Posted on Mar 2, 2006

Mark Jaccard, director of the Energy and Materials Research Group and professor at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, will speak on “Fossil Fuels: Friend or Foe?” at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 9 in the Nott Memorial at Union College.

This is the second lecture in Union College's seminar series on “Sustainable Energy,” which features three North American experts covering a range of topics including wood burning boilers, fossil fuels and air quality.

The series, sponsored by the College's Environmental Studies program, is free and open to the public. 

Jaccard and his colleagues at EMRG are known internationally for creating technology simulation models widely used for the development and testing of energy and sustainability policies.

Chair and CEO of the British Columbia Utilities Commission and a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Jaccard also chaired three major public inquiries into energy policy for the provincial government, the latest being the Task Force on Electricity Market Reform in 1998.

He is one of six international experts serving alongside senior Chinese officials to advise the Chinese government as part of the Energy Strategies and Technologies Working Group of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development.

Recently, Jaccard provided energy and sustainability policy advice to other developing countries, including Brazil and Bangladesh. He also served on a special committee to develop proposals for the Canadian Information System for the Environment.

Some of his most recent publications include: “Sustainable Fossil Fuels: An Unusual Suspect in the Quest for Clean and Enduring Energy”2005, Cambridge University Press; “Simulating Policies to Induce Technological Change: The Usefulness of Energy-Economy Models Under Technological and Behavioural Uncertainty,” 2005, International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy; “Canada's Efforts Towards Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction: A Case Study in the Limits of Voluntary Action and Subsidies,” 2005, International Journal of Global Energy Issues; and “Policies that Mobilize Producers Toward Sustainability: The Renewable Portfolio Standard and the Vehicle Emission Standard,” In G. Toner, Building Canadian Capacity: Sustainable Production and the Knowledge Economy, 2005, UBC Press.

The series' third and final lecture will be March 29 with Gary Kleiman, senior scientist and science and technology program manager for the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) speaking on “Sustainable Energy and Air Quality for the Northeast U.S.: A Policy and Planning Perspective.”

For more information on this series go to: http://www.union.edu/N/DS/s.php?s=6024

Posted on Mar 2, 2006

An academic symposium, a formal gala and fireworks are among the events planned to celebrate the inauguration of Stephen C. Ainlay as the 18^th president of Union College.

The two-day event begins Friday, Sept. 15 with a symposium in the Nott Memorial on “Bridging the Academic – Social Gap.” The keynote address will be given by Richard Light, Walter H. Gale Professor of Education and director of the Harvard Seminar on Assessment at Harvard University. Light's recent book, “Making the Most of College,” won the Stone Award for best book on education and society.

Panelists include Tim Spears, dean and professor of American Literature and Civilization, Middlebury College; Victoria Swigert, professor of sociology and assistant dean, College of the Holy Cross; Kent Trachte, dean of Franklin and Marshall College; and Suzanne Benack, professor of psychology and Minerva faculty representative from Sorum House at Union College.

The moderator will be Byron Nichols, professor of political science at Union.

On Saturday morning, hundreds of invited guests are expected to fill Memorial Chapel for the installation of Ainlay as College President.

William R. Brody, the president of Johns Hopkins University will give an address before James Davison Hunter, LaBrosse-Levinson Distinguished Professor of Religion, Culture and Social Theory, University of Virginia, introduces Ainlay.

Ainlay will then deliver his inaugural address, outlining his goals and vision for the College.

The formal gala on the campus grounds begins at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks at 10 p.m.

“It will be a wonderful time on our beautiful campus,” said Stephen J. Ciesinski, chairman of the College's Board of Trustees.

“One of the things we're proudest of at Union is the breadth and depth of diverse learning, scholarship and campus activities. We are an intimate school that has many exciting things happening. Stephen Ainlay will be part of that first-hand as we induct him into his new leadership role.''

The celebration is being planned by William Finlay, an associate professor and director of the Yulman Theatre. Finlay, who holds a B.A. in theater education/speech from Rhode Island College and an M.E.A. in directing from the University of Connecticut, also is the artistic director of the Saratoga Shakespeare Company in Saratoga Springs.

“After doing initial research on other recent presidential inaugurations it became clear that no two are alike,'' said Finlay, “and ultimately the event should reflect the character of the institution while at the same time being a joyous celebration of welcoming and of this particular moment in the history of the College.

Ainlay was the vice president for academic affairs and professor of sociology and anthropology at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. He assumed the presidency at Union College in July. He succeeds Roger Hull, who served 15 years before stepping down last year. James Underwood, professor emeritus of political science, served as interim president.

Posted on Mar 2, 2006

Posted on Mar 2, 2006

Time management, test anxiety, social pressures… for new students on campus, the stresses are many. Where to go for help?

For many, the best answer is another student.

A new program on campus is offering just that opportunity. PALs – the Peer Assistants for Learning – pairs students with students, and by all accounts, it’s a growing success.

“It’s a really great idea to help the transition from high school to college,” says Laura Meloney ’06, currently a dedicated PAL to 13 students.

Like the other five Union PALs, Meloney was selected for her academic and social skills by Shelly Shinebarger, director of student support services, with Kimmo Rosenthal, dean for undergraduate education. “The PALs represent the best that we have,” said Shinebarger.

PALs is a joint endeavor between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, made possible by the Academic Success Fund endowed by Preston T. Reed ’38 and his brother, Donald E. Reed ’50.

The program, which kicked off in the fall, adds a new dimension to Union’s academic coaching. In the past, the Writing Center, under the direction of Mary Mar, has offered some coaching, and it continues to help students improve study skills in specific subject areas.

But a Union “PAL” offers something special.

“PAL helped me get the most out of my classes,” said one student who came for help with general study skills.

While PALs help students with academic needs, such as time and stress management and how to access other on-campus resources, they also offer support and a sympathetic ear for any number of more personal issues, such as feeling socially awkward or dealing with demanding parents.

Ali Gardezi ’09, who worked hard at his studies but needed some encouragement in accessing social opportunities at Union, said his PAL, Nathaniel Brown ’06, “has really been a source of great inspiration for me.”

Union’s six PALs had helped 36 students by the end of the fall term. All together, they logged more than 220 hours of work and also held workshops with the Minervas for on everything from note-taking to styles of learning. The next PAL-sponsored session, “Finals Prep,” will be held Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m. at Golub House.

In addition, a PAL is generally available for “office hours” once a week in each Minerva.

Current PALS, in addition to Meloney and Brown, are Alex Chomut ’06, Risa Dubow ’07,  Lindsay Quereau ’07 and Kate Swartz ’07. PALs receive several days of training from Shinebarger and Sarah Boone, assistant director for Minerva programs.

Struggling students are recommended to PALs based on first term grades, referrals from parents, professors, athletic coaches or self-referrals, but no one is required to join the program. Those who do decide to participate generally find the experience beneficial.

“My PAL was unbelievable,” said one student. “I would be lost without her help.”

For more about PALS, contact Shinebarger at shinebas@union.edu, ext. 6116.