In Brief
(Gazette, Jan. 23, 1997)
News from the Board of Regents
Good news for all those waiting for a new university centre to replace the overcrowded Student
Centre, and a physical education field house to supplement the current, aging Physical Education
Building. At its Jan. 9 meeting the Board of Regents approved both projects, providing that the
university fundraises the estimated $24 million (total) needed for the projects. In addition, the
board changed the date of its next meeting from Thursday, March 13 to Thursday, March 20.
Buy and sell your books on-line
Net Works Internet Services, a company run by two Memorial students and an alumnus (see
story, page 12), has set up a site on the World Wide Web that Memorial students can use for free
to buy and sell used textbooks. MUN Books On-line, located at
http://www.nwis.nf.ca/munbooks, is a user-friendly site. The books for sale are categorized by
subject: English, anthropology, and so on. To list your book for sale, all you have to do is fill out
a simple computerized form. The service is such a good idea, it's a wonder no one thought of it
sooner!
New on the Net!
- The Report of the Advisory Panel on Future Directions for Postsecondary Education in Ontario
(a.k.a. the Smith Report) has been published on the World Wide Web (WWW). The report was
presented to Ontario's minister of education and training on Dec. 15, 1996. You'll find it at
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/reports/futuree.html.
- IBM recently launched a free WWW service for finding and viewing the information contained
in more than two million U.S. patents issued since 1971. Full images of nearly one million U.S.
patents issued since 1987 can also be viewed free of charge. IBM intends to add the images of the
1974-86 patents during the first few months of 1997. http://www.ibm.com/patents.
-Information on Canadian patents since Oct. 1, 1989, can be obtained from the Canadian Patent
Bibliographic Database. This database gives the title and name of the filer, but not the full text of
the patent. http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_innov/patent/engdoc/cover.html. Questions about accessing
these items? Contact Janice Adlington, Information Services Division, Queen Elizabeth II Library,
737-7427.
Ocean Ranger scholarships deadline near
To commemmorate the tragic loss of the 84 crew members of the Ocean Ranger on Feb. 15,
1982, a scholarship and bursary program has been established by the Ocean Ranger Disaster
Fund. These awards, valued at $500 per year, are for students entering or pursuing a
post-secondary program of studies. Preference will be given to candidates who are the daughters,
sons and/or widows of those who were lost. In the absence of eligible candidates from this group,
scholarships and bursaries may be awarded to other students, at the discretion of the Ocean
Ranger Scholarship Committee. For details, visit the Student Awards Office in the Student Centre
on Memorial's St. John's campus, or the Marine Institute on Ridge Road. The deadline for
applications is Feb. 6.
LEAD offers environment, development training
Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) is an international training program for
promising individuals from various countries who wish to further their understanding of
sustainability issues. The Canadian component of LEAD is administered by the National Round
Table on the Environment and the Economy. LEAD Canada offers a competition for mid-career
professionals interested in a two-year training program that explores environment and
development issues. Participants will undertake a self-directed course of study designed to
complement their professional activities. At the same time, they will be exposed to a number of
substantive issues related to sustainable development. The deadline for the competition is March
1. Applications are available from LEAD Canada, c/o the National Round Table on the
Environment and the Economy, 1 Nicholas St., Suite 1500, Ottawa, Ont., K1N 7B7; telephone
613-992-7189; e-mail lead@nrtee-trnee.ca; or visit the LEAD site on the World Wide Web at
http://www.nrtee-trnee.ca.
Interested in summering in Zimbabwe?
University of Saskatchewan International's annual summer course in Zimbabwe runs from June
25-Aug. 29 this year. Memorial students who are interested in enrolling must have completed
three years of their four-year degree program; include the course in current degree requirements;
return to Memorial for the 1997-98 academic year to complete degree courses; be a Canadian
citizen or landed immigrant; be medically fit; and have a demonstrated interest in international
development. Contact Colleen Clarke, International Programs Office, 737-4053. The deadline for
applications is Feb. 17.
Show off your talent in arts and letters contest
The Provincial Arts and Letters Competition is now receiving submissions for this year's awards.
Applicants must submit entries to either the senior or junior divisions of the competition. Senior
division categories are: poetry, fictional prose/short story, non-fictional prose, dramatic script,
musical composition, photography, painting and three dimensional art, and drawing and print
making. The junior division categories are prose, poetry, and visual art. The Arts and Letters
Office in the St. John's Arts and Culture Centre must receive entries by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14.
For details, call 709-729-5253. Applications are available from the third floor of the St. John's
Arts and Culture Centre, Room 309.