October 4, 2021

Michigan Tech’s bachelor’s degree program in mining engineering has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology.

ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies, and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.

Michigan Tech’s mining engineering program is one of only 13 such degree programs across the nation to earn ABET accreditation. In total, 13 different ABET-accredited degree programs are now offered by the College of Engineering at Michigan Tech.

“ABET accreditation is a significant achievement,” said Aleksey Smirnov, chair of the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES). “We have worked hard to ensure that our program meets the quality standards set by the profession. And, because it requires comprehensive, periodic evaluations, ABET accreditation demonstrates our continuing commitment to the quality of our program — both now and in the future.”

Read the full story at mtu.edu/news.

The Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) at Michigan Tech is in the process of programmatic updates to better serve its human research community. To assist with the implementation of these updates and incorporate researcher representation as we move forward, HRPP is excited to be hosting a faculty fellow during the 2021-22 academic year: Chelsea Schelly (SS).

One of the top priorities for this year was to develop guidance that both explains regulated research and allows some project leaders the ability to self-determine if they are conducting regulated research with humans. The first developed guidance is targeted at assisting course instructors and advisers to Enterprise or Senior Design groups that plan to utilize human participants, their data or biospecimen in course projects.

Effective immediately, course instructors and advisers to Enterprise and Senior Design groups can now use the Guidance for Course Projects document to learn more about whether or not course projects involve regulated research. After review of the guidance, completion of the Course Project Self-Determination Form will serve as a checklist to ensure all requirements are met and provide transparency to the HRPP regarding course project activities.

As a leading research institution, Michigan Tech must ensure that all projects, regulated and nonregulated, involving humans are conducted according to the ethical principles that guide us. While HRPP leads that effort, it requires many stakeholders across the institution to do their part to accomplish this important mission. This new process for review and determination of course projects is intended to improve instructor and student experiences and ensure basic ethical principles, including informed consent, voluntary participation and protection of privacy, are followed. It also serves as a reminder to the campus community that everyone who engages with humans as participants is a member of the HRPP community.

In conjunction with the programmatic changes, the Human Subjects website is also undergoing updates. Current updates include a page dedicated to helping researchers know when their projects require review. The Guidance for Course Projects document can also be found on that page under Course Projects.

Schelly is available to answer any questions about this new process. You can contact Schelly at cschelly@mtu.edu. You can also contact HRPP Director Christina Lehmann at cmlehman@mtu.edu.

Be on the lookout for additional changes to HRPP processes, coming soon!

Editor's note: This story has been updated. The skate rental program will start Oct. 16.

Charlotte Jenkins thought every Husky should have the opportunity to learn to skate. Thanks to a new skate rental program launching at MacInnes Ice Arena on Oct. 16, they do.

“In January 2021, the Michigan Tech community lost Charlotte Jenkins, an undergraduate student and resident assistant in East McNair and active member of our community. Almost immediately after receiving this difficult news, students shared stories of Charlotte’s impact. One oft-repeated anecdote was how Charlotte embraced and involved others, often inviting them to go ice skating. Invariably, she would discover someone didn’t have skates, so she would stop by her room or her car and produce a pair of skates just their size.

“Charlotte loved winter sports and never wanted to leave anyone out of the fun, and since there were no skates available at the rink, she purchased them in a variety of sizes and kept them on hand for others. As news of Charlotte’s passing spread, so did the realization that Charlotte’s skate borrowing program would be sorely missed, and so emerged the idea for creating a skate rental program in the Student Development Complex in her honor.”

The new skate rental program will start Oct. 16 with a formal dedication and a free skate at the SDC.

Read more about the program — including the many organizations that have helped and how you can be a part of it — in the latest Humans of Michigan Tech blog.

The Enterprise Program, previously housed in the Pavlis Honors College, is now its own academic unit on campus reporting directly to the associate provost for undergraduate education. Enterprise, one of Michigan Tech’s signature programs, is designed to provide students from all academic disciplines with opportunities to apply their in-class learning to explore and develop solutions to real-world problems through interdisciplinary team collaborations.

Rick Berkey, Enterprise Program director, and his staff will continue to oversee the program’s curricular, administrative and fundraising efforts serving 26 Enterprise teams and approximately 900 students each year. The location of Enterprise offices and team spaces are unaffected by this change. Berkey is currently involved in University-wide efforts to increase educational benefits for students by exploring avenues to better integrate Enterprise into the University’s efforts to improve educational opportunities across campus.

Learn more about Michigan Tech's Enterprise Program by visiting the website.

Since the summer of 1973, students from around the world have come to Michigan Tech Summer Youth Programs (SYP) to embrace curiosity, explore academic pursuits and discover their passions. Now, in celebration of our upcoming 50th year, we want to hear your stories of the SYP legacy and its impact on your life.

Whether you attended SYP in 1973, 2021 or anywhere in between, either as a participant or as staff, we invite you to tell us about your experience as a Human of SYP. We also welcome any pictures (with descriptions) you may cherish from your time with us.

Over the next several months leading up to our 50th summer, we will be highlighting these memories on our website and social media. We have lots of surprises and big plans in store, so don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

When our programming first began, we offered 24 explorations and had 517 participants. Now, with more than 65 academic explorations, we bring over 1,100 participants from across the globe each summer. Many of these participants continue on to become Michigan Tech students and about 10% of currently enrolled students on campus are SYP alumni. We thank each member of our campus community for supporting us as we have grown over the years.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at outreach@mtu.edu or drop by our office in the Administration Building (Admin), Room 217.

Volunteers are needed for the 41 North Film Festival!

Be a part of the action and volunteer with 41 North Film Festival. This year’s festival will take place Nov. 4-7, and we need your help to make it happen! We welcome film enthusiasts, members of the campus community and local area residents.

Our volunteers help us keep 41 North free and open to the public and are an integral part of the festival. Volunteers may assist with welcoming festival attendees, ushering, merchandise sales and answering general questions regarding the festival and films.

Help is needed for any and all of the four days of the festival, Thursday through Sunday. Volunteer for a few hours or volunteer for the whole festival — it’s up to you! All volunteers receive a free T-shirt. We look forward to having you on our volunteer team!

The 41 North Film Festival spans four days and showcases award-winning independent films and filmmakers from around the region, country and world. Its mission is to provide Michigan Tech students and the surrounding community with an opportunity to critically engage films that are currently in distribution and under discussion, as well as the chance to interact with filmmakers, producers and other industry professionals about the art and business of cinematic storytelling.

To sign up to volunteer at this year’s festival, please complete the volunteer interest form.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding volunteering at the 41 North Film Festival, please contact volunteer coordinator Allison Neely at alneely@mtu.edu or 906-487-3206.

Remember to complete your Husky Health Checklist with the activities you completed between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2021, to earn up to $450 in health incentives for benefits-eligible employees.

Jan. 10, 2022, is the last day to submit Husky Health Checklists for the 2021 reporting period. 2021 Husky Health payout incentives will be received in early 2022.

Check out the Husky Health website for more information and links to webinars and fitness programs that count toward the Husky Health incentive. Find out more information about Husky Health and other wellness benefits by visiting our website.

Questions? Contact the Benefits Office or call 906-487-2517.

As part of a federal program, the campus community should be aware of the principles, laws and policies regarding drug and alcohol use on campus.

Human Resources is circulating an email notification to all employees regarding Michigan Tech’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Policies as part of a national effort to prevent the illicit use of drugs and alcohol by students and employees.

This information, required by the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, includes in part:

• Standards of conduct on school property
• Local, state and federal laws
• Health risks
• Programs for counseling, treatment or rehabilitation
• Sanctions against violators

For more information, view the Drug Free Workplace Statement.

On Oct. 17 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Perceptive Content will be unavailable due to maintenance.

After this maintenance is complete, Webnow, the web-based version of Perceptive Content, will no longer be available. To continue using Perceptive Content, please contact IT to have the Perceptive Content client installed on your computer.

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

Join the celebrations, discussions and ceremonies to share and uplift practices that honor Indigenous knowledge and cultures in several events co-hosted by Michigan Tech faculty, staff and students from the Great Lakes Research Center, People of the Heart Water Walkers and local community members.

Waterside Trail and Read Along — Now to Oct. 18
Starting at the Portage Lake District Library, follow the waterside trail to East Houghton Park, and read "We Are Water Protectors" page by page along the way. Written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade, the book is about a young girl who learns from her Nokomis (grandmother) about protecting water and Earth.

Nationwide Code Red — Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.
Join the virtual, nationwide "Code Red" on Wednesday (Oct. 6) at 6 p.m. Listen to Anishinaabekweg Doreen Blaker, Katy Bresette and Kathy Smith share stories and experiences about climate change, especially related to Nibi (water). Worldwide, Indigenous peoples are drawing attention to the Sixth Assessment Report on Climate Change — thanks to which, the United Nations is calling this moment a "code red" for our Earth, and are emphasizing Indigenous peoples’ rights and participation in climate policy. Join the Code Red via Zoom.

People of the Heart Water Walk — Oct. 9-11
A journey of unity and awareness, the People of the Heart Water Walk goes from the Copper Harbor Lighthouse to Keweenaw Bay's Sand Point Lighthouse. Learn more at fb.me/peopleoftheheart and follow #peopleoftheheart #waterwalk.

The People of the Heart Water Walkers will host its third annual Water Walk to honor water resources Oct. 9-11.

Water Walkers will walk nearly 90 miles through the Keweenaw Peninsula along Gichigami. The route this year will be reversed from the previous year, beginning at the Copper Harbor Lighthouse at Astor Shipwreck Park in Copper Harbor and concluding at Sand Point Lighthouse in Baraga.

Again this year, because of COVID-19 concerns, distance participation is encouraged. A core group of walkers will undertake the main route. Others interested in doing this work for water may share their personal Water Walk experiences virtually through the group’s Facebook page or Google site.

The Water Walk is conducted through Anishinaabe ceremonial protocol with traditional understandings of the natural environment. Anishinaabekweg from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community will assist in the walk. In this work, women lead the ceremony carrying a copper vessel filled with nibi, the Anishinaabe word for water. The water continually moves through the 1842 ceded territory throughout the day, beginning at sunrise and into the late afternoon. An eagle staff is carried beside them as protector.

The conclusion of the three-day event coincides with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This annual day of celebration, which falls on Oct. 11, honors the peoples, histories and cultures of Indigenous populations across the Americas.

Sponsors of the walk include the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Campaign of Upper Michigan, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region and the Michigan Tech Writing Center.

People of the Heart Water Walkers joins those of all colors, faiths and philosophies to work together for life’s most precious resource: nibi.

Michigan Tech has been selected to receive one of 10 Allied Memberships to the Open Education Network (OEN), generously sponsored by the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS).

The two-year membership will empower the Van Pelt and Opie Library to further develop and advance open education efforts for Michigan Tech with the ultimate goal of supporting student success through increased open educational resource (OER) adoption. Membership includes access to Open Textbook Library reviews, member pricing for OEN programs and the ability to explore Pressbooks open publishing tools, among other benefits.

Those interested in learning more about the University’s Allied Membership with OEN or the library’s open education services are encouraged to contact the library at library@mtu.edu or 906-487-2507.

Hong Fang, research assistant professor of the physics department at Virginia Commonwealth University, will give a talk at the next Physics Colloquium. Please join the presentation on Thursday (Oct. 7) at 4 p.m. in Fisher Hall, Room 139.

Fang's topic is "Design and Understanding Novel Solid Electrolytes." 

Read more about his background at the University Events Calendar.

From the abstract:
Solid electrolytes or superionic conductors are solids containing ions (e.g., Li+/Na+/K+) that exhibit extraordinary mobility, allowing them to transport between crystallographic sites and even act like fluid phase in a crystalline matrix. Despite a wide range of solids with superionic phases, most of them only exist at high temperatures. The challenge is to discover or tailor the chemical compositions that give high ionic conductivities and low activation energies at ambient temperature, which is crucial for developing the next-generation all-solid-state batteries that are both powerful and safe. The talk will cover our recent efforts to meet the challenge in the development of novel solid electrolytes with superior properties, especially, by using cluster-ions instead of atomic ions as the building block and by utilizing multiple mechanistic principles.

Job Postings for Monday, Oct. 4, 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. 

Clinical Counselor – Case Manager, Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being. Apply online.

Assistant Director/Coach – Esports, Athletics. 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.

Executive Director of Student Financial Services Joe Cooper was interviewed by NerdWallet on the importance for prospective undergraduate students of submitting a FAFSA as soon as possible.

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The latest session of the Health Research Institute’s COVID-19 Town Hall Series was covered by ABC 10. 

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Michigan Tech came in at No. 3 on the Best Colleges in Michigan 2021 list in Canada’s University Magazine.

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. 

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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.

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Nominations Due: 2022 MAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Thesis Award

Nominations are closing this week for the 2022 MAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Thesis Award. Please submit nominations to the Graduate School no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday (Oct. 6), following our online instructions.

This year, nominations are being accepted from dissertations in the fields of:

1. Biological and Life Sciences
2. Humanities and Fine Arts

Michigan Tech may nominate one student in each field. Master’s students who have completed all of their degree requirements between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2021, are eligible. The fields of competition for 2023 will be Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Engineering; and Social Sciences.

Nominations can be delivered to Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School before the deadline. Email nominations to gradschool@mtu.edu are preferred.

Contact Charlesworth at gradschool@mtu.edu if you have any questions about the competition.

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Protect Your Innovation Workshop

Husky Innovate and the Van Pelt and Opie Library are collaborating to offer a workshop on intellectual property (IP). This workshop will be held Wednesday (Oct. 6) in the Library, Room 244, from 5-7 p.m. and is open to the community with pre-registration.

We will cover key questions and topics around IP:

• How can you protect the IP incorporated within your innovation?
• What options do you have and what strategies can you apply?
• When should you consider IP protections?

We will also discuss IP fundamentals that include:

• Patents
• Trademarks
• Licensing
• Trade secrets/know-how
• How to initiate a prior art discovery with free library resources

Michigan Tech IP expert, licensed patent agent and Associate Vice President for Research Administration Jim Baker will lead us through compelling IP scenarios.

Librarian and Patent and Trademark Research Center (PTRC) representative Annelise Doll will explain patents, trademarks and resources available through Michigan Tech’s PTRC, which is part of the Patent and Trademark Office’s nationwide program of PTRCs.

Please register to participate.

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Workshop for Department Chairs

Now that the fall semester has begun, the once-a-semester ADVANCE Midwest Partnership – Joining Forces workshops will continue.

This fall's virtual workshop focuses on department culture and is titled "Come Together: Building an Equitable Department Where Faculty Want to Work and Stay."

To accommodate schedules, this facilitated workshop is offered via Zoom on two separate dates: 

• Monday (Oct. 4), 10-11:30 a.m. CST — Register online.
• Wednesday (Oct. 6), 8:30-10 a.m. CST — Register online.

Please note: Workshop times are in Central Standard Time.

Department chairs are invited to sign up for one of the two workshop dates using the corresponding registration links. Workshop materials will be provided closer to the workshop date. 

For more information, please visit our website for a downloadable flyer.

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Annual Richard E. Honrath Memorial Lecture

The Richard E. Honrath Memorial Lecture is scheduled today (Oct. 4) at 4 p.m.

Glenn Shaw, professor of physics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, will present a virtual seminar via Zoom. 

Shaw’s presentation is titled "Is Climate a Contrivance of Life?" 

Read the abstract at the University Events Calendar, and register in advance for the Zoom seminar. Please register early!

This virtual seminar is sponsored by the Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute (EPSSI) and the Richard E. Honrath Memorial Fund. 

Honrath was a professor in the Departments of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences, and Civil and Environmental Engineering. He was also the founding director of the atmospheric sciences program. The memorial fund was established after he passed away in 2009.

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Husky Innovate Talk

Michigan Tech graduate Jake Soter (EE/CPE ’19, MBA ’20) observed that flag warning systems at beaches weren't updated right away and knew that swimmers weren't getting important information on days with strong rip-currents and high waves. He identified a value proposition and together with his advisor, Andrew Barnard, created a technological solution to address this problem. From there, he launched a new business.

Come hear about Soter's innovation pathway — how he validated his value proposition, what he's learned along the way and what's next for his business.

Join Husky Innovate and Soter for this virtual talk on Friday (Oct. 8) from noon to 1 p.m.

Register in advance to receive the Google Calendar invite and Zoom link.

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Fall 2021 Flu Shot Clinics

UP Health System-Portage will offer walk-in flu vaccine clinics on Michigan Tech's campus this fall. Employees, retirees, family members and students are welcome to attend. The flu vaccine can be billed to insurance, so be sure to have a valid copy of your insurance card with you when you arrive.

Flu shots are $40 for those who do not have insurance (payable by cash, check or credit card). All flu shot clinics will practice social distancing and participants are required to wear a face covering. If you don’t feel well, please stay home and plan to attend a future clinic.

Be sure to fill out the 2021 Influenza Vaccination Authorization Form before you arrive.

The dates of the flu clinics are:

• Tuesday, Oct. 5 — Rozsa Lobby, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
• Tuesday, Oct. 12 — SDC Ice Arena Balcony, 4-6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 19 — Rozsa Lobby, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 28 — Rozsa Lobby, 4-6 p.m.

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Three Minute Thesis Competition

Graduate Student Government (GSG) at Michigan Tech is pleased to announce this year's Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. It will be held on Nov. 4 in an entirely in-person format, and the final round will take place at the Orpheum Theater in Hancock.

This competition offers an excellent opportunity for graduate students across the University. It celebrates the exciting research conducted by graduate students. It supports their capacity to verbally summarize and explain their research in three minutes or less, in a language appropriate to a nonspecialist audience.

About 3MT 
The 3MT competition is an academic research communication competition originally developed by the University of Queensland, Australia, in 2008. Success and the growing popularity of the competition spread the idea across more than 900 universities in more than 80 countries around the globe. The Michigan Tech competition winner will earn the opportunity to present at the regional 3MT competition. Participants are judged on their communication and presentation skills while delivering their content in just three minutes with one static PowerPoint slide.

The competition is divided into two phases: preliminary rounds and a final round. The winner and runners-up will receive cash prizes of $300 and $150, respectively. Additionally, a People's Choice award will be given to a speaker selected by the audience, with a cash prize of $100.

The event is open to all active graduate students at any stage/path of their graduate studies at Michigan Tech. But, for participating in the final level Asia-Pacific 3MT competition, only active Ph.D. and professional doctorate (research) candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the date of their first presentation are eligible. Graduates do not qualify for the competition.

Registration
Registration for the competition is open now. GSG invites and encourages all graduate students to take advantage of this amazing competition. Complete event information and the registration link are available on GSG's website, or contact Shreya Joshi at gsg-research@mtu.edu.

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

Hyperconnection: A New Series by Tiffany Lange

Monday, October 4, 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...

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New Husky Orientation

Monday, October 4, 8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Lakeshore-comm-rm123

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

Monday, October 4, 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...

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Department Chair Professional Development (DCPD) Workshop

Monday, October 4, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

This virtual workshop is titled Come Together: Building an Equitable Department Where Faculty Want to Work and Stay. To accommodate schedules, this facilitated workshop is...

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Emerging from the Pandemic Workshop

Monday, October 4, 2 p.m.–3 p.m.

Are you worried about bursting your COVID-19 bubble and unsure of your 'new normal'? We get it - the pandemic has disrupted our daily lives and added a ton of stress! Learn...

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EPSSI Seminar: Glenn Shaw, University of Alaska, Fairbanks

Monday, October 4, 4 p.m.–5 p.m.

A Joint EPSSI/Enivironmental Engineering Graduate Seminar The Richard E. Honrath Memorial Lecture Is Climate a Contrivance of Life? This seminar recounts my search on...

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LinkedIn

Monday, October 4, 4 p.m.–5 p.m. | J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library, East Reading Room

Attend this presentation to learn how to establish a LinkedIn profile.

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Strength Training and High Intensity Interval Training ("HIIT")

Monday, October 4, 5:30 p.m.–6:15 p.m.

We are a group of Michigan Tech graduate students who are focused on improving the health of our community. We are contributing to the COVID-19 response by providing health...

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Open Rock Climbing

Monday, October 4, 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...

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The Land Owns Us—Engineering Without Borders

Monday, October 4, 6 p.m.

Husky Bites presents Special Guest Michelle Jarvie-Eggart Assistant Professor, Engineering Fundamentals Michigan Technological University Co-host Amanda Singer '19 MS, BS...