[ESSP] Friday speakers series

[Fred Wirth]

As I have mentioned to several of you, I would like to restart the ESSP 
interest group meetings next semester, bringing in an interesting mix of 
advocates, designers, technologists and scientists to present topics of 
interest. Funding for lunch has been promised by the dean of faculty 
office. I am nominally looking towards every other Friday (with a phase 
shift due to spring break). This breaks down to February 2 and 10, March 10 
and 31, and April 14 and 28. These dates are certainly not fixed and we 
could imagine more speakers if it seems proper and "odd" weeks if 
scheduling becomes a problem. We would anticipate an hour meeting with a 45 
minute presentation.

Students!  is there any interest in starting up the "local food" lunch 
again, or should I arrange for pizza, as was done of old? Contact me as 
soon as possible if interested in a non-pizza alternative.

Faculty and students!  contact me ASAP with speaker ideas. I have several 
people already contacted. We would like a mix of scientists who are willing 
to talk about their work to a semi-tyro audience, and folks into a more 
holistic view incorporating social, spiritual, design and economic factors. 
The plan would be for you to do an initial contact with the speaker to see 
if they have the interest and space for this and then pass the info on to 
me for final scheduling. I will begin putting the schedule together on Jan 
9, so replies after this date may find the schedule full.

I very much enjoyed the talks and meetings put together by Vanessa, I hope 
we can be as successful again in creating a forum for student and faculty 
interests.

Fred Wirth