Phoning it in? Examining Pre-Employment Phone Interview Procedure in Higher Education

In the United States, the employment screening process for hiring full-time faculty in higher education involves the vetting of curricula vitae, phone interview(s), and/or campus visits (Cardeiro, 2010; Shively, Woodward, & Stanly, 1999). The purpose of this research was to examine the phone interview procedure at one institute of higher education, and from there, formulate a systematic phone interviewing procedure that could be put to use at this particular university. After conducting a review of relevant literature, the researchers engaged in action research that utilized qualitative data of 10 participants who took part in the pre-interview, professional development intervention, and the post-interviews for this research project. The action research protocol involved identifying the problem to bring about a positive organizational change, selecting the needed change, implementing the proposed change, and evaluating the results of the change. Upon completion of which, three emerging themes from the collected data were determined: a) phone interview procedure and structure, b) assessment and screening procedures, c) organizational fit. This research proves to be significant because it expands the current knowledge on the topic of conducting employment phone interviews in higher education for tenure track faculty. How higher educational institution conduct faculty screening is often considered a trade secrete, resulting in other institutions unwillingness to provide information on how they conducting faculty screening (Trower, 2012). By sharing this protocol with the field, places of higher learning can begin to assess and measure their own hiring procedures, and correct practices that may be flawed, inequitable, or possibly illegal

Estimation of the Aftercare Period of Danish Landfills

Our goal was to investigate current aftercare period practices, evaluate the amount of time needed for the aftercare period, and make recommendations to better address the problems associated with the aftercare period. While landfilling is relatively simple in concept, the chemistry of a landfill is a highly complex and dynamic process. A thorough understanding of landfill chemistry is necessary to model landfill behavior and determine an appropriate length for the aftercare period. Although this project does not define an appropriate length for this period, it does address several issues surrounding the length and demonstrates preliminary analysis

Spalling Predictions and Associated Capacity Losses from Hydrothermal Effects

Our project investigated fire-induced spalling and the associated losses of cross-section caused by increased pore pressures at elevated temperatures. This was modeled conceptually to explore the impacts of construction and design practices and to analytically evaluate the impacts of cross-sectional losses. The model was tested with normal and high strength concrete column designs consistent with provisions of ACI 318; the fire conditions were based on ASTM E-119. Similar data sets could be considered to further our understanding of fire-induced spalling

Alumni Gym Energy Efficiency Plan

This study of Alumni Gym shows the integration of energy efficient systems into a building that will remain cosmetically the same from the exterior, but will express modern technologies from the interior. Using the LEED certification system as a guide, energy efficient systems were analyzed and assessed for their financial benefits to WPI with a focus on environmental safety. Among the areas covered in this study are: green roofs, air quality, HVAC, insulation, lighting, water usage, and windows

Fire safety engineering guideline for informal settlements : towards practical solutions for a complex problem in South Africa

CITATION: Walls, R. (ed.). 2020. Fire safety engineering guideline for informal settlements: Towards practical solutions for a complex problem in South Africa. Stellenbosch: FireSUN Publications.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Informal settlements are growing rapidly, and in Africa they are likely to double in size within the coming few decades. Informal settlements (IS) (also known by names such as slums, ghettos, favelas and shantytowns) are typically dense, and people’s homes are built from highly combustible materials. Hence, when a fire breaks out it can spread rapidly, leaving thousands homeless. Every year in South Africa fires are affecting large numbers of people, costing municipalities millions of rands (ZAR), and are severely hindering the upliftment of the poorest in our communities. This guideline seeks to provide a holistic approach to improving fire safety for communities. It is important to realise that this complex problem can only be improved by a multi-sectoral response addressing various issues such as: reducing the risk of ignition, providing early warning systems, having community involvement, having well-resourced and well-prepared fire departments, reducing the combustible nature of homes, and many other similar factors. The audience of this report is broad in that it seeks to assist fire departments, local municipalities, national government, engineers, town planners and non-governmental organisations involved in IS fire safety. This work initially provides an understanding of communities living in settlements, as often interventions overlook the daily reality of these people which leads to interventions being ineffective. Fire behaviour, fire spread and fire safety engineering is then discussed, and it is shown how this can be applied to ISs. This is done to dispel many common myths, and to show what can, and can’t, improve fire safety. To understand IS fire incidents a timeline of a typical fire incident is provided, along with a case study on the 2017 Imizamo Yethu disaster. Many interventions, strategies and devices are discussed, looking at what could be adopted to improve fire safety. It is important to realise that a basket of solutions is typically needed, and a single intervention may have a very limited impact. A list of tasks that communities can undertake before, during and after a fire incident provides a useful resource for organisations working with communities. Ultimately there is no easy solution to this problem. However, through a concerted, evidence-based approach significant fire safety improvements can be made to help the poorest in our land.publishers versio