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1. Forests Could Benefit When Fall Color Comes Late |
by Jennifer Donovan, public relations director
Do those fall colors seem to show up later and later—if at all? Scientists say we can blame increasing amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere for prolonging the growing season of the trees. And that may actually be good news for forestry industries.
Writing in the current issue of the journal Global Change Biology, Professor David F. Karnosky (SFRES) and colleagues from two continents present evidence that rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere act directly to delay the usual autumn spectacle of changing colors and falling leaves in northern hardwood forests.
“Basically, this is a good-news story for our region’s forests,” said Karnosky. “It suggests that they will become a bit more productive due to the extra carbon being taken up in the autumn, along with the increased photosynthesis throughout the growing season.”
Karnosky and colleagues from Illinois, Wisconsin, Belgium, England, Estonia and Italy collected and analyzed data over two years on what they call “autumnal senescence,” the changing of colors and falling of leaves as photosynthesis decreases. They studied forests near Rhinelander, Wis., and Tuscania, Italy.
They found that the forests on both continents stayed greener longer as CO2 levels rose, independent of temperature changes. However, the experiments were too brief to indicate how mature forests may be impacted over time. Also, Karnosky’s research in Wisconsin suggests that other factors, such as increasing ozone levels in the part of the atmosphere closest to the ground, can negate the beneficial effects of elevated carbon dioxide.
The study’s results are another example of an expanding body of scientific evidence that global climate change is affecting the world’s forests. There has been plenty of evidence gathered previously to show that increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing tree growth to begin earlier in the spring, but until now, most scientists believed that other factors, such as temperature and length of day, were the primary elements influencing autumnal senescence. |
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2. Michigan Tech Participating in Nationwide Academic Integrity Survey |
submitted by Pat Gotschalk, director of student judicial affairs
Michigan Tech is taking part in a nationwide survey on academic integrity in cooperation with the Center for Academic Integrity (based at the Robert J. Rutland Institute for Ethics at Clemson University) and with Professor Donald McCabe of Rutgers University. The survey allows us to assess student, faculty and staff attitudes and behaviors related to academic integrity and to recommit ourselves to the values of academic integrity.
Participating in this survey will also provide important benchmarking data for continuous improvement and enhanced awareness of academic integrity.
The survey will be sent to all Michigan Tech students, faculty and professional staff with faculty appointments on Jan. 25. This study is co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the dean of students and the dean of the graduate school.
This survey is part of an ongoing campus initiative to emphasize the importance of academic integrity. Michigan Tech now has a web-based Academic Integrity Resource Center with resources for students and faculty; see www.sa.mtu.edu/dean/judicial/airc/ .
For more information, contact Pat Gotschalk at 487-2212, pagotsch@mtu.edu . |
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3. Fall 2007 Dean's List Online |
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The dean's list for fall 2007 is posted at www.sa.mtu.edu/dean/list/350_399_fall07.php . |
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4. Two Jazz Club Cabarets this Weekend |
submitted by the Department of Visual and Performinmg Arts
Three combos will play cool jazz in a variety of styles as Michigan Tech's jazz program presents two Jazz Club cabaret evenings in McArdle Theatre on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 25-26, starting at 7:30 p.m. The concerts are relaxed and informal, with small tables, low lighting, and soft drinks and snacks available. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Jazz Club will feature the NMB Combo, led by Nick Enz, playing Latin and Brazilian tunes (among others) on Friday night, and on Saturday by the Calumet High School Jazz Experience, directed by Scott Veenstra. On both Friday and Saturday, Michigan Tech's Momentum and JazTec also take the stage, Momentum playing its signature funk, blues and funky jazz while JazTec brings its award-winning mainstream sound, as well as original music from Michigan Tech's finest student musicians.
Director of jazz studies Mike Irish says Jazz Club is one of the best concerts of the year because "in a small club, musicians tend to experience the perfect blend of intense focus and deep relaxation, so that’s where the best jazz is often heard." Jazz Club happens every January in McArdle Theatre, thanks to Michigan Tech's Department of Visual and Performing Arts. |
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5. More X-C Ski Lessons Scheduled |
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The Michigan Tech Nordic Ski Club is offering additional adult classic and skate ski lessons. If you are interested in lessons at the beginner, novice and intermediate level, you can check the list of lessons at http://forest.mtu.edu/ski/lessons.html . |
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6. Reminder: Safe Place Training Jan. 31 |
The Safe Place Program will hold its third training session for members and allies on Thursday, Jan. 31, from 9 a.m. to noon in the Memorial Union Red Metal Room. A light lunch will be served afterward.
The training will focus on possible scenarios involving Safe Place members, should a GLBT person or ally come to talk about their frustrations, fears or concerns. Participants will gain a greater understanding of how to handle situations and be better prepared to assist.
Everyone is welcome. You are not required to have attended other training workshops.
RSVP by this Friday, Jan. 25, to activities@mtu.edu if you plan to attend. |
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7. MSE Seminar Friday |
Elaine D. Haberer, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California at Santa Barbara, will give a seminar, "A Merging of Materials and Device Perspectives through Fabrication and Assembly: GaN Microdisks and Bio-Templated Photovoltaic Materials," on Friday, Jan. 25, 9-10 a.m., in M&M 610.
The seminar is sponsored by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. |
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8. MEEM Graduate Seminar Thursday |
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Professor Kok-Meng Lee from the Georgia Institute of Technology will present a ME-EM Graduate Seminar, "Computational Intelligence in Machine Vision for Robotics, Automation and Mechatronics (MV-RAM)," on Thursday, Jan. 24, at 3 p.m., in MEEM 112. |
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9. Free Oldie-but-goodie Copier in Facilities |
Facilities Management has one free MITA DC 1470 Table Top Copier if anyone is interested. It is an oldie but a goodie. Please contact Diane Gilbert at 487-2717 if you are interested.
University equipment may only be transferred between departments; it may not be given or sold to individuals. |
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10. Sports in Brief |
by Wes Frahm, athletic marketing and communications director
What’s Happening this Week
Tuesday, Jan. 22
Cager Club Luncheon, noon (Peter Grant Hockey Educational Center)
Wednesday, Jan. 23
Huskies Drive Time, 7:30-8 a.m. on WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM
Thursday, Jan. 24
Kids' Day ticket giveaway begins at Econo Foods, noon
500 free youth (14 and onder) tickets available first come, first served, at service desk; tickets good for all home athletic events on Saturday
Women’s basketball hosts Ashland, 5:30 p.m. (Live Radio, WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM)
Men’s basketball hosts Ashland, 7:30 p.m. (Live Radio, WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM)
Friday, Jan. 25
Blueline Club Luncheon, noon (Peter Grant Hockey Educational Center)
Hockey hosts #3 Colorado College, 7:07 p.m. (Live Radio, WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM)
Saturday, Jan. 26
Nordic skiing at CCSA SuperTour (Cable, Wis.)
Women’s basketball hosts Ferris State, 1 p.m. (Live Radio, WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM)
Men’s basketball hosts Ferris State, 3 p.m. (Live Radio, WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM)
Hockey hosts #3 Colorado College, 7:07 p.m. (Live Radio, WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM)
Sunday, Jan. 27
Nordic skiing at CCSA SuperTour (Cable, Wis.)
All times Eastern
Last Week’s Results
Hockey (9-11-2, 5-8-1 WCHA)
Did not compete
Women’s Basketball (15-3, 8-1 GLIAC)
1/17—at Michigan Tech 67, Wayne State 52
1/19—at Michigan Tech 84, Hillsdale 67
Men’s Basketball (9-8, 4-5 GLIAC)
1/17—at Michigan Tech 67, Wayne State 48
1/19—Hillsdale 83, at Michigan Tech 77
Nordic Skiing
1/18—Men 4th of 9 teams, women 5th of 10 teams at NCAA Central Regional Qualifier (Marquette)
1/19—Men 2nd of 9 teams, women 4th of 10 teams at NCAA Central Regional Qualifier (Marquette)
Top News of the Week
HOME HOCKEY ON TAP
The Michigan Tech hockey team will host WCHA leader and third-ranked Colorado College this weekend (Jan. 25-26) at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The games are the first at home for Michigan Tech since a Dec. 15 contest vs. Northern Michigan. It will be the first WCHA series at home in two months and 16 days after last hosting a league opponent on Nov. 9-10 (St. Cloud State).
ECONO FOODS KIDS DAY SET FOR SATURDAY
Michigan Tech will celebrate a full day of home athletic events with Econo Foods Kids' Day on Saturday (Jan. 26). The Huskies have home games in men’s and women’s basketball as well as hockey, and Econo Foods will give away 500 tickets for kids 14 and under beginning at noon on Thursday (Jan. 24). The tickets will be available free at the Econo Foods Service Desk on a first come-first served basis, and each ticket is good for general admission to all three Saturday events.
LADIES MAKE IT NINE STRAIGHT WINS
The women’s basketball team won both of its games last week to run its winning streak to nine games. The Huskies are now 15-3 overall and 8-0 in home games this season. The 15-3 start is the best by Tech since 2004-05, when it was 16-3.
NORDIC SKI TEAMS REBOUND WITH STRONG PERFORMANCE
The Nordic ski teams competed in the second of four NCAA qualifying races Jan. 19 and 20 in Marquette. After a sub-par performance in the freestyle competition on Saturday, the team rebounded with a solid performance in the classical race on Sunday. Sophomore Jesse Lang posted a fourth place finish to lead the men's squad in the 15-kilometer classical race in 47:57.5. Sophomore Jenna Klein paced the women’s team as she finished sixth in the 10-kilometer classical race in 37:12.1.
CAGER CLUB, BLUELINE LUNCHEONS SLATED FOR THIS WEEK
Two luncheons are scheduled for the Peter Grant Hockey Educational Center this week—a Cager Club Luncheon on Tuesday (Jan. 22) and a Blueline Club Luncheon on Friday (Jan. 25). |
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11. Job Posting |
Staff job descriptions are available in the Human Resources Office or at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings . For more information regarding staff positions, call 487-2280 or email jobs@mtu.edu .
Faculty job descriptions can be found at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/facpers/facvac.htm . For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.
Staff Job Posting 1/22/08-1/28/08
Office Assistant 4
Seaman Mineral Museum
Regular, full-time, nine-month posting; 40 hours per week,
early April to early January
UAW internal and external posting
Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer. |
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