Search advisors named

A committee of students, staff and faculty has been appointed to assist and advise the Board of Trust in the search for Number Eight. See the list of committee members on VUCast.

Genetic risk factor for MS found

The search for the genetic underpinnings of multiple sclerosis has made a dramatic leap forward, thanks to a group of scientists that includes Vanderbilt’s own Jonathan Haines. Haines and his colleagues have uncovered a gene linked to an increased risk of developing MS. The finding comes after 30 years of searching. This is huge news for those interested in any progress on this notoriously vexing disease. Get the scoop on VUCast.

iPhone at the U

The iPhone was one of the topics of conversation at today’s Webspiders meeting, where the lucky few early adopters compared notes as the rest of us looked enviously on. The conversation started something like this: “Do you love it?” “I love it!” “Me too, I love it!” and then sobered up into an interesting discussion of what the phone can and, yes, can’t do. (Not much in the latter camp). Web developers and other interested technically minded folks, check this out and also this.

You are so Nashville if…

…you search the Nashville Scene’s online posting of its 2007 “You are so Nashville if…” contest winners for Vandy references. They’re there. See all the winners for yourself.

What did you do on your summer vacation?

Matt Springer, director of the National Center on Performance Incentives at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College, will have a good answer to that question – he’s talking to state legislators from across the country today in Denver, Colo., about the latest research on the effectiveness of compensation as a tool to recruit, reward and retain teachers. Springer and colleague James Guthrie are leading a study here in Nashville to answer the thorny question of what impact, if any, financial incentives have on teacher performance. I’ve posted Springer’s presentation here for the edification of educationally wonky readers.

Ensuring Sponge Bob isn’t the only thing left in their brains at the end of summer

Some great practical tips for keeping kids engaged in something other than the antics of Sponge Bob and Patrick this summer, in this Tennessean article featuring Leona Schauble, chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning.

Chancellor Search Committee members announced

Vanderbilt Board of Trust Chairman Martha Ingram notified the Vanderbilt community today that the Board has created a search committee, chaired by Dennis C. Bottorff, vice chair of the BOT and chairman of Nashville-based Council Ventures, to search for Vanderbilt’s eighth chancellor, who will replace outgoing Chancellor Gordon Gee. An advisory committee of faculty, students and staff will be announced next week. A new Web site with bios of all the search members and more information is up, and will be updated throughout the process. Take a look.

Archived video and audio of candidates’ picnic

Missed the picnic and the live streaming video? Don’t worry, we packed a to-go box for you:

Watch with RealPlayer.
Watch with Windows Media.
Download audio podcast.

‘Carnival of democracy’ underway

Go to VUCast now – right now, go!, why are you still here? – for live streaming video of candidates on the ballot in Metro’s August 2 election at Vanderbilt’s “Meet the Candidates” picnic. Seventy-three candidates are there stumping, glad-handing and politicking.

What’s in a number?

A lot, when that number is 3.04. And when that number represents the average GPA of Vanderbilt student athletes for the 2006-2007 academic year. That’s an average 3.04 GPA for student athletes who played on seven teams that were ranked in the top 25 in the nation in 2006-2007, including the university’s first national championship team. Heard this today and wanted to share.