Here's your USD News Connect — where each week the University of San Diego media relations team offers expert voices to speak on stories impacting our community. If you're interested in the stories below, or need experts for any other topic you might be working on, don't hesitate to reach out to us at press@sandiego.edu.*
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Recent Drought Changes in California and How it Could Impact our Fire Season
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Governor Newsom recently eased drought emergency provisions due to the recent rainfall over the last few months as our region's drought conditions improve. Looking ahead, could this positive drought news help us as we enter the hot, summer months ahead when it comes to fire risks? Zhi-Yong Yin, Professor of Environmental and Ocean Sciences, can discuss what this change in the drought means for our area and also, if a rainier season helps or hurts us when it comes to fire risk in our area
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Could the Signing of Utah's Recent Social Media Bill Set a Precedent for Other States & How Kids Use Social Media?
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Utah recently passed a bill that will put more restrictions on social media companies. With the bill, social media platforms won't be allowed to use designs that knowingly cause kids to get addicted to their platforms. Parents will also be allowed to sue social media companies if their kids become addicted to social media. Ed Howard, Senior Policy Advocate for the Children's Advocacy Institute at USD, spearheaded the lobbying of AB 2408, a first-in-the-nation California bill from 2022 that died without a vote, after receiving broad, bipartisan support. AB 2408 is nearly identical to the enacted Utah social media addiction bill. Howard can discuss the impact of the passing of this bill in Utah and how this could set a precedent for other states to pass something similar.
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HAPPENING TODAY: USD’s Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering Celebrates its 10th Anniversary
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The Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering is commemorating its 10-year anniversary this year. Dean Chell Roberts is available to discuss how engineering has changed over the last decade as we see new fields like AI popping up (which is now an online master's program at USD) and how USD is focused on providing engineering students with not only the tools to be engineers but also how to look at technology from an ethical/human rights perspective. To celebrate, the school will be hosting an open house for the USD community today (March 28) from 12-2 p.m. Darlene Marcos Shiley, President Harris and Dean Chell Roberts will be part of a cake-cutting ceremony. Students can also test drive a drone, check out their robots and see their 3D printers in action. RSVP at press@sandiego.edu to attend the event.
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* Please note that times of availability will vary according to professors' schedules.
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USD Media Relations Podcast Episode - Engineering in the 21st Century: Where the “How” Meets the “Why”
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Dr. Chell Roberts, dean of the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering at USD, talked to “At the Edge of it All” about the broadening scope of the engineering field. He also talks about why, as technology progresses at a rapid rate, engineers need to think beyond just how something works — but also about how it will impact society. Listen here.
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Office of Media Relations
University of San Diego
5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110
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