Fall 2009 - Econometric Poster Presentations

Students who are currently taking Econometrics (Economics 318) will be available in the Social Science Center - on the second floor of Williams - to discuss their projects on Tuesday, December 15 from 10 to 12 noon. This is not a series of student presentations. Rather, each of the seven groups of students has prepared a poster which summarizes their model and the results of their project. We would like to invite you to attend.

Does your neighbor’s foreclosure decrease the value of your home? (Casey Armstrong, Amanda Curley, Emeka Kanu)

How does pitcher fatigue affect major league pitcher performance? (Francois Auzerais, Thomas Kilgore, Matt Santore)

Is it worth expanding commuter rail in Connecticut? (Will von Meister, Matt Howe)

Why are there such large swings in the stock of office space in Boston? (Max Stratouly, Nick Vasquez)

What factors are most influential in a Hartford parent’s decision to choose a high test scoring school for their child? (Joel Caron, Christopher Hunt, Manam Chowhan, Tehani Guruge, Ben Dawson)

At the town level, how important were Independents in the reelection of Governor Jodi Rell in 2006? (Jake Gaffey, Craig Drusbosky, Norm Salem)

Is Connecticut a competitor in attracting venture capital? (Sean McGlynn, Dan D’Aprile, Mike Perl, Natasha Das)

Course on "People and the Polls" for Spring 2010

It's almost Advising Week here at Trinity, which means its time for Trinity students to start thinking about what they want to take next semester. I'll be teaching a new class on "People and the Polls" (see the course description here). Among other things, I want to have the students in the course examine the unrolling of the 2010 Census. All aboard! Sign up now!

Pictures of the SSC, circa 1930

The room that now houses the Social Science Center used to be Trinity's original library and was occupied as such until the library moved to its first free-standing building in 1952 (where it still stands today).  In case you are curious, this is what it used to look like (courtesy of Peter Knapp at the Trinity College Archives in the Watkinson):

Most of the book shelves lining the sides of the room are long gone, but they still remain in the corners.  I love the light shining through the east window!

Sociology open house - October 27

The Sociology Department is hosting an open house for prospective majors on October 27, from 4:15 to 5:30 in the Crescent Street building where the department is located. Take a look at the flier.

Greetings from Ann Arbor

Right now, I'm in Michigan, as part of the assessment team for ICPSR's new website Teaching With Data.  Unfortunately, it's pouring in Ann Arbor, and so I don't get to troll around one of my favorite college towns before events commence at 3:00 pm.  However, being here always reminds me of how cool data people are.  I'm ready to begin!