News

Sidewalk construction restricts ISB entrances

Site work and sidewalk construction at and around the New Laboratory Science Building is restricting doorways at the Integrated Sciences Building (ISB) through mid-June.

Temporary sidewalks will be in place from Skinner Hall and the ISB to North Pleasant Street during construction. The entrance at the northeast end of the building will be closed from June 4-18. Exits to the north/west will be unaffected.

Questions should be directed to Facilities Planning project manager Jeff Quackenbush at 545-6453 or jquacken@facil.umass.edu

June 3, 2012.  

Hadley Farm offering ground beef, steaks for sale

The Hadley Farm is again offering beef from its own pasture-raised Belted Galloways.

The Student Run Belted Galloway Group has some ground meat available and there are a few steaks left, too. "It is very delicious," says the farm's Alice Newth, who can be contact for prices and to arrange pick-up.

Randhir keynotes climate change conference in Colombia

Environmental Conservation professor Timothy Randhir gave a keynote address in a climate change and sustainability conference held May 23-24 at the National University of Colombia in Bogota in preparation for the Rio + 20 Earth Summit in June.

Rio + 20, the short name for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, is a much anticipated meeting in Rio de Janeiro of world leaders and parties to shape future efforts in sustainable development.

At the Colombian conference, "Toward a new climate agreement 2012-2020 or death of the Kyoto protocol," Randhir spoke on facilitating

Margulis memorial plaque and painting installed in Morrill

A dynamic and colorful painting honoring the life and work of the late evolutionary biologist Lynn Margulis was installed this week in the Morrill Science Center, where it aptly dominates a hallway between the Biology and Geosciences departments.

Her colleagues say the 4-by-6-foot reproduction of a bright and complex painting, "Endosymbiosis: Homage to Lynn Margulis," by Shoshanah Dubiner of Ashland, Ore., is a fitting tribute to the brilliant originality of a woman who combined microbiology, chemistry, geology, paleogeography and many other disciplines to form a unique vision of the Earth

Campus research spending grew 7.2 percent last year

Campus research spending increased 7.2 percent to $181.3 million during fiscal 2011, according to Michael Malone, vice chancellor for Research and Engagement, who cited nanotechnology, new weather radar systems and international education among the areas attracting strong external support.

Overall, the five-campus UMass system spent $586.7 million during the same period, an increase of 8.1 percent or $44 million over the previous year, President Robert L. Caret told the Board of Trustees' Science, Technology and Research Committee on May 23.

"The innovations and discoveries happening on our

Hadley University Park plans took shape 22 years ago

Twenty years ago this week, officials from Westmass Area Development Corporation unveiled plans to develop an 80-acre parcel off North Maple Street in Hadley. Known as Hadley University Park, the project was intended to provide office, research and light industrial space for University spinoff companies and firms interested in locating near the Five Colleges.

The project eventually yielded three buildings, the Mass Venture Center, which has housed various University offices and other tenants, and two structures used by National Evaluation Systems.

February 5, 2010.

Telcom system was installed 32 years ago

In July 1989, work was forging ahead on the installation of the campus’ $29.5 million telecommunication system.

Designed by Ericsson Business Communications, the system was installed by three subcontractors.

About 200 electricians were into their third month of wiring student rooms in 41 residence halls, while exterior installation of underground conduits was in progress all across campus. Construction of several switching stations was also underway.

Installation work in administrative and academic buildings was slated top begin in September and continue through spring 1990.

Telecom

State higher ed reorganization was hot issue in '89

Twenty years ago this month, the Board of Regents and the University system released dueling reports calling for overhaul of the state’s public higher education system. The release of the reports underscored the tensions that developed between the regents and the Board of Trustees.

The Commission on the Future of the University, commissioned by UMass President David C.

Hurricane of '38 tested mettle of Massachusetts State College

If there is a yardstick to measure hurricanes against, old-timers say it is the fabled Hurricane of ’38, the ferocious storm that ripped through New England and the Massachusetts State College campus 70 years ago this month.

The first signs of the approaching tempest, according to the Alumni Bulletin, were detected by Engineering professor Christian I. Gunness, who was in charge of daily meteorological observations at the college.

As Gunness watched the barometer in Stockbridge Hall late in the afternoon of Sept.

'69 honorary degree recipients were quite an accomplished group

When it comes to star power, the lineup for honorary degrees in 1969 may have set the standard. Among the 10 degree recipients were legendary CBS newsman Walter Cronkite, poet Archibald MacLeish and Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who gave the Commencement address.

The other degree recipients included Lucy Wilson Benson, of Amherst, national president of the League of Women Voters; Spanish literary critic and poet Damaso Alonso; noted social scientist David Riesman; G. Joseph Tauro, chief justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court; Harry C.

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