There's a new watchword at Fleet Services these days: hybrid.

"Our goal," says Pete Pelissero, manager, "is to go totally hybrid--one vehicle at a time."

Pelissero has just replaced four SUVs that the regional admissions representatives use with Ford Escapes, which, at 34 miles per gallon, are ranked seventh among hybrid vehicles for fuel economy. That makes them nearly 50 percent more efficient than the old vehicles, which got 23 mpg. Each hybrid costs $5,000 more than its gas-operated counterpart. "We'll make up the difference in 12 to 24 months," Pelissero says.

He has also purchased one Ford Fusion for general rental. It also is a hybrid, gets 41 mpg, and is rated second among hybrid vehicles for fuel economy.

Besides being lean on gas, all of these vehicles are quieter, Pelissero says.

These are not plug-in vehicles; rather, they are "dual-powered"--part-gas, part-electric. They employ what the industry calls a "regenerative" system that captures the energy of braking and sends it to the battery pack for continual recharging. The batteries run the vehicles up to 40 miles per hour; then, when more power is needed, the gas component kicks in.

Fleet Services has 70 vehicles, from golf carts to dump trucks. To keep his vehicles running, Pelissero uses 5,000 gallons of unleaded fuel every three months.

According to Andrew McKenzie, of Green Campus Enterprise, Fleet Services contributes a mere 0.8 percent of the University's carbon footprint. Even so, says John Rovano, director of Facilities Management, the initiative is a small but important step in the University's progress in going green. "In time, all the little efforts will amount to a big accomplishment," he says.

Pelissero just returned from a trade conference in Chicago, which was meant to guide fleet managers to "green their fleets and save some green."

He learned that the City of Milwaukee uses all biodiesel fuel for its snow removal. "We're going to look at that, too," Pelissero says. He uses diesel fuel at a clip of 300 gallons a month in the summer, ten times that in the winter because of snow removal. At the moment, though, the delivery of biofuels in this area is uncertain.

Meanwhile, he says, the hybrid SUVs are "rugged and efficient." "We want to save money and protect the environment," he concludes. "The University wants to be a leader by example for going green."

One thing Pelissero won't do is cut back on his concern for clients: He'll continue to have the cars warmed up and ready to go in the winter.

The Michigan Tech Transportation Institute (MTTI) will host visits from Kirk Steudle, Michigan Department of Transportation director, and Robert Bertini, the US Department of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration, deputy administrator. Steudle and Bertini will visit Tech Monday, Nov. 30, as the keynote guests for Tech's second Transportation Forum. The forum provides an opportunity for faculty, staff and students to gain a better understanding of the needs and opportunities for research and education in transportation. The campus community is invited to the following events:

* Student Showcase from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Memorial Union Ballroom B. The showcase will feature transportation-related posters by undergraduate and graduate students, organizations, senior design and enterprise teams. This event is sponsored by the University Transportation Center for Materials in Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure (UTC-MiSTI).

* Public Forum from 2 to 4 p.m. in Memorial Union Ballroom A2. The presentation will highlight state and national perspectives on the future of transportation in America with presentations by keynote guests. Tech researchers will discuss ongoing research initiatives and new transportation research capabilities. A networking reception will be held immediately following the presentations.

The Michigan Tech Transportation Institute is a collaboration of faculty and staff from multiple disciplines partnering for the future of transportation through research and educational activities. For more information, contact Pam Hannon, MTTI Coordinator at 487-3065 or prhannon@mtu.edu .

Eydi Lampasona, an award-winning artist specializing in watermedia, papermaking and collage using natural and found objects, will present a Guest Artist Residency at Tech from Wednesday, Dec. 2, through Saturday, Dec. 5. She will present four two-hour lecture demonstrations titled, "Urban Archeology: Collage and Mixed Media," in the McArdle Theatre at 2 and 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 2, and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3.

Her current work involves collage techniques such as altering, rusting, making opulent papers and investigating unusual assemblage materials, including found and salvaged objects and natural objects. Lampasona combines media as she applies layering, glazing, painting, texturing and other three-dimensional methods. "My goal is to unleash each student's creativity," Lampasona says. "Students from beginners to professionals enjoy learning news ways to experiment, creating works based on their life experiences, personal themes and goals."

Mary Ann Beckwith, professor of art and coordinator of the annual Guest Artist Residency, says "Eydi is an astonishingly gifted artist and teacher."

Lampasona is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, National Collage Society, International Society of Experimental Artists and Society of Layerists in Multi-Media. Her work can be viewed at eydilampasona.com .

In addition to the free public lectures, Lampasona will present a two-day workshop for artists--limited to 20 persons--on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5. Preregistration and a fee are required for the two-day session. Enroll by calling the Visual and Performing Arts Office at 487-2067 or by submitting the registration form at: www.vpa.mtu.edu . For more information, contact Beckwith at 487-3285.

The session will cover the following topics:

* University standard confidentiality contract terms and approval processes.

* Publication rights to research results.

* Issues related to confidential information restrictions, including export control compliance and document retention practices.

To register, click here .

Desserts and beverages will be provided; bring your own lunch.

For additional information, contact Dawn Pichette of the Sponsored Programs Office at 487-2226 or dmpichet@mtu.edu .

Participate in the seminar from your office by downloading the presentation at: http://ict.illinois.edu/railroad/CEE/seminar.asp .

Questions can be emailed to Andrew Langsner at arlangsn@mtu.edu .

Faculty job descriptions can be found at www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/facpers/facvac.htm . For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

11/20/2009

Staff Job Posting

Head Women's Soccer Coach

Athletic Department

Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer.