This article is from the archives of the UB Reporter.
News

Briefs

Published: September 30, 2009
  • Shaolin Warriors to perform in CFA

    Kung Fu masters Shaolin Warriors will bring their remarkable skill, stunning movement and spectacular imagery to UB during a performance at 8 p.m. Oct. 29 in the Mainstage theater in the Center for the Arts, North Campus.

    The fully choreographed theatrical production will be presented by disciples of the Shaolin schools, known throughout the world for their disciplined and deadly martial-arts prowess. These Kung Fu masters have trained from a very young age in mental and physical disciplines, which allow them to perform feats one thought only possible in films. The production features many forms of Shaolin Kung Fu as well as a look at the daily life of the warriors and their Zen philosophy.

    Tickets are $23.50 for the general public and $15.50 for students from any school, and are available at the CFA box office and at all Ticketmaster locations, including Ticketmaster.com.

    For more information, call 645-2787 or click here.

  • Computer scientist to speak on databases

    Alon Halevy, head of the Structured Data Management Research Group at Google, will speak on “Bringing (Web) Databases to the Masses” on Oct. 9 as part of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering’s Distinguished Speakers Series.

    The talk, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 3:30 p.m. in 120 Clemens Hall, North Campus. Refreshment will be available after the talk in 225 Bell Hall, North Campus.

    In his talk, Halevy will describe several current projects under way at Google that have the goal of enabling people to create and share structured data on the Web and leverage structured data in Web search.

    For more information, call 645-3180.

  • Open figure drawing sessions set

    The Student Visual Arts Organization (SVAO) in the Department of Visual Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, is sponsoring open figure drawing sessions this fall from 7-9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays through Dec. 9 in 218 Center for the Arts, North Campus.

    There is no session on Nov. 25.

    The sessions, which are open to the public, cost $5 per session. No registration is required. Easels are provided; artists must bring their own drawing materials.

  • Music to present free events

    Budget-conscious music lovers at UB can find much to keep them busy in October.

    The free monthly Brown Bag Concert will take place at noon Oct. 6 in Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall, North Campus. Performing will be the UB Concert Band, directed by faculty member Jon Nelson.

    Now in its 11th season, this series of free, informal concerts presented during the lunch hour allows patrons to catch a glimpse of the kind of programming offered on a regular basis by the Department of Music. Patrons are encouraged to bring their lunch and enjoy a complimentary cup of Tim Hortons coffee. Each attendee will receive a pair of complimentary tickets to a more formal concert within the following month.

    In addition to the brown Bag Concert, free concerts this month include a recital by master’s clarinet student Susan Carter at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 in Baird Recital Hall, 250 Baird Hall, North Campus, and a performance by the UB Symphony, with David Leung, conductor, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 in Lippes Concert Hall.

  • Institute seeks ideas for policy briefs

    UB’s Regional Institute, which has prepared policy briefs on topics ranging from the consolidation of local school districts to pollution resulting from Western New York's industrial history, is looking for ideas for future research.

    Kathryn Foster, the institute's director, says that the policy briefs typically deal with subjects that are the topic of robust conversation in the region, or subjects that are important but have not received enough attention. The reports provide data and succinct analysis, with the goal of framing issues, informing decisions and guiding policy action.

    The think tank solicited ideas for future policy brief topics from the Professional Staff Senate at the group’s meeting on Sept. 24. Suggestions included the demolition of historic structures to accommodate a Peace Bridge Plaza; the role of churches, community centers and other community organizations in reducing crime; and the impact of unions on Western New York.

    The PSS meeting was the first time the institute had gathered ideas from an outside group in a formal setting. Foster says it was an activity she may repeat with other groups in the region.

    "I can't tell you how great this has been. You've stimulated me intellectually," Foster told the senate. The body's composition—with members from across the campus—makes it an ideal group for generating ideas, she said.

    Anyone with ideas for policy briefs should contact the Regional Institute at regional-institute@buffalo.edu.

  • Scholarships for study in Germany available

    Student scholarships for study and research in Germany are available from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for the academic year 2010-11. At least one UB applicant will be funded, with only one to six students typically applying each year.

    The fellowships carry a monthly stipend of 750 to 1000 Euros ($1,100-1,470) and include tuition and travel allowance. Applicants in the humanities and social sciences should have a good command of German; applicants in the sciences, music and the arts may have less German. U.S. and Canadian citizens are eligible, as well as foreign students affiliated with an American university.

    Graduating seniors and graduate students may apply for a "study scholarship" to study at the German university of their choice for a 10-month period; “research grants" are available to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers for stays of one to 10 months.

    To apply, click here to review the information and application forms, then contact Patricia Mazon, Department of History, at 645-8429 or at mazon@buffalo.edu. Applications must be submitted through Mazon, who screens all UB applications.

    The campus application deadline is Oct. 22.