ACS NEWS iates program office to make national meetings more attractive to students. One of the most notable features of the program in Washington was a graduate school fair and reception. The The American Chemical Society na- first event of its kind to be held at a national meeting in Washington, D.C., tional meeting, the fair featured dislast month featured an unusually plays from 50 graduate departments strong program of activities designed from all over the U.S. and drew about specifically for undergraduate chemis- 120 interested chemistry students. In try students. Special activities at the addition to representatives from gradumeeting were centered on several areas ate programs and potential students of student interest identified in studies getting to know each other and exundertaken as far back as 1989 and in a changing information, tips on the ins report released at the national meeting. and outs of the graduate school admisThe activities addressed student needs sions process were given in a talk by by enhancing the interface between stu- task force member Morton Z. Hoffman dents and graduate schools, by making of Boston University. "Chemistry stuavailable more career information and dents are frequently surprised when employment assistance, by organizing a they discover the opportunities availtechnical symposium relevant to student able to them in graduate school," said interests, and by providing opportuni- Hoffman. "They have a lot of misconties for networking and information ceptions about what graduate school in sharing. "We feel that we covered each chemistry is like and are looking for of these areas pretty well, and the re- information just like they found here." sponse has been quite enthusiastic," said Career information was abundant. Ted Ichniowski of Illinois State Universi- The ACS Office of Professional Servicty, head of the task force in charge of the es made a comprehensive array of caspecial programing. reer services available to students, inIn June 1991, as part of ACS's gener- cluding, for the first time, free videoal focus toward better meeting student taped mock interviews designed for needs, Glenn A. Crosby of Washington those in search of their first jobs. StuState University, then head of the Soci- dents had interviews followed by oneety Committee on Education, appoint- on-one critiques. The 22 available slots ed a task force on undergraduate pro- filled very quickly. graming to work with the student affil"The interview was very valuable to
Student programs highlight meeting
Boston University's Morton Hoffman talks about graduate school admissions me," said Melani R. Wells, a student affiliate from East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C. "Now I know more about how to highlight my strengths, and it has helped me to get over some of the nervousness. Although being on videotape is pretty difficult, if s ultimately helpful." Students also noted how important this service and the résumé workshop were, especially before "real" interviews obtained through the National Employment Clearing House. Ichniowski presented a workshop, "Careers in Chemistry: What, Where, and How?" to a group of about 30 par-
New report suggests activities for students on target, more to be done A report to the ACS Board of Directors, presented at the national meeting, supports the idea that current initiatives directed toward meeting student needs are on target, but that more can be done to attract students to the society. In November 1991, a task force was appointed by ACS Board chairman, Joseph A. Dixon to examine and make recommendations to the board with regard to the interface between students and ACS. The members of this task force, directed by Alan C. Wilson, research director for Bausch & Lomb, included graduate students Karen L. Salazar of Emory University, and James T. Wright of the University of California, Los Angeles, both former student affiliates; and Ann M. Hoffelder, faculty adviser to the student affiliates chapter at Cumberland College, Williamsburg, Ky. 48
SEPTEMBER 7,1992 C&EN
Areas that need attention identified by the task force include assistance in choosing a graduate school, career information and assistance, and a sense of belonging to a professional society. One major recommendation was made to address each of these needs and specific implementation strategies were discussed. The first recommendation was that ACS should facilitate the interface of chemistry graduate schools and potential students to promote a more informed selection of graduate schools. In addition to recommending another marketing study, the task force recommended complementary workshops for undergraduate students on what to consider when choosing graduate school and the initiation of a graduate school clearinghouse to operate like the ACS National Employment Clearing House.
The second recommendation was that ACS help ensure that graduate and undergraduate students have access to comprehensive, up-to-date career information and receive training in job-related skills as part of their curriculum. This modification of the curriculum could be accomplished, it was suggested, by involving the ACS Committee on Professional Training. The third recommendation involved students' feelings of belonging to a professional society. The report suggests that ACS give students a greater role in determining the direction and content of the student affiliates program. Specific activities suggested include establishment of internships at ACS headquarters and ensuring that students are actively involved in the development and marketing of all ACS products and services designed for their use.
Alpha Olefins Answers
James C. Sharp, Supervisor Shipping and Packaging Department (L What is the most effective way to unload LPG type rail cars and trucks? What kind ofproblems am I likely to encounter?
Dennis M. Manos recruiting for William & Mary at the graduate school fair
ticipants. "I show students that it's important to design their studies so that they will have skills and course work that are attractive to employers. I try to get across that a bachelor's degree in chemistry is versatile and can be a springboard into a variety of nontraditional careers." One nontraditional career for chemists was explored at a specially designed version of the ACS Short Course on patents and patent law. Through the support of Monsanto, the program was offered free to students. About 60 students registered for the course taught by independent patent agent Arthur S. Cookfair. Technical information geared toward student interest was presented at a special symposium on environmental chemistry, which was supported by BASF. "We tried to investigate a wide range of environmental chemistry concerns," said organizer and task force member Reginald P. T. Tomkins of New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark. Presentations were made by experts in many areas, including hazardous waste treatment, air analysis, human exposure assessment, quality assurance, and environmental policy. One of the primary reasons that people attend meetings is to network. "Students need a place where they can congregate, meet each other, and find out what's going on," said M. Warfield Teague of Hendrix College, Conway, Ark. So, the Howard University student affiliates and National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists & Chemical Engineers chap-
ters staffed a hospitality center for students. The center had maps of the area, lists of suggested social activities and restaurants, meeting programs, tour guides, and other information useful to those visiting Washington. The program for undergraduates was rounded out by three "how-to" sessions for student affiliates chapters. The first was an interactive session for officers and advisers. The session featured presentations and a roundtable discussion of fundraising, recruiting, increasing visibility, and the leadership roles of officers and advisers. Since many chapters incorporate demonstrations for elementary schools into their outreach activities, a hands-on workshop on WonderScience activities was conducted by ACS Education Division staff members Ann Benbow and Jim Kessler. Successful student affiliates chapters shared the secrets of their success at a symposium hosted by the chapter at Ann Arundel Community College, Arnold, Md. "Our goal is to make important and relevant programing for undergraduates be seen not as an adjunct to regular national meeting activities, but as integral to them," said Terri L. Nally, manager of the ACS Office of College Chemistry. "We hope that robust programing for students at national meetings will be a consciousness-raising activity. You truly show that you recognize students are important by including them in all of your activities; we hope that this is the beginning of a new trend in professionalism." Linda Ross
A: Alpha Olefin products such as 1-butène, 1-hexene and 1-octene are normally shipped in LPG type containers. Railcarsare classified as DOT 105 or 112 and trucks are classified as MC 331. The best ways of handling the unloading process are to use pressure or a pressure/ pump combination to remove or unload the product. The proper way to unload is to start with all the valves in the system blocked. Completely open the liquid valve on the container and regulate from a remote valve away from the container. The liquid valve on the container needs to be in the full, open position. Induce pressure, suitable to the container and your process equipment, into the vapor line of the container. The pressure will force the product up through the eduction pipe and out the liquid line. You should regulate the flow at either the pump discharge valve or the receiving vessel entry valve. Most people that have problems try to regulate the flow of product off the liquid valve on the container. This may cause the internal check valve to close off, thus stopping the unloading process. As a safety device, this type container is equipped with an internal check valve so that if a discharge line ruptures, the contents automatically stop unloading. We recommend using nitrogen when pressuring off alpha olefins to maintain the integrity of the product. If you have any questions about alpha olefins, please contact our Houston office. Chevron Chevron Chemical Company Olefins & Derivatives Division
H*
P.O. Box 3766 Houston,Texas 77253 TEL (800) 231-3260 FAX (713) 754-2722 © 1992 Chevron Chemical Company
SEPTEMBER 7,1992 C&EN 49
