The graduate dean invites all graduate faculty to attend the final oral examinations for the doctoral candidates scheduled as follows:
Alina Gross, Ph.D., Regional Planning. Monday, July 1, 10 a.m., 325 Fine Arts Center. Dissertation: “Creating a Framework for Public Participation.” Elizabeth Brabec, chr.
Ganisher Abbasov, Ph.D., Plant and Soil Sciences. Monday, July 1, 3 p.m., 201 Stockbridge Hall. Dissertation: “Evaluation of a Split-Root System to Optimize Nutrition of Basil.” Lyle Craker, chr.
Olga Tsvetkova, Ph.D., Environmental Conservation. Tuesday, July 2, 10 a.m., 306 Holdsworth Hall.
The DEFA Film Library will welcome 30 international scholars from July 7-14 to participate in its seventh biennial Summer Film Institute. This year’s institute, held on the Smith College campus and titled “DEFA & Amerika: Culture Wars, Culture Contact,” will explore East Germany’s filmic relationship to the USA during the Cold War. 
Gov. Deval L. Patrick has ordered the U.S. and Commonwealth flags be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, June 22 in honor of U.S. Army PFC Christopher P. Dona of Dudley who died June 13 in a training accident at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Ga.
Beginning Tuesday, June 18, through the end of July, a temporary delivery vehicle route will be in place extending from a point west of South College to the Student Union ellipse. The normal delivery route via Hicks Way adjacent to the south side of the Campus Garage will be closed to through traffic for utility work. Accessible parking in Thompson Lot 64 will be temporarily relocated.