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One of the nation's leading criminologists and most-cited experts on the death penalty, Michael Radelet, has joined the sociology department at the University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ. Radelet comes to CU-Â鶹ӰԺ from the University of Florida, where he taught for more than 20 years and served as chair of the sociology department for the last five years. He has researched and published extensively on how the death penalty is applied in the United States.

The University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ's Graduate School will present a symposium titled "Thinking Alternatives: Research and Cognitive Disabilities" at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 in the University Memorial Center's Glenn Miller Ballroom.

The University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ was one of 11 organizations and companies to receive a Green Power Leadership award given by the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Center for Resource Solutions. CU-Â鶹ӰԺ received the award in July for its role in building demand for green power, which is electricity generated by renewable energy sources including solar, wind, water, geothermal, biomass and biogas.

Todd Gleeson, associate vice chancellor for faculty affairs at the University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ, has been named interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, according to Provost Phil DiStefano. Gleeson will assume the position on Sept. 17, pending approval by the Board of Regents. He will replace Peter Spear, who accepted the position of provost at the University of Wisconsin, Madison last month. "Todd Gleeson is an experienced administrator on the Â鶹ӰԺ campus.

"The place to go when you need to know" is the slogan for Ralphie's Resource Center, a new comprehensive student information center located in Norlin Library E156 at the University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ. According to manager Robyn Sandekian, the center is a comprehensive, one-stop facility with staff on hand to answer questions from students, parents and the public about campus policies, procedures and more.

Renovations began over the summer to Farrand Hall's dining center that will lead CU-Â鶹ӰԺ into the forefront of campus dining, not only in service but also in environmental conservation. The project, which is projected to cost $7 million and scheduled for completion in late spring, represents a revolutionary shift in CU-Â鶹ӰԺ's traditional view of campus dining. One of the goals of the project is to provide students an attractive option for staying on campus.

Returning University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ students will notice that major progress was made over the summer on a 51,000-square-foot addition to the University Memorial Center. "When students arrive back on campus they will notice that the UMC looks different both inside and out," said Kristi Graham, assistant to the UMC director and a member of the UMC Expansion and Renovation Project Team. "The new wing is completely defined by structural steel and exterior walls and we're just a few months away from opening it."

Students, faculty and football fans visiting the Â鶹ӰԺ campus this fall are likely to notice the College of Engineering's new Discovery Learning Center taking shape at the east entrance to campus. The three-story building at the corner of Regent Drive and Colorado Avenue will provide a 45,000-square-foot addition to the engineering center for inquiry-based learning and research. Construction of the $15.3 million addition began in summer 2000 and will continue into the 2001 academic year.

A high-altitude balloon will be launched from Byers, Colo., on Saturday, Aug. 25, carrying a payload of miniature student-built satellites to an altitude of roughly 100,000 feet before bursting and releasing its cargo via parachute.

Maria E. Franquiz, an assistant professor of education at the University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ, has been elected chair of the Nominating Committee of the Conference on English Education. CEE is a constituent group for teacher educators that is part of the National Council of Teachers of English. Each year, members of CEE elect educators to positions on the nominating committee. The person receiving the most votes is named committee chair. Committee members help to choose candidates for CEE posts and the following year's nominating committee.