acm news.

The article focuses on recent developments in the field of computer science and information technology. The Association for Computing Machinery Ombudsman program, first initiated early in 1971, is continuing with new emphasis on structure and plans. In May 1972, an ad hoc Ombudsman Committee was created to provide volunteer policy guidance. Presently the Committee is dealing with a number of issues. Foremost are the formulation of program goals and objectives, and a more specific definition of the committee's responsibility, as well as selected tasks deemed important to local ombudsman activity. The Fourth Symposium on Operating Systems Principles drew nearly 200 attendees from academia and industry. Sponsored by the Special Interest Group on Operating Systems, this meeting marked the first time the group has held one of its symposia at an industrial location. The Special Interest Group on Symbolic and Algebraic Manipulation has announced that its lectureship program will be continued for a second year. The program was initiated in 1972 to provide seminar chairmen in departments of computer science, mathematics and physics with information about potential speakers and topics in the field of symbolic and algebraic manipulation of particular interest to their departments.