January 11, 2021

The Sustainability Film Series and facilitated discussion will begin its 11th year with the showing of "True Cost," a film about the clothes we wear, the people who make them, and the impact the industry is having on our world.

The price of clothing has been decreasing for decades, while the human and environmental costs have grown dramatically. This 2015 documentary film investigates who really pays the price for our clothing? The discussion facilitator will be  Soonkwan Hong (CoB), associate professor of marketing.

“This seemed like an appropriate film for January, after the consumption spree of the holidays!” explained Joan Chadde, film series coordinator, and director of the Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach.

“Dr. Hong is the perfect discussion facilitator for this film, given his interests in marketing ethics, sustainable lifestyles, and consumer behavior.”

With the pandemic restrictions and not being able to show films on campus, participants need to register HERE and information will be emailed regarding viewing each month’s film, and a zoom link for the facilitated discussion. Participation is free, but a $5 suggested donation per film is appreciated. Make donations online and put the Sustainability Film Series in the comment box. "Purchasing public film screening rights can cost $100 to $300 for just one film, so donations are welcomed," adds Joan Chadde. Films are selected by a committee comprised of representatives from the sponsoring organizations: Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, Michigan Tech Great Lakes Research Center, Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Keweenaw Land Trust, MTU Departments of Social Sciences and Civil & Environmental Engineering, MTU College of Forest Resources & Environmental Sciences, and the MTU Sustainable Futures Institute.

The list of films can be viewed here and on the MTU events calendar. All are invited to attend —MTU faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members.

If you would like to be highlighted in Michigan Tech's next Research magazine, send University Marketing and Communications more info via this Google form about your book (or album, performance, or other longform scholarly work in mixed media).

Include a link, a cover image, and a way for us to contact you with questions. All submissions will be reviewed by University Marketing and Communications. Published projects must be research focused, published in 2020, and authored by members of the Michigan Tech community. Incomplete submissions will not be included.

Today (Jan. 11), is the last day to submit Husky Health Checklists for the reporting period of October 1, 2019 - December 31, 2020 to receive your Husky Health payout incentive.

The 2020 Husky Health reporting period began on January 1, 2021 and will continue through December 31, 2021 for a 2022 incentive payout.

Find out more information about Husky Health and other wellness benefits online. Questions? Contact the Benefits Office at benefits@mtu.edu or 7-2517

Are you moving to a new office or campus location? Michigan Tech IT wants to make sure the transition goes as smoothly as possible.

Contact us at least two weeks in advance of your move date, and we will arrange to transfer your phone and computer, ensuring they are connected properly in your new space.

For questions about office and equipment moves, we can help. Contact us at it-help@mtu.edu or call 7-1111.

Typically reserved for campus rivalries and fantasy sports, some friendly “trash talk” can be a motivator that provides your team with that competitive advantage. In this case, we’re going to discuss actual garbage — the cardboard, candy wrappers, takeout containers, and everything else you might drop in a trash or recycling receptacle on campus.

Bad puns aside, consider the following when managing the waste you generate on campus.

Sort things out — When disposing of items on campus, you can choose to recycle. The University offers single-stream recycling for most consumer paper, plastic, and metal products. These items can be placed in the same container, or commingled, for collection and processing. Signage on or near waste receptacles on campus describe many of the materials that can be recycled, as well as items that cannot be recycled on campus, like styrofoam and plastic grocery bags.

Handle with care — Staff and vendors handle the waste that’s generated on campus every day. We all must take personal responsibility in ensuring that the waste we place in collection containers is safe for people to handle. Do not place sharp objects such as broken glass, blades, or needles in trash receptacles. In addition, liquids, chemicals, and hazardous wastes should never be placed in solid waste collection bins. These items can not only injure campus waste handlers and sorting facility personnel, but if left undetected in the waste stream they can also have long-term negative environmental impacts.

Get out of your comfort zone — Consider changing your habits. Think about your daily routine and the small changes that you can make that may save water, conserve energy, or reduce wastes. Consider a reusable water bottle or food container the next time you’re packing your lunch. Before leaving the office, remember to close that window and turn off the lights. Changes like these not only reduce daily waste, but will also have a positive measurable impact on the University’s overall environmental footprint and operational costs.

Taking a minute each day to consider your impact will help you be part of the University’s winning team when it comes to responsibly managing solid waste on campus. In the words of one of history’s most legendary trash-talkers, Muhammad Ali, “Don’t count the days, make the days count.”

Join VPR team members and other members of the Michigan Tech research community from noon to 1 p.m. tomorrow (Jan. 12) for presentations and discussion to help you and your team as you pursue funding for your research and other externally supported programs.

This month's discussion will be led by Will Cantrell, associate provost and dean of the Graduate School. Cantrell will describe how researchers can work with graduate students to provide the best learning experience while achieving research goals, followed by a question and answer session.

Session attendees will also have a chance to meet the Sponsored Programs Operations Team and VPR Staff. Attendees will have the chance to ask presentation and general VPR-related questions at the end. Join this virtual session via Zoom.

Registration for Naturally Slim, an evidence-based curriculum with the latest behavioral science and is grounded in the principles of the most effective behavioral weight loss programs, is now open.

Learn how to lose weight and improve your health while eating the foods you love. Employee Wellness is offering active, benefits-eligible employees that have not previously enrolled in Naturally Slim, an opportunity to lose weight with Naturally Slim — at no employee cost. Space is limited. Apply now through Friday (Jan. 15).

This session of Naturally Slim begins Feb. 1 and is open to current, benefits-eligible employees that have not previously enrolled in Naturally Slim. In addition to the upcoming Naturally Slim session, Naturally Slim will provide a webinar open to all employees at no cost at 2 p.m. (EST) Friday (Jan. 14), 2020 at 2:00 PM.

The link to register for the free Naturally Slim webinar can be found here. Questions? Contact the Benefits Office or call 7-2517

Registration for Spring 2021 is now open! Michigan Tech Aquatics offers swim programs for youth ages six months to 17 years and adults ages 18 and older.

Class sizes are limited and based on social distancing. Youth classes meet Saturday mornings. Two sessions offered: Jan. 23 - Feb. 27 and March 20 -April 24. Session one registration closes Jan.21.

Social distancing will be maintained during classes. Instructors remain on the pool deck. A parent is required to be in the water with each participant for Parent & Child Aquatics and Preschool Aquatics. Visit Huskies Youth Aquatics for details on each of the four youth aquatics programs listed:

• American Red Cross Parent and Child Aquatics (ages 6 months to 3 years)
• Preschool Aquatics (ages 4-5 years)
• American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-4 (ages 6-17 years)
• Junior Huskies Swim Clinic (ages 6-17 years)

Adult Huskies Swim Clinic (ages 18 & older) provides additional attention and competitive guidance to adult swimmers looking to improve their swimming skills and fitness levels in a group setting. Four sessions:

• January 19-28
• February 9-25
• March 16-April 1
• April 6-22.

Meets Tuesdays/Thursdays, 7-7:50  p.m. Session 1 registration closes January 17. Visit Adult Huskies Swim Clinic for details.

Registration for Spring 2021 Huskies Adult and Youth Tennis Programs is now open. Class sizes are limited and based on social distancing.

Adult Huskies Group Tennis Lessons (ages 17 years & up) are now being offered for those looking to learn more about the game of tennis. Each class includes technique and games to learn and develop skills that will improve players' workouts and match play.

Three sessions offered: January 20 - February 17, February 22 - March 31, April 5 - May 12. Mondays, 7-8 p.m., Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. or both for double the fun!.

Session 1 registration closes Jan. 16. Visit Adult Huskies Tennis Lessons for details.

Youth Huskies Group Tennis Lessons are now being offered for ages 5-17 years, beginners to experienced players. Classes are based on age and skill level. Three sessions offered: January 19 - February 20, February 22 - April 3, April 5 - May 15. Session 1 registration closes January 16. Options for participating 1 or 2 days a week. Visit Youth Huskies Tennis Lessons for details.

Private lessons are also available to both adults and youth. Visit Private Tennis Lessons for details.

The next Physics Colloquium will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 14) via Zoom.

Yury Gogotsi will present "2D Carbides and Nitrides (MXenes) - New Materials Open New Horizons."

Gogotsi is a Distinguished University Professor and Charles T. and Ruth M. Bach Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Drexel University.

Fill Out the COVID-19 Symptom Tracking Form Before Coming to Campus

If you are working on campus while the University is at Health Safety Level Five, remember that no one is permitted to come to campus with symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Employees are required to monitor their symptoms daily before coming to campus. The Daily Symptom Tracking Form is a short form that will help you determine if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

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ACSHF Forum Today

Michigan Tech was cited in the story "6.5-Magnitude Earthquake May Hit Israel In Coming Years, Researchers Say," published in International Business Times.

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Former Michigan Tech hockey player Jake Lucchini was featured in the article "Former Smoke Eater Jake Lucchini vies for spot in Canadiens line up," in the Rossland News.

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Michigan Tech alumnus HongWen Zhang, was featured in the article "Indium Corporation Announces Lead-Free Solder Alloys Webinar," in Circuits Assembly.

To have your event automatically appear, please submit them to the University Events Calendar.

Wastewater-Based Epidemiology: Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in the Michigan Tech and Western UP Communities

Monday, January 11, 3 p.m.

Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar Dr. Jennifer Becker, Associate Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Undecided on Your Major Undergraduate Overview

Monday, January 11, 7 p.m.–8 p.m.

Are you having trouble deciding on a major? Do you have a lot of interests and are not sure which one to pursue? Learn how Michigan Tech can help you find a major that best...