4 UTSAV GANDHI campus@technewsiit.com TechNews I Tuesday]anuary31,2012 ||T reacts to National Nuclear Science Week By Utsav Gandhi CAMPUS EDITOR Walking by nonchalantly after grabbing the usual Center Court lunch, many were surprised to see something strikingly extraordinary near the MTCC Auditoriumian IndyCar! The IIT College of Science and Letters proudly hosted the National Nuclear Science Day, a part of National Nuclear Science Week, on January 25 This oneeday signature event showcased ways to “Get to Know Nuclear," with presentations webcast to hundreds of classrooms around the country, an interactive art experience, and a visit by Simona de Silvestro, driver of the Nuclear Clean Energy IZOD IndyCar #78 and IndyCar Rookie ofthe Yearr Master’s and doctoralelevel students were also on hand to explain and discuss research projects during lunch to physics, chemistry and science students from Chicago schools “This week is an opportunity for educators, industry and citizens across our country to speak out about the critical value of nuclear science and technology to our future energy security and economic competiveness," said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, in a statement “As a platform for a nationwide discussion on the need to recruit the next generation of students to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, National Nuclear Science Week plays an important role?’ Nuclear power has been a controversial topic, especially in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan last yearI Some people are concerned about how nuclear waste is stored and the possibility of radioactive waste ending up in water supplies This week is organized with the intention to answer some genuine questions that people may have, and to remove misconceptions in the field “With the nation’s spotlight on energy generation and a greener environment, it makes sense to recognize the contributions of nuclear powerI Other technologies, such as nuclear medicine with its diagnostic and treatment opportunities, are also hugely important to all Americans," stated Director of the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, Jim WaltherI “The future career needs in science and energy are significant as well. This weekprovides all of us with more information on these vital topics?’ Entergy sponsors Indy car racer Simona De Silvestro, who also was at IIT on Wednesdayto meet with students In her native Switzerland, she says, 40 percent of all energy comes from nuclear power, with most of the remaining 60 percent coming from renewables Although nuclear energy doesn’t power her fueleburning car, she said she stands behind her sponsorship so “everyday people know that nuclear energy can make electricity clean and affordable? ' “I’m soaking up so much information, learning about different types of energy, fossil fuels It’s all so interesting," said Jasmine Scholefield, a senior at HomewoodeFlossmoor, who was also impressed with the IIT campus, especially the MTCC and Main Building “I’m learning about different sciences and all kinds of jobs that it can lead to," said sophomore Nathalie Kauz, of Munster High School Webinar presentations addressed a wide variety of topics on nuclear science and research These included “Green Power for the Digital World," presented by Marv Fertel, CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute, and Natalie Woods, engineer at River Bend Nuclear Power Station in Louisiana It also had “What’s Cool About Nuclear Science and Why Our Country Needs Nuclear Electricity," presented by Mark Peters, Deputy Director for Programs at Argonne National Laboratory, and Justin Thomas, a nuclear engineer at Argonne National Laboratory “Why Nuclear Medicine is Important to Me," was presented by Nicholas C Friedman, MD, chairman of Nuclear Medicine at the Edward Hines, JrI VA Hospital, also from the Society of Nuclear Medicine Finally, “Shaping the Nuclear Future,’ ' was presented by Jeff Terry, chairman of the Advanced Test Reactor Users Organization, and Director of the Health Physics Program and an Associate Professor of Physics at IIT The objective was to impress upon the students the vast job opportunities available for physicists, chemists, engineers and even accountants in the nuclear science industry Fall semester SGA forum questions finally answered By Kelly Lohr SGA VP OF COMMUNICATIONS The Student Government Association holds an annual forum with the president and provost of the university At this forum, students are invited to ask any questions they may have about the operations and administration planning of their school Last fall, the forum was so well, attended that all of the questions aimed at the president and provost could not be answered in the allotted time It has been a while, but the president and provost promised they would get back to students on some of the more pressing questionsI Here are the answers to three of the most provocative questions left unanswered at the forum L IS it possible to get more scholarships available based on merit and not on need? Scholarship funds come from three sources: 1) gifts from alumni and corporations 2) federal/state grants 3) a reduction in the tuition charged We are constantly working to obtain more scholarship funds from alumni contributions and more federal/ state grantsI We offer two types of scholarships: 1) needebased 2) meritebased As a private university founded on the principle of educating students from all economic backgrounds, it is essential that we balance our financial aid to ensure that students with the most financial need are availed an opportunity to get an education at IIT The balance between needebased and merit scholarships is made to produce a student environment consistent with our values and mission 2 What improvements are planned for IIT in the next few years? Our plans for the campus include the following major projects: . During the summer of 2012, the Stuart School of Business will move its faculty and staff to the main campus and occupy space in the IIT Tower, on 35th Street The partitime program of SSB will remain at the downtown campus The presence of SSB on the main campus will make it easier for students to get to classes and will facilitate more interactions with faculty The new location will also allow the SSB faculty and students to interact with the other areas of the university The spaces in the Tower to be occupied by SSB require extensive renovation, which is being carried out now . We will relocate and consolidate student services offices in the HUB and MTCCI President Pmsl . We plan to put artificial turf on Stuart field where our varsity soccer teams play This improvement will allow us to use the field for more activities, eg, the Commencement ceremony, intramural sports and other recreational activities, and ROTC programsr . We will continue to maintain the landscape of the campus and the integrity of 50 about those quesflons {II-4‘ L, the buildings, including their op erations Each year, we must provide important maintenance including the repair of roofs, replacement of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and general surface protection of the interior and exterior of our buildings 3r Why will tuition increase next year? There are three reasons for the 150ml; Image courtesy ofSGA increase in tuition; . to invest in the physical infrastructure of the university, as noted under question 2, above; . to invest in new programs of education, hire new faculty, and develop out, ofeclass opportunities for students; . to invest in the faculty and staff of the university