Mile by Mile: Recycled Rubber Asphalt Road Research Makes Michigan More Resilient

by Coby-Dillon English, University Marketing and Communications

Ten trucks lay new pavement on a road through flat farmland in an aerial shot.

At Michigan Tech, University Professor Zhanping You (CEGE) has been working on a solution for tire waste and aging roads for years. Today, his innovative methods are turning recycled rubber into chipseal maintenance material and rubber asphalt mixture for road construction projects across Michigan. 

You and his team have 30 ongoing or complete projects across the state, which produces approximately 10 million scrap tires annually. Working with local government agencies and incorporating feedback from community road users, You has positioned Michigan Tech engineering as an important resource in making Michigan infrastructure more durable and sustainable. And the work has only just begun.

“If we keep going, we could use up all the tires in the country!” said You. “Or at least in Michigan.”

Learn about You’s research and who’s getting involved across the state on Michigan Tech’s Unscripted Research Blog.

Mail Services Launches Parcel Tracker and New Website

by University Mail Services

Mail Services is pleased to introduce Parcel Tracker, a new online system designed to streamline package tracking and notifications for campus recipients.

With Parcel Tracker, Michigan Tech faculty and staff will receive email notifications when packages carried by the U.S. Postal Service have been received at the University’s mail room and are ready for delivery to department mail locations. Staff from departments housed in the Administration Building will receive notifications when packages arrive from the Postal Service, UPS or FedEx.

Notification emails will come from Mail Services beginning on Monday, May 11, and will include the number of packages received, images of the shipping label(s), and any additional pertinent information, such as notification when alternate arrangements need to be made for package pickup.

Faculty and staff may also create a Parcel Tracker account using their Michigan Tech email address. Creating an account allows recipients to see details for the parcels that have been checked in for them, including information captured in the scan, current delivery status and relevant time stamps.

Visit the redesigned Mail Services website for updated information and helpful resources related to mailing, shipping and campus delivery services. We invite the campus community to review the site for important resources and details on how to join the Mail Services Updates List.

ADA Title II Web Accessibility Compliance Date Extended

by Accessible Technology Working Group

The U.S. Department of Justice has issued an interim final rule extending the compliance date for the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II web and mobile app accessibility requirements by one year. Michigan Tech is now preparing for an April 26, 2027, compliance date. The rule applies to web content and mobile applications provided or made available by state and local government entities, including public universities.

The rule establishes web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard for web content and mobile app accessibility under Title II of the ADA. The extension provides additional time for institutions to continue preparing, but it does not change the University’s ongoing responsibility to ensure that digital services, programs and activities are accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Department of Justice notes that covered entities continue to have existing obligations under Title II, regardless of the extended compliance date.

At Michigan Tech, this work includes public-facing websites, digital documents, course materials in Canvas, mobile applications and other digital resources used in University programs, services and activities. Campus units are encouraged to continue reviewing and improving digital accessibility by using proper heading structure, descriptive links, alternative text for images, accessible tables, sufficient color contrast and accurate captions for video.

The additional year should be viewed as time to continue making steady progress, not as a pause in accessibility work. Units should continue reviewing high-use, public-facing, student-facing and required digital materials and addressing barriers as part of regular content updates. Improving digital accessibility supports students, employees, visitors and community members who rely on accessible digital content to fully participate in University programs and services.

Questions about digital accessibility best practices may be directed to the Accessible Technology Working Group (ATWG) at accessibility-l@mtu.edu. To report a digital barrier or other inaccessible technology, please use the University’s digital barrier reporting form.

HuskiesFit Adult and Youth Aikido

by Michigan Tech Recreation

Summer HuskiesFit aikido programs are back at the Student Development Complex, and we’re ready to help you stay active, focused and engaged all season long!

Whether you’re brand-new to aikido or looking to continue developing your skills, HuskiesFit programs offer something for everyone. With both adult and youth aikido options available, participants of all ages and experience levels can learn the fundamentals, build confidence and improve coordination in a supportive environment.

From mastering basic movements to refining technique and discipline, our aikido programs are designed to challenge and support you every step of the way. Join us this summer and experience a unique martial art that emphasizes balance, control and personal growth.

Questions? Email recreation@mtu.edu.

Recreation in May

by Michigan Tech Recreation

This May, let the fun begin with Michigan Tech Rec! 

From heart-pumping workouts and family-friendly events at the Student Development Complex (SDC), to fast-paced and fun pickleball matches at the Gates Tennis Center, and unforgettable excursions with the Outdoor Adventure Program, there’s something for every age, interest and ability level. Whether you’re looking to stay active, try something new or connect with others in the community, we’ve got your recreation covered.

Visit Michigan Tech Recreation for registration links — and check back often! New and exciting programs are always being added! 

Be sure to review our Open Rec Hours to schedule your rec time accordingly. 

Important Schedule Notes:

  • The John MacInnes Student Ice Arena is currently closed following graduation and will reopen on Monday, May 11. 

  • The SDC and Gates Tennis Center are now open for summer hours.

Memberships Available!
Interested in building membership and taking advantage of all the great components? We’ve got you covered! Check out SDC Membership or Gates Membership for all the details.

Questions? Reach out to recreation@mtu.edu.

May Recreation Programs:

Job Postings

by Human Resources

Job Postings for Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email humanresources@mtu.edu. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Machine Learning Engineer II, Michigan Tech Research Institute.

Senior Pre-Award Analyst, Michigan Tech Research Institute.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Accommodations are available. If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations to apply for employment or for an interview at Michigan Technological University, please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or humanresources@mtu.edu.

On the Road

Andrew Fiss (HU) gave two days of invited programs for the Claremont Colleges in California on April 30 and May 1.

On April 30, Fiss gave a guest class for the “Embodied Algorithms” Studio, co-taught by math professor Jemma Lorenat and sculpture professor Sarah Gilbert at Pitzer College. He brought in the script and performance history of “The Observatory Pinafore,” an 1879 parody of an 1878 Gilbert and Sullivan opera, rewritten to be about the workplace of the Harvard Observatory.

On May 1, for the Claremont Center for Mathematical Sciences Colloquium Series, Fiss gave an invited lecture titled “Singing American Math: College Traditions from Book Burnings to Observatory Parties, 1880s-1920s”. It argued that singing math was an American college tradition, a practice of technical communication with multiple meanings and varied practices. The event was hosted by math professors from Claremont McKenna College and Scripps College.

Finally, Fiss did historical research in the Claremont Colleges Library, where he learned about the Pomona College observatory and the mid-1920s events of its astronomical society, which featured dramatic works about the history of astronomy.

In the News

Keweenaw Report quoted Dennis Livesay (CC) in a story about Michigan Tech’s new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence launching this fall. The new degree reflects growing student interest and expands Tech’s AI offerings. The program was announced by Michigan Tech News in April.