The day is designed to spark interest among high school girls in high-tech fields and to encourage them to pursue technical careers through hands-on interactive sessions. More than 200 10th and 11th grade girls are expected to attend.

The keynote speaker will be Tracy Mack '98, project engineer for General Motors. Participants will also have the opportunity to share the day with Rensselaer women who are currently pursuing technical degrees, young alumnae pursing careers in science and technology, and girls from other participating high schools.

Since 1997, the program has gained momentum and attention for its contributions to women in technology. This year, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young has offered corporate support for the program. 3/18/02

Quilt Project Under Way to Raise Money for Habitat for Humanity House
The Rensselaer student chapter of Habitat for Humanity has coordinated "The Quilt Project" to raise $10,000 to help pay for the cost of building an affordable home in Troy for a low-income family.

Individuals or groups can purchase eight-by-eight-inch cloth squares for $100. Participants can either personalize a square from an available template or have the square designed for them.

A "quilting party" will be held April 20-21 in the Shelnutt Gallery, where the squares will be decorated and assembled. The quilt will be displayed in the Student Union to celebrate Rensselaer's commitment to helping build affordable housing in the Troy community.

Once $10,000 has been raised, the Habitat for Humanity International will match that amount. It costs about $50,000, most of it for materials, to build a Habitat for Humanity home. For more information, call the Student Union Administration Office at ext. 6505. 3/18/02

"Preparing the Global Citizen" Program Seeks Student Advocates
The Office of the First Year Experience (FYE) is looking for sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate students to be community advocates for the "Preparing the Global Citizen" program this fall.

The program, initiated through a grant by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, will, among other things, build a global citizenship plan for students that will revolve around issues of diversity and cultural awareness.

The community advocates being sought will help Rensselaer's students cultivate a deeper appreciation for diversity, unity, and pluralism.

For more information, go to http://www.rpi.edu/dept/fye/ and click on the banner that says "Community Advocates Wanted," or call FYE at ext. 6864. http://www.rpi.edu/dept/hr/newsletter/ 3/18/02

HR Sets Performance Evaluations and Merit Increase Guidelines
Human Resources has announced that written performance evaluations for all regular, full-time, and part-time employees must be completed and returned to Human Resources by May 15. Merit increase guidelines have been developed and will provide managers with the opportunity to recommend a zero to 7 percent merit increase for faculty and staff based on their performance reviews. All portfolios will be held to a 3.5 percent budgeted merit pool.

For more Human Resources news, read the current issue of The HRPolytechnote. 3/18/02

Call for Student Papers
Papers are being solicited for the annual American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Region I Student Conference to be held at Rensselaer April 19-20. The student AIAA conference allows graduate and undergraduate students to submit and present technical papers for competition in oral and written categories. The AIAA sponsors the annual student conference as a means of encouraging young aerospace engineers to exchange research and knowledge as well as generate interest in the field.

Final papers are due March 25. For more information, go to www.rpi-aiaa.org. 3/4/02

Rent a Rower!
The RPI Crew Club is participating in its annual spring "Rent-a-Rower" fund raiser. You can "rent" one or more members of the Crew Club to do yard work, cleaning, or other odd jobs around the house. The cost is $12.50 an hour per rower rented and all funds go to support the club.

If you would like to schedule a rental or get more information, contact rar@rpicrew.com or rentarower@rpicrew.com. 3/4/02

Memorial Service for Staff
The Pillars of Rensselaer are planning a memorial service for deceased staff members and retirees on Friday, March 22, at 11 a.m. at the Chapel + Cultural Center. Reverend Edward Kacerguis, coordinator of religious affairs, will offer the opening prayer. President Shirley Ann Jackson will deliver remarks.

Deceased staff members being honored: James Lynch, parking lot attendant at Hartford; Ronald Mayhew, treasurer and director of human resources at Hartford; Donald Merusi, computer and information sciences at Hartford; T.J. O'Dell, mail services; and Eileen Sutherland, contracts and grants.