University of Pittsburgh Student Section
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2017 AMERICAN NUCLEAR SOCIETY NATIONAL STUDENT CONFERENCE PROPOSAL DISPELLING NUCLEAR MYTHS Submitted by: American Nuclear Society University of Pittsburgh Student Section Selection Committee Members ANS Student Conference February 15, 2016 Dear Selection Committee Members, Thank you for considering the University of Pittsburgh section as a host for the 2017 ANS Student Conference. The University of Pittsburgh is developing its nuclear engineering program at a remarkable pace. Since the start of our program in 2008, an average of 160 undergraduates enroll in a nuclear engineering class each year. The graduate curriculum attracts industry professionals from the surrounding nuclear organizations: Babcock & Wilcox, Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corporation, FirstEnergy, General Electric, Rolls Royce, and Westinghouse who are looking to enhance their nuclear education. Additionally, these companies supply most of the instructors who teach our courses, bringing first-hand, real-world experience to the classroom and to our school. Therefore, we believe that attendees to an ANS conference hosted at Pitt will benefit from a high level of professional development and networking experiences. Given Pittsburgh’s history with Shippingport Atomic Power Station and the nuclear navy program, it has been natural for the city of Pittsburgh, and therefore the University, to attract this field of study. We believe that for the same reason, our location will attract students from around the country to attend the ANS student conference. Seated at the crux of three rivers, the Ohio, the Allegheny, and the Monongahela, Pittsburgh is a charming testament to our nation's beauty. Surrounded by an industrial district that quickly transitioned into a buzzing metropolis, it is now a city bustling with innovation, young professionals, technological advancements, and medical research. Our ANS section is prepared to host the 2017 ANS student conference under the theme "Dispelling Nuclear Myths". We want to take our fellow members through a reflective and active understanding of myths in our technical field. How can research clarify scientific controversies? How can we address public opinion about nuclear technology? In what ways can students impact the concerns of nuclear safety? These are all questions that we plan to address during our conference by offering attendees a strong technical program and an instructive professional experience. Sincerely, Brendan Stack Miriam Rathbun Conference Chair Technical Director University of Pittsburgh Page 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Executive Summary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 2. Pittsburgh: Our City and Our University ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 1. Pittsburgh Welcomes You ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 2. University of Pittsburgh Nuclear Engineering Program ------------------------------------------------------- 7 3. University of Pittsburgh ANS Student Section ------------------------------------------------------------------ 7 3. Tentative Schedule ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8 1. Schedule Choice ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 2. Calendar View --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 3. Schedule Specifics ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 1. Registration Logistics --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 2. First Day Activities ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 A. Professional Development Tours ------------------------------------------------------------- 11 B. Suggested Cultural Activities ------------------------------------------------------------------ 15 3. Technical Program -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 A. Schedule ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 B. Plenary Sessions --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 C. Technical Sessions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 D. Poster Session ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 21 E. Abstract Review Process-------------------------------------------------------------------------22 F. Judging-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------22 G. Workshops & Panels ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 H. Career & University Fair------------------------------------------------------------------------ 26 I. About the Buildings ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 4. Dining ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 A. Casual Meals -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 B. Formal Dinners ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 5. Socials ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33 4. Attendance & Accommodations-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35 1. Attendance Projection --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35 2. Dates ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 35 3. Cost of Attendance -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37 1. Student Lodging ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37 2. Travel ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37 3. Summary: Projected Student Cost ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39 5. Budget -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40 1. Expenses -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40 2. Revenue --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42 3. Financial Oversight ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 43 4. Fundraising Plan --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 43 6. Media & Advertising --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 44 7. Conference Management ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46 1. Organizational Structure ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 46 2. Conflict Resolution-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 52 3. Staffing ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 52 4. Liability --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 54 5. Special Steps -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 54 6. Contingency Plan ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 55 7. Timetable of Key Dates for Execution --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 57 8. Conclusion --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 59 9. Pittsburgh Support ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 60 1. Student Volunteers ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 60 2. Letters of Support --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 64 10. Appendices -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 69 University of Pittsburgh Page 3 FIGURES, TABLES, & APPENDICES FIGURES Figure 1: Tentative Schedule ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 Figure 2: Graphical Representation of Programs --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 Figure 3: Travel Route to Heinz Field ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30 Figure 4: Summary of Pertinent and Proposed Dates --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36 Figure 5: Travel Routes to the Omni William Penn Hotel