NEWS
Division Seeks Opinions on Programming The Division of Analytical Chemistry is evaluating its programming practices at both the ACS spring and fall national meetings and solicits opinions on this issue. Considerations for the evaluation of programming, the Division's major objective, include scientific needs, financial feasibility, and logistical details. Scientific needs: Divisional award symposia at the fall meeting are normally well attended, but regular sessions are irregularly attended. The ACS spring meeting is always held shortly after the Pittsburgh Conference whereas the fall meeting is scheduled before the smaller FACSS meeting, making overlap in programming and speakers difficult to avoid. The Summer Symposium of the Division is a smaller and more intense meeting that has traditionally been well attended and well received. Financial feasibility: Both programming and attendance costs for national meetings are very high. Programming one national meeting costs the Division approximately $18,000 for direct support of speakers, $9000 for printing and mailing the separate newsletter, and $2000 for miscellaneous expenses. Direct programming costs now account for about 40% of the Divisional funds in contrast to a traditional level of 30%. Logistical details: Many chemists attend only a limited number of meetings per year. Personal expenses are increasing while travel budgets in both academe and industry are decreasing. In addition, ACS is constrained by the need to restrict national meeting sites to large cities with sufficient space. You are invited to express your opinions concerning Divisional programming by writing to either Charles L. Wilkins, Department of Chemistry, University of California-Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521-0403 (714-7873540) or Kenneth Busch, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0400 (404-894-4030).
NSF Announces New Programs for Young Science and Engineering Faculty The National Science Foundation has announced two new award programs to recognize and support the scholarly activities of some of the nation's most promising young scientists and engineers. The Presidential Faculty Fellows (PFF) program will provide up to 30 awardees with $100,000 annually for five years. The president of any U.S. college or university offering baccalaureate or graduate degrees in science or engineering may nominate up to two young faculty members who were appointed to their first faculty positions within the last four years. NSF will manage the program, administer the evaluation process, and fund the awards, with final judgment from the White House.
The new NSF Young Investigator Awards (NYI) program replaces the Presidential Young Investigator Awards (PYI) program, first funded in 1984. Up to 150 NYI awardees each may receive a total of $100,000 per year for five years, provided they raise $37,500 in matching funds or equipment from industry and other eligible sources. Like the PYI program, NYI awardees are guaranteed a minimum of $25,000 a year for five years. Department chairpersons may nominate faculty members who began teaching after J a n . 1, 1988. Nominees for the PFF and NYI programs may work in any discipline of science or engineering normally supported by NSF, and recipients may use their awards for both research and teaching purposes. The first awards in both programs will be made in fiscal year 1992. Further information can be obtained by contacting the appropriate program office at the National Science Foundation, 1800 G Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20550.
Test Kit Verification Program AOAC International (formerly the Association of Official Analytical Chemists) has begun a new test kit verification program to examine the reliability of performance claims made by manufacturers. Test kit developers will submit an application to AOAC International, providing test kit performance specifications, information on intended uses and users, and other supporting data. AOAC International will then send the kit to an independently selected laboratory to assess its performance. The results will go to a team of technical experts who will evaluate the data from both the test kit applicant and the independent laboratory, using AOAC International-approved procedures and criteria. The team will make recommendations to a test kit review board, which will either grant or deny verification of the kit method. AOAC International hopes to be able to complete the review process within 90 days of accepting an application. For more details, contact George Heavner, AOAC International, 2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 400, Arlington, VA 22201-3301 (703-522-3032; fax 703-522-5468).
For Your Information The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) document C3-A2, "Preparation and Testing of Reagent Water in the Clinical Laboratory, 2nd Edition," is available. The updated guideline provides information on various w a t e r purification and testing m e t h o d s as well as suggested applications for different types of water. Single copies of the guideline are $20 for member organizations and $30 for nonmembers. For overseas orders, add $5 for each copy. Discounts are available for multiple copy orders. For more information, contact NCCLS, 771 E. Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA 19085 (215-525-2435; fax 215-527-8399).
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 63, NO. 22, NOVEMBER 15, 1991 · 1075 A
