your interest and background as related to
the position for which you are applying
„« a CV or Resume detailing your expertise as related to the position
for which you are applying
„« a list of three professional references (and their full contact
information) that can speak directly to your qualifications for the
position
All application materials must be emailed to the AWG GIP Coordinator
(M. A. Toscano) at office@awg.org.
Note - Applications must be received by April 15, NOT April 30, as
reported in the January 2006 issue of Gaea. We recently learned that the
Park Service must perform a full background check on all successful
applicants prior to their tenure in the Parks, as required by current
National Security regulations. This may take up to 8 weeks, so early
applications are essential, especially if the summer field season is the
preferred time frame.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico - Develop
7.5-minute detailed geologic quadrangle maps of Carlsbad Caverns National Park
for management use and for possible publication. The project is
located in the Guadalupe Mountain Range, Chihuahuan Desert of southeast New
Mexico (23 miles south of Carlsbad) This rugged mountain range contains
one of the best exposures of a Permian age reef complex in the world.
The area is characterized by steep canyons containing sparse vegetation,
primarily cactus, succulents, scrub and grasses. Qualifications:
Requires field mapping skills, including ability to navigate, perform field
work in a desert environment (temperatures above 100 degrees, rough
terrain, abundant cactus, etc.), and ability to perform solo work in remote
areas.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Northern California - This
project represents a portion of the work needed to develop prioritized
sediment reduction measures and habitat restoration. This initial step will
involve the development of a bathymetric map of Rodeo Lake and Lagoon
through field surveys and the estimation of sediment storage within
Rodeo Lake and Lagoon. If possible, hand cores may be taken for future
sediment aging (either pollen techniques or other) to determine rates of
deposition. Ideally, this project would be partnered with an
investigation of a sediment budget for this watershed. Rodeo Lagoon is a 40-acre
lagoon in Marin County, CA. Work by the San Francisco Estuary
Institute from historical photos and maps indicate the surrounding watershed
have been disturbed by past land-use practices that resulted in increased
transport of sediments through new single-thread channels into Rodeo
Lagoon. Increased deposition of sediments has likely resulted in th
e enlarged riparian/wetland deltas along the perimeter of the lagoon
and the loss of open water habitat in Rodeo Lake. Both the lake and
lagoon provide valuable habitat for migratory waterbirds and several
federally threatened and endangered animals including the brown pelican,
tidewater goby, and California red-legged frog. Conversion of open water
habitat may result in loss of habitat for these species.
Mount Rainier National Park, Ashford, Washington - Assist regional
fluvial geomorphologist and graduate student with river surveys, and
possibly some glacier surveys. Mount Rainier¡¦s major rivers are
glacier-sourced, and the vast amounts of sediment generated are causing the rivers
to aggrade: that is, the river beds, on average, are rising by natural
processes on the order of inches per decade. Additionally, debris flows
have taken place on at least an annual basis for the last 30 years,
adding to deposition. Both of these natural phenomena are likely
exacerbated by the on-going retreat of glaciers on Mount Rainier. Mount Rainier
is a monumental, ice-clad stratovolcano and an icon of the Pacific
Northwest. Mount Rainier is believed to be the most dangerous volcano in
North America based on its proximity to the large, urban population
centers of Puget Sound. It is the tallest of the Cascade volcanoes at 14,410
feet with the largest, single-peak glacial system in the contine
ntal United States. The mountain and the Park have a long and rich
geologic history as well as a variety of life zones ranging from lowland
forest to alpine, as well as tremendous historic resources.
For more information on these positions and the GIP program visit
http://www.awg.org/about/gip.html
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2) AWG CRAWFORD FIELD CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS
AWG is pleased to announce the inauguration of the Maria Luisa (Weecha)
Crawford Field Camp Scholarships in coordination with the National
Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT), who have been distributing field
camp scholarships for nearly 30 years. Two $500 scholarships will be
awarded to promising women students who will be attending field camp
during the summer of 2006.
Maria Luisa Crawford, Professor of Geology at Bryn Mawr College in
Pennsylvania, is a metamorphic geologist who has been teaching and
involving students in field-based research (primarily in Alaska) since 1965
after earning her PhD at UC-Berkeley. Weecha received AWG¡¦s very first
Outstanding Educator Award in 1988 and was an inspiration for the award
itself. Many of her students are now working in academia and industry
in various geologic disciplines, such that Weecha has passed on her
insights to the several generations of geologists.
Application forms and instructions can be found at:
http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/field_scholarships.html
The application deadline is February 16, 2006.
For additional information contact:
AWG Crawford Field Camp Scholarship Chairperson
Alice L. Hoersch, Ph.D.
hoersch@lasalle.edu
215-951-1269 (voice)
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3) REQUEST FOR 2006 SCIENCE FAIR JUDGES
AWG provides Student Award for Geoscience Excellence (SAGE)
certificates through Science Service, the sponsoring organization of the
International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), to young women whose projects
exemplify an understanding of our world and its processes. As the AWG
point-of-contact for Science Service, fair directors often contact me
with requests for science fair judges. I would like to share information
concerning several fairs searching for judges from the AWG membership.
Please contact Valerie Honeycutt (styles@hpnc.com or 972-723-2260) to
find out how you can help! Thanks! Valerie Honeycutt
The science fairs which have sent an email requesting Special Awards
judges to present the AWG certificate are as follows:
1) The Arkansas Valley Regional Science Fair to be held February 24-25,
2006 in La Junta, CO at Otero Junior College. Contact Dr. Joel Gray at
(719) 384 6892 or at joel.gray@ojc.edu for fair information.
2) The Central Western Oregon Science Expo to be held February 24-25,
2006 in Monmouth, Oregon. See http://www.nwse.org for fair
information. Please contact Dr. David Hackleman (Chemical Engineering, Oregon
State University) at (541) 737-8988 or David.Hackleman@oregonstate.edu for
fair information.
Dr. Hackelman writes:
Dear AWG Member - If you are interested in helping judge some
interesting Science and Engineering Projects at the Central Western Oregon
Science Exposition, we need you to help us determine the winner of a
certificate of merit from AWG. Fair Dates: 24/25 February. Judging is Noon
¡V 7PM on 24 February and the awards ceremony is on 25 February. This
fair is in Monmouth, Oregon, on the WOU campus. For more information,
go to http://www.nwse.org > Judge Registration > REGIONAL FAIRS >
Central Western Oregon Science Exposition, or contact me directly. Judging
the science and engineering projects of these young individuals is
rewarding both because you have a chance to help them develop their own
abilities but also you get to see some quite interesting ideas! To give
you an example, a young woman from Salem, Oregon did a rather detailed
study of the geoscience of the moon Europa, coming up with her own
theories on the reasons for the observed surface features, a relatively
unique theory that seems rather plausible to folks that judged her at
our regional, the state and international fairs. Last year, the fair
had 110 participants, and was three times the size of the fair the prior
year. This year, we are not certain of the size, but are expecting it
to grow from 110.
3) The Seminole County Regional Science, Math, & Engineering Fair to be
held on Saturday, February 18, 2006 in Sanford, Florida at the Seminole
Towne Center. See http://www.seminolescience.org for fair information.
Please contact the Fair Director, Dr. Suzy Behel, at 407-320-3603 or
sbehel@cfl.rr.com.
Dr. Behel writes:
The Seminole County Regional Science, Math, & Engineering Fair is
Saturday, February 18, 2006. Last year, 30 Seminole students went on to
compete and many took prizes in the State competition. Four individual
students and two teams from Seminole County High Schools went to
International and several came home with prizes! Professionals in the
sciences, math, and engineering fields are needed to judge the event from 9 AM
until 3PM on February 18. In addition, sponsorships and awards from
professional societies, companies, and individuals are needed, and
volunteers are needed to assist in logistics for the event. There are also
year-round opportunities to mentor students who are preparing projects.
Don't miss the public display of projects during mall hours on February
18 at the Seminole Towne Center Mall in Sanford, FL.
4) The 2006 Eastern Iowa Science and Engineering Fair to be held
Saturday, March 18, 2006 at Lindale Mall, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. See
http://www.eisef.org/ for fair information or contact Colleen Kobe at
awards@eisef.org. Sponsored Award Judge Registration is 8am-9:30am and
the Sponsored Award Time to Judge is 8am-2pm. See last year's
sponsored award prizes and winners at http://www.eisef.org/aw2005.htm
5) The American Indian Science & Engineering Society will once again
sponsor the 19th annual National American Indian Science & Engineering
Fair (NAISEF) at the national level. NAISEF will be held on March 23 ¡V
25, 2006 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Please contact Peter Moulson,
AISES Membership Services Coordinator, at 505.765.1052, ext. 109 or email
peter@aises.org for fair information.
Peter Moulson writes:
NAISEF enables Native American students to actively showcase their
science-based research projects and participate in opportunities to receive
monetary and achievement awards. With the support of individual and
organizations that provide special awards, students are motivated to
acquire valuable skills in science, engineering, and mathematics in their
pursuit of educational success. Last year AWG sponsored a Special Award
for NAISEF participants. This year we invite you to judge for your
special award. Judging will occur on Friday, March 24, 2006. There is
not an official deadline to sponsor a Special Award, but in order for
Special Awards to be included in the official NAISEF Program, we would
need to receive confirmation of all Special Awards no later than March 3,
2006.
6) The 58th Prince George¡¦s Area Science Fair to be held March 31 ¡V
April 2, 2006 at Prince George¡¦s Community College, Largo Student
Center, Large Rd. (Rt. 202), Large, PG County, Maryland. Judges check-in
from 7:45 am - 8:15 am on April 1, and judging begins at 8:15 am. Please
contact Alex Imholtz at 301-386-7539 or imholtat@pgcc.edu for fair
information or contact Valerie Honeycutt for judge registration paperwork.
7) The State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida to be held April
19-21, 2006 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
Judging will be Thursday April 20 from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm. Please
contact Nancy Besley of the Florida Foundation for Future Scientists at
407-823-4347 or nbesley@mail.ucf.edu if you are interested, or go to
www.fffs.ucf.edu for more information.
8) The Nebraska Junior Academy of Sciences (NJAS) is hosting the 2005
NJAS State Science Fair Competition for students (grades 6-12) on April
21, 2006. Please contact Judy Williams, NJAS Director, at
AEJWilliam@aol.com for more information concerning times and fair
location.
9) 2006 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), to be
held in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 7-13, 2006. They are looking for
50 individuals including qualified women (in academia, government and
industry) who can judge in the earth/space category as Category Judges,
not just Special Awards judges. Judges need either a Ph.D. or 6 years
experience beyond the master's degree, and will need to be present on
Tuesday, May 9 and Wednesday, May 10, 2006. Please contact Anne Argast,
Dept. of Geosciences, Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne at
Argast@ipfw.edu.
10) AWG would also like to field a team of at least three AWG Special
Awards judges at the 2006 ISEF (Indianapolis, Indiana, May 7-13, 2006).
AWG presents three female students with awards each year at the ISEF,
but we can't present these awards if we don't have judges! We need YOU!
Judging is on Tuesday afternoon May 9 and all day Wednesday May 10,
with the Special Awards presentation on Thursday evening, May 11. I have
several resources to share, including a "calling card", the certificate
paper and certificate templates, AWG judging guidelines, and other
miscellaneous information. Some travel funds may be available. AWG
members interested in participating as an AWG Special Awards judge at the
ISEF are invited and encouraged to contact Valerie Honeycutt at
styles@hpnc.com by no later than February 15, 2006. The ISEF requires
that it's Grand Award Judges have either a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent
_OR_ a minimum of 6 years professional experience in one of 14 specific
disc
iplines including behavioral and social sciences, biochemistry, botany,
chemistry, computer science, earth science, engineering, environmental
science, mathematics, medicine and health, microbiology, physics, space
science, and zoology. So, in accordance with the ISEF guidelines for
judge¡¦s experience, we welcome AWG members with those qualifications to
volunteer as an AWG Special Awards judge.
11) Other - Over 600 ISEF-affiliated regional fairs are held world-wide
each year, many in the United States, and these fairs are also looking
for judges to present the AWG SAGE certificates at their fairs. If
anyone in your Chapter might be interested in participating as a judge, or
if your Chapter is interested in sponsoring an additional award at a
local fair, please contact Valerie Honeycutt at styles@hpnc.com or
972-723-2260 for affiliated local fair information in your area. You can also
visit the Science Service website for more information or a list of
their regional affiliated science fairs at
http://www.sciserv.org/isef/aff_fairs/aff_fairsearch.asp.
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4) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW - JANUARY 2006
1. State of the Union Highlights Energy and Science Issues
2. Fiscal Year 2006 Appropriations Wrap Up
3. New Innovation Legislation Released
4. Senate Continues Hearings on Response to Katrina
5. House Science Committee to Investigate Accusations by NASA Climate
Scientist
6. Evolution Round-Up a. Philosophy of Design Course Dropped in
California
7. Managing Risk in Earthquake Country
8. The Benefits of Seismic Monitoring
9. Bureau of Land Management Opens More Land for Drilling
10. MMS Releases Hurricane Impact Details and Request Research Areas
11. USGS Releases Latest Minerals Productions
12. Encourage Members to Join the Congressional Hazards Caucus
13. Congressional Visits Day Scheduled for March 28-29
14. AGI Welcomes Our New Spring Intern
15. Federal Register Notices 16. New Updates to the Website
1. State of the Union Highlights Energy and Science Issues
President Bush focused primarily on international relations in his
January 31st State of the Union address, but near the end of his talk, Bush
outlined the Advanced Energy Initiative and the American
Competitiveness Initiative. The energy initiative sets the goal of replacing ¡§more
than 75% of our oil imports from the Middle East by 2025.¡¨ This
initiative would provide $2 billion over ten years for research in clean
coal technologies and would provide a 22% increase in clean-energy
research at the Department of Energy. According to a White House press
release, the President has included $281 million for the development of clean
coal technology, $148 million for solar energy technologies, and $44
million for wind energy technologies in his budget request that will be
sent to Congress on February 6th for fiscal year 2007. President Bush
also announced the American Competitiveness Initiative that aims to
¡§encourage innovation throughout our economy, and to give our nation
¡¦s children a firm grounding in math and science.¡¨ This initiative
is similar to bills that have been introduced in the House and Senate
(see related story in this month¡¦s review) in response to the National
Academies¡¦ report released last year on the nation¡¦s
competitiveness and innovation. The President¡¦s initiative would
double over ten years the total federal funding for physical science
programs in the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy¡¦s
Office of Science, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
The President¡¦s budget request will include $5.9 billion for programs
related to this initiative.
The text of the President¡¦s State of the Union Address and supporting
documents related to the Clean Energy Initiative and American
Competitiveness Initiative are available at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/stateoftheunion/2006/index.html
2. Fiscal Year 2006 Appropriations Wrap Up
President Bush brought an end to the fiscal year (FY) 2006
appropriations process when he signed the last two appropriations bills into law on
December 30, 2005. Congress inserted a 1 percent across-the-board cut
to discretionary spending, which includes nearly all federal science
funding, in the last bill they passed for Defense appropriations. Below
is a brief summary of the final figures for key geoscience-related
programs.
The U.S. Geological Survey gained a small increase compared to FY2005
funding for an overall budget of $966.2 million. This amount includes
the 1% across-the-board cut but does not include supplemental funding
that the agency got last year related to Hurricane Katrina and the Indian
Ocean Tsunami. Within the USGS, the Geological Programs received
$235.1 million, a 2 % increase primarily for hazards programs compared to
FY2005. Also receiving funding increases were the Earthquake Hazards
program, an 8% increase to total $50.8, and the Global seismographic
Network, a 21% increase to $3.9 million. The Mineral Resource Assessments
program received a 7% cut from last year¡¦s funding to total $49.9
million. Funding for the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping program
remained the same as FY2005 at $25.2 million. Rounding out the USGS
allocations: Mapping programs received $129.9 million (a 9% increase), Water
Resource programs received $212.9 million (a 1% increase), and Biol
ogical Resources programs received $175.5 million (a 2% increase).
Funding for the Department of Energy (DOE) rose slightly from FY2005 to
a total of $24 billion. Renewable Energy activities received $358.4
million, a 6% decrease from last year¡¦s level. The Office of Science
will receive $3.6 billion, a negligible decrease from last year¡¦s
allocation. Within this amount, the Basic Energy Sciences will receive $1.1
billion, an increase of 2.6% from the previous year, that includes $219
million for the Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and Energy
Biosciences account and $140 million for the Climate Change Research
account. Funding for the Yucca Mountain project, which is funded through
a defense and a civilian account, totaled $445.5 million that
translates into a 22% decrease for the project from last year¡¦s allocation.
Fossil Energy (FE) activities at DOE will receive a decrease of 7.5% from
last year, for a total of $592 million. The majority of this decrease
was absorbed by the Natural Gas Technologies and the Petroleum-Oil
Technology account, which received $32.7 million (-27%) and $31.7 (-7%),
respectively. Also within DOE, the Carbon Sequestration account received
$66.3, a 46% increase from last year; the Clean Coal Power Initiative
received $68.7 million, a 2% increase from last year; and the Coal
Research and Development account received $215.8 million, a 5% increase from
last year.
The National Science Foundation is reporting a FY2006 total of $5.58
billion, which is a 2% increase from last year¡¦s funding level. Funding
for the Research and Related Activities account, which includes the
discipline-based directorates, increased 2% to total $4.33 billion. The
Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) account is
up nearly 16% from FY2005 levels. Earthscope will receive almost $50
million of the MREFC account¡¦s $190.9 million.
President Bush will release the FY 2007 budget on February 6, 2006.
AGI¡¦s Government Affairs Program will release a series of Special
Updates in the week following the budget release highlighting the
geoscience-related programs in the federal government. Other highlights of
geoscience funding in FY2006 can be found at AGI¡¦s Government Affairs
Program website <http://www.agiweb.org/gap>.
3. New Innovation Legislation Released
On January 25, 2006, Senators Pete Domenici (R-NM), Jeff Bingaman
(D-NM), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Kay Bailey
Hutchison (R-TX) held a press conference to introduce a package of three
bills (S.2197, S.2198, and S.2199), collectively titled Protecting
America¡¦s Competitive Edge (PACE). The bills, which are separated
into energy, education, and finance components, implement some of the 20
recommendations detailed in the National Academies¡¦ report ¡§Rising
Above the Gathering Storm.¡¨ Senator Domenici called the legislation a
response to a ¡§basic problem that America faces. We are very worried
that we are having a terrific brain drain of Americans in the areas of
physics, mathematics, science, and the like,¡¨ he said. The five
senators emphasized the positive impact the legislation would have on the
American economy as a whole, as well as the benefits it would bring to
their individual states.
Specific components of the bills include creating new scholarships for
undergraduate education, graduate research, and teacher training in
math, science, and technology; doubling the basic research budgets of the
National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the
Department of Defense (DOD); establishing an Advanced Research Projects
Agency ¡V Energy (ARPA-E), modeled after the successful Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA); reforming visa and immigration
policy; and doubling and making permanent the research and development (R&D)
tax credit. Senator Alexander stressed the importance of considering
the legislation as a whole. ¡§We need to do it all,¡¨ he said. ¡§Our
goal is not to get to 50 yards.¡¨
PACE represents a growing congressional focus on US competitiveness and
innovation. In early December, Representative Bart Gordon (D-TN)
introduced three similar bills (H.R.4434, H.R.4435, H.R.4596) to the House.
Just over a week later, Senators Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) and John
Ensign (R-NV) introduced the National Innovation Act (S.2109), based on
recommendations in an innovation report conducted by the Council on
Competitiveness. Senate staff members have noted that the National Innovation
Act and the PACE legislation are complementary. The President has also
turned executive attention to US competitiveness. In his annual State
of the Union address he unveiled another innovation proposal, the
American Competitiveness Initiative (see other article).
A summary of the innovation legislation by AGI¡¦s Government Affairs
program is available at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/innovation.html.
The full text of each bill can be viewed on Thomas by inserting the
bill number in the search tool at http://thomas.loc.gov/.
4. Senate Continues Hearings on Response to Katrina
On January 24, the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs
Committee continued its investigation of the response to Hurricane Katrina
with a hearing on the state of emergency preparedness in Louisiana
before and after the 2004 Hurricane Pam emergency preparation exercise.
The federally-funded storm simulation was designed to coordinate local,
state, and federal responses to a catastrophic hurricane. Pam was
designed as a slow-moving, Category 3 hurricane that hit New Orleans directly
and caused extensive mock damage throughout 13 Louisiana parishes.
Pam¡¦s fictional aftermath included 10 to 20 feet of flooding in New
Orleans, overtopped levees, evacuation of over a million people, and 60,000
deaths. The exercise also predicted overcrowded hospitals and
shelters, food and water shortages and flooded highways.
The witnesses, representing local, state, and federal levels of
government and the contractor responsible for the Hurricane Pam simulation,
all confirmed that emergency plans were in place before the Pam exercise.
The ultimate goal of the exercise was to create a ¡§bridging document¡¨
between these various plans; however, the final plans were incomplete
at the time of Hurricane Katrina. State and local officials complained
of a series of delays and a lack of funding for post-exercise planning.
Chairwoman Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ranking Member Joseph Lieberman
(D-CT) questioned the pre-landfall evacuation plans and the role to be
played by the federal government. The federal and state officials
explained that the responsibility for emergency evacuation lies first with
local and state governments, and that FEMA steps in only if federal aid is
requested. In spite of this, Jesse St. Amant of the Plaquemines Parish
Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness stres
sed that Pam had demonstrated that a hurricane of Katrina¡¦s magnitude
was ¡§beyond the state and local capability,¡¨ and that ¡§FEMA should
have been prepared to support them.¡¨
5. House Science Committee to Investigate Accusations by NASA Climate
Scientist
Stories published in the New York Times and the Washington Post on
January 29, say that climatologist James Hansen, director of NASA¡¦s
Goddard Institute for Space Studies, stated that NASA officials had ordered
public affairs staff to review his lectures, papers, and website
postings before they are made available to the public. In response, House
Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) sent a letter to Dr.
Michael Griffin, NASA Administrator on January 30. In his letter,
Boehlert criticized NASA officials, stating ¡§NASA is clearly doing something
wrong, given the sense of intimidation felt by Dr. Hansen and others
who work with him.¡¨ He also noted that House Science Committee staffers
are setting up meetings to investigate the issue. On February 3,
Michael Griffin acknowledged problems with the public affairs office in an
email to NASA employees. The Washington Post reported that the email
stated ¡§It is not the job of public affairs officers to alter, fil
ter or adjust engineering or scientific material produced by NASA¡¦s
technical staff.¡¨
Boehlert¡¦s full letter is available at
http://www.house.gov/science/press/109/109-184.htm.
6. Evolution Round-Up
Philosophy of Design Course Dropped in California
The El Tejon School District in southern California agreed to stop
teaching an elective course, entitled ¡§Philosophy of Design¡¨ at Frazier
Mountain High School after 11 parents filed a lawsuit claiming that the
course violates the separation of church and state clause of the
constitution. The syllabus for the class said ¡§This class will discuss
Intelligent Design as an alternative response to evolution. Topics that
will be covered are the age of the earth, a world wide flood, dinosaurs,
pre-human fossils, dating methods, DNA, radioisotopes, and geological
evidence. Physical and chemical evidence will be presented suggesting
the earth is thousands of years old, not billions.¡¨
The full syllabus and more details about this case and other political
challenges to the teaching of evolution are summarized at:
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/evolution.html
7. Managing Risk in Earthquake Country
The Seismological Society of America (SSA) is celebrating its 100th
anniversary this year. The society¡¦s Centennial Annual meeting will be
held in San Francisco from April 18 - 22 and will commemorate the 100th
anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The meeting is joint
with the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute¡¦s Eighth U.S.
National Conference on Earthquake Engineering and the Disaster Resistant
California Conference of the California Office of Emergency Services.
AGI, the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Incorporated
Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) have organized a policy session
on Wednesday, April 19 and a tutorial session on Friday, April 21. The
tutorial will provide information, exercises and discussion about how
government works and how to communicate with policymakers.
Congressional members, congressional staff and state legislators will participate
in our discussion. In addition, scientists and engineers, who have
worked for a member of Congress for one full year as Congressional Science
Fellows, will share their perspectives. The tutorial session is
entitled ¡§How to communicate with Policy-Makers¡¨. You may sign-up for this
free session on the conference website after you have registered for
the conference.
More information about the joint conference is available at:
http://www.1906eqconf.org
8. The Benefits of Seismic Monitoring
In January 2006, the National Academies released a report entitled
¡§Improved Seismic Monitoring, Improved Decision Making, Assessing the
Value of Reduced Uncertainty¡¨. The study was commissioned by the U.S.
Geological Survey and the objective was to provide advice about the
economic benefits of seismic monitoring with emphasis on the benefits of
implementing the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS). The report
concludes that investments in monitoring of tens of millions could
potentially save hundreds of millions in future losses.
The full report is available at: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11327.html
9. Bureau of Land Management Opens More Land for Drilling
On January 11, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced plans to
open 390,000 acres in the northeast National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska
(NPRA) for oil development. The USGS estimates that drilling in this
area could result in up to 2 billion barrels of oil over the next several
years.
Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM), Chairman of the Senate Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources, expressed his approval of the
Administration¡¦s decision. ¡§With oil hovering at $60 a barrel and some analysts
expecting it to climb higher, America must develop more of its own oil,¡¨
he said. ¡§Those who clamor for energy independence certainly recognize
that increased production has to be part of that equation.¡¨ House
Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA) was more reserved in his
approval, noting that production in only 2,000 acres of the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) would yield 10.4 billion barrels of oil.
¡§Opening this area of the NPRA is a step in the right direction when it
comes to increasing American supplies of energy,¡¨ Pombo said, ¡§but
opening the tiny portion of ANWR would take U.S. energy policy forward by
leaps and bounds.¡¨
Statements from Domenici and Pombo are available at
http://energy.senate.gov/ and
http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/Press/releases/2006/0112npra.htm
10. MMS Releases Hurricane Impact Details and Request Research Areas
On January 19, 2006, the Minerals Management Service released its
analysis of the effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on offshore platforms
and pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico. According to the MMS press
release, ¡§3,050 of the Gulf¡¦s 4,000 platforms and 22,000 of the 33,000
miles of Gulf pipelines were in the direct path¡¨ of these two hurricanes.
Hurricane Katrina destroyed 46 platforms and damaged 20 others, and
Hurricane Rita destroyed 69 platforms and damaged 32 others. There was
¡§no loss of life or significant oils spills from wells on the outer
continental shelf (OCS) attributed to either storm.¡¨ In response to this
damage on OCS offshore facilities, MMS has requested research proposals
in six subject areas: ¡§(1) Assess and evaluate pipeline movement or
damage; (2) Assess and evaluate platform damage; (3) Provide hurricane
hindcast data; (4) Evaluate and assess the performance of jack-up rigs;
(4) Assess methods to eliminate hydrates in pipelines and risers
during startups after hurricanes; and (6) Assess the response of waves
and currents throughout the water column in the northern Gulf of Mexico
slope and shelf.¡¨ Details on the impact assessment of offshore
facilities are available at http://www.mms.gov/ooc/press/2006/press0119.htm
11. USGS Releases Latest Minerals Productions
On January 24, the U.S. Geological Survey released its ¡§Mineral
Commodity Summaries 2006,¡¨ an annual report on non-fuel mineral production.
According to the press release, the ¡§value of U.S. non-fuel production
rose last year to $51.6 billion¡¨, which is an increase of 13% from the
previous year. The value of domestically processed mineral materials
is estimated to be $478 billion. The continued growth of mine
production and processing is primarily due to the high demand for these goods
from the growing economies in China and India. The annual report is
available online and provides detailed information about events, trends,
and issues in the domestic and international minerals industries for
2005. It also provides a summary of industrial trends for about 90
individual commodities.
The Mineral Commodity Summaries 2006 is available at
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/mcs/
12. Encourage Members to Join the Congressional Hazards Caucus
The Congressional Hazards Caucus, a bicameral caucus of congressional
members concerned about natural and man-made hazards has sent letters to
their colleagues in the House and Senate inviting more members to join
the caucus. Currently the caucus membership includes 16 senators and
11 representatives, and is led by four co-chairs from each chamber. The
Senate co-chairs are Ted Stevens (R-AK), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Jim
DeMint (R-SC) and Ben Nelson (D-NE), and the House co-chairs are Wayne
Gilchrest (R-MD), Dennis Moore (D-KS), Jo Bonner (R-AL) and Zoe Lofgren
(D-CA).
Please write letters (sent by fax or email) or call members of your
congressional delegation and encourage them to join the caucus if they are
not already members. A list of the current members is available on the
Hazards Caucus Alliance web site at www.hazardscaucus.org.
AGI's Government Affairs Program has also sent out an action alert with
sample letters to send to members and more details about the caucus.
For more information, please see:
www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/hazardscaucus_alert.html.
13. Congressional Visits Day Scheduled for March 28-29
The 11th annual Congressional Visits Day (CVD) is scheduled for March
28 and 29, 2006. 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 congress. More information about CVD is
available at http://www.aas.org/policy/cvd/. The site contains a
downloadable packet of briefing materials updated to demonstrate the need for
sustained federal investment in scientific research. If you are
interested in attending the CVD please contact the AGI Government Affairs
Program at govt@agiweb.org so we can help coordinate your visit.
14. AGI Welcomes Our New Spring Intern
Jenny Fisher, the new AGI/AAPG Spring Semester Intern, joined AGI¡¦s
Government Affairs Program on January 18th. Jenny earned her B.S. in
planetary science from Caltech last June and will be returning to school
next fall to begin graduate studies in atmospheric chemistry at Harvard.
She has recently returned to the US after spending the past six months
teaching in London. While at AGI, she will be following legislation
related to American innovation and competitiveness, the FY07 budget, and
the response to Hurricane Katrina, among other topics.
15. Federal Register Notes
Below is a summary of Federal Register announcements regarding federal
regulations, agency meetings, and other notices of interest to the
geosciences community. Entries 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/frcont05.html. Information on
submitting comments and reading announcements are also available online
at http://www.regulation.gov.
EPA: The EPA¡¦s National Environmental Education Advisory Council will
have a public meeting on February 16-17, in Washington, DC. [Federal
Register: January 18, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 11)].
DOE: The Department of Energy¡¦s National Energy Technology Laboratory
announced a funding opportunity (DE¡VPS26¡V06NT15430) related to
enhanced oil and natural gas production through carbon dioxide injection.
There is a workshop related to this announcement that is tentatively
scheduled for February 22-23, 2006. Additional information on the workshop
is available at http://www.pttc.org. Additional information on the
funding announcement is available at http://grants.gov. [Federal
Register: January 30, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 19)].
16. New Updates to the Website
Council on Competitiveness Report: Innovate America: Thriving in a
World of Challenge and Change Innovation and US Competitiveness (1-31-06)
Hearings on Climate Change Issues (1-25-06)
Hearings on Hurricane Katrina (1-24-06)
NAS Report: Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing
America for a Brighter Economic Future
Action Alert: Come to Capitol Hill for Congressional Visits Day on
March 28-29, 2006 (1-10-06)
Action Alert: William L. Fisher Congressional Geoscience Fellowship
Deadline Approaching (1-09-06)
* * * * * * * * * *
Monthly Review prepared by Linda Rowan, Director of Government Affairs,
Jenny Fisher 2006 AGI/AAPG Spring Intern, and Margaret Anne Baker,
Government Affairs Staff.
Sources: Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs
website, PACE press conference and legislation, American Institute of
Physics, E&E Daily, House Committee on Science website, New York Times,
Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, House Resources Committee website,
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources website, American
Association for the Advancement of Science, Library of Congress,
Minerals Management Service, U.S. Geological Survey and the Federal Register
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5) AGI SPECIAL UPDATE-- DOE FY2007 BUDGET REQUEST
Samuel Bodman, the Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE),
unveiled the President¡¦s budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the
Department of Energy at a press conference on February 6, 2006. He noted the
importance of the President¡¦s initiatives, American Competitiveness and
Advanced Energy that were discussed in the State of the Union address
on January 31. For DOE, the American Competitiveness Initiative would
mean an increase of $505 million to the $3.5 billion Office of Science
budget in fiscal year 2007 (FY 2007) to begin to achieve a doubling of
basic research funding over the next 10 years.
The Advanced Energy Initiative would increase funding for clean energy
research by 22% with most of the increased funds going to solar,
biomass/biofuels, hydrogen fuel, FutureGen and nuclear power. Research for
geothermal and hydropower would be zeroed out of the FY 2007
appropriations. The initiative would also establish a new international program,
Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) at a cost of $250 million.
GNEP will reduce the threat of nuclear proliferation and anticipate a 50%
increase in energy demand over the next 20 years. Bodman emphasized
that the United States will work to reduce its dependency on foreign oil
by developing ¡§safe, emissions-free nuclear power¡¨ and ¡§by
emphasizing the potential of U.S. coal reserves¡¨. GNEP represents a change in
U.S. policy regarding the recycling of nuclear waste. GNEP will work to
develop proliferation-resistant recycling of nuclear fuel for greater
efficiency and less waste and to develop a new generation of small
scale reactors to utilize recycled fuel in developing countries.
Bodman concluded his introduction to the energy budget by emphasizing the
department¡¦s commitment to Yucca Mountain and improved management of
programs and people. DOE is now planning programs on a multiple year
time scale to ensure that the department honors its commitments in a
timely fashion.
Overall DOE funding for FY 2007 would remain flat at $23.6 billion, but
in terms of real dollars it would represent a $500 million decrease
compared to FY 2006 appropriations. Science would receive a boost from
$3.6 billion in FY06 to $4.1 billion, Energy and Environment would
receive a decrease from $9.9 billion to $9.2 billion and National Security
would receive an increase from $9.1 billion to $9.3 billion.
Within the Office of Fossil Energy, research for natural gas
technologies and petroleum/oil technologies would be zeroed out as in previous
requests because the administration believes that energy companies should
be conducting this research with the large profits from the recent high
prices of gasoline and other fossil fuel commodities. In addition the
programs have received Office of Management and Budget assessments that
are scored as ¡§ineffective¡¨. In addition to eliminating oil and gas
research, the President requests that the Ultra-Deepwater and
Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Research Fund passed as a
mandatory funding program with revenues through oil and gas leases in the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 be repealed by future legislation. The program
was meant to fund ultra-deep research at $50 million per year over 5
years. Cooperative research and development and advanced metallurgical
research were also zeroed out of the President¡¦s budget request.
Most of the funding in this office would be concentrated in coal
research ($330 million), program direction ($129 million) and the strategic
petroleum reserve ($155 million) and except for program direction these
other programs would see decreases in their budget of more than 20%.
The total budget for the office would fall from $841 million in FY 2006
to $649 million, a 22% cut.
The Office of Science would receive an increase of 14% compared to FY
2006 appropriations, consistent with the American Competitiveness
Initiative, for a total budget of $4.1 billion. All programs would see
increases except for Biological and Environmental Research (BER), which
would receive a 12% cut. Climate Change Research within BER would be
reduced by 5% from $142 million in FY 2006 to $135 million in FY 2007. The
Basic Energy Sciences (BES) would remain the largest program in the
Office with an increase of 25% from $1.134 billion in FY 2006 to $1.420
billion in FY 2007. Within BES, Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and
Biosciences would receive a $47.9 million increase over their FY 2006
budget. About half of this increase would go toward the President¡¦s
Hydrogen Initiative ($6 million increase) and basic research related to energy
technologies ($22.4 million increase) and the other half would go
toward nanoscale science research ($22.2 million increase).
The Yucca Mountain waste repository project would receive $355.4
million, an increase of $49.5 million over FY 2006 funding. Transportation
development would increase from $19.9 million in FY 2006 to $67.8 million
and the President's request eliminates funding for the Integrated Spent
Fuel Recycling program that Congress appropriated $49.5 million for in
FY 2006. Spending within the civilian waste management office will
focus on defending the department's license application at the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, improving decaying site infrastructure, planning
facilities for the receipt of spent waste and developing a transportation
infrastructure for spent waste. Within the Office of Environmental
Management, funding for defense and non-defense environmental clean-up
would decrease by more than 10% in each program while the Uranium
Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund would increase by 4% from
$556.6 million in FY 2006 to $579.4 million.
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6) AGI SPECIAL UPDATE - USGS FY2007 BUDGET REQUEST
On February 6, 2006, Acting Director Pat Leahy presented the United
States Geological Survey (USGS) budget request of $945 million, a 2%
decrease from the enacted level for fiscal year (FY) 2006. According to the
budget document, the budget request ¡§adds $40.1 million in new
programs and fixed costs, which are offset by redirecting $50.7 million from
lower priority activities and eliminating $10 million in earmarked
funding.¡¨ Four projects highlighted in the budget request include a new
Integrated Multi-Hazards Demonstration Project, the National Streamflow
Information Program, the Energy Resources Program, and some new funding
to begin development of the Landsat 8 ground system. The multi-hazards
demonstration project ¡§will enhance research and assessment on the
causes and consequences of natural hazards and improve community responses
to hazard events.¡¨ In addition to increased funding for these
projects, the budget request includes more fixed costs than in previous
years, so in some accounts the increase is, in fact, due to the
inclusion of these costs. The budget also includes a workforce restructuring
that will allow $13 million to be ¡§reinvested in high priority science
programs within the USGS, including science partnerships.¡¨
The Geologic Hazards, Resource, and Processes account is marked for a
7.6% decrease for a total of $217.4 million. The multi-hazards
demonstration project is proposed to receive an increase of $500,000 for
earthquake and landslide activities. There is also a $200,000 increase for
coastal and marine geology to support the multi-hazards project.
Similar to previous years, the biggest reduction in the geology division is
targeted for the Geologic Resource Assessments account that is slated
for a 25.6% decrease from last year¡¦s funding level to total $56.9
million. According to the budget document, ¡§the budget proposes a decrease
(-$22.9 million) for the Mineral Resources program that will
discontinue or reduce global mineral resource assessments of mineral commodities;
research on industrial minerals; research on inorganic toxins;
materials flow analyses; the Minerals Resources External Research program; and
data collection and analysis for 100 mineral commodities in 180 co
untries outside the United States.¡¨ Included in the
$56.9 million is $500,000 for gas hydrate research and $500,000 to
complete an oil shale assessment, both of which are related to a Department
of the Interior (DOI) multi-bureau project to support the Energy Policy
Act of 2005. In addition to these energy related funds, the Mineral
Resources program will receive $1 million ¡§to begin efforts to collect
and preserve vital geological and geophysical energy data.¡¨
Water programs are also marked for decreased funding, but the majority
of this cut is related to the elimination of the 54 State Water
Resources Research Institutes. The President requested $204 million for the
Water Resources Investigation account, a 3.6% decrease from last year¡¦s
funding. On the brighter side, the budget request does include a $2.3
million increase for streamgaging activities, which will help increase
the number of streamgages reporting in real-time by 30 and allow for
continuous operations at high priority sites. The water programs will
also receive a new $200,000 for the National Streamflow Information
program to support the multi-hazards demonstration project.
Mapping activities were requested to be reduced by 41% from $129.3
million in FY 2006 to $76.6 million in FY 2007; however most of this
decrease is due to a restructuring of some of the geospatial programs that
have been moved to a new National Geospatial Program within the
Enterprise Information account. This proposal would move the geospatial data
coordination functions related to the Cooperative Topographic Mapping
program and provide a $64 million increase for those activities.
There is also a 35% increase in the Land Remote Sensing account that is
focused on funding for the Landsat 8 satellite. The Geographic
Analysis and Monitoring account is marked for a $300,000 increase to support
the multi-hazards demonstration project.
The Biological Research request totals $172.6 million; a 3.3% decrease
from last year¡¦s funding level. This decrease includes ¡§$7.3 million
in discontinued lower priority studies and unrequested earmarks in
biological research.¡¨ Funding for the Science Support account totals
$67.4 million, which is a 2.8% decrease from last year that is primarily
related to the elimination of last year¡¦s request for support of Landsat
7.
Additional information on the USGS budget request and the Department of
the Interior¡¦s budget request is available at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/appropsfy2007_interior.html
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7) AGI SPECIAL UPDATE - NSF FY2007 BUDGET REQUEST
Arden Bement, the director of the National Science Foundation (NSF)
presented an upbeat summary of the fiscal year 2007 (FY 2007) budget. His
presentation contained various shades of green backgrounds which he
indicated emphasized growth at NSF. NSF¡¦s budget will indeed grow by
almost 8% as part of President Bush¡¦s ¡§America¡¦s Competitiveness
Initiative¡¨ that was announced in the State of the Union address. The
initiative follows many of the recommendations of the National Academies
report, ¡§Rising Above the Gathering Storm,¡¨ and is also consistent with
legislation introduced in Congress in December 2005 and January 2006.
Bement concluded by noting that NSF is among the top three federal
agencies in grant management and that at NSF ¡§we know what to do with
increased funding¡¨. Below are the basic numbers for how NSF investments
in future innovations will be spent in the coming year if the
President¡¦s budget is supported in Congress.
The President¡¦s FY 2007 budget request for the National Science
Foundation (NSF) provides a positive boost of 7.9% over FY 2006 levels for a
total of $6.02 billion. Research and Related Activities would receive
a 7.7% increase to $4.666 billion, Education and Human Resources would
receive a 2.5% increase to $816 million and the Major Research
Equipment and Facilities Construction would rise by 26% to $240 million. Among
the major National Science and Technology Council crosscuts, the
Climate Change Science Program would rise by 4.3% to $205 million. Other
crosscuts that would receive increases include the National Nanotechnology
Initiative, the Networking and Information Technology and the Homeland
Security.
The Geoscience Directorate would grow by 6% over FY 2006 levels to
$744.85 million. Atmospheric Sciences would increase by 5% to $227 million,
Earth Sciences by 8.7% to $152.3 million, Ocean Sciences by 6.5% to
$307 million and the Innovative and Collaborative Education and Research
(ICER) would grow by 0.3% to $58.6 million. The major facilities
investments related to the geosciences include the completion and initial
operations of HIAPER, $27.4 million to complete construction of
EarthScope, $42.88 million to complete construction of the Scientific Ocean
Drilling Vessel, $13.5 million to begin construction of the Ocean
Observatories Initiative (OOI) and $56 million to begin construction of the
Alaska Region Research Vessel (ARRV).
NSF also provided projections of the number of people involved in
Geoscience Directorate activities and the success rates of funding. People
including senior researchers, other professionals, post-doctorates,
graduate students and undergraduate students involved in activities in FY
2005 is estimated to be 10,446, for FY 2006 about 10,450 and in FY 2007
about 11,100. The statistics on competitive awards estimate that there
were 1,321 awards in FY 2005 with an acceptance rate of 28%, for FY
2006 about 1300 with a rate of 27% and in FY 2007 a projected number of
1350 with a rate of 28%. The number of research grants is projected to
grow from 1002 in FY 2005 to 1050 in FY 2007 with the annualized average
award rising from $147,857 in FY 2005 to $149,000 in FY 2007.
During the questions and answers period, Arden Bement was asked about
how much of NSF research will focus on energy issues. He replied that
there were activities in several directorates that were focusing on
hydrogen fuel technology and advanced chemical processes for renewable
energy resources. Bement responded to a query about the impact on grants
of the additional funding by estimating that there would be about 500
additional grants and 50 to 100 additional graduate fellowships affecting
about 16,000 people. Responding to questions related to education
programs, he offered support for undergraduate programs and indicated that
the Math and Science Partnership program will see a 17% cut because
there will be no new starts in FY 2007. A final question about the
Antarctica icebreakers closed the discussion with Bement indicating that the
icebreakers have not been refurbished and NSF will have to rely on the
Coast Guard and others for logistical support at the south pole.
For more information about the President's budget request for NSF,
please go to:
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/appropsfy2007_nsf.html
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8) POSITION OPENINGS
2006-006
Michigan State University
Geological Science: Assistant Professor
Tenure System, 9-month basis, 100% time.
DUTIES: Sedimentology/Stratigraphy. The Department of Geological
Sciences announces a position in sedimentology/stratigraphy. The candidate
will be expected to develop a strong, externally funded research
program, be committed to excellence in teaching at both the graduate and
undergraduate level, and be able to contribute enthusiastically to both the
intellectual and collegial life of the department. This position is
broadly defined to attract outstanding applicants. All areas of
sedimentology/stratigraphy will be considered, but the successful candidate will
be expected to conduct research with the potential to intersect with
one or more of the Department's three research foci: 1) Water and other
fluids in the environment; 2) Crustal composition and dynamics; and 3)
Global and biological change. Additional information on the Department
can be obtained on our web page at http://www.geology.msu.edu.
QUALIFICATIONS: Ph.D.
APPLICATIONS: Due March 15, 2006. Position to begin Fall, 2006. Late
submissions will be considered if a suitable candidate pool is not
identified by the deadline. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
Send vita, official transcripts, a statement of teaching and research
interests, and the names and contact information for three references to
Ralph E. Taggart, Chair, Department of Geological Sciences, 206 Natural
Science Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.
* * * * * * * * * *
2006-012
The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
(UTB/TSC)
Environmental Sciences Faculty Position
The Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences invites
applications for a tenure-track position in environmental sciences beginning
Fall 2006 at the anticipated rank of Assistant Professor. Applicants
with a specialization in any field within or related to the environmental
sciences are encouraged to apply; however, the strongest consideration
will be given to those specializing in coastal environmental processes.
The applicant must have a Ph.D. in their field at the time of
appointment. We seek an outstanding individual who demonstrates excellence in
teaching introductory and upper-level environmental science, geography
and geology lectures and associated laboratories. The successful
applicant will be expected to establish a rigorous, externally funded
research program in environmental sciences along the US/Mexico border, which
will compliment on-going research in the department.
To assure full consideration, applicants should submit a curriculum
vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy, a statement of research plans
and objectives, copies of graduate and undergraduate transcripts, and
arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent by May 1st, 2006
to: UTB College of Science, Mathematics & Technology, ATTN:
Environmental Sciences Search Committee, The University of Texas at Brownsville and
Texas Southmost College, 80 Fort Brown, SETB 2.342, Brownsville, TX
78520. Screening of applicants with completed files will occur
immediately after the application deadline and will continue until the position
is filled. Further information on the university and the department can
be found at http://www.utb.edu and http://blue.utb.edu/chemenv/.
UTB/TSC is an EO/AA/ADA institution committed to cultural diversity.
* * * * * * * * * *
2006-014
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Environmental Geoscientist
The Department of Geoscience at Hobart and William Smith Colleges
invites applications for a one-year, full-time, sabbatical leave replacement
beginning on July 1, 2006. Initial appointment will be for the
2006-2007 academic year with the possibility of continuation for a second
academic year.
We seek a colleague with broad training in environmental geoscience.
The successful candidate will be responsible for a 5-course (including
associated laboratories) teaching load per academic year and offer a
selection of courses including mineralogy at the 200-level, and
introductory courses in physical geology, Earth fluid systems, environmental
science, and a topics course of the candidate¡¦s choice. Preference will
be given to candidates with undergraduate teaching experience and a PhD
in a relevant field of geoscience.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges are selective, undergraduate, liberal
arts institutions in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. The
Colleges, which have a combined enrollment of 1,850, offer a broad array
of majors and minors. The Department of Geoscience emphasizes hands-on
teaching and encourages students to participate in faculty research
through academic year independent study and the Colleges¡¦ summer research
program. Geoscience operates two research vessels on the Finger Lakes,
the 65-ft William Scandling and the 25-ft JB Snow.
APPLICATION:
Applicants should send a letter of application, statements of teaching
and research interests, curriculum vitae, and arrange for at least
three letters of recommendation to be sent under separate cover. Review of
applications will begin on 3 March 2006 and will continue until the
position is filled. Send all correspondence and inquires to:
Dr. Nan Crystal Arens
Geoscience Search Committee
Department of Geoscience
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Geneva, NY 14456
Ph: 315-781-3930
Fax: 315-781-3860
Email: arens@hws.edu
http://academic.hws.edu/geo/
EOE
Hobart and William Smith Colleges are committed to attracting and
supporting a faculty of women and men that fully represent the racial,
ethnic, and cultural diversity of the nation and actively seek applications
from under-represented groups. The Colleges do not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin,
age, disability, veteran's status, or sexual orientation or any other
protected status.
* * * * * * * * * *
2006-015
Cornell College
Temporary Position in Quaternary/Environmental Geology
Cornell College, a private undergraduate liberal arts college, invites
applications for a sabbatical replacement position in its Department of
Geology to begin in the fall of 2006. The successful candidate will
teach a total of five classes including introductory courses in physical
geology and paleoclimatology, an upper level course in geomorphology,
and a topics course in environmental geology to be designed by the new
faculty member. A commitment to involving geology majors in his/her
research is also expected. Analytical facilities include an XRD, alpha
spectrometers, luminoscope, wet chemistry lab, and ArcGIS workstations.
The nearby University of Iowa Department of Geosciences houses a stable
isotope lab. A Ph.D. (or ABD) is required, and college teaching
experience is preferred. Cornell College has a strong commitment to
excellence in teaching and has attracted national attention for its distinctive
academic calendar under which faculty members teach, and student
s take, one course at a time in month-long terms. Send a letter of
application, curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation to: Ms.
Ann Opatz, Office of Academic Affairs, Cornell College, 600 First St.
SW, Mt. Vernon, IA 52314-1098. Formal consideration of applications
begins March 1, 2006. Cornell College is an EOA/AA employer.
* * * * * * * * * *
2006-018
University of Southern Indiana
Instructor in Geology
The Department of Geology at the University of Southern Indiana invites
applications for a full-time (9-month) position at the Geology
Instructor level, beginning August 2006 and renewable on a yearly basis. The
Department seeks a creative and energetic person with a Masters degree
in any area of geology or geo science education. The successful
applicant will teach and develop introductory laboratory sessions (including
field experiences) at the undergraduate level, offer an evening course
in Introductory Geology, and will maintain and enhance the department¡¦s
introductory-level teaching collections and materials. The University
is committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship and professional
activity, and service to the University and community. Please submit a
letter of application including a brief statement of teaching experience
and scholarly interests, a resume, copies of transcripts, and contact
information for three references to: Dr. Paul K. Doss, Chairman,
Department of Geology and Physics, University of Southern Indiana, 8600
University Blvd., Evansville, IN 47712. Review will begin April 1,
2006 and will continue until the position is filled. Additional
information may be obtained from http://www.usi.edu/science/geology/.
The University of Southern Indiana is an Affirmative Action/Equal
Opportunity Employer.
* * * * * * * * * *
2006-019
Iowa State University
CHRONOS Internship Opportunities - Summer 2006
The CHRONOS program seeks applications from U.S. graduate and advanced
undergraduate students interested in Earth history, paleobiology,
stratigraphy and paleoceanography for one-month paid internships in Summer
2006 at Iowa State University. CHRONOS is a team of geoscientists and
information technology specialists creating a cyberinfrastructure that
delivers open access to a global federation of Earth history databases,
tools, and services to geosciences researchers, and a source of Earth
history data and visualization tools for educators and students.
Interns will have the opportunity to utilize CHRONOS data sets and services
in their own research or work with CHRONOS scientists and programmers on
programs that are already in progress. For more information see:
www.chronos.org
For further information about internships, contact Cinzia Cervato
(cinzia@iastate.edu). Interested applicants should submit a brief cover
letter (including the outline of a proposed project that specifically
involves the use of data or tools accessible through CHRONOS), resume,
and the name and e-mail address of their research advisor to: Timothy J.
Bralower (Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University,
University Park, PA 16802; bralower@geosc.psu.edu). Application
deadline: March 15, 2006. We strongly encourage applications from female and
minority students.
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