the vector @ the university of texas at austin - oct/nov 2010
DESCRIPTION
This is the first issue of the Vector engineering periodical from the Student Engineering Council at the Cockrell School of Engineering.TRANSCRIPT
6 Lazy Ways to
Go Green
SUSTAINABILITY
Vector October 2010
VECTOR - OCTOBER 2010
EDITORS-IN-CHIEFJen Nordhauser
Charlotte Friedley
STAFF
Layout Kaitlin Decker
Rose Stewart
Advertising
Kevin Yuan
Get your thoughts and ideas published in UT’s only student-run engineering newspaper!
You’d be amazed how many people would love to read about your thoughts, comments, ideas, and even beliefs.
Send your submissions to [email protected]!
The Vector is now online! Just go to sec.engr.utexas.edu/vector
to access the latest issue, as well as past issues.
Advertising in the Vector is a great way for companies or organizations to get their name out to students.
If you are interested in advertising with the Vector, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]
1
Copy Editors
Kristi Bartlett
Lucy Xie
IT ManagerGeorge Song
DistributionCyrus Iqbal
Contributers
Jason Erasmo Castro D.
Michael Rodriguez
The Vector Periodical is spon-
sored by the Student Engineer-
ing Council at the UT Austin
Cockrell School of Engineering.
DISCLAIMERThe ideas expressed in this
publication are the opinions of
the authors and students who
put together each issue of the
Vector. All information is subject to
change and/or error. Questions/
critiques can be addressed to
the editors in messages sent to
In This IssueLetter from SEC President...3Cover Story...4SEC Alternative Energy Challenge...5Students for Clean Water...6Mexcan’t: Says Who?... 6-7
Get Your Act Together with ECAC...8-9
EXPO Review...10Student Gov. and Senate...10-11Dear Alec...12Society News...13-15
Table of Contents
Vector October 2010
IN THIS ISSUE
2
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS
As another semester commences upon us
with its assortment of academic and social
obligations, we can only describe our situations
as BUSY. However, we highly suggest you
guys take a breather from the intense study
sessions for those midterms and pick up our
Although we sound slightly like used car
salesmen, we blame our fervor on our
excitement and anticipation of many new
to better suite the needs of the Cockrell School
of Engineering. Currently, we are working on
current issues. Eventually, we hope to create
an electronic drop box with suggestions to
improve the publication and a blog that will
more directly voice the needs of University of
Texas engineering students.
We are excited about our new staff members
that show promising talent and can put up with
the hustles and bustles of scholastic life and
juggle the committment of this periodical. We
would also like to announce we will be having
or seek us out at the SEC meetings, and we will
be more than delighted to help you get involved
in one of the most enthralling and informative
Sincerely,
Your Editors-in-Chief,
opportunity for me to voice my opinion, and I
quickly applied to be on the staff. Two years
later, I’m more passionate than ever, but
my focus has shifted from speaking solely
for myself to empowering all students in the
Cockrell School of Engineering to have a
meaningful voice on campus. Issues such as
plus-minus grading, the availability of non-
engineering classes, and computer lab space
have all garnered attention from students in
the past. The Student Engineering Council
served as the forum for these concerns and
helped provide guidance to administration on
Currently, the Student Engineering Council
is working closely with other student leaders
from the professional organizations of each
department to provide input to faculty and
administration in the planning of the new
engineering buildings. SEC also is working
closely with the Senate of College Councils
to outline a student committee to examine the
Cockrell School’s budget, allowing for more
student input within the budgeting process.
The Student Engineering Council exists to
serve students and provide them the resources
necessary to change the engineering campus.
Be proactive, ask questions, voice your opinion.
It is more important than ever for students to
engage themselves within the Cockrell School
of Engineering. I challenge you to actively
voice your opinion to the council and make a
If you have any pressing questions or concerns,
feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
October 20103
LETTER FROM THE SEC PRESIDENT
At the beginning of my sophomore year, I
stumbled into the Student Engineering Council
Vector October 2010
Cover Story: 6 Lazy Ways To Go GreenEnvironmental preservation and cautious use of resources are topics that have recently
become more strongly advocated than in the past. We hear all about the importance of
reducing our gasoline and energy consumption, but often it seems that going out of our
way to change our daily routine is not worth the trouble. However, there are many easy
things that even the laziest person can do to go green. Here are a few ideas:
1 ) Procrastinate Mowing Your Lawn
cut it actually helps it absorb energy more
blades allow for more sunlight absorption,
which lets the roots grow deeper and
stronger into the soil. After you mow, leave
the cut grass on your lawn to provide it with
for weeds to grow in your yard.
2 ) Buy a Reusable Water Bottle
water to your weekly budget, invest in a
both yourself and the environment. Before
water bottle and stick it into your backpack
so that you always have it when you need
it. Having water with you will make it easier
to hydrate yourself rather than allowing a
bottle of soda to tempt you just because
you are dehydrated.
3 ) Unplug Electronics that Glow
Certain devices will continue to emit
light even after you turn them off which
unnecessarily wastes energy. If you
notice that your television or monitor is
still illuminated after it has been turned off,
unplug it to save yourself a few dollars in
your next electricity bill.
4 ) Turn Off What You’re Not Using!
about turning off the faucet while brushing
your teeth, if you’re done using something,
the lights when you leave the room won’t
save the universe, it takes no effort on your
Similarly, if you normally just close your laptop
or put it to sleep when you leave your room
or go to bed, take the extra couple seconds
to shut it down completely. Even if you are
not actually doing anything on your computer,
leaving it turned on still requires power.
5 ) Recycle Electronics
What do you do with your old phone when you
take it down to Green Austin Technologies on
motivation, keep in mind that they will pay you
in exchange for your donation.
6 ) Fix Your Dripping Faucet
As simple as it may seem, calling someone in to take a look at that annoying leak could
prevent a lot of water from being wasted. A
faucet that drips at a rate of one drop per
each year, and if it’s your toilet or showerhead
drain. So be conscientious of unnecessary
dripping, and don’t just ignore it.
If you have any “Lazy Ways” to make life a bit greener, submit them [email protected], and we will feature them in the next issue!
4
BY ROSE STEWART
Vector October 2010
5
The Alternative Energy Challenge is an annual
competition hosted by the Student Engineering
Council of The University of Texas at Austin. The
intent of the competition is for CSE students to
create novel ideas for the generation of power
using sustainable and renewable methods.
Teams will deliver a presentation detailing their
actually build their device.
by students for students to not only foster
to give competitors the opportunity to pit their
talents against their classmates in friendly
competition. The judging sessions are open
to the public, and free supper will be served.
Come on out to see the innovative alternative
SEC ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CHALLENGE BY ZACHARY WILHOIT
11/19/2010 5:00- 7:00 P.M.
RLM 4.102 Round Three
PRESENTATION JUDGINGS
Society Spotlight: Engineers for a Sustainable World BY ZACHARY WILHOIT
and Engineering,” and this is a theme that the students
in Engineers for a Sustainable World strongly support.
theme in our organization is through active projects
based in or near campus. The goal of these projects
is to make a positive change in the environment
around us. Currently, we have two active projects:
goal is to provide recycling services here on campus
will soon be accepting glass, any metal, plastic #3-
7, plastic bags, corrugated cardboard, and E-waste
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any of these items, and want them to be responsibly
Edwards and is being done in collaboration with the
Campus Environmental Center. The goal of this project
is to design and implement a rainwater collection
system for an off-campus garden managed by the
CEC. The system will provide the garden with a source
of sustainable and renewable water for its plants. We
intend to have the system completed by the end of the
If you are interested in either of these projects, or have
an idea for a project of your own, feel free to drop by
semester for ESW projects.
The SEC AEC 2010 is generously supported by: Harutunian Engineering, Inc. and Bayer Material Science, LLC.
Vector October 2010
STUDENTS FOR CLEAN WATERBY CHARLOTTE FRIEDLEY
you got til its gone.” But what if you didn’t
even have it to begin with?
have safe, clean drinking water. With
almost a billion people without the means
to obtain clean water, Charity: Water has
emerged to raise awareness and funds
to help turn this situation around.
in Urban Studies, has led The University
of Texas branch, Students for Clean
Water at UT, and has set the bar high by
3. With this sum of donations, our UT
chapter of Charity: Water will provide two
schools in Africa with safe, clean water.
raised $6.696, which has remarkably
served over two hundred people.
In order to increase donations, the
Students for Clean Water at UT plan to
announcements, and employ many
other fundraising methods that can be
for Clean Water at UT” group page.
When asked why donate to this
another’s life.” Clean, safe drinking
water is a necessity of life that often
goes unrealized in the Western world;;
however, this issue is a prominent
concern in devloping countries.
If you are interested in donating to the
cause, check out:
www.mycharitywater.com/ut.
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MEXICAN’TSWHO SAYS?BY J. ERASMO CASTRO D.
Austin don’t even attend.”
After reading this phrase in one of the
page, online stories I immediately contacted
the Editor and the writer of the same. I was
amazed at how it had inadvertently slipped by
editing and was published on the website. The
anti-Hispanic wave surging through our country
6
is so prevalent that we deem such statements and
remarks as commonplace and don’t give them a
second thought.
man team and compete against other individuals
all over the world. Being that many on my friends
Spanish speaking individuals;; but being here in
of their room covered in the anonymity of their
Vector October 2010 4
reinforce the fact that many are quick to
believe the worst of Hispanics before having
all the information or have manipulated the
information to serve whatever purpose.
sponsored by Austin Community College via
excrement and that these are detrimental
to Hispanics as a whole. Why are we not
organizing, hosting rallies, contacting our
Act, or immigration reform, which would
our nation as a whole?
We need to mobilize, and I’m not talking
about Hispanics only;; everyone should stand
with the issues that in turn would become
part of the solution to all of our nation’s woes.
We need to really study history and revive
is right, no taxation without representation,
give me liberty or give me death;; we need to
refuse to sit in the back of the bus.
We need to transform our nation so that our
they will not be judged by the color of their
skin but by the content of their character”
make it our own.
7
in our day and time to adhere to racist
rhetoric our party has been spurting in the
soon be deemed the norm in Arizona and I
was amazed to hear that some have even
considered discussing such legislation here
in Texas;; ain’t a happening folks. Then the
amendment of our constitution. Amazing
isn’t it.
A couple of years back, Hispanics were
enamored with the change candidate who only
to even discuss. That along with all the other
broken promises of change made, many want
Coordinator in reference to that which was
originally posted in the papers website. She
directed me to the Greater Austin Hispanic
said she had gotten percentile statistics that
gave evidence to the claim in the story. Their
also represent a large part of the education
However, Hispanics represent the group with
the least percentage of earning a Bachelors
City of Austin population.” There is a difference
webpage. I make this observation only to
Mexican’ts (cont. from previous page)
Vector October 2010
Getting Your Act Together
WITH ECAC by Lucy XiuThis year’s freshman class has much to learn
for the next four years: the Engineering Career
provides career and internship assistance to all
college career fair, they also provide a wide range
of workshops, from technical interview practices to
salary evaluation advice to even dining etiquette
classes. These workshops cost little to nothing and
are essential to students’ success as they search for
ECAC staff have also been busy helping students
recruiting season even calling in recruiters for
resumes, interviews, and career searches can also
be found on the ECAC website at http://www.engr.
utexas.edu/ecac/yourcareer.
ECAC also has an expansive online system called
alumni to search through and apply for open job
positions posted by companies. In order to log on
assistance through every part of the application
Instead of spending time stressfully creating
their own resumes, students can simply enter their
personal, academic and work information into
in a professional, organized layout. Employers
template because it allows them to go straight
to the resume’s content rather than design. After
uploading their own, students can search and apply
so they don’t have to research every posting
includes a detailed description of the job, academic
requirements, resume submission dates, interview
dates, and contact information. Students apply for
although some companies request a supplementary
application through their own website as well. After
students if the employer requests an interview.
time the student may select.
While the application process may seem quite
daunting, ECAC staff members are extremely helpful;;
they understand how overwhelmed we may feel by
being suddenly thrust into the corporate world. Their
8
Vector October 2010
services, both online and in person, cover every
aspect of searching and applying for a job or
internship. ECAC’s workshops are meant to ease
into the interview room, deliver our well-practiced
handshake, and return every hard-hitting interview
question with the sharpness that only a Cockrell
6
Quick ECAC Resources: Phone:
Email: [email protected]
Engineer Your Career:
http://www.engr.utexas.edu/ecac/your
career
student burdened with the horrid
workload that inevitably tags along with
engineer with senior status, who proudly calls
himself a longhorn. Students of the Cockrell
student has risen and claimed the remarkable
of the Southwest” while displaying his meticulous
management of time, balancing the demanding
coursework of upper-division classes with grueling
practices in the suffocating sun. Withstanding the
arduous application process, which involves an
interview with the band directors and an audition
in front of band members to prove one’s ability
credits his success to the constant support of
his friends, and conducting advice from teaching
intrinsically mathematical about music because
David Forinash BY KEVIN YUAN
------------------------------------------------------------
the band to an engineer’s passion for improving
Band an attractive niche for Cockrell School
students.
how things work and by an inspirational high
problems. His love of physics saw engineering
as a challenge and an opportunity to explore
his desire to be a problem solver. Engineering
seemed to quench his thirst for knowledge and his
yearning for satisfying information. With so many
marching band peers as engineers and marching
band taking up such a considerable amount of
time, members have no choice but to prioritize
their time the best they can while following their
schedules and calendars religiously.
fervent performances at halftime while excelling
academically in school? Well, the answer to
his unyielding performance is neither energy
drinks nor elements of supernatural nature but
rather it is his passion for both subjects that
prevents excessive fatigue or stress. According
homework or preparing for the next big game.”
So to all you droopy-eyed engineers, moaning
and ranting about those late nights pouring over
your mind, and dedicate your time, your efforts,
highest.”
9
Vector October 2010
EXPO Review: A Freshman Retrospective BY CYRUS IQBAL
As an incoming freshman, I can say with
the utmost veracity that each and every
day brings its own new experiences and
in a calculus class, or living with a roommate, my
short but lively tenure here at the University of
Texas has been full of exciting encounters and
was a medley of recruiters and professionals
offering information and coveted internship
opportunities to hundreds of college students.
All one had to do to feel the excitement and
anxiety at the four-story venue was simply walk
in and look at the faces of the well-dressed and
well-rehearsed future employees standing in
line to speak with their targeted companies. The
a silent tension pervading the air. The attendees
ranged from the graduate students, who showed
both the poise and the sense of urgency years
of experience bring, to the few and far between
freshman, clutching their padfolios with a vice
grip. A who’s who of major engineering companies
my apprehension was greeted with a warm
handshake and a smile. After conversing about
the beginning of my freshman year, we began
desire for an internship. After more conversation,
the representative took my resume, gave me
contact information, and wished me well. In short,
Things changed very quickly from there, as
did I learn the logistics of a career fair, but I also
look for in job applicants. Though at times it felt a
a very large sea, the experience and knowledge
a strong showing in the years to come, as my
uncertainty will turn to poise, and my drawbacks
into my future successes.
------------------------------------------------------------
UT Student Government Update by Jose de Anda, Marc Anthony Gonzales, & Matt Hicks
Texas Student Association
Student Government has declared support
of the Texas Student Association. TSA is a
coalition of university student governments
across the state with the goal of ensuring a
stronger voice in lobbying efforts in the Texas
legislature and nationally. TSA’s annual
6th here in Austin.
There are currently two Graduate
Government assembly. If you are interested
of student organizations must be trained in
and inform their membership of various risk
management topics such as hazing, alcohol
abuse, and general safety.
10
Vector October 2010
A unanimous resolution was passed by
Student Government voicing opposition
to the city’s plans to place parking meters
throughout the West Campus area. The
raise the cost of parking in West Campus,
much of which is currently free. If you live in
West Campus, contact us for more information
on ways to voice your opinion on the issue.
Contact us
As your elected Student Government
your opinions on any issue, big or small. You
can always email us at [email protected].
-----------------------------------------------------------
SENATE REPORTThe Senate of College Councils is a
legislative student organization sponsored
which acts as the coordinating body that
brings all college councils together to
represent students in all academic affairs.
Here is a brief overview of what the Senate
has been working on and what they have
accomplished since the start of the fall
semester.
Establishing College Tuition & Budget
Advisory Committes
This is the most important piece of
legislation that the Senate has worked on
so far and it aims to enhance and make
more transparent student and faculty
participation in the university’s tuition and
budget-setting process at the college-school
creation of such commitees in each college
or school to identify priorities for that college/
school, recommend changes in tuition,
and advise on budgets. The structure and
membership of this committee is determined
entirely by each college council;; however,
the Senate recommends that this
committee is composed of twelve members
and includes both faculty and students.
Currently, the Student Engineering Council
is starting the process of creating this
committee and it is our goal to inform
everyone on how this committee shapes, as
we progress.
Study Abroad Map
map around the campus. The banner will be
left with each department around campus
to be marked where students have studied
abroad around the world. The purpose of
this program is to physically represent the
breadth of the study abroad programs on
the UT campus and encourage others to
take advantage of this great opportunity
to learn about a new culture, experience
college in a different setting, and have some
on the lookout for when this map reaches
engineering so you can leave your mark on
this symbolic map.
Quick Announcement
is looking for new members to start its
interested in joining this committee or would
like more information.
11
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DEAR ALEC:Your #1 Anonymous Source of
Engineering Advice
Claire, the patron saint of the Cockrell School
of Engineering, takes the time to answer a few
inquiries asked by engineering students. If you
would like for Alec to answer your questions in
Vector October 2010 12
I am a freshman Chemical Engineering student.
How should I avoid hitting people during busy
Chem E Cyclist,
sustainable way to get around campus, so way
you oughtn’t worry about the pedestrians -
remember, your bike has a greater velocity
walking student could ever hope to achieve,
so your speed will probably prevent any
great injury from occurring to your person.
pedestrians while on your bike, and the best
way to do so is to just take it slowly so you have
more time to react to any sort of obstacle you
may see on the sidewalk.
Also, technically, cyclists shouldn’t be on the
sidewalk, so whenever possible, try to ride in
the bike lane on the street;; people shouldn’t be
walking there, so you’ll have less of a chance of
hitting them.
random pounding on the walls and obnoxious
karaoke at random hours of the night. Should
I ignore them, knock on their door and ask if
something’s wrong, or go yell at them?
Sleepless,
invest in a simple technology known as the
earplug. It doesn’t require more energy than
that which is exerted in sticking them in your
that run on four C batteries don’t sound so
appealing, do they?
If your suitemates are really getting loud and
unbearable, try talking to them and asking them
if they can limit their karaoke and thumping
hours to something more appreciated by all in
the area. Try to avoid getting angry at them
easy to forget that there are rooms on the other
side of their walls in the dorm situation. If your
suitemates are unobliging to your request to
reduce the noise level, talk to your residential
I am an engineering student who hates physics
because it’s too hard. What shall I do?
on physics, and a lot of physics gets used in
engineering, so the two really go hand in hand.
So unless you want to be a Business major, you
should do your best to do well in physics and
learn the material by engaging in more outside-of-
TA and professor if there are any extra homework
problems in the textbook that they can assign for
extra practice. If you have already bombed the
she has any suggestions for studying methods
that have worked well for previous students
engineering quad as well, so ask your friends
and advisors if they can point you towards free
physics help opportunities.
Also, if you can make it through this semester,
you might want to take a GE physics help course
for your second semester of physics so you can
automatically get an hour of credit for going over
your coursework in a classroom setting other
than your normal lecture hall. Ultimately, if you
switching out of Engineering to a major that does
not require that you take it, though in my opinion
that would be lame because Engineering is the
world a better place through alternative energy
Vector October 2010
SEC Rep: Anne Marie -- [email protected]: Every other Friday at 3 p.m. in CPEFood Provided? YesContact AIChE: [email protected] (SEC rep),[email protected] (Ralm Ricarte, President)
It has been many years since AIChE has had a formal Chemical Car team. Last fall, AIChE decided to once again establish the Chemical Car team with Michael Zhang as the president. The Chemical Car team must build a small car, no larger than 40 cm x 30 cm x 18 cm, that runs purely on chemical reactions and must complete a certain distance in a competition. The national competition will be held at the National AIChE conference in Salt Lake City, Utah this November. Since the competition requires the car to complete
not compete in the national conference this semester. Although the team is very new, Michael Zhang has been providing excellent leadership in planning and designing the chemical car. He plans to use sodium borohydride and lithium aluminum hydride reactions to produce hydrogen to power the car. The estimated cost of building the car is $1207.30, comfortably under the $2000 competition budget limit. Establishing a successful Chemical Car team has been a challenge, but several Chemical Engineering professors support this endeavor. The Chair of Chemical Engineering, Dr. Bonnecaze, approved funding for the team’s department and expenses in building the car for the regional competition. Also, Dr. Truskett from the Chemical Engineering Department has expressed support in allowing the members of the Chemical Car competition to claim a one-hour credit, dependent on the results of the team after one year. The department hopes to see substantial developments before the Chemical Car team can be considered for academic credit. AIChE hopes the best for the Chemical Car team, especially in its new start.
SOCIETY NEWSAIChE
American Institute for Chemical EngineersEta Kappa Nu
SEC Rep: Jason L. Lii -- [email protected]: Every other Wednesday;; ENS 127 refer to: http://hkn.ece.utexas.edu/calendar.phpFood Provided? SometimesContact Eta Kappa Nu: [email protected] (Deepyaman Datta, President)More contacts: http://hkn.ece.utexas.edu/aboutus.php
“Eta Kappa Nu is a unique membership organization dedicated to encouraging and recognizing excellence in the Electrical and Computer Engineering
professionals who have demonstrated exceptional academic and professional accomplishments. Student members are selected on the basis of scholastic standing, character, and leadership. Through a variety of service programs and leadership training, student members develop lifelong skills that earmark them for prominent positions in industry and academia. Members are much better prepared for the post-college world and are especially valuable and attractive to employers. They are recognized as extremely capable, both technically and professionally.”
13
Vector October 2010
SOCIETY NEWSSPE
Society of Petroleum EngineersSEC Rep: Spencer Heilner -- [email protected]: Every other Wednesday, 6:30-8pm, WEL 1.316Food Provided? YesContact SHP: speut.com The Society of Petroleum Engineers is the foremost conduit between student interests in the UT Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering and the oil industry. As such, SPE would like to highlight a brand new technical course offered in the department as a direct result of events in the industry.In the wake of the catastrophic BP oil spill this past summer, much has been said about the failures of the fail-safes intended to prevent such a catastrophe. Dr. Martin Chenevert, Ph.D., Petroleum Engineering, has sought to provide additional training and knowledge in this crucial subject to Petroleum Engineering stu-dents by adding a new petroleum engineering course
explains that blowout prevention has always been an
of technology. “The class is nearly at capacity,” said Dr. Chenevert. “The subject matter is of great interest to many people.” Dr. Chenevert has designed the course to be interactive. Students will practice preventing oil rig blowouts on computer simulators. He says that he plans to bring in Wild Well Control, Inc., a company
well control, to certify his students to work on an offshore oil rig. In this training, students will work with specialized simulators designed to mimic pos-sible problems that might arise on a drilling rig so the students have the opportunity to resolve the situation
-ing this course,” says Dr. Chenevert. “The student becomes more marketable in industry because of the skills he or she learns.” Part of the reason that the University... (continued on page 16)
EChOEngineering Chamber Orchestra
SEC Rep: Jen Nordhauser -- [email protected]: No meeting dates, set by ensemblesFood Provided? SometimesContact EChO: [email protected] The Engineering Chamber Orchestra (EChO) is an organization for engineering students and faculty to have the opportunity to play their instruments throughout the semester without the pressure of a major musical time commitment. Students and faculty audition at the beginning of the semester in a low-stress audition environment to determine their musical playing preferences. Based on the audition results,
ensembles, and each ensemble is given sheet music to rehearse on their own schedule over the semester. At the end of the semester, all EChO ensembles have the
with the organization at events such as Engineering Saturdays at the Museum with the SEC or the EChO retirement home concert series. EChO can be heard around the engineering campus at UT when ensembles rehearse in the honors quad, or when EChO puts on its bake sales accompanying Cheap Lunch.
Ensembles have already been assigned for this semester, but auditions will take place again at the beginning of the Spring semester. We can’t wait to hear you to pick up your instrument and play again with your engineering peers!
All musical talents are welcome, from a bass singer to a contrabass player, and if you are interested in joining EChO, visit our website for more information: studentorgs.engr.utexas.edu/echo/.
14
Vector October 2010
SOCIETY NEWSOXE
Omega Chi EpsilonSEC Rep: Sybil Wong -- [email protected]: Fridays 10/8, 10/22, 11/12;; CPE 2.220 3-4pmFood Provided? YesContact OXE: between the East and West Computer Labs
Omega Chi Epsilon (OXE), the Chemical Engineering Honor Society, promotes character, integrity, and leadership in Chemical Engineering. OXE participates in service events around the Austin community and hosts many fun social events. However, one of the most important objectives of OXE is to keep a meaningful and informative relationship between students and faculty. In the past, this objective was achieved through
may speak with their professors in a more casual setting rather than in a classroom. New pledges interview various faculty members within the department to learn
many members, speaking with professors has opened the doors to undergraduate research experience.This semester, one of OXE’s initiatives is to put on a Graduate School Panel with professors and graduate students with different technical backgrounds in the Chemical Engineering department. OXE President Jeffrey Ting says that the panel will “provide a comprehensive overview of the application process to all Chemical Engineering students at the University of Texas, whether they are graduating seniors going through the process or underclassmen interested in research with our amazing faculty.” Students will be able to directly ask questions to faculty and graduate students. It will inform those who know they want to attend graduate school of what it is like, and help those who are unsure if continued education is the right path for them. The idea of a Graduate School Panel has already sparked interest... (continued on page 16)
SEC Rep: Rodrigo Estrada and Erica OrtizMeetings: ECJ 1.202Food Provided? YesContact SHPE: Website: http://studentorgs.engr.utexas.edu/shpe/ The Society of Hispanic Professional Engi-neers, also known as SHPE, was founded in the city
aimed to serve as role models for Hispanics through their organization. Today, the UT Austin SHPE Chap-ter does just more than that. We are run by FAMI-LY- Fun, Academics, Money, Involvement, Leader-ship and You! Fun is met with our socials, where old and new members have the opportunity to network with each other. Night at the Union and SHPE Idol were our latest socials, where members had the op-portunity to network in company of food, bowling, and karaoke. PNS Volleyball is our next social that involves more fun, athletics, and team spirit. PNS Study Nights are sponsored every Monday at 7 PM in the Pi Pit, with Pi Sigma Pi, SHPE, and NSBE mem-bers. During Study Nights, free snacks are given, a
on their homework. Through this, we hope to remind
high to obtain that 4.0!
Living by the legacy of our organization’s founders, we strive to get involved in the community through service. The Back to School Parade, Noche de Ciencias, Viva La Girl, and Hunger Awareness are just a few of the community service activities in which SHPE has been involved. Whether SHPE is encouraging children at Noche de Ciencias to be curi-ous about science or giving free sack lunches to the homeless at Hunger Awareness, UT SHPE is making a difference in the Austin community...
(continued on page 16)
SHPESociety of Hispanic Professional Engineers
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Vector October 2010
(OXE, continued from page 15)
...within the department. Kevin Kaczorowski, a fourth year Chemical Engineering senior with his eyes set on graduate school, said, “I wish a Graduate School Panel had been around when I was a sophomore. I think it would have given me a jump-start on tailoring my undergraduate career towards graduate school. However, even as a senior, I think it will help me organize my thoughts and get me through the arduous application process.” If you are a graduating senior planning on attending graduate school with any questions about the process and the lifestyle, or even if you are a freshman student with the prospect of graduate school in the back of your mind,
Student Panel!
When: Thursday, November 30th 5:00PM-6:30PMWhere: CPE 2.218Who: Dr. Hal Alper and Dr. Isaac Sanchez + 6 graduate students with various ChE areas of study
Food will be provided!
(SHPE, continued from page 15)
...The element of money from our acronym comes into play when we inform our members about the various scholarships available to them. We also held a SHPE Fajita Sale, where we recruited more than $800 in sponsors to attend the National Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. Another delicious Fajita Sale is planned, as well as other fundraisers in hopes to gather more money. The Manitos/ Manitas Program is designed for incom-ing freshmen or transfer students and upperclassmen to make the experience for the “Littles” that much better. Leadership is involved, as it is a mentorship program where both “Bigs” and “Littles” have the opportunity to meet one another, mentor or be mentored, and learn from these experiences in hopes of becom-ing better individuals at whatever they may strive to become.
The last and biggest focus of our society is our mem-bers: YOU! We focus on recruiting engineering, math, and
acronym in everything we do, as well as its literal meaning. We strive to make our members feel welcome and truly be-come part of our SHPE family. We encourage everyone who is interested to come see what SHPE is all about, and to be-come part of our family. We work very hard to provide all we can for our members;; the only thing that is missing is you!
--Andrea [email protected]
(SPE, continued from page 14)
...boasts one of the most prestigious and highly ranked programs for Pe-troleum Engineering is because of the high qual-ity of the professors. The students in the Petroleum Engineering department are receiving instruc-tion from professors like Chenevert at the top
-matched knowledge and experience.”
Odds and Ends
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