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1. Michigan Tech Accreditation Sustained by Higher Learning Commission |
by Marcia Goodrich, magazine editor
The Higher Learning Commission has reaffirmed Michigan Technological University's accreditation, the Board of Control learned Aug. 2.
"It is fair to say that Michigan Tech passed with flying colors," said Board Member Lenora Ashford.
The Higher Learning Commission's Reaffirmation Panel stated that the University met all of the criteria for accreditation.
"Michigan Technological University shows clear evidence of its commitment to high performance, AQIP [Academic Quality Improvement Program] and continuous quality improvement," the panel wrote in its evaluation. "The Reaffirmation Panel acknowledges that Michigan Technological University is a high performing organization . . . ."
The University has been continuously accredited since 1928. In 2005, the University entered into the Higher Learning Commission's AQIP program. The seven-year project involved intensive self-evaluation of activities throughout Michigan Tech and led to numerous action projects to streamline and improve University processes, from student advising and international education to reducing Michigan Tech's carbon footprint.
"This process has required a huge effort on the part of many dedicated faculty and staff throughout the University," said Max Seel, provost and vice president for academic affairs. "In particular, I'd like to thank Associate Provost Christa Walck, who has spent countless hours leading this process to the best possible conclusion."
CFO Dan Greenlee reported that the University ended the 2011-12 fiscal year with a 1.5 percent deficit. Expenditures in the five funds used in the daily operation of the University, including the general fund, exceeded revenues by $3.7 million.
Expenses were over budget by about three-quarters of a percent, from $250.5 million to $252.5 million, and revenues were down by the same amount, from $250.6 million to $248.7 million. "We missed the mark by a bit in both directions," said Greenlee.
Financial aid and health care accounted for most of the variance. Financial aid in particular was a factor for the 2011-12 budget. Just before students enrolled in fall 2011, the University was notified that their federal financial aid would be cut, leaving the University to address shortfalls in students' aid packages that had been developed five months earlier. Overall, the University spent $3 million more on financial aid than expected.
Private donors helped address the shortfall. "I'd like to thank everyone who has supported scholarships through the Michigan Tech Fund," said Michigan Tech President Glenn D. Mroz. "This shows how critical your giving can be, both for the University and for our students."
In addition, heath-care costs were $1.6 million over projections, and, reimbursement to the state for the MPSERS retirement program was $900,000 higher than projected, Mroz said.
The University managed to minimize the 2011-12 variances through spending reductions and realignments throughout the organization. The University spends an average of $963,000 per day.
"Even by economizing in hundreds of ways, it was difficult to make up for large variances, but it was important to keep people in school, both for our students' sake and for the employers who need their skills," Mroz said. "Our graduates are in high demand; last year's placement rate was 94.6 percent."
The University has adjusted the 2012-13 budget, which began July 1, in response to the 2011-12 year-end figures. "We've been working toward budget solutions that have the least negative impact on students, faculty and staff," Mroz said.
"Last year was a challenging time for us, particularly in view of the 15 percent cut in state appropriations and the tuition cap," Mroz said. "However, we have been able to focus on our priorities and continue working toward our strategic goals."
In other business, the Board
* Installed Board Member Steve Hicks to serve a one-year term as its chair. He received the gavel from past chair Marty Richardson.
* Welcomed the University's three new deans, Gene Klippel, dean of the School of Business and Economics; Terry Sharik, dean of the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science; and William Worek, dean of the College of Engineering. "We are looking forward to working with them to achieve our strategic goals," Hicks said.
* Passed a resolution of appreciation for two employees who are retiring after many years of service to Michigan Tech. They are Hugh Boyer, assistant professor of social sciences, 42 years; and John Rovano, director of facilities management, 35 years.
* Learned that the ongoing capital campaign reached $178 million. The campaign goal is $200 million. |
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2. WorkLife Connections Rolls Out New Website |
WorkLife Connections announces the launch of its website, which provides information to the campus about local, regional and national resources available for work, family, community and learning.
Visit the new site at www.mtu.edu/worklife . Use the Send Feedback button through Monday, Aug. 13, at the bottom right corner of the web page to let us know of any errors or problems.
For more information, contact Director Becky Christianson at 487-2416 or at rwchrist@mtu.edu .
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3. Flags at Half-staff |
Flags will be lowered to half-staff today in honor of Marine Corps Sgt. Justin M. Hansen, 26, of Traverse City, who died July 24 while conducting combat operations in Badghis Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Flags will return to full-staff on Saturday, Aug. 4.
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4. Track and Field Athletes, Teams Earn Academic Honors |
The men's and women's track and field teams recently received four honors from the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Senior Molly Wiltzius earned all-academic honors. The Kingsford native threw a school record and provisional mark of 146-11 in the discus and graduated with a 3.48 GPA in pharmaceutical chemistry.
Junior Dylan Anderson also earned all-academic honors. The Caledonia native finished ninth in the 800-meter run at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championships and carries a 3.36 GPA in civil engineering.
To earn the award, an athlete must have a 3.25 GPA and earned a provisional qualifying mark.
Both teams earned all-academic team honors. The women's posted a team GPA of 3.42 and the men had a 3.26 GPA. Overall the GLIAC had 10 women's teams and seven men's teams earn the award. |
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5. Financial Advisor to Present |
Benefits is sponsoring two Lunch and Learn sessions on financial matters that will feature Brent Peterson, of Edward Jones, in Hancock.
Here is the schedule:
* Noon, Thursday, Aug. 16: Social Security Benefits--Insights and Tips
* Noon, Thursday, Sept. 20: Taxes--How to Control Them
Both sessions are in Memorial Union Alumni Lounge A.
All employees are welcome to attend; while registration is not required, it is appreciated.
The sessions will last approximately one hour. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions. Beverages will be provided; bring your lunch.
For more information, contact Karen Hext, benefits coordinator, at 487-2517 or at kphext@mtu.edu .
To register, go to Human Resources Events Calendar.
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6. 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 7 of Track B
* Canvas 101: Introduction to Building within Canvas--Monday, Aug. 6, 10 to 11 a.m.
* Canvas 101: Introduction to Building within Canvas--Monday, Aug. 6, 2 to 3 p.m.
* Assignments and Grade Book in Canvas--Tuesday, Aug. 7, 10 to 11 a.m.
* Basic Quizzes in Canvas--Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2 to 3 p.m.
Week 1 of Summer Break
*Canvas 101: Introduction to Building within Canvas--Monday, Aug. 13, 2 to 3 p.m.
*Canvasing Migrated Blackboard Courses--Tuesday, Aug. 14, 10 to 11 a.m.
*Pages, Modules and Files in Canvas--Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2 to 3 p.m.
*Canvas 101: Introduction to Building within Canvas--Wednesday, Aug. 15, 10 to 11 a.m.
*Basic Quizzes in Canvas--Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2 to 3 p.m.
*Assignments and Grade Book in Canvas--Thursday, Aug. 16, 10 to 11 a.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. |
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7. Notables |
Alumna Amy J. Clarke, a Houghton native who graduated in 2000 with a BS in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, has received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers from President Barack Obama.
Clarke is a scientist with the Los Alamos National Laboratory. She was one of 13 awardees affiliated with the US Department of Energy.
She was cited for her work and research, as well as her service as a mentor for future ferrous metallurgists.
She is the daughter of Charles and Carol Streicher of Houghton. She earned master's and doctoral degrees from the Colorado School of Mines. |
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