Finals week has just started and all I can say is "Wow." It was a busy semester for me just as I am sure it was for you our loyal BITeS readers. I've added a few more things to my list of things I wish I had learned about being a professor before I got started as one. Someday that will make for an interesting BITeS, but today is certainly not that day. I've also learned that "because I am stupid" is more often than not a good answer to any question that starts with "Why did you...?" (Followed by "and I'm sorry" when appropriate.)

But I am not here to bemoan a long semester. Well, maybe I am, but I doubt you want to read about that. I am here to tell you about some of the exciting things coming up that you'll have a chance to participate in.

First, the Leadership Council will be holding its annual project meeting in lovely Claremont, CA in early January. You may wonder how you get to participate in that. Well, this meeting is the time we really think about the site and what sorts of changes, features, etc. we can look into implementing. So, if there is something you would like us to think about, please let us know. Your ideas are always welcome (see the Let VIPEr know! link to the side or click here) and now might be an especially good time.

One of the things we are going to talk about that you can be involved in is the return of our community challenges. It has been a little while since our last community challenges (orbitals and trends, symmetry and MO, solid state, and organometallic literature discussions). We think it is time for some more. I don't know what the topics will be yet, and in fact I don't think anyone does. So, if you could use some materials on a specific topic for your spring course, feel free to leave a comment on this post and maybe it will make the list of challenges!

Finally, while still a few months away, ACS Orlando is fast approaching. The day this post was written is the day ACS housing opened and registration began. With that in mind I can say that our oral sessions will be at our traditional times and days (I can't be more specific here, sorry) and I am pretty sure our poster session will be on the traditional day. Our wildy popular social hour will take place at Main Event Orlando on Monday evening. Look for more details at we get closer to April.

I've got some grading to get back to so that's it for now. From the VIPEr team to you, happy end of the semester.