DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
THE WEEKLY MEMO
OCTOBER 26, 2007

ORAL EXAMINATIONS
(held in H228 unless otherwise noted)

October 31, 2007 10:00 a.m.

Jay J. Paquette, Ph.D. Candidate

Ultra-Low Dose Antagonist Effects on Cannabinoids and Opioids in Models of Pain: Is Less More? Supervisor: Dr. C. Olmstead External Examiner: Dr. L. A. Parker Examiners: Dr. R. Beninger, Dr. H. Dringenberg, Dr. C. Cahill.

GRAPHICS DEPARTMENT
The Graphics Department is up and running again! Please stop by and introduce yourself to Eric Brousseau, our graphics assistant.

• Office hours are 8:30 - 12:00 daily.
• Email: eric.brousseau@queensu.ca
• Phone ext. 36852.
  
  

GREEN NEWS
1. More work, less energy

For many people, a computer is the central tool at work. Optimizing the energy settings for computers and other devices can be more than a modest energy saver. Set computers to energy-saving settings and make sure to shut them down when you leave for the day (“standby” settings will continue to draw power even when not in use). By plugging hardware into a power strip with an on/off switch (or a smart power strip), the whole desktop setup can be turned off at once (make sure to power down inkjet printers before killing the power—they need to seal their cartridges). Printers, scanners, and other peripherals that are only used occasionally can be unplugged until they’re needed. And of course, turn off lights in spaces that are unoccupied.

2. Digitize

It does seem a bit strange that in the “digital age” we still consume enormous amounts of mashed up, bleached tree pulp, most of which gets used once or twice and then tossed or recycled (“downcycled,” as McDonough and Braungart would call it). The greenest paper is no paper at all, so keep things digital and dematerialized whenever possible. The more you do online, the less you need paper. Keep files on computers instead of in file cabinets (this also makes it easier to make offsite backup copies or take them with you when you move to a new office). Review documents onscreen rather than printing them out. Send emails instead of paper letters. New software like Greenprint helps eliminate blank pages from documents before printing and can also convert to PDF for paperless document sharing.

3. Don’t be a paper pusher

When buying printer paper, look for recycled paper with a high percentage of post-consumer content and the minimum of chlorine bleaching. Even recycled paper gobbles up a great deal of energy, water, and chemical resources in its processing (toxic pulp slurry is the paper recycling industry’s dirty secret). When using the real stuff, print on both sides of the page when appropriate and use misprints as notepaper. Try to choose printers and photocopiers that do double-sided printing. If your office ships packages, reuse boxes and use shredded waste paper as packing material.

4. Greening the commute

American workers spend an average of 47 hours per year commuting through rush hour traffic. This adds up to 3.7 billion hours and 23 billion gallons of gas wasted in traffic each year. We can ease some of this strain by carpooling, taking public transit, biking, walking, or a creative combination thereof. If there’s no good way to phase out your car, consider getting a hybrid, electric vehicle, motorcycle, scooter, or using a car sharing service like Flexcar or Zipcar. See How to Green Your Car for more depth on the subject. Some employers are even giving a bonus to bike and carpool commuters and special perks to hybrid drivers. For those who think bike riding is for kids and tattooed couriers, consider a high-tech folding bike or an electrically assisted one (see below for more).

5. Green sleeves

You might be amazed how sharp work clothes from thrift stores can look. If you buy new, get clothes made with organic or recycled fibers. Avoid clothes that need to be dry cleaned, and if they so demand it, seek out your local “green” dry cleaner. See How to Green Your Wardrobe for more tactics on greening those work duds.

6. Work from home

Instant messaging, video conferencing, and other innovative workflow tools make effective telecommuting a reality. If you can telecommute, hold phone conferences, take online classes, or otherwise work from home, give it a try. It'll save you the time you would have spent on the trip as well as sparing the air. As a bonus, you get to work in your pajamas. Telecommuting works for 44 million Americans (not to mention the TreeHugger staff). Also, consider the possibility of working four ten-hour days instead of five eight-hour days (a consolidated workweek), cutting the energy and time spent on commuting by 20% and giving you some lovely three-day weekends.

7. Use green materials

Some paper use can't be avoided, so use recycled paper and envelopes that have been processed and colored using eco-friendly methods. Pens and pencils can also be made of recycled materials, and refillable pens and markers are preferable to disposable ones. Use biodegradable soaps and recycled paper or cloth towels in the bathroom and kitchen, and provide biodegradable cleaners for the custodial staff. Buy in bulk so that shipping and packaging waste are reduced, and reuse the shipping boxes. Recycling printer cartridges is often free, and recycled replacements are cheaper than new ones.

8. Redesign the workspace

Greening the space in which you work has almost limitless possibilities. Start with good furniture, good lighting, and good air. Furniture can be manufactured from recycled materials as well as recyclable. Herman-Miller and Steelcase are two groundbreaking companies that have adopted the Cradle-to-Cradle protocol for many of their office chairs. Incandescent bulbs can be replaced with compact fluorescents and there is an ever-growing selection of high-end LED desk lamps that use miniscule amounts of energy (see How to Green Your Lighting). Not only is natural daylight a free source of lighting for the office, it has been proven to improve worker productivity and satisfaction (as well as boost sales in retail settings). Workspace air quality is also crucial. Good ventilation and low-VOC paints and materials (such as furniture and carpet) will keep employees healthy (look for How to Green Your Furniture coming soon).

9. Lunch time

Bringing lunch to work in reusable containers is likely the greenest (and healthiest) way to eat at work. Getting delivery and takeout almost inevitably ends with a miniature mountain of packaging waste. But if you do order delivery, join coworkers in placing a large order (more efficient than many separate ones). Also, bring in a reusable plate, utensils, and napkins. If you do go out for lunch, try biking or walking instead of driving.

10. Get others in on the act

Share these tips with your colleagues. Ask your boss to purchase carbon offsets for corporate travel by car and plane. Arrange an office carpool or group bike commute. Trade shifts and job duties so that you can work four long days instead of five short ones. Ask the office manager to get fair trade coffee for the break room and make sure everyone has a small recycling bin so that recycling is just as easy as throwing paper away. Ask everyone to bring in a mug or glass from home and keep some handy for visitors so that you reduce or eliminate use of paper cups.

Source:  http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/12/how_to_green_your_work.php

GRADUATE STUDIES OPEN HOUSE
The School of Graduate Studies and Research is hosting Queen's first Graduate Studies Open House this year. Please mention this event to your undergraduate classes. It's being held on November 7th in the Biosciences Atrium, from 10AM to 2:30PM.

BAKE SALE in FRONT LOBBY
DSC - is hosting a Bake Sale on Wednesday, October 31
AGSIP - is hosting a Bake Sale on Monday, November 5

MCMURTY VICTIM COMPENSATION REVIEW a message from The Honourable R. Roy McMurtry, Q.C. ...........
I am writing you in conjunction with my appointment by the Attorney General of Ontario to review Ontario's system for providing direct compensation to victims of violent crime. I would be interested in receiving input from members of your respective criminology, sociology and psychology departments who may be interested in this issue, and would appreciate it if you would distribute copies of this e-mail to them.

The Review background and process is described below.

The Ontario Ombudsman released a report earlier this year in which he concluded that Ontario's current compensation system is not meeting victims' needs effectively. As part of the government's response to this report, the Attorney General asked me to examine and make recommendations about the role of direct compensation within the spectrum of victim services, including:

(a)considering whether there are better means than direct monetary awards to serve victims, including recommending service priorities for the diverse range of victims;

(b)examining the circumstances, if any, where financial awards may be appropriate; and

(c)if some form of financial awards are considered appropriate, advising on the appropriate delivery mechanism.

My overarching goal for this Review is to make recommendations that will assist the government to better respond to the needs of victims of violent crime. During the Review, I will be holding public and private meetings throughout Ontario. Additionally, I will be inviting written submissions.

Generally, I would like to hear any concerns about the current criminal compensation system, and how those concerns might best be addressed. I would also like to know what works well in the current system.
Additionally, a consultation paper has been prepared for this Review and there are several specific questions at the end of this paper that I am interested in.

The consultation paper, my terms of reference, public meeting details and other Review information are posted online at:

http://www.mcmurtryvictimcompensationreview.ca.

I would be happy to receive written submissions from interested department members by December 14, 2007. Submissions can be sent electronically to:

general@mcmurtryvictimcompensationreview.ca

Alternatively, submissions may be mailed to:

McMurtry Victim Compensation Review
880 Bay Street, 2nd Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2B6.

Interested department members may also contact Jill Arthur, legal counsel with the Review, at (416) 212-5612.

Thank you for your assistance.

GRADE 9 TAKE OUR KIDS TO WORK DAY..........
The annual Take Our Kids to Work Day is being held on Wednesday, November 7, 2007.
 
Human Resources, along with the Office of the University Registrar and the Department of Environmental Health & Safety is coordinating a special event for Grade 9 students who wish to participate in Take Our Kids to Work Day at Queens University.
 
A registration form must be completed for all Grade 9 students participating in Take Our Kids to Work Day at Queen's University.  Registration forms are available on the Human Resources web-site at www.hr.queensu.ca and must be returned to the address below no later than Friday, November 2, 2007.
 

 
The Grade 9 students will participate in a series of organized events during the morning and early afternoon and will be free to job-shadow their parent/legal guardian for the remainder of the day.  Permission from your Department Head is required if you wish to participate in the job-shadowing portion of Take Our Kids to Work Day.  A detailed schedule of the days events will be available on the Human Resources web-site shortly. 
 
There are areas at the University that are off-limits to Grade 9 students for safety reasons, including:

• Shops or areas with mechanical, electrical, or other physical hazards
• High risk lab environments requiring the wearing of safety eye wear, lab coat, or dosimeter badges, or requiring any special vaccinations, or other areas with any chemical and biological hazards
• Kitchens or food preparation areas
• Medical or counseling support areas
• Shipping and receiving loading areas
• Any other site identified by your supervisor or the Director, Environmental Health & Safety

In addition, Grade 9 students are prohibited from using or handling hazardous materials and from operating motorized vehicles and power tools.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding health and safety issues, please contact the Department of Environmental Health & Safety at extension 32999.    
 
In addition, as most of you are aware there are many areas on Queens campus that are under construction at this time.  We ask that all Grade 9 students exercise extra caution while traveling across campus. 
 
We want all Grade 9 students to have an interesting, enjoyable and safe experience at Queen's during Take Our Kids to Work Day!

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Take Our Kids to Work Day, please do not hesitate to contact Lisa Colby.