ACS NEWS
Official Reports Of Committees From ACS Meeting In New Orleans
T
he major actions taken by the ACS Publications Board and Council during the na- The committee recommended to the tional meeting in New Orleans board of directors approval of the 1997 were reported in C&EN, April 15, page 36.subscription prices for the society's jour-
Reports of Society Committees Budget & Finance The committee's primary business was review of the report of ACS budgetary performance for 1995 and consideration of the 1997 dues escalator. After studying the society's financial results for 1995, the committee voted to recommend to the council that the escalated dues increase of $3.00 not be adopted, resulting in no increase for 1997 to the current dues rate of $99. The committee received a presentation from staff on a new Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, and reviewed the financial impact statement for a petition coming before council for consideration. The meeting concluded after reports from the Society Committees on Education and on Publications. Nina I. McClelland, chairman Education At its executive session, the committee affirmed its interest in graduate-level education, awarding $2,000 from its discretionary fund to help support a June Convocation on Graduate Education to be held at the National Academy of Sciences. At the committee's recommendation, the ACS Board voted to cosponsor this convocation. The committee received reports on its November 1995 Conference on Two-Year College Transfer Issues and on the work of its task forces examining teacher professional development and implementation of the National Science Education Standards. The committee accepted an invitation from the Committee on Economic & Professional Affairs to cosponsor a symposium on "The Definition of Scholarship in Chemistry." Finally, the committee recommended to the board that it recognize the exemplary support of Towson State University for the high school magazine Chem Matters—a recommendation later approved by the board. Stanley H. Pine, chairman
leum Chemistry, to be sponsored in 1997 by a gift from the Rita H. Small Charitable Trust. An endowment will be established, with an initial gift from the Morris S. Smith Foundation, to support this award beyond 1997. New sponsors are sought for the ACS Award in Separations Science & Technology and the Henry H. Storch Award in Fuel Chemistry. Paul H. L. Walter, chairman
nals and magazines, a recommendation later approved by the board. The committee also discussed and accepted the final report of the Visiting Committee on ACS Publications, and it recommended board approval of the establishment of a Governing Board for Publishing as outlined by the Visiting Committee. Professional & Member Relations From staff reports the committee learned Following a request by the chairman of the that all ACS journals are digitized and board, the committee discussed the sociavailable on-line via STN and SciFinder; by ety's policy regarding immigration and its this summer the tables of contents of all the impact on the employment of U.S. citizens, journals will be available on the World the maintenance of a sufficient technical Wide Web; and finally, in honor of its cen- workforce, and the availability of ACS emtennial celebration, starting in the second ployment services to noncitizen ACS quarter of 1996, the journal of Physical Chem- members. After considerable discussion, istry will be made available to subscribers on the committee recommended that the the web. A special accomplishment of the board of directors establish a group with Publications Division, in cooperation with wide representation from the society's the Department of Career Services, is a new committee structure to investigate this isemployment service for ACS members that sue, and the board subsequently concurred offers on the World Wide Web classified with this recommendation. advertisements from each issue of C&EN Henry F. Whalen, chairman and, via a hypertext link, classified ads from more than 40 national newspapers Public Affairs & Public Relations and other on-line job banks. The next pub- The committee reviewed a proposed pollications to be monitored will be the Journal icy statement on "Principles of Good of Chemical Information & Computer Sciences Laboratory Practice" and recommended and Inorganic Chemistry. that the board of directors adopt the docJoseph A. Dixon, chairman ument as a policy statement of the society for distribution to government officials and appropriate organizations. The committee received reports on activities of the ad hoc Board Committee on Board Committee Reports Public Image, which developed a preliminary mission statement and objectives as Grants & Awards The committee approved 114 ACS-PRF a first step in its planning process, and grants-in-aid totaling $3,372,705 from 335 from the ad hoc Committee on the Interproposals. Because of improving PRF in- national Chemistry Celebration (IChC). A come projections, the committee recom- recommendation that the board of direcmended, and the board subsequently ap- tors approve, in principle, the IChC straproved, an increase in the 1996 PRF grant tegic plan as submitted was approved authorization from $12.0 million to $12.2 with the request that this plan be the million. A competition was authorized for guidance document for preparation of up to 14 1997-2002 Herman Frasch Foun- the related request for funding for this acdation grants for research in agricultural tivity for the years 1997-2000. chemistry. The committee also received reports from Another committee action that was lat- staff of the Public Outreach Office and of er approved by the board was the recom- Government Relations & Science Policy, inmendation that the ACS Award in Petro- cluding actions taken by Public Outreach in leum Chemistry become the George A. response to an external evaluation of outOlah Award in Hydrocarbon or Petro- reach programs; and events inconnection MAY 27,1996 C&EN 37
ACS NEWS with the "Science & Technology Congressional Visits Day," a joint effort between the S&T Work Group (chaired by the ACS Government Relations Director) and the Coalition for Technology Partnership (chaired by IBM). The event brought more than 125 people representing over 50 organizations to Washington, D.C., for one day to visit more than 160 congressional offices. Judith C. Giordan, chairman
Other Committees Chemical Abstracts Service (joint with council) The committee met both in executive session and in open session jointly with the Division of Chemical Information. Reports from the CAS Governing Board and CAS Director Robert Massie were presented. Massie, noting that 1995 was a successful year for CAS, stated that CAS met or exceeded all financial and performance targets set by the CAS Governing Board. It was reported that a new three-year strategic plan for CAS was approved by the governing board in February. The committee also reviewed a detailed presentation on new products and marketing activities, including an in-depth demonstration of Chemical Abstracts on CD-ROM. In addition, the committee discussed the findings from a questionnaire used to determine the effectiveness of a presentation entitled "Teaching Chemical Information In An Academic Curriculum," developed by the committee's focus group on education and the education committee of the Division of Chemical Information and presented in the fall of 1995 to 39 chemistry department chairmen from the Rocky Mountain area. Responses indicated the presentation was of real value and CAS has agreed to sponsor a second presentation later this year. James G. Bennett, chairman Chemical Safety (joint with council) The committee discussed its projects in the areas of college, high school, and prehigh school safety, including the continued safety review of WonderScience and the distribution of "Safety in the Elementary (K-6) Science Classroom." Approximately 65,000 copies of "Read the Label," a pamphlet for household users of consumer chemicals, have been distributed, primarily in connection with 1995 National Chemistry Week activities. The committee will produce a booklet recommending minimum safety guidelines for chemical demonstrations, to be sent to local section chairmen for distribution during National Chemistry Week in 1996. W. H. (Jack) Breazeale, chairman 38
MAY 27,1996 C&EN
Chemistry & Public Affairs (joint with council) The committee received a report on the current ACS Congressional Fellowship Program and, after some discussion, proposed an extension of the program from one to two fellows as part of the society's 1997 budget. The final report from the Task Force on Intellectual Property Policies, established jointly with the Committee on Patents & Related Matters, identified "Statutory, Education, and Information Needs," which would optimize the g o v e r n m e n t / i n d u s t r y / u n i v e r s i t y elements of alliances to ensure a sustainable competitive advantage for the chemical enterprise. The committee concurred with and agreed to work with the Committee on Patents & Related Matters to develop a plan for implementation of the task force's recommendations. A slate of nominees for the National Medal of Science was approved. Supporting letters will be sought and the slate of nominees will be submitted by the May 1996 deadline. The committee will also be submitting nominees for the National Science Board's Vannevar Bush Award later this year. In addition, the committee received an update on the deliberations from a task force, joint with the Council for Chemical Research and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, on funding for the Department of Energy (DOE). A statement on future DOE funding was presented at a congressional hearing in February. Future task force activity will concentrate on issuing and advocating joint statements on basic energy sciences and fossil fuel research at DOE. Paul S. Anderson, chairman Chemists with Disabilities The content of a "sourcebook," scheduled for completion by fall of 1996, was confirmed by the committee. This book will profile working chemists who happen to have disabilities, and it will show the various modifications that have been made to their work environment with respect to their disabilities. In addition, it will contain a career resource section specifically for chemists with disabilities. The committee also reviewed and prepared comments for the National Science Foundation regarding its report on "Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering," and agreed to participate in, and cosponsor with the Division of Professional Relations, a symposium regarding modified work environments and the Americans with Disabilities Act, to be held during the spring 1997 national meeting in San Francisco. H. David Wohlers, chairman
Copyrights (joint with council) Pursuing its effort to educate chemists about copyright issues, the committee organized two poster sessions, one with the Division of Chemical Education and one at SciMix, focusing on a variety of topics related to copyrights. It is planning an educational video on copyright and has started to propose guidelines for a teaching module on copyright. In addition, the committee's copyright information pamphlet is currently under revision. A symposium, joint with the Division of Chemical Information, on "Copyright Implications of Electronic Information for Chemists as Authors and Users" is planned for the ACS national meeting in Orlando in August. The committee also drafted a brief statement on the use of ACS material for academic library electronic reserve systems and will forward this statement to the Society Committee on Publications for review. S. Scott Zimmerman, chairman Corporation Associates The committee received reports from the new staff director of the Office of Industry Relations about the status and future of that office, as well as from its subcommittees on awards, on communications, on education, on finance and grants, and on programs. The committee recognized the first presentation at the New Orleans meeting of the ACS Award for Team Innovation, sponsored by Corporation Associates, to five team members from Corning Inc. The committee established a pilot program to encourage the organization of industrially oriented symposia by offering grants up to $2,000 to divisions and other society units, with a total of $10,000 for fall 1996 and with $20,000 for each of the two national meetings in 1997. In other actions, the committee agreed to provide grants to support the following: reprinting of the third edition of 'Tour Chemical World"; printing of 'Tlanning for a Career in Industry: Suggestions for Undergraduate Majors in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Related Disciplines," produced by the Committee on Professional Training; a proposal from the Intersociety Polymer Education Council to support industrial participation in a science education workshop for teachers; and the printing and distribution of a book on 'The Role of Chemistry in the Pharmaceutical Industry." Barbara J. Peterson, chairman Environmental Improvement (joint with council) At the request of the New Haven Section, the committee agreed to evaluate the validity of global climate models that have led to predictions that sea levels will rise in the future. This prediction was reported in C&EN, Nov. 27,1995. It also discussed the impact of endocrine disrupters, highlight-
ed recently in a book, "Our Stolen Future"; it decided to organize a symposium, through ACS divisions, for the ACS national meeting in Orlando in August on the scientific findings in this area. In response to a briefing from a representative from the Environmental Protection Agency on its activities within the Office of Water to improve method quality indicators, the committee agreed to develop formal comments to EPA on this activity. The committee also continued to develop a strategic plan, and each subcommittee was asked to conceive some activities related to the general objectives agreed to earlier. Allan M. Ford, chairman
Professional Advancement of Black Chemists & Chemical Engineers; and, with the Committee on Public Relations, to publicize minority achievements. An orientation workshop and a social hour for minority members attending the national meeting was held in New Orleans to help minorities network at the meeting and introduce them to the society's governance structure. Willie E. May, chairman
International Activities (joint with council) The committee received reports from its subcommittees and task groups on Project Bookshare, on Scientific Freedom & Human Rights, on International Chemical Education, on Analytical Instrumentation, on Southern Africa, on CHEMRAWN and International Liaisons, on Central and Eastern Europe, on International Chemical Sciences Chapters, and on International Initiatives. New committee projects include the International Endowment, the Worldreach Fund, an exchange lectureship with the Italian Chemical Society, and Project Instrumentshare. The committee approved the annual report from the Saudi Arabian International Chemical Sciences Chapter and discussed proposals for chapters from society members in other countries. David L. Venezky, chairman
Patents & Related Matters (joint with council) The committee chose the ACS nominees for the 1996 National Inventors Hall of Fame and the Donald J. Quigg Excellence in Education Award. It reviewed a revision of its pamphlet "What Every Chemist Should Know About Patents," scheduled for publication later this year. The committee also agreed to appoint a task force to address issues related to the improvement of services provided by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), opposed a bill in the House of Representatives that would limit the issuance of patents on all medical procedures, and decided to reconsider its earlier decision to support the publication of U.S. patent applications at 18- or 24months. The committee continues to follow the progress of intellectual property legislation regarding the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, PTO as a government corporation, user fees, harmonization, patent terms, and patent application publication. Bob A. Howell, chairman
Minority Affairs (joint with council) The committee continues to develop and carry out programs and activities to implement the recommendations from the June 1994 ACS Board Retreat on Minority Affairs. Projects include the development of mechanisms to bring together at ACS meetings graduate school recruiters and minority students, the establishment of linkages among students in a variety of programs, and mentor training and involvement. An on-line clearinghouse for minority-related information has been established, and it is now accessible via the ACS home page on the World Wide Web. Plans call for diversity training for ACS staff and selected governance leaders. Solicitations for the 1996-97 Minority Scholars Program, administered by the committee, were initiated during National Chemistry Week in late 1995; more than 1,600 applications have been received to date. In addition, the committee is working to stimulate nomination of minority chemical scientists for ACS awards; to foster close working relationships with several minority advocacy organizations, such as the National Organization for the
Professional Training (joint with council) The committee reviewed five-year reports from 73 ACS-approved programs and five applications for approval of new options; evaluated reports from five chemistry programs applying for ACS approval; and approved two documents for publication: a brochure to provide chemistry undergraduates and faculty advisers with guidance on planning for a career in industry and the next edition of its newsletter. In addition, the committee finalized a questionnaire to be used in a survey of graduate education, both master's and doctoral degree programs. A preliminary report of the results will be presented in Orlando. In other actions, the committee continued discussion of issues that may be addressed in the next edition of 'Undergraduate Professional Education in Chemistry: Guidelines and Evaluation Procedures," including the role of biochemistry in the core curriculum, the use of adjunct and temporary faculty to teach core courses, and the impact and success of the ACS-approved options. The committee met with staff from Chemical Abstracts Service to exchange information on how new prod-
ucts under consideration might best serve the needs of faculty members for instructional and research purposes. Sally Chapman, chairman Committee on Science The committee sponsored a number of activities during the meeting in New Orleans, including a symposium on "Ethics and Professionalism in Chemistry," featuring Nobel Laureate Roald Hoffmann, and a Presidential Event on R&D Cooperation and Funding vs. Global Leadership, featuring Congressmen George Brown and Robert Walker, Mark Wrighton of Washington University, Joseph Miller of DuPont, Marye Ann Fox of the University of Texas, Mary Good of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and ACS President Ronald Breslow. In conjunction with Sci-Mix, the committee sponsored a tutorial session; Paul Bartlett of the University of California, Berkeley, gave an overview of combinatorial chemistry and its rapidly expanding applications. In addition, with cosponsorship by the Analytical Chemistry Division, the committee presented a pedagogical symposium entitled "Environmental Issues in the Next Millenium." This symposium featured Joseph Breen of the Environmental Protection Agency and covered topics from automobile exhaust to nuclear waste site remediation. Eli M. Pearce, chairman Younger Chemists (joint with council) The committee continues to address the needs of younger chemists in the society through panel discussions held during national meetings and a newsletter that is published twice yearly. In addition, the newsletter is now accessible via the committee's home page on the World Wide Web. By the fall meeting, the committee will embark on its first round of programming at regional meetings. Later this year, the committee will release a videotape discussing the skills young chemists will need to develop and realize success in the 21st century. As always, the committee encourages participation of younger chemists in local section activities and is committed to providing "any support that it can." J. Martin Scholtz, chairman
Council Committee Reports Committees The committee (ConC) hosted an interactive session for committee chairmen and ACS officers for an exchange of ideas of mutual interest. The committee found this program useful and will host another interactive session in Orlando. In cooperaMAY 27,1996 C&EN 39
ACS NEWS tion with the Society Committee on Publications, ConC is preparing a petition to amend several ACS bylaws, thus effecting the changes recommended by the Visiting Committee on ACS Publications in connection with the proposed establishment of a Governing Board for Publishing. The petition will be presented to the council for consideration in Orlando. The committee is considering ways to increase student involvement in governance, is seeking a mechanism to increase minority participation in society activities, and has formed a task force to stimulate greater involvement by industrial members. In addition, the five-year sunset reviews for seven committees have been initiated. In closed meetings, the committee developed recommendations for use by the president-elect and chairman of the board in making appointments of certain committee chairmen for 1997. Fulfilling its mandated responsibility to review and evaluate the operations and personnel of the council-related committees, the committee is also assessing its own procedures and is taking a critical look at its own operation. Valerie J. Kuck, chairman Nominations & Elections In addition to conducting the council election to select two candidates for presidentelect for 1997, the committee developed slates of potential candidates for election to the Council Policy Committee and Committee on Committees for 1997-99. The names of the candidates along with brief biographical information will be printed in the council agenda for the Orlando meeting, and the election will be conducted during the council meeting in August. The committee is also studying ways to increase member participation in elections conducted by mail ballot; it will start by enhancing the clarity and appearance of election materials. Similarly, the committee has undertaken a review of the entire election process, with an aim toward not only improving the mechanisms and inclusivity but also toward continuing its focus on increasing the involvement of members underrepresented in the society's governance. Suggested names are being sought from other committees as well as from the entire council and the membership at large in order to create a pool of potential candidates. Other actions included a review of Bylaw V, '"Manner of Election,,, and a preliminary assessment of membership trends in the society's six electoral regions. Regarding the former, the committee concluded that no changes were needed; with respect to the latter, a study is being initiated to assess the data and determine whether any redistricting will be required. George E. Heinze, chairman 40 MAY 27,1996 C&EN
Standing Committees Constitution & Bylaws Acting for the council, the committee approved amendments and issued new certified bylaws to the Corning, Delaware, Illinois-Iowa, and Savannah River Sections and the Divisions of History of Chemistry, of Nuclear Chemistry & Technology, and of Small Chemical Businesses, and the Rubber Division. The committee currently has under review amendments to the bylaws of 16 local sections and divisions. Following council's action at the fall 1995 meeting, the committee issued new certified bylaws to the following: (a) Inland Northwest Section (name changed from Inland Empire); (b) Cellulose, Paper and Textile Division (change in objects); and (c) Division of Chemical Toxicology (full divisional status approved). In addition, the committee reviewed the petition for consideration, "Petition to Change the Titles of Some Officers," which will be submitted to council for action at the national meeting in Orlando in August; and it reviewed the provisions for "removal of an officer in local sections and divisions," which will be submitted in draft form to the Committees on Local Section Activities and on Divisional Activities for review and comment. It will also submit a draft of the "Guidelines for Amending Bylaws for International Chemical Sciences Chapters" to the Committee on International Activities for review and comment. Charles F. Rowell, chairman Divisional Activities The committee presented awards for the 1995 division membership roundup campaign. The winners by size category were as follows: Large—Division of Polymeric Materials: Science & Engineering; runnerup—Division of Chemical Education; Intermediate—Rubber Division; runnerup—Division of Agricultural & Food Chemistry; Small—Division of Fluorine Chemistry; runners-up—Divisions of Chemical Technicians and of Fuel Chemistry. The committee requested that a Strategic Planning Workshop for Divisions be planned and held in 1997. The intent of this workshop is to train divisional representatives to aid their own divisions in the strategic planning process. An ad hoc task force was created to recommend ways in which the committee can support the divisions in membership recruitment and retention. Because divisions have expressed the need for society support of their World Wide Web activities, the committee will poll the divisions to determine their needs in order to recommend appropriate response from the society. Robert A. Pett, chairman
Economic & Professional Affairs The committee seeks to address the new work environment in the U.S. by exploring such topics as portable health insurance; the impact of relentless downsizing and the rise in part-time and temporary employment on ACS members; and the emergence of skills security, rather than job security, as the determinant of employability. The committee will direct the new Local Section Career Program, which seeks to deliver career assistance and employer contact at the local level. In view of the initial unemployment rates of 16% and higher for newly graduating chemists at all degree levels, the committee will pay more attention to providing career services to this population; it has invited the collaboration of several other committees in developing a training vehicle on professional conduct for chemistry students. The committee was pleased to note that the new electronic system, NECHworks, streamlined the search procedures for both candidates and employers at the National Employment Clearing House; that the online Job Bank, a joint venture of the Publications Division and the Department of Career Services, now holds job ads from C&EN and 45 national newspapers, links to corporate home pages, and other on-line career pages; and that the Professional Data Bank has 4,200 candidates seeking positions or job changes, up from approximately 500 only two and a half years ago. In addition, the committee has asked the president of the society to approach the Chemical Manufacturers Association, the Chemical Specialty Manufacturers Association, and similar organizations, urging them to apply a program of responsible care for their employees, using the ACS Professional Employment Guidelines as a model. James D. Burke, chairman Local Section Activities Noting that all 187 local sections submitted 1994 annual reports, the committee will soon begin its review of 1995 reports. Those sections selected for outstanding performance awards will be asked to present posters at the Local Section Officers & Tour Speakers Reception at the Orlando national meeting. The Speaker Service has initiated a recruitment effort aimed at increasing the participation and diversity of speakers. LSAC is reviewing the content and mechanisms for dissemination of the "Successful Program Ideas" document, with the goal of incorporating more in-depth information in the document, increasing dissemination, and placing an increased emphasis on programs that target minority, women, and retired chemists. C. Gordon McCarty, chairman
Meetings & Expositions Attendance at the meeting in New Orleans, including 11,200 registrants, was 12,800. In 1997, the committee will conduct an extensive membership survey to assess interest in and attendance at meetings at all levels—national, divisional, and regional. The committee voted to extend the Sunday through Thursday scheduling for national meeting programming through 1999. However, the one exception to that schedule will be the fall 1997 national meeting in Las Vegas, for which the committee agreed to begin the technical programming on Monday morning. This decision arose from that city's having only a limited number of hotel rooms available for Saturday night, and from there being no airline discounts for Saturday travel. After consultation with the divisions, a decision will be made on whether the meeting will end on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. At the fall 1995 meeting in Chicago, 2,821 or 27% of the attendees were students at the graduate and undergraduate level. The committee is encouraged that these young people are interested in the activities of the society; however, it is concerned that, in part because of the lower student fees, the average revenue per registrant dropped from 70% to 64% of the member advance registration fee, resulting in a negative impact on the budget. Thus, the committee recommended to the board of directors that, beginning in 1997, the registration fee for less man postdoctoral students be raised to $25, the first increase in 10 years; the council later endorsed this recommendation for forwarding to the board of directors. Based on the availability of additional meeting space in the convention center, making it possible to accommodate the entire technical program there, the committee requested and council approved recommending to the board of directors that the 222nd national meeting in Chicago be rescheduled for Aug. 25-30, 2001, one week later than originally planned. Janan M. Hayes, chairman Membership Affairs The committee reports that 1996 renewal rates are significantly ahead of last year's figures and total membership at year-end 1995 reached an all-time high of 151,523. The committee received a final report on a member retention study, which revealed some correlation with the findings from the larger Member Needs study commissioned in 1989 and confirmed that programs that recruit members early in their careers are the most beneficial for sustaining membership in the society. Consistent with this conclusion, chairmen of chemistry departments will be offered membership kits for presentation to their graduating seniors in order to give a personal touch to recruitment.
The Task Force on Member Retention, jointly with the Committees on Divisional Activities, on Younger Chemists, and on Local Section Activities, which administers the new minigrant program to improve retention, has approved one grant—to the Cincinnati Section—and will continue to accept and review proposals throughout the year. As part of an effort to better serve the industrial member community, the committee will collaborate with the Office of Industry Relations to provide a one-year complimentary membership to chief executive officers who are currently not members of ACS. The committee was asked by ACS President Ronald Breslow to evaluate two proposals for cooperative membership: one with foreign chemical societies and the other with domestic scientific societies. A task force consisting of members from the Committees on Publications, on International Activities, on Meetings & Expositions, and on Divisional Activities was formed to address this issue, and it is anticipated that preliminary recommendations will be presented to the committee in Orlando. George Palladino, chairman
Other Committees Project SEED The committee approved educational awards totaling $204,200 for 268 students at 84 institutions for the Summer I program and $115,850 for 81 students at 42 institutions for the Summer II program. Local sources will provide an additional $194,200 in matching funds. Nearly 50 applications for the College Scholarships were reviewed, and six scholars were selected. The $5,000 scholarships, sponsored by Bayer Corp., Eli Lilly & Co., and Mettler-Toledo Inc., are one-year, nonrenewable awards to help SEED alumni in their transition from high school to college. The committee received a presentation on a new partnership between the Delaware Project SEED program and the Delaware School-to-Work office, which is handling the administrative duties of the SEED program and using SEED as a model to create internships in other disciplines. The committee also received an interim report on the results of an evaluation of Project SEED, which is being conducted by an external group. Early responses to a survey sent to SEED alumni suggest that Project SEED has had a positive impact on participants' lives. The evaluation will conclude in July and a report will be given to the committee and the council in August. Herbert B. Silber, chairman
Technician Activities The Chemical Technology Program Approval Service (CTPAS) has now approved five chemical technology programs, and it is revising its mission and guidelines to include program development and program nurturing. More than 100 applications for the Minority Scholars Program have been received from chemical technology students. The committee will be helping to identify industrial mentors for the chosen students. Entrance skill levels for chemical process operators continue to rise. Many are entering the job market with skills equivalent to those of a two-year chemical technology graduate. This trend is likely to accelerate. The committee will be working with groups within and outside the society to determine how best to serve these technical workers. The final stage of the Voluntary Industry Standards project began with a well-attended two-day symposium concerning the results of the study. The committee believes that this project is a model for similar datagathering activities that should be conducted at the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. levels. Robert J. Maleski, chairman Women Chemists To pursue the committee's mission of creating a stronger network for women within the society, the committee approved implementation of the following projects: development of a "Local Women Chemists Committee" kit for local sections to use as a template for establishing local activities to strengthen communication between the national and local groups; and continued expansion of the committee's travel awards program by enhancing marketing efforts and soliciting additional funding. For seven years, the committee has received generous funding from Eli Lilly & Co. for the travel program, and this year Hoechst Celanese and the Division of Industrial & Engineering Chemistry are also contributors. The committee is working with the Department of Career Services to develop a one-day short course to be offered to mid-career women scientists at the spring 1997 national meeting; with the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) to explore the possibility of bringing the course offerings of ACS Career Services together with the AWIS mentoring program to offer a complete mentoring portfolio to local sections and local chapters of both organizations; and through the ACS awards program to influence the pools of quality candidates available and to ensure appropriate representation of women on canvassing and award committees. The committee is moving aggressively toward achieving its mission statement and invites all interested ACS members to join in support of the committee's goals. Chris Bodurow Hendricks, chairman MAY 27,1996 C&EN
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