Nassau notes

An open house intended to present in one venue an overview of the many sustainability efforts at the University is planned for 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, on the 100 level of the Frist Campus Center.

“Sustainability: Introducing Princeton’s Green Initiatives” is a follow-up to the University’s adoption earlier this year of a Sustainability Plan. The plan sets ambitious goals in the areas of greenhouse gas emissions reduction, resource conservation, and research, education and civic engagement.

The Sept. 17 event, which is open to the campus and local communities, will provide an opportunity to learn from University experts about sustainability efforts under way and planned for the future. Those attending will be able to engage with “ambassadors” of administrative departments, student organizations and academic research groups.

The open house will be interactive, with demonstrations on such topics as comparing incandescent, compact fluorescent (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs, and determining one’s own carbon footprint. Those attending will be able to see how Princeton is tackling greenhouse gas emissions through displays on sustainable transportation, energy efficiency and conservation, recycling and green computing. Samples of sustainable food will be available.

In addition, information will be offered on several new academic initiatives, including the certificate in sustainable energy; courses that incorporate environmental justice; and architecture design studios addressing sustainable building and green systems and materials.

“We are excited to build on the momentum generated by announcing the Sustainability Plan in February and launching the new academic year with this event. The enthusiasm among the students, staff and faculty participating in the event is contagious, and we hope it will inspire additional action among all community members and raise our collective awareness to the next level,” said Shana Weber, manager of the Office of Sustainability, which is sponsoring the event with funding from the High Meadows Foundation. “We invite everyone to come and share their ideas on how we can collaborate to make Princeton a greener campus.”

Exhibition illustrates Greek cultural history through books

Some of the Princeton University Library’s greatest treasures are on display in a fall exhibition that traces the long cultural history of the Greeks.

“The Greek Book From Papyrus to Printing” focuses on the Greek book as a physical object and a repository of Western civilization over three millennia. The exhibition will be on view through Sunday, Dec. 7, in the Main Gallery of Firestone Library.

See full article in this issue of the PWB

Laurie Anderson coming to McCarter

Described as “the reigning performance artist of her time” by The Boston Globe, Laurie Anderson will bring her newest work, “Homeland,” to the McCarter Theatre Center at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. “Homeland” is a concert of songs and stories that creates a poetic and political portrait of contemporary American culture. Conceived as one long piece of music, “Homeland” moves through many worlds — from Greek tragedy to American business models — addressing the current obsession with fear, violence and security. For ticket information, call the McCarter box office at 258-2787 or visit www.mccarter.org. (photo courtesy of McCarter Theatre Center)

Angell examines health care reform

Marcia Angell, former editor-in-chief of The New England Journal of Medicine, will open this year’s University Public Lectures Series with a discussion of health care reform and the U.S. presidential election at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, in McCosh 50.

In her lecture, titled “Reforming Our Health System: Why Neither Candidate Has the Answer,” Angell will explore why — despite higher and spiraling per-capita costs — the American system provides fewer basic health services than many other advanced nations. She will propose fundamental changes that would make universal health care at sustainable cost a real possibility.

Angell, a senior lecturer in the Department of Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, has been a frequent critic of the American model of health care. She also has written extensively about the pharmaceutical industry. Her 2005 book, “The Truth About the Drug Companies,” issued a scathing critique of the industry’s marketing tactics as well as its ties to clinical research and medical education. She also is the author of “Science on Trial: The Clash of Medical Evidence and the Law in the Breast Implant Case.” She writes frequently about medical ethics, health policy, the nature of medical evidence and end-of-life care.

Angell joined the editorial staff of The New England Journal of Medicine in 1979 and served as executive editor for 11 years and editor-in-chief for one year before leaving in 2000.

The lecture is funded by the Louis Clark Vanuxem Fund.

Constitution Day lecture focuses on Jefferson

Princeton historian Barbara Oberg, general editor of “The Papers of Thomas Jefferson,” will deliver a Constitution Day lecture on “Thomas Jefferson and the Rights of Citizens” at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, in Dodds Auditorium, Robertson Hall.

The talk will focus on Jefferson’s personal and political struggle during his first term as president to define the rights of “bonafide citizens.” Oberg, a lecturer with the rank of professor in history, leads the Princeton-sponsored effort to prepare the authoritative and comprehensive edition of Jefferson’s correspondence and papers.

The event also will feature comments from Christina Burnett, a Princeton alumna and associate professor of law at Columbia University; Stephen Macedo, Princeton’s Laurance S. Rockefeller Professor of Politics and the University Center for Human Values and director of the center; and Sean Wilentz, Princeton’s Sidney and Ruth Lapidus Professor in the American Revolutionary Era.

The lecture is sponsored by the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, the Program in Law and Public Affairs, the Office of the Provost and the Program in American Studies.

According to a 2004 federal law, educational institutions that receive federal funds are required to hold programs about the U.S. Constitution on the anniversary of the document’s signing, Sept. 17, or in the preceding or following week. A copy of the Constitution and further information regarding its creation are available on the National Archives website at www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution.html.

This illustration, “The Evangelist Mark,” is reproduced from a 13th-century miniature in a manuscript that is part of the Princeton University Library’s Robert Garrett Collection. (photo: Courtesy of the Princeton University Library)

Home study course focuses on brain

Members of the campus and local communities can learn more about the brain in a home study course offered this fall by the Alumni Association.

“The Brain: A User’s Guide” runs from Sept. 22 to Nov. 16 and is led by Barry Jacobs, professor of psychology and the Princeton Neuroscience Institute. The course will explore how the 100 billion nerve cells that make up the human brain give rise to sensations and movements, thoughts and memories, dreams and emotions, and devastating neuro- and psychopathologies.

The course includes weekly lectures on campus, at-home reading assignments and an online discussion group. The seven lectures will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays starting Sept. 23 in 219 Burr Hall. Audio recordings of the lectures will be made available online the following day for participants who cannot attend in person.

For more information, visit alumni.princeton.edu/main/education_travel/home_study_programs/alumni_studies/.

Free fitness classes offered

The Office of Campus Recreation is offering free trial classes for students, faculty and staff in group fitness, yoga, pilates, spinning and more Monday through Friday, Sept. 15-19, at Dillon Gymnasium.

Campus community members also are invited to the launch of a new BODYATTACK class (an intense aerobics workout) and a special master class in Zumba (a fitness program based on Latin dance movements and musical rhythms) taught by international trainer Tanya Beardsley. This event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the main gym in Dillon and will include free T-shirts and prizes.

For a schedule of trial classes, visit www.princeton.edu/campusrec.

Carillon lessons available

Lessons on the University carillon, located in Cleveland Tower on the Graduate College campus, are available throughout the academic year.

With 67 bells, the Princeton carillon is the fifth largest in the country and one of the top 10 in size worldwide. Lessons are offered by University Carillonneur Robin Austin at noon Sundays during the academic year, except during exam periods.

The lessons are free. For more information, contact Penna Rose, director of chapel music, at prose@princeton.edu or 258-3654, or Austin at ajanta777@verizon.net.