Join
What is the chapter about?
UMKC-ACM is the University of Missouri Kansas City's chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Founded in 1947, ACM promotes research and education in computer technology. It has over 36 different special interest groups in a variety of computer related disciplines. ACM and its special interest groups sponsor a variety of conferences as well as publish more than 30 journals and magazines. For more information see the international ACM web site.
What is the chapter interested in?
As per the roots of the national body, the UMKC chapter of the ACM is interested in all things computing. from operating system technology, to networking, to plain and simple video gaming.
Who makes up the leadership?
Currently, the leadership of the UMKC-ACM is governed by students : Arthur Pemberton - President, Ivan Markov - Vice-President. The chapter is however advised by a member of faculty : Brian Hare.
How to contact the chapter?
The ACM chapter's office in located on the forth floor of the Robert H. Flarsheim Hall building :
Room 447 Flarsheim Hall University of Missouri Kansas City Kansas City, 64110 MO United States of America
You may also come by the office of Brian Hare, on the same floor ? Office 450H. Feel free to slide a message under the door or leave it in our mailbox near the offices on the 5th floor.
You can always send us an email.
Also, check us out on the web, we have a contact form that can be used to reach the chapter : http://studo.umkc.edu/acm
Why join?
There are several reasons to join : you will gain useful experiences and meet your peers with whom you may relate in many ways; you will be exposed to many different topics, most of which you may not have on your own; many times you will get free pizza and soda, everyone loves that; although there will be a small subscription fee, you will be getting a lot.
How to join?
At this point our joining process is very simply, just give your name and information to one of the board members, send us an email saying you want to join.
What has happened in the past?
The chapter has hosted several video game competitions, with winners receiving small prizes.
Annually, the School of Computing and Engineering hosts a week long collection of events, during that time UMKC-ACM normally hosts a book sale, where we sell books donated by faculty, staff and even students.
The chapter also hosts instructors and professors who speak and give presentations on topics which they hold close.
What is going on this semester?
This semester we are planning all the past activities : we will be having contests, presentations, open discussions and maybe even a few tutorial sessions.
Highlights include programming contests : in the past, UMKC-ACM has put together programming teams who participate in local, regional and beyond contests.
This school year, UMKC will be hosting the Consortium for Computing Sciences in College Conference here on campus.
Am I really needed?
There is going to be plenty of volunteer work available : from manning desks at activities such as the book sale, to meeting with employers when they come over to give presentations, to even assisting with setting up of networks. And do not forget our programming team, that if successful can go all the way to the international competition.
I have suggestions, can I give them?
Is there something that you would like to do but it does not seem to be mentioned any where by the chapter? Well send us an email, tell us about it. We will be happy to listen to it, and if it has broad appeal will be sure to use it in some way.
Anything else I should know?
Check the chapter's website often, we will be attempting to keep it as up-to-date as possible.
The chapter keeps a display on the 4th floor of Flarsheim Hall, next to the computer labs where we post advertisements and other important messages and posters.
Elections for the board will be held this Fall 2007 semester, and sure enough, there are open positions.
Both the advisor of the chapter, and the chair of the chapter are interested in open source software, and specifically the GNU/Linux operating system. So if you happen to be a fan of that technology, you will find friends within the chapter.