General Projects

General Projects Descriptions - June 5, 1997

General Academics

Science Complex Program - $27M

Renovation of Fisher Hall and extend it into a Science Complex that provides a high technology environment conductive for interdisciplinary, cross-functional teaching, research, and scholarship. It will be the central instructional facility to provide a solid ground in mathematics, physics, computer science, and chemistry for all MTU students. The complex will facilitate a synergistic approach to science education and will distinguish the college and MTU as leaders in innovative and cross-disciplinary education and scholarship.

MTU Child Care Center - $2M

The need for on-campus child care is outlined in the 1997 study entitled "Child Care Needs and Implication for MTU" written by the Child Care Assessment Task Force of the Presidential Commission for Women. The report concludes that many of the child care needs of the MTU community are not being met by the local child care providers. The PCS proposes that Michigan Tech include a project for a Child Care Center on or near the main campus. The establishment of reliable, high quality child care on campus will aid in the recruitment and retention of faculty, students, and staff.

Innovation Center - $4M

The Center, in its business of tacit and explicit knowledge creation, will encompass teaching, research, and experimentation with creativity and design leading to innovation and its management in education and industry, as well as foster a student-centered environment for teamwork and create a focus for faculty development and outreach activities. The Center will directly support Michigan’s efforts to make its workforce highly-skilled as well as innovative and to make universities and curricula more responsive to industry’s needs.

Rowing Club at MTU - $95K

The objective of this project is to create a rowing program at MTU that will provide the student population the opportunity to challenge the body and the mind, as well as utilize the ideal water conditions surrounding the university. Development of a rowing program would include the construction of an indoor rowing facility, boathouse facility on Portage Lake, and all auxiliary operations essential to maintain the program.

Strengthening Undergraduate Education - Engagement and Innovation Across Disciplines -$3.5M

Refocus priorities in undergraduate education. Fundamental skills such as critical reasoning, clear and effective communication, and productive collaboration with persons from diverse national and racial backgrounds are the essential foundation of any successful career in our increasingly dynamic society. We need greater emphasis on the broad goalsof undergraduate education that are supported jointly by all disciplines.

- Fellowships in Educational Innovation

Support for faculty fellowships in instructional/curricular innovation, identified through an extensive RFP process, would allow 12 MTU faculty members per year the opportunity and means to develop, implement, and evaluate a program related to curricular development and/or educational innovation.

- Funds to Support MTU Master Teacher Program

Program would involve the systematic identification of the excellent teachers at MTU. They would receive support to gain additional expertise in targeted areas of undergraduate instruction through attendance at national meetings or workshops and released time for study and research, and would agree to be available to share their expertise with the MTU community.

- Establishment of MTU Faculty Center

Proposal would involve the identification and renovation of an existing facility to provide an inviting on-campus location conductive to faculty professional and social interaction.

- International GTA Instructional Preparation Fellowships

Would support delivery of 4-6 weeks of instruction for 30 International GTA’s in language skills and classroom instruction techniques and procedures.

- Support for Learning Center Advancement Efforts

Funding is sought to expand the influence of the learning centers across the campus, to encourage faculty participation and pedagogical research based on the work of the centers, and to provide undergraduate fellowships for learning center coaches.

Establishment of an Environmental Science & Technology Learning Center - $1M

This project seeks to establish and maintain a state-of-the art learning center which offers environmental and science education to area schools, community decision makers, and local businesses. The Center will provide technology transfer services including the interpretation and practical application of engineering research topics which hold promising opportunities for the environment.

Athletic Department

Division I Hockey Program - $1M

Nurture the growth of our Division I Hockey Program back to national prominence. It is much easier to retain a quality staff if facilities and operating budgets are at a competitive level with other institutions. It also will help provide a rewarding and challenging work environment in which our staff can meet or exceed student expectations.

Hockey Endowment Fund - $1M

An endowment fund is necessary to provide extra funding that will allow Michigan Tech to stay competitive at a national level.

Athletic Endowment Fund - $1M

The athletic department has worked hard to attract high quality coaches who provide a very positive image for the university. It is much It also will help provide a rewarding and challenging work environment in which our staff can meet or exceed student expectations.

easier to retain a quality staff if facilities and operating budgets are at a competitive level with other institutions. It also will help provide a rewarding and challenging work environment in which our staff can meet or exceed student expectations.

Educational Opportunity

Undergraduate Endowment - $.50-$1M

Will provide students the opportunities to interact with faculty and graduate students outside the classroom, enhancing their education, impacting retention, and encouraging students to consider graduate education.

Graduate Endowment - $500K

Increase the number of females and minorities pursuing graduate education, and will eventually provide higher education with a diversified faculty in the next 10-15 years.

Library

Science and Information Resource Center - $15M

Renovation of Fisher Hall and connection to a renovated Library with high-density shelving will define Science Complex that provides a Science and Information Resource Center for the whole campus. Will maintain MTU’s reputation as Michigan’s high-tech university for engineering, science, and communication.

Engineering the Future: An Endowment for Technology - $2.5M

To support the continued research, development and implementation of technology in the Library. The endowment will secure funding necessary to provide the technology which will support the future expansions and developments in collections, public services, technical services, and outreach. A strong library is reflected in the quality of education and research.

From Traditional to Cutting Edge Collections: Assuring the Future Knowledge Base - $2.5M

Will open up opportunities for the purchase of additional electronic and print materials as well as remote access to information. These additional resources will be targeted to expanding areas of curriculum, research and student enrichment.

Raising the CEILing for Lifelong Success: the Center for Education in Information Literacy (CEIL) - $347K

The CEIL will help achieve three library goals: 1) a multimedia classroom and training center; 2) a multimedia information laboratory; 3) an adjunct to the reference room. The CEIL will support faculty recruitment and development efforts, strengthen graduate research, and facilitate interdisciplinary research.

Research Department

Endowed Graduate Fellowship - $10M

The proposed fellowship will complement, but not replace, existing Graduate School Doctoral Fellowship or the University Ph.D. Fellowships, both of which are funded internally by general fund. The fellowship money will be divided into approximately two equal portions and offered to master’s students as well as to doctoral students.

Solid Waste Processing Center - $384K

Our goal is to involve MTU students in establishing a world-class program which emphasizes reduce, reuse, and recycle in order to monitor and control solid waste generated by the campus community. Our target is twofold: 1) reduce landfill waste to the lowest level possible; 2) be self sufficient. The project will carry MTU from a university with no recycling program to an environmentally sensitive engineering university with a world class Solid Waste Processing Center which educates the community in reduce-reuse-recycle and leads the world in products developed by mining the campus waste stream.

Student Affairs

Student Life Initiatives - $1.43M

The development is limited to student-initiated activities. The coordination of on-campus social initiatives outlined will involve the establishment of a full-time position. The four elements of this proposal are: 1) Student Life Coordinator; 2) Funding for New Campus Traditions; 3) Programming Workshops; 4) Major Lecture Series Program.

Student Leadership Development Initiatives - $4.9M

In conjunction with other administrative and academic departments, Student Affairs is involved in a number of student leadership development initiatives which include: 1) a core comprehensive curriculum in the Leadership Institute; 2) the student development transcript; 3) the student leadership banquet. The student leadership initiatives will help MTU produce better graduates.

Memorial Union Building Expansion - $1-8M (depending on needs assessment)

Expand Memorial Union Building including student organization office area, lounge and meeting rooms, food mall and bookstore, and add new multicultural center and additional retail space. As the University Center for students, it has been documented that a comprehensive student union that meets the needs of students which enhances their quality of life at the university is an important retention and recruitment tool.

Wellness Educator - $138K

Person would provide lectures to student groups and classes on a variety of subjects from alternatives to substance abuse to stress management to a healthy diet. The act of educating our students in leading healthier lifestyles can begin to change the university’s culture and lifestyles for generations to come.

Access & Diversity - Providing Educational Opportunity, Precollege Endowment - $3M

Create and endowment fund that will primarily support precollege academic programs that focus on education access issues and supporting under represented students in the sciences and engineering fields. The endowment will increase skills and knowledge, provide career exploration, provide exposure to the university for you and educators.

Information Technology

Audio/Visual Presentation System for Graduate Student Center - $103K

A facility for 1) MTU graduate students to present research, defend thesis and dissertations; 2) for the faculty and guest speakers to present seminars and lectures.

Audio/Visual Presentation System for Faculty Lounge, Memorial Union Bldg. - $100K

For faculty and guest speakers to present seminars and lectures.

MTU Sports TV - $136K

Currently there are 55 channels in use with 1,360 subscribers. This request proposes and MTU Sports TV Channel on the system. Programming would include many MTU athletic events from home and away games, intramural program activities, and a computer bulletin board for general information/advertisements related to the Athletic Department

Advanced Multi-Media Development Computer Lab - 00K

Implementation of state-of-the-art computational and multimedia design computer laboratory for World Wide Web (WWW) development, instruction, research, and sophisticated multimedia presentations.

International Programs

The Endowed Fund for International Activities - $2M

Annual income from the fund will be dedicated to three aspects of international programming: 1) faculty activity for research, teaching, institutional linkages, and specific projects; 2) US student mobility in the form of travel stipends to encourage participation in international study and work opportunities; 3) Merit-based scholarships to academically superior students transferring from strategically identified international partner schools.