The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
fUniversity researchers win
$425,000 grant from Google
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ant will be used "We have to buy enough com-
puters to be able to cover that peak
r research that load," Wenisch said. "There's basi-
cally more capacity there than you
enefits Google actually need, and the problem... is
that the way computers work today
By SABIRA KHAN you end up wasting energy."
For the Daily According to Wenisch, this par-
ticular research project will focus
ogle officials announced last on understanding how comput-
that the company would ers access and use data, which will
the University $425,000 in ultimately teach researchers how to
funds to be used for research better save energy.
gthe nextfew years. The University also received
led the Google Focused a $100,000 grant from Google
rch Awards, the money will that was awarded to four faculty
lied to University research in members in the University's EECS
that benefit both Google and Department. Wenisch is among
search community. these four, along with fellow EECS
University received two faculty members Trevor Mudge,
as part of the award. The first David Blaauw and Dennis Sylvester.
led Data Centric Approach The research funded by the sec-
ergy Proportionality - is a ond grant will focus on making the
university grant, which the hardware for computer memory
rsity of Michigan will share more energy efficient.
departments at Rutgers Uni- According to a Google press
, the University of California release, the company is award-
ta Barbara and the University ing grants to 10 universities across
ginia. Through this grant, the the country and in England for
rsity will receive $325,000 research that will focus on four
he next three years. areas: "machine learning, the use
mas Wenisch, assistant pro- of mobile phones as data collection
of Electrical Engineering and devices for public health, environ-
uter Science and a recipient ment monitoring and energy effi-
Google grant, said the funds ciency in computing and privacy."
used to research data strut- Both grants the University
Wenisch described research received deal with energy effi-
tructures as big computing ciency for large computing infra-
tructures designed to handle structures, which is important to
loads of technology users. Google because the company wants
the infrastructures are run- to reduce both its energy costs and
elow capacity, they waste a environmental impact in the United
ower, he said. States, according to Wenisch.
"Two percent of the power in
the United States is actually con-
sumed by data centers and big
computer infrastructure, and if
you think world-wide, the envi-
ronmental impact of data centers is
about the same as the entire Czech
Republic in terms of carbon foot-
print," he said.
According to Wenisch, the Uni-
versity was selected as a recipient
for these grants due to its ongoing
focus on energy efficiency. The four
faculty members have been work-
ing in partnership with the Pure
Michigan Project and have been
doing low-power computing for
more than a decade.
Google has a history of funding
University research. The company
has relationships with many faculty
members in the EECS and other
departments. However, the recent
.awards are significant, Wenisch
said, because they have been ear-
marked for specific research fields,
and they consist of larger sums than
usual. Until now, most of Google's
grants have been for less than
$50,000.
Beyond the direct financial sup-
port, a tighter collaborationbetween
the University and Google will also
be established,Wenischsaid.
"We're on the phone with them,
they're directly involved in the
research, we're sending our stu-
dents out there over the summer
to work with Google's researchers
and then they're coming back with
an understanding of what Google
does so that the research we do is
directly relevant to them," he said.
Brown said the University tries
URC
From Page 1A
lot of potential to benefit from and
assist those sectors.
"By and large those companies
recognized that one of the key advan-
tages of Michigan's location (are) the
students, faculty and research avail-
able at these three world-class uni-
versities," Mason said.
When the URC was first created,
Coleman said that many people
were skeptical of the joint venture.
Despite the fact that the URC expe-
rienced some growing pains, she
said administrators at all three
institutions are fully behind the
consortium and are working hard
to better it. Coleman added that the
University doesn't have to "do it all"
and it can rely on the URC for assis-
tance in research developments.
"We can't do it all," she said. "We
understand we can't do it all. The
world is too competitive. There's
not enough money. We've got to
BARBOUR
From Page 1A
yesterday that officials decided to
keep the dining hall open because
residents expressed that it is a very
important factor in unifying their
community.
"We went back and looked at the
impact on the community versus
a potential cost savings of closing
the dining operation," Logan said.
"(We) determined that keeping Bar-
bour dining in place next year was a
much better choice for the benefit of
that community than trying to save
some dollars by closing it."
Logan said the deliberations
about closing the Barbour Dining
Hall were part of Housing's annual
budgetary process. He said closing
the dining hall would have saved
Housing about $400,000.
Because Housing is independent-
ly financed, Logan said a majority
of its operating budget is obtained
via room and board payments. He
added that Housing officials try
to trim the budget every year in
an effort to reduce the amount of
money students need to pay to live
in the residence halls.
focus on what our strengths are."
The presidents all said they want
the URC to be counted among the
ranks of some of the top research
clusters in the country, including
one in Massachusetts that features
Harvard University, Tufts Univer-
sity and the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology and another in North
Carolina made up of Duke Universi-
ty, the University of North Carolina
andNorthCarolinaStateUniversity.
Though the URC is newer than
most of the other research clusters
around the country, Noren said it is
in a position to succeed.
"We have a very complimentary
set of three institutions that none of
the others have," Noren said.
* He highlighted MSU's agricul-
tural research, Wayne State's urban
research and the University of
Michigan's wide-breadth of studies
in all disciplines.
"When you combine all those
things together we really cover the
bases like none of the other con-
sortia can," Noren said.
"We are looking at a number of
different places within our operating
budget as we prepare recommenda-
tions for room and board next year,"
Logan said. "Barbour dining was one
of those cost efficiency opportuni-
ties that we looked at. We also look
at things like overtime expenditures,
what we can do to trim administra-
tive costs, where we might be able
to consolidate or streamline other
operations within Housing."
But, Logan said it's too early in
the budgetary process to tell what
other Housing services could be cut
instead of closing the Barbour dining
hall orifroomand board rates would
have tobe raised to compensate.
Logan said one of the reasons
a decision on the dining hall's fate
was reached so quickly was because
Housing officialswanted to give stu-
dents time to decide whether they
wanted to return to live in Barbour
or Newberry next year, adding that
the dining hall may have played a
key role in students' decisions.
"We realized the timing had got-
ten to a point where if we couldn't
give them a clear idea whether or
not there would be dining, those res-
idents were placed in an awkward
position as to whether or not they
Monday, February 8, 2010 - 7A
Another benefit of the URC,
Simon said, is the ability for the
universities to share facilities.
Specifically, Simon said all three
institutions could potentially share
space in the University of Michi-
gan's new North Campus Research
Complex located on North Campus.
"What the Ann Arbor opportu-
nity presents for all of us and for our
faculty and our students is that there
is some legitimate space," Simon
said. "There's also a way it can be a
part of this team and to take a Mich-
igan State idea that needs lab space,
and it can go there and flourish, and
it's all for our collective good."
Coleman said in an interview after
the meeting that the NCRC will be
used as another resource to deepen
connections within the URC.
"The fact that we are working
together through the URC creates
another opportunity for collabora-
tions to develop that might utilize
the space of the NCRC," Coleman
said, "and it's an example of future
potential that we have."
would really want to return there,"
Logan said.
Barbour residents were relieved
their beloved dining hall would
remain open next year. Signs were
posted on doors throughout halls
urging neighbors to e-mail Hous-
ing encouraging officials to keep the
dining hall open.
LSAsophomore Amy Richardson,
a Barbour resident, said maintain-
ing dining facilities was "extremely
important"to the residents.
"I think it just proves how close-
knit this community is and how
much of an effort they put in to save
thesekinds of institutions," she said.
"You see these things on the door.
Someone went around and put these
all up just to get people more moti-
vated. I guess it worked."
LSA sophomore Jennifer Lamp-
ton, another Barbour resident, said
she would hopefully be living in
North Quad next year, but would
return daily to eat at the Barbour
dining hall anyway.
"It's a great place where you
can meet a lot of people within the
dorm," she said. "I know a lot of
people who even live on North Cam-
pus who eathere everyday. It'sreally
homey."
Because the department is
AAFD under financial pressures, Schro- to reduce the need for firefight-
* From Page 1A eder said the union would like ers responding to non-fire emer-
to partner with the University gencies on campus by providing
response to calls. in a "cooperative agreement" to services usually expected of a fire
Matt Schroeder, president of improve safety. department.
Local 693's union, said instead of At a meeting with the University DPS, for example, monitors
creating a separate fire team, the Board of Regents in September, the' buildings to reduce fire hazards.
University and the Ann Arbor Fire union expressed concern that lay- Brown said in addition the Univer-
Department "work in coopera- offs could impact student safety. sity created its own unit - part of
tion." The presentation was part of what the Occupational Safety and Envi-
According to Brown the Uni- Schroeder called an "ongoing con- ronmental Health department
versity created and maintains versation" about how the Univer- - to respond to the University's
Ann Arbor. Fire Station 5, locat- sity and fire department interact. hazardous materials emergencies.
ed on North Campus, after Ann Though an official request has Brown said that firefighters are
Arbor firefighters took too long not been made, Schroeder said the also invited to tour new and reno-
to respond to emergencies in that, unionwould like to see the Univer- vated campus buildings before
area. sity pay for a percentage of the fire they open to the public so they can
In 2004, the University also department's workforce. become familiar with the layout.
purchased a $300,000 fire truck Fitzgerald said he is aware of She cited firefighters' examination
for Local 693, according to Univer- staffing concerns but did not know of the University of Michigan Muse-
sity spokesman Rick Fitzgerald. of any monetary requests. He said um of Art before it opened last year.
In addition, the fire department that a request for funds must come Brown and Fitzgerald agreed
also receives money from the state from the city, not the union, in that the University and the Ann
government, though the funding order for it to be considered. Arbor Fire Department have a
is decreasing and the payments But cooperation between the good relationship. Fitzgerald said
haven't been made in full for sev- University and Local 693 extends the University is "very supportive
eral years, according to Schroeder. beyond monetary support. and appreciative" of Local 693.
including 88 positions at Ann Arbor officials are staying optimistic.
BORDERS headquarters. "We face serious challenges not
From Page 1A Mary Davis, Borders corporate only as a company, but within the
affairs manager, would not com- industry itself and are dealing with
assessor, wrote in an e-mail inter- ment in an e-mail interview wheth- those challenges by maintaining
view that Borders Group, Inc. paid er there would be further layoffs at financial disciplines, but primar-
a total of $426,828.37 in property headquarters and at Borders retail ily by approaching the need to drive
taxes to Ann Arbor last year. He locations, including the three Ann sales in new ways, " Davis wrote.
said that Borders' financial difficul- Arbor Borders stores. However, she In November 2009, Borders,
ties might have an effect on the Ann wrote that the company does not which opened in Ann Arbor in 1971,
Arbor community. want to cut more salaries. announced that it would close 200
"It is unknown what the impact "We do not plan on further wide- Waldenbooks - Borders's mall store
might be to Ann Arbor from the loss spread payroll reductions at our chain - leaving only 130 in busi-
of jobs or potential vacant office and home office, but as all retailers and ness across the country, according
retail space," Petrak wrote. companies must, we will strive to to a press release. The store closings
The financial outlook for Borders balance our payroll with the reality would eliminate about 1,500 posi-
remains uncertain after its share of our sales," Davis wrote. tions. Borders Group Inc. owns more
price plummeted to below $1 on Jan. Davis wrote that the benefits of than 1,000 stores internationally.
26 - following the announcement having Borders stores in Ann Arbor While many remain unsure of
that Borders CEO Ron Marshall go beyond simply providing employ- Borders's future, major shareholder
would leave the company to head ment opportunities. William Ackman, CEO of Pershing
another retail business. "We contribute in a positive way Square Capital Management, told
Mike Edwards, Borders's former to the quality of life here as our CNBC last week that he thought
executive vice president and chief stores are community centers where Borders would not declare bank-
merchandising officer, took over people come to explore books, have ruptcy.
as interim CEO of the company, a cup of coffee, attend free author Though share prices were less
the press release said. The CEO signings and music performances, than $1 during a week in late Janu-
change was followed three days etc," Davis wrote. ary, prices jumped back to more
later by Borders's termination of Though the company is facing than $1.30 afterAckman's statement
124 positions at the corporate level,. difficulties, Davis wrote Borders last Wednesday.
According to Seagram, the new last week said they would continue
BEANSTERS deals helped sales for Beanster's rise to frequent Beanster's.
From Page 1A 4 percent during December 2009. LSA junior Lindsey Westerhof
"That's telling us that the mea- said she usually goes to Beanster's
allow us to purchase locally, with sures we put in place are having a to study.
quality as a main component in all of positive effect," she said. "I choose here to study over other
our menu items," Roberts wrote in Beanster's is also hosting events in places because if I get hungry, the
an e-mail interview. hopes of expanding its customer base. food is really good," Westerhof said.
Seagram said in addition to offer- The cafe is partnering with the Uni- "And I ... like the environment"
ing local ingredients, Beanster's has versity Unions Arts and Programs to LSA freshman Abigail Williams
also revised its menu this fall and bring in student musicians and artists is another fan of the caf.
added special deals in an attempt to for performances in the caf. "I come here once a week to eat,
draw more students. In the future, Seagram said the but probably three times a week
i "If you order a whole sandwich, cafe also plans on hosting a coffee just to study," Williams said. "It's a
you can get Jess's homemade chips," talk with a barista and tea talk with relaxing environment, but there's
she said. "That's another thing that's Roberts, who knows a lot about tea. still background noise, and there's
a secret that I want to get out." Devoted patrons visiting the cafe good coffee."
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For Tuesday, Feb. 9,.2010
ARIES
(March 21 to April 19)
Today begins with some difficulty,
especially with parents, bosses and
authority figures. (This includes the
police.) But later on, you feel much hap-
pier about everything.
TAURUS
(April 20 to May 20)
Avoid arguments about religion, poli-
tics or anything connected with higher
education, publishing, the media and the
law. Friends and groups are supportive
later in the day. (Thank heavens.)
GEMINI
(May 21 to June 20)
Although you night start this day feel-
ing financially disappointed by the input
of others (or lack of it), later, it
improves! Relations with bosses, parents
and VIPs are great. (Who knew?)
CANCER
(June 21to July 22)
Avoid squabbles with partners and
close friends. This is a brief, passing
moment. Later, everyone is happy
because of the input of someone from
another country or another culture.
LEO
(July 23 to Aug. 22)
You might be worried about some-
thingthat is work-related or even health-
related. Fortunately, later in the day,
these worries disappear! (What was that
all about?)
VIRGO
(Aug. 23 to Sept. 22)
Financial matters aretdisappointing
today. However, late in the day, sports
events and social invitations chase your
troubles away. Yay!
LIBRA
(Sept. 23 to Oct 22)
This isa poor day to disagree with par-
ents and bosses. Be patient with family
members. Later in the day, you can get
better organized at work. Even your
health feels better!
SCORPIO
(Oct. 23 to Nov. 21)
Don't be victimized by your worries
today. They will pass very quickly (espe-
cially if you drink a lot of water). News
from work will elevate your spirits.
SAGITTARIUS
(Nov. 22to Dec. 21)
Criticisms from older or more experi-
enced people might get you down early
in the day. Positive financial news lifts
your hopes later:
CAPRICORN
(Dec. 22 to Jan. 19)
This is a poor day to go head-on with
authority figures - bosses and parrots,
for esampe. Be patient Later in the day,
all is fun and laughter.
AQUARIUS
(Jan. 20to Feb. 18)
Travel plans or matters related to pub-
lishing and higher education might dis-
appoint you today. Something makes
you feel good, however, later in the day.
PISCES
(Feb. 19to March 20)
Don't react to the criticism of others,
especially female acquaintances. Friends
are going to be supportive later in the
day. Go with what is positive in your
life, and ignore the naysayers. Always!
YOU BORN TODAY You're
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only are you attracted to the energy of
others, you attract energy to you as well!
Because of this, you have the ability to
lift the spirits of those around you. You
are inspirational! You always wilt
remain positive; you fight for your
beliefs. This year, major change might
take place, perhaps as significant as
something around 2001.
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Presentedhby TheMchigaDaily"Classifids
Deadline Feb.1i8 at 1:3o am
Published Feb. 2s
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