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ePoly Briefs |
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HEADLINES
PFIZER CHIEF URGES 2004 GRADUATES TO THINK GLOBAL
McKinnell was commencement speaker at Polytechnic's 149th Commencement, held May 27 at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center. He received an honorary doctorate of engineering degree. During his address, he announced that Pfizer has become a charter member of the University's Heritage Club to support Polytechnic's 150th anniversary celebration. [Click here to read McKinnell's entire commencement address.]
In addition to McKinnell, Polytechnic awarded an honorary degree to Lawrence A. Shepp, an acclaimed mathematician and a pioneer in brain imaging. A 1958 Poly graduate, Shepp is a professor of statistics at Rutgers University. Polytechnic conferred approximately 300 bachelor's, 400 master's and 30 doctoral degrees in 2004.
POLY RECEIVES $500K GRANT TO SUPPORT DOCTORAL EDUCATION The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) grant to Polytechnic University to increase the number of American PhD graduates in engineering and the sciences. The grant, totaling $498,123, will provide three years of full support for four doctoral students in computer science who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. John Iacono, assistant professor of computer science, is the grant's principal investigator with co-principal Alex Delis, associate professor of computer science.
TOWN HALL: BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET…AND A NAME CHANGE? Beginning the Town Hall meeting, held May 12 in Silleck Lounge, HR Director Don Dean asked for a moment of silence in memory of Cheryl Robinson, administrative assistant in Financial Engineering, who died May 6. Following the moment of silence, Dean turned the meeting over to President David Chang, who asked VP T.C. Westcott to discuss what has been uppermost on most employees' minds: the budget. Westcott said she had been "hopeful" to make the set goal of a $1.5 million deficit by fiscal year end, June 30, 2004. However, it is looking like the deficit will be "about $2 million." She said that at fiscal close, Poly is one percent ahead of spending than last year, although the University's rate of spending of its operating budget decreased. She pointed out that Polytechnic has come a long way since last fiscal year when its budget deficit was $10.6 million. Poly must meet its bond covenance, Westcott warned, by balancing its budget by June 30, 2005. With 79 percent of the University's income coming from tuition, declining enrollment means decreasing expenses. Although the University has reduced some expenses in academic areas, it was not completely successful, she admitted, and, at the May 26 Board of Trustees meeting, the administration would ask the Board's Finance Committee to increase Poly's endownment income from five to seven percent, approximately $9 million, to supplement its operating budget. [The Board approved the endownment increase.] Regarding employee benefits, Westcott said there is no change, although, "we may have to look at other insurance companies if Oxford raises rates." Poly's contribution to retirement plans TIAA-CREF and VALIC, will be set at five percent as of July 1, 2004. Describing the process of academic cuts as "very painful," Provost/VP/Dean Bud Griffis said he has made a "surgical reduction" to remove $1 million from the academic budget. He said he reduced the budgets by 10 percent for Mathematics, Humanities and Social Sciences and Introductory Design and Science. He also said that whereas some disciplines' budgets were cut—major in computer science and slight in computer engineering and electrical engineering—other disciplines saw their budget grow, including mechanical engineering, civil engineering and chemical and biological sciences and engineering. He eliminated 14 faculty positions and encouraged sabbaticals for tenured faculty members. [Three professors are on sabbatical leave for the 2004-05 academic year: Lisa Hellerstein, Mel Horwitch and Kalle Levon. The Board just approved leave for six more professors: Juan Carlos Álvarez-Paiva, Alex Delis, David Goodman, Sylvia Kasey Marks, Richard Van Slyke and Edward Wong.] Regarding the status of the Westchester campus, Griffis said it will stay as is, for now. The University has extended the lease in Hawthorne and will honor its agreement with students to see them through graduation. If enrollment goes up, which it has done recently, Poly will keep the campus open, although the location may change. Griffis said the administration and Board will examine this issue again in October. In a "oh, by the way" finale that caught most of the audience by surprise, Griffis announced that the faculty has passed a resolution to revert to one of the University's earlier names: the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. The resolution will be put before the Board for decision. [Poly has gone by four names in its 150-year history: Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute (1854-1889), Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn (1889-1973), Polytechnic Institute of New York (1973-1985) and Polytechnic University (1985-present).] VP Richard Thorsen reminded everyone about Polytechnic's year-long 150th anniversary celebration, which kicked off on Commencement. In the works are events from all disciplines honoring the University's past accomplishments as well as a video and coffee-table book detailing Poly's history. The book will be published in August 2005. Questions asked during the meeting: Is there going to be a merger with another university? Will Poly be selling the dorm? When will extra authorization to purchase supplies be lifted? When will be there be an announcement of salary raises? Can we take our catering business elsewhere if we don't want Lackmann? Why doesn't Poly create different tuition tiers for master's programs?
In her nearly 20 years at Poly, Cheryl touched the lives of numerous students and co-workers with her maturity, humor and quiet confidence. "She had a great deal of common sense and a wonderful sense of humor, which together with her fine intelligence made working with her a pleasure," says George Schillinger, management research professor, who worked with Cheryl for most of her years at Poly. "Cheryl also had a strong sense of what was right and what was wrong," he adds, "and an equally strong sense that she knew how to differentiate between the two. This often led to enlightening and amusing conversations, some of which I will never forget. Cheryl was extremely loyal to her friends and colleagues at work, and had a great deal of love for members of her large family." Mary Woods, administrative assistant in Facilities Management," says, "As quiet as Cheryl was, she was always student oriented and put them and their needs first." Marie Brathwaite, administrative aide in the Graduate Center, worked with Cheryl for 10 years. "She was a beautiful person to be around, always smiling and soft-spoken," she says. Adds Janelle Meehan, Management's program coordinator: "Cheryl brought an aura of calm to our offices. She was always pleasant, always dependable. We miss her terribly." Born and raised in Harlem, Cheryl married her high school sweetheart, Erskine Robinson in 1967 and had three children, Troy, Crystal and Shalyn. She earned her BA in English from College of New Rochelle and, three years later, in 1985, joined Polytechnic as administrative secretary in Management. In addition to her husband and children, she is survived by five grandchildren, her mother, stepfather and brother and numerous aunts and cousins.
STUDENTS HONOR FACULTY, STAFF MEMBERS Debobroto Deb , Alph Edwards, Dave Gillette, Bonnie Harper, Lauren Kozol and Jim Lewis were among the honorees at the 2004 Annual Student Activities Awards Banquet, held May 18. During the event, held at the Grand Prospect Hall in Park Slope, more than 100 students gathered to recognize students, faculty and staff who helped make Polytechnic a better place. The event was sponsored by Student Council and the Student Activities Awards Committee.
RPI AWARDS BUGLIARELLO HONORARY DEGREE
On May 26, Polytechnic's Board of Trustees elected five new members:
NEW OFFICERS, DIRECTORS ELECTED TO POLYTECHNIC ALUMNI The following were elected officers of the POLYTECHNIC ALUMNI at its annual meeting on June 3: In addition, elected directors for a three-year term were Debra R. Freedman '81 , Erwin Lutwak '68 '72 '74 , Claudia S. Tom '99 and George I. Zysman '62 '66 . Elected to a two-year term (to fill a vacancy) was Avigdor Dagan '99 .
TRANSIT DEBIT CARD REPLACES VOUCHERS Employees enrolled
in the Transit Check Program, The transit cards are available in Human Resources for current participants. Contact Sally Chan at ext. 4038 or chan@poly.edu if you want to enroll in the program, which allows you to deduct before taxes up to $100 a month, $1,200 a year, from your salary to pay to ride the following systems: Amtrak, PATH, NYC subway and buses, Staten Island Railway, commuter rail services, Roosevelt Island Tram, vanpool and ferry services, New Jersey transit and buses, and buses for Rockland, Orange and Dutchess counties.
Independence Day.................Monday, July 5, 2004
EXPERIENCE IRELAND IN SEPTEMBER, ENGLAND IN NOVEMBER
Enjoy Ireland from September 2 to 11. Cost is $2,499 per person and includes airfare, accommodations for two nights in Kinsale and three nights each in Kilkenny and Dublin, breakfast daily, some additional meals and private coach transportation with guide. (Optional extension in Dublin available at tour's end.) For more on the Ireland trip, read the online brochure. Celebrate Thanksgiving in London from November 24 to 29. Cost is $899 per person and includes airfare, transfers, accommodations and breakfast daily. Donald Ivanoff, director of alumni relations, will be the tour escort. Both trips are subject a minimum of 15 participants and a maximum of 30. To reserve a spot or learn more, contact Donald at ext. 3885 or divanoff@poly.edu.
ON VACATION? LET PEOPLE KNOW WITH AN E-MAIL If you plan to be out of the office during the summer and don't want to return to an e-mail inbox filled with weeks-old "urgent!" requests, fill out an "away from e-mail" form on the Information Services' website. Please note: this form is only available for Duke e-mail accounts. If you have a Rama, West, Photon, Magnus or other accounts, please contact the Help Desk at ext. 3123 or help@poly.edu.
SUMMER HOURS FOR CAFETERIA, LIBRARY, GYM Kane Cafeteria Dibner Library Jacobs Gymnasium and Fitness Center PLEASE NOTE: Staff and faculty are allowed to use the fitness center from 8 to 11 a.m., Monday to Friday. You need to sign in at the front entrance guard's desk to receive the key.
OH, THOSE SUMMER DAYS (AND DRESS!) Leave the suits in the closet and start planning for more hours in the sun: Dress-down Summer and Summer Reduced Flex Hours start in June. Dress-down Summer begins Tuesday, June 1, and ends Friday, August 27. Employees will be allowed to come to work in casual attire, but not sweat pants, torn jeans or shorts. Department heads or directors have the right to cancel casual dress if work duties require professional attire. Summer Reduced Flex Hours begins Monday, June 14, and ends Friday, August 27. All administrative staff will work 32.5 hours a week instead of 35 hours. Department heads or directors are responsible for maintaining normal office duties during this time. For questions about either program, contact Don Dean at ext. 3343 or ddean@poly.edu.
Randy Sofia was hired as systems engineer for Poly's Web Team, replacing Cynthia (Ying) Feng. Sofia will graduate from Poly in 2005 with a BS in Business and Technology Management. An entrepreneur in high school, he wrote a database-tracking program at age 13 for his local Far Rockaway Chamber of Commerce and, at age 17, sold his first company, a web-posting service. As a freshman at Poly, he started GradePal.com, a web-based service for educators to calculate, track and manage grades. For that accomplishment, he was named the 2003 grand prize winner of the Citizens Committee for NYC fifth annual Fleet Youth Entrepreneur program. He can be reached at ext. 3086 and rsofia@poly.edu, and is located in LC 106. Wenchun Xie has joined Poly as a research scientist in chemistry. She will be working as part of Professor Rich Gross' research group in the Regna Laboratory. She can be reached at ext. 3813 and 4024, and is located in RH 815/817. Congratulations to Melinda Parham, who was promoted from academic adviser to director of general studies in Academic Success. The General Studies Program was established this year to admit students who need to advance academically before transferring into any engineering, science, management, construction management or liberal studies discipline. The students begin their freshman year with a mandatory summer program and receive weekly tutoring and advisement throughout the year. As director, Parham will manage the program, hire instructors and conduct advisement and tutoring sessions.Her extension and e-mail address remain ext. 3391 and mparham@poly.edu. Her new location is JB 453. Caps off to five employees who earned their Poly degree this year: Daniel Aguirre, MOT-TIM coordinator, earned an MS in Organizational Behavior; Claire (Yuanyuan) Feng, project leader in Assessment and Institutional Research, earned a BS and MS in Computer Science; Zsuzsanna Gönye, math instructor, earned an MS in Financial Engineering; Apaul Omo-Agbi, chief engineer in Facilities Management, earned an MS in Civil Engineering; and Claudia Riedel, CATT office manager, earned an MS in Telecommunications and Information Management.
The following positions are currently open:
Batavian Republic becomes Kingdom of Holland; Napoleon's brother Louis Bonaparte is king (1806) . . . British stop American advance into Canada at Stoney Creek, Ontario, and capture two American generals during War of 1812 (1813) . . . P.T. Barnum begins first tour of U.S. with circus, which included Joyce Heth, who claimed to be 161 years old and George Washington's nurse (she was really about 70 years old) (1835) . . . Young Men's Christian Association founded in London; 130+ years later, its name a hit song for Village People (1844) . . . NY Daily News publishes first issue (1919) . . . Congress grants citizenship to Native Americans (1924) . . . former machinist apprentice and GM executive Walter Percy Chrysler transforms down-and-out Maxwell Motor Company into Chrysler Corporation (1925) . . . FDR's Fair Labor Standards Act sets maximum-hour work standards, establishing 40-hour work week (1938) . . .the largest invasion force in human history—almost 133,000 troops from England, Canada and the United States—delivered five assault divisions to the beaches of Normandy, France, to be known worldwide as D-Day (1944) . . . South Africa imposes Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (1949) . . . Queen Elizabeth II of Britain is crowned (1953) . . . Civil Rights Act of 1964 passed after 83-day filibuster in Senate; act prohibits discrimination based on "race, color, religion or national origin" in public establishments with connection to interstate commerce or supported by state (1964) . . . NYC transit fare rises from 50 cents to 60 cents (1980) ePoly Briefs is published each month by the Office of Communications and Media Relations Editor: Therese E. Tillett, 718/260-3165, JB 551A  |
SUMMER HAPPENINGS Tuesday 1 Wednesday 2 Thursday 3 Tuesday 8 Wednesday 9 Thursday 10 Friday 11 Saturday 12 Sunday 13 Tuesday 15 Wednesday 16 Sunday 20 Monday 21 Tuesday 22 Wednesday 23 Thursday 24 Tuesday 29 JULY Thursday 1 Monday 5 Tuesday 6 Wednesday 7 Monday 12 Tuesday 13 Wednesday 14 Thursday 15 Tuesday 20 Wednesday 21 Thursday 22 Tuesday 27 AUGUST Wednesday 11 Thursday 12 Friday 13 Saturday 14 Sunday 15 Tuesday 17 Wednesday 18 Thursday 19 Wednesday 25 Tuesday 31 SEPTEMBER Wednesday 1 |
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Henry
A. McKinnell Jr., chairman and CEO of Pfizer Inc., the world's
largest research-based pharmaceutical company, appealed to Polytechnic's
Class of 2004 to keep the needs of the world in mind when pursuing
a career. "You now have one of the finest educations the world can
provide," he told graduates. "Take a global view of how you can use
that education. The world needs new thinking on how to change the
lives of the poorest among us. It needs people with technological
and management skills to take up the challenge of ensuring progress
for all." 
President
David C. Chang congratulated the graduates on reaching this
milestone in their lives. He drew parallels between the era when Polytechnic
was founded 150 years ago and today's turbulent economic and ideological
climate, and encouraged graduates to continue to learn and aspire
to greatness. "I am confident that you will assume leadership roles
in this new world order, just as your predecessors did in many an
anxious day in the last 150 years," he said. "After all, education
and technology are two most powerful enablers in providing solutions
to the human struggles facing us today. And you are equipped with
both." 
Daniel
J. Ashe, who earned a bachelor's in computer engineering and a
master's in computer science, with a GPA of 3.95, delivered the valedictory
address. He advised his classmates to value their education. "Jobs
can come and go," he said, "but your degree can never be taken away."
For
the first time since Polytechnic's alumni association began presenting
the Outstanding Graduate Award, two students shared the award: Gerti
Bogdani, who earned a bachelor's in computer science with a GPA
of 3.79; and Tipsy Talwar, who received a bachelor's in computer
engineering and a master's in telecommunications networks, with a
GPA of 3.76. 
The Distinguished
Teacher Award was presented to Haldun Hadimioglu, industry
associate professor of computer science. 
Cheryl
Robinson, administrative secretary for Financial Engineering, died
May 6 of pancreatic cancer. She was 59. 
Lewis,
instructor of humanities, received the Faculty of the Year Award for
his high involvement with student activities, whether it was advising
students, supporting events or rolling back his sleeves and contributing
to the labor. Harper, administrative assistant in Student Development
received the Staff of the Year Award for making her office, in the
words of Student Council, "a manageable and welcoming place. The best
way to illustrate her assistance is that without her, the door to
the Student Leadership Center would
not open, literally and figuratively. She always knows the fastest
way to get things done and I don't think there is a single person
in the entire building she does not know."
Deb,
coordinator of tutorial services in Academic Success, and Kozol,
instructor of English, each received an Adviser of the Year Award.
Deb was recognized for his role in advising the South Asian
Students Association, considered one of the most consistently active
organizations on campus. Kozol was
cited for helping the Performing Arts Club produce the first, full-length
amateur play at Polytechnic in more than 50 years.
Gillette,
interim dean of student affairs received the Outstanding Contribution
Award, for doing a lot for the students in a short time. Said Student Council President Sonia Moin: "Dave came out of his retirement to help.
All the students love him and respect him because he tries to help in every way possible. He has always been prompt with his responses,
which is a definite plus, since we are trying to improve communications between students and staff." Edwards, instructor of English and coordinator of
the Freshman Writing Program, received an engraved pen and pen case,
as a gift of appreciation for his work with new students.
Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute, at its 198th Commencement Ceremony, awarded
President Emeritus George Bugliarello an honorary doctorate in arts
and humane letters in recognition of his contributions in biomedical
engineering and science policy. Currently, Bugliarello is serving
a four-year term as foreign secretary of the National Academy of Engineering.
Ruth
A. Fattori is senior vice president of process and productivity
for J.P. Morgan Chase's financial services division. She joined Chase
in 2003 after serving as executive vice president of process and productivity
at Conseco, and as senior vice president of human resources at Siemens.
She began her professional career as an advanced manufacturing engineer
at Xerox after earning a bachelor's in mechanical engineering from
Cornell. She has been a board member of Polytechnic's Promise Fund
since 2000.
which allows pre-tax money to be deducted
from paychecks
for commuting expenses, will now have immediate
access to transit funds through the BeneFlex Convenience Card. The
card acts like a debit card and is automatically funded on the 25th
of each month, meaning you won't need to physically pick up transit
vouchers in Human Resources every month. 
USE
OR LOSE! Remember to check your remaining vacation, sick
and personal days. You are allowed to carry over to next fiscal year—which
begins July 1, 2004—only 20 vacation days, 60 sick days and three
personal days. If you have been at Poly for 20 years or more, you
can carry over 25 vacation days to the next fiscal year.
Wondering
what to do with all that vacation time? Polytechnic employees are
invited to join alumni on two autumn trips "across the pond."
Apple II, considered the first personal computer, goes on sale June 5, 1977. Standard configuration included 4K of memory, two game paddles, and a demo cassette with programs, costing $1,298. Home televisions are usually used for monitors.