Chu, Birgeneau Op-Ed
On BP Partnership

An opinion piece on the campus and Lab research partnership with BP, written by Lab Director Steve Chu and UC Berkeley Chancellor Bob Birgeneau, appeared in yesterday's issue of the San Francisco Chronicle. The article outlines the need to find clean and socially responsible energy sources and how the BP grant will help tackle these pressing issues. "Our mission as a public research and teaching university that serves society often and properly requires that the work of our scientists and scholars reach beyond the university walls," say Birgeneau and Chu.  Go here to read the full opinion piece. 

Articles Provide Closer
Look at Energy Institute

The campus has issued a suite of articles that offer detailed information on the Energy Biosciences Institute, a research effort jointly managed by UC Berkeley, Berkeley Lab, and the University of Illinois, and funded by BP. The package includes a section on frequently asked questions, a primer on intellectual property, and a timeline for implementation, as well as stories on alliances between academia and industry and biofuel research. Go here to view the feature.

Revised S&E Job Classifications Effective

Effective immediately, the Lab has updated its Professional Research Staff policy in RPM §§2.07. The changes primarily affect the Scientist/Engineer job classifications as well as the hire and promotion policies. These changes required a revision to RPM §2.01(K)(4) (Term Appointments) and RPM §2.21(D) (Release of Term Appointments). These policies apply to non-represented employees only. Represented employees should contact their union representative or consult their collective bargaining agreement.

Register for 'Daughters
And Sons Day' by Friday

The Lab will host its annual Daughters and Sons to Work Day on Thursday, April 26. Girls and boys ages 9 to 16 are invited to enjoy a day of science and fun, provided by numerous volunteer staff and scientists. Youngsters can learn about mars, liquid nitrogen, and DNA spooling, while older kids can attend workshops sponsored by the Earth Sciences, Accelerator and Fusion Research, and Life Sciences Divisions. A fee of $20 per child will be charged to cover expenses. Go here to print out the registration packet, which should be delivered to the Center for Science and Engineering Education (MS 7R0222) by Friday.