News briefs

Engineering dept. may work with high school robotics team

A PSU graduate student is in talks to collaborate with Portland State’s engineering department for help with Lincoln High School’s robotics team.

Bart Millar, a PSU graduate student in history, is the robotics coach at the high school, managing both out-of and underwater robotics teams, preparing them for regional competitions.

Millar said the challenges the teams have been facing at recent competitions have been difficult, and as a result the teams to improve by looking for support from the community.

“We need advisors who can lend technical help, and help us in marketing our team for sponsors,” Millar said.

Millar said the team is not looking for hands-on help, since the competitions are designed for high schoolers, but for people who can direct them and manage the project.

“We have approached the engineering department at PSU for collaboration,” Millar said. “If the talks are successful, PSU [graduate] students will mentor the team on both technical and marketing skills.”

Mentors would only guide the students, rather than working on coding or design aspects, Millar said.

“The response has been very good, and a team of graduate students and faculty are coming to Lincoln high school for talks this Friday.”

Millar is looking for parent volunteers to work weekends and evenings during the robotics season (Jan. 5 through Feb. 20). Interested parties can contact Millar at [email protected].

–Rishi A. Reddy

Expert on subject to discuss impact of globalization Friday

University of Washington professor Matthew Sparke will give a lecture on the effects of globalization Friday, Nov. 16.

The lecture, entitled “Imaginative Geographies of Global Health'” will include a workshop and reading on cultural and political resistance to globalization. Globalization is the increased development of integrated economies through the use of foreign labor markets and free enterprise.

The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in room 407 of Neuberger Hall. The lecture will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in room 328 of Smith Memorial Student Union.

Sparke, a professor of geography and international studies, has authored several academic articles and books on a variety of topics concerning globalization, including how its processes are recreating nation-states, how its linked with American dominance and its economic impact on border regions.

“Matthew is one of the top people in the field,” said Lee Medovoi, assistant professor of English. “Anybody interested in international relations and politics should come.”

Medovoi, director of the Portland Center for Public Humanities, is hosting the lecture and workshop.

“We try to generate more intellectual thought on campus,” Medovoi said.

–Nathan Hellman

Student government open house tonight

Student government leaders are looking for feedback, and will answer students’ questions, about how the Associated Students of Portland State University (ASPSU) operates, at an open house tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event will take place in the ASPSU office, located in room 117 of Smith Memorial Student Union. The event is part of an effort to show students the work ASPSU is currently pursuing, such as a program to make textbooks more affordable.

“One of ASPSU’s major goals for the year is to be accountable to students,” wrote Leah Gibson, the ASPSU communication director, in a press release about the event.

Student Body President Rudy Soto, Vice President Brad Vehafric and Student Fee Committee Chair Amanda Newberg will speak at the event. The Student Fee Committee will allocate about $12 million in student fees this year to more than 100 student organizations, including The Vanguard and athletics.

–David Holley