Inside:
New parking deck . . . . .Page 2 THE Direct deposit ...... Page 2
FOCUS ...... Page 3 Campus Events ...... Page 4 HISTLE A C U L T Y T A F F E W S P A P E R WO L U M E U M B E R A N U A R Y H E E O R G I A N S T I T U T E O F E C H N O L O G Y F /S N V 26, N 2 • J 14, 2002 T G I T
Campus emergency procedures get dusted off, revised
Bob Harty by a supervisor. Other support notify appropriate Media contacts regarding inclement or Institute Communications employees may also be instructed people in their and Public Affairs not to report to work at the discretion own departments. emergency weather conditions of the administrator responsible for Every attempt will n order to respond to situa- each major division. be made to make Phone: Radio: tions akin to the recent winter When a “campus closed” condition decisions and notifi- 894-2000 WGST (640 AM/105.7 FM) storm, the Hazardous Weather/ is in effect, no employees are to cations by 5:30 a.m. WKHX (101.5 FM) I Web: Emergency Conditions Plan — whose report to work, except those previ- on the day the WNNX (99.7 FM) www.gatech.edu purpose is to set forth policies, pro- ously designated as “emergency condition is to be WPCH (94.9 FM) cedures, lines of responsibility, essential” by their department, or in effect. TV: WQXI (790 AM) authority and communications neces- otherwise instructed by a supervisor. WAGA (Channel 5) WREK (91 FM) sary to effect a rapid and orderly When the decision is made by the Tornado Safety WGCL (Channel 46) WSB NewsTalk (750 AM) process for either canceling classes senior vice president for Information WSB (Channel 2) WSTR (94.1 FM) or closing the campus — has been Administration and Finance to In the Atlanta metro- WXIA (Channel 11) WAOK/WVEE (V-103 FM) amended to incorporate all available declare either “classes cancelled” or politan area, the GTCN (campus cable) WZGC (92.9 FM) technologies. “campus closed,” the executive direc- period from March As with the Jan. 3 incident, weath- tor of Institute Communications and through May is nor- er or other emergency situations may Public Affairs will immediately notify mally the peak sea- information on all hazardous weather make it necessary for Tech to declare local radio and television stations son for tornadoes. Tornado “watch” as identified by the National Weather either “classes cancelled” or “campus (see list) and place the campus status and “warning” information is Service for the metropolitan area. closed” conditions. Which declaration decision on the Institute’s main web announced over radio and television If a tornado warning is issued for is made will determine which employ- page. The executive director will also stations and weather alert radios the Atlanta area, faculty, staff and ees are required to come to work. contact the Office of Information that are automatically tuned to students should seek shelter in the When a “classes cancelled” condi- Technology (OIT) to place a message the national weather broadcast basement or in the interior corridors, tion is in effect, all classes and on the main campus phone line, 404- frequency. stairways or rooms of the lowest floor instructional laboratories are affect- 894-2000, noting the status of the It is recommended that each vice of the building. ed; students and instructional faculty campus. Employees may call this president, dean, director, department are not to report to campus. number to hear a pre-recorded mes- head and lab director obtain a weath- Administrative and research activities sage. er alert radio and have it located in For more information... not directly tied to the instructional The Georgia Tech Police an area that is occupied at all times Georgia Tech Virtual Response Center function will generally continue as Department will notify senior adminis- during normal Institute working www.gatech.edu/response/ normal, unless otherwise instructed trators. Each administrator will then hours. These radios broadcast
From punchcard to PPP: exploring the future of voting
Jane Sanders convenience for voters and a more “We are working to re-engineer the Research News and Publications efficient and accurate elections voting part of the elections process, process — but added that its wide- while understanding its impact on the lections of the future may be spread use is many years away. other parts of the process, including more convenient, accurate and “People wonder why they can’t the training of poll workers and the E faster for both voters and elec- vote over the Internet if they can buy tallying of votes,” explained Bob tions officials if researchers can things over the Internet,” said Betty Simpson, a GTRI principal research improve the technology for voting via Whitaker, a principal research engi- scientist. “Things are more complicat- the Internet. neer at GTRI. “But then they consider ed than they appear on the surface.” Also a factor is whether elections the possibility of a security breach officials can entice voters to use the and its effects. We believe that over Tackling social, technical issues technology and make it accessible to time, as the Internet evolves and the One of the primary social science
them. research and the hardware and soft- photo courtesy Diversified Dynamics, Inc. issues related to Internet voting is With interest increasing in voting ware evolve, researchers will be able Selected residents of Decatur and Lithonia access. “It is the ‘Digital Divide,’ reform and modernization since the to resolve some of the concerns participated in November’s Direct Record which we define for now as those 2000 Presidential election, about Internet voting.” Electronic (DRE) Voting Systems Pilot who have Internet access from home researchers at the Georgia Tech The GTRI Internet Voting Research Project, which tested this machine built by or work and those who don’t,” said Research Institute (GTRI) have begun Team envisions that Internet voting Diversified Dynamics (above). Instead of GTRI researcher Marlit Hayslett-Keck. studies of the social and technical will occur in phases during the next paper ballots, voters receive a “smart card” Current estimates indicate that issues related to voting via the decade. Within the next few years, half of Americans do not have that acts like an ATM card, unlocking the Internet. military personnel casting absentee Internet access, and a much smaller terminal for vote casting. Last month, these researchers ballots probably will be allowed to percentage have high-speed broad- hosted a workshop to share informa- vote via the Internet. The Federal band access. The question of tion with their colleagues in acade- Voting Assistance Program conducted encouragement for researchers in whether citizens are comfortable mia, government and industry. The a pilot project in November 2000 Internet voting, yet pointed to some with Internet use is an even more group agreed that Internet voting will involving 84 overseas voters. The problems in the system, such as lost provide some major benefits — success of this project provided passwords, researchers said. Voting continued, page 3
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“QUOTE- North Campus Parking Deck ‘open for business’ Michael Hagearty Rod Weis, director of Parking and Institute Communications Transportation, said the lot is nearly and Public Affairs full, with more than 500 permits UNQUOTE” issued to employees who placed ech’s notorious parking their name on a waiting list. squeeze just got a little Of the 850 available spaces, 700 “It's a once-in-a-lifetime T breathing room. are set aside for permit users, with opportunity.” This month, the North Campus those remaining reserved for visi- —Andrew Stein, a junior com- Parking Deck, located on Atlantic tors. puter science major, on the Drive, was turned over to the Office “They’re going fast,” he said. three-week internship he will of Parking and Transportation from “Obviously, there’s a lot of pent-up North Campus Parking Deck spend monitoring and trou- the design team and engineers. demand for parking spaces.” bleshooting information tech- Despite a nine-month delay, Tech Parking spaces in other lots are nology systems at the Winter now has its first new parking struc- expected to open up as employees facility. It is a much needed parking Olympics in Salt Lake City. ture in five years. try to improve their situation. Weis resource and is now officially open (Tampa Tribune) anticipates the bulk of the newly for business.” Some facts... opened spaces to be in the areas The delay in the opening of the around the deck. North Campus Parking Deck “This approach does not ade- occurred when an inspection in Cost: The price of a B07 (North Though online registration is quately take advantage of the March revealed cracking in the struc- Campus Parking Deck) permit will be closed, Weis said it is important to benefit that would accrue from tural columns and beams. The con- $238, valid until July 31. The refund get onto a parking lot wait list. “The a full compliment of monitoring tractor went back to work over the price of an A or R permit on Jan. 7 was preferred method is by e-mail so we activities.” summer, reinforcing the structure’s $181, and it will cost an A or R permit can get [employee preferences] into —Melvin Carter, professor our system,” he said. columns with a jacket consisting of holder $57 to move to B07. emeritus, in a committee report The deck was built in cooperation six inches of concrete and steel ties noting the U.S. Department of with the Georgia State Financing and to strengthen the intersection where Access: Elevators are located on the Energy’s monitoring system, Investment Commission (GSFIC), the columns and beams meet. southeast and northwest corners of the designed to track groundwater which financed the construction of To enter and exit the deck, per- deck. Stairs are located on the north- laced with radioactive remnants the facility for Tech. Gary Phillips, a mit holders will use their Buzz from more than 800 under- west, northeast and southeast corners project manager in Facilities who Cards. According to Weis, this is for ground nuclear weapons tests, of the deck. oversaw the project, said, “I am very two reasons: to help prevent illegal is not adequate. happy we have been able to resolve entry into the deck and to facilitate (Las Vegas Journal-Review) Security: Emergency call boxes are the remedial work that had to be the mixing of visitor and permit located in the elevators and at the done to bring the parking deck to parking. Gates in front of entrances entrance to each stairwell on every completion. A great deal of effort will always be down. level. was made by all the parties involved to meet the January 1 target date For more information... Visitor parking: Visitors pay an atten- and to resolve the problems in a To join the wait list for a particular dant when they exit. The current daily manner that would provide Tech lot, e-mail your top 3 choices to rate is $8. with a durable, structurally sound [email protected] and aesthetically satisfying parking
No more checks? Payroll shifts to e-deposit
Michael Hagearty employees will participate in the known as stubs — containing tax, Institute Communications direct deposit system. The belief is deductions and benefits information and Public Affairs that moving toward 100 percent to each employee on the last work- campus participation will eliminate ing day of the month. efore long, Tech employees many of the problems associated OHR is hoping to have all non- will no longer be receiving with employee paychecks as well as participating faculty, staff and gradu- B paychecks. streamline the payroll system. ate students — both monthly and Everyone will still be paid, of “It cuts our processing time in hourly — on direct deposit by sum- course, but the Payroll Office is half,” Fogarty said. “This system mer. In the coming months, the working to increase the percentage guarantees funds deposit, cuts down office also plans to hold town hall of faculty, staff and students who on our cost of printing checks and meetings to clarify these options. authorize their salary to be deposit- the time involved in replacing lost or “Ultimately, our goal is a uniform THE ed directly into a designated bank stolen checks.” method of pay distribution that is WHISTLE account. Doing so, they say, will cut The process for direct deposit efficient and ensures prompt, reli- down on the administrative costs involves an enrollment form that, able paycheck distribution to all cus- Editor: Michael Hagearty associated with printing and distrib- along with a deposit slip from a tomers,” said Chuck Donbaugh, uting paychecks, and paves the way financial institution, allows Payroll to associate vice president of Human Published by Institute Communications and Public Affairs. for future improvements to the sys- transfer money into employee Resources. tem. accounts automatically. For those Further down the road, Fogarty Publication is weekly throughout Currently, roughly 70 percent of who don’t qualify or do not wish to said her office is eyeing a true the academic year and biweekly throughout the summer. monthly payroll employees use open a bank account, the Office of paperless payroll system, with check direct deposit — a low number in Human Resources plans to issue advisements available via computer The Whistle can be accessed electronically through the Georgia comparison with other state schools. cash card accounts — non-interest- through a program called “E-stubs.” Tech web page, or directly at Maryann Fogarty, director of Payroll, bearing accounts that only permit But that, she said, is still several www.whistle.gatech.edu. noted that both Georgia State withdrawals — through a major years away. E-mail Whistle submissions to University and the University of financial institution that employees [email protected], Georgia have mandated the proce- may access through an automated For more information... or fax to Michael at 404-894-7214 dure. teller machine. at least 10 days prior to desired Office of Human Resources publication date. For more So has Tech. Beginning this Payroll will still print and issue www.ohr.gatech.edu information, call 404-894-8324. month, all newly hired, monthly paid check advisements — commonly
Cost/$675 Copies/5,200
Institute Communications and Public Affairs Wardlaw Center New express line helps donors give blood without the wait 177 North Avenue Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0181 The first blood drive of the new year will be January Club members staffing tables in the Student Center to Georgia Tech is a unit of the 22-24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Center sign-up donors for the new express line, available by University System of Georgia. Ballroom. Organized by MOVE (Mobilizing Opportunities appointment only for the first 75 people. E-mail for Volunteering Experience), the drive will feature Co-op [email protected] with questions or to sign up.
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Few fears among Tech’s international students after attacks IN BRIEF: Alumni Publications felt comfortable enough here not to have to come to that lthough about 40 per- meeting,” he said. cent of graduate stu- Barbara Hall, associate vice Money matters A dents and 50 percent of president of Enrollment Joel Hercik, associate vice president of doctoral students at Georgia Services, said the withdrawal of Financial Services, announced several organi- Tech are international students, the student visa moratorium zational and location changes within his office there has been little effect on proposal means there will be designed to enhance service to the campus the student population as a little difference in the applica- community as well as to better enable Tech to result of the Sept. 11 incidents, tion process for international meet financial reporting changes in the industry. said Harvey Charles, director of students. photo by Caroline Joe Among the changes: the Office of International “There probably won’t be • The controller is now responsible for the day- Education. Of the 2,482 inter- Georgia Tech,” he said. “The that much difference, time to-day oversight of all financial systems opera- national students on campus, administration has been on top wise, in the processing of stu- tions, including scheduling, system controls and only one returned home of it from the day of Sept. 11 dent visas. There may be an data integrity. because of family concern over and have demonstrated great increased screening process, • Surplus Property, which has been a part of the events involving the United skill to calm the fears and con- but that will go on before they Capital Asset Accounting, will remain an office States. cerns of the students. My office get to us,” she said. within Procurement Services. This office will “There was concern issued statements that things “We are feeling relatively coordinate surplus property records with Capital expressed among the students were under control and that stu- secure that there will not be a Asset Accounting, which will continue to assist when Sen. Diane Feinstein (D- dents could come talk if they big change at the undergradu- units with moveable equipment record manage- Calif.) announced her proposal needed to.” ate level in recruiting and ment. The office number is 894-1984. to put a moratorium on the Charles found it telling that a enrolling international stu- • Central Receiving and Surplus Property will issuance of student visas, but meeting convened specifically dents,” Hall added. “If we have move from Hemphill Avenue to 711 Marietta that was the only instance in for international students to an international student we Street next week. There are no changes in the which the students registered voice their concerns was expect to enroll and they don’t telephone numbers. By the spring, Procurement any distress,” he said. sparsely attended. register, we report it to the INS, Services, Accounts Payables, Capital Asset “I think the situation has “It shows that our students but we have always done that.” Accounting and Risk Management will also be been very well handled at relocated to 711 Marietta Street, the former home of Ziegler Tools.
Star RB jumps to pros Encouraging students to stay FOCUSed on education All-ACC junior running back Joe Burns, who was academically ineligible for the Seattle Bowl, Larry Bowie Last year, Georgia Tech saw announced last week he will enter April’s NFL Institute Communications a 61 percent increase in draft. and Public Affairs African-American freshmen, Burns was a three-year starter for the Yellow while at the same time admit- Jackets and rushed for 1,165 yards and 14 ext week, more than ting 57 percent more African- touchdowns this fall. With 2,634 career yards, 300 African-American American graduate students. In Burns is the fourth-leading rusher in school his- N undergraduate students Tech’s Ph.D programs, black tory. His record of 34 touchdowns is second from across the country will enrollment was up 33 percent. only to Robert Lavette. travel to Georgia Tech for an “Georgia Tech has achieved When Burns’s grade-point average fell below opportunity to visit the Institute, photo by Stanley Leary this without affirmative action the school's minimum requirements, he was dis- receive an overview of the grad- admissions preferences,” Haley missed from school for the spring semester. In uate degree programs, and par- said. “Minority students take order to return to Tech this summer, Burns Secretary of Labor. The service ticipate in Tech’s 11th annual pride in the fact that their would have needed to attend a junior college. FOCUS and King Week will be held in the Robert Ferst achievements are not dimin- Celebration. Center for the Arts. It is free ished by perceptions of lower The FOCUS program, held and open to the public. standards.” Fringe benefit “Georgia Tech made it a goal each year over the Martin The Georgia Tech Faculty Women’s Club is over a decade ago to increase Luther King, Jr. holiday, is offering scholarships to the children of Tech the diversity in its student designed to encourage African- employees. Awards of $500 to $1,500 are body and create a campus American students to pursue made to undergraduates of all majors based environment of inclusion, Alexis Herman, former U.S. Secretary advanced degrees in science upon financial need and academic achieve- respect and community,” said of Labor, will give the keynote and engineering. ment. To receive an application form, call Ann FOCUS concludes with Robert Haley, FOCUS director address at the King Week Ecumenical Service on Sunday, January 20 at 10 Donaldson at 770-984-8828 or refer to Georgia Tech’s King Week and special assistant to the a.m. in the Robert Ferst Center for the www.gtscholar.itgo.com. Ecumenical Service on Sunday, president. “We are now reaping Arts. For more information, call 894- Jan. 20, with keynote speaker the fruits of that long-term 3350. Alexis Herman, former U.S. effort.” Pension system gets new infrastructure In November, the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRSGA) announced it had selected KPMG Consulting to implement an integrated pension administration services solution to Voting, continued from page 1 individual needs and prefer- studies of Internet voting will improve customer service as well as link TRSGA ences in the user interface,” get under way as government with its members and other organizations via complicated issue, Whitaker Simpson said. “For example, and/or private funding becomes the Internet. said. can older voters increase the available. Meanwhile, they are Greg McQueen, project director for TRSGA, Another social science issue font size on their ballots?” keeping in mind the many said, “TRSGA selected KPMG Consulting to lead being researched at GTRI is Simpson believes Internet stakeholders associated with this project because of their National how Internet voting will affect voting could allow disabled per- Internet voting. Retirement Practice’s extensive experience with voter turnout. Will different seg- sons the ability to participate in “In addition to addressing public retirement systems and large-scale sys- ments of the population turn the same manner as other vot- the needs of the voter, we must tems integration projects.” out differently? Hayslett-Keck is ers. “It’s not uncommon for dis- also consider the needs of elec- TRSGA administers the fund from which pub- asking. And legal issues abled persons to have to give tion officials, candidates, elect- lic school educators and many employees of abound. Internet voting would up their secret ballot to be able ed officials, poll workers and the University Systems of Georgia receive retire- require judicial review for com- to participate,” he explained. others,” Whitaker said. ment benefits. With more than $38 billion in pliance with the Voting Rights “Also, any separate equipment Hayslett-Keck theorized, assets, TRSGA is one of the largest public retire- Act, as well as other state and for disabled voters is usually “From a political point of view, ment systems in the country, providing retire- federal voting laws. Some laws less maintained and efficient. some stakeholders are con- ment services and benefits to more than would have to be changed to So that’s another argument to cerned that a new voting tech- 250,000 individuals. enable Internet voting. make it possible for them to nology could possibly change Tech’s staff members contribute 5 percent of Yet another issue is uniformi- participate in the same process the composition of the voting their pre-tax salary into TRSGA. For more infor- ty versus personalization. “The as other voters.” population, thus significantly mation, visit www.trsga.com/. opportunity exists to support GTRI researchers hope more affecting the outcome.”
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