A Glimpse of
Things To Come

As the deconstruction of the External Proton Beam Hall progresses, the foliage-filled hillside long hidden behind the structure is beginning to peek through. By the end of March -- when the work is scheduled to be finished -- employees venturing up Cyclotron Road will be able to enjoy a view of the landscape that has been obscured since 1967. The EPB Hall is adjacent to the now-decommissioned Bevatron in Building 51.

Scientists' Visas Delayed An Average of 67 Days
By Charles Q. Choi

New U.S. visa rules in place since September 11, 2001, have led to long waiting times for researchers engaged in sensitive technologies, congressional investigators told the House Science Committee yesterday (February 25). The average waiting time for a visa for such researchers--known as a Visa Mantis--is 67 days, investigators said. The new visa rules have led to a number of anecdotes of problems with legitimate entry among foreign students. Full story.

Netsky.C Worm Halted In Less Than an Hour

While the Netsky.C worm wreaked havoc on many computers at the Lab Wednesday, the folks at the Computer Protection Program (CPP) and the virus masters of the Lab's email system quickly brought the situation under control. According to Eugene Schultz, CPP started receiving e-mails around 9:45 a.m. from users who said they were receiving strange messages with attachments. After Incident Response Manager Jim Mellander confirmed a worm was indeed on the loose, Bryce Martin and Martin Gelbaum, who manage the e-mail virus wall, had the incoming virus blocked by 10:27 a.m. Said Schultz: "There really was some good teamwork here." This incident emphasizes the need for employees to be wary of openining attachments that they aren't expecting.

Emergency Call Formula: Look, Dial, And Tell

Berkeley Lab employees who need help in an emergency should remember to do three things: Look at the sticker on all phones, with the 7911 (or 9911) emergency call number (or, if calling from a cell phone, 486-6015); Dial the number; and Tell the dispatcher (who is not on-site) exactly where you are - which lab site, building and room number, or address if an outside location. Go here for specific instructions.

Reminder on Conflict
Of Interest Issues

The Laboratory is bound by a variety of conflict-of-interest and ethics policies through DOE contract, state law, or University regulations. Relevant employee activities include consulting and other outside employment, business ownership, and the use of Berkeley Lab facilities, tools, supplies, materials, and equipment. Failure to comply with the policies could result in disciplinary action by the Laboratory and prosecution under state law. Questions concerning potential conflicts of interest should be addressed to the employee's supervisor, division director, Laboratory Counsel or the Laboratory Conflict-of-Interest Coordinator. Go here to review policies on conflict of interest.