ALS Announces RIF,
Call for Volunteers

After careful review of its financial situation and in light of funding reductions expected for FY06, the Advanced Light Source Division has announced that it will begin a reduction in force (RIF) process tomorrow. Division management, including group leaders, will determine what knowledge, skills and abilities — by job category — are required for the projected ALS program needs through FY07. A call for volunteers for layoff will begin tomorrow and continue through May 9. Volunteers will be considered based on business needs and in lieu of the layoff of others. An all-hands meeting for the ALS Division is set for noon today in the Building 50 Auditorium to explain the actions. Read the full announcement from ALS Acting Director Janos Kirz here.

E-Mail Interrupted Due
To Security Patch Work

The Information Technologies and Services Division must install a critical security patch on a server that is used for the Lab's calendar system and IMAP "webmail" interface tonight. These programs will be out of service from approximately 6 to 6:20 p.m. to accommodate the patching. Normal non-webmail IMAP service will be available during this time.

Don't Use Lab Phones
To Make Personal Calls

Lab desktop and cellular telephones are for business only and their use is subject to audit. Employees may be required to validate an itemized telephone bill and reimburse the Lab for personal calls not treated as official calls. Official calls, which are paid for by the Lab, include brief personal calls from desktop and cell phones that are necessitated by changes in work plans, emergencies, or coordination of work activities with family members or others who can be reached only during working hours. Go here to read the policy (RPM Section 9.02(A)(2)).

Environmental Fair
At Cafeteria Today

The Lab community is invited to attend the Environmental Fair being held today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in front of the cafeteria. Visitors can stop by a variety of tables to learn more about Lab research and activities that seek to protect Mother Earth, as well as pick up free give-away items, purchase a barbeque lunch, or get a free bike tune-up, courtesy of a local shop. A special raffle will be held for downtown employees, to encourage their attendance at the fair. As a reminder, the cafeteria parking lot will be closed prior to and shortly after this event.

Lab Women's Group
To Meet Tomorrow

The "Women at Berkeley Lab" group is hosting a forum to identify topics and issues of interest tomorrow from noon to 1 p.m. in the Building 66 Auditorium. The discussion will include a recap of last October's forum on "New Directions: Women of Influence in the National Laboratories." All employees are welcome to attend.

Picking Apart 'Big Bang'
Brings a Big Mystery
By Dan Vergano

Ritter

An atom-smashing fireball experiment has physicists puzzling over existing theories about the moments after the "Big Bang" that scientists say created the universe. Researchers conducted the experiment over the past three years at the Energy Department's Brookhaven National Lab. "The fact that they can extract from those collisions glimpses of how this matter behaves is a major success by itself," says Berkeley Lab physicist Hans Ritter. Full story.