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  News and Notes from the February 28, 2008 SPS meeting



Announcements.
International Study Abroad Stipend Applications for summer and fall 2008
are available at the College of Arts and Sciences Dean's office in room
136 KFA, or download from http://www.uwrf.edu/cas/studyabroad.htm . 
Application deadline is 4:30pm, Friday, March 28. 

Go to a play, cheer for our own Lindsey Neby (The Good Person of Setzuan).

Yet another REU opportunity, in Boston, deadline March 15.

Remember the Design for Medical Devices Conference April 15-17.

Producer of the movies "Mars 3D" and "Sun 3D" will be on campus Monday,
April 28.  The 2D versions of the movies will be shown in the UC at 2pm
that day.

Physics with the Twins April 3, we are officially included in the
planning, but don't know what they want us to do yet.


Taco update.
Based on the amount of leftover bags of chips, we sold 110 bas (80 Fritos,
30 Doritos), which is only a little less than last year's 124.  IF we do
this again, we need a concrete commitment ahead of time for those who will
be responsible for various jobs.  A lot of people jumped in when needed,
which is great, but too stressful.  Thanks to donated meat, we had a
profit of about $100 just on the tacos-the sweets and books and stuff
brought in more.  Lots of compliments on the tacos.  We are going to hold
off, though, on sending supplies/money to Deb Freitag in Egypt.  There are
some issues she's dealing with and might not need our help, but more info
is to come.


External review.  Tuesday, March 4 the physics department will have an
important visitor doing an external review of the program, part of the
7-year review process.  So we'll need to make sure the place is reasonably
clean, and that there is the usual hubbub of activity going on.  (That's
something special about our program!)  Plus, there will be opportunities
for our reviewer to meet with students, volunteers?  (The reviewer is Dr.
Brian Beecken, chair of Bethel University Physics Department)  We want him
to know how busy and crowded this department can get, so don't shy away. 
In an attempt to give opportunities to chat with Dr. Beecken, there will
be food set out from 11:30-12:30 (potentially pizza, soda, and fruit?).


Zone meeting planning.  Vic put together a rough draft of an advertising
flyer.  Once it gets tweaked we should send it out in the next week if
possible.  Chuck also offered to help update our website content so there
is information there about the zone meeting.


Meeting with a meal.  Monday had a slight edge: but there is soo much
going on next Tuesday that we've decided to try and do it the second week
in March.


Keep in mind: Bowl for Kids Sake and Relay for Life


Pre-engineering Society.  We were told of the Popsicle bridge contest. 
It will cost $5 to enter.  You are supplied with Popsicle sticks, but you
need to supply your own glue.  Gluing is allowed at the joints only
(no soaking your sticks in epoxy).  It has to have an 18 inch span over
the table, and the weights will be put on top of your design (suspension
bridges = bad idea).  It will be judged on a weight to holding ratio.  The
dates are TBA, but if you would like to sign up already, give your money
to Chris Feld, the treasurer.


Demo.  We checked out the updates that Mitch and Tom have done to the
bunny rabbit ride, only to find that it has issues with staying in gear
now.  Mitch and Tom's alterations were looking good, though.


Minutes taken by Jen


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