The deadline to nominate individuals and companies for the Smith Leadership & Excellence Awards has been extended to March 1. As valuable stakeholders in the success of the Robert H. Smith School of Business, we ask that faculty members share in the awards nomination process.

Smith recognizes that leaders in every industry play a vital role in making our economy and society productive. To honor these leaders, the Smith School has established "The Smith Leadership and Excellence Awards" program. The awards recognize individuals and organizations whose contributions have truly made a difference.

The awards will be presented in three categories: Business Excellence, Leaders for the Digital Economy and Leadership Excellence. Nominations are sought from members of the mid-Atlantic business and academic communities and may be submitted online at http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/awards.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Heather O'Malley at ext. 59457 or via e-mail at homalley@rhsmith.umd.edu.

Web Site Enhancements

On Thursday, February 3, the Smith School will launch an enhanced home page design for the school Web site. A new 'node' or pop-up menu for "Centers & Services," breaks out "Research" and "Programs" into more intuitive categories. Other lower-level changes were also made per suggestions received over the past couple months, placing the content into seven distinct categories: About Smith, Academic Programs, Centers & Services, News & Events, Offices & Departments, People, and Research.

During this transition, which will include applying javascript and DHTML in place of Macromedia Flash for navigation, centers and departments will have the opportunity to modify links on their home pages, and optimize or personalize various components. The Office of Marketing Communications will contact each affected department as the work proceeds.

We are allowing all faculty and staff to get a sneak peak of the new home page. Please send any feedback to info@rhsmith.umd.edu.  We look forward to improving the Smith School Web site with your help!

Smith School in the News

Research from the Smith School finance department examining the growing number of firms electing to “go dark” and Alexander Triantis, associate professor of finance, were the subject of an article from The New York Times (1/23) that was also picked up by The International Herald Tribune (1/25, 1/26). How do companies reposition their brand after a radical shift in business focus? Roland Rust, holder of the David Bruce Smith Chair in Marketing, offered expert opinion on the subject for a Washington Post (1/23) article. An OpEd piece by Henry Sims, professor of management and organization, offering an analysis and “grade” for Donald Trump’s leadership style in “The Apprentice” appeared in a number of newspapers’ editorial sections including The Baltimore Sun (1/23). Cherie Scricca, assistant dean of the master’s programs and career services, was quoted by BusinessWeek Online (1/27) in an article offering financial advice to MBAs. Peter Morici, professor of international business, was quoted as an economic and trade expert in articles that appeared in The Los Angeles Times (1/26), Reuters (1/25), BusinessWeek (1/13) and other leading business news outlets.

For more Smith School media highlights and links to articles, visit Smith School in the News.

Calendar of Events

The First in a Series of Discussions Titled: THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS EDUCATION
February 16, 1:30 p.m., Executive Dining Room, VMH

Dr. Russell Ackoff, professor emeritus at the Wharton School and executive fellow at the Smith School, will engage us in discussion about what the future of business education might become. Ackoff has written more than a dozen books including his recent publication, Redesigning Society. The session will be hosted by Scott Koerwer.

Russell Ackoff is chairman of INTERACT: The Institute for Interactive Management. Some of INTERACT’s recent consulting projects include corporate and national development planning, organizational design and redesign, development of marketing strategies and management support systems, and urban development and transportation planning. He is currently professor emeritus of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and has also had teaching appointments at Wayne State University, the Case Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania. Ackoff has written or co-authored 20 books and more than 200 articles for academic journals. He has a BS in architecture and PhD in the philosophy of science, both from the University of Pennsylvania.

Upcoming Events:
Net Impact Career Panel, February 7, 2005
BIOPhARMA Speaker Event, Feb 11, 2005

Smith School Dynamic Calendar Needs Your Events!

Last semester the Smith School launched a new dynamic online calendar that is populated by various departments in the school. The calendar is accessible by clicking on the "News & Events" section from the home page, and going to Calendar of Events. To access directly, bookmark this link: http://bmgt3-notes.umd.edu/RHSCalendar.nsf/Calendar?OpenView

The events are color-coded so audiences can easily find events of interest. Since it is dynamically generated, the undergraduate Web site, for example, can easily link to the calendar with "Undergraduate" events selected and only events directed to undergrads will be displayed in red.

Are your events listed on the calendar? Please send e-mail to jarmstro@rhsmith.umd.edu with any questions.

Human Resources

►Solicitation Notice
There have been reports made of individuals attempting to solicit in classrooms claiming authorization from "career planning." There is no authorization of this activity by the Office of Career Management or any other department. Furthermore, there is a strict no solicitation policy on campus. Please contact the University Police department non-emergency number at ext. 53555 to report this kind of activity. Any help with description, location last seen and at what time, what they are soliciting, and whether or not you believe them still being in the building would be very helpful to the University Police. If you feel threatened in any way, please contact campus police at the 911 emergency number.  Please contact Faculty Services at ext. 52189 if you have any questions.

►Net Payroll Calculator
You may find this helpful if you plan to change your deductions. The net pay calculator can be used for estimating taxes and net pay. Although only an approximation, it gives a good idea about your take home pay. You will need a copy of your pay stub before you begin.

►Plan for Your Retirement Now!
Jeff Ash, a retirement coordinator with the campus benefits office, will be here on February 11, 25, and March 11; room 2570-C in the Dean's Office from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Anyone wishing to meet with Jeff, please contact Mary Crowe-Kokonis, in the Dean’s Office (mcroweko@rhsmith.umd.edu, or by phone at ext. 52309). Ash will have time for three half-hour appointments. These time slots fill quickly so don't delay.

►Next School Assembly: Friday, February 18, 1:30 p.m., Rouse Room, 1412 Van Munching Hall. (Other dates: April 15, May 6.)

Smith School Latest News

►	Smith Leadership & Excellence Award Nomination Deadline Extended to March 1, 2005
►	Krowe Teaching Award Nomination Deadline is This Friday, Feb 4
►	Fall 2004 Semester Highlights
►	Strategy Board Competition Highlights
►	William Longbrake, PhD '76, Speaks at Smith Commencement