NEWS BRIEFS

IN THIS ISSUEUpcoming Events | 2-3

Launch of Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion | 3

In the Classroom with Gary Schuster | 4

August 29, 2016

Georgia Tech’s Faculty/Staff Newspaper • Vol. 40, No. 18 • whistle.gatech.edu

GTPD Launches Social Media CenterThe Georgia Tech Police Department now employs a team of students to leverage the use of social media in community policing. Read about how it works at:

c.gatech.edu/gtpd-social

Researcher, Leukemia Fighter, ParalympianCassie Mitchell, research engineer in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, didn’t let a leukemia diagnosis stop her from making it to the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Watch a video with Mitchell at:

c.gatech.edu/mitchell

JESSICA ROSE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

Throughout the summer, Facilities Management’s Design and Construction team was hard at work making sure that projects were staying on schedule, while also anticipating and designing upcoming projects to make the campus even better for staff, faculty, and students.

Several projects were completed over the summer, while a few continue into the fall.

All Buttoned UpHill District Site Improvements

The areas surrounding the Corliss Pump (at the corner of Cherry Street and Ferst Drive) and the Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans Administration Building (Tech Tower) have been refreshed with new landscaping, improvement of the hardscape, and more outdoor seating. The final touches, including sod and mulch, will be installed in the fall to ensure that the heat does not affect the fresh vegetation.

Environmental Health and Safety Building

Multiple units under Facilities Management’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) department moved into a new home at 793 Marietta Street. This adaptive reuse project transformed an old armored truck transfer station into a cutting-edge space for EHS that includes offices, a training room, and a custom-designed materials management space.

The new space gives the department room to grow and meet the needs of Tech’s continuously expanding research enterprise.

Techwood Drive Pedestrian ImprovementsTechwood Drive is now safer for pedestrians with wider sidewalks,

Summer Projects See Completion

The area surrounding the Corliss Pump now includes benches, tables, and more integrated pedestrian paths.

Photo by Kristen Bailey

ANNETTE FILLIAT INSTITUTE COMMUNICATIONS

At his annual Institute Address last week, President G.P. “Bud” Peterson highlighted achieve-ments of the past year and discussed Georgia Tech’s present momentum. He also provided an update on the Black Student Experience task force that was established last fall, and on a series of listening sessions related to gender equity on campus.

Co-chaired by Institute Diversity Vice President Archie Ervin and Student Life Vice President and Dean of Students John Stein, the Black Student Experience task force presented its 11 recommen-dations to Peterson late last spring. All

recommendations were approved and will be implemented over the next three academic years.

“While the task force was formed at the start of Fall 2015 following allega-tions that several students were racially harassed on campus, the group’s charge

was to examine the broader issues of climate and culture at Georgia Tech,” said Stein.

Recommendations were based on research findings and a report from an

President Addresses Black Student Experience, Gender Equity

Workshops Explore Issues of Innate Bias MICHAEL HAGEARTY INSTITUTE COMMUNICATIONS

In the realm of classical music, men have historically been considered the finest performers in the world, while women were largely consid-ered unsuitable for openings in top-tier symphony orches-tras. Long-held criticisms of poor technique and tempera-ment kept the ranks of elite musicianship overwhelmingly male.

Then orchestras began blind auditions, and the simple act of masking gender led to dramatic changes in orchestral member-ship. As subsequent studies have demonstrated, the differential treatment was based not on the competency of the candidate but rather the lingering prejudice — both overt and subtle — of those on the hiring panel.

It’s a reminder of how ingrained beliefs, no matter how open- or independent-minded individuals may believe themselves to be, can cloud judgment. They are part of both the conscious and subconscious mind. And for those who have a hand in hiring and promotion, implicit bias can have a lasting impact on the diversity of an organization as well as the careers of the candidates themselves.

Confronting BiasIn collaboration with Georgia

Tech’s ADVANCE Program, Institute Diversity has been offering 90-minute workshops to address the concepts of implicit bias and percep-tions of competence. Tailored for faculty, the workshops are co-facili-tated by Institute Diversity Associate Vice President Julie Ancis and Biomedical Engineering Professor and Senior Associate Chair Paul

see BIAS, page 3

see PROJECTS, page 2

President G.P. “Bud” Peterson speaks to a standing-room-only crowd at the 2016 Institute Address on Aug. 25 in the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons.

Photo by Rob Felt

see ADDRESS, page 3

EVENTS

PAGE 2 • August 29, 2016 whistle.gatech.edu • THE WHISTLE

EVENTS continued on page 3

Calendar submissions should be emailed to editor@comm.gatech.edu at least 10 days prior to desired publication date. For more information, call 404-385-7061.

Archives are posted at whistle.gatech.edu.

Georgia Tech is a unit of the University System of Georgia.Georgia Tech’s Faculty/Staff Newspaper

Editor: Kristen BaileyPhotos: Rob Felt or Fitrah Hamid, unless noted

Published biweekly throughout the year by Georgia Tech Institute Communications.

comm.gatech.edu

ARTS & CULTURE

Sept. 9 Project One hosts a free screening of Lemonade from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at the Ferst Center for the Arts. projectone.gatech.edu

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Aug. 31 The Office of Human Resources hosts a Be Well session on Maximizing Lifestyle Benefits from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 320, Student Center. ohr.gatech.edu

Sept. 14 The Office of Human Resources hosts a Be Well session on Fast and

Fresh: Cooking Quick Meals That Are

Fresh and Healthy from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 343, Student Center. ohr.gatech.edu

Sept. 22 The Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk 5K will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Turner Field. Employees can sign up with the Georgia Tech team for $10. Learn more at c.gatech.edu/kp5k

TRAINING

Sept. 6 The Library hosts a Patent Search Class from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Homer Rice Center, Ground Floor West, Library. library.gatech.edu

Sept. 7 The Office of Campus Sustainability hosts a session on Cool Weather

Crops: Urban Organic Gardening from noon to 1 p.m. in the Piedmont Room, Student Center. sustain.gatech.edu

SEMINARS & LECTURES

Sept. 1 The Commission on Creating the Next in Education hosts David Levin, president and CEO of McGraw-Hill Education, at 11 a.m. in Room 1116, Klaus Advanced Computing Building. provost.gatech.edu

improved crosswalks, and better lighting. The small improvements will make a big difference in pedestrian traffic flow when football season kicks off.

Nearly CompleteBoggs Classroom Improvement Project

The latest phase in classroom improvements in the Gilbert Hillhouse Boggs Building is expected to be completed by early September. This includes major updates to the auditorium to provide students and faculty with a better learning environment. The work also improves accessibility and refreshes and enlivens support spaces around the auditorium.

Carnegie Building RenovationThe Carnegie Building, which was originally

built in 1906, underwent a renovation that involved asbestos abatement, exterior window replacement, life safety upgrades, and an elevator installation. With historic buildings, historic preservation must be balanced with the safety and accessibility of occupants and visitors. The building should be re-occupied in the coming weeks.

Atlantic PromenadeAlong Atlantic Drive, the need for utility

repairs provided an opportunity to also improve the appearance and pedestrian experi-ence at the Atlantic Promenade. The project will be complete toward the end of the fall semester and will include new walkways, seating areas, and landscaping.

Ferst Drive Improvements at HemphillThis summer, Ferst Drive got a complete

makeover to improve both the appearance and function of the road and its intersection with Hemphill Avenue. The road underwent paving, new landscaping, and safety improve-ments. To prevent traffic disruption, the reconfiguration of the Hemphill intersection is being completed in small increments. The full functionality of the new intersection will be complete by November.

Tech Green After being out of commission for six

months, Tech Green is finally green again. Both the grass and the drainage have been improved, but the fences will not come down until the new turf is firmly rooted. Fencing will remain up to prevent heavy foot and event traffic from damaging the turf and root system, particularly through the colder months.

Just BeginningWest Campus Dining Commons

Design is complete and construction has started on this new building, which will house five new eateries including local food, Mediterranean, Italian, and allergy-friendly options. Environmentally friendly features will include water reuse, a high-efficiency building envelope, and dedicated space for landfill diversion activities such as pre-consumer recycling and a food bio-digester. The project is anticipated to be complete in the 2017–18 academic year.

Van Leer Interdisciplinary Design Commons

Construction on the Van Leer

Interdisciplinary Design Commons will begin in late September. This project will transform the two-story rotunda of the Blake R. Van Leer Building into a shared space for education, collaboration, and research serving the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Georgia Tech makers and innovators. The project is expected to be finished in early 2018.

Library Renewal: Price Gilbert and Crosland Tower

After much anticipation, the renewal of the Price Gilbert and Crosland Tower Libraries is moving forward. Library staff should be

moved into the Library Resource Center on Marietta Street by the end of September. The renovation is not expected to be completed until 2020, but the Library will remain as functional as possible over the course of the project to minimize the effect on students. Expect to see construction fencing being erected in November as interior demolition begins on Crosland Tower. The end result will be an innovative library of the 21st century.

As a reminder, resource sharing with Emory University began over the summer. Learn more about the project at renewal.library.gatech.edu.

PROJECTS, from page 1

(Above) The West Campus Dining Commons will be located at the corner of 8th and McMillan Streets. (Below) This rendering shows the new main entrance to the Georgia Tech Library that will be situated at what is now the back side of the Library, near the Hinman Research Building. (Bottom left) Tech Green will continue to be fenced off while its new turf takes root. (Bottom Right) Techwood Drive now boasts new sidewalks, better lighting, and additional bike racks along Bobby Dodd Stadium. Learn more about these and other projects at facilities.gatech.edu.

Images Courtesy of Facilities Management

EVENTS

For a more comprehensive listing of events, or to add your own, visit calendar.gatech.edu.

THE WHISTLE • whistle.gatech.edu August 29, 2016 • PAGE 3

Sept. 2 The Decision and Control Lab hosts Lars Blackmore who will discuss Landing SpaceX’s Reusable Rockets at 11 a.m. in Room 442, Guggenheim Building. ae.gatech.edu

MISCELLANEOUS

Sept. 1 The Veterans Resource Center hosts a Student Veteran Reception from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Clough Commons Rooftop. veterans.gatech.edu

Sept. 1 The Institute for People and Technology hosts its Fall Town Hall from 2:30 to 5 p.m. in Suite 600, Centergy Building. ipat.gatech.edu

Sept. 5 Campus is closed in observance of Labor Day.

Sept. 6 Georgia Tech Cyber Security hosts a GPG [Gnu Privacy Guard] Key Signing Party, covering the basics of cryptography and how to encrypt messages, from 9 to 11 a.m. in Room 242, Rich Building. Coffee and donuts will be served. security.gatech.edu/pgpbasics

Sept. 9, 23 The Center for Teaching and Learning hosts a book club that will meet twice to discuss Are You Smart

Enough? How Colleges’ Obsession

with Smartness Shortchanges

Students. The book club will meet from 4 to 5 p.m. in Room 466A, Clough Commons. ctl.gatech.edu

Sept. 10 The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets host Mercer University at 3 p.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium. ramblinwreck.com

Sept. 15 The 2016 Diversity Symposium takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Historic Academy of Medicine. diversity.gatech.edu

Sept. 21 The Georgia Tech Faculty Women’s Club invites the wives and significant others of faculty and administrators, and female faculty and administrators, to its annual Open House from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the rooftop terrace of Community Smith Restaurant at the Renaissance Hotel, 866 W. Peachtree Street NW. gtfwc.gatech.edu

ANNETTE FILLIAT INSTITUTE DIVERSITY

In an effort to strengthen the services that support the success of underrepre-sented minority and women students at Georgia Tech, a new center will both centralize current Institute Diversity programs and expand Institute Diversity’s reach with new ones.

This month, the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion launched to provide more programs and pathways to success for underrepresented students on campus. The Center encour-ages students to excel academi-cally, interact across cultures and perspectives, and value inclusion.

The purpose of the Center is to serve students from all

backgrounds and encourage them to be inventive leaders who think globally. S. Gordon Moore Jr., executive director, student diversity and inclusion, serves as the director of the new Center.

“One of the findings from Georgia Tech’s Climate Assessment Survey expressed feelings of marginalization by gender, race, and ethnicity among undergrad-uate and graduate students,” said Moore. “By launching the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, we will better serve the more than 4,000 students who benefit from our programs now — and increase capacity to serve even more current and future students.”

Focusing on the recruitment, retention, and advancement of underrepresented minority and women students, the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion houses the Office of Hispanic Initiatives, OMED: Educational Services, and the Center for the

Study of Women, Science, and Technology.

In the year ahead, the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion will offer an Outreach Initiative to assist Georgia Tech in discovering and developing its future pool of talented and diverse students.

“I am excited to see how the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion can create synergy among units in sharing resources, insights, and connections to help increase the diversity of our student population,” said Auston Kennedy, an undergraduate industrial and systems engineering major.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community stakeholders are encouraged to visit the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion in the Chapin Building to learn more about its units and initiatives, meet its staff, and see the newly renovated space. Learn more at csdi.gatech.edu.

Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion OpensADDRESS, from page 1

independent consultant, who conducted more than 130 interviews — both through focus groups and one-on-one discussions —with undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and staff. Student members of the task force also gathered feedback directly from the student body to form a list of issues for the Institute to consider.

“After reviewing the collective research findings and the consultant’s report, the task force outlined 11 recommendations that fall into four categories: programs, trainings, physical spaces, and planning and assessment,” said Ervin.

Meanwhile, following listening sessions conducted by the Office of the President last fall, leadership identi-fied 11 initiatives related to gender equity that will be implemented over the next two years. These initiatives have also been grouped into four impact areas: hiring, promotion, and tenure; professional and leadership development; leadership appointments; and recogni-tion and increased visibility of the Institute’s commit-ment to gender equity.

“In higher education, there are gender equity challenges unique to technology-focused learning institu-tions,” said Lynn Durham, assistant vice president and chief of staff for the Office of the President. “At Georgia Tech, only 28 percent of staff positions above director-level are held by women. This is one reason that the Office of the President initiated the series of listening sessions to discuss the experiences of women on campus, as well as elicit ideas for enhancing policies and dealing with campus climate issues.”

President Peterson met formally with seven groups — consisting separately of academic faculty, research faculty, staff, and students — and informally with various groups of faculty, staff, and students. Feedback from faculty and staff showed that some of the Institute’s collec-tive actions, practices, and policies demonstrated a lack of recognition for the contri-butions of women.

For a full list of recommendations issued by both groups, visit c.gatech.edu/bsetf and c.gatech.edu/gendereq.

For those who were unable to attend the Institute Address, an archive of the presentation is available at president.gatech.edu.

Benkeser.“We convened a faculty advisory

committee to gain input on the dynamics within different academic units,” Ancis said. “The feedback showed an expressed desire for broader discussion of this topic as well as tools and techniques for minimizing the effect of implicit bias.”

This past spring, more than 130 faculty members across all six colleges participated in the eight inaugural workshops, with an emphasis on candidate evaluation for the hiring process. Six more are planned for the fall semester, some of which will focus on issues specific to the hiring process and others that will focus on promotion and tenure.

The workshop offers an introduction to the concept of implicit bias, its implications for decision-making, and best practices for both individual and group judgment. Ancis and Benkeser are hoping that faculty will develop greater awareness of innate perceptions and apply this knowledge when called upon to review an applicant or write a letter of recommendation.

“There’s a growing body of literature coming from industry and research highlighting the importance of having a diverse community contributing to an organization’s goals,” Benkeser said. “We’re trying to promote this ideal to our students, so it seems we should strive to do likewise within our own practices.”

A Human ConditionRevealing one’s bias can be an

uncomfortable experience and often results in defensive behavior and resistance. Ancis, whose professional work has focused on multicultural issues including

women, admitted she wasn’t happy with her results on a gender-related implicit association test. Ancis says the value comes from moving beyond initial skepticism toward greater self-reflection.

“It’s important to remember that each of us holds biases and that some researchers argue that this is part of the human condition,” Ancis said. “It doesn’t make you a bad person, but we do need to understand how bias can influence our judgment.”

The goal, she said, is to recognize conditions under which we are more likely to engage in stereotyping and learn strategies to minimize its potentially adverse effect.

BIAS, from page 1

Jeanne Lynch-Stieglitz, associate chair and professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, speaks with a fellow attendee at one of the Implicit Bias workshops.

Photo by Camille Pendley

Take a Test

Individuals can take an introductory, 10-minute

self-assessment on a variety of topics at c.gatech.edu/

implicit-test. Ancis suggests the Gender-Science exercise as particularly relevant for faculty at

Georgia Tech.

Attend a Workshop

There will be four workshops focused on implicit bias as it

relates to both faculty hiring and the reappointment, promotion,

and tenure (RP&T) process:

Register at c.gatech.edu/bias-workshop.

Two additional workshops will focus only on RP&T:

Sept. 22 Sept. 29

To register, visit c.gatech.edu/bias-rpt.

Sept. 27Oct. 13

Oct. 20Nov. 3

“We’re trying to promote this ideal to our students, so it seems we should strive to do likewise within our own practices.”

— Paul Benkeser

CLASSIFIEDS

PAGE 4 • August 29, 2016 whistle.gatech.edu • THE WHISTLE

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MISCELLANEOUSLooking for a carpool partner for the daily commute from East Cobb to Tech campus. Email bdespy@hotmail.com.

Pair of IKEA Henriksdal bar chairs (with backrest) available for $50. Dark brown frame, cream-colored fabric cover for the seat. Call or text 404-642-4869.

Pair of Pier 1 Papasan rocking chairs available for $60. Comes with pair of footstools and set of cushions for both chairs and stools. Call or text 404-642-4869.

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Free yellow jacket nest removal. Nests to be used for research in the School of Biology. Call 404-385-6311 or e-mail michael.goodisman@biology.gatech.edu.

I N THE CLASSROOMwith Gary Schuster

VICTOR ROGERS INSTITUTE COMMUNICATIONS

Gary Schuster gives Peter Pan partial credit for inspiring his 50-year career in academia.

“He never had to grow up,” Schuster said. “Being in academia, allows you to maintain a child-like curiosity for your entire life.”

Being surrounded by intellectu-ally curious students also helps.

“Every year, there is a new class of enthusiastic young people, many who hope to change the world. It’s infectious and impossible to ignore,” he said.

Over the course of his career, he has seen countless teaching fads and trends come, then go. But he believes the essentials remain the same.

“It really comes down to a couple of things. Both seem to be highly valued by students,” said Schuster, the Vasser Woolley Professor and Regents Professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

The first thing is to be prepared. “Know what you want to do and

accomplish in the classroom,” he said. “Have a plan. Every faculty member at Georgia Tech is capable of doing that.”

The second thing is to sincerely care about your students.

“That part, you can’t fake. People are extraordinarily skilled at detecting insincerity,” he said. “It’s not hard [to care] because they are really good kids and most are working really hard. I think about it in terms of my own kids and grandkids. How would I want them to be treated?”

Schuster, who affectionately refers to students under the age of 45 (the age of his oldest son) as ‘kids,’ has spent years working with students as a professor and administrator.

For 20 years, Schuster was a faculty member at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and served as head of the Department of Chemistry there. He came to Georgia Tech in 1994 and served as dean of the College of Sciences and professor of chemistry and biochemistry until 2006, when he was named provost and executive vice president. He served as interim president of Georgia Tech between G. Wayne Clough and G.P. “Bud” Peterson.

Classroom Strategies Schuster teaches Organic

Chemistry (CHEM 2311), a required course for a lot of Tech students. He acknowledges that many students come into the

course not particularly interested in the subject.

“I rate my lectures by the quality of the metaphors I create,” he said. “A good metaphor can help to explain a difficult concept and can also illustrate why organic chemistry is an important subject.”

Schuster went on to add that it is very important for faculty to share their passion for their subject.

“Students are trying to discover their passions. Sharing yours can help to inspire students and guide them as they decide their own paths.”

Schuster said he works hard to engage the students. He tries to keep them alert through class participation and the use of clickers to answer quiz questions.

“They seem to dislike the clickers, but it compels them to come to class and it gives me quick feedback, letting me know if they understood what I just presented. The clickers also help convert students from passive to active participants in the learning process.”

In his classroom, Schuster has three rules to help keep the students focused.

The first rule is no computer or cellphone use. “It seems impossible for some to avoid checking email or social media when that laptop is open in front of them, and that inevitably distracts those seated nearby,” he said. Students who want to take notes on their laptop must sit in the front row, also called “computer row.”

The second rule is no eating – because it too can annoy other students.

Schuster’s final rule is no snoring. “You can sleep, but you cannot snore. Snoring also annoys others,” he joked.

Advice for New Faculty Schuster’s advice is straight-

forward: Be prepared and be concerned about your students.

“At Georgia Tech and most research universities, faculty members are expected to be successful independent scholars,” he said. “A beginning faculty member’s research efforts must

succeed before the tenure clock runs out. But that doesn’t mean that their other responsibilities can be ignored.”

As Professor, Dean, or President, Schuster Connects by Caring

Gary Schuster has been a professor, dean, and interim president at Georgia Tech. His best advice for faculty is to show genuine care and concern for students.

Photo by Fitrah Hamid

In the Classroom is a series that showcases some of Georgia Tech’s faculty, delving into what they teach, how they do it, and what motivates them. Read more stories at c.gatech.edu/classroom.

From the SourceMike Zott, a second-year chemistry major, took Gary Schuster’s

class during the fall semester of his freshman year.

“My absolute favorite part of Professor Schuster’s class was his command of the material, which allowed a teaching style that had a certain panache or swagger, but without any of the self-importance that those words might connote,” Zott said. “This gives him great authority in the classroom, which makes you feel confident that you are learning something important.”

Zott, who loves teaching himself directly from textbooks, concedes, “There really is no replacement for the insights of an excellent teacher. I think [Professor Schuster] puts it best, in fact. He says, ‘Teaching yourself should be looked at as ‘having laid a foundation,’ but ‘It [is] much more pleasant to live in a house than in a foundation.’ The teacher builds the house, and the excellent teacher builds a mansion.”

Zott said that because of the internet, one can ask just about any question and find hundreds or even thousands of people who already know the answer and how to solve the problem. He believes this eliminates the need to memorize things that can be looked up easily.

“However, [Schuster’s] teaching shows the power of mastery which is that not only can you solve problems quickly and without aid, but primarily that mastery instills confidence in those around you,” Zott said. “This is a critical skill in science when you have to explain the value of your research to those outside your specialty or perhaps even outside of your field.”

Zott said he has greatly enjoyed discussing more than organic chemistry with Schuster. He has recommended several books for reading and discussion with Zott, who plans to graduate in three years (or less), against Schuster’s advice.

“Something that he tries to impart to me is to maintain openness in my choice of specialty due to the rapid narrowing of my focus toward computational chemistry. The books he has recommended were chosen to aid this, and I try to embrace this advice constantly,” he said. “In fact, I was not planning on taking biochemistry this semester, but, because of my trust in his advice, I added the class to my schedule. I’m still not won over on his advice to take four years in undergrad, however,” he said.