Go Cougs!
Diane Cook and Larry Holder received a $1 million grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to create a framework to test the “intelligence” of AI systems.
VCEA communications intern Lillie Williams took first place in The Science Coalition’s Fund It Forward Student Video Challenge for her video on the WSU HYPER Lab’s cryogenics research.
Opportunities
PNNL-WSU Graduate Program – Apply by Jan. 10
The WSU Office of Research, the WSU Graduate School, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are pleased to announce the call for applications for the fourth cohort of the Distinguished Graduate Research Program.
Academic Showcase – Apply by Jan. 15
WSU’s Academic Showcase, the annual poster session for WSU faculty, staff, and graduate and professional students, will be held March 26, and will run concurrently with the Graduate and Professional Students Association (GPSA) Research Exposition.
Patents for Humanity – Apply by Jan. 31
Patents for Humanity is the US Patent and Trademark Office’s awards program for those using game-changing tech to address global challenges, reach under-served communities, and improve millions of lives. Apply here.
2020 Northwest Entrepreneur Competition Apply by Feb. 14
The 2020 Northwest Entrepreneur Competition is now accepting applications for students to compete for over $42,000 in cash-awards. Submit your idea at www.nwentrep.com or email venture@nic.edu for more information.
WSU Student Employee of the Year – Nominations due Feb. 15
This institution-wide contest looks at student employees who go above-and-beyond the basic expectations. Nominations are due Feb. 15.
Idaho National Laboratory Graduate Fellowship – Apply by Feb. 16
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is excited to announce that the INL Graduate Fellowship postings are now open. One is a fellowship awarded to Ph.D. students with interest in advancing nuclear energy and clean energy deployment. The other is specific to National and Homeland Security research and is for Ph.D. students or students pursuing a master’s degree in cyber security.
Applicants are invited to apply at through inl.gov/careers job posting numbers 13894 and 13895. The postings will close Feb. 16, 2020. Letters of recommendation can be emailed directly to emilee.kottcamp-allen@inl.gov.
Crimson Spirit Award
Have you noticed a WSU employee going out of their way to help a colleague or customer? Nominate them for the Crimson Spirit award to recognize their excellent service. Submit a nomination.
Be Safe Cougs
December Holiday Reduced Operations
WSU will be closed Wednesday, December 25, 2019, Thursday, December 26, 2019, and Wednesday, January 1, 2020, in observance of University Holidays.
December Holiday Reduced Operations will be Monday, December 23, 2019, Tuesday, December 24, 2019, Friday, December 27, 2019, Monday, December 30, 2019 and Tuesday, December 31, 2019. Most university operations and services will be unavailable during this time.
Access to Offices and Laboratories
Faculty will retain access to their individual offices and labs during the December Holiday Reduced Operations; however, the thermostats may be turned down in buildings that are otherwise closed. Facilities Services operations staff will not be available to unlock buildings. Department employees will need to make arrangements with their departmental key coordinators to have keys available or use card swipe access where appropriate.
Please Be Prepared in Event of Power Loss
A power failure is one of the most likely emergency situations at WSU, and depending on what you are operating can create a high risk situation quickly. Please exercise caution in your emergency preparation planning around a power failure.
Paccar Environmental Technology Building is the only VCEA occupied building with backup power. In all other Voiland College occupied buildings when power goes out power outlets do not work, hoods do not work, the air systems shut down, and elevators halt. The only systems that consistently work in a power failure are emergency lights, fire alarms, and emergency fire sprinklers. WSU does have generators but they are only used for an extended power loss, and only certain areas of campus may be brought online with the generators.
Buildings Are Locked
Buildings are locked over the holiday. For the Thanksgiving break buildings will be locked as of *Thursday November 28th through Sunday December 1st. Regular building hours begin again on Monday December 2nd. If you’d like to access buildings over the closure entry is available via cougar card for Dana Hall, ETRL, Sloan Hall, EEME, ELB, Carpenter Hall, and Paccar. For buildings without card swipes, including Albrook, TFRB, Research Park, and Wegner Hall, entry can be gained via a building key. To acquire cougar card swipe access, or to checkout a building key, please contact your departmental administrator(s).
Limited Snow & Ice Removal
In event of poor weather, the university is not providing full snow removal or ice removal during the holidays. Please be careful as you navigate university roads, sidewalks, and exterior areas.
Safety in Buildings – Please Do Not Prop Doors Open
If you are in a building over the holiday, please do not prop exterior doors open. If you see a building exterior door propped open, please close it. If something in the building seems wrong, please don’t hesitate to contact the WSU Police at 911 or the non-emergency number at 509-335-1380.
Accidentally Locked Out
If you are locked out of your area or a building you can call the non-emergency number for WSU Safety Services (aka WSU Police). You will need to have ID with you. The non-emergency number is 509-335-1380.
If You Want to Continue Working and are in Hazardous Environments
If you plan to work in a hazardous environment over the holiday, please do not work alone (this practice applies anytime work takes place in a hazardous environment). Make sure you have a colleague working in the area with you, and best practice is to also tell someone (not working in the lab at the same time with you) where you will be and how long you plan to be there.
Emergency Contacts
In event of a life threatening emergency please call 911.
In event of a security or safety concern please contact the WSU Safety Services office at 509-335-1380.
In event of a facility issue (such as a water leak) please call Facilities Services at 509-335-9000.
In event of a lab safety issue please contact Environmental Health & Safety at 509-335-3041 or as appropriate the Office of Radiation Safety at 509-335-8916.
For any concern please feel free to contact the VCEA Director of Facilities Operations and Safety Services directly at 509-335-3783 or 509-432-1649.
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