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An innovative partnership between the University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ and Habitat for Humanity aims to give student leaders hands-on experience and teach them what it takes to run an effective nonprofit organization dedicated to creating stronger communities and helping people in need.

The University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ is joining with Colorado State University, the Colorado School of Mines, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the business sector to establish a Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels. The center was announced Monday by Colorado political leaders including U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, Gov. Bill Ritter, Sen. Wayne Allard and U.S. Reps Mark Udall and Marilyn Musgrave.

Arctic sea ice that has been dwindling for several decades may have reached a tipping point that could trigger a cascade of climate change reaching into Earth's temperate regions, says a new University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ study.

Three German broadcast journalists will discuss European media coverage of the Iraq war and their continent's viewpoints of U.S. involvement in the conflict during a panel discussion at the University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ. CU-Â鶹ӰԺ's School of Journalism and Mass Communication is sponsoring the talk, which will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday, March 19, in room 218 of the Armory Building, located at 1511 University Ave. The event is open to the general public, but journalism students and faculty will get first-priority seating.

Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan will visit the University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ next month to talk about cultural acceptance, the challenges he faced during his tenure and eight major goals set by the international body to meet the needs of the world's poorest people. CU-Â鶹ӰԺ's Distinguished Speakers and Cultural Events boards are sponsoring the April 18 event, which will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Coors Events/Conference Center. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

The University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ has been selected to oversee a huge research project in the southern Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau that will address large-scale ecological problems affecting grasslands to glaciers as part of a proposal under final review by the National Science Foundation.

Xcel Energy has become the primary sponsor of the 2007 University of Colorado Solar Decathlon team with its agreement to contribute $200,000 toward the zero-energy solar home being designed and built by CU-Â鶹ӰԺ students, it was announced today. Following the competition, Xcel Energy will make the home available for public education purposes and continuing solar research at a location still to be determined.

University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ physics Professor Margaret Murnane has been named a Fellow of the Association for Women in Science in recognition of her efforts to recruit, retain and mentor women in the field of physics. Murnane was one of 10 fellows selected in 2007 for their dedication and commitment to the advancement of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. She was the only recipient in the Rocky Mountain region and is one of only 119 fellows named since the program began in 1996.

Kendo and taekwondo demonstrations, dance performances and a sampling of foods from across Asia are some of the highlights of the University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ's "Asia Day" on Saturday, March 17. The free public event presented by the CU-Â鶹ӰԺ Center for Asian Studies will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fleming Law Building on the Â鶹ӰԺ campus. The Fleming Law Building is located near the corner of Baseline and Broadway, south of Fiske Planetarium, and can be accessed via Regent Drive and Kittredge Loop Drive.

MEDIA ADVISORY A news briefing to announce Xcel Energy as the primary sponsor of the 2007 CU-Â鶹ӰԺ Solar Decathlon team and to unveil the design of CU's house for the third international competition will be held Tuesday, March 13, in the Discovery Learning Center at the College of Engineering and Applied Science in Â鶹ӰԺ.