November 24, 2021

The Vice President for Research Office (VPR) has awarded the following Century II Campaign Endowed Equipment Fund (C2E2) awards at the recommendation of the C2E2 Committee:

• Rhys Edwards (ATH) — Aqua Steps HD
• Qingli "Barbara" Dai (CEGE) — Purchase of Freeze-Thaw and Internal Frost Damage Test System
• Eric Seagren (CEGE) — The VisiSens TD System for 2-D In Situ Measurement of O2, CO2, and pH Using Optical Chemical Sensors: Opportunities for Research and Education
• Paige Short and Michael Blanco (OVPDI) — Web Conferencing Upgrade in the Center for Diversity and Inclusion
• Paige Short and Christopher Sanders (OVPDI) — Barber Shop Equipment Initiative
• Elizabeth Miller (MSE) — Purchase of a Large Window Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy Detector for the ACMAL Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope

For additional information on the C2E2 opportunity, visit the C2E2 web page.

The Michigan Tech volleyball team will make its fourth straight and 12th all-time appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

The Huskies were named in the 64-team field Monday (Nov. 22). Tech is the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region and will play No. 7 Wayne State at top-seeded and regional host Ferris State.

The date and time of the Huskies' matchup against the Warriors will be announced later this week.

Check for updated info at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Laura Kasson Fiss (PHC/HU), Andrew Fiss (HU) and graduate student Tori Reeder (HU) presented a research panel titled "Gender and Work in the Mathematical Sciences" on Nov. 19 at the joint meeting of the History of Science Society (HSS) and Society for the History of Technology (SHOT).

Reeder presented a paper about the move to subjectivity in quantum physics, and Kasson Fiss and Fiss argued for the styles of masculinity present in engineering periodicals, using the historical holdings of the Van Pelt and Opie Library.

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. 

Please note: Testing will not be offered tomorrow (Nov. 25) during the week of Michigan Tech's Thanksgiving recess. The regular testing schedule will resume on Monday (Nov. 29).

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

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A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum Closed for Thanksgiving Break

The A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum will be closed for Thanksgiving break from tomorrow through Sunday (Nov. 25-28).

We will resume our regular schedule — Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — the following week, starting Monday (Nov. 29).

As a reminder, admission to the museum is waived for all MTU students, staff and faculty with their Tech ID.

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2022 Benefits Open Enrollment Ends Nov. 29

The 2022 Benefits Open Enrollment is now open and will run through Monday (Nov. 29) at 5 p.m.

Open Enrollment is your opportunity to assess your individual and family needs and elect the benefit package that is right for you.

If you were unable to attend the Open Enrollment Benefits Forums in person, the Benefits website has a link to the recording of the 2022 Open Enrollment Forum.

Passive Enrollment Option:
Open enrollment for 2022 is NOT mandatory. The passive enrollment allows employees to roll over most of their benefits from the previous year without making updates in the system.

Flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA) will not automatically roll over. It’s important if you would like to elect these to do so during open enrollment. While open enrollment is optional, it is recommended that all employees complete open enrollment, regardless of if you are making changes to your benefit elections or not.

To find more information on open enrollment, please see our previous post in Tech Today, or visit our Open Enrollment website to get the most up-to-date details on benefits for 2022.

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Upcoming Events at the Rozsa

We are so thankful to all who have returned to theatre so far this semester! Have a wonderful week — and here is some information about the next two weekends, filled with holiday joy at the Rozsa!

• Home for the Holidays Gift Market — Saturday (Nov. 27), 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  The annual holiday tradition returns to the Rozsa Lobby! Gather your family for a wonderful day at this unique holiday gift market featuring high-quality, hand-crafted items to decorate your home, stuff stockings and give as the perfect gifts to your loved ones. Check out the list of vendors.
  
  • Face coverings: Required for volunteers, staff and attendees at this event. Please visit the Rozsa COVID-19 Policies for the most up-to-date information.
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• "The Nutcracker" — Friday-Sunday, Dec. 3-5
  Embrace the timeless holiday magic of "The Nutcracker" with your whole family this holiday season. Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, the tale of Clara and her Nutcracker prince and filled with mischievous mice, twirling treats and shimmering snowflakes, the Minnesota Ballet's new production of "The Nutcracker" ballet with the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra promises special Christmas memories and features local dancers from the Superior School of Dance.
  • Note on seating: Reserved seating will be utilized for all performances. The Rozsa tier and all wheelchair-accessible seats will be socially distanced, pod-style seating.
  • Tickets: $28 for adults and $12 for youth. Michigan Tech students can attend for free and bring a friend with the Experience Tech Fee. 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.
  • Face coverings: Required for volunteers, staff and audience members at these events. Please visit the Rozsa COVID-19 Policies for the most up-to-date information.
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• Big Bean Burrito Zoom Reception — Friday, Dec. 3, 5-7 p.m.
  Join us for a Zoom reception from 5-7 p.m. as Michigan Tech sculpture, installation and design students showcase their work in this end-of-semester art exhibit.

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VPA Announces Auditions for February Productions

The Department of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) at Michigan Technological University announces auditions for An Evening of One Acts that will be produced Feb. 17-26, 2022, in McArdle Theatre.

This performance will include productions of four new works that are a collaboration with playwrights at the University of Michigan. Tech students will serve as directors for the productions. Shows will be arranged in pairs with the possibility of acting in up to two productions. The performances are curated by Kristy Dodson (VPA), visiting assistant professor of theatre and director of the recent Michigan Tech production of "The Arsonists" by Max Frisch.

Come as you are to auditions next Friday (Dec. 3) from 6-8 p.m. Auditions are open to all, including community members and students from departments outside VPA. There are roles specified for four Black female-identifying characters in one of the scripts. The other scripts are open in their actor specifications. Copies of the script will be provided for you to look over and then read for the audition.

Callbacks will be held the following Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 4-5) from noon to 3 p.m. Auditions and callbacks will be held in McArdle Theatre, located on the second floor of the Walker Arts and Humanities Center (Walker). Face coverings are required.

Plays for An Evening of One Acts include:

• "I Hope…" by Shannon Harper
• "Shaped by You" by Dana Pierangeli
• "St. Julianna’s School for Troubled Girls" by Claire Vogel
• "Taking Survey" by MacKenzie Mollison

Audition dates:

• Friday, Dec. 3, from 6-8 p.m. — Open auditions for all shows
• Saturday, Dec. 4, from noon to 3 p.m. — Callbacks
• Sunday, Dec. 5, from noon to 3 p.m. — Callbacks

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No Tech Today Tomorrow or Friday

There will be no Tech Today published tomorrow or Friday (Nov. 25 and 26) in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Tech Today will resume on Monday (Nov. 29). To be included in Monday's newsletter, items must be submitted by noon today (Nov. 24) using our Submit a Story form. 

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

UP & Moving Lunchtime High Noon Activity Break

Wednesday, November 24, 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, November 24, 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...