Astronomers Planning for New Telescope
The world’s largest submillimeter radio telescope is being built on a plain in the Chilean Andes, and Canada is one of 14 nations participating in the project. U of C astronomers, headed by Russ Taylor, have been leading the charge for Canadian participation in the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), and they have been provided with $7.9 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation for their projects and guaranteed access to ALMA. Taylor says, “ALMA will allow us to observe the very earliest phases of the universe, including the development of the first stars and galaxies.”

Learn more...

Calgary History May Be Virtually Preserved
Built in 1909, St. Mary’s School may now be gone from the Calgary landscape, but people will still be able to tour it online thanks to U of C researchers armed with high-tech imaging tools who were able to virtually preserve the school as part of the 3D Web Research Network. The group is exploring complex issues and trying to solve problems associated with delivering 3D content over the Internet.

The initiative is also part of the Virtual Cities project—one that intends to virtually recreate and preserve more of Calgary’s historic buildings and landscapes.

U of C Staff Sing Fa La La La La, La La La La
Led by “music man” Malcolm Edwards, U of C staffers spread some holiday cheer recently as they headed into the community to entertain young and old with a repertoire of Christmas carols. With visits to Renoir Retirement Residence, Colonel Belcher Veterans' Care Centre, and University Elementary School, the group wanted to do their part to spread good will. There are hopes to make the outings a new tradition and perhaps plan for more visits next year.

Would you like to be a Senator?
Members of the public are invited to apply for senate membership; senate volunteers represent business, educational, cultural, and geographical communities. A minimum of 12 hours per month is required for attendance at senate meetings and associated project and committee work. Deadline for applications is January 9. Contact the senate office for an application package: phone 220-6581, email senate@ucalgary.ca, or go to http://www.fp.ucalgary.ca/senate/

For more University of Calgary news, go to http://www.ucalgary.ca/news to find the latest version of the weekly OnCampus newspaper.

COP Offers Alumni Ski Hill Discounts
Canada Olympic Park has come on board with the Alumni Association to offer 25 percent off a full-day lift pass to alumni Monday through Thursdays. The weekday alumni rate of $21 (compared to $28 for the general public) is available to alumni by showing their U of C alumni card at the lift ticket counter. Three other programs (TLC Skiing and Snowboarding, Ladies Only TLC and Ski Performance Clinics) are available to alumni at a 15 percent discount (excluding holidays). The Alumni Association and COP are also planning to host a Saturday Alumni Brunch 'n Ski Day in 2004. If you're interested, email semchuk@ucalgary.ca.

Campus Rec Holds Free Alumni Week
Work off those extra holiday goodies by attending the first-ever free alumni week, to be held January 5 to 9. Campus Recreation has partnered with the Alumni Association to offer all alumni an entire week of free workouts. Choose from a swim in the Olympic-sized pool, a skate in the world-famous Oval, a run on the six-lane indoor track, a workout in the Fitness and Lifestyle Centre, a game of racquetball, or a climb on the indoor climbing wall.

To take advantage of the free facility use, alumni are asked to show their alumni ID cards (available at the Campus ID Card Office) at the equipment room, located in Kinesiology A-104 during the free week. For more details, call 220-7241.

Awards Continue for Humanitarian Alumnus
Alumnus Ben Perrin, who is the founder and executive director of The Future Group continues to receive awards for his charitable efforts. In November, the YMCA recognized him with their International Individual Peace Medal. Perrin was also the inaugural recipient of the Alumni Association’s Graduate Of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award this past fall.

New Award Means More Help for Students
To mark the milestone of the 100,000th graduate in 2003, the Alumni Association established the Commemorative 100,000 Student Award, and they have received a generous donation commitment of $30,000. Better yet, the anonymous alumni donor has also offered to match any gift made to this award through the Annual Giving call centre until December 31, 2003. Their goal is to reach $100,000.

Take Me Out to the Ballet
The Starchevski School of Ballet will perform The Toy Castle at the University Theatre on Sunday, December 21. Performances are at 11 am and 4 pm. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under. For information and tickets, call 288-5855.

Orientation for New Computer Certificates Through Continuing Education
Two new programs are now available through the Faculty of Continuing Education’s CompUofC—a new fast track Web designer certificate and a software developer certificate for youth. An orientation evening for anyone interested in the new fast-track version of the popular Web designer certificate will be held Tuesday, January 6. For info, call 220-7960.

Anyone interested in the youth software developer certificate should contact 220-4715 or e-mail fungk@ucalgary.ca

Corporate Finance Luncheon
The MBA Alumni Networking Luncheon will begin again in the new year on Friday, January 9 from 11:30 to 1:30 at the Delta Bow Valley in Calgary. The first luncheon of 2004 will welcome MBA alumnus Walter Wakula as the guest speaker. He will be discussing project financing from a corporate perspective. The cost of the luncheon is $25. Register by Monday, January 5 by e-mailing rsvp@haskayne.ucalgary.ca

Hockey Night in Toronto
Alumni in Toronto and area are invited to join the Haskayne School of Business Alumni Network on Tuesday, January 13 to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Calgary Flames face off. The game will be watched at the Sports Centre Cafe, 49 St Clair W, 928-9525 at 7:30 pm. E-mail rsvp@haskayne.ucalgary.ca by Friday, January 9 if you plan to attend.

Best of Banff Festival of Mountain Films
The Best of Banff Festival of Mountain Films will be held on campus in the Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall this year from January 14–17. There is a 7:30 pm start each evening, with a 2 pm showing on Saturday, January 17. Tickets range from $13 to $17 and are available through the Campus Ticket Centre. Info: 283-8311.

EMBA Alumni in Calgary Gather at Murrieta's
Executive MBA alumni are invited to meet at Murrieta's West Coast Bar & Grill, 200-808 1 St SW, on Wednesday, January 28 from 5 to 7 pm. For more information or to RSVP, e-mail craig@craigelias.com.

Haskayne Alumni Pub Night
Alumni are invited to the James Joyce Irish Pub (114 - 8 Ave. SW) on Wednesday, January 28 from 5–7pm for an evening of cheer.

For more events, go to http://www.ucalgary.ca/events/