Book editor to speak on cultural competence

Janet Bennett, executive director of the Intercultural Training Institute in Portland, Ore., will discuss intercultural competence in her lecture, "On Becoming a Global Citizen: The Path to Engaged Citizenship." The presentation will be in the Michigan Union ballroom at 4 p.m. today.

Free orchestra performance at Hill Auditorium

The University Symphony Orchestra will perform today at 8 p.m. in Hill Auditorium. Led by conductor Kenneth Kiesler, the performance will include pieces from Britten and Beethoven. The event is free.

Workshop to demonstrate online library resources

The University's Digital Library Productions Service will hold a free workshop and discussion on Google's digitization of University libraries, at 4 p.m. today on the second floor of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library. Participants will learn to use the Mirlyn search tool to find full-text works on the Internet.

Crime notes

Undercover officers catch scalpers

Undercover police officers discovered ticket scalping Saturday morning near Michigan Stadium just before the football game against Michigan State, the Department of Public Safety reported. The officers were in plainclothes and were searching specifically for ticket scalpers.

Construction triggers fire alarm

DPS officers responded to a fire alarm in Weill Hall Saturday afternoon. No evidence of fire was found. Police said that dust from construction triggered the false alarm.

Football ticket reported stolen at stadium

A fan reported having a football ticket stolen from his pocket at Michigan Stadium on Saturday afternoon at about 3 p.m., DPS reported. Police have no suspects.

This day in 'U' history

< strong>Profs discover space region

October 9, 1981 - Associate Astronomy Prof. Robert Kirshner and three colleagues recently discovered a region of space 200 to 300 million light years in diameter containing almost no detectable matter. The discovery is the largest void ever found in outer space. It has caused a renewed interest in astronomy and its applications.

The void was discovered with a University telescope located near Santiago, Chile, during a survey conducted to study galaxy clusters.

Astronomy Prof. Gordon McAlpine uses the Santiago telescope frequently to conduct research on voids in space. He said Kirshner's findings could have a "universe-shaking" impact.

"The laws of physics are at stake and the understanding of black holes is at stake," McAlpine said.

He explained that black holes are thought to be collapsed stars with a gravitational pull so strong that light cannot escape.