|
|
1. Alert: LinkedIn Passwords Compromised |
submitted by David Hale, Information Technology
On Tuesday, June 6, LinkedIn confirmed that a Russian website had posted what appears to be the passwords for 6.5 million LinkedIn accounts. While LinkedIn has not been able to identify the source of the compromise, it has confirmed that at least some of the passwords do match their accounts.
Because many faculty, staff and students have LinkedIn accounts, it is important that they take the time to review the following steps to protect their credentials:
* Users should change their LinkedIn password to a unique, temporary password. This step is recommended because the source of the compromise has not been discovered, so even new passwords may be at risk. Once LinkedIn has identified the source and closed the vulnerability, users should change their passwords again.
* If people used their LinkedIn password, or a password similar to their Michigan Tech passwords, they should change them immediately to a new, unique password. Your ISO password used for most services, including email, can be changed by visiting https://www.login.mtu.edu and clicking on the "Change Your MTU ISO Password" link in the upper-lefthand corner. For information on changing other Michigan Tech passwords, contact it-help@mtu.edu .
* Any other accounts that users have with the same password or similar password to their LinkedIn password should also be changed to a new, unique password. This is especially important where financial services are concerned.
Users should have unique passwords for each account that they have because many credentials are compromised due to the reuse of passwords on vulnerable services. There are many programs or services available to help people keep track of their passwords for various sites. The website https://lastpass.com has a very robust, free service that integrates with most browsers. For users who are interested in a non-web-based solution, the programs "Password Safe" for Windows and "Password
Gorilla" for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, have been recommended by the security community.
LinkedIn will be sending a few emails to users whose accounts have been verified as having been compromised. More information on the steps that they are asking their compromised users to take can be found at Passwords.
Even if employees do not receive a message from LinkedIn, they should assume that their account may have been compromised and take the steps listed above. |
|
|
2. Retirement Program (RSVP) Enhancements |
submitted by Benefits Services
In effort to streamline the process, Michigan Tech has made some enhancements to the current Retirement Supplemental Voluntary Program (RSVP), which provides a monetary benefit for those who meet the retirement eligibility requirements. The new RSVP policy is effective immediately. The highlights of the policy changes are:
1. Removal of the 365-day notice requirement.
2. Introduction of an annual enrollment period between July 1 and Oct. 31 for employees to sign paperwork announcing their intention to retire.
3. If employees wish to sign the paperwork outside of this enrollment period, they must receive supervisor approval.
4. Date of retirement must fall within the same fiscal year as the notice of intent to retire (July 1 to June 30).
5. Removal of the "serious medical condition" clause due to the introduction of the short-term disability program.
For the full policy, see RSVP.
For more information, please contact Benefit Services at 487-2517 or benefits@mtu.edu .
|
|
|
3. 2012 Fellowships Awarded by the DeVlieg Foundation |
The Graduate School is pleased to announce that two students have earned fellowships from The DeVlieg Foundation, which supports graduate students pursuing research in engineering, wildlife and biology at Michigan Tech.
The recipients this year are:
* Patrick Bowen, PhD candidate, Materials Science and Engineering
* Nan Pond, PhD candidate, Forest Science
For photographs and details of awards and fellowships coordinated by the Graduate School, see Honors. |
|
|
4. Tech Helps Teachers Learn to Use Forest Ecology in Curriculum |
Michigan Tech and the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education are sponsoring a five-day institute for 40 middle and high school teachers in the Detroit area.
The institute will run from June 18 to 22 at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo and Belle Isle Flynn Pavilion. Joan Chadde, education and outreach program coordinator of the Western UP Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education, and Chris Hohnholt, director of development and outreach for the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, will lead sessions at the institute.
The teachers will learn about forest soils, urban forestry, forest health (insects and diseases), enhancing wildlife habitats, forest management and measurements, and how to identify trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. They will work together to apply what they've learned to their classrooms.
The initiative is funded with an $80,000 grant from the US Forest Service. |
|
|
5. Diversity and Inclusion Hosts Research Gallery |
The Center for Diversity and Inclusion invites the campus community to this year's MICUP/MI-LSAMP Research Gallery Walk, which will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Thursday, June 14, in Memorial Union Ballroom A.
The event recognizes the work of students in the Michigan College/University Partnership Program (MICUP) and the Michigan Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (MI-LSAMP)--which give students a smooth transition from two-year to four-year institutions and increase the enrollment of underrepresented transfer students at Michigan Tech, which is a strategic goal.
No RSVP is necessary. For more information, contact Ashley Step, MICUP coordinator, at 487-2920 or at adstep@mtu.edu . |
|
|
6. Cathy Greer Retirement Gathering |
|
Please join the staff of the Van Pelt and Opie Library for an ice cream social to wish a happy and relaxing retirement for Cathy Greer of the Interlibrary Loan Department. Cathy has worked at Tech for 15 years. Prior to the library, she worked in University Marketing and Communications. The social will be from 2 to 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 19, in the Alumni Lounge. |
|
|
7. Upcoming Canvas Workshops |
Canvas has replaced Blackboard/Web CT as the University's learning management system. eLearning is offering introductory and advanced workshops throughout 2012 and beyond to help instructors and staff use Canvas effectively to support instruction.
Workshops for the next two weeks are listed below. Tom Freeman, Jeff Toorongian and Jeannie DeClerck will lead these eLearning sessions in the Library's instruction rooms, located on the second floor behind the elevator, near the skyway to Rekhi Hall.
Week 6 of Summer Semester
* Canvas 101: Introduction to Canvas--Monday, June 11, 2 p.m.
* Assignments and Grade Book in Canvas--Tuesday, June 12, 10 a.m.
* Pages, Modules and Files in Canvas--Thursday, June 14, 2 p.m.
Week 7 of Summer Semester
* Assignments and Grade Book in Canvas--Monday, June 18, 2 p.m.
* Canvas 101: Introduction to Canvas--Tuesday, June 19, 10 a.m.
* Pages, Modules and Files in Canvas--Wednesday, June 20, 10 a.m.
* Canvas 101: Introduction to Canvas--Thursday, June 21, 2 p.m.
Please refer to the eLearning website at mtu.edu/elearning for session descriptions. To register, send an email to elearning@mtu.edu with the topic, date and time of each session that you would like to attend. |
|
|
8. Webcast: Key Components of a Successful Business |
The Savvy Entrepreneur Series will host an interactive webcast on six key components of successful businesses offered by Entrepreneur Connect, in East Lansing, from 3:15 to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 12, in the conference room of the Advanced Technology Development Complex, 1402 E. Sharon Avenue.
There is no cost, and the public is welcome.
Mike Kotsis, a consultant/implementor with Entrepreneurial Operating System, which provides holistic models, tools and processes to achieve business success, will also share his experience at Optiant Supply Chain Solutions, a start-up software company; his corporate work at Dell Computer; and a small family business turnaround (Atlas Wholesale Food).
Participants will walk away focused, clear on priorities and issues, with a healthier leadership team and the tools to help them gain more traction.
The presentation, which includes a question-and-answer period, is hosted by the Office of Innovation and Industry Engagement, the School of Business and Economics and the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance.
For more information, contact Mike Morley at 487-3485 or at mcmorleyl@mtu.edu . |
|
|
9. In Print |
|
Associate Professor Joshua M. Pearce (MSE/ECE) published an article, "Limitations of Nuclear Power as a Sustainable Energy Source," in Sustainability. See Nuclear Power. |
|
|
10. Items Available |
* 19-inch TV, white Westinghouse Model# 11901
* (3) overhead projectors, 3M Model# 9550
If interested, please contact Laura Harry at 487-2543 or llharry@mtu.edu .
* Table saw, Oliver Model# 260-D
If interested, please contact Mary P. Stevens at 487-2736 or mpsteven@mtu.edu .
University property may only be transferred between departments. It may not be given or sold to individuals.
|
|
|
