Lawmakers seek toban C House hadbeenputoff. much oftheregularbusiness of the the rushtopasscontractlegislation, for nominationtothepresidency. already announcedtheircandidacy were planningtoannounceorhad particularly becausesomeofthem absorber andlegislativefilter, being thrustintotheroleofshock reportedly werelessthanpleasedat in asignificantlymodifiedform. passed, theywouldlikely dosoonly the morecontroversialoneswere on mostofthe10items.Andevenif argued thattheSenatehadyettoact including Republicans.Thecritics criticisms fromoutsidespoilsports, House memberswerecounteredby and reformofthewelfaresystem. such sweepingchangesastaxcuts arcane congressionalproceduresto from detailedreorganizationof major piecesoflegislation,ranging on and,inmanycases,passed10 close. Aspromised,theHousevoted the firstsessionhavegroundtoa and theirstaffs,thefirst100daysof Congress, includingtheRepublicans To thereliefofmostin104th Staff CRA B Outlook forR&Dfundingunsure computer transmissions. cable, televisionbroadcastor This billwouldapplytotelephone, two yearsinjailanda$100,000fine. public orprivate,couldfaceupto “indecent” communication,whether person foundguiltyoforiginatingan munications reformbill,S652.Any (R-SD) sweepingtelecom- Pressler’s legislation aspartofSen.Larry filthy orindecent.” judged “obscene,lewd,lascivious, news postingsorevenprivateE-mail legislation thatwouldcriminalizeany nications DecencyAct of1995, unanimously infavoroftheCommu- Commerce Committeevoted the Internetmaysoonsubside. heyday ofunrestrainedexpression on certain lawmakers havetheirway, the eyebrows inWashington. And,if boldness ofpostershavefinallyraised on theInternetandincreasing rec.kids.romper.room. Goodbye, alt.sex.bondage. Hello, Staff CRA B May 1995 News Analysis News PAGE 3: 3: PAGE Y Y PAGE 2: 2: PAGE PAGES 6-7: PAGES FredW. Weingarten Juan Antonio Osuna PAGES 4-5: PAGES Cynics alsopointedoutthat, in Some Republicansenators Celebrations bysomeRepublican The fullcommitteereportedthe On March30,theSenate The ever-proliferating sex groups OMPUTING Expanding the Pipeline the Expanding Opinions

Association News Association Funding Agencies Funding Vol. 7/No. 3 7/No. Vol. Inside CRN PAGE 8-9: PAGE PAGE 10: PAGE But frictionwiththemoresenior reasonable consensuscouldbe found. focused onareasinwhichsome budget andprogramcutshave ropes havebeenignored.Untilnow, quiet forawhileandlearningthe finding moreseniormentors,keeping standing traditionsofnewmembers Washington tocarryout.Thelong- tion theyclaimweresentto abouttherevolu- and single-minded reports, beenremarkably cohesive year. likely togrowmoreseriousoverthe ity, stressesbetweenthesegroupsare the floorsofarhavedisplayedunanim- party l had servedformanyyearsasminority freshman classandold-timerswho between therevolutionaryincoming political leadership,particularly beyond thecontract—andallocate establish alegislativeagenda— House, inventoperatingprocedures, Republicans hadtoorganizethe themselves asamajorityparty. daunting, challengewas toorganize America. Thesecond,andequally promises oftheContractWith The firstchallengewastomeetthe the firstfewmonthsofthissession. faced twomajorchallengesduring nothing morethananattemptto violation ofthisstatute.” between spousescouldbeacriminal steamy lovenotesentprivately Foundation (EFF)statementsaid.“A nications,” anElectronicFrontier between privateandpubliccommu- activitiesand non-consensual distinguish betweenconsensualand everyone else’sfreespeech. should notbedoneattheexpense of making theInternetsafeforchildren authorofthebill. Exon (D-NE), children andfamilies,”saidSen.James superhighway safetotravelfor PAGE 11: PAGE PAGE 12: PAGE The freshmanclasshas,byall Actually, HouseRepublicans Exon seeshislegislationas The legislation“mayfailto But civillibertariansarguethat “Iwanttomake theinformation Someone found guilty of originating an “indecent” an originating of guilty found Someone eaders. Althoughmostvoteson communication, whether public or private, could face could private, or public whether communication, up to two years in jail and a $100,000 fine. $100,000 a and jail in years two to up Professional Opportunities Professional Canadian News Canadian Policy News Policy Conference News Conference R The News Journal of the Computing Research Association Research Computing the of Journal News The ESEARCH Two basicquestionswere asked: prospects forfundingintheir field. expressed greatconcernaboutthe computing researchcommunity particularly computingresearch. prospects forfederalresearchprograms, have learnedanythingaboutfuture not seemtoosoontoaskwhetherwe cant thanitlooksnow. But itdoes could turnouttobefarlesssignifi- contract perspective, the100-day election. From thatmore distant the votersinnext presidential sional performancewillcomefrom in theHouseforrestofthisyear. political powershapeinternalpolitics of revolutionandthereality be interestingtoseehowtherhetoric chance towinthepresidency. Itwill Republican controlofCongressanda could costthemtheirownseats, action. Butwidespreadunpopularity ready totake anunpopularcourse of andthusare care aboutre-election public support. programs orwithstronger begins tovoteonmorefavored leadership willgrowasCongress “telephone,” foundincurrentlaw, nothing morethanswaptheword will raiseawholehostofproblems.” environment, andIthinktheproposal different typeofcommunications (EPIC). “It’s clearthatthisisavery Electronic PrivacyInformationCenter Marc Rotenberg, directorofthe said regulate thetelephonenetwork,” communications aswecurrently mistake totryregulateInternet modernize. “Ithinkitwouldbea worry thatthebilldoesmorethan “modernizing” existing law. repeatedly referstotheactassimply Modernize versusmodify telephone callstocomputers.” obscene, indecentorharassing same lawsthatprotectagainst Pressler bill]wouldsimplyapplythe world. “Myamendment[tothe extend currentlawtothedigital 1) Would frequentlyexpressed Early thisyear, peopleinthe The realevaluationofcongres- The freshmenclaimtheydonot On itsface,thebillseemstodo However, civillibertiesgroups A Senatecommitteereport online “indecency” Continued on Page 2 Page on Continued However, consentingadultsretain an unwanted,harassingphonecall. for situationsinwhichapersongets tions oflawsgoverningtelephoneuse reserved morestringentinterpreta- with pastcourtdecisions. revisiting wouldatleastbeconsistent hope thattheoutcomeofthis traditionally goneunnoticed. of humancommunicationthathave the federaljudiciaryspotlightvastareas question, asthebillwouldthrowinto revisit theobscenity-versus-free-speech most likely forcetheSupremeCourtto tion. TheExon bill,ifpassed,would laws thattiptoearoundtheConstitu- tion bythejudiciarysystem,especially under theFirst Amendment.” from thebookwouldbeprotected book inhardcopyorreadingaloud imprisonment, whilemailingthe sender tounreasonablefinesand bookcouldsubjectthe ‘lascivious’ “Transmitting anonlineversionofa expression,” theEFFstatementsaid. do notapplytoprintedorverbal online mediamanyrestrictionsthat ties andthreatstocivilliberties. some saythebillraisesnewcomplexi- context ofjudiciaryinterpretations, However, withinthehistorical with “telecommunicationsdevice.” N CRA Non-Profit Organization For instance,thecourtshave Civil libertarianssaidtheyonly All lawsdependuponinterpreta- billattemptstoapply “The 1875 Connecticut Ave. NW US Postage Suite 718 PAID Washington, DC Washington, DC 20009 Permit No. 3778 Continued on Page 9 Page on Continued

Time-Sensitive Material EWS COMPUTING RESEARCH NEWS May 1995

Opinions

Computing Research Association HPCC still a worthy program Board Officers BY Fred W. appropriateness of federal HPCC the connection with research, but the David A. Patterson Weingarten support to broaden and cover all case is there to be made. The Chair computing research support. CRA Staff Thomas congressional information University of California, Berkeley Some senior researchers in the The federal system that the House leadership computing field have been suggesting Maria Klawe government’s takes so much pride in connects to Vice Chair lately that we need to find a new the Internet, is based on a Web server High-Perfor- University of British Columbia engine, because this one is running and uses a University of Massachu- mance Comput- Gregory R. Andrews out of gas. While advancing under setts data query system, all of which ing and Com- Secretary the HPCC flag, computing research have come from NSF and Advanced University of Arizona munications came of age. It moved out of the Research Projects Agency research Michael R. Garey initiative has been the focus of shadows and became a leading, highly programs. Treasurer attention in the computing research visible component of federal science A strong HPCC program, if AT&T Bell Laboratories community for about 13 years. Its and technology policy. Budgets grew properly focused, can help the nation origins date back to a report prepared enormously, as did the influence and Board Members develop and achieve the full potential by an ad hoc study panel funded by the workload of the Washington comput- of a new national information infra- W. Richards Adrion National Science Foundation and ing research bureaucracy. structure. This argument was made University of Massachusetts, Amherst chaired by Peter Lax, the noted applied On the other hand persuasively in a recent report, Evolving Frances E. Allen mathematician at the Courant the High-Performance Computing and IBM T.J. Watson Research Center Institute. HPCC has been an official There are two problems with this Communications Initiative to Support the Ruzena Bajcsy administration initiative for about six argument. First, it is not clear that Nation’s Information Infrastructure, by University of Pennsylvania years. And nearly four years ago the any politician is on the lookout for the National Research Council’s Barry Boehm HPCC Act (the so-called “Gore” bill) new initiatives or programs, and that Computer Science and Telecommuni- University of Southern California was signed into law. reticence would particularly include cations Board. Although it focused on Anita Borg At the best of times, a program anything that looks like “big science.” HPCC, it made a much broader DEC Network Systems Laboratory that has been around that long Few, if any, real champions of science argument about the important role Robert Cartwright would—and ought to—be held up to remain in Congress, and those who computing research has played and the Rice University questioning. How well has it accom- are there have little influence. One even more critical role it will play in Thomas L. Dean plished its intended goals? Is its might think that among the newer the evolution of the United States as Brown University mission still important? Assuming the members, some might be searching to an information society. The report also Dorothy E. Denning overall goals are still valid, is the stake out issues on which to build addressed the politically tough issue of Georgetown University program as it was designed still the their reputations—somewhat in the the role of basic research by tracing the best way to achieve those goals? Stuart I. Feldman way Al Gore made HPCC and the flow of ideas from university-based Bellcore But these are not the best of times. Information Superhighway “his.” But basic research to industrial laboratories Budget pressures on federal R&D are Peter Freeman today’s political environment is not to development. It made the vital point Georgia Institute of Technology seriously threatening programs in conducive to that strategy, and most that strategic research is not necessarily Defense and in civilian science new members came to town looking short-term or applied. There is a long- C. William Gear agencies. A new Republican-domi- NEC Research Institute Inc. to make their reputations by closing term and enormous economic and nated Congress is asking fundamental down government programs, not social benefit from fundamental John V. Guttag questions about the proper role of the creating new ones. MIT research directed into strategically government in funding research, Besides, there still may be some important areas. Mary Jane Irwin particularly research that appears to life left in the old program. Even Pennsylvania State University Another important report, have direct economic payoff to industry. considering the negatives mentioned America in an Age of Information, was Dick Lampman In the face of this questioning above, HPCC may turn out to be the recently released by the National Hewlett-Packard Co. and these new pressures, it would be best chance for making a persuasive Science and Technology Council Duncan Lawrie reasonable to be concerned about the case for maintaining support for Committee on Information and Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign future of HPCC. This concern is computing research. Communications. This report Edward D. Lazowska particularly acute in computer The political climate is not all developed a strategic plan and a University of Washington science and computer engineering negative toward HPCC. House framework to coordinate and manage Nancy G. Leveson because, over the years, federal Speaker Newt Gingrich and other computing research throughout all University of Washington funding for CS&CE has come to fall Republicans are fans of the Internet federal science agencies. It described Jill P. Mesirov predominantly under the HPCC and lace their talks with references to computing research programs, Boston University rubric. It would not be a long jump cyberspace and Alvin Toffler’s “Third Robert W. Ritchie for congressional challenges of the Wave.” They may not yet have made Continued on Page 3 Hewlett-Packard Co. John E. Savage Brown University Analysis from Page 1 to pay for Defense modernization angered by the Senate’s inability to and peacekeeping mission costs has pass a balanced budget amendment, Bruce D. Shriver Republican hostility to programs that not occurred in the recision bills will push the deficit on a steep Genesis 2 Inc. had a “technology policy” focus create that have passed. downward slope—tax cut or no. Jeffrey Ullman opposition to long-term research efforts National Science Foundation House Republicans are talking about Stanford University in areas such as the High-Performance program cuts were confined to facilities Mary K. Vernon Computing and Communications eliminating programs and entire (bricks and mortar) programs, and key University of Wisconsin, Madison (HPCC) program or, more broadly, all agencies, such as the Energy Depart- Republican leaders such as Bob Walker Mark Weiser of computing research? ment. In that climate, even politi- (R-PA) have turned out to be strong Xerox Palo Alto Research Center 2) Would attacks on the budget cians who are friendly to science advocates of science. Several represen- deficit and promises to cut taxes could wield a sharp ax. John Werth tatives and staff members have even University of Texas, Austin result in unbearable pressures on Even the most optimistic made encouraging comments about the research budgets, regardless of how predictions have NSF’s budget David S. Wise HPCC initiative. Indiana University popular the research programs were shrinking substantially over the next with Congress in general? However, indications for the future few years. Furthermore, although the Executive Director So far, the answer to both are less sanguine. Despite the popular- overall DOD budget may not shrink Fred W. Weingarten questions seems to be a qualified no. ity of science and the general sense in much more, a similar scenario may hold As expected, industry-focused Congress that science is a legitimate for Defense research funding as funds function of the government, almost are diverted to such areas as readiness, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR programs such as the Commerce impossible budget pressures remain in modernization and pay raises. Joan Bass Department’s Advanced Technology executing the longer-term promises. The research community can 1875 Connecticut Ave. NW Program and the Defense Department’s Still alive is the promise of the take some comfort in surviving the Suite 718 Technology Reinvestment Program first 100 days. The comfort is not that Washington, DC 20009 experienced some cuts. But, at hearings middle-class tax cut, with which even held in both the House and Senate, the administration has agreed to in cuts were not made, but that they Tel: 202-234-2111 some sympathetic comments were principle, if not in detail. If the less were not as deep as some had feared. Fax: 202-667-1066 made by Republican legislators about enthusiastic Senate passes the cut into That is not much solace to the E-mail: [email protected] both programs. law, immediate recisions will have to be science agencies. These first cuts will Letters may be edited for space Long-term research has fared found to pay for it. be followed by much more drastic and clarity. better. The threatened elimination It promises to be a brutal year for attacks. It is not going to be business of DOD university research budgets appropriations. House Republicans, as usual for research support.

Page 2 May 1995 COMPUTING RESEARCH NEWS

Expanding the Pipeline Workshops offer mentoring opportunities

BY Janice E. getting funded, being a good teacher reported that they continue to ence was myself. The CRA workshop Cuny and dealing with problem students. consult these notes: “I was in the job was the first conference where I met In addition, the workshops have market the year following the work- women at my level. Also, the women Women in emphasized aspects of starting a shop, and I found very many helpful presenters were living proof that computer science research program, such as how to go hints among the notes and transcripts. women are successful. I see very few or computer beyond thesis research, journal versus I think one of the biggest lessons I senior women.” engineering conference publications, what referees learned is that an academic career A minority student said, “I’ve been graduate look for, what to do when a paper is requires a lot of explicit managing.” laughed at and criticized for pursuing programs often rejected, collaborating and promoting Almost everyone, attendees and an advanced degree, but this workshop find themselves work. The workshops have addressed panelists alike, thought the work- has motivated me to persevere.” an isolated minority. Many depart- issues in balancing family and outside shops had much more to offer than ments have an overwhelmingly male life with a career. Finally, while the just information: Participants said the About the workshops enrollment and few, if any, female focus had been on expectations at workshops provided young women Four workshops have been held, faculty members to serve as mentors universities requiring a significant with opportunities to interact with with a total attendance of about 200 or role models. level of research, the last workshop female role models, develop mentor- junior women. The workshops were In response, the CRA Committee included a well-received session on ing relationships and establish associated with the Federated Comput- on the Status of Women in Computing four-year colleges. Each panel had friendships with future colleagues. ing Research Conference (FCRC) in Research (CRAW), with support from one to four speakers, with as many as The fact that so many women in May 1992, the Grace Murray Hopper the National Science Foundation, 19 senior women participating in a computer science and computer Celebration of Women in Computing organized a series of workshops that single workshop. engineering were brought together at in June 1994, Supercomputing in provide mentoring opportunities for one time was energizing. Many November 1994 and the ACM women. The workshops bring women Participants’ responses participants reported that the Computer Science Conference in just starting their academic careers— The panels included formal workshops helped them feel less February 1995. The next workshop will either advanced graduate students or presentations as well as ample time isolated, and several echoed the be held in May 1996 in conjunction newly hired faculty—together with for discussion and questions. In comment that “it was great to see so with FCRC. more established researchers. The evaluations done immediately after many women in computer science.” The workshops have ranged in 1 more senior women serve as panel- the workshop, attendees reported One participant said, “It helped length from 90 minutes to 1 /2 days. ists, giving information and advice on that the information presented was me to feel less isolated, and it was The longer ones have been the most many aspects of academic careers; extremely useful: It “explained away motivating and encouraging.” Another successful, because they allow for they also serve as mentors in less lots of myths,” “it was intensely stated, “The workshop was a wonderful considerably more interaction among formal discussions. informative,” and “it provided a lot of idea, if only because of how encourag- participants. They do, however, So far, each workshop has been information that is hard to come by.” ing it was to see so many women in the involve a significant commitment of scheduled immediately before a major Several participants who have field who are facing the same issues.” time and money, and CRAW conference. This enables informal been hired into new academic Another wrote: “Here were more continues to experiment with mentoring relationships to continue positions since the first workshop established women professors than different formats. through the conference. It also makes responded recently to a second there probably are in the whole Pac- CRAW does hope to eventually it possible for workshop participants questionnaire. One stated, “The 10!…Their sharing of their personal put together a “how to” guide for to attend technical talks and make advice that I thought was the most histories left me with a sense that I women willing to arrange mentoring contacts in their own research areas. important was of a very common- knew them. The diversity of experience events at conferences. It also is producing a combined set of work- Wide range of topics sense nature, somewhat obvious after was also important—when there is only the fact but not something that I would one woman in your department, and shop transcripts, which will be The workshops have included have thought of by myself….[As a you don’t want to be like her, who do completed after the 1996 workshop. panels on a range of topics important result,] I think my expectations of the you emulate? It’s great to know that Transcripts from the initial workshop to new academics: getting a job, tenure process are very realistic there are many different paths, leading are available from Phillip Louis at tenure, building a research career, compared to some of the other new to different definitions of success.” CRA ([email protected]). funding, networking, teaching, time faculty here.” Another participant agreed. “It For more information or to submit management and family issues. They Another said, “The workshop was was great to see all those women. I comments or suggestions, please have addressed issues on the me- very valuable; there were specific pieces attended many conferences related to contact Janice Cuny at the University chanics of an academic career, such of advice about getting tenure…that my research area as a graduate of Oregon ([email protected]). as developing a marketable curricu- were very beneficial to my career.” student. I never knew any women Janice E. Cuny is an associate professor lum vitae, preparing for an interview, CRAW has made transcripts of attending the conferences who were at in the Department of Computer and putting together a good tenure the workshops available, and a my same level careerwise. The first Information Science at the University of dossier, advising graduate students, number of past attendees have woman I ever saw speak at a confer- Oregon.

OMPUTING ESEARCH EWS HPCC from Page 2 from NSF, ARPA or the Energy C R N Department to be selected. No one including HPCC, in the context of Vol. 7/No. 3/May 1995 thought NLM wanted to be a lead broad national objectives from an agency for HPCC, so Lindberg was Computing Research News (ISSN 1069-384X) is published five times per year: in applications perspective. The focus viewed as neutral. January, March, May, September and November. Copyright 1995, all rights reserved, by the was on user needs. This approach was Lindberg was a senior, respected Computing Research Association (CRA), 1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 718, in stark contrast to attempts in the Washington, DC 20009. Tel. 202-234-2111; fax: 202-667-1066; E-mail: [email protected]. voice in science policy circles outside late 1980s to motivate HPCC Material in CRN is not endorsed by CRA nor intended to reflect any official positions of the computing arena. He helped narrowly in terms of its impact on the CRA or its board. legitimized HPCC to that world. competitiveness of the US computer Change of Address: Please allow four weeks for an address change to become effective. industry—an approach that led to Toole has a great deal of experi- Change of address notice should include old and new addresses with ZIP codes (please use ence in government research ZIP+4 if available). criticisms that HPCC was simply a “bailout” program in disguise for Cray program management, particularly in Postmaster: Send Form 3579 to CRA, 1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 718, Research Inc. or IBM Corp. the information technology field. Washington, DC 20009. Postage paid at Washington, DC. Meanwhile, the administration However, he has less external name Computing Research News Staff appointed a new head of the National recognition in the science policy Fred W. Weingarten, Editorial Director Coordination Office for HPCC. John community. This suggests that the Joan Bass, Editor C. Toole will replace Donald Lindberg, administration was looking for Juan Antonio Osuna, Staff Reporter director of the National Library of someone who had clout within the Computing Research News Editorial Board Medicine (NLM). This appointment computing programs of the science John E. Savage, Board Chair, Brown University means several things. First, it is a full- agencies and who could bring about a Laszlo A. Belady, Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories Inc. time appointment for Toole. Lindberg closer coordination. It appears the Ashok K. Chandra, IBM Almaden Research Center served as coordinator, yet retained his administration saw less need to Dorothy E. Denning, Georgetown University position as NLM director. As HPCC legitimize computing research by Jim Foley, Georgia Institute of Technology grew, so did the conflicting pressures on picking someone from outside the field. The HPCC program is entering John Gannon, University of Maryland his time and attention. Second, Toole is this dangerous time with new ammuni- Leah Jamieson, Purdue University from ARPA. When Lindberg was tion and tools with which to make its James Varah, University of British Columbia appointed, the interagency pull and tug case. It seems far better prepared for Helen Wood, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration over program leadership was so great it seemed inconceivable for someone the fight now than it was in 1994.

Page 3 COMPUTING RESEARCH NEWS May 1995

Association News For Your Information CRA selects winners of Your support is crucial Undergraduate Awards BY Phillip Louis The Computing Research Association is pleased to announce the results of the CRA Staff first CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Awards competition. We would like to The past year has been very productive and positive for CRA. A few acknowledge the support of Microsoft Corp. as the sponsor of the first year of highlights from 1994-95 include the CRA Conference at Snowbird ’94, this program. the Academic Careers Workshop and the CRA Taulbee Survey. (We again Awards are presented in two categories: Outstanding Female Undergradu- would like to express our appreciation for your cooperation on the survey. ate and Outstanding Male Undergraduate. Candidates were nominated by their The results were printed in the March 1995 CRN and also are available departments, which were allowed to nominate no more than one candidate in on CRA’s home page.) each category. Nominees had to be majoring in computer science, computer This past year, CRA expanded its efforts to recognize the contribu- engineering or an equivalent program. tions outstanding individuals have made to the computing research “These award winners exemplify the many outstanding young men and community. We recently announced the winners of the new CRA women working toward careers in computer science and computer engineer- Undergraduate Awards, sponsored by Microsoft Corp. (See accompanying ing,” CRA Board Chair David Patterson said. “Their contributions will provide story.) Randy Katz and the late Eugene Lawler were the winners of the 1995 the necessary scientific and technical foundations for building an advanced Distinguished Service Award and the A. Nico Habermann Award. information infrastructure and help put it to productive work.” And congratulations also to the 30 students selected to participate in The Selection Committee, consisting of Ruzena Bajcsy of the University of the CRA Distributed Mentor Project this summer. (Our thanks to Joseph Pennsylvania, Daniel Huttenlocher of Cornell University and Maria Klawe of O’Rourke of Smith College, who has overseen this project for two years.) the University of British Columbia (committee chair), was impressed by the The 1995-96 board elections are under way. If you have not returned high quality of the candidates. In addition to choosing an overall winner in your ballot, do so before May 18. We’ll announce the winners in late May. each category, the committee recognized a small number of runners-up and Terms for the new and re-elected members begin July 1. several candidates deserving honorable mention. It’s not too late to register for the new Effective Training in CS&E workshop June 8-9 in Snowbird, UT. (See the agenda on Page 12.) Outstanding Female Undergraduate The items above were successful because of you and because of an Winner: active board and a dedicated staff that works hard to get the job done. • Diane Tang, Harvard University, computer science We are able to be involved in so many worthwhile activities only if you continue to support CRA by paying your annual dues. You should Runners-up: have received a dues statement a few weeks ago. If you have not, contact • Lynn Sock-Eng Chua, Arizona State University, computer systems engineering me at 202-234-2111 or at [email protected]. Dues information also is available • Mandana Vaziri-Faharani, Carnegie Mellon University, electrical and com- on CRA’s home page (http://cra.org). The dues package includes a list of puter engineering all the benefits you receive for being a member of CRA. We encourage Honorable mention: you to take advantage of all we have to offer; the CRA office is here to • Teresa Chen, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, electrical engineering serve you. Send any suggestions you have on how CRA should serve the and computer science community to [email protected]. • Mauria Finley, Stanford University, computer science If you have not done so already, please take the time to check your • Archra Kalra, University of Pittsburgh, computer science address label on the front page and let me know if your address is correct • Svetlana Kryukova, California Institute of Technology, computer science or if it needs to be updated. • Amoolya Singh, Carnegie Mellon University, computer science I hope you’ve enjoyed the FYI column. My goal is to remind you of • Susan Thrane, University of Texas at Arlington, computer science engineering the activities we are involved in and update you on administrative issues. • Tina Wong, University of Washington, computer science Send suggestions or comments about this column to Phillip Louis, • Ke Yee Yeung, University of Waterloo, computer science Computing Research Association, 1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 718, Outstanding Male Undergraduate Washington, DC 20009. Tel. 202-234-2111; fax: 202-667-1066; E-mail: [email protected]. Winner: • Bryan Ford, University of Utah, computer science Runners-up: CRN Subscription Form • Ian Goldberg, University of Waterloo, computer science Please check one: • Michael Leventon, Cornell University, computer science •Avrom Pfeffer, University of California at Berkeley, computer science ❒ I want to subscribe to CRN. I qualify for a free subscription. Honorable mention: ❒ • James Clough, University of Idaho, computer science I want a year’s subscription to CRN. I do not qualify for a free • Joseph Felder, Temple University, computer and information sciences subscription. My check, made payable to the Computing • Stephen Freund, Stanford University, computer science Research Association, is enclosed. Subscriptions are $25. Foreign • Steve Gribble, University of British Columbia, computer science subscriptions are $37.50 (US) in Canada and $45 (US) elsewhere. • Michael Katchabaw, University of Western Ontario, computer science ❒ This is a change of address. I have included my address label or a • Ramon Lawrence, University of Manitoba, computer science copy of the old address. • Patrick (Chris) Leger, Carnegie Mellon University, electrical and computer engineering Free Subscription Policy: CRN is mailed free to 1) faculty members, • Quaid Morris, University of Toronto, computer science administrators and full-time researchers in college and university computing • Frank Anderson (Andy) Smith, North Carolina State University, computer departments; 2) research staff members and administrators of science non-profit and for-profit laboratories involved in computing research; and 3) persons who affect policies related to computing research. Free subscrip- Special recognition tions are only available in North America. The Selection Committee decided to make a special, one-time recognition Name of an outstanding nominee: Andris Ambainis from the University of Latvia. Title/Position Because CRA membership is restricted to North American organizations, the competition is limited to students enrolled in North American institutions. Phone E-mail Unfortunately, the competition announcement did not mention this restriction. Organization Ambainis was the only nominee from outside North America but was such an Type of Organization impressive candidate that the committee believed that, in view of the omission in the announcement, it was appropriate to provide special recognition for him. Department Future competition announcements will clearly indicate the restriction to Address North American students. City State ZIP+4 Attention CRA Members Mail this form to: CRN Subscription Department Mailing labels of our membership and the CRA Forsythe List are available free Computing Research Association to CRA members. The labels are available electronically or on laser labels. The 1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 718 Washington, DC 20009 labels are $25 per set for non-members. Contact Phillip Louis at tel. 202-234- Fax: 202-667-1066; E-mail: [email protected] 2111; fax: 202-667-1066; or E-mail: [email protected].

Page 4 May 1995 COMPUTING RESEARCH NEWS

Association News CRA testifies at NSF appropriation hearing The following is an edited version of oral future, creating jobs and benefits for testimony given by Edward D. ourselves and our children. Lazowska at an April 5 hearing held by Progress in information technology has been so rapid 5) Fundamental research in support the House Appropriations Subcommittee of strategic directions is not the same as on Veterans Affairs, HUD and and so consistent that it is easy to take it for granted. industrial policy. Independent Agencies. Lazowska is a The purpose of publicly funded member of the CRA Board and chair of But this would be a huge mistake. research in high-technology fields is the CRA Government Affairs Commit- to advance knowledge and create tee. He is chair of the Department of new opportunities that industry can Computer Science and Engineering at exploit in the medium and long term. the University of Washington. tion technology didn’t just happen. It is forth between academia and industry. It is not to determine how the market Thank you for the opportunity to the result of a highly effective, long-term New companies are formed, and old should develop. testify on the subject of the fiscal partnership among government, industry companies evolve. Federal support That is what I call “fundamental 1996 National Science Foundation and academia. early in the life cycle of ideas ad- research in support of strategic appropriation. Progress in information technol- vances them from novelties to directions.” It is exactly what the I’m here to strongly support ogy has been occurring rapidly, in a convincing demonstrations that CISE Directorate at NSF does. And NSF’s appropriation request, particu- way never seen before. For several attract private investment to prod- it is exactly the right model. larly the request of $275.57 million decades, the amount of computation, ucts and services that add to the 6) A plan for the future exists. for the Computer and Information storage and communication you quality of life in this country. It is nearly impossible to Science and Engineering (CISE) could buy for a dollar has doubled 4) The industrial sector has not, predict where and when the next Directorate. This directorate is every 18 to 24 months. This succes- will not and cannot blaze this trail major breakthrough will occur. responsible for virtually all of the sive doubling—this exponential alone. However, one can examine objec- research in computing, information growth—is the stuff revolutions are I’ve just addressed the “has not.” tives and derive ideas of where and communications sponsored by made of. Here’s a wonderful analogy: Let me speak to the “will not” and research investments could be made NSF, which in turn represents a high If, over the past 30 years, transporta- “cannot.” strategically. proportion of all federally sponsored tion technology had made the same If you were to watch the televi- The National Science and fundamental research in these areas. progress as computing technology in sion advertisements in Seattle, you’d Technology Council’s Committee on In support of the NSF request, size, cost, speed and energy consump- likely conclude that the technology Information and Communications, there are six points that I’d like to tion, then an automobile would be underlying the nation’s information chaired by Anita Jones, Defense make: the size of a toaster, cost $200, travel infrastructure sprung forth from the director of research and engineering, 1) Information technology is 100,000 miles per hour and go minds of Microsoft Corp. and GTE. and co-chaired by Paul Young, NSF’s economically and socially vital to our 150,000 miles on a gallon of fuel. Although these companies and assistant director for CISE, recently society. And in another 18 to 24 months, others will play critical roles in produced a strategic implementation Information technology, consid- we’d realize another factor-of-two evolving this technology and bringing plan. The plan identified six strategic ered alone, is a $500 billion industry. improvement. it to consumers, the foundations of focus areas: global-scale information In addition, information technol- Progress in information technol- the technology clearly lie in federally infrastructure technologies, high- ogy has a huge impact on other ogy has been so rapid and so consis- funded research programs that have performance/scalable systems, high- segments of the economy, such as tent that it is easy to take it for been transferring ideas and people to confidence systems, virtual environ- manufacturing, finance, education, granted. But this would be a huge the private sector for decades. ments, user-centered interfaces and science and engineering. mistake. It is not as if we’re all just I serve on the six-person Techni- tools, and human resources and And “embedded computer sitting around while the speed of cal Advisory Board for Microsoft. I education. systems” are ubiquitous—compact electrons doubles every 18 months. respect the company enormously. This multiagency collaborative disc players, cellular phones, medical I just spent a year on a congres- Over the past five years, Microsoft planning effort seems precisely on diagnostic equipment such as CAT sionally requested 12-person Na- discovered that to create new target. I’d like to strongly encourage scanners and so on. tional Research Council committee markets, it needed data compression the subcommittee to request a staff 2) The best is potentially yet to studying the federal High-Perfor- technology, encryption technology, briefing from Jones and the co-chairs come. mance Computing and Communica- networking technology, 3-D of the CIC Strategic Plan Develop- The development of the nation’s tions initiative. Our committee computer graphics technology, ment Group, Young and John Toole. information infrastructure holds the devoted a great deal of effort to modern operating systems technol- Summary promise of greatly amplifying the reviewing the extraordinary partner- ogy and statistical decision theory already enormous impacts of informa- ship among government, industry technology, to name a few. It has CRA urges the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, HUD and Indepen- tion technology. It will extend to and academia that has driven this obtained these technologies from dent Agencies to give its strongest rural America a number of benefits progress in information technology America’s research universities. support to the NSF request. that urban dwellers take for granted and that has made America the Even in a rapidly evolving field I understand the extraordinary in areas such as health care, libraries, world leader in this critical field. I’d such as information technology, constraints under which this subcom- government information, cultural like to strongly encourage this research takes 15 years to pay off. mittee is working. resources and entertainment. The subcommittee to request a staff Companies such as Sun Microsystems It is critical, though, to carefully information infrastructure will briefing from the NRC committee co- and Microsoft did not even exist 15 weigh the effect on our future revolutionize commerce and education. chairs: Fred Brooks from the Univer- years ago. The vitality of the informa- economy of disrupting the invest- My teen-age sons already use sity of North Carolina and Ivan tion technology industry depends ments in research that have proven Internet resources almost daily in Sutherland from Sun Microsystems heavily on new companies, but new to provide a critically important their education. For example, within Inc. companies cannot easily afford to do foundation for the growth and a few weeks of the discovery of The committee found that research. Furthermore, industry in competitiveness of our $500 billion Paleolithic cave paintings in France federally supported university general is doing less research now information technology industry and last December, wonderful images and research played a critical role in than in the recent past. But because of the many other industries to which text were available on the World essentially every aspect of informa- today’s sales are based on yesterday’s this leadership contributes. We also Wide Web. K-12 students across the tion technology: time sharing, research, investment in innovation must carefully weigh the broad nation and around the world are computer networking, workstations, must go forward, so the nation’s benefits to society that will continue consumers of electronic information, computer graphics, the “windows and information industry can continue to to result from the federal research and they are publishers of it, too. mouse” user interface, database thrive. investments that power fundamental The real computer revolution is technology, very large-scale inte- The government-supported advances in information technology. “the computer as an information access grated circuit design, reduced research program is critical because it The federal investment in device.” This revolution is far bigger instruction set computer architec- supports the exploratory work that is information technology research than “the computer as a word proces- tures, I/O subsystems based on difficult for industry to afford. It also through NSF has been incredibly sor” or “the computer as a spreadsheet redundant arrays of inexpensive allows the pursuit of ideas that may small compared to the payoff. engine,” and we’re poised for it. disks, parallel computing and others. lead to success in unexpected ways, (Lazowska’s full written testimony 3) America’s leadership in informa- Ideas and people move back and and it nourishes the industry of the can be found at http://cra.org.)

Page 5 COMPUTING RESEARCH NEWS May 1995

Federal Funding Agencies

Advanced Research Projects Agency Center of Excellence in Space Data & Information Sciences 3701 N. Fairfax Drive Director Yelena Yesha Arlington, VA 22203 301-286-4403 Software & Intelligence Systems Technology Office [email protected]

Director Edward Thompson National Institute of Standards & Technology 703-696-2222 Building 225, Room B154 [email protected] Gaithersburg, MD 20899 Director, Computer System Howard Frank Computer Systems Laboratory Technology Office 703-696-2228 [email protected] Director James H. Burrows 301-975-2822 Air Force Office of Scientific Research [email protected] 110 Duncan Ave., Suite B115 Bolling Air Force Base National Science Foundation Washington, DC 20332-0001 4201 Wilson Blvd. Mathematics and Geosciences Arlington, VA 22230 Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering Director Charles J. Holland 202-767-5025 Assistant Director Paul Young [email protected] 703-306-1900 AI Program Manager Abraham Waksman [email protected] 202-767-4964 Deputy Assistant Director Melvyn Ciment [email protected] 703-306-1900 Software and Systems David Luginbuhl [email protected] Program Manager 202-767-5028 Acting Executive Officer Merrell Patrick [email protected] 703-306-1900 [email protected] Army Research Office Senior Adviser for Planning Jerome S. Daen PO Box 12211 Analysis & Policy 703-306-1900 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2211 [email protected] Mathematical & Computer Sciences Division Acting HPCC Coordinator Robert G. Voigt Division Director Jagdish Chandra 703-306-1900 919-549-4254 [email protected] [email protected] Policy Analyst Roger Shull Artificial Intelligence & David W. Hislop 703-306-1900 Software Systems Program 919-549-4255 [email protected] Officer [email protected] Executive Director, Walter Wiebe Numerical Analysis & Federal Networking Council 703-306-1900 Computing Program Officer Vacant [email protected] Division of Computer & Computation Research Department of Energy Office of Energy Research Acting Division Director Bruce H. Barnes 1000 Independence Ave. SW 703-306-1910 Washington, DC 20585 [email protected] Director Martha Krebs Deputy Division Director Bruce H. Barnes 202-586-5430 703-306-1910 [email protected] [email protected] Office of Scientific Computing Theory of Computing Dana Latch 703-306-1911 Acting Associate Director John Cavallini [email protected] 301-903-5580 [email protected] Computer Systems Yechezkel Zalcstein 703-306-1914 Program Manager Fred Howes [email protected] 301-903-3166 [email protected] Numeric, Symbolic & S. Kamal Abdali Geometric Computation 703-306-1912 Program Manager Tom Kitchens [email protected] 301-903-5152 [email protected] Acting Programming Krishna Kavi & Helen Gill Languages & Compilers 703-306-1912 Program Manager Dan Hitchcock [email protected]; [email protected] 301-903-6767 [email protected] Operating Systems & Krishna Kavi Software Systems 703-306-1912 Program Manager George Seweryniak [email protected] 301-903-0071 [email protected] Software Engineering Helen Gill Program Manager Mary Anne Scott 703-306-1912 301-903-6368 [email protected] [email protected] Special Projects Gerald Engel 703-306-1910 NASA [email protected] 300 E St. SW Division of Information, Robotics & Intelligent Systems Room 2R82, Code JOC Washington, DC 20546 Division Director Yi-Tzuu (YT) Chien 703-306-1930 Information Systems & Technology [email protected] Acting Director Sandra Daniels-Gibson Acting Deputy Division Howard Moraff 202-358-2155 Director 703-306-1928 No E-mail address available [email protected] Deputy Director Vacant

Page 6 May 1995 COMPUTING RESEARCH NEWS

Federal Funding Agencies

Special Projects Stephen M. Griffin NSFnet Priscilla Huston 703-306-1930 703-306-1949 [email protected] [email protected] Special Projects John Hestenes International Coordinator Steven Goldstein 703-306-1930 703-306-1949 [email protected] [email protected] Database & Expert Systems Maria Zemankova Associate Program Officer David A. Staudt 703-306-1926 703-306-1949 [email protected] [email protected] Information Technology & Su-Shing Chen Associate Program Officer Douglas Gatchel Organizations 703-306-1927 703-306-1949 [email protected] [email protected] Interactive Systems Gary W. Strong Networking & Aubrey Bush 703-306-1928 Communications Research 703-306-1949 [email protected] [email protected] Knowledge Models & Cognitive Larry Reeker Program Manager Darleen L. Fisher Systems 703-306-1926 703-306-1949 [email protected] [email protected] Robotics & Machine Howard Moraff & Ron Ashany Office of Cross-Disciplinary Activities Intelligence 703-306-1928 [email protected]; [email protected] Head John Cherniavsky 703-306-1980 Division of Microelectronic Information Processing Systems [email protected] Division Director Bernard Chern CISE Special Projects (Other) Tse-Yun Feng 703-306-1940 703-306-1981 [email protected] [email protected] Deputy Division Director John R. Lehmann CISE Educational Tse-Yun Feng 703-306-1940 Infrastructure 703-306-1981 [email protected] [email protected] Design, Tools & Test Robert B. Grafton CISE Research Caroline Wardle 703-306-1936 Infrastructure 703-306-1981 [email protected] [email protected] Microelectronic Systems J. Robert Jump CISE Minority, Disabled Harry Hedges Architecture 703-306-1936 Special Projects 703-306-1981 [email protected] [email protected] Circuits & Signal Processing John H. Cozzens CISE Education, Women Caroline Wardle 703-306-1936 Special Projects 703-306-1981 [email protected] [email protected] Experimental Systems Michael J. Foster CISE Minority Infrastructure Harry Hedges 703-306-1936 703-306-1981 [email protected] [email protected] Systems Prototyping & John Staudhammer CISE Instrumentation Tse-Yun Feng Fabrications 703-306-1936 703-306-1981 [email protected] [email protected] Division of Advanced Scientific Computing Division Director Robert R. Borchers Office of Naval Research 703-306-1970 Ballston Center Tower, 800 N. Quincy St. [email protected] ONR Code 311 Arlington, VA 22217-5660 Deputy Division Director Richard Hirsh 703-306-1970 Mathematical, Computer and Information Sciences Division [email protected] Director Andre van Tilborg Supercomputer Centers Richard E. Kaplan 703-696-4312 703-306-1963 [email protected] [email protected] Artificial Intelligence Michael Shneier Acting New Technologies Richard Hirsh 703-696-4303 703-306-1962 [email protected] [email protected] Computer Systems Gary Koob Associate Program Director Lawrence E. Brandt 703-696-0872 703-306-1963 [email protected] [email protected] Software Research Ralph Wachter Staff Associate Irene D. Lombardo 703-696-4304 703-306-1963 [email protected] [email protected] Robotics Teresa McMullen Div. of Networking & Communications Research & Infrastructure 703-696-3163 Division Director Jane C. Caviness [email protected] 703-306-1950 Computer Technology Elizabeth Wald [email protected] 703-696-5752 Acting Deputy Division Director Aubrey Bush [email protected] 703-306-1950 Command & Control Paul Quinn [email protected] Research 703-696-5753 Staff Associate Donald R. Mitchell [email protected] 703-306-1950 Numerical Analysis Richard Lau [email protected] 703-696-4316 Staff Associate Roger Taylor [email protected] 703-306-1950 [email protected] Continued on Page 9

Page 7 COMPUTING RESEARCH NEWS May 1995

Policy News Congress again considers telecom reform BY Juan Antonio Osuna “incremental cost” to schools, health CRA Staff care providers and libraries. This As debate over sweeping telecommu- The Republican-sponsored bill affects the cable provision was incorporated as an nications reform continues, industry amendment, sponsored by Sens. Jay parties and lawmakers draw closer to industry, online services, long-distance companies Rockefeller (D-WV), James Exon (D- resolution. A Republican-sponsored NE) and John Kerry (D-MA). bill was reported out of full commit- and wireless communications providers. As for this amendment, Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) took aim at tee in late March with changes Planned Parenthood, the country’s designed to win over local phone largest provider of birth control and companies. abortion services. Alluding to the Sponsored by Sen. Larry Pressler The Alliance for Competitive the [FCC] decides that it is in the potential eligibility of Planned (R-SD), chair of the Senate Com- Communications, a consortium of ‘public interest, convenience and Parenthood to receive preferential merce, Science and Transportation RBOCs, welcomed most changes necessity’ to allow the [RBOCs] to rates for telecommunications Committee, the bill no longer forces over earlier drafts distributed by provide long distance and manufac- services, Burns said, “I am afraid the the regional Bell operating companies Pressler and over last year’s bill turing. Senate is being inadvertently drawn (RBOCs) to wait three years before sponsored by Sen. Ernest F. Hollings “Whether or not open markets into an area of high controversy entering into long-distance and (D-SC). However, the consortium are in the ‘public interest, conve- which I, for one, believe we should manufacturing markets. did have a few criticisms. nience and necessity’ can be argued avoid.” Instead, the bill bestows upon “The latest draft of telecommu- endlessly at the [FCC] and in the Burns also criticized the notion the Federal Communications nications reform legislation released courts. Such a delay may benefit of preferential rates, saying such a Commission authority to give the go- by Sen. Pressler represents a substan- competitors, but not consumers,” system “buries much of the cost of they countered. ahead, based on a complex checklist tial improvement,” an alliance providing telecommunications The two senators also argued of criteria outlined in the bill. Once statement said. service to our health and educational against provisions that give the FCC the FCC determines that a local However, the statement also systems in the telephone rates all authority to mandate subsidies for telephone company faces competition said, “The checklist RBOCs must Americans pay.” universal telecommunications Although the current universal for local markets and no longer meet for entering long distance needs services. The bill’s “universal service” service provisions are narrower than enjoys monopoly status, it will allow to be less complex and more objec- provision requires telecommunica- those in last year’s bill, sources said the company to sell long-distance tive. The bill gives the Federal tions providers to make minimal, Pressler’s bill may still encounter service and manufacture telecommu- Communications Commission broad affordable service available to hurdles on the Senate floor. The bill nications equipment. discretion to delay Bell entry into the everyone. may not reach the floor until June. Other portions of the bill affect long-distance market.” “We support the goals of One section of the bill that the cable industry, online services, Some of these concerns were affordability and universality for encountered no controversy within long-distance companies and wireless shared by Sens. Bob Packwood (R- necessary telecommunications the full committee markup was Sen. communications providers. The goal OR) and John McCain (R-AZ), the services,” Packwood and McCain James Exon’s (D-NE) amendment to of the bill is to spur competition only two of 19 senators on the said. “However, it is unwise to grant clean up obscenity on the Internet. through deregulation that allows committee who voted March 30 any agency such an open-ended However, this addition has enraged these industries to enter each other’s against reporting the bill. mandate.” civil liberties groups and many markets. Perhaps the most sensitive In a Senate report, the two The most controversial aspect of Internet users, who have called for a issue involves the local telephone senators said: “Under this bill, the the universal service provision was a full-scale war to stop what they see as markets, where the RBOCs now hold long-distance and manufacturing section requiring telecommunications an attack on First Amendment rights. monopolies in most areas. markets will not be fully open until companies to provide service at (See Page 1.) Republicans propose Science Department BY Juan Antonio Osuna nothing more than an irresponsible Advancement of Science. Barry opposes the creation of a Depart- CRA Staff attempt to slash and burn the federal Beringer, chief counsel for the House ment of Science of the kind now Congress has been kicking around R&D budget. Science Committee, and John being discussed in Congress,” the idea of a Department of Science The most frequently mentioned Gibbons, the president’s chief science science adviser Gibbons said at the since 1884, with the idea having been candidates for consolidation are the adviser, offered strong opinions on colloquium. proposed dozens of times in the last departments of Energy, Commerce, the subject. He argued against the proposal few decades. and Housing and Urban Develop- “People look at me as the on the philosophical grounds that Recent changes in the political ment, the National Science Founda- executioner,” Beringer half-jokingly multiple agencies nurture healthy climate have rekindled the debate tion, NASA, the Office of Energy told a mostly scientific audience. diversity and independence. with fervor, as some members of Research and the Environmental While Beringer admitted that “The genius of US science policy Congress see the proposal as an Protection Agency. Walker has sold the plan to fellow to date has been its recognition that opportunity for big savings by Other Republican leaders have Republicans as a way of “eliminating” pluralism of support and diversity of consolidating and downsizing various advocated even more radical changes. vast bureaucracies and making performers allow the crucial freedom smaller agencies into one cabinet- Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole government more efficient, he of inquiry that unleashes the creative level department. (R-KS) has suggested dismantling the insisted that the plan was a cool- spirit of our world-class researchers The current champion of this Education Department; and a bill to headed way of making the best of and their students,” Gibbons said. idea is Rep. Robert Walker (R-PA). merge that department with the inevitable cuts yet to come. “The proposal to create a Depart- Although he sponsored legislation in Labor Department has been intro- “I would like you to maintain an ment of Science flies in the face of previous Congresses to establish such duced in the House. open mind on this,” Beringer said. this pluralism by instituting a a department, the legislation never Congressional politics preclude “[Walker] looks at this as an opportu- command-and-control model of rigid went far under a Democratic major- incorporating the National Institutes nity to create the department of the bureaucracy. ity. Now Walker serves as chair of the of Health, the Defense Department’s future. “If the Congress truly wants a House Committee on Science and research units or the Agriculture “We will put everything on the leaner, more efficient federal S&T vice chair of the Budget Committee Department into a Science Depart- table. We’re not locked into one system—not just cosmetic sur- and is positioned as a key player in ment, as these represent vast sectors particular structure,” he said, adding gery—it need not look far for a defining the overall budget picture of the budget and both parties’ that the committee would hold model,” Gibbons said. “Under the for R&D. political agendas. hearings and encourage debate over president’s ‘Reinventing Govern- His new proposal, which at press Not surprisingly, the consolida- how to best implement such an ment’ initiatives, we have already time was in the form of a discussion tion issue was a hot topic at this overhaul. pared more than 100,000 jobs from draft, has drawn interest among year’s Colloquium on Science and However, the Clinton adminis- the federal bureaucracy. That’ll Republicans as a way to reduce Technology Policy, sponsored by the tration opposes the proposal. “This total nearly 150,000 before we’re federal spending. Democrats fear it is American Association for the administration unequivocally finished.”

Page 8 May 1995 COMPUTING RESEARCH NEWS

Policy News NSF initiates program NII grant programs cut BY Juan Antonio Osuna funds for the NII program. At press CRA Staff time these bills were in conference, targeting junior faculty A program to connect schools, where the House and Senate will iron out differences between the two BY Gerald L. Engel libraries, researchers and health care providers to the National Informa- versions. The House version contains The National Science Foundation initiated the Faculty Early Career a $30 million cut from the NII Development (CAREER) program in 1995. The purpose of this NSFwide tion Infrastructure was among the civilian programs cut to pay for an program. program is to “strongly encourage the early development of academic emergency military-spending pack- However, a congressional staffer faculty as both educators and researchers.” age. said conferees may modify this figure The program replaced the NSF Young Investigator program, the President Clinton signed a $3.1 to reflect rescissions already con- Minority Research Initiation program and the Research Initiation Award billion measure April 10 to replenish tained in the military measure and program of the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Pentagon coffers drained by peace- actual funds remaining in the Directorate and the Engineering Directorate. The CAREER program is keeping missions in Haiti, Somalia, program’s fiscal 1995 account. In open to “junior faculty who intend to develop academic careers involving Rwanda and elsewhere. The adminis- other words, Congress cannot take both research and education.” tration requested the measure back funds already spent. The deadline for the CAREER program varies by discipline. This because funding shortages endan- Additional cuts could obliterate year’s CISE deadline is expected to be sometime in the fall. Awards come gered accounts reserved for military remaining funds and effectively cut out of the individual programs within NSF. For more information, contact training and equipment maintenance. the program in half. A House the officer for the program that best fits the proposal. (See the NSF To pay for these emergency Appropriations Committee report (H. federal funding chart on Pages 6-7 for help in locating the appropriate funds, the package trims funds from Rept. 104-70) justifies these cuts by CISE program officer.) other sectors of the Defense budget saying: Because the program was designed to address the research and and from civilian agencies, including “Many of the projects funded in education aspects of an investigator’s developing career, the program the Commerce Department’s National the initial round of grant awards did announcement (NSF 94-101 (New)) required a Career Development Institute of Standards and Technology not correspond with the committee’s understanding of the program. The Plan consisting of a) a research plan, b) an education plan and c) a and the National Technical Informa- committee has proposed this reduc- departmental endorsement. The entire plan was not to exceed 15 single- tion Administration. tion to slow the rate of growth in this spaced pages. Among fiscal 1995 rescissions program and allow for a more Research Plan: The research plan should have no more than 10 were $15 million from NTIA’s Information Infrastructure Grant thorough evaluation of the program’s single-spaced pages. It should have followed the standard NSF proposal goals as well as dialogue with the format, and it should have presented: program and $90 million from NIST’s Advanced Technology Program. Of administration and the appropriate • The objectives and significance of the proposed research. the $64 million already appropriated authorizing committees on the • The relation of the research to the current state of knowledge in for 1995 information infrastructure continuation of the program.” the field. grants, $15 million must be returned. Also contained in HR 1158 is a • An outline of the general plan of work, including a description of Other legislation—HR 1158 in $132 million bite out of the National the methods and procedures to be used. the House and S 617 in the Senate— Science Foundation’s Academic • A summary of prior research accomplishments. threatens to obliterate remaining Continued on Page 12 • A brief description of the impact of the proposed research (refer to GPG, Section 11.C.12.d) for proposals submitted to the Directorate for Engineering. One hundred thirty-six proposals were submitted to the six programs Maryland is first state to (Theory of Computing; Software Engineering; Numeric, Symbolic and Geometric Computation; Computer Systems; Operating Systems and tackle NII privacy issue Systems Software; and Programming Languages and Compilers) of the disclose personal information Division of Computer and Computation Research (CCR). Of these Revelations last year that America concerning a subscriber to any other proposals, 81, or about 60%, had research plans that were 10 pages or Online and other online service person unless the subscriber…has longer—seven exceeded the page limit. The average length of the plans providers were selling subscriber received notice…and consented to was 9.32 pages. And the plans, on average, contained 42.46 references to information to direct marketers the research literature. prompted the Maryland House of the disclosure.” By way of contrast, the education plan was much more specific, Delegates to hold a hearing on the Consent may be provided perhaps anticipating some significant confusion regarding this aspect of issue in March. electronically or in writing and The Maryland House of Delegates requires that customers be told what Continued on Page 10 held the landmark hearing on SB 524, information is being collected, how it a bill to protect subscriber privacy is being used and how they can Funding agencies from Page 7 rights, signifying the first time a state access their records. legislature has tackled such an issue. Opposing the bill were represen- Statistics & Probabilities Julia Abrahams Last year, advertisements appeared tatives from AOL, AT&T, Sprint, 703-696-4320 in direct-marketing magazines offering MCI and the Direct Marketing [email protected] to sell online subscriber profiles. Soon Association. Online service providers after, newspaper reports led to the urged the state legislature to wait Discrete Mathematics Marc Lipman controversy. until the issue is addressed at a 703-696-4310 The Maryland bill requires that national level, whereas DMA more [email protected] an “online computer service may not strongly opposed the bill. Operations Research Donald Wagner 703-696-4313 [email protected] Obscene from Page 1 based obscenity standards to global networks? Should we allow a pros- Scientific Visualization Larry Rosenblum the right to dial sexually oriented 900 numbers, as long as telephone ecutor in a rural, conservative county 703-696-4302 to restrict the free flow of informa- companies also provide parents with [email protected] tion on bulletin board systems in an 900 number blocking capability. urban area, where people may have Applied Analysis Wen Masters In other arenas such as video or different attitudes toward such topics 703-696-4302 print media, a multitude of city, as homosexuality? [email protected] county, state and federal laws have evolved within constitutional Should a particular newsgroup or online service constitute a virtual boundaries set forth by the Supreme Office of Science & Technology Policy community and be allowed to set its Court over the years. The boundaries Old Executive Office Building own standards? How do we codify between free expression and obscen- 17th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 424 standards belonging to a virtual Washington, DC 20500 ity are usually defined by local community standards. community? How do we spot violations of these standards? Do we trust a Assistant to the President for John H. Gibbons Some legal experts say transposing computer program to police the network? telephone law into the frenzied world Science & Technology; 202-456-7116 How do we catch the “indecent” message OSTP Director No E-mail address available of digital communications would throw the courts into a constitutional quagmire. senders when they can remain anony- Associate Director for Science Vacant How do we apply geographically Continued on Page 12

Page 9 COMPUTING RESEARCH NEWS May 1995

Canadian News Science funding in Canada cut sharply BY Douglas Powell totaling $500 billion forced Martin to For the first time in more than a create a budget of restraint. The budget decade, science funding in Canada The budget includes spending cuts of $13.4 billion includes spending cuts of $13.4 billion has been significantly curtailed, with over two years and the elimination of 45,000 civil service jobs, about 15% of cuts of at least 15% over the next over two years and the elimination of 45,000 civil three years and possibly more to the government payroll. The impact of the science cuts come. service jobs. on specific programs is unclear. “We will be putting government Federal S&T activities, totaling $5.8 activities on a commercial basis billion in 1994-95, are spread over 18 wherever that is practical and departments. A 1994 report by the productive,” Finance Minister Paul including scholarships and technol- gone. Instead, the Natural Sciences auditor-general of Canada was Martin said when presenting his ogy outreach programs, and 34 will and Engineering Research Council extremely critical of the federal budget to the House of Commons in not be renewed. Only 11 will (NSERC) and the Social Sciences government’s overall science strategy, late February. “In the future, our continue, including Canada’s venture and Humanities Research Council calling the present allocation of funds science and technology efforts will be on the information highway, the (SSHRC) are facing 13% and 12% among various fields of science and concentrated more strategically on Canadian Network for the Advance- reductions respectively by 1997-98. technology “more incidental than the activities that foster innovation, rapid ment of Research, Industry and The Medical Research Council is result of a well-formulated strategy.” commercialization and value-added Education (CANARIE). facing a 12% shortfall. The cut will In response, last year the production…to stretch government’s translate into fewer grants and government launched a major review science dollars further and more of federal spending on science and Providing a “vision” stipends for research and training and effectively.” technology involving consultation Two days after the budget was a reduction in research infrastructure Computing research emerged across the country and an internal presented, Junior Science Minister support. An MRC spokesperson said, largely intact, as only sciences that department-by-department review. Jon Gerrard said at the annual “We’re already funding the cream of can be translated into employment, The results are expected in June. meeting of the Information Technol- the cream.” particularly applied research, will be “There hasn’t been a science ogy Association of Canada, “First and Within the National Research favored. According to Industry strategy for 30 years,” said Bill foremost, our federal government Council, which is a network of Canada, revenues for the information Milliken, a spokesman for Industry must provide a vision. In the area of government laboratories, reductions technology sector in Canada in- Canada. While acknowledging the information technology, we have will total 15% by 1997-98. When creased from $43 billion (Canadian) interdepartmental turf wars that have provided a vision of a more open coupled with previously planned blocked such attempts in the past, he in 1992 to $49.5 billion in 1993. The society in which we build on Cana- reductions, the cuts total $76 million, added that “a shortage of funds tends industry employs 343,000 people, up dian strengths to improve employ- with $40 million gone this year. to focus things.” from 317,000 a year earlier. ment and innovation, to improve “I’m disappointed. We’ve Martin’s budget also takes aim at IDC Canada, a Toronto-based Canadian content and culture and to certainly taken a hit,” said NRC the $1 billion spent annually on market research company, pegs the ensure universal access to Canadians President Arthur Carty. “With R&D tax credits—especially the value of the Canadian IT sector at at a reasonable cost.” popular practice of claiming credits $19 billion, including computer limited resources you just can’t afford Indicative of the jobs-from- for upgrades to computer software hardware, telecommunications to spread yourself too thin.” science mantra sweeping Ottawa, and hardware—by tightening equipment, and packaged software The cuts to NSERC, SSHRC, Gerrard said CANARIE will generate and services. The much larger the Canadian Space Agency and the eligibility and launching a review of Industry Canada figure includes new jobs and investment far in excess National Research Council total the entire system. consumer electronics, office equip- of the federal government’s contribu- $321 million over three years, a Banks and other financial ment and electronic components. tion. “The estimated incremental 23.6% decrease from 1994-95 institutions, including investment Still, using the conservative IDC sales resulting from CANARIE R&D expenditures. The good news is that, dealers, will not be able to collect numbers, the Canadian IT sector activity are $2.3 billion over a period relatively speaking, these cuts are federal R&D tax credits during this grew by 6.7% in 1994. of about 25 years. The incremental small. review. Last fall it was revealed that For a government mired in debt, employment over the 10-year period Canada’s largest banks had filed $300 those numbers are welcome news. from 1993-2002, directly attributable Budget of restraint million in claims for R&D tax credits Within government departments, to CANARIE, is some 24,000 person Canada boasts the worst debt dating back to the mid-1980s, some science activities were reshaped with years,” he said. load in the Group of Seven industri- for long-completed computer a series of cutbacks, the introduction Gerrard did not discuss the alized nations, except for Italy, when software upgrades. Banks had been of user fees and a move toward source of these numbers. Annual measured against gross domestic eligible for a credit of 20% on their industrially oriented research. Of the increases of 1.5% for university product. The weakened Canadian R&D expenditures. 54 programs administered by Industry granting agencies, which were dollar (trading at about $0.71 US) Douglas Powell is a graduate student at Canada, nine have been terminated, promised in last year’s budget, are and a runaway national debt now the University of Guelph in Ontario.

NSF from Page 9 been included.) be evaluated, they have relatively little conveying the view of the importance • A summary of teaching and experience in teaching. Therefore, the of teaching in the career develop- the proposal. other education accomplishments. metrics to use are far from clear. ment of young faculty, additional Education Plan: The educa- In addition, some administrative Looking more objectively at the work will be required both inside and tion plan should not have exceeded details (the effective date of the education plans, the average plan was outside NSF. There is a rich literature five single-spaced pages. It should applicant’s initial full-time tenure- about 3.33 pages. About 14% of the in computer science and engineering have addressed the applicant’s track or equivalent appointment) and plans were five pages. The education education, and this needs to be planned education activities over the a statement endorsing the proposal plans averaged 1.18 references. And 98 conveyed to our graduate students proposed award period as appropriate by the administrator responsible for proposals (72%) had no references. and recent graduates. There is also a to the development of a full, bal- the program were to be included in Only six of the education plans (4%) growing literature of effective anced academic career and described the plan. These items typically took included some concept of evaluation. methods of project evaluation—for the applicant’s education accomplish- half of a page. The typical plan cited some example, NSF 93-152: User-Friendly ments. It should have included: The CCR review panel expressed success as a teaching assistant, a Handbook for Project Evaluation: • The objectives and signifi- some significant concerns regarding desire to introduce a new course in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and cance of the proposed education Technology Education. The importance activities in relation to the applicant’s the nature of the education plan. the area of specialty and a desire to While agreeing with the concept of involve undergraduates—often from of approaching education with the career goals and the goals of the same sense of inquiry, quality and institution. conveying the importance of teach- underrepresented populations—in scholarship with which research is • A summary discussion of the ing, there was concern that not the proposer’s research activity. approached must become a priority. education activities the applicant enough thought had gone into the Although all of these are commend- plans to undertake. implementation in this particular able goals, such a description is Gerald L. Engel is program director for • A discussion of the types of program. It was noted, for example, difficult to classify as a plan, espe- special projects in NSF’s Division of teaching activities the applicant plans that a new assistant professor has cially when there is no reference to Computer and Computation Research. to undertake during the award period rather limited latitude in program the literature of computer science He is on assignment from the Leon- or a statement of equivalent planned development. It also was noted that and engineering education and no hardt Chair of Computer Science and educational responsibilities. (Teach- although the proposers have records of concept of evaluation of the results. Engineering at the University of ing assignments, if known, may have accomplishment in research that can If we are to be successful in Connecticut at Stamford.

Page 10 May 1995 COMPUTING RESEARCH NEWS

Professional Opportunities encouraged to apply for postdoctoral positions of Western Ontario, Middlesex College, in the department. London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7. E-mail: The department currently has 19 full- [email protected]. CRN Advertising Policy time faculty and 50 doctoral students. Active Preference will be given to Canadian research areas include formal methods for citizens and permanent residents of Canada. Send copy and payment for Professional Opportunities advertisements to software engineering, data-intensive systems, The University of Western Ontario is Advertising Coordinator, Computing Research News, 1875 Connecticut distributed and parallel computing, spoken committed to employment equity, welcomes Ave. NW, Suite 718, Washington, DC 20009. Tel. 202-234-2111; fax: 202- language understanding, compiling for high- diversity in the workplace and encourages 667-1066; E-mail: [email protected]. E-mail submissions are preferred. performance computers, artificial neural applications from all qualified individuals networks and human-computer communica- including women, members of visible The format of an ad must conform to the following: 1) the first line tion. minorities, aboriginal persons and persons must contain the name of the university or organization and will be printed To apply, send a brief description of with disabilities. in bold, 2) the second line must contain the name of the department or research interests, the names of at least three unit and will be printed in italics and 3) the body of the ad should be in references and a resume with a list of University of Western Ontario paragraph form. The words in the first two lines are included in the total publications to Professor Andrew P. Black, Department of Computer Science Department Head, Department of Computer The Department of Computer Science at the word count for the ad. You may request in writing that some headings or Science and Engineering, Oregon Graduate University of Western Ontario invites text be set in bold; a word set in bold will count as two. Institute of Science and Technology, PO Box applications for a tenure-track position at the 91000, Portland, OR 97291-1000. E-mail: The rate is $2 (US) per word. Purchase orders, money orders and level of assistant professor. Candidates should [email protected]. checks are acceptable (please do not send cash). All CRA members receive have a Ph.D. in computer science or related at least 200 free words per dues year. Advertisers may also request that OGI is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from discipline and show evidence of strong their Professional Opportunities ads be posted to CRA’s [email protected] women and minority candidates. Appoint- research potential and excellence in teaching. mailing list. This service is free to our advertisers. ment is subject to the availability of funding. Preference will be given to candidates with Professional Opportunities display ads cost $30 (US) per column inch. research interests in software engineering, Johns Hopkins University network communications, distributed Ads must be submitted in camera-ready, offset (positives or negatives) or computing and related fields. mechanical form. Please call for information on placing display ads for Department of Computer Science The Department of Computer Science products or services. and Center for Language and comprises 20 regular faculty plus visiting and Computing Research News is published five times per year: in January, Speech Processing teaching faculty members. The department March, May, September and November. Professional Opportunities ads The Johns Hopkins University invites offers B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in with application deadlines falling within the month of publication will not applications for a new faculty position at the computer science and maintains an in-house, state-of-the-art computing environment be accepted unless the ad says applications will be accepted until the level of assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science, in conjunction with the consisting of well over 50 workstations with position is filled. Advertising copy must be received at least one month Center for Language and Speech Processing of specialized research facilities for graphics, before publication. The deadline for the September issue is August 1. the G.W.C. Whiting School of Engineering. parallel computing and distributed computing. We are particularly interested in The department receives funding from NSERC, ITRC, IRIS, industry and govern- Chair, Department of Computer Science, candidates with research interests in an University of Notre Dame ment agencies, such as the Canadian Genome Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve experimental area of natural language and Department of Computer Science Analysis and Technology Program and Blvd. West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G speech processing, such as machine learning Agriculture Canada, for research into a broad and Engineering 1M8. Fax: 514-848-2830; E-mail techniques applied to language processing, The Department of Computer Science and [email protected]. statistical language processing and modeling, range of areas, including algorithms, artificial Engineering at the University of Notre Dame Concordia is committed to employment discourse and dialogue, machine translation, intelligence, computer graphics, databases, invites applications for a tenure-track faculty equity and encourages applications from spoken language systems and information distributed computing, formal languages and position at the assistant professor level. women, aboriginal peoples, visible minorities retrieval. The ability and desire to participate automata, image processing, medical imaging, Applicants should have a doctorate in and disabled persons. All other things being in collaborative projects is essential. In numerical analysis, parallel algorithms and computer science, computer engineering, equal, priority will be given to female addition, candidates should have teaching computation, programming languages, electrical engineering or a related field. applicants. interests in more general areas of natural software engineering and vision. Research areas of particular interest In accordance with Canadian immigra- language processing and computer science, The University of Western Ontario, located within the department are parallel and tion requirements, priority will be given to such as statistical modeling, data compression in London, Ontario, offers an attractive campus distributed computing, including parallel Canadian citizens and permanent residents of or cryptography. with many activities. London offers a reasonable languages/compilers, parallel architectures, Canada. This will be a tenure-track position in the cost of living coupled with many of the amenities high-performance computing and parallel Department of Computer Science, which will found in larger cities as well as convenient access algorithms, and VLSI. Applicants should have Cornell University include significant collaborative research to the metropolitan areas of Toronto and abilities and interests in teaching at the opportunities with the multidisciplinary Department of Computer Science Windsor/Detroit. undergraduate and graduate levels, advising Center for Language and Speech Processing. The deadline for applications is Nov. 15, The Department of Computer Science students and conducting research. Salary is All applicants are expected to have an 1995. The effective date of appointment is announces an opening for an assistant negotiable. outstanding research record, commitment to Jan. 1, 1996. Applications should be sent to professor. This is a three-year, non-tenure- Interested persons should forward a quality teaching and the ability and willing- Dr. Michael Bauer, Chair, Department of track teaching position beginning August complete resume, together with the names, ness to develop a research program of the Computer Science, University of Western 1995. The successful candidate will teach addresses and telephone numbers of at least highest quality. Applicants should send a Ontario, Middlesex College, London, Ontario, introductory computer science courses, assist three references, to Dr. Steven C. Bass, Chair, comprehensive curriculum vitae, statement of Canada N6A 5B7. in coordinating and teaching in the Master of research interests and the names of at least Department of Computer Science and Positions are subject to budget approval. Engineering program as well as participate in three references via E-mail. Send plain text, Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre In accordance with Canadian immigration the activities of a top-rated computer science Postscript or self-contained LaTex files to Dame, IN 46556. E-mail: [email protected]. requirements, priority will be given to department dedicated to quality teaching and [email protected]. Resumes sent via E-mail to the above address Canadian citizens and permanent residents of research. The Johns Hopkins University is an equal are welcomed. These should be in plain ASCII Canada. The University of Western Ontario is Minimum qualifications include a Ph.D. opportunity, affirmative action employer. form. committed to employment equity, welcomes in computer science and substantial teaching Minorities and women are strongly encour- The University of Notre Dame is an diversity in the workplace and encourages affirmative action, equal opportunity experience. Demonstrated commitment to aged to apply. applications from all qualified individuals employer. teaching is essential. In addition to outstand- ing qualifications as a teacher, candidates University of Western Ontario including women, members of visible minorities, aboriginal persons and persons Concordia University should be interested in the research programs Department of Computer Science already active at Cornell. with disabilities. Department of Computer Science Applicants should submit a curriculum The Department of Computer Science at the Applications are invited for several limited- vitae and the names of at least three University of Western Ontario invites University of Illinois, Urbana- term appointments for the academic year references to Search Committee Ref. NTT/AP, applications for a research associate. Champaign Candidates should have, or be near comple- 1995-96. The duties will consist of the Department of Computer Science, 4126b Department of Electrical and teaching of five one-semester courses over Upson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY tion of, a Ph.D. in computer science and have the period of one year. Applicants should 14853-7501. Cornell University is an equal expertise in distributed systems. Preference Computer Engineering have a Ph.D. in computer science or in a opportunity employer and welcomes will be given to those with experience in the The University of Illinois at Urbana- related field. applications from women and ethnic areas of applications, systems and network Champaign’s Department of Electrical and Concordia University is located in minorities. management, distributed directories and Computer Engineering anticipates possible downtown Montreal. The department has Note: Candidates who have previously heterogeneous computing environments. The tenure and tenure-track faculty appointments approximately 700 undergraduates, more than submitted application materials to the position is part of a project in the Department in computer engineering. Applicants must 200 graduate students and 28 full-time faculty department need only send a letter expressing of Computer Science funded by an NSERC have outstanding academic credentials and an members. The department has good teaching interest in the position. Cooperative Research Development Grant ability to teach effectively at both the and research laboratories that are supported and IBM. The primary focus of the research is graduate and undergraduate levels. Selected by a strong team of analysts and technicians. Oregon Graduate Institute to address fundamental problems and candidates will be expected to initiate and The department’s principal research interdisciplinary issues arising in the carry out independent research and perform interests are artificial intelligence, combinato- Department of Computer Science management of distributed applications and academic duties associated with our B.S., M.S. rics, computer algebra, databases, distributed and Engineering services. There also will be substantial and Ph.D. programs. computing, pattern recognition, programming The Department of Computer Science and interaction with project participants at other A Ph.D. is required. Salary is open languages, scientific computing, software Engineering seeks to recruit a new faculty Canadian universities and other IBM and based on qualifications. The starting engineering and VLSI. It has established member with strong research credentials. laboratories on related issues. The successful date is negotiable. Applications must be CENPARMI (the Center for Pattern Applications are particularly solicited from candidate will be expected to interact with received by May 15, 1995, to receive full Recognition and Machine Intelligence), and it candidates with research interests in faculty and graduate students, conduct consideration. is an active participant in two inter-university networking and multimedia systems. seminars and assist in publishing results. Send a resume, including at least three centers, namely CICMA (Centre OGI is an independent graduate school Funding is guaranteed for two years, and there references, to T.N. Trick, Head, Department Interuniversitaire en Calcul Mathematique with no undergraduate programs. Teaching is the possibility of an extension. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 1406 Algebrique) and GRIAO (Groupe de loads are light, but the quality of teaching is The deadline for applications is May 31, West Green St., Urbana, IL 61801. Tel. 217- Recherche Interuniversitaire en Architecture valued highly. 1995. The effective date of appointment is 244-0968. de Haute Performance et VLSI). Applicants must have prior faculty or Sept. 1, 1995. Applications should be sent to The University of Illinois at Urbana- Interested persons should send a resume postdoctoral research experience. Candidates Dr. Michael Bauer, Principal Investigator, Champaign is an affirmative action, equal and the names of at least three referees to who are anticipating completion of a Ph.D. are Department of Computer Science, University opportunity employer.

Page 11 COMPUTING RESEARCH NEWS May 1995

Conference News

EFFECTIVE TEACHING IN CS&E ♦ JUNE 8-9 ♦ SNOWBIRD, UTAH As part of its workshop series, the Computing Research Association is sponsor- Activities: Participants will be assigned to groups of three or four to balance their ing Effective Teaching in Computer Science and Engineering. The workshop is levels of experience and their backgrounds. All groups will consider the same intended for new faculty members teaching college and university courses in pedagogical problem in computer science for part of the time and their own computer science and engineering. However, if space is available, experienced problems for the remainder. Answers to the common problem will be shared faculty are welcome to attend. with the full group. The purpose of the workshop is to help new faculty members teach more effectively. This highly interactive workshop includes theoretical material on Dinner 6:00PM–7:30PM educational objectives and learning styles, and practical tips on effective lecturing, course organization, creative problem solving and collaborative learning. Friday, June 9 Breakfast 7:30AM–8:30AM Attendees are asked to bring a syllabus and an examination from one of their courses. Attendees will actively participate individually, in pairs and in small groups. Each person will receive a booklet of readings and a bibliography on Session 4 8:30AM–10:15AM effective college teaching. The workshop leaders are Michael C. Loui, professor Course Organization and Instructional Objectives of electrical and computer engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana- Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives will be presented. Participants will Champaign; and Michael B. Paulsen, associate professor of educational leader- learn how to write instructional objectives for a particular assignment and for ship, University of New Orleans. an entire course. For more information about the workshop, contact Kimberly Peaks of CRA at Activities: Participants will write six questions on the same concept at different tel. 202-234-2111 or via E-mail at [email protected]. Space is limited. levels of Bloom’s taxonomy, analyze their examination according to the levels, and critique each other’s syllabi. Preliminary Agenda Morning Break 10:15AM–10:30AM Thursday, June 8 Breakfast 7:30AM–8:30AM Session 5 10:30AM–11:30AM Registration 8:30AM–8:45AM Advising Thesis Students (tentative) (This session is still being formulated.) Because participants will come from Session 1 8:45AM–10:30AM Ph.D.-granting departments, they will be expected to supervise research Learning Styles projects by undergraduate and graduate students. This session will focus on This session will begin with a brief introduction to the workshop and a brain- techniques for individual instruction and on research ethics, including author- storming exercise on the characteristics of good teaching, generated by the ship questions and conflicts of interest. participants.

The Gregorc model of learning styles will be presented. Instructors should use a Session 6 11:30AM–Noon variety of styles so they can reach all students. For example, factual information Evaluation for Improvement should be presented verbally and visually because some students prefer words, Participants will learn how to use informal early feedback after the first exam or and others prefer pictures. major assignment. Activities: Participants will use the Gregorc-style delineator to determine their Evaluation of the workshop. own preferred learning styles. They will share their findings to show the diversity of learning styles among themselves. Luncheon Noon–1:30PM

Morning Break 10:30AM–10:45AM Registration Information Session 2 10:45AM–12:30PM Effective Lecturing The registration fees for the workshop are as follows: Every aspect of a lecture should promote either motivation or cognition. Motivation strategies include gaining attention, showing relevance to students’ By April 28 After April 28 interests, increasing students’ confidence in their ability to learn and giving feedback on students’ performance. Cognition strategies include rehearsal and CRA members $350 $400 repetition, elaboration and rephrasing, organization and metacognition, in Non-members $450 $500 which students monitor their own progress. Activities: Participants will observe a 20-minute model lecture and identify the The conference hotel is the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort. motivation and cognition strategies that were used. All hotel accommodations must be arranged through the Computing Research Association. Snowbird Resort will not accept direct reservations.

Luncheon 12:30PM–2:00PM The following room rates (effective June 5-11) include all conference meals: Session 3 2:00PM–3:45PM Creative Problem Solving in Groups Bedroom $85/night Most computer science courses emphasize technical problem solving but rarely Deluxe Bedroom $131/night teach problem solving skills per se. Participants will learn how to make the One-bedroom suite $216/night process of solving problems explicit using the IDEAL model. In addition, participants will learn how to foster students’ creativity in devising solutions to Rate does not include current 9.63% state room tax. problems and how to incorporate collaborative learning into the classroom.

Cuts from Page 9 cally to the public, particularly Obscene from Page 9 that is agreeable to all and stop smut and pornography from overpowering Research Infrastructure account. through federal depository libraries mous or use encryption? this new system.” “The FY 1996 budget did not and government-operated bulletin The bill’s greatest weakness lies As it stands, the bill may run include continuation of this effort as boards and Internet sites. in the many unanswered questions it The House bill cuts $4 million, into some trouble, especially with required by the FY 1995 appropria- raises. To some extent, Exon recog- both House Speaker Newt Gingrich tion, and the amount recommended thus chopping NTIS’s funds in half. nizes that there is room for debate The committee report said it “feels (R-GA) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D- for rescission is the same as proposed by and has urged his opponents to come VT) joining the chorus of voices that most of these modernization the president in the February 6, 1995, to the negotiating table. opposing the bill, including more than costs can be absorbed through fees messages,” the House report said. During a CNN debate with 100,000 signers of an Internet petition. Also cut was funding for the paid by users of this technical EPIC’s Rotenberg, Exon said: “I agree Although the bill faces substan- Commerce Department’s National information.” with you, Marc. [New technology] tial opposition, the full committee’s Technical Information Service, Finally, while the House bill poses new opportunities, new unanimous support to attach the which was given a one-time contains $1.6 billion in cuts to the challenges and also new dangers. legislation to the sweeping telecom- capitalization of about $8 million Education Department, the Senate That’s the part that I’m trying to munications package suggests for 1995. These funds were in- version only cuts $600 million. These address. I certainly like your attitude. lawmakers are eager to attack the tended to help NTIS disseminate differences will be reconciled in I say come together. Let’s talk. And problem. A bit of fine-tuning could more federal information electroni- conference. maybe we can work out something bring many opponents around.

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