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1. Mroz Discusses Enrollment, Research, Finance and More at Forum |
President Glenn Mroz reviewed a variety of University metrics and accomplishments Thursday at an open forum for the Michigan Tech community.
He discussed enrollment, which has risen to over 7,000. "This is the largest incoming class since 1983, and it's happened while maintaining quality," Mroz said, noting that ACT scores remained at the same level as they were in 2007. In addition, the average freshman is in the 76.8 percentile of their high school graduating class, an increase of 2.6 points over the last two years.
The University's effort to enroll more women is gaining ground, he said. Among graduate students, 31.3 percent are female. Having more women enrolled also boosts retention and graduation rates, Mroz added, since women are more likely than male students to stay at Tech and earn their degrees.
On the research front, the University is 163rd out of 662 schools in the US in the National Science Foundation rankings of research expenditures, showing the largest increase in the state for the 2006–07, the most recent year for which figures are available. Researchers garnered $41 million in new awards for sponsored programs in 2007-08, down from $49 million the previous year. The drop is due largely to the fact that the federal government did not have a budget for the first five months of the fiscal year, delaying awards. Also, several senior faculty left the University to pursue other opportunities, Mroz said, but as new faculty develop their own research programs, that amount should rise. He noted that the University and Michigan State are jointly receiving $2 million from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to provide research support for a cellulosic ethanol plant to be built in Kinross, in the eastern Upper Peninsula.
Through the AQIP accreditation process, the University has been examining its processes in order to be more efficient and improve all aspects of its operations, Mroz said. Dining Services has used LEAN, a continuous improvement program, to identify hidden problems in its processes and make changes that boost quality, efficiency and employee morale.
Places as well as processes are getting a facelift. The McNair dining room is receiving air conditioning, since the residence hall hosts many students over the summer. The Keweenaw Research Center will construct a new building for its research programs. And the new turf at Sherman Field has been getting a workout, not only from Huskies football, but also from high school teams and soccer players throughout the University.
Despite upheaval on Wall Street, the University’s endowment has held relatively steady and was valued at about $77 million at the beginning of the semester. "Considering what's happening with the markets, we're OK where we are," Mroz said.
At the close of the forum, a member of the audience submitted a question, asking when the University might be providing larger raises to employees. Mroz said that compensation is a top priority, but noted that the cost of health care benefits went up 17 percent last year.
For more statistics on how Michigan Tech is doing, visit the Dashboard website, www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/dashboard/pages/about.html .
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2. You're Invited: Grand Opening of the Isle Royale Ballroom |
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All members of the University community are cordially invited to the Isle Royale Ballroom Grand Opening, hosted by the Memorial Union. This event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a presentation ceremony at noon. Snacks and refreshments will be served throughout the day. |
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3. Flags at Half-Staff Monday |
Flags will be lowered today, Monday, Sept. 29, in honor of Navy Chief Petty Officer Jason R. Freiwald of Armada, who died Sept. 12 in Afghanistan while on active duty supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. He will be buried Monday in Arlington National Cemetery.
Chief Petty Officer Freiwald, 30, died from injuries sustained while conducting combat operations on Sept. 11. He was temporarily forward deployed from his assignment at Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Dam Neck, Va. |
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4. Parade of Nations T-Shirts for Sale |
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Educational Opportunity has leftover t-shirts from the 2008 Parade of Nations. If you missed the opportunity to purchase one before the event, now is your chance. Sizes medium youth through adult XLG are $8, and XXL shirts are $10. T-shirts will be available at the Memorial Union from Tuesday, Sept. 30, through Friday, Oct. 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. You may purchase shirts at the Alumni House. |
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5. RFP: Presenters Sought for Leadership Symposium |
The Office of Student Activities is seeking potential presenters to facilitate sessions on student leadership at the annual Leadership Symposium, set for Nov. 1. At the symposium, Michigan Tech students develop leadership skills, particularly in the context of being a college student.
Sessions at this year’s Leadership Symposium will address five core competencies of leadership:
Self-Awareness
Communication
Teamwork
Ethical Practices
Social Responsibility
To submit a proposal, visit the Call for Programs website: www.sa.mtu.edu/stulife/leadership/leadershipsymposium/. "I encourage you to submit a proposal to present at this year’s symposium," said Jason Bergeron, assistant director of student activities—Greek life and leadership. "This is a wonderful opportunity to engage students in learning and discussion regarding leadership."
Proposals will be accepted until Friday, Oct. 17.
For more information, contact Jason Bergeron at jtberger@mtu.edu or 487-1963. |
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6. Reminder/Correction: RSVP for Wine Tasting Wednesday |
The University Women's Connection is holding a wine tasting 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, in Memorial Union Ballroom A2, not at the date that initially appeared in Friday's Tech Today.
The event is open to anyone in the University community. Prices are $16 for wine and appetizers; $10 for a non-alcoholic option. RSVP by today, Sept. 29 to Lisa Eubanks, lreubank@mtu.edu . |
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7. The Blanks from "Scrubs" at the Rozsa |
submitted by the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts
On Saturday, Oct. 4, at 7:30 p.m., the Rozsa Center will present The Blanks, a quartet of friends who like to sing a cappella music. For years, they‘ve been appearing on the hit television show "Scrubs" as Ted’s Band, where they pretend to be . . . a quartet of friends who like to sing a cappella music.
As funny as they are harmonious, The Blanks perform and sing family-friendly (yet cool) entertainment mixed with plenty of comedy. They sing a cappella versions of popular TV show theme songs, ranging from “Charles In Charge” to “Six Million Dollar Man,” and commercial jingles like “By Mennen.” They’ve put words to songs without lyrics, such as “Good Old Days,” the "Little Rascals" theme. Not ones to rest on their laurels nor teeter on the edge of rebellion and artistic bravado with their choice of deodorant commercials, The Blanks have written some original numbers that sound like songs even they might want to cover.
Their music CD, "Riding the Wave," features almost everything they sang over the first four seasons of "Scrubs." The band pledges that, except for talking toys (that's right, four grown men who still play with dolls), hand claps, finger snaps and thigh slaps, there are never more than four Blanks voices at any time—even on "Six Million Dollar Man." Join us at the Rozsa for an evening of uniquely entertaining a cappella music blended with a healthy dose of humor.
Tickets for the public are $25 and $20; Tech student prices are $20 and $15 (student ID required). To purchase tickets, contact the Rozsa Box Office at 487-3200 or visit www.tickets.mtu.edu . No refunds, exchanges or late seating, please. |
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8. Presentation Oct. 8 on Global Perspectives Service-Learning Program |
Rick Vaz, dean of the Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, will speak on "Globalization, Service Learning and General Education: The WPI Experience," on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 3 p.m. in Fisher 139.
Vaz runs one of the largest and best global studies and service learning programs in the country. The Global Perspect. Today, over 500 students, out of a total undergraduate population of 2,700, complete off-campus projects each year; over half of WPI students complete an international project before they graduate.
Interdisciplinary projects are undertaken at the following centers abroad: Bangkok; Copenhagen; Hong Kong; London; Melbourne; San José, Costa Rica; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Venice, Italy; and Windhoek, Namibia. Interdisciplinary projects are also done at domestic off-campus centers in Washington, DC, Boston and Worcester, Mass. Senior projects can be completed at centers in Limerick, Ireland; Nancy, France; Budapest, Hungary; Wuhan, China; and at project centers located at several domestic companies and research facilities.
Anyone interested in global programs is encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Brad Baltensperger, brad@mtu.edu , 487-2460; or Robert Warrington, row@mtu.edu, 487-4371. |
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9. Two Free Webinars Wednesday on Greenhouse Gas Inventories |
Two webinars on greenhouse gas inventories will be held Wednesday, Oct. 1, in EERC B11.
Environmental Health and Engineering will host a webinar, "Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Methods and Best Practices," from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
The webinar will discuss emerging standards, regulatory frameworks, and the pros and cons of various calculator tools and methodologies for GHG Inventories. Speakers include Michael Crowley, former assistant director of the Harvard Green Campus Initiative; and Denise Sheehan, the eastern director for The Climate Registry.
Provost Lovett-Doust and the AQIP Carbon Committee are sponsoring Michigan Tech's participation in this webinar. For more information, see
www.eheinc.com/news_workshops/sustain_gghinven1001.htm .
The second, on creating greenhouse gas inventories, is hosted by Honeywell and follows at 3 p.m.
Participants will learn the basics of how to complete their inventories efficiently and accurately and how to use the newly released Version 6 of Clean Air-Cool Planet's Campus Carbon Calculator. Speakers will include Jennifer Andrews, campus program manager, Clean Air-Cool Planet; Michelle McKay, vice president, Second Nature; and Ron Blagus, director of energy marketing for Honeywell Building Solutions. (Note: you may register to watch the second webinar on any computer for free if it's more convenient than watching in EERC B11.)
For more information, visit
http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/163871/db99ef5d29/156000711/f1b41c3c5e/ .
If you have questions, contact Denise Heikenin, 487-0044, dmheikin@mtu.edu . |
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10. In the News |
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An article in the July-August edition of TR News, "Building an Education Infrastructure for Railway Transportation Engineering," cited Michigan Tech's rail transportation program and includes a photo of its director, Research Assistant Professor Pasi Lautala, talking with students at an event hosted by the Michigan Tech Transportation Institute. TR News is the bimonthly publication of the Transportation Research Board. |
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11. Memorial Union Menus |
This Week’s Specials at The Grill
Monday, September 15--Breakfast, The Big Grill Breakfast $4.95; ( Two eggs any style, w bacon or sausage, hash browns and coffee) Lunch, Club Sandwiches$3.50
Tuesday, September 16--Beef Steak Omelets $3.95 (Fresh cooked scrambled eggs filled with grilled beef, bell peppers, onions, and cheddar cheese); Lunch, Two-Fer-Tuesday $3.99 (Two cheeseburgers, small fry and a 20 oz. fountain soda)
Wednesday, September 17--Breakfast, Breakfast Pizza $3.25; Lunch, Cheese Curds $2.95
Thursday, September 18--Breakfast, Eggs Benedict $2.95 (Poached eggs and ham served on an English muffin topped with hollandaise sauce); Lunch, Grilled Cheese and Fries $3.50
Friday, September 19--Breakfast, Blueberry Pancakes $2.95; Lunch, Laura's (Garcia Burger) $2.99 (Grilled beef patty served on a corn dusted kaiser roll topped with bacon and pepper jack cheese)
This Week's Special at Peppers & Pickles Deli
Greek Chicken Wraps $3.99 (Delicious roast chicken breast, Greek style veggies and dressing, and feta cheese in your choice of flavored wrap)
This Weeks Specials at Mubsterz Pizza
Monday--Pizza Slice and a 20 oz. Fountain Soda $3.99
Tuesday--Two Pizza Slices for Just $5.50
Wednesday--Pizza Slice and two Cheese Sticks $4.95
Thursday--Pizza Slice and Small Salad $4.95
Friday--Pizza Slice, 20 oz. Fountain Soda and a Small Bowl of Salad $5.50
Union Buffet Served Daily 11:00am to 2:00pm--Up to one large Plate and One Small Plate or Bowl - $6.95, One Large Plate - $5.95, Entrees Ala Cart - $3.95, Salads & Sides Only - $2.00 small, $3.50 Medium, $4.95 Large
Chicken Caesar Salad Served Daily 11:00am to 1:00pm $4.75
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