December 8, 2022

With less than a month until the 2023 Toyota U.S. Cross Country Ski National Championship Presented by Hampton Inn & Suites of Houghton, event registrations, volunteer sign-ups and more are now available.

Join Us in Volunteering for the National Championships on Jan. 2-7
It will take more than 100 volunteers to host the 2023 U.S. Cross Country Ski National Championships. Let’s show the national ski community just how supportive our community of skiers is here in the Keweenaw! Please consider volunteering for the event. We have volunteer needs ranging from bib distribution to course control, and even forerunning the National Championship courses. There is a position for everyone, so please consider joining us and cheering on the best skiers in the nation! All volunteers will receive a participant memento.

To volunteer for the 2023 U.S. Cross Country Ski National Championships, please fill out our volunteer recruitment form.

Volunteers Also Needed for Pre-Nationals CCSA Invite and CXC Cup 
Michigan Tech will also play host to the Pre-Nationals CCSA Invite and CXC Cup races next Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 17 and 18) at the Tech Trails! We are seeking volunteer help for this December race weekend as well. To volunteer for the Pre-Nationals race weekend, please email Volunteer Coordinator Stefany Valentine-Cook at skcook@mtu.edu. Thanks, and GO HUSKIES!

Read about registration requirements for athletes, coaches and suppliers at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Over winter break, Michigan Tech IT will be completing Microsoft Office 365 installations across faculty and staff systems.

After installation, staff and faculty will need to sign in with their MTU account name/password to verify our university license agreement. Instructions for signing in are in the IT Knowledge Base at Signing in to Office 365.

If you have questions or need assistance with upgrading, we can help. Contact IT at it-help@mtu.edu or call 7-1111.

A question we may all get on occasion goes something like this: “So, I’m involved with someone… intimately involved. They work/take classes here at Tech, too. Is that OK? Do I have to tell my supervisor/chair?”

The Consensual Relations Policy is designed to provide guidance to all Michigan Tech employees involved in consensual relationships. This policy helps to maintain a community that is free from sexual misconduct, favoritism and/or a conflict of interest.

Prohibited Conduct
Prohibited conduct includes participating in evaluations/decisions related to any aspect of employment/education of a student/employee with whom the employee has any consensual intimate and/or sexual relationship.

If the employee has decision-making responsibility over the other employee/student, such as supervising, grading, advising, hiring, teaching, counseling, coaching or other terms of employment/instructional activity, the relationship needs to be discussed with the immediate supervisor. The supervisor must implement a plan to eliminate any decision-making responsibility and/or conflict of interest between parties. This policy includes staff, faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and volunteers.

Be Aware of Potential Issues
Employees engaged in consensual relationships who are not in a supervisory role as described above should be aware of the unequal power inherent in these relationships and of potentially exploitative issues, now and in the future. These could include ethical concerns, potential for conflict, validity of consent and the possibility of diminishing trust and respect from others.

See the Consensual Relations Policy for additional details. If you have questions, contact Human Resources.

Concerns about sexual misconduct may be reported by using Report a Concern or contacting Michigan Tech's Title IX coordinator.

Ready for an adventure? Want to learn on a train or in a rain (forest)? Consider our study abroad/study away programs. The benefits of international study and travel include intercultural awareness, sensitivity and communication skills, as well as exposure to different cultures, perspectives and geographic regions. Conduct field research and acquire hands-on, real-world experience — all while making lifelong friends.

As a Michigan Tech student, you have two options available to you this summer from the Department of Social Sciences:

• Cumbria, England and Scotland: Earn up to 9 credits. Daniel Trepal (SS) will lead the four-week program, "Crossing Borders.” Get to know Cumbria, Northern England and Southern Scotland through a mix of archaeology and history. Students learn the culture through a mix of field trips and classwork. The application and deposit deadline is March 15.
  
  
• Amtrak Tourism: Western USA: Earn up to 10 credits. Hop on board Amtrak for a three-week faculty-led tour of the Western United States. Work alongside tourism professionals in Red Wing, Minnesota. Hike Glacier National Park. Interact with students at Portland State. Explore the public transport and destination infrastructure of Aspen, Colorado. And, visit the railroad legacy cities of Sacramento, California, and Galesburg, Illinois. Return to the Keweenaw and share your experiences with local stakeholders in the tourism industry. The application and deposit deadline is Jan. 13.

Cannot fit a study away experience into your packed schedule in 2023? No worry. 2024 will feature additional experiences in Costa Rica, Wales and Detroit. Learn more about all these great programs (and watch student-made videos from past trips too) at our Study Abroad / Study Away page.

Worried about the costs of studying abroad or away? All incoming undergraduate majors in the Department of Social Sciences receive a $2,500 voucher that can be used for one or more of our study away/abroad programs. No joke! Travel for free (or close to it).

Call 906-487-2113 or email socialsciences@mtu.edu to learn more about our study abroad/away options.

A total of 43 nominations have been submitted for the 2022 Making a Difference Awards. There will be winners in each of the following categories:

Above and Beyond
Behind the Scenes
Legacy Award
Outstanding Leader
Rookie Award
Serving Others
Unsung Hero

A list of nominees is available on the Staff Council website. Everyone is invited to a reception honoring the nominees. The reception is scheduled from 2-3:30 p.m. on Jan. 4 in the Memorial Union Ballroom. The recipients for each category will be announced at the reception.

Shola Oyedeji, a postdoctoral researcher at LUT University Finland, will present an on-campus and virtual lecture tomorrow (Dec. 9) from 3-4 p.m. in Rekhi 214 and via Zoom.

The Computer Science Colloquium lecture and social are hosted by the Department of Computer Science (CS). A social hour will take place following the lecture in Rekhi 218. Refreshments will be served.

Oyedeji’s research interest is software sustainability by design, focused on integrating human, societal, environmental, technical and economic concerns into software systems design to support sustainability. The topic of his lecture is "Software Sustainability by Design."

Read the abstract on the Computing News Blog.

Michigan Tech women's basketball returns home this week to play Lake Superior State tomorrow (Dec. 9) at 5:30 p.m. followed by Ferris State on Sunday (Dec. 11) at 1 p.m. 

The Huskies are 7-2 after a split to start GLIAC play on the road last week.

Tech has had no shortage of scoring, ranking third in the GLIAC at 75.8 points per game. Leading scorer Ellie Mackay matched her season average with 15 points on Saturday (Dec. 3). Alex Rondorf is averaging nearly a double-double per game and ranks fifth in the conference in 3-point percentage (44%). 

Read the previews at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Michigan Tech men's basketball is finally home this week after playing six straight contests away from Houghton. They welcome Lake Superior State tomorrow (Dec. 9) at 7:30 p.m., followed by Ferris State on Sunday (Dec. 11) at 3 p.m. 

The Huskies are 2-7 so far with a young squad.

Read the preview at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Note for Season Ticket Holders:
Michigan Tech basketball season tickets were issued with some incorrect dates and times. Season ticket holders will gain admission to this week's games tomorrow and Sunday with incorrect tickets as long as the opponents match up.

We apologize for the inconvenience and greatly appreciate your support. Please reach out to the SDC Ticket Office at 906-487-2073 or tickets@mtu.edu with any questions.

Former Michigan Tech hockey forward Steve Jensen passed away Nov. 29 at the age of 67.

A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jensen played 81 games for the Huskies over two seasons from 1973-75 and tallied 74 points with 33 goals and 41 assists. He was a member of the 1975 NCAA National Championship Team and was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team in 1974 and 1975. He was an All-WCHA Honorable Mention selection in 1975.

Read about Jensen's Olympic performances and NHL career at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Job Postings for Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022

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.

Senior Business Systems Analyst, Information Technology. Apply online.

McNair Scholars Program Assistant Director, Center for Diversity and Inclusion. Apply online.

Administrative Aide 7 (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #22343, Business Support Center (UAW posting dates Dec. 8 to Dec. 14, 2022 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). Apply online.

Food Service Helper (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #22344, Dining Services (AFSCME posting dates Dec. 8 to Dec. 14, 2022 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

Senior Administrative Aide (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #22332RP, Center for Educational Outreach (UAW posting dates Dec. 8 to Dec. 14, 2022 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, 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.

Lei Pan (ChE) and Michigan Tech President Rick Koubek were quoted by Tech Transfer Central and UPWord in stories about Michigan Tech’s collaboration with Eagle Mine on projects seeking new ways to recycle and reuse electrical vehicle batteries.

The partnership was awarded a total of $10 million by the U.S. Department of Energy for two projects, both led by Pan.

The awards were the subject of a Michigan Tech News press release in November.

*****

Resource Recycling mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about a study that tracked greenhouse gas emissions related to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyolefin polymers in the U.S., in total and across the life stages of the plastics.

Graduate student Utkarsh Chaudhari (chemical engineering), David Shonnard and Robert Handler (ChE) and David Watkins (CEGE) co-authored the study. 

*****

The Keweenaw Report covered Michigan Tech’s receipt of $1.3 million to fund the McNair Scholars Program at the University.

Michigan Tech News published a story about the grant earlier this month.

*****

BVM Sports picked up a Michigan Tech Athletics press release about football linebacker Marc Sippel being named to the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association All-Region Second Team.

*****

Lansing’s The Game 730 WVFN-AM and Kalamazoo’s 103.3 WKFR-FM mentioned Michigan Tech’s debunking of the Paulding Light in a story about mysteries in Michigan, Illinois and Indiana featured on TikTok by @mysteriesunloaded.

Become Mental Health First Aid Certified

Faculty and staff are invited to an upcoming mental health first aid (MHFA) training opportunity.

Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect. Friends, family members, peers or mentors may find it hard to know when and how to step in. As a result, those in need of mental health services often do not receive care until it is too late.

Just as CPR helps even those without clinical training assist an individual experiencing a physical health crisis, MHFA prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Participants will learn a five-step action plan to guide them through the process of reaching out and offering appropriate support.

This training follows a hybrid model, with two hours of pre-work (must be completed at least 48 hours in advance of in-person training) and about 6.5 hours of in-person training. The in-person portion of the training will take place Jan. 4 and 5 from 8:30 a.m. to noon each day. You must attend both portions of the course in their entirety to receive MHFA certification.

The cost per participant is $55 and covers all materials. Participants are responsible for the cost, whether through the participant directly or through their department.

For more information and to sign up, please see the sign-up form.

Please contact Sarah Dowd at sedowd@mtu.edu with any questions.

*****

Board of Trustees Formal Session

The Board of Trustees will meet next Friday (Dec. 16) from 9-11 a.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom B, and public attendance is welcome.

Members of the public are invited to make public comments to the Board in accordance with Board of Trustees Bylaw 1.14. Those who wish to address items in the agenda, and who have filed their intent with the secretary of the board as required by Bylaw 1.14, will be limited to five minutes. Those addressing general topics are limited to three minutes.

If you wish to provide public comments to the Board of Trustees, please submit your intent to Sarah Schulte, secretary to the Board of Trustees, at shschult@mtu.edu. The deadline to submit your intent is tomorrow (Dec. 9).

*****

Physics Colloquium with Hassan Masoud

Michigan Tech Assistant Professor Hassan Masoud (ME-EM) will be presenting at the next Physics Colloquium.

The seminar will be presented in person at 4 p.m. today (Dec. 8) in Fisher 139.

Masoud's presentation is titled "Marangoni Surfing: From Theory to Application."

Read the abstract on the University Events Calendar.

*****

Holiday Skating Recital

The Michigan Tech Figure Skating Club and the Copper Country Skating Academy (CCSA) would like to invite you to their Holiday Skating Recital. The show is at 7 p.m. tonight (Dec. 8) in the MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

The Michigan Tech Figure Skating Club will be presenting an (abbreviated!) version of "The Nutcracker," featuring Michigan Tech students and University staff.

Admission is free — the show is our holiday gift to the community.

*****

Final C3 Luncheon of the Semester

Menu for Thursday (Dec. 8):

• Tangy BBQ Beef Brisket (Gluten Friendly)
• Scallion Corn Cake (Vegetarian)
• Baked Beans (Gluten Friendly, Vegetarian)
• Apple Almond Coleslaw (Gluten Friendly, Vegan)
• Baked Macaroni & Cheese (Vegan)
• Roasted Green Beans & Cauliflower (Gluten Friendly, Vegetarian)

Dining Services presents the final C3 Luncheon for the semester, being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge (MUB 107). All faculty and staff, along with their guests, are invited.

The C3 lunch buffet menus are created and prepared by executive chef Michael Landini and his culinary team. 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 (MUB 101). You can submit C3 feedback using this Google form. To join the C3 Google group and receive weekly menus, email business-support@mtu.edu.

*****

BioSci Seminar Series – Student Experience Showcase

The Department of Biological Sciences (BioSci) invites you to join us from 3-4 p.m. today (Dec. 8) for a year-end student showcase as part of BL4600 Professional Development Capstone for Biological Sciences – Student Showcase Experience.

Students in biological sciences engage in a variety of experiential learning opportunities, ranging from independent undergraduate research to internship, teaching assistance and field/lab intensive coursework. In this year-end showcase, 19 students from the fall 2022 section of BL4600 will share their experiences and lessons learned in short presentations. There will be eight poster presentations, nine short oral presentations and two computer projects presented in a showcase format.

Please come and support our senior students as they share their experiences and prepare for graduation! If you are currently an undergraduate in biological sciences, this will be a great opportunity to learn from our graduating seniors about the range of experiences and opportunities you might want to pursue during your time at Michigan Tech.

Details:

• What: BL4600 Professional Development Capstone for Biological Sciences – Student Showcase Experience
• When: Thursday, Dec. 8, 3-4 p.m.
• Where: Department of Biological Sciences, in the Dow Atrium and adjacent areas

*****

Chemistry Seminar with Ashutosh Tiwari

Ashutosh Tiwari (Chem) will be presenting his seminar on "Protein Aggregates' Structural Diversity and Toxicity" as part of the Chemistry Seminar Series.

Tiwari will present the seminar in person at 3 p.m. tomorrow (Dec. 9) in Chem Sci 101.

*****

ME-EM Graduate Seminar Speaker: Hunter Williams

The next Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (ME-EM) Graduate Seminar Speaker will present at 4 p.m. today (Dec. 8) in MEEM 112.

Hunter Williams will present “Building the Lunar Electrical Grid to Kickstart Lunar Permanence.”

Williams is the technology development manager for Honeybee Robotics Exploration Systems Division. He has built and tested pneumatic sampling systems for use on the moons of Mars and regolith melting technology for electrolysis plants the moon.

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

Huskies Group Swim Lessons and Huskies Swim Clinic

Thursday, December 8, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Come make a splash with us! Registration for the following Spring 2023 Session 1 programs opens Wednesday, December 7th at 8:00am! American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim...

Session 1 Spring 2023 Huskies Swim Clinic and Huskies Learn to Swim

Thursday, December 8, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Come make a splash with us! Registration for the following Spring 2023 Session 1 programs opens Wednesday, December 7th at 8:00am! American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim...

Lunch & Learn: Back to Exercise Basics

Thursday, December 8, 12 p.m.–1 p.m.

MUB Superior Room B001 Zoom: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/81281249893

Department of Biological Sciences Student Experience Showcase

Thursday, December 8, 3 p.m.–4 p.m. | Dow Environmental Sciences and Engineering Building, Biological Sciences Atruim

Students in Biological Sciences engage in a variety of experiential learning opportunities, ranging from independent undergraduate research to internship, teaching assistance,...

Building the Lunar Electrical Grid to Kickstart Lunar Permanence

Thursday, December 8, 4 p.m. | R. L. Smith Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Building (MEEM), 112

ME-EM Graduate Seminar Speaker Series proudly presents Hunter Williams Honeybee Robotics Abstract The key challenges to sustained human presence and in situ resource...

Physics Colloquium - Dr. Hassan Masoud

Thursday, December 8, 4 p.m.–5 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 139

Michigan Tech's Assistant Professor Hassan Masoud (MEEM) will be presenting at the next Physics Colloquium. Please join the in-person presentation at 4:00 p.m. Thursday (Dec...

Adult Huskies Swim Lessons Fall 2022 Session 3

Thursday, December 8, 5:00 p.m.–5:50 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Adult Huskies Swim Lessons provides aquatic education for the beginner to the intermediate swimmer who is looking to become more comfortable in the water and learn the...

Adult Huskies Swim Training Fall 2022 Session 3

Thursday, December 8, 5:00 p.m.–5:50 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

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...

Houghton 2022 Alumni Holiday Party

Thursday, December 8, 5 p.m.–7 p.m. | B & B Bar - Houghton, MI

Celebrate the season with us! Michigan Tech alumni & friends are invited to a holiday party at the B&B Bar on Thursday, December 8, 2022, from 5-7 p.m. The venue is located...

Law Club at MTU Weekly Meeting

Thursday, December 8, 5 p.m.–6 p.m. | Library 103

For the rest of the Fall 2022 Semester, regular Law Club meetings are held on Thursdays from 5-6pm in the Library, room 103. During meetings, we will be discussing various...

Outdoor Venture Crew Weekly Meeting

Thursday, December 8, 5 p.m.–6 p.m. | Fisher 125

We'll be voting on our weekly trip and discussing other relevant information. While our meetings run until 5:50 PM, they don't usually last longer than 20 or 30 minutes. We...

Adult and Youth Huskies Tennis Lessons

December 8, all day | Gates Tennis Center

Youth Tennis Lessons: After school and weekend Youth Huskies Group Tennis Lessons are back this fall! Join by age group and level for some fun on the tennis courts! October 24...