October 20, 2021

Editor's note: This series of Unscripted guest blogs highlights the pandemic's impact on campus community members.

The pandemic’s impacts on our campus research ecosystem are many and varied. In her guest blog, disability services coordinator Christy Oslund shares how getting furloughed and returning part-time opened creative opportunities.

Oslund knew the layoff calls were being made — and just when she thought the danger was over, her phone rang.

“I knew The Call would reveal one of two possibilities: being temporarily laid off for the summer or being let go, fired,” she writes. “After the phone rang and I found out I was laid off, my thoughts were torn. Suddenly I had a free summer in front of me, and I reminded myself to be grateful I would be called back to work in the fall. What of my colleagues who were getting calls letting them know they were unemployed during a pandemic?

“At least I pretty quickly knew how I would fill my time. I was going to kill people.”

Read more about Oslund’s murder mystery on Unscripted, the University research blog, at mtu.edu/unscripted.

Michigan Tech’s medical laboratory science program boasts 100% job placement in a field that’s growing by leaps and bounds.

Tech’s COVID-19 testing laboratory has processed nearly 35,000 samples since April 2020. In honor of that enormous impact on the well-being of the Michigan community, a number of Michigan Tech MLS students and recent program graduates shared reflections on their experiences in the program.

Read the full story in Michigan Tech Magazine.

Michigan Technological University is excited to launch Innovators in Industry: a project connecting students with MTU alumni who are industry experts, leaders and influencers.

The initial three-part series kicks off at 7 p.m. on Monday (Oct. 25) with a session titled “The Future of Autonomous Vehicles & Mobility.” Janet Callahan, dean of the College of Engineering, will host the first session. Featured alumni will make short presentations with time for Q&A from the audience.

Organized by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, Innovators in Industry aims to give students direct access to industry leaders to help shape their paths. Future plans for the Innovators in Industry series include in-person sessions and on-location visits to industry hubs for students.

Upcoming sessions of Innovators in Industry include:

• Monday, Oct. 25 — The Future of Autonomous Vehicles & Mobility (hosted by the College of Engineering)
• Monday, Nov. 1 — The Computing Revolution (hosted by the College of Computing)
• Monday, Nov. 8 — Entrepreneurship: Startups & Venture Capital (hosted by the College of Business)

All sessions will begin at 7 p.m. on Zoom. All Michigan Tech students, faculty and staff are invited to join.

Read more about the project's inaugural session on the College of Engineering Blog.

Katy Pioch, a senior in mechanical engineering, was awarded a Women in Defense scholarship from the Women in Defense Michigan Chapter. This scholarship recognizes not only Pioch’s contribution to the field of defense, but her activities and scholarship at Michigan Tech.

During summer 2021, Pioch worked for defense contractor General Dynamics on various quality projects. At Michigan Tech, she is the current co-social chair and outreach director (and former president) for the Society of Women Engineers. She has served as a resident advisor and is the current president for the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge Enterprise. In a recent interview with Xena Workwear for Women, Pioch discussed why she chose to study engineering.

The SWE section congratulates Katy on her achievement.

Join us as we present the next session of the VPR Research Series: a virtual presentation led by Federal Science Partners (Michigan Tech’s Washington, D.C., based policy advocates) and the Office of the Associate Vice President for Research Development. The Zoom session will be held Oct. 27 from noon to 1 p.m.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has traditionally been one of Michigan Tech’s top research sponsors and the agency to which we submit the most proposals each year. The NSF has also been in the news multiple times in the last year due to plans to potentially add a new Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships directorate and increase the NSF budget. In this session, we’ll learn more about the status of these plans, explore how we can sustain the institutional momentum with the NSF, and consider ways for Michigan Tech researchers to capitalize on the new opportunities coming out of the agency.

A Q&A session will follow the presentation for attendees to ask questions and engage with the presenters to dig deeper into specific topics of interest.

Dhawal Buaria, postdoctoral fellow at New York University, will be presenting at this week's Physics Colloquium.

The presentation will be held tomorrow (Oct. 21) at 4 p.m. on Zoom. Please register in advance for this event. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.

Read Buaria's abstract and bio on the University Events Calendar.

The Sustainable and Resilient Communities Social Network and Research Collaborative (SRC-Squared) invites you to join the next SRC-Squared event, on Nov. 1 at 11 a.m.

During this one-hour hybrid session (join in person or via Zoom), participants will have an opportunity to contribute ideas to a brainstorming session in response to the question: What would Michigan Tech look like as a living laboratory of sustainability and resilience?

This conversation is inspired by the current master planning process taking place on campus. Chelsea Schelly, lead of the Tech Forward Initiative on Sustainability and Resilience, and Alan Turnquist, director of sustainability and resilience, will facilitate the discussion. Turnquist is participating in the master planning process, and ideas generated during this session will be integrated into conversations about the planning process and outcomes.

Michigan Tech has enormous potential to transform itself by integrating sustainability and resilience into every facet of the University. Developing a vision for Michigan Tech as a living laboratory of sustainability and resilience can allow students, staff and faculty to contribute mightily to a sustainable and resilient campus, local community, Great Lakes region and world. What would Michigan Tech look like as a living laboratory? How would we use space, resources and time differently? What could such a living laboratory do, and how can you contribute? Come join the discussion!

We look forward to seeing you on Nov. 1 at 11 a.m. Join us in the Dow Environmental Sciences and Engineering Building (Dow), Room 875, or join via Zoom.

There will be a Mathematical Sciences Colloquium held Friday (Oct. 22) from 1-2 p.m. via Zoom (use passcode 1022).

Sanghyun Lee, assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics at Florida State University, will join us to present "Physics preserving enriched Galerkin methods."

Adele Igel, assistant professor in the Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources at the University of California, Davis, will present a virtual seminar on Monday (Oct. 25) at 4 p.m. at the Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), Room U113.

Igel’s presentation is titled “Microphysics, Radiation, and Mixing in Shallow Clouds.”

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

The next Graduate Seminar Speaker will present virtually at 4 p.m. tomorrow (Oct. 21) via Zoom.

K.T. Ramesh will present “Traumatic Brain Injury, and the Mechanics of the Live Human Brain.”

Ramesh is the Alonzo G. Decker, Jr., Professor of Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins and is known for research in impact physics and the failure of materials under extreme conditions.

Join the virtual presentation.

Michigan Tech senior Olivia Ghormley is the GLIAC North Division Volleyball Player of the Week. She earned the award for the first time this season and the 10th time of her career.

Ghormley led Michigan Tech to a 3-0 record at the Midwest Region Crossover over the weekend. At the tournament, she set the Tech record for career kills and currently stands at 1,565 to lead all active NCAA Division II players. Ghormley averaged 3.5 kills per set, tallying 15 kills in a sweep of No. 16 Lewis on Friday (Oct. 15) and then following that up with 10 kills in an upset sweep of No. 17 Hillsdale on Saturday (Oct. 16).

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

The Michigan Tech volleyball team is ranked No. 20 in this week's AVCA Division II Coaches Poll.

The Huskies are 15-4 and sit atop the GLIAC standings with a 7-1 conference mark. They hopped five spots from last week and have received votes in every poll this season.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

The Michigan Tech hockey team is ranked No. 18 in this week's USCHO Top 20 Poll.

The Huskies moved down two spots after falling 2-1 in overtime Friday (Oct. 15) to Notre Dame, which is ranked No. 13 this week.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Job Postings for Wednesday, Oct. 20, 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. 

Executive Assistant, Human Resources. Apply online.

Assistant, Associate or Full Professor, Materials Science and Engineering. 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.

Ali Ebnenasir (CS) is the author of article, titled “Verification and Synthesis of Responsive Symmetric Uni-Rings," which is now available for early access in the journal IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering.

In the article, Ebnenasir explores the research question: Can we have software tools that automatically generate scalable distributed programs?

Read more on the Computing News Blog.

The Michigan Tech Health Research Institute’s ongoing COVID-19 Town Hall series was the subject of a feature article in the Daily Mining Gazette.

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The dedication of a new skate rental center at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena in honor of Charlotte Jenkins and alumna Cheryl DePuydt was covered by WJMN Local 3. Joel Isaacson (ATH) was interviewed.

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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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 Sunday (Oct. 24).

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

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RSVP Open Enrollment Ends Oct. 31

The Retirement Supplemental Voluntary Program (RSVP) is a voluntary retirement program offered to eligible Michigan Tech employees. The enrollment period for which an employee may sign their RSVP election is currently open through Oct. 31.

Employees electing the Monetary Retirement Option must retire on or before June 30, 2022. The monetary retirement option provides a benefit equal to 50% of the eligible employee’s annual salary (nine-month salary for faculty), up to the cap amount of $75,607 at the time of their actual retirement date.

As announced in July, the University will gradually phase out the RSVP over the next four fiscal years (FY22-FY25). All options available under the current RSVP policy will remain in place during the phase-out.

For further clarification, please see the RSVP matrix, which explains the gradual phase-out of all RSVP options.

Prior to electing RSVP, employees must meet with the Benefits Office for a confidential meeting to verify eligibility. RSVP program information may be found online.

RSVP questions may be directed to Benefit Services at 906-487-2517 or benefits@mtu.edu.

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Friends of the Library Annual Meeting

The Friends of the Michigan Tech Library (FMTL) will hold their 2021 annual meeting from 4:30-6 p.m. tomorrow (Oct. 21) on Zoom. All are encouraged to attend.

The meeting will consist of a short business meeting followed by a presentation by speaker Faith A. Morrison, who recently retired from Michigan Tech after 30 years of teaching, scholarship and service.

Morrison's presentation will center on issues addressed in her recent book, "Uncertainty Analysis for Engineers & Scientists," published by Cambridge University Press this year. Measurements form the backbone of scientific and engineering discovery and understanding, but no measurement value is known with 100% confidence: Equipment limitations, random events and calibration issues all conspire to make it difficult sometimes to interpret the meaning of a measurement. Uncertainty analysis is the process by which data-takers face, assess and continuously improve the reliability of their measurements. Knowing at least a little bit about uncertainty analysis would be good for everyone — it would help us to better understand decisions made with numbers, such as those used to determine the healthfulness of what we eat and drink or the efficacy of medicines and vaccines.

Join the Zoom meeting.

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Enterprise Day

Do you know a student who might be interested in learning more about Enterprise at Michigan Tech? Or a student who wants to join an Enterprise, but is not sure which team is right for them? Please take a moment to invite any and all students to Enterprise Day, happening tonight (Oct. 20) from 6-8 p.m. in the Rozsa Lobby.

During this time, students will learn more about Enterprise by talking with program staff and students from various Enterprise teams, all in one place. Teams will be spread out across the Rozsa Lobby and outside, weather permitting.

Students will be able to visit with:

Alternative Energy • Aerospace • Advanced Metalworks • Blizzard Baja • Blue Marble Security • BoardSport Technologies • Built World • Clean Snowmobile • CPM, GEAR • Green Campus • Husky Game • HIDE • Hotforest • IGS • ITOxygen • MINE • Open Source • Robotic Systems • SENSE • Supermileage Systems • Velovations

For more information about each team, please visit our Enterprise Day web page. Registration is not required for interested students who would like to attend. Apple cider and donuts will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis during this event.

The use of face coverings and social distancing will be determined by MTU's Health and Safety Level today (Oct. 20). Please keep an eye on the Campus Health and Safety Levels information page.

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This Weekend at the Rozsa

Friday (Oct. 22) and Saturday (Oct. 23), you are invited to an extraordinary genre-bending event in our intimate Jazz club-style Backstage Jazz setting, featuring an on-stage installation by creative technologist and artist Osman Koç.

Curious about the installation? Saturday, come in to explore the Osman Koç Installation from noon to 5 p.m. The innovative creative technologist's installation will be set up to respond to your sounds and movement, and you're invited to experience it for free.
Please note: The exploration start time has been updated — it will now start at noon, instead of 10 a.m. as previously posted.

• Backstage Jazz: Jazz Meets Hiphop — Oct. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m.
  Join Michigan Tech Jazz backstage at the James and Margaret Performance Hall in the Rozsa.
  Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for youth. Michigan Tech students can attend for free and bring a friend with the Experience Tech Fee.
  
  
• Osman Koç Installation — Oct. 23 from noon to 5 p.m
  Backstage at the James and Margaret Performance Hall in the Rozsa.
  Please note the updated start time: The exploration will now start at noon, instead of 10 a.m. as previously posted.

Note: Face coverings are required for volunteers, staff and audience members at these events. Please visit the Rozsa COVID-19 Policies for the most up-to-date information.

Tickets are available by phone at 906-487-2073, online and in person at the Central Ticketing Office in the Student Development Complex. The Rozsa Box Office will also be open for ticket purchases two hours prior to performances. 

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Diwali Night at MTU Coming Soon!

The Indian Students Association (ISA) is organizing one of the biggest events on campus — Diwali Night — on Oct. 30.

Diwali Night will start with a grand eight-course dinner buffet at the MUB Commons and Ballroom from 5:30-7 p.m. Following dinner, we will have stage performances from the music and dance teams at the Rozsa Center from 7:30-9 p.m.

Tickets are available online and at the SDC Ticketing Office, and will also be available at the MUB the evening of the event.

Ticket Prices:

• $8 — Early bird (ends today, Oct. 20)
• $10 — Students
• $12 — Staff/ Community

Hope to see you there!

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Journal Writing and Publication Workshop

Do you need help formatting your manuscript for submission? Or are you wondering how to start the process of submitting it for publication?

Join Shari Stockero (Provost's Office/CLS) and Abraham Romney (HU) in an online panel discussion tomorrow (Oct. 21) from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Join the panel via Zoom.

The panel will cover the following topics:

• Choosing a Journal
• Developing a Writing Plan
• Preparing a Manuscript
• Submitting the Manuscript
• Revising and Resubmitting

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

Hyperconnection: A New Series by Tiffany Lange

Wednesday, October 20, 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...

Cori Champagne: "Apparel for the Anthropocene"

Wednesday, October 20, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | U. J. Noblet Forestry Building, Upper Atrium

Apparel for the Anthropocene is presented by the Institute for Policy, Ethics and Culture at Michigan Technological University from October 10-31 in the Upper Atrium of the...

Stress Less Workshop

Wednesday, October 20, 10–11 a.m.

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. ...

UP & Moving Lunchtime High Noon Activity Break

Wednesday, October 20, 12:00 p.m.–12:20 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...

UP & Moving Lunchtime Noon-Thirty Activity Break

Wednesday, October 20, 12:30 p.m.–12:50 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...

Michigan Tech Research Forum: Dr. Jennifer Slack

Wednesday, October 20, 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. | Memorial Union Building (MUB), Ballroom

Please join us on October 20, 2021, in MUB Ballroom A for a presentation by Dr. Jennifer Slack from the Humanities department. There will be time for socializing for 30...

Idea Pitch Competition

Wednesday, October 20, 5 p.m.–7 p.m. | Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), U115

Do you have an innovative idea that could disrupt the status quo and "business as usual"? Pitch your idea and compete for cash prizes in Husky Innovate's Idea Pitch...

Open Rock Climbing

Wednesday, October 20, 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...

Howell Michigan Tech Night

Wednesday, October 20, 6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m. | Crystal Gardens

Huskies are coming to Howell! Join us to hear about Michigan Technological University through student stories and experiences at a Michigan Tech Night near you. You'll learn...