Go Cougs!
Deukhyuon Heo, Frank Brands Analog Distinguished Professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, has been named a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Mona Ghandi’s project, “Stomata: Optimizing Building Energy Retrofits Through Cyber-Physical Adaptive Spaces, Artificial Intelligence, and Occupants’ Biosignals” is the winner of the 2023 Design Educates Awards and received the Gold Prize in Responsive Design. Her project, “Parasympathy: A Space of Empathy and Active Compassion” received the Bronze Prize in Responsive Design.
Ananth Kalyanaraman has been named interim director of Washington State University’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
Assefaw Gebremedhin and students in ther Cybersecurity Student Club were recognized for finishing 68th out of more than 500 schools during the National Cyber League (NCL) Fall 2023 Competition Season. The NCL is a cybersecurity skills competition that contains real-world cybersecurity tasks that professionals perform on a daily basis. Students who participate in the NCL reinforce their learning and develop the necessary skills for the workforce.
The Spokesman Review reported on how students from the Rural Community Design Initiative helped the city of Fernwood, Idaho design its new library.
The research of Feng Zhao, Md Mehedi Hassan Tanim, and Zoe Templin to substitute honey for silicon in crucial memristors was featured in a story by Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Opportunities
2024 MLK Spirit Awards – Nominations Due Jan. 5
The Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award Committee is seeking nominations for the 2024 Spirit Awards. The WSU Spirit Awards celebrate the life, legacy, and spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. by honoring WSU community members who are dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.
Showcase 2024: Abstracts Due Jan. 17
Each year Academic Showcase and the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) Research Exposition celebrate original scholarship, research, and creative expression across WSU’s academic community. Faculty, staff, graduate, and professional students are invited to share their work at these poster sessions. Abstracts are due January 17.
Now Hiring Voiland College Ambassadors!
The VCEA Student Ambassador application process is open and will close December 29. Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture Student Ambassadors hold leadership positions focused on promoting engagement in academic activities, clubs, internships, and research. Ambassadors are paid an hourly rate during training and all approved activities. For details about requirements and how to apply, please email lisa.hill@wsu.edu.
Sponsor a Computer Science Senior Design Team
Do you have a software or computer need? Let our computer science students help you with your project! Sponsors provide tomorrow’s engineers and computer scientists valuable experience in project management, teamwork, innovation, and communication and presentation skills. Students gain real-world understanding of corporate priorities and product development. Learn how to sponsor a senior design team today!
Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award – Call for Nominations
The Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award, first presented in 1962, is the highest honor bestowed upon a Washington State University alumnus. The Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award honors alumni who have made a truly distinguished contribution to society or who, through personal achievement, have brought distinction to Washington State University.
JCATI Request for Proposals – Apply by March 15
The Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation (JCATI) announces our 2024-25 Request for Proposals.
JCATI funds WA aerospace industry access to WA public university engineering expertise. Industry pairs with a faculty having the appropriate expertise to address company TRL 4-7 technology roadblocks. The industry partner provides the technology pain point and in-kind goods or services. The academic partner submits the application and receives JCATI funds to support engineering students working on the project. The project benefit and impact must occur within WA.
Nominate a Colleague for the Crimson Spirit Award
Do you know a WSU employee who is exceptionally creative in problem-solving or who consistently goes above and beyond? Nominate that WSU employee for the Crimson Spirit Award today!
New WSU Travel Policy
Whether through study abroad for students, research and academic travel for faculty, or business travel for staff, international travel is integral to the university’s ability to fulfill its mission as a research and land grant university.
WSU’s new policy, BPPM 95.53, is designed to provide comprehensive, clear information to international travelers regarding university and federal requirements, as well as resources and general information. Please take a moment to review some of the significant features of the new policy.
Public Records Compliance
All Washington State University personnel have a legal and ethical obligation to comply with the state Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). The Public Records Act plays a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability in government decision-making by making records accessible to the public, with limited exceptions.
Please take the time to review WSU’s public records rules, as well as the FAQs on the Public Records Office website.
We’re Hiring!
Voiland College is hiring for several staff and faculty positions.
Be Safe Cougs
Annual Required WSU Employee Training
Is your safety training up to date? Cybersecurity Awareness, Hazing Prevention, Ethics in Public Service, and Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Prevention are a few of the trainings that all WSU employees are required to take every year. Please visit the HRS website to see and access the trainings.
Winter Road Conditions
Travelling over the holidays? Be prepared and check the road conditions before you go.
Preparing for Winter Reduced Operations
The following information is provided as a quick guide on the preparations you might want to make in anticipation of WSU reduced operations during winter break
Building Temperatures
Facilities Services in Pullman plans to continue the slight building temperature setbacks initially implemented during the pandemic. The targeted setpoints will keep most spaces between 65F–68F. Those spaces identified in previous years that require setpoints higher than this range (e.g., certain labs, health care spaces) will not be affected and will remain at their adjusted setpoints. The goal of these temperature adjustments is to help offset higher energy costs and lessen the impact on the central utility budget. These slight adjustments to the setpoints jave provided nearly $1 million in annual savings in utility costs. You may not need supplemental heat for your area, but if you do please follow the buying and use guidelines for space heaters.
Slick Area
If an area is slick with ice or snow, please contact WSU Facilities Operations at 509-335-9000. The largest cause of injury at WSU is from slips, trips and falls. With winter weather comes ice and snow. Please be extra cautious when navigating metal areas such as grates, street crossings and curbs, and high traffic areas with compact snow or ice. If you find an area that is a hazard please call it in or notify Dar Neunherz at drussell@wsu.edu.
Weather Impacts
High winds, freezing rain, and heavy snow events tend to cause power outages and can close highways. We are also still seeing supply chain disruptions that can be exacerbated by winter weather and storms. Please prepare your vehicles, homes, and work areas to keep you safe while traveling, sheltering in place, or during periods of limited supply.
Laboratories
Please Be Prepared In Event of Power Loss, Service Interruption, or Supply Chain Shortage.
Power Failure: 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. Note: VCEA has no buildings with backup power. When the power goes out, power outlets do not work, hoods do not work, the air systems shut down, and elevators halt. (For PACCAR occupants toilets will also not flush – the building’s water reclamation system provides the toilets with water, but does not operate in a power outage.) 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.
Water Outage: While it is not typical, there are occasions that a building’s water will go down. This might affect equipment or areas that are water cooled or systems that are on the DI water.
Procurement Delay: Many supply and distribution chains are experiencing delays, interruption, or back-orders. If you have supplies that are critical to operating your lab please plan appropriately.
Period of Reduced Operations & Building Access
WSU campus buildings and services will close or be available in a limited manner starting December 25th 2023 through January 1st 2024. Normal business operations resume on January 2, 2024. During this period most campus buildings will be closed and building temperatures will be reduced (exception being laboratory spaces – temperatures will be held at normal levels). If you will need access into VCEA buildings during this period they will be locked. Please verify with your School or Department administrator that you have building access via Cougar Card or key.
Emergency Contacts
- In event of a life threatening emergency, call 911.
- In event of a security, personal, or property safety concern, or if you’ve been locked out of a building accidentally, please contact the WSU Public Safety Office (WSU Campus Police) at 509-335-1380.
- In event of a facility issue (such as a water leak or utility outage), please call Facilities Services at 509-335-9000.
- In event of a laboratory 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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