The conference is organized by the Washington University Students for International Collaboration on the Environment (WUSICE). This organization was founded by Summer Jiakun Zhao, the current president, after her discussion with professor James Wertsch on the disappointing results achieved at the Copenhagen Climate Conference in 2009.

Realizing the importance of the roles that China and United States play in the world, Zhao founded WUSICE with one primary mission: to establish the first student collaboration between American and Chinese undergraduates on environmental issues.

“The purpose of this conference is to create a bridge between students from America and China, with a focus on issues pertaining to Climate Change,” states the conference’s website.

The conference’s topics will include the energy histories of both the United States and China, current environmental policies, coal and renewable energy, individual environmental responsibility, corporate environmental responsibility, government environmental responsibility and international policy options leading up to the United Nations 2016 Conference on Climate Change (COP 16).

The conference will culminate in a mock COP 16 in early December in Cancun, Mexico. The students will represent either the U.S. or China, and will debate topics relating to climate change.

“By doing so, they can step into the shoes of the policy makers of the other country, thus fostering deeper mutual understanding of the two countries’ culture and perspectives,” said Anne Chen, WUSICE’s public relations representative.

Professor Wertsch, the sponsor of WUSICE, suggested Fudan as a good starting point of the conference because of the long and sound relationship that Wash. U. has maintained with Fudan University in China. The eleven Fudan student delegates have already been chosen.

“If any agreement were to be made on how to provide for a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for everyone to live in, cultural differences must be respected, and divisions must be resolved,” Chen said. “That is why we want to work with Fudan University students­—who are just as eager and excited to collaborate with us—on beginning to build this international student organization.”

Meanwhile, the eleven Wash. U. delegates have not yet been selected. The application process ends at 11 p.m. on Sept. 30. Interested students can find the application materials at wusice.wordpress.com

“We hope this program will create a broad student network, spark life-long relationships and collaboration and produce the international leaders that will lead to a sustainable future,” Chen said.

The No. 4 Washington University volleyball team lost to No. 2 Emory for the third time in school history this weekend, falling 1-3 in a tightly fought match at the second University Athletic Association Round Robin.

The Red and Green also edged out the University of Chicago 3-2 and swept Brandeis University and New York University (NYU) to take the No. 2 seed in the UAA championships, hosted by Wash. U. on Nov. 7 and 8.

Wash. U. started off strong against the Eagles, taking the first set 25-21 despite two occasions where Emory closed to within one point. Even with senior Alli Alberts’ career high of 17 kills, the Bears could not overcome the Eagles in the next three sets.

“We really just need to figure out how to get out of ruts,” senior Ali Crouch said. “Be more creative with our shots and tool more.”

The fourth set proved to be the most competitive, as Wash. U. built up two four-point leads, but the Bears could not finish and fell 27-25. “Stats don’t matter, especially when you lose,” Alberts said.

The University of Chicago fought hard to even their match and force a fifth set against Wash. U. after trailing by two sets. “Chicago came out pretty scrappy as well and played a really good game against us,” Alberts said.

Senior Nikki Morrison, junior Erin Albers and freshman Kristen Thomas recorded double-digit kills, finishing with 17, 13 and 11, respectively, as Wash. U. took the first two sets 25-15 and 25-11. The Red and Green were plagued by errors in the third and fourth sets, dropping them 25-21 and 25-22.

The Bears came back in the final set with a 15-7 finish. Freshman Tricia Brandt had a memorable day on defense, recording a personal best of 23 digs.

The Bears swept Brandeis (25-22, 25-13, 25-18) and NYU (25-21, 25-15, 25-17) on Saturday. Freshman Erin Kasson led the way against Brandeis, recording eight kills on a .571 performance, while Morrison had a team high of 11 kills on a .455 showing. Albers and senior Ali Crouch had career days against NYU, with Albers smashing out 15 kills on 18 attempts for a .833 percentage and Crouch hitting .480 for 13 kills.

“[Albers] hit like a monster,” Alberts said. “I was waiting for her to break out. I knew it was going to be soon. When she is on, she cannot be stopped.”

Albers was more nonchalant when asked about her accomplishment. “No one can have a perfect hitting game without good defense and a good setter,” Albers said.

Wash. U. hosts one more tournament before the UAA championships at home. The Red and Green take on Concordia University and Culver-Stockton College on Oct. 31 and compete against Monmouth College and Millikin University on Nov. 1.

Bears dig for a cure

Washington University’s 7 p.m. match against Division II University of Missouri-St. Louis features the Bear’s first Dig for a Cure event.

Private donors have pledged funds for every dig that the Bears record for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. Proceeds from donations at the door, T-shirt sales, a silent auction and a raffle for an iPod will also support breast cancer research. “It’s a cause that’s very near and dear to the team’s heart,” Assistant Coach Louella Lovely-Maxwell said.

The Dig for a Cure program was started in 2003 by former University of North Carolina-Charlotte Volleyball Coach Lisa Marston after her mother survived breast cancer. Since then, more than 220 collegiate and high school programs have joined in the event.

The Bears will be warming up in pink shirts, wearing pink ribbons and playing with a pink volleyball in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for our team to give back and have fun at the same time,” Alberts said. “This is our first year, so I really hope lots of people come out to support such a wonderful cause and also help cheer us on to victory.”

The team has expressed their hopes that community members support the foundation. More information on how to donate can be found by contacting Head Coach Rich Luenemann.