The School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon is getting two new buildings, the Gates Center for Computer Science and the Hillman Center for Future Generation Technologies. Together, the two are the Gates Hillman Complex or GHC. This market is designed to predict when the buildings will open.

In a broader sense, it’s a test of the power of prediction markets.

Any CMU Andrew ID holder, with the exception of those who can directly control (that is to say, schedule) the opening date.

We’ll use the date listed on the temporary occupancy permit of the complex to be the official opening day. Nobody can move into the buildings until that permit is granted, and that permit isn’t granted until the buildings are ready to receive people.

In the event that the two buildings open on different days, we’ll use the date that the Gates Center opens.

We’ll hold a raffle (generate random numbers) to distribute prizes when the GHC finally opens. Your chance of winning is proportional to the number of tickets you hold.

Prizes include several iPod touches, iPod nanos, cupcake coupons from Dozen, gift certificates to the University Bookstore, T-shirts, and additional, TBA Yahoo! swag.

We’ll be adding more stuff and clarifying the exact prizes as we get closer to opening.

Yes. Every week we’ll see if you’ve created and held a new bet in the past week. If so, you’ll be credited with two additional tickets.