Campus News in Brief

Stever House given distinction

Stever House, formerly New House, has recently been named a “Dorm of Distinction” by University Business magazine. Stever was a runner-up in the Large Private Institution category along with 10 West St. at Suffolk University; the winner was Truman Hall at Emory University.

Stever House, built in 2003, was the first dorm in the nation to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council for its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), getting a silver LEED rating for its low environmental impact in construction and function.

According to University Business, the magazine looked for dorms that feel like home, have a sense of community to them, and make the residents feel safe about themselves and their belongings. The building must also be green, but not in a way that is distracting to the residents.

The magazine cited Stever House’s community kitchens with stainless-steel appliances, outdoor patios and grills, floor-to-ceiling windows for natural light and visibility to enhance safety, a real-time energy-use kiosk for residents and visitors, individual temperature controls for each room and community space, and a forced-air system that decreases illnesses and allergies.

A total of 76 dorms were nominated for the “Dorm of Distinction” title in a number of different categories.

Undergrads to play in quartet

Carnegie Mellon’s School of Music has launched the Quartet-in-Motion program, which will feature a different chamber music ensemble every year, starting with the Parker String Quartet this academic year.

For one week in the fall and spring semesters, the quartet will present master classes, coach chamber music sessions, and read student composers’ compositions.

The week culminates in a recital performance by the quartet.

The Parker String Quartet was the winner of the 2005 Concert Artists Guild Competition and the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition.

They have performed in major venues across the United States, Italy, France, and Australia.

According to Noel Zahler, head of the School of Music, in a Carnegie Mellon press release, this program will allow the students to experience and work with at least four professional quartets during their time at Carnegie Mellon.

The program hops to give the students professional experience befpre graduating and entering the real world of music performance.