Dr. Michael Constantinou presented the 17th Annual Mueser Rutledge lecture to the Geotechnical Group at the General Society for Mechanics and Tradesmen in Manhattan on November 15, 2007. The lecture provided an overview of the various seismic protective systems and their application in mitigating the damaging effects of earthquakes on structures.

By Carol J. Patterson, Esq. and Tara B. Mulrooney, Esq.

The Met Section has proposed to work with other ASCE sections in our region to institute a Legislative Fellowship Program (the “Program”) with the main objective of providing technical assistance to the New York State Legislature. The Program, which is modeled after the highly successful Congressional Fellowship Program and Legislative Fellowship Program of the Boston Society of Engineers, is a means for members of the New York State Assembly and Senate to gain high level technical assistance in addressing the complex issues involved in maintaining and investing in New York State’s infrastructure.

The Geotechnical Group held its first lecture of the 2007/2008 season in a new venue for the Group at the General Society for Mechanics and Tradesmen in Manhattan on October 23, 2007. The lecture focused on the corrosion potential and engineering design of steel piles buried in the ground and in the marine environment.

A group of YMF members and students from the Manhattan College and NYC College of Technology ASCE student chapters participated at the 16th Annual New York Cares Day on October 20, 2007 along with 8,000 other volunteers to help revitalize New York City public schools. This year, our ASCE group spent the Saturday volunteering at PS 345K Patrolman Robert Bowen School in East New York, Brooklyn. The tasks included painting murals on classroom walls, relocating and organizing the school's supplies in storage closets and supply rooms.

When an interstate bridge collapses during rush hour or broken levees destroy a major city, Americans are again reminded of the vulnerability of the nation’s infrastructure, but few people feel empowered to do anything about it. Beginning this fall, however, thousands of middle school students will tackle the issue of safety for the country’s vast network of utilities, transportation, structures, and communications systems in the 2008 National Engineers Week Future City Competition™.

On September 14, 2007, nearly 100 members of the Younger Member Forum had a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the Citi Field construction site, located adjacent to Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens. The new ballpark for the New York Mets is expected to be completed by Opening Day 2009. Citi Field will be a 1.26 million square foot facility with a capacity for approximately 45,000 fans. The design of the exterior façade and main entry rotunda is inspired by Ebbets Field, the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1913-1957.