CSU, Chico News

California State University, Chico’s Center for Regional and Continuing Education and the College of Natural Sciences are preparing for Evolution 2003, the largest academic conference ever hosted on the CSU, Chico campus.

Evolution 2003 is the joint annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Evolution, Society of Systematic Biologists and American Society of Naturalists. Conference organizers include CSU, Chico biology professors Kristina Schierenbeck and Roger Lederer, the former college dean, and Clare Roby, conference administrator for Continuing Education.

The five-day Evolution 2003 Conference begins June 20 and will attract an estimated 1,200 scientists and students from around the world. “The registration roster is a who’s who of biologists from the major American research universities. In addition, we will host a large number of international conference participants, with scholars from universities in Russia, New Zealand and South America already registered,” said Roby.

Planning for this event began more than three years ago. Schierenbeck and Lederer are leading the conference programming efforts on behalf of the three academic societies. Continuing Education is providing fiscal management, registration services and logistical coordination for the conference. “Our preparations have really been a team effort,” said Roby. “Associated Students Catering and Conference Services, University Housing and Food Services, Facilities Management Services and numerous university staff have all contributed to making this conference an outstanding opportunity for the attendees to share their research and experience and sample Chico hospitality. From airport shuttle service to on-campus housing, we will be providing complete conference services.”

In addition to professional meetings, symposia and poster sessions, attendees will also be able to take advantage of a full schedule of field trips that highlight the unique natural characteristics and biological niches of Northern California. Field trips include excursions to the vernal pools of the Nature Conservancy’s Vina Plains Preserve, the University of California’s Bodega Bay Marine Laboratory, the state and federal wildlife reserves of the Sacramento Valley and the CSU, Chico Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve.

“I think our colleagues will be impressed with the level of service our campus and the community will provide. We have a lot in store for our guests including a great schedule of academic presentations and professional networking opportunities,” said Schierenbeck. “We will put Chico on the map for most of these attendees, which really helps support the work we have done to make CSU, Chico a great place to study and learn the biological sciences.”

For more information, call Clare Roby at 530-898-6105.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 6th, 2003 at 7:54 am and is filed under 2003 Spring.