In Brief: campus news

Jacket fans swarm Bobby Dodd

Tech’s first football game of the season may not be a home game, but that won’t stop loyal Yellow Jacket fans from filling Bobby Dodd Stadium on Aug. 28 to watch Tech beat Brigham Young University on the Jumbotron. Student Chris Horner put the plan into motion when he sent President Wayne Clough an e-mail asking him to open the stadium to the public. The Ramblin’ Reck club, which had already planned an outdoor viewing at the Campanile, will move their festivities to Bobby Dodd, giving the public a front-row view of Tech traditions. The concession stands will be open and the first 1,000 students will receive a free hot dog and drink. Gates will open at 8:30 p.m. Kickoff is at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.

New library policy

In response to student concerns, a cell phone policy has been enacted for the Library. Members of a Library West Commons work group have developed a policy that establishes new etiquette: phones should be set to “vibrate” mode while in the Library, and conversations are to be limited to the rotunda or vending tunnel.

Signs in the rotunda, at elevators and at major “intersections” in the Library will advertise the policy, which goes into effect Aug. 18.

Software rating puts ELSYS in elite company

The Georgia Tech Research Institute’s Electronic Systems Laboratory (ELSYS) has been independently rated as a Software Engineering Institute (SEI) Capability Maturity Model (CMM) Level 3 organization.

The CMM rating puts the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) ELSYS laboratory among the top 20 percent of software development organizations in the world, said Jean Swank, Quality Assurance and Process Manager in ELSYS.

Developed and administered by the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, the Software CMM has become the de facto standard for assessing and improving software processes. ELSYS began working toward the Level 3 CMM compliance seven years ago.

“Our customers expected us to have this rating, and it will help us be more competitive in winning new contracts,” Swank said.

Bill Rogers, director of ELSYS, praised the lab’s CMM team and its researchers for their hard work in obtaining the prestigious rating.

“Receipt of this rating is truly a milestone that will help our lab reach its potential as a developer of electronic systems for both military and civilian uses,” he said. “We’re very proud of this rating.”

Alternative transportation

As part of “Let’s Do Downtown,” the Downtown Transportation Management Association (TMA) will be highlighting five transportation alternatives in Woodruff Park from noon until 1 p.m. August 25-29. Each day, the TMA will have a different theme and will be giving away prizes and promoting commute options into downtown.

For more information, visit www.atlantadowntown.com.