September 21, 2021

Advocates and Allies invites faculty and staff to apply to become part of the Advocates and Allies Advisory Board (A3B) or Advocates Team. These two units will work in conjunction with the ADVANCE Initiative to plan and implement workshops for the campus and work to institutionalize the Advocates and Allies program at Michigan Tech.

What is Advocates and Allies?
Advocates and Allies is one of three programs that are part of the NSF-funded ADVANCE Initiative dedicated to engaging majority stakeholders in the dissemination of knowledge on gender equity and actively participating in activities to increase allyship on campus.

What is the Advocates and Allies Advisory Board (A3B)?
A3B is a group of women, minorities and gender-diverse individuals who will work with the NSF-funded ADVANCE team to select, guide and advise the Advocates Team. The two groups will then work in tandem to make our campus culture more inclusive by advancing knowledge, allyship and policy/practices.

What is the Advocates Team?
This group of majority stakeholders (men) will work closely with the NSF-funded ADVANCE Initiative and A3B to make our campus culture more inclusive by advancing knowledge, allyship and policy/practices. Advocates will be expected to participate in program development and delivery while executing personal action plans related to equity issues on campus.

Apply online using our interest form. The deadline is Oct. 1.

If you have any questions, please email us at advance-mtu@mtu.edu.

The Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology (KIP) is recruiting participants for a research study involving Type 2 diabetes.

The study will focus on health, and Fitbits will be provided to the participants to monitor daily exercise and physical activity. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires on physical activity, nutrition and lifestyle. The study will last 13 weeks and give compensation for participation. People with and without Type 2 Diabetes are eligible.

Eligible participants:
• Are 65-80 years old
• Have a smartphone or tablet
• Are NOT diagnosed with a neurological condition or disorder
• Do NOT have any foot ulcers
• Do NOT have any amputations
• Do NOT currently have cancer and have NOT recently undergone cancer treatment
• Are NOT legally blind
• Do NOT have Type 1 diabetes

For more information, please contact Carolyn Duncan at caduncan@mtu.edu or 906-487-2147, or visit the study website. 

The Perceptive Content system maintenance scheduled for Sunday (Sept. 26) has been rescheduled for Oct. 17 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you have any questions or concerns, we can help. Contact us at it-help@mtu.edu or call 906-487-1111.

Dining Services presents this week's C-Cubed Luncheon, being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday (Sept. 23) in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge, Room 107. All faculty and staff, along with their guests, are invited.

The C-Cubed lunch buffet menus are created by executive chef Eric Karvonen and prepared by Karvonen and his culinary team. As the name suggests, the meals are meant to foster conversation, community and collegiality. Attendees may bring their lunch instead of purchasing the buffet. Fruit-infused water, coffee, tea, cookies and fruit are available free to all attendees.

The buffet lunch is $12 per person. Cash, credit cards and gift cards are accepted. Gift cards can be purchased in the Memorial Union office, Room 101. You can submit C-Cubed feedback using this Google form. To join the C-Cubed Google group and receive weekly menus, email business-support@mtu.edu. 

Menu for Thursday (Sept. 23):

Greek Salad and Pasta Buffet:
Lamb Pastitsio
Lentil Pastitsio (Vegetarian)
Greek Roasted Vegetables (Gluten Free, Vegan)
Warm Garlic Bread Sticks (Vegetarian)

Deconstructed Greek Salad:
Chopped Romaine, Kalamata Olives, Feta Cheese, Cucumber, Cherry Tomatoes, Red Onions and Green Pepper

The Spanish conversation hour group, La Peña, resumed activities earlier in September.

You are cordially invited to join us today (Sept. 21) from 5-6 p.m. in the Humanities Digital Media Zone (HDMZ) in the Walker Arts and Humanities Center (Walker), Room 120C.

We will chat and play board games in Spanish. All levels of Spanish speakers are welcome. Please pass the information along, and bring someone as well!

Next Peña dates: Oct. 5, Oct 19, Nov. 2, Nov. 30. 

For any questions regarding La Peña conversation hours, please contact Leyre Alegre at lalegref@mtu.edu. 

Hello, gentlemen! We will be playing Jeopardy at our house this evening (Sept. 21). Join us for some hilarious categories and prizes. 

This Thursday (Sept. 23), we will be painting along with the legendary Bob Ross at our house! All supplies will be provided.

For both events, rides will be available from Wadsworth Lobby at 6:15 p.m. See you there!

Michigan Tech Athletics is selling officially licensed team gear for Husky women's basketball in their online Nike store.

Fans may choose from a wide array of Husky basketball apparel options, including T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, polos, pants and sweatshirts.

Women's basketball items will be available for purchase through Sunday (Sept. 26).

After a loss to GVSU on Sept. 17, the Michigan Tech volleyball team got back into the win column with back-to-back sweeps Sept. 18 and 19.

On Saturday, the Huskies swept Davenport 3-0, winning 25-8, 25-20 and 26-24.

"I'm really happy with the way we responded today after a tough loss last night," Tech coach Matt Jennings said. "We came out strong in that first set. Davenport is a team that can put up some points and we were able to neutralize them early."

Then, the Huskies swept Ferris State 3-0 on Sunday. They wrapped up their first weekend of GLIAC play at 7-4 (overall) and 2-1 (GLIAC). 

"I'm very happy with the match," Jennings said. "Ferris State is well-coached and a good team year in and year out. They have a lot of weapons and we were able to minimize those weapons and execute our game plan."

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

The Michigan Tech soccer team fell 2-0 to Grand Valley State on Sept. 19. The Lakers got a goal in each half to hand the Huskies their first GLIAC loss on the season.

Grand Valley scored one goal and outshot MTU by 10-1 in the first half, then added another goal in the second, despite being outshot by the Huskies 9-1 after halftime.

"They moved the ball really well and they had a lot of time and space (in the first half)," Coach Ozturk said of Grand Valley. "We had to regroup at halftime and I'm extremely proud of our effort in the second half. We really turned it on, but it was unfortunately too late versus a good Grand Valley team."

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Tuesday (Sept. 21)
• Huskies Drive Time, 7:30-8 a.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ

Friday (Sept. 24)
• Men's Tennis at ITA Regionals, noon
• Cross-Country at Roy Griak Invitational, 1 p.m.
• Volleyball at Lake Superior State, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday (Sept. 25)
• Football vs. Grand Valley State, 1 p.m. at Kearly Stadium on Mix 93 WKMJ
• Volleyball at Northwood, 5 p.m.

Sunday (Sept. 26)
• Soccer at Saginaw Valley State, 1 p.m. at Kearly Stadium

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Job Postings for Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email mtujobs@mtu.edu.

For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted. 

Office Assistant 6, Electrical and Computer Engineering (UAW posting Sept. 21 to Sept. 27, 2021 — internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the UAW posting dates). Apply online.

Administrative Aide 7 (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #21232, Financial Services and Operations (UAW posting Sept. 21 to Sept. 27, 2021 — internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the UAW posting dates). Apply online.

Custodian (12 months/ 40 hours/ second shift) #21237, Facilities (AFSCME posting Sept. 21 to Sept. 27, 2021 — internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

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 mtujobs@mtu.edu.

Md. Saleh Akram Bhuiyan, James Manuel and Bruce Lee (BioMed) have co-authored a paper published in Biomolecules.

The paper is titled "Effect of Conductivity on In Situ Deactivation of Catechol–Boronate Complexation-Based Reversible Smart Adhesive." 

Bo Liu and Bin Zhao of the University of Tennessee are also co-authors of the paper.

Nathan Manser (GMES) was quoted in a Detroit News feature story on how the Upper Peninsula managed risk related to mining materials for clean cars.

*****

Third-year Michigan Tech student Kelsey Harvath was interviewed for a WLUC TV6 report on a local blood drive.

*****

Michigan Tech’s Winter Carnival was highlighted in a Washington Post travel feature on the Upper Peninsula.

*****

The appointment of MTU alumnus Eric Roberts (‘93 ME-EM) as the new executive director of 20Fathoms was featured in the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Face Coverings Required in Classrooms, Labs, Library

Michigan Tech remains at Health and Safety Level Two. Face coverings are required in certain locations — classrooms and laboratories during classes and lab courses, and in the library — and may also be required during instructors' office hours. In all other settings, face coverings are encouraged but not required. This applies to all students, employees, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.

Michigan Tech strongly recommends that all employees and students receive the COVID-19 vaccine and continue with handwashing and hand-sanitizing practices, especially in light of the virulence of the COVID-19 delta variant. Please be aware that if you are exposed to COVID-19, quarantine guidelines vary depending on vaccination status. 

In Level Two, students and employees are not required to monitor their symptoms daily prior to coming to campus. But, individuals should be mindful of their own symptoms. A useful monitoring tool is available from the CDC. 

*****

On-Demand COVID-19 Testing Available on Campus

Walk-in, on-demand COVID-19 testing is available to Michigan Tech students and employees during the fall 2021 semester.

Testing is located in the Datolite Room at the MUB on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. There is no cost to be tested, and no appointment is needed. 

Read more COVID-19 Testing Information on the MTU Flex website.

*****

COVID Impact Statement Help Sessions

As announced in Friday’s Tech Today, all faculty are asked to include a COVID Impact Statement as part of their annual Faculty Activity Report (FAR) for the 2021-22 academic year. A checklist has been developed to support faculty in drafting their impact statement.

Help sessions to discuss the checklist and use it to prepare a COVID Impact Statement will take place today (Sept. 21) and tomorrow (Sept. 22) at the following times:

• Tuesday (Sept. 21) at 3 p.m.
• Wednesday (Sept. 22) at 2 p.m.

Both sessions will take place in MUB Ballroom A1. Please wear a face covering and bring a laptop or other device to practice drafting impact statements.

*****

HRI Research Talk

Join the Health Research Institute (HRI) for a virtual research talk by Richard Neubig, professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, tomorrow (Sept. 22) at 10 a.m. 

Neubig's talk is titled “Academic Drug Discovery: Why do it?”

This event will be online only. Attend virtually on Zoom. 

From the abstract
Most drug discovery used to be done in large pharmaceutical companies. There was a focus on “proven” drug targets and multiple companies would be chasing a small number of targets considered to be “low-hanging fruit”. In about 2007, the NIH launched the Molecular Libraries Screening Network and many academic institutions took on the challenge of developing chemical probes for more challenging targets like protein-protein interactions, modulation of gene transcription, etc. I will describe my lab’s journey into academic drug discovery and a PhD student’s high-throughput screening project that has driven much work in my lab for the last 15-18 years.

*****

AAEES Kappe Lecture Series

American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) 2021 Kappe Lecture Series presenter David A. Dzombak will give a talk on sustainable mining today (Sept. 21) at 3 p.m. on Zoom.

Dzombak's presentation is titled "Sustainable Mining: is it achievable and can environmental engineering help get us there?"

Attend virtually on Zoom.

From the abstract:
Extraction and processing of fuel and non-fuel minerals from the Earth has a plethora of impacts on land, water, air and ecosystems. Reduction and remediation of these impacts have long engaged environmental engineers in research and practice. Application of sustainability principles to mining is inherently challenging, considering the impacts involved and that mining involves removal of finite resources. ... This talk will examine the environmental sustainability profiles of fuel and non-fuel mineral mining, and efforts that have been undertaken over the past 30 years to improve these profiles. The talk will focus on coal and copper mining in the U.S. as important examples of fuel- and non-fuel mineral mining. Current and evolving mining industry practices and related environmental engineering activities will be reviewed. Approaches for assessing the environmental sustainability of mining operations will be presented and applied to the two cases, with consideration of scale from operations at individual sites to system level.

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

Hyperconnection: A New Series by Tiffany Lange

Tuesday, September 21, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Gallery: A-Space

Tiffany Lange’s newest series “Hyperconnection”, examines overstimulation and anxiousness through abstraction. After a year of increased screen time during quarantine and...

The Spirit of the Hunt: Ecological Art Exhibit & Public Wolf Discussion

Tuesday, September 21, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | U. J. Noblet Forestry Building, Atrium and G002

Art Exhibit: August 30-October 15 Monday-Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm Noblet Atrium, Michigan Tech College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Opening...

Career Fair Prep

Tuesday, September 21, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. | BetSigs

Stop by for mock interviews and resume revisions just in time for Fall Career Fair. Resume paper will be supplied for your needs.

Open Rock Climbing

Tuesday, September 21, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multipurpose Room Climbing Wall

All ages (we can allow all ages to climb as long as we have the proper fitting equipment). No need to sign up, just stop by the Climbing Wall between 6 and 8 pm Monday through...

Jeopardy Rush

Tuesday, September 21, 6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. | Phi Kappa Tau

Hello! We will be playing Jeopardy at our house this Tuesday! Join us for some hilarious categories and prizes. Rides from Wadsworth lobby at 6:15. See you there!

VIRTUAL General Mills Digital & Technology Info Session

Tuesday, September 21, 7 p.m.–8 p.m.