Michigan Tech Launches Traverse City Research Workspace

A large yellow ribbon with Michigan Tech Grand Traverse Area written on it

Michigan Technological University marked a milestone in its commitment to the Grand Traverse region Oct. 4 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that officially opened its Traverse City research workspace.

Located in the Traverse Connect building at 202 Grandview Parkway, the research hub is Michigan Tech’s inaugural workspace in Northern Lower Michigan.

“All of us at Michigan Tech are pleased to take the next step in our partnership with the Grand Traverse region,” said Michigan Tech President Rick Koubek. “By establishing a physical presence in partnership with the community, we’re amplifying opportunities for research, talent development and educational outreach, both at the K-12 and post-secondary levels.”

Read the full story at mtu.edu/news.

Campus Master Plan Town Halls Announced

Last spring, we began the process of developing a new Campus Master Plan  (CMP) to guide future decisions, and this work has continued over the summer and now into the fall.

Last April, May and June, we conducted numerous focus group meetings, a virtual town hall and a couple of campus surveys. Over the summer, we met with other community and staff groups, as well as the CMP University Advisory Committee. SmithGroup, the CMP consultant, also reviewed and analyzed the extensive data provided to them regarding our classroom, research, housing and other space on campus.

It is now time to re-engage the University community in this process as we begin to develop solutions and priorities to the issues identified during the process noted above.

Therefore, we invite you to participate in one of two CMP Town Hall meetings scheduled for Oct. 13, at noon and 6 p.m. Please register in advance using the following links:

In addition, we strongly encourage you to visit the Campus Master Plan website. A lot of new information has been posted in the past week, and there is an interactive component we encourage you to investigate.

We look forward to your participation!

Michigan Tech Chemistry Selected as ACS Bridge Partner

The Department of Chemistry is excited to announce that Michigan Tech has been selected as a partner in the American Chemical Society Bridge Program (ACS-BP).

The ACS, as part of the Inclusive Graduate Education Network (IGEN), is working to increase the participation of Black, Latinx and Indigenous students entering graduate studies in STEM fields. The mission of the ACS-BP is to strengthen the chemical sciences by creating opportunities that bolster the number of doctorates awarded to underrepresented students throughout the United States.

Michigan Tech, UC Berkeley, University of Maryland, Yale, Columbia, Lehigh University and UC Irvine are the newest partners of ACS-BP, joining 29 other affiliated doctoral-granting institutions.

Benefits from this partnership include both the recruitment of students who have applied to graduate school through ACS-BP, and opportunities to work with and learn from other network institutions in sharing best practices for a diverse and inclusive graduate education.

Equity Advisor Program Volunteers Needed

The Equity Advisor Program is seeking tenured faculty who are interested in joining the program.

Equity advisors provide helpful advice to faculty and department chair hiring committees to ensure that diversity and equity remain at the forefront during every step in the search process and that federal, state and University employment laws/policies are followed.

Equity advisors must be tenured Michigan Tech faculty members, current on Diversity Literacy and Faculty Hiring Legal Aspects courses, and able to attend an in-person training workshop on Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A complete job description is available.

Interested faculty members should complete this Google form by Oct. 24.

If you have questions about this program, please contact Shari Stockero at stockero@mtu.edu.

Mathematical Sciences Colloquium

There will be a Mathematical Sciences Colloquium held tomorrow (Oct. 6) from 1-2 p.m. in Fisher Hall, Room 327.

Xiaoyu Liang, assistant professor in biostatistics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, will join us to present.

Liang's presentation is titled "A Monocyte Epigenetic Clock Reveals Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Biological Aging in Three Independent Cohorts."

Copyright Workshop for Graduate Students

What’s copyright and what does it have to do with your dissertation? Do you need permission to use someone else's figure or image, or an article you wrote? Should you make your thesis open access? And what is a Creative Commons license? Get the answers to these and other questions at the library workshop: "Copyright and Your Dissertation, Thesis, or Master’s Report."

In this workshop, you’ll learn the role U.S. copyright law plays in writing and publishing your report, thesis or dissertation. We will explore the legal use of copyrighted material, publishing agreements and Creative Commons licensing, and the role of Michigan Tech’s institutional repository Digital Commons @ Michigan Tech. After this workshop, you will be prepared to make informed decisions about using copyrighted material and the publishing options for your dissertation, thesis or master’s report.

Join us on Oct. 14 at noon in the Van Pelt and Opie Library, Room 244. Registration is required.

 

EPSSI Seminar

Rasha Abbasi, assistant professor in the Department of Physics at Loyola University Chicago, will present a virtual seminar on Monday (Oct. 11) at 4 p.m. via Zoom.

Abbasi’s presentation is titled “Atmospheric Electricity Observations by the Telescope Array Surface Detector.”

This virtual seminar is sponsored by the Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute (EPSSI). Read the abstract at the University Events Calendar.

Register in advance for the Zoom seminar. Please register early!

ME-EM Graduate Seminar

Editor's note: This story has been updated. The seminar will be held in Fisher Hall, Room 135.

The next Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (ME-EM) Graduate Seminar will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 7) in Fisher Hall, Room 135. Our speaker will be Constantine Megaridis.

Megaridis will present “Surface-Wettability Engineering: From Microfluidics to Energy Applications and Beyond.”

Megaridis received his Ph.D. in Fluid/Thermal Sciences from Brown University, and holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics, also from Brown.

ACSHF Forum

The Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences will host speaker Stefka Hristova, associate professor of digital media in MTU's Department of Humanities, for the next Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors (ACSHF) Forum.

Hristova's presentation, titled "Emptied Faces: In Search For An Algorithmic Punctum," will be held from 2-3 p.m. on Monday (Oct. 11).

Attendance is invited both in person in the Harold Meese Center (Meese), Room 109, and virtually via Zoom.

This talk explores the ways in which human faces have become reconfigured in the context of algorithmic culture. More specifically, it details the decomposition of the face in the context of big data and machine learning algorithms and its two subsequent distinct rearticulations: one linked to predictive algorithms and the other linked to the generation of deep fake portraits.

Open Forum: Sustainability Planning for H-STEM Complex

Editor's note: This story has been updated. The forum is scheduled from 4-5:30 p.m.

An open forum on sustainability planning in the H-STEM Complex will be held Oct. 14 from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Building (MUB) Alumni Lounge.

Join architects and engineers from design firm HED to learn about the proposed sustainability features of the future H-STEM Complex, and get a chance to ask questions and add your ideas.

Anna Jonynas Named Player of the Week (Again)

For the second week in a row, Michigan Tech senior Anna Jonynas is the GLIAC North Division Volleyball Player of the Week. She earned the award for the third time this season and fourth time of her career.

Jonynas notched her 1,000th career kill Saturday (Oct. 2) to become the only player in program history to tally 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Sign Up for the Michigan Tech Blue Line Club

The Michigan Tech Blue Line Club provides additional resources to the hockey program, enabling the student-athletes to pursue success both in the classroom and on the ice. The annual membership drive is now open.

The Blue Line Club will be hosting three luncheons throughout the season:

  • Oct. 15 — Notre Dame
  • Feb. 11 — Bowling Green State (Winter Carnival)
  • Feb. 25 — Minnesota State (Senior Weekend)

The Blue Line Club provides a wonderful opportunity for anyone who enjoys hockey to get to know the student-athletes and help them develop lifelong memories and a special bond with the community. Joining the Michigan Tech Blue Line Club shows your support for our hockey Huskies and the coaches in what promises to be an exciting season for Huskies hockey.

Read more and see the available membership levels at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Tech Hockey and UP Kids Partner for Shawhan's Husky Pack

Michigan Tech hockey and U.P. Kids Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) have extended their partnership for the Shawhan's Husky Pack program, which lets children of the Copper Country participating in the local mentoring program enjoy a Michigan Tech hockey game with their families or with their "Bigs" at no cost.

At each home game this season, qualified families or BBBS program participants will receive reserved seat tickets, a parking pass and food vouchers for concession stands in the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Job Postings

Job Postings for Wednesday, Oct. 6, 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 (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #21267, Human Resources (UAW posting Oct. 6 to Oct. 12, 2021 — internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). Apply online.

Senior Administrative Aide, Visual and Performing Arts (UAW posting Oct. 6 to Oct. 12, 2021 — internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW 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.

On the Road

Susie Amato (CLS) is attending the International Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) annual meeting in Baltimore this week.

Amato is on the board of officers for the HFES Education Technical Group, and will be serving as panel chair for a session titled "Human Factors Learning and STEM Ed in K-16."

Reminders

Face Coverings Required in Classrooms, Labs, Library

Michigan Tech remains at Health and Safety Level TwoFace 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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Workshop for Department Chairs

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

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."

This facilitated workshop will be offered via Zoom on one remaining date: 

Please note: Workshop time is in Central Standard Time.

Department chairs are invited to sign up for this last workshop date using the corresponding registration link. Workshop materials will be provided after registration. 

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

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Proposals Requested: Century II Campaign Endowed Equipment Fund

The Office of the Vice President for Research requests Century II Campaign Endowed Equipment Fund (C2E2) proposals. The program provides funds to purchase equipment that will have a broad, campuswide impact and improve the lives of faculty, staff and students.

The submission deadline is 4 p.m. Oct. 15. Late submissions will not be accepted.

For more information and proposal submission requirements, visit C2E2.

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New Guidance for Course Projects, Updates from HRPP

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!

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Do You Have an SYP Story?

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.

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41 North Film Festival Seeks Volunteers

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.

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Weekend of New Music

Four days. Six concerts. 360 minutes of awesome.

Here are the details about this incredible Weekend of New Music:

  • New Music in the Mine — Thursday and Friday (Oct. 7 and 8) at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
    Have you ever worn a hard hat at a concert? Yes or no — don't you want to? Come see contemporary music performed live in the beautiful setting of the historic Quincy Mine Shaft No. 2 Hoist Building!
    Note: Hard hats and face coverings required.

  • With Wings Attached: New Music Inspired by Bird Song — Saturday (Oct. 9) at 7:30 p.m.
    Calling all bird lovers! This concert is just what you hope.
    Here's what to expect:
    1. Sitting on the stage where the performance is happening.
    2. Audubon bird calls played by a few audience members (maybe you?).
    3. World-class musicians from here and afar playing contemporary music.
    4. All the bird-song goodness you can stand.
    Note: Face coverings are required for this performance.

  • Sonatas and Interludes: Stephen Rush Performs John Cage's Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano — Sunday (Oct. 10) at 4 p.m.
    If you have never heard of "prepared piano," prepare to be amazed. To play this piece, the pianist puts everyday items — like screws, bread ties and erasers — inside the piano to change how it sounds! We'll project the inside of the piano throughout the concert so you can see how the prepared piano works.
    Note: Face coverings are required for this performance.

Today's Campus Events

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

Hyperconnection: A New Series by Tiffany Lange

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

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

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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Stress Less Workshop

Ready to lower anxiety and depression? Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) practices, this 4-week structured workshop will teach you skills to grow mindfulness. ...

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UP & Moving Lunchtime High Noon Activity Break

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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UP & Moving Lunchtime Noon-Thirty Activity Break

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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A Monocyte Epigenetic Clock Reveals Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Biological Aging in Three Independent Cohorts

Assessing the impact of alcohol consumption on biological age is important for understanding alcohol use-related comorbidities and mortality. Evidence shows that monocyte...

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Cell-average based neural network method for time dependent partial differential equations

Motivated by finite volume scheme, a cell-average based neural network method is proposed. The method is based on the integral or weak formulation of partial differential...

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Protect Your Innovation

At this workshop we discuss the fundamentals of intellectual property such as patents, trademarks, licensing, and trade secrets, including how to initiate a prior art...

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Code Red: Anishinaabe Panel on Climate and Nibi

Join the nationwide "Code Red" on Indigenous People's Day and listen to Anishinaabekweg Doreen Blaker, Katy Bresette, and Kathy Smith share stories and experiences about...

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Open Rock Climbing

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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TKE - Bonfire at Breakers

Join the brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon for this awesome event. Stop by to learn more about how we can help you create lifelong relationships that enhance educational,...

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Pottery Painting Night

Come join us for a fun night of decorating pottery including mugs, ceramic tiles, animal figurines, and more! All painting supplies, including pottery will be provided! (While...