October 28, 2021

As the leaves and temperatures fall, the Tech Trails are preparing for the snow to begin falling. It can sometimes be forgotten how much work it takes in the summer to provide great trails during the winter — over the summer, lots of work was put into these trails:

• Tolkien Trails
• Main Trails
• Disc Golf Course

Read about the improvements at Michigan Tech Recreation's website.

Winter Updates
Updates for winter and the Tech Trails include re-establishing a changing space, wax space and indoor space.

Of course, things will look different than they did in 2019, but space will be made available for folks to change and wax their skis indoors at the main trailhead. In addition, Room 10 will be available and open during daytime and lighted trail hours. This will include access to secure changing space and space with a wax table, iron and lights. In addition, chairs and a table are available for those who may want to rest and eat while taking a break.

OAP Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Rental
The Outdoor Adventure Program (OAP) will again be operating out of the Wax Shed as they have the past couple of years with ski rentals. The rental fleet was updated this year, and kids skis were added! The annual equipment rental is still in place for students and non-students, and sales will begin on Nov. 1. Details and a link to purchase a pass can be found at the Michigan Tech Recreation website.

Dogs
As a friendly reminder from the Michigan Tech Trails staff, dogs should be under the owner's control and on a leash while utilizing the dog-approved trails.

The official Michigan Tech Trails policy regarding dogs, which is supplemental to the Michigan Tech Board of Trustees Policy, is available at the Michigan Tech Recreation website — along with helpful etiquette tips for dog owners.

Over the summer, the staff enhanced signage and dog waste dispensers at dog-approved use trails. We ask that all Tech Trails users with dogs be considerate and respectful of the Michigan Tech policies and all users of our wonderful trail system. We all want to enjoy our trails in a safe and secure environment. 

Trail Passes
The Michigan Tech Trails are a great resource to our campus and the greater community. Please support them by purchasing an annual membership or day pass. Your support helps ensure that our trails are well-groomed, maintained and updated.

Trail usage is one of the benefits of the Experience Tech Fee, and currently enrolled Michigan Tech students may use the Tech Trails at no charge. A trails membership or day pass is required for all other users. Children age 12 and younger are eligible for a free youth trails membership available at the SDC Ticket Office.

Trails members get access to Locker Room 110 in the SDC. Locker rentals are reserved for SDC members.

Please email trailsinfo@mtu.edu with any questions, concerns or comments. We hope that everyone is able to enjoy our trails system responsibly.

The Office of Academic and Community Conduct is pleased to announce that the 2020-2021 Academic Integrity Annual Report is now available.

This is the first year for the report, which covers the various initiatives set forth to actively promote and support a culture of academic integrity within the University. The report also lists the accomplishments that were made in the past academic year. Finally, the report provides data on reported cases of academic misconduct.

This week, the Film Board presents “A Quiet Place Part II,” rated PG-13 for terror, violence and bloody/disturbing images.

Showings:

• Friday, Oct. 29 — 5:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 11:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 30 — 5:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 11:30 p.m.

Located on Michigan Tech's campus in Fisher Hall, Room 135.

Tickets are $3 and concessions are $1. We hope to see you at the movie this weekend — and have a great day.

Join us on Wednesday (Nov. 3) at noon in the MUB Ballroom, B3, as physical therapist Dr. Anne Cooke and licensed massage therapist Kristi Kirkpatrick celebrate women's health.

Cooke and Kirkpatrick will explore many aspects of women's health including: mental health, self-care, physical health and nutrition.

Learn how these all merge to make us our optimal selves at work and at home.

This Lunch and Learn will count toward Option 2 on your Husky Health form for 2021!

Please join us Monday (Nov. 1) at noon for the fall ’21 Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture (RTC) Colloquium No. 1: Continued Conversations from the Midwest Popular Culture Association.

This colloquium will be held from 12-1 p.m. via Zoom.

Topics include:

• Talk 1 — "Sakura is Useless: Deconstructing Damaging Discourse with Feminist Theory," led by Kendall Belopavlovich, RTC Ph.D. candidate.
  
  From the abstract:
  This essay addresses the problematic gender representations of the main characters of the anime Naruto, and Naruto Shippuden (2002-2017). A complicated love triangle between two male ninja and one female kunoichi presents fuel for a narrative that centers on core themes of war, violence, and love. A feminist theoretical perspective is applied to a critical discourse analysis of fan discourse on YouTube videos and textual analysis of the show, where main female protagonist Sakura Haruno is examined through the concepts of popular feminism and popular misogyny. ... Taken from an English-language studies perspective, this essay focuses on the interpretation of Sakura’s character as it is found in the English-translated version of the show and through English-language fan discourses.
  
  
• Talk 2 — "Science Fiction as Protest Literature in Kurt Vonnegut's 'Slaughterhouse-Five,'" led by Samantha Quade, RTC Ph.D. candidate.
  
  From the abstract:
  This presentation will investigate the science fiction themes used in Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse 5 as a form of humanistic protest literature that actively protests the dehumanization of war. Before analyzing textual examples of such themes, protest literature and protest more broadly will be discussed and defined to show the differences between protest as is commonly understood and the protest seen in fiction. From there Vonnegut’s work will be contextualized with science fiction, anti-war writing, and humanism, all of which he is known for as an author, describing some of his other works and interviews in order to show his propensity for human responsibility for one another (seen in his relationship to science fiction and humanism), along with his complex relationship with war and the military. The heart of the analysis will then focus on examples from Slaughterhouse 5, specifically Vonnegut’s use of aliens/alien abduction and time travel. 

Join us for a Husky Innovate talk with Brad King, Tech professor, CEO and founder of Orbion Space Technology in Houghton.

The talk will be held Nov. 12 from noon to 1 p.m. Please register to attend — registrants will receive a Google calendar invite with the Zoom link.

An accomplished aerospace researcher, King took his satellite thruster technology to market when he co-founded Orbion Space Technology in 2016. Orbion’s satellite thruster technology addresses a key need within the space industry by providing a cost-effective way to efficiently maneuver satellites.

Orbion’s innovative technology provides the right value proposition for space industry stakeholders. King will share his journey as an entrepreneur, how he and his team have addressed key entrepreneurial challenges and what’s next for Orbion. 

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, 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.

Please join us in the library, Room 244, at noon on Wednesday (Nov. 3). Registration is required.

The No. 20-ranked Michigan Tech volleyball team wrapped up nonconference play with a 3-2 loss at Minnesota Duluth on Tuesday (Oct. 26). The Bulldogs defeated the Huskies 25-19, 18-25, 25-23, 15-25 and 15-10 at Romano Gym.

"It was a tough loss against a good team," Tech coach Matt Jennings said. "A few too many mental mistakes, particularly in the third and fifth sets, cost us. We didn't play horribly by any means. We simply came out flat and didn't execute on a few plays that ended up making a difference in such a close contest. This will be a nice little wake-up call for us as we make our push into the second half of the season."

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Michigan Tech is proud to offer fans the opportunity to follow the Huskies all season by watching home basketball games live with in-game statistics.

All 27 Michigan Tech men's and women's basketball regular-season home games will be streamed in high definition with multiple camera angles through the team's Presto Sports Stretch Internet Portal. 

Read more and find out how to sign up at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Job Posting for Thursday, Oct. 28, 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) #21223RP, Chemical Engineering (UAW posting Oct. 28 to Nov. 3, 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.

Face Coverings Required Indoors on Campus

While Michigan Tech is at Health and Safety Level Two, face coverings must be worn indoors. This applies to all students, employees and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.

Michigan Tech strongly recommends that all employees and students 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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Comedian Melissa McGillicuddy

Join us for a night of laughs tomorrow night (Oct. 29) at 10 p.m. in the MUB Ballroom! Melissa McGillicuddy is a stand-up comedian based in Sacramento, California.

Being an only (and super gay) child raised by a single mom in a conservative town, McGillicuddy found she didn’t always fit in, so she used humor as a way to connect with people. She also co-produces the Moving Van Show, a monthly, secret pop-up comedy show, as well as Sacramento FemmeFest, the city's first all-female comedy festival.

This event is free and open to everyone! 

Please note: Show contains college humor.

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Diwali Night at Michigan Tech on Saturday

The Indian Students Association (ISA) is organizing Diwali Night on Saturday (Oct. 30). We have been celebrating the Diwali Festival on campus for more than 15 years!

Join us for a grand eight-course dinner buffet at the MUB and musical and dance performances at the Rozsa Center.

Event Outline:

• Food — 5:30-7 p.m. in the MUB Commons and MUB Ballroom
• Festival — 7:30-9 p.m. in the Rozsa Center

Ticket Location:

Tickets are available online, at the SDC Ticketing Office and at the MUB on Saturday evening.

Ticket Prices:

• $10 — Students
• $12 — Staff/ Community/General Public

We can't wait to see you all there!

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COVID-19 Town Hall on Tonight

Join us tonight (Oct. 28) from 7-8 p.m. for the COVID-19 Community Town Hall. Town Hall moderators Steven Elmer and Kelly Kamm (HRI/KIP) will be joined by several guests to discuss all things COVID-19.

Organized by the Health Research Institute at Michigan Tech, the 60-minute town hall broadcast can be heard live at 7 p.m. on local radio station 97.7 The Wolf (WOLV-FM) and viewed through a Zoom webinar and Facebook Live. The town hall can also be viewed on ABC 10 on Sunday (Oct. 31) at noon.

For more information, past broadcasts and webinar links, visit the COVID-19 Town Hall Series website.

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Physics Colloquium

Professor Erik Luijten, associate dean in the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University, will give a talk on "Dielectric Manipulation of Soft Matter In and Out of Equilibrium" at the next Physics Colloquium.

Please join the presentation today (Oct. 28) at 4 p.m. in Fisher Hall, Room 139.

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

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Biological Sciences Seminar Series

Adam M. Guss is the next presenter in the Biological Sciences Seminar Series.

The seminar will be held from 3-4 p.m. today (Oct. 28) via Zoom.

Guss's presentation is titled "Domestication of diverse non-model microbes for plastics upcycling and sustainable fuel and chemical production."

From the abstract:
Many non-model microbes have native phenotypic advantages over model organisms like E. coli and S. cerevisiae, such as the ability to catabolize polymeric biomass feedstocks, extreme tolerance to various stressors, or high flux through complex metabolic pathways. Unfortunately, these non-model microbes typically lack the genetic tools that would enable further modifications and metabolic engineering. Our pipeline for achieving transformation in diverse bacteria will be discussed, with a focus on libraries of genetic parts and rationally avoiding restriction-modification systems. This approach has enabled first-of-kind or increased efficiency of transformation in numerous phylogenetically diverse bacteria. Beyond development of initial transformation technologies, we have also developed high efficiency DNA integration tools using site-specific DNA recombinases. This system allows for rapid and stable insertion of DNA into the chromosome of the target host, enabling rapid screening of both genetic parts (e.g., promoters, terminators, reporter genes) and metabolic pathways. Because of the high efficiency, these recombinases can be multiplexed to enable combinatorial libraries to be constructed in vivo for pathway optimization. We apply these technologies to engineer bacteria to convert sustainable (lignocellulose) and waste (plastics) feedstocks into fuels and monomers for the next-generation of recyclable-by-design plastics. Finally, I will discuss how these tools are applicable to diverse areas of microbiology, including microbiome engineering and drug discovery.

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This Week's C-Cubed Luncheon Menu

Dining Services presents this week's C-Cubed Luncheon being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today (Oct. 28) in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge, Room 107. All faculty and staff, along with their guests, are invited.

The C3 lunch buffet menus are created by executive chef Eric Karvonen and prepared by Karvonen and his culinary team. This week’s luncheon has been created by Karvonen and Julia Semaan, who is doing her internship at Michigan Tech as part of her competency for her internship. 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 (Oct. 28):

“Julia’s Creation”
Beef Kofta with Pita Bread (Gluten Free)
Red Rice (Gluten Free, Vegetarian)
Falafel (Gluten Free, Vegan)
Mediterranean Salad (Gluten Free, Vegan)
Sautéed Vegetables (Gluten Free, Vegan)
Tzatziki (Gluten Free, Vegetarian)
Tahini Sauce (Gluten Free, Vegan)

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ME-EM Graduate Seminar Speaker

The next Graduate Seminar Speaker will be Amartya Banerjee, who will present “Symmetry, deformations and the search for unprecedented materials from first principles” at 4 p.m. today (Oct. 28) via Zoom.

Banerjee is an assistant professor of material science and engineering at the University of California.

Attend virtually on Zoom.

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Joy Harjo's "An American Sunrise" Book Discussion Today

The Van Pelt and Opie Library and Portage Lake District Library invite community members to participate in The NEA Big Read, a community reading project spanning the Upper Peninsula.

The project is spearheaded by Peter White Public Library in Marquette and features native author Joy Harjo’s "An American Sunrise." This collection of poems chronicles Harjo's journey of reconnecting with her ancestors and coming to terms with the removal history of her people from their homelands.

A discussion of the poetry collection will be hosted in the Community Room of the Portage Lake District Library from 5:30-6:30 p.m. today (Oct. 28). The discussion will be led by T. Marie Bertineau, Native American author of "The Mason House: A Memoir" (a 2021 Michigan Notable Book), and U.P. Poet Laureate M. Bartley Seigle (HU).

Peter White Public Library will present a virtual reading with Joy Harjo Nov. 15 as a capstone to the project.

The NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

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

NEA Big Read

Thursday, October 28, 5:30–6:30 a.m. | Portage Lake District Library, Community Room

The Van Pelt and Opie Library and Portage Lake District Library invite community members to participate in The NEA Big Read, a community reading project spanning the Upper...

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Hyperconnection: A New Series by Tiffany Lange

Thursday, October 28, 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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The Misinformation Edition Exhibition

Thursday, October 28, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library

Glass Room: Misinformation Edition explores how social media and the web have changed the way we read information and react to it. It exposes new types of influencers, the new...

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Cori Champagne: "Apparel for the Anthropocene"

Thursday, October 28, 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...

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UP & Moving Aerobic Exercise, Agility, and Balance Workout

Thursday, October 28, 9:30–10:15 a.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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Creating Career Confidence Series Week 1 of 4

Thursday, October 28, 10–11 a.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 220 Career Services

Wishing you had a little more confidence for your job search, interviews, future work relationships and more? This workshop will focus on building confidence, self-care during...

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Halloween Bake Sale

Thursday, October 28, 12 p.m.–4 p.m. | Outside Library

No tricks, just treats! Delta Zeta will be having a Halloween themed bake sale on October 27th and 28th in the benefit of their national philanthropies for Speech and Hearing,...

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Building Resilience Workshop

Thursday, October 28, 1 p.m.–2 p.m.

When faced with difficulty and challenges in life, how do you cope, adapt, and bounce back? This workshop focuses on the concept of resilience and how to build these skills...

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Biological Science Seminar Series - Dr. Adam Guss

Thursday, October 28, 3 p.m.–4 p.m.

Dr. Adam Guss Genetic and Metabolic Engineer Oak Ridge National Laboratory Domestication of diverse non-model microbes for plastics upcycling and sustainable fuel and...

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Flu Shot Clinic

Thursday, October 28, 4 p.m.–6 p.m. | Rozsa Lobby

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HuskyLead: Planning an Event 101

Thursday, October 28, 4 p.m.–5 p.m. | MUB Ballroom A

Thursday, October 28 - "Event Planning 101" - Are you interested in learning more about planning a successful event? Want to learn more about planning an event here at Tech? ...

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Physics Colloquium - Prof. Erik Luijten

Thursday, October 28, 4 p.m.–5 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 139

Professor Erik Luijten, associate dean in the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University will give a talk on "Dielectric Manipulation of Soft Matter In and Out...

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Stress Less Workshop

Thursday, October 28, 4 p.m.–5 p.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. ...

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Symmetry, Deformations and the Search for Unprecedented Materials from First Principles

Thursday, October 28, 4 p.m.–5 p.m.

ME-EM Virtual Graduate Seminar Speaker Series proudly presents Amartya Banerjee , PhD University of California, Los Angeles Abstract The mathematical framework of...

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W. Michigan Chapter Monthly Gathering

Thursday, October 28, 5 p.m.–7 p.m. | Schmohz Brewery

Michigan Tech cordially invites you to enjoy a casual evening out and network with fellow Michigan Tech alumni and friends. The West Michigan Chapter will host this event at...

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Open Rock Climbing

Thursday, October 28, 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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Pumpkin Carving

Thursday, October 28, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. | MUB Commons

Carve out some time for fun! Join us for pumpkin carving, spooky Halloween tunes, apple cider, and donuts! Pumpkins and carving tools will be available in the MUB Commons and...

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"After Truth: Disinformation and the Cost of Fake News" (2020)

Thursday, October 28, 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 135

Join us for screening of HBO's film "After Truth: Disinformation and the Cost of Fake News" (2020). The film offers a look at the ongoing threat caused by the phenomenon of...

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Haunted Smelter Tour

Thursday, October 28, 7 p.m.–10 p.m. | Quincy Smelter (Ripley)

The Department of Visual and Performing Arts and the Keweenaw National Historic Park Advisory Commission announce their Halloween collaboration “An Horrific Transformation”,...

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Range Day

Thursday, October 28, 7 p.m.–9 p.m. | SDC Shooting Range

Students are allowed to come down to the range to either use their own firearms or the firearms provided by the club.