Engineering dean awarded field’s top honors Allen L. Soyster, the dean of the College of Engineering, has been awarded this year’s Bernard M. Gordon Prize, the engineering profession’s highest honor, according to Northeastern Public Relations on Jan. 4. The annual award of $500,000 is presented by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), recognizing innovation in engineering and technology education. Dean Soyster and four colleagues received the award for their work in designing and implementing the “Learning Factory,” an undergraduate education program designed to introduce students to engineering theory through practice and independent projects. In small teams, students of the Learning Factory must first define and characterize the problem being faced, then build a solution prototype and formulate a business proposal and presentation for their idea. The Gordon Prize was established in 2001 as a biennial prize for new experiments in education that aim to develop effective engineering leaders, the release states. The prize will be presented at a gala dinner in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 21.
Budget Review Committee seeks activities fee hike At its Dec. 8 meeting, the Budget Review Committee (BRC) voted in favor of raising the student activities fee from $104 to $109, beginning in the fall semester. Each year, the BRC is permitted to request that the fee be increased by either 2 percent or the current interest rate, which is presently set at 3.4 percent. The organization’s request is now before the university’s board of trustees, who will decide whether to approve or deny it. At the same meeting, the Center for University Programs (CUP) was approved to spend the rest of its previously allotted $250,000 budget for its Springfest concert on April 8. The Progressive Student Alliance was also approved $2,194 for its “Week of Labor Justice” and the Northeastern University African Student Organization (NASO) was approved $3,891 for an Africa Day celebration and $3,300 for Cape Verde Culture Night.
N.H. House passes bill to protect student sick leave Last week, legislators in New Hampshire approved a measure to ensure most college students the ability to remain on their parents’ insurance policies for up to a year if they leave school temporarily for health reasons. The bill, which has gained the support of New Hampshire Governor John Lynch, will now head to the State Senate. “College students should not lose their health insurance just when they need it the most,” Gov. Lynch said in a statement. Less than 20 percent of Northeastern students take advantage of the university’s health care policy and instead opt to remain on their parents’ plan, according to Director of Customer Service David Winch. Students on the university’s policy are covered for 12 months from the time of enrollment, regardless of student status, which ultimately puts it in line with the proposed New Hampshire measure. “I always say just look at both plans and decide for yourself which is going to be best for you,” Winch said.
Retired law professor witness in nomination hearings John G.S. Flym, a retired Northeastern University law professor, has been selected as a witness in the U.S. Supreme Court nomination hearings of Samuel A. Alito, Jr., who was nominated Monday for the country’s highest court. Flym has been a critic of Alito since 2003, when he filed a petition that claimed the nominee, then a judge on the Philadelphia-based Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, had improperly participated in a decision regarding the Vanguard Group, despite personal investments worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in Vanguard Mutual funds, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported in November. Without confirming an ethical breach, Alito voluntarily withdrew from the case in question. While at Northeastern, Flym taught Professional Responsibility and Advanced Criminal Procedure, according to the School of Law’s Web site.
Vegas-themed Winter Carnival planned for Jan. 18 The second annual Winter Carnival will be held Jan. 18, from noon to 2 p.m., in the Curry Student Center Ballroom and Indoor Quad. This year’s event is being planned with the flair of Las Vegas, with the theme “What happens in Curry stays in Curry.” Students are invited to come hang out with Elvis, have a picture taken at a wedding chapel and be mesmerized by a magician. There will be music and free food. Student organizations and departments interested in participating should contact the Campus Activities Office at 617-373-2642 for more information.
Student Affairs recruiting commencement speaker The Office for Student Affairs has begun taking applications for a student speaker for the university’s spring commencement on May 6 at the TD Banknorth Garden, formerly the FleetCenter. Each year, one senior is chosen to represent his or her class and deliver a speech at the ceremony. The deadline to submit speeches is March 17, and finalists will present the speeches before the selection committee on April 4. Applications are available at 104 Ell Hall. For more information, students can call the Office of Student Affairs at 617-373-5720.
Public Safety advises students on winter parking With winter creeping up and the prospect of snow now inevitable, parking can become even more of a hassle, especially during inclement weather. Students parking in any of the university’s surface lots, such as Columbus Lot and North Lot, are required to move their vehicles when a snow emergency is declared in Boston. “When it snows heavily enough for a snow emergency to be called, cars have to be removed from the streets,” said Associate Director of Public Safety James Ferrier. Overnight permit holders are required to relocate their vehicles to the Renaissance Parking Garage. Vehicles not in compliance may be towed at the owner’s expense. For $260 per semester, Northeastern students can purchase a day-only permit, whereas an overnight permit will cost an additional $380 per semester.
– Compiled by staff writers Ricky Thompson, Danielle Tarloff and Jessica Torrez-Riley.
