December 22, 2021

In this guest blog, the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology (KIP) shares some backstory behind its recently released, student-produced video.

“‘Be Smart. Do Your Part.’ has been the motto here at Michigan Tech since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” writes the department. “A team of graduate students in the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology (KIP) did just that. The team — Xinqian Chen, Isaac Lennox and Carmen Scarfone, led by doctoral student Ashley Hawke — created the video ‘Staying Healthy and Safe During COVID-19’ to provide updates on latest COVID-19 trends, recommendations on how to stay safe, travel tips and strategies to maintain physical and mental health.“

Read more at mtu.edu/unscripted.

Middle and high school teachers are invited to a weeklong exploration of cybersecurity and computers in the scenic Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

A GenCyber teacher camp for 30 teachers will be held on Michigan Tech's campus from June 20 to June 24, 2022. The camp covers fundamental cyber hygiene and cybersecurity knowledge.

Topics will include:

Ethics | Phishing | PC Architecture | Linux | Networking | Wireless | Ethical Hacking

The camp also includes eight hours of pre-camp activities and eight hours of post-camp activities during the school year.

The GenCyber camp curriculum was built on Michigan computer science K-12 standards. Teacher participants will be able to use GenCyber activities to count for at least 24 state continuing education clock hours (SCECHs). Teacher participants will also receive a stipend of $600 for attending and completing GenCyber activities. Prior knowledge of computers and cybersecurity is not required.

This camp is a live-in program (commuting is optional), and is offered at no cost to all participants. Room and board are included. The application deadline is March 1.

For more information and to apply, visit the GenCyber Camps website. 

Job Postings for Wednesday, Dec. 22, 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. 

Custodian (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #21351, Facilities (AFSCME posting Dec. 22, 2021, to Jan. 6, 2022 — internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

Baker (nine months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #21353, Dining Services (AFSCME posting Dec. 22, 2021, to Jan. 6, 2022 — internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME 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 on Campus

Testing on Michigan Tech's campus has concluded for the fall 2021 semester. The last day of testing was Dec. 16.

For COVID-19 testing during winter break, please reach out to a local health care provider to schedule a test. You do not need to have a preexisting relationship with the health care provider in order to get tested.

Local sites offering COVID-19 testing can be found using the state of Michigan's Find a Test Site web page.

More COVID-19 Testing Information for the Michigan Tech community is available on the MTU Flex website.

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Spring 2022 Adult Huskies Aquatics Programs

Adult Huskies Aquatics Program registration for spring 2022 is open now. Two programs will be offered:

• Adult Huskies Swim Training
  Provides additional attention and competitive guidance to swimmers ages 18 and older who are looking to improve their swimming skills and fitness levels in a group setting. Each session is programmed with a warm-up and variations of a workout for the beginner, intermediate and advanced swimmer. Participants will be provided coaching and guidance to meet their individual swimming goals! 

• Adult Huskies Swim Lessons 
  Provides aquatic education for the beginner to intermediate swimmer who is looking to become more comfortable in the water and learn the fundamental four strokes.

PROGRAM DATES AND COST:

• Session 1 — Jan. 11 to Feb. 3 (registration closes Jan. 7 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Session 2 — Feb. 8 to March 3 (registration closes Feb. 4 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Session 3 — March 15 to April 7 (registration closes March 11 at 11:59 p.m.)

Classes meet Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30-6:20 p.m. at the SDC Pool. Cost is $100 per session (a discount is available for SDC members!).

Register today!

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Spring 2022 Huskies Youth Aquatics Programs

Come make a splash this spring with Huskies Youth Aquatics Programs at the SDC Pool! Registration is currently open for swimmers ages 6 months to 17 years. Four programs will be offered:

• Parent and Child Aquatics (ages 6 months to 3 years)
  Familiarizes children with the water and teaches swimming readiness skills. Provides safety information for parents and teaches techniques parents can use to help orient their children to the water. Classes meet Saturday from 8:30-9:10 a.m. A parent is required to be in the water with each child.
  
  
• Preschool Aquatics (ages 4-5 years)
  Designed to orient young preschoolers to the aquatic environment and help them gain basic aquatic skills. In addition, participants start learning how to be safe around water. Classes meet Saturday from 8:30-9:10 a.m. A parent is required to be in the water with each child. 
  
  
• Huskies Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-5 (ages 6-17 years)
  Based on skill level, from beginners to those refining strokes learned in previous levels. Classes meet Saturday and two time options are available: 9:30-10:10 a.m. or 10:30-11:10 a.m.
  
  
• Huskies Swim Clinic (ages 6-17 years)
  Provides additional attention and competitive guidance to proficient swimmers who are looking to improve their swimming skills and fitness levels. Participants must be able to swim unassisted for at least 25 yards, tread water for at least one minute and have swimming knowledge and ability equivalent to Level 6 of the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program or higher. Classes meet Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.

PROGRAM DATES AND COST:

• Session 1 — Jan. 15 to Feb. 19 (registration closes Jan. 8 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Session 2 — Feb. 26 to April 9 (registration closes Feb. 19 at 11:59 p.m.; no class March 12)

Cost is $60 per session except for Huskies Swim Clinic, which is $75 per session (a discount is available for SDC members!).

A parent or legal guardian is required to sign a waiver of liability and concussion awareness forms for all youth classes. Space will be provided for personal items on the pool deck. Class sizes are limited. 

Register today!

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American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Jan. 7-9

Earn your American Red Cross lifeguard certification in a three-day intensive training course at the Michigan Tech SDC pool Jan. 7-9.

Lifeguard/first-aid/CPR/AED certifications and all training materials are included. All participants must be 15 years of age or older by the first date of the course (documentation is required). Required water skills include the ability to swim 300 yards continuously, tread water for two minutes, and complete a timed event in which participants retrieve a 10-pound brick from a depth of 7-10 feet and swim 20 yards with the object.

Online training prerequisites must be completed by the first day of classroom instruction. The instructor will contact class participants with online course information and directions.

COURSE DATES AND COST:

• Friday, Jan. 7 — 4-8 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 8 — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday, Jan. 9 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost is $200 per participant. Class size is limited. 

Registration is now open and will close Dec. 31 at 11:59 p.m.

Visit the Michigan Tech Recreation website for more information and to register.

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Earn up to $450 with Husky Health

Benefits eligible employees, don’t forget to complete your Husky Health Checklists with the activities you completed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2021, to earn up to $450.

Jan. 10, 2022, is the last day to submit your Husky Health Checklist for the reporting period of Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2021, to receive your Husky Health payout incentive in early 2022.

Check out the Husky Health website or follow us on Facebook at Michigan Tech Wellness for more information about Husky Health, Lunch and Learns, wellness tips and fitness programs that count toward the Husky Health incentive.

Find out more about Husky Health and other wellness benefits online.

Questions? Contact the Benefits Office at benefits@mtu.edu or 906-487-2517.

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KIP Grad Students Share 'Staying Healthy & Safe During COVID-19' Video

A team of graduate students in the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology (KIP) have created a short video titled "Staying Healthy & Safe During COVID-19" to share with campus and community members.

The video provides:

1. Updates on latest COVID-19 trends;
2. Recommendations on how to stay safe;
3. Travel tips; and
4. Strategies to maintain physical and mental health.

The video has been posted on the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, Copper Country Strong, UP COVID-19 Town Hall and Frontline UPdates social media pages.

Watch the video on YouTube and read the full story on the KIP Newsblog.

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UPS/FedEx Package Delivery Over Break

Central Receiving will be open limited hours during the winter break for UPS and FedEx deliveries. We are unable to accept packages for departments that are closed during this time. We recommend contacting the shipper to adjust the delivery date for when your office reopens.

Our winter break operating hours are as follows:

• Dec. 20-22 — 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Dec. 23-26 — Closed
• Dec. 27-29 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Dec. 30 to Jan. 2 — Closed

We will return to regular operating hours on Jan. 3.

We would like to remind the campus community that personal packages should be specifically addressed to go directly to your department if you choose to have them shipped to campus. You can help keep our response time for delivering University packages consistent during this high-volume season and year-round by having personal packages delivered directly to your department (or your home).

To ensure timely delivery of packages directly to your department by the shipper, please ensure that you clearly provide the following information when placing your order:

• Your Complete Name
• Building Name
• Room Number
• 1400 Townsend Drive
  Houghton, MI 49931

Please contact Central Receiving at centralreceiving-l@mtu.edu should you have any questions or need assistance with special receiving or shipping needs.

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Tech Today Holiday Break

In observance of the Christmas and New Year's holidays, and of the University seasonal days Dec. 27-29, today's Tech Today is the last newsletter of the calendar year 2021.

Tech Today will resume Jan. 3. To be included in the Jan. 3 newsletter, items must be submitted by noon today (Dec. 22) using our Submit a Story form. 

The 2021 Midyear Commencement ceremony at Michigan Tech was covered by WLUC TV6. 

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Michigan Tech's Winter Carnival was listed among "the coolest winter ice castles and sculptures in America" by Fox News. The list was picked up by regional and local news stations.

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ABC 10 wrote a story on the recently released "Staying Healthy & Safe During COVID-19" video created by graduate students in the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology.

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John Vucetich (CFRES) was interviewed by Great Lakes Echo about his observations of the behavior of wolves and moose and the larger lessons drawn from those observations.

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Zhanping You (CEGE) was quoted by The Detroit News in its story "Flint residents fight against asphalt plant as state weighs approval."

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No events are scheduled for today. Visit the University Events Calendar.