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1. Update: University Responds to GLBT Concerns |
As students return to campus this fall, the university has begun to implement a number of programs to address the concerns of the GLBT community.
The actions help fulfill promises made to Michigan Tech students, faculty and staff following the incident last April when anti-gay threats were chalked on campus sidewalks.
“We are committed to providing a welcoming, friendly environment that values all people,” said Les Cook, vice president of student affairs. “No one should feel unsafe or disrespected anywhere at Michigan Tech.”
Safe Place, originally promoted by the university’s GLBT advocacy group, Keweenaw Pride, has been incorporated into the Office of Student Activities. The move is designed to assure consistent, routine management of the program, which allows faculty and staff to register their area as a “safe place” for GLBT people.
Those who sign up will receive a sticker to place on their office door and a manual. “We’re also planning to develop training sessions with Keweenaw Pride, so we can be more supportive when, for example, a student wants to come out.”
The Safe Place program began in 1995. “Even 15 years ago, the campus and community were pretty intolerant,” said Keweenaw Pride advisor Pat Hopp. The program initially had about 20 participants but then fizzled over time. The GLBT Issues Committee, formed over a year ago to hear the concerns of GLBT faculty, students and staff, recommended that the university revitalize it by officially administering the program.
“We’ve gone from about 25 people to over 100, and we have a backlog,” Hopp said. “Other universities have adopted similar programs, and it’s appropriate that Michigan Tech do the same thing.”
For more information on Safe Place, call 487-1963.
To reach the newest members of the university community, orientation activities addressed the value of diversity, including remarks by President Glenn Mroz during his speech welcoming new students.
GLBT concerns are being knit into other diversity-related campus programs. GLBT speakers are now being sought for the Visiting Scholars and Lecturers programs, which previously had focused soley on women and minorities. Staff will work with foundations to seek funding for diversity programming, especially in the areas of tolerance and social justice.
In addition, the university will periodically provide forums to promote understanding of GLBT issues, such as those provided by the National Coalition Building Institute, offered through Affirmative Programs. That office is also developing a website to address hate crimes that is under review. And the university is continuing to evaluate the results of its Climate Survey, to determine other means to effectively promote tolerance and diversity at Michigan Tech.
Based on recommendations from the GLBT issues committee, the university is also moving forward to provide gender-neutral restrooms, particularly in new construction. “Transgender students, faculty and staff don’t have a place to go,” said Hopp. “A lot of universities, such as Michigan State, are going this way, and we feel we should follow.” Gender-neutral bathrooms are similar to to private restrooms and showers installed in Wadsworth Hall as part of its renovation, or the unisex bathrooms in airports designed to accommodate families or handicapped individuals.
No arrests have been made in connection with the chalking, but it remains under investigation, and a reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Public Safety at 487-2216.
As traumatic as the chalking incident was to many on campus, it has helped increase awareness of GLBT issues.
“People are often not aware of the kinds of challenges that GLBT people face until something like this happens,” Cook said. “In the wake of this incident, our role is to educate people about the value of having people from all walks of life here at Michigan Tech.
“Our hope is that all members of the campus community will take a greater interest in people who are not like them,” Cook said. “The people who succeed in life are the ones who can build relationships with many different kinds of people.”
Diversity and tolerance ar not merely tools for professional advancement, he added. “Unless you cultivate new ideas, unless you welcome new and different kinds of people into your world, you miss out on the richness of life.”
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2. Campus Forum Sept. 12 |
President Glenn Mroz will host a campus forum on Tuesday, Sept. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom.
Mroz will discuss enrollment and the budget, with reference to the strategic plan.
Release time will be provided for the hourly staff with the approval of their supervisor. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
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3. "Classical Physics and the Cosmos" Thursday |
Eugene N. Parker, of the University of Chicago's Department of Physics, will give a colloquium, "Classical Physics and the Cosmos," on Thursday, Sept. 7, from 4 to 5 p.m. in Fisher 139.
The combined observations of the Earth, sun, stars and galaxies since World War II have opened up an array of exotic, large-scale dynamical phenomena in the cosmos, pointing the way to effects previously unknown to classical physics. The effects lie mainly within the domain of nonrelativistic hydrodynamics and magnetohydrodynamics. A particularly surprising phenomenon is the universal presence of robust magnetic fields, whose stresses profoundly affect the basic hydrodynamics.
A theoretical solar astrophysicist, Houghton native and grandson of former Michigan Tech president Fred McNair, Parker is perhaps most well known for predicting the solar wind and its interactions with magnetic fields within the solar system and beyond. Shortly after receiving his PhD from Cal Tech in 1951, he joined the physics faculty at the University of Chicago where he has been ever since. He has received numerous awards including the National Medal of Science, the James Clerk Maxwell Prize for Plasma Physics, and the Kyoto Prize for Basic Science. He is currently S. Chandrasekhar Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago.
For more information, contact Yoke Khin Yap, ykyap@mtu.edu or 487-2900, or Ranjit Pati, patir@mtu.edu or 487-3193. |
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4. Seminar Today on Plant Tissue Culture |
Professor Hsin-Sheng Tsay will give a seminar, "Commercial Application of Plant Tissue Culture Technology in Taiwan," today, Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 3 p.m. in Noblet G002.
Tsay is dean of the College of Science and Engineering and director of the Institute of Biotechnology, ChaoYang University of Technology (CYUT), Taiwan. He is an internationally known expert on plant tissue culture and has traveled the world hosting workshops to teach tissue culture skills to farmers, breeders and the like. His research addreses commodity crops, orchids, endangered species and medicinal plants.
Tsay's visit to Tech is part of an ongoing development between CYUT and Michigan Tech for scholarly exchange. During his seminar, he will also introduce research activities within CYUT's Institute of Biotechnology for faculty and student exchange opportunities.
Refreshments will be served. Tsay's visit is sponsored by the Biotechnology Research Center.
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5. In Print |
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Associate Professor Heidi Bostic (Humanities) has published a translation from French to English of Jacques Fontanille's book, The Semiotics of Discourse. The book was published as part of the Peter Lang Press series Berkeley Insights in Linguistics and Semiotics. |
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6. Memorial Union Menus Sept. 5-8 |
Monday, Sept. 4
Corner Store Hours--11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Food Mall will be closed for the Labor Day Holiday
Tuesday, Sept. 5
The Grill--Breakfast, Farmer's Omelets $2.95; Lunch, Grilled Beef and Cheddar vlue meal $5.14; Sandwich only $3.19
Home Style Entrees--Carved Baked Ham $3.50; Scalloped Potatoes $1.50; Honey Glazed Carrots $1.50; Baked Chilis Relenos $2.95
The Wok About International Display Cooking--all entrees $4.25; Philly Cheese Steak Wraps, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup--$2.30; Vienna Cheese Soup, Chicken Noodle at Peppers & Pickles Deli
Mubsterz Pizza--Mubsterz Pepperoni and Mushroom Pizza by the slice $2.69
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Try this week's featured special PB&J Sandwich value meal $2.95 included chips and a 20-ounce fountain drink
Wednesday, Sept. 6
The Grill--Breakfast, Breakfast Pizza $2.75; Lunch, Mushroom Swiss Burgers $2.95
Home Style Entrees--Mattar Paneer (Pea and Cheese Curry), Aaloo Gobhl (Potatoes and Cauliflower), Naan (Indian Bread), Chicken Biryani (Rice with Chicken), Jeera Rice (Vegetarian Rice) Boondi Raita (Yogurt), Salaad (Cucumber and Onion Salad) Panchranga Achaar (Mixed Vegetable Pickle) Full meal with Chicken $6.75; Full Meal Vegetarian $5.50; Items Available Ala carte $1.50 for a side portion; $2.75 for large portion; Chicken Biryani $2.95
The Wok About International Display Cooking--all entrees $4.25; Thai Peanut Noodle Bowl, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup--$2.30; Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Soup, Vegetarian Vegetable
Mubsterz Pizza--Hawaiian Delight Pizza by the slice $2.69
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Hot Campbell's soup served Monday through Friday $2.30 per cup at the Deli
Thursday, Sept. 7
The Grill--Breakfast, Western Omelet, Toast and Hash Browns $3.95; Lunch, Ranch Bacon Chicken Sandwiches $3.75
Home Style Entrees--Pepper Pete's Taco Special $5, Tacos $1.95 each; Refried Beans $1.50; Mexican Rice $1.50; Nachos and Salsa $1.50
The Wok About International Display Cooking--all entrees $4.25; Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup--$2.30; Indian Cauliflower Soup, Beef Mushroom and Peppercorn
Mubsterz Pizza--Mushroom and Olive Pizza by the slice $2.69
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Try one of our low carb friendly wrap sandwiches, $3.75 at the Deli
Friday, Sept. 8
The Grill--Breakfast, Breakfast Burritos $2.25; Lunch, Tuna Melts $3.19
Home Style Entrees--Beer Battered Pollock $3.95; Full Meal $5.95, Baked Potatoes $1.50, Green Beans Almondine $1.50
The Wok About International Display Cooking--all entrees $4.25; Chinese Fried Rice, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup--$2.30; Cajun Red Bean Soup, Minestrone
Mubsterz Pizza--Greek Chicken Pizza by the slice $2.69
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Try this week's featured special PB&J Sandwich value meal $2.95 included chips and a 20-ounce fountain drink
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