December 21, 2023

The provost's Artificial Intelligence Working Group at Michigan Tech is charged with identifying ways in which we can best prepare students for a workforce in which artificial intelligence (AI) will be omnipresent.

In working toward this charge, we invite your comments and reflections on AI and the curriculum. We've prepared a short survey and would like to hear from faculty and staff about your current engagement with AI tools.

Take the survey.

For any questions or additional feedback to the committee, feel free to contact either Holly Hassel at hjhassel@mtu.edu or Shane Oberloier at swoberlo@mtu.edu.

The Pavlis Honors College will be closed tomorrow (Dec. 22). During this period, the office staff will be working remotely and can be contacted via email.

Normal work hours will resume after the holiday break on Jan. 3. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Campus Store Winter Break Hours:

• Thursday and Friday, Dec. 21-22 — Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 23, to Tuesday, Jan. 2 — Closed
• Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Jan. 3-5 — Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 6 — Open from 12:30-4:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Jan. 7 — Open from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

University Images Winter Break Hours:

• Thursday and Friday, Dec. 21-22 — Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 23 — Open from 12-5 p.m.
• Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 24-26 — Closed
• Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 27-28 — Open from 12-7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 29 — Closed
• Saturday, Dec. 30 — Open from 12-5 p.m.
• Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 31-Jan. 2 — Closed
• Wednesday to Saturday, Jan. 3-6 — Open from 12-5 p.m.
• Sunday, Jan. 7 — Closed

Registration is currently open for spring 2024 adult and youth group tennis lessons.

• Adult Huskies Group Tennis Lessons — Beginner, intermediate and advanced (by instructor approval only). Ages 17 and up, all skill levels.
• Youth Huskies Group Tennis Lessons — Ages 5-17, all skill levels.
• Adult Huskies Pickleball Lessons — Looking for something new? Try pickleball! For anyone, ages 17 and up. Lessons begin Jan. 9. No experience is necessary — all levels are welcome.
• Private Lessons are also available for any age or skill level.

Sign up today!

The Michigan Tech men's basketball team took down No. 24 Winona State 73-72 on Tuesday (Dec. 19) at the SDC Gym. The Huskies improved to 3-7 overall and have won two of their last three outings.

Adam Hobson went on a seven-point run in the second half, narrowing the Warriors' lead to one point with 5:32 left on the clock. From there, the Huskies battled WSU from the free-throw line. Fouled on four shots, including three 3-point attempts, Marcus Tomashek scored MTU's final eight points with free throws, putting the Huskies up 73-72.

"We've played such a tough schedule and for us to get a win today against another ranked opponent with a great player like Connor Dillon is good for the guys heading into the break," Tech coach Josh Buettner said.

Dillon fueled the Warriors' second half, pouring in 31 of his game-high 33 points in the final 20 minutes.

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Although the Michigan Tech women's basketball team led for more than three quarters, the Huskies fell to Winona State 59-56 at the McCown Gymnasium on Tuesday (Dec. 19).

Tech was unable to overcome poor shooting in the fourth quarter. The Huskies shot 21.4% from the field in the fourth quarter, making 3-of-14.

"I thought we competed hard. Kate (Meister) and Sara (Dax) were aggressive in the post, which was good to see," head coach Sam Clayton said. "We just didn't come up with the baskets we needed in the fourth quarter. We'll get to reset this upcoming week and be ready for conference play."

The Huskies are 5-5 overall, 1-1 GLIAC heading into the new year.

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Simon Carn (GMES) was quoted by NASA’s Earth Observatory in a story about the eruption of lava from a new fissure on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, which began late on Dec. 18. Carn interpreted a brightness temperature image comparison of the eruption area between Dec. 18 and 19, and commented on the reported risk to nearby infrastructure.

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Reid DeVoge (PSPS) was mentioned by the Daily Mining Gazette in a story about security upgrades at Hancock Schools. DeVoge met with the school district superintendent and resource officer to review the emergency communications software used at Michigan Tech.

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The Escanaba Daily Press mentioned Michigan Tech in relation to an eight-hour annual Mine Safety and Health Administration refresher training course at Bay College in February. The course is being presented in partnership with MTU.

Register Now! American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Course at SDC Pool

Register now for the next American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification blended learning course, being held Jan. 4-7 at the Michigan Tech SDC Pool! This four-day intensive training course includes Lifeguard/First Aid/CPR/AED certifications and all training materials. Registration ends tomorrow (Dec. 22) at 11:59 p.m.

All participants must be 15 years of age or older by the first date of the course (documentation 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. Class size is limited.

Course Details:

• Dates/Times:
  • Thursday, Jan. 4, from 4-5:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Jan. 5, from 4-8 p.m.
  • Saturday, Jan. 6, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, Jan. 7, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Cost: $200 per participant
• Registration Deadline: Friday, Dec. 22, at 11:59 p.m.

For more information, visit Michigan Tech Recreation's ARC Lifeguard Certification page.

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ME-EM Department Closed Tomorrow

The Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (ME-EM) will be closed tomorrow (Dec. 22) for remodeling and asbestos abatement. During this period, the office staff will be working remotely and can be contacted via email.

Normal work hours will resume after the holiday break on Jan. 3.

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Memorial Union Winter Break Schedule

The Memorial Union will have reduced office and building hours over the winter break. The hours of operation are as follows:

• Memorial Union Office (MUB 101):
  • Dec. 18-22 — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Dec. 23 to Jan. 2 — Closed
  • Jan. 3-5 — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Jan. 8 — Resume normal operating hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
    
    
• Memorial Union Building:
  • Dec. 18-22 — 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Dec. 23 to Jan. 2 — Closed
  • Jan. 3 — Resume normal operating hours (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.)

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Chem Office Closure

As of yesterday (Dec. 20), the Department of Chemistry (Chem) office is closed for the upcoming holiday. Office staff will be working remotely and can be contacted via email until the end of the day on Friday (Dec. 22).

Normal work hours will resume after the holiday break on Jan. 3.

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Tech Today Holiday Break

Tomorrow (Dec. 22) will be the last Tech Today published for calendar year 2023. In observance of the Christmas and New Year's holidays and the University seasonal days, no Tech Today will be published from Monday (Dec. 25) through Jan. 2.

Tech Today will resume on Jan. 3. To be included in the Jan. 3 edition of Tech Today, items must be submitted by noon tomorrow using our Submit a Story form.

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

Appleton Alumni Holiday Party 2023

Thursday, December 21, 6 p.m.–9 p.m.

'Tis the season for us to come together and connect with fellow Michigan Tech alumni and friends in Appleton, WI! You're invited to a holiday party at Appleton Beer Factory on...