Online conference: The International E-Conference on Computer, Information and Systems Sciences and Engineering (CISSE 2007) is accepting papers until Oct. 22. Full papers may be submitted online at http://www.cisse2007.org. Accepted papers must be presented in the virtual conference by one of the authors. CISSE 2007 has received more than 300 paper submissions from more than 60 countries so far. Authors will be notified of acceptance by Nov. 2 and the deadline for final manuscripts and conference registration is Nov. 23. For more information, e-mail info@cisse2007.org.

Charity haunted house: Pi Kappa Phi will host a haunted house to benefit the Friends of the Ithaca Youth Bureau and PUSH America, Oct. 30-31, from 7-10:30 p.m. at 55 Ridgewood Road. Tickets are $5 each and some scares may be too frightening for children under age 12. Organizers are soliciting local businesses for donations of Halloween decorations and costumes and used or new lumber for haunted house construction. To donate new or old decorations and building materials, e-mail soneill@cityofithaca.org or call (610) 574-8241.

Photo portfolio prize: Cornell's Department of Art is organizing a juried competition for the first Margaret Bourke-White Annual Photography Portfolio Prize. The winner receives $7,500 and an exhibition of his or her photographs in President David Skorton's office during spring semester 2008. The contest is open to matriculated undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled at Cornell. Portfolios must include eight to 10 high-quality photographs of any dimension, labeled and ready to be framed and exhibited. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. in 224 Olive Tjaden Hall. Entry forms must accompany portfolio submissions and are available in 224 Tjaden Hall or online at http://www.aap.cornell.edu/aap/art/resources/.