Sue McDaniel, Tech Topics student writer, 906-487-2343

You can reach us via e-mail at ttopics@mtu.edu The deadline for submitting information for Tech Topics is 5:00 p.m. the Friday before anticipated publication.

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CALENDAR TASK FORCE: NOT ENOUGH WEEKS IN A YEAR

After they did the math, the Task Force on the 14-Week Calendar concluded that the Gregorian calendar year is just one week too short.

When the group added up a wish list that included three 14-week semesters, a minimum of one week between terms and various and assorted other breaks and days off, they came up with an ideal 53-week academic year, task force chair Terry Monson (SBE) reported to the University Senate Dec. 4. Thus, he cautioned, the task force’s draft calendar, which fits into the usual 365 days, won’t please everyone, but it’s a start.

Under the proposal, classes would start the Tuesday after Labor Day most years. When Labor Day falls late, on Sept. 6 or 7, classes would start the Monday before.

Thanksgiving break would be shortened, from the current full week to Wednesday–Friday. The last day of classes would be the Tuesday that falls during Dec. 7–13. The draft calendar institutes a Reading Day the following Wednesday, when no classes or exams would be held and no papers would be due. The one-day break would allow students to study and meet with faculty.

Finals would be held the Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after Reading Day. Midyear Commencement would be held the Saturday after Reading Day.

Spring semester would begin on the Monday 26 days after the last day of fall finals, and spring break would be during the ninth week of the semester. The last day of classes would be the Friday that falls during April 22–28, finals would be the following week and Spring Commencement would be the Saturday following finals.

Some of the days off would include K-Day, on the Friday after Labor Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; and the Thursday and Friday of Winter Carnival, which would begin 11 days before Presidents’ Day.

USG representative Ike Micheau (GMES) asked why the winter break was so long. Monson said that faculty had wanted an extended break between fall and spring semesters to do research or scholarship and to write grants. Micheau said he thought students would prefer a shorter semester break, with spring semester ending a week earlier. That would give them a better opportunity to find summer jobs, he said.

Senator Bruce Barna (Chemical Engineering) said that faculty in his department were strongly in favor of a longer holiday break to write grant proposals. Senator Cindy Selfe (Humanities) said that a longer break would benefit faculty who must travel to collections for study or research.

Senator Jim Pickens (SFRES) said opinion in his department was mixed on whether school should let out earlier in the spring or the winter break should be shortened.

Senator Bill Gregg (GMES) said the calendar could be adopted with the longer break, and then the issue could be revisited after a year or two.

  Senate President Bob Keen advised senators to consult with their constituents on the issue. He said that he expected the 14-week calender would be put to a referendum of the faculty before being presented to the administration and the Board of Control.

In other business, the senate

• voted to delete language in the University’s prerequisite policy stating that departments may require a C or better in prerequisite courses.

• approved the academic calendar for 2003–04.

• elected Associate Professor Faith Morrison (Chemical Engineering) to serve on the Academic Integrity Committee. Assistant Professor Tim Scarlett (Social Sciences) and Associate Professor Jerry Taylor (Technology) were chosen to fill two slots on the Distance Learning Implementation Committee.

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YOU'RE INVITED--HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

The annual Holiday Open House hosted by Curt and Kathy Tompkins will be held on Thursday, Dec. 19, in the Memorial Union Ballroom, 3-5 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served, and release time will be granted for those attending. Invitations have been sent in campus mail. Please contact the Special Events Office at events@mtu.edu if you have any questions.

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JURGENSEN ELECTED SAF FELLOW

by Laura Walikainen, student writer

Professor Martin Jurgensen (School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science) has been elected a Fellow of the Society of American Foresters.

This award is given to SAF professional members who have rendered outstanding service to forestry and the SAF. It is the highest honor an SAF member can receive.

Jurgensen has served the profession of forestry for more than 40 years as a teacher, researcher and forester. He has been a member of the faculty of the School since 1970 and has served the Society of American Foresters since 1961.

"His career-long effort to advance the knowledge of our practice and profession, his work and visibility with forestry around the globe and his work in mentoring new generations of foresters makes him deserving of this high honor," said Glenn Mroz, dean of forest resources and environmental science.

Jurgensen received Michigan Tech's Research Award in 1978 and its Distinguished Teaching Award in 2000. He is a contributor and reviewer for Forest Science, the Northern Journal of Applied Forestry and the Western Journal of Applied Forestry.

Jurgensen has been involved in research on the environmental impacts of forest management on the chemical, physical and biological properties of soil in the U. S., Canada, Europe and New Zealand. He has authored over 130 research publications and six book chapters.

Jurgensen earned an MS in Silviculture from the State University of New York and a PhD in Soil Science from North Carolina State University. He served as a management agronomist for the U.S. Air Force from 1967 to 1969.

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MICHIGAN TECH ENGINEERS SPONSOR A DIFFERENT KIND OF SIT-IN

Submitted by James R. Mihelcic & M. E. Housewright

Can you imagine going through every day of your life wondering about the availability and safety of your water supply?

The United Nations estimates that over 1.2 billion people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water. They also report that worldwide, polluted water contributes to the death of 15 million children under five every year.

The World Health Organization further estimates that poor environmental quality contributes to 25 percent of all preventable ill health in the world today. And when your job performance and feeding your family depends on your health, poor health can be the route to all poverty. To put things into perspective, if the world consisted only of Michigan Tech students, this would mean that close to 2,700 Tech students would not have access to sanitation, and over 1,300 would not have access to safe drinking water.

Michigan Tech students are raising funds to construct up to 39 latrines in two villages in Cameroon. They are graduate students in the Master's International program in Civil and Environmental Engineering and student members of the Michigan Water Environment Federation (MWEA).

The fundraising plans include a 50/50 raffle and a 50-hour "sit in" on a commode outside the Memorial Union. Students are accepting pledges for the "sit in" which began on Tuesday, Dec. 3. When asked why he wanted to sit on a commode in the middle of the night in below freezing temperatures, Bob Hawley, master's student in civil engineering said, "What's two nights of sitting outside compared to years of better health through sanitation?" Professor James Mihelcic is matching the first $500 raised with proceeds from his book "Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering."

Dan Nover, a master's student in environmental engineering, said that he is assisting in the project because he considers it a right to have access to safe water and good health in both the developed and underdeveloped world.

To learn more about this project or find out how you can assist, contact M. E. Housewright or Jason Huart, graduate students in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, or Bridget Cannon, president of the student chapter of the Michigan Water Environment Federation. You can learn more about the Master's International program at www.cee.mtu.edu/peacecorps and learn about the activities of MWEA at http://www.civil.mtu.edu/organizations/mwea/

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SNOWMOBILE MANUFACTURES DONATE $10,000 TO CLEAN SNOWMOBILE CHALLENGE

The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association donated $10,000 to the 2003 SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge Nov. 22, kicking off a $100,000 fundraising campaign.

The Clean Snowmobile Challenge, set for March 19-23 at the Keweenaw Research Center, is the newest of the Society of Automotive Engineers' collegiate design competitions. Teams of engineering students representing universities from the length of the Snow Belt are taking a perfectly good stock snowmobile and reengineering it to reduce noise and emissions while maintaining or improving performance. This is Michigan Tech's first year hosting the event.

ISMA member companies Arctic Cat, Yamaha, Bombardier (Skidoo) and Polaris have each contributed $2,500 toward the challenge. The $10,000 check was presented on behalf of ISMA by Jim Duke, of Munising, past president of the Michigan Snowmobilers Association.

"The manufacturers are very supportive of the Clean Snowmobile Challenge, the students and the SAE," ISMA President Ed Klim said. "I think it's great to get all these talented people together to work on these machines that we all love to build and ride."

Representatives from the snowmobile manufacturers, including engineers, plan to attend the Challenge and contribute their expertise as well.

"We have a personal interest," Klim said. "They like working with the students and enjoy contributing their time.

"We hope some of the Clean Snowmobile Challenge team members will decide to join our ranks and actually work in the industry," he added.

Putting on a collegiate design competition involves some unusual expenses. Noise and emissions test equipment will cost about $27,000. A total of $29,000 will be awarded as prizes, and providing professional staff for the four-day event is expected to cost about $30,000.

"The Clean Snowmobile Challenge is a wonderful event that comes at a time of year when it will truly benefit the area's tourism industry," Meldrum noted. "I hope the Copper Country's business and recreation communities will support us in making this event a great success."

If you would like to support the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge, contact Meldrum at 487-2750 or jmeldrum@mtu.edu. Sponsorships for various events associated with the Challenge are available.

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VISTEON GRANT SUPPORTS MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Michigan Tech has received a $90,000 grant from Visteon Corporation of Dearborn.

The funds, part of a managed partnership between Michigan Tech and Visteon, will support a number of efforts in mechanical and electrical engineering. These include support for student organizations and the Enterprise Program, as well as pre-college promotional efforts and a mentoring scholarship program.

"The rapid pace of technology development demands that industry and universities collaborate," said President Curt Tompkins. "Visteon's donation underscores this commitment."

Michigan Tech and Visteon have a history of collaboration. In the past, the company has provided grants and other funding, and several of its leaders serve on university advisory boards, supporting computer engineering, advanced educational opportunities and career development. The company is also a Michigan Tech Career Center partner.

"Visteon values the importance of developing relationships with educational institutions," said Chuck Hudson, the company's global director of human resources. "Alliances with targeted universities allow Visteon to take an active consulting role in helping design engineering curricula that are consistent with the needs of our industry."

Visteon Corporation is a leading full-service supplier that delivers consumer-driven technology solutions to automotive manufacturers worldwide and through multiple channels within the global automotive aftermarket. The company has about 79,000 employees and a global delivery system of more than 180 technical, manufacturing and service facilities located in 25 countries.

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MTU RESEARCHERS RECEIVE DEQ GRANTS

by Jennifer Drewyor, student writer

Michigan Tech researchers have received three grants totalling about $200,000 from the Michigan Great Lakes Protection Fund.

The Department of Environmental Quality, which administers the fund, distributed $1.2 million to various agencies that undertake Great Lakes research. The grants focus on aquatic species, persistent toxins and bacteria tracking.

Two of the studies, including one at MTU, will enhance resource managers' understanding of the impacts that zebra mussels have on Great Lakes fisheries by studying Diporeia, a tiny crustacean that is a main food source for many fish, including whitefish.

Professor Martin Auer of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering will receive $98,284 to fund the study "Energy Pathways Supporting the Diporeia Community in Lake Superior." He will characterize the abundance and health of Diporeia populations, food availability, and carbon change in Lake Superior. Diporeia are a key indicator species in the Great Lakes. Results will be used to determine effects of zebra mussels and other factors in the dramatic decline of Diporeia in the Great Lakes.

Assistant Professor Casey Huckins, of the Department of Biological Sciences, was awarded $64,298 for his proposal "Micrometeorological Measurements of the Air-Water Exchange Rates of PBTs in Lake Superior." Results will be used to evaluate models of air-water exchange, predict concentrations of persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic chemicals in water, and formulate control strategies.

Associate Professor Judith Perlinger, of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, will receive $42,134 for "The Influence of Forest Management on Stream Communities in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan." The study will improve understanding of the relationship among forest conditions, stream habitat and macro-invertebrate diversity and abundance. Results can be used for determining buffer zones around riparian habitats for various forest management practices.

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ROZSA CENTER DESIGN RECEIVES AWARD

The Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts has received a design award from the American Institute of Architects Detroit.

The facility, which includes an 1,100-seat performance hall, was one of 11 projects honored at the organization's annual design competition.

"The building has a distinct soul," said the jury comment. "It has one of the more memorable and distinctive forms."

The Rozsa Center, which opened in September 2000, was designed by Gunnar Birkerts, with DiClemente Siegel Design as the architect of record. The facility was built by Gundlach Champion of Houghton.

In addition to the performance hall, the building includes separate instrumental and choral rehearsal rooms, a scene shop and complete stage facilities, and a landmark lobby, featuring its soaring floor-to-ceiling windows.

AIA Detroit chose the winners from among 73 candidates.

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OZONE: BAD FOR TREES, GOOD FOR WHAT EATS THEM

The trees of the future may be much more vulnerable to a variety of pests, say scientists studying greenhouse gases in northern Wisconsin forests. Their work is published in the Nov. 28 edition of the journal Nature.

Researchers in the Aspen FACE (Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment) Experiment, based in Rhinelander, Wis., have been measuring the effects of elevated levels two greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and ozone, on aspen forest ecosystems. While the trees, Populous tremuloides (trembling aspen), seem to do relatively well in a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, ozone is another story.

Trees growing in an ozone-enriched atmosphere have been hit much harder by their traditional enemies: forest tent caterpillars, aphids and the rust fungus Melampsora.

"This has been a surprise," said Professor David Karnosky (School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science), a principal investigator on the Aspen FACE project. "Our experiment was never meant to look at pest occurrence. But it became obvious that the greenhouse gases were affecting the abundance of pests."

Ozone seems to be a special blessing to aphids. Not only did the tiny insects thrive in high-ozone air, populations of aphids' traditional predators--such as ladybugs and spiders--plummeted. "The aphids had free rein," noted Caroline Awmack, an Aspen FACE researcher from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Department of Entomology.

Studies have shed some light on why the aspen growing in ozone-rich air were turning into so much bug salad: their leaves seem to be undergoing fundamental changes. "Ozone alters the surface waxes," said Kevin Percy, a research scientist with Natural Resources Canada--Canadian Forest Service, who is the lead author of the Nature article, "Altered Performance of Forest Pests under Atmospheres Enriched by C02 and O3."

The number of aphids increased about five-fold in plots with elevated ozone, while the number of aphid predators was cut in half. In plots with elevated levels of both carbon dioxide and ozone, the aphid population tripled, while the number of natural enemies increased slightly, mitigating the aphids' effect on the aspen.

Melampsora infection in the control and C02-enriched plots was about the same, but increased about 400 percent in the O3 plots and doubled in the plots with extra C02 and O3. The number of forest tent caterpillars increased by about one-third in the O3 plots and actually decreased slightly in the C02 plots and the plots with extra C02 and ozone.

The Aspen FACE Experiment, which involves 11 institutions and 28 researchers, is funded jointly by the Department of Energy's Office of Biological and Environmental Research, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Forest Service Global Change Program, the U.S. Forest Service North Central Research Station, Michigan Tech, the USDA National Research Initiative Program, Brookhaven National Laboratory and Natural Resources Canada. The FACE system was designed by George Hendrey and his Brookhaven National Lab team.

Professor Kurt Pregitzer (School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science) calls Aspen FACE "a window into the future."

"We're beginning to understand how the changing atmosphere of the Earth is going to impact forests and the interactions that control the growth of trees, the cycling of energy and nutrients, and the movement of water through ecosystems," he said.

"This particular paper points out how important understanding the interactions among plants and insects are in controlling forest growth and forest health.

"We have a lot to learn."

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SAVE THROUGH GIVING TO MICHIGAN TECH

With December 31 fast approaching, many people are preparing to make their annual charitable contributions to the organizations and causes they care about most. Did you know that as a resident of Michigan you can cut the cost of your gift to Michigan Tech in half?

The State of Michigan provides a tax credit for those who donate to higher education. When you give to Tech, you can list 50 percent of the amount of your gift as a credit on your state tax return. For example, if you were to give $100 to Tech, you would receive an additional $50 refund on your state taxes, or you would owe $50 less.

The Michigan Tax Credit does have limits. The maximum credit is $100 for a single return, $200 if you file jointly.

If you itemize on your federal tax return, the savings are even greater. Here are a few examples of gifts from Michigan taxpayers in the 28-percent bracket who itemize their deductions:

                        Single Return                          Joint Return

Contribution    $100  $250  $1,000                $100  $250  $1,000

Fed Deduction $  28  $  70  $  280                 $  28  $  70  $  280

Mich. Credit    $  50  $100  $  100                 $  50  $ 125 $  200

Net Cost    $  22  $  80  $  620                 $  22  $   55 $  520

The Michigan Tech Fund's annual Campus Campaign runs through the entire fiscal year (July 1 to June 30), so there is still plenty of time to participate in this yearly giving program. If you would like a gift form, or have any questions, please contact Paula Nutini (Director of Annual Giving) at 487-3324 or pjnutini@mtu.edu.

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SEARCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS ANNOUNCED

Members of the search committee for the vice provost and dean for student affairs have been announced. The members, their departments, the group they represent and the officer or organization appointing them are

*Dana Johnson, SBE, Faculty, University Senate

*Michele Miller, ME-EM, Faculty, University Senate

*Blair Orr, SFRES, Faculty, University Senate

*Dave Poplawski, Computer Science, Faculty, University Senate

*Bill McKilligan, Facilities Management, Professional Staff, University Senate

*Robert Keen, Biological Sciences, President, University Senate

*Robert Johnson, Humanities,Department Chairs, President/Provost

*Glenn Mroz, SFRES, Deans, President/Provost

*John Rovano, Residential Services, Staff Council

*Jim Turnquist, University Career Center, Staff Council

*Michelle Trim, Graduate Student Council

*Dan Adler, Undergraduate Student Government

*Don Williams, Counseling Services, At-Large, President/Provost

*Suzanne Sanregret, Athletics, At-Large, President/Provost

*Peter Tampas, School of Technology, At-Large, President/Provost

Ex-officio: Julie Foster, Human Resources

Open Forum Dec. 11

There will be an open forum on the draft job description on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 5 p.m. in Dow 642. All MTU faculty, staff and students are invited to attend and provide comments on the draft.

For more information and to view the job description draft, you can visit http://www.mtu.edu/deanofstudents

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STAFF COUNCIL ANNOUNCES NEW STAFF AWARDS, NAME THE AWARDS CONTEST

submitted by Staff Council

For the past eight years Staff Council has sponsored the Employee Excellence Awards to recognize the quality service of one employee in each of three staff categories--crafts/maintenance, clerical/secretarial and professional. In conjunction with President Curt Tompkins, the Council is proud to announce new annual awards for staff to acknowledge that there are many other MTU employees who contribute to the well-being and excellence of the institution. The new process will acknowledge individuals, departments and even teams for their contributions.

The nomination and selection processes will take place in January, and the 2003 awards will be given out at a luncheon sponsored by Staff Council and Tompkins on Feb. 6. Award categories will include Best Team, Best Customer Service, Best Promotion of the "Tech Family," Best Supervisor, Best Co-worker, Most Fun, Most Organized, Outstanding Service to the Campus Community, Most Dedicated, Cleanest Building and Spark Plug. There will also be three "Name Your Own Category" awards that will be considered.

What Staff Council needs from you is your creativity--we would like you to name the award process. Hopefully, the name will be fun and reflect the high caliber of our co-workers.

Please send your "Name the Award" contest entry to Becky Christianson at rwchrist@mtu.edu or c/o CPDQI no later than Friday, Dec. 13. The winning entry will be announced in Tech Topics and that creative individual will receive a $40 gift certificate for a sweatshirt, compliments of University Images (located at the SDC).

Put on your thinking cap and come up with a great name!

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STAFF COUNCIL ELECTION RESULTS ANNOUNCED

Staff Council has announced the results of its recent elections. New members are Jill Oliver in the professional/administrative category; Bev Auel, clerical/secretarial; Joe Pyykkonen, technical/paraprofessional; and Jerod Ledgerwood, crafts/maintenance.

For more information on Staff Council, including their members, minutes, meeting times and more, check out their web site at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/staff_council

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STAFF COUNCIL "BRIGHT IDEAS" INFO ON THE WEB

Staff Council has received lots of ideas on saving energy through its "Bright Ideas" program. Dave Taivalkoski, manager of energy management, has responded to a number of your suggestions.

To find out more, visit http://www.admin.mtu.edu/staff_council/bright/index.html and click on "Read Responses." Also, if you have a bright idea of your own on how Michigan Tech might save money, through saving energy or anything else, you can submit it to Staff Council from this site.

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CAGER CLUB LUNCHEON SERIES BEGINS

Five times during this basketball season, fans are invited to bring their lunch and join men's head coach Kevin Luke and women's head

coach Darla Olson as they discuss Michigan Tech basketball. The coaches will show film clips, review and preview games, and field questions from those in attendance. The aim of the sessions is to provide an inside look at Husky basketball as the season progresses.

All Cager Club Luncheons are free, open to the public and will be held in Memorial Union 105 at noon. The first luncheon was held on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The remaining luncheons will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 21, Tuesday, Jan. 28, Tuesday, Feb. 4, and Tuesday, Feb. 18.

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UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S CLUB HOLIDAY TEA DEC. 12

submitted by Jill Johnson, UWC Holiday Chair

The University Women's Club would like to invite you to attend their annual "Holiday Tea," to be held on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m., at the University Residence, 21680 Woodland Road.

Amid the festive decor, we will greet one another while enjoying scrumptious homemade sweets and savories, sure to give Santa pause (if men were invited!). We will then be treated to the tender talents of budding string musicians, as several young people from the Copper Country Suzuki Association perform a sampling of their repertoire for us.

So ladies, please join us as we welcome the holiday season together. Learn a little of what University Women's Club is all about, and what we do. University Women's Club is a great collection of women from our area representing varying interests, talents, occupations and backgrounds. Invite a friend and come to relax and mingle. We look forward to your company!

If you have questions, need directions or need a lift, please call Jill Johnson 487-6159, or jill@chartermi.net.

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MUSEUM CHRISTMAS SALE DEC. 14

Christmas is just around the corner and that means it's time again for the traditional Seaman Mineral Museum Christmas Sale.

This year's sale will take place on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Museum Gift Shop. Refreshments will be served.

As always, the museum will be offering a 20 percent discount on all items priced $5 or higher. For early shoppers, this discount will apply Wednesday-Friday, Dec. 11-13.

The museum has several exciting new lines of inventory. So, if you're looking for a distinctive gift for the person "who has everything," stop in at the Museum Christmas Sale and pick up something that will surprise them!

The Mineral Museum is located on the fifth floor of the EERC. Access is by elevators only. The Fisher Hall parking lot should be available for shopper parking.

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TEACHING AT TECH: "EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH HAS SHOWN . . ." (Part One)

by William Kennedy, Director, Center for Teaching , Learning and Faculty Development

E. D. Hirsch Jr., professor emeritus at the University of Virginia, and author of several controversial and politically conservative books calling for American schools to return to an emphasis on the traditional Western canon, recently issued another broadside against what he sees as the vacuous state of most contemporary education research. Writing in the current issue of "Policy Review," a bimonthly publication of the Hoover Institute at Stanford University, Hirsch suggests that the body of contemporary education research has produced little or nothing that can be used to actually improve learning.*

Hirsch argues that the primary reason for this failure is that most researchers seem to have forgotten that the "essence of good science is doing whatever is necessary to get to reliable and usable knowledge." Instead, Hirsch maintains, most education researchers have resorted to reporting isolated instances of statistical significance that supports their preferred intellectual agendas.

As an example of the futility of this approach, Hirsch cites a landmark $12 million student-teacher ratio study conducted in Tennessee in the late 1980s. The study found that reducing K-3 class sizes (from 22-25 to 13-17) yielded significant improvements in academic performance of all students with added dividends for inner-city and minority students. Majority students entering school with test scores at the 50th percentile, placed in the reduced class-size group, performed at the 58th percentile by grade three. Inner-city and minority students doubled or tripled these gains. These benefits persisted even when these students were returned to larger classes for grades 4-7 and then measured against other students.

Apparently fueled by these encouraging results, the state of California embarked on a $5 billion blitzkrieg program to hire teachers to reduce K-3 class sizes in all districts from 33 to 20 students. Initial results from the program, however, have yielded only a quarter as much gain for students as the Tennessee program with no additional gains for inner-city or minority students.

Hirsch observes that the problem with employing the Tennessee data as a template for educational reform in California was its failure to account for the unexamined assumption that one particular independent variable (class size), presumed to be the causal factor in one research setting, would yield the same results in another. He concludes that education researchers' tendencies to generalize broadly from individual instances of classroom research are inherently unreliable.

Every teacher knows that educational processes are highly context-dependent. How students learn in class is clearly affected by their experiences outside of the classroom, not to mention the complexities associated with variations in the quality of instruction that they receive in the class. The social context that results when students with widely varying social and cognitive experiences come together in any classroom overshadows the effects of many of the variables pursued by education researchers. Failing to recognize the many variables that affect student learning arguably renders assertions regarding the direct causality of the independent variable highly suspect even in large, apparently well-controlled studies such as the one in Tennessee.

Hirsch concludes that even when researchers attempt to amass hundreds of studies on a given educational topic to determine if more reliable patterns emerge, the end result is that most definitive conclusions remain elusive.

Next week, we'll examine Hirsch's assertion that educational researchers should adopt some of the methods being employed by researchers in cognitive psychology to overcome problems inherent in education research.

* http://www.policyreview.org/OCT02/hirsch.html

KSO, CONCERT CHOIR PRESENT HOLIDAY CONCERT

submitted by Fine Arts

The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra and Michigan Tech Concert Choir present "In Excelsis," a concert featuring music of Vivaldi, Weber, Albinoni, Sargon, Mendelssohn and Handel, on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. in the Rozsa Center. Joining the orchestra and choir for this holiday event are mezzo-soprano Lorna March, soprano Inetta Harris, organist Neil Paynter, and guest conductor Alton Thompson, visiting assistant professor of music.

 "In Excelsis" will include Vivaldi's "Gloria," the much-loved work for choir and orchestra. The KSO will also perform Carl Maria von Weber's "Der Freischutz" and Albinoni's "Adagio," featuring Cori Somers on violin, and Paynter on organ. In addition to the Vivaldi "Gloria," the Concert Choir will perform songs by Simon Sargon and Felix Mendelssohn in arrangements for choir and organ, then conclude with a performance of the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah. A grant from the Copper Range Abstract & Title Agency of Houghton makes possible this annual choral-orchestral concert, with additional support from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Conductor Thompson came to Michigan Tech this fall as visiting director of bands and orchestra. His extensive experience in choral and orchestral conducting includes service as principal guest conductor of Maryland's Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra. He has worked with ensembles in a number of colleges and communities, including the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, the Clemson Symphony, the Penn State Philharmonic, the University of Pittsburgh Women's Chorus, the University of Memphis Symphony and Opera and new music ensembles at the University of Memphis and Peabody Conservatory, among others. Thompson holds degrees from Florida State University, the University of Memphis and the Peabody Conservatory of Music at the Johns Hopkins University.

Mezzo-soprano Lorna March of Iron Mountain has sung with the KSO in a number of performances, including the Gundlach Mass in A, Handel's Messiah, and the Fauré Requiem. She has been featured in Pine Mountain Music Festival operas, in addition to many oratorio concerts. Inetta Harris has been choirmaster for Echoes from Heaven Gospel Choir at Michigan Tech for the past eight years, and is an active recitalist and soloist in concerts throughout the country.

Tickets for this concert are available from Rozsa Center Ticketing Services, 487-3200, other university ticket outlets and http://www.tickets.mtu.edu for $15 general, $6 students. More information about the concert is available from the fine arts department, 487-2067.

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THE MAGIC OF CHEMISTRY AT THE ROZSA CENTER

submitted by University Cultural Enrichment

Witness the drama, the magic and the mystery of chemistry at Exploding the Elements, a special event presented by two Michigan Tech chemistry faculty members, on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Rozsa Center. Rudy Luck and Paul Charlesworth, equipped with videos, video cameras, an assortment of chemicals, glassware and other miscellaneous scientific apparatus, bring the excitement of chemistry to the Rozsa stage. The event is free and open to the public.

Demonstrating a series of experiments illustrating scientific principles with a high-energy, fast-paced delivery, they'll create, according to Luck, an atmosphere that is equal parts carnival game, chemistry lab and television quiz show. In other words, the program will appeal to all ages from nine to 99 regardless of whether they are, or are not, familiar with the Periodic Table.

The program begins with a demonstration of what is considered to be the first-ever experiment (conducted in 440 BC) and ends with a fabulous finale complete with music and special effects. "Using a demonstration to illustrate a scientific principle can be considered similar to an artist's use of a paintbrush to detail an underlying concept," says Luck. "In both cases, the picture is worth a thousand words."

Chemical experiments have always fascinated the lay public, and scientists have never lacked for an appreciative audience. An interesting example of this took place in Victorian England when, in 1826, the eminent physicist Michael Faraday founded the Christmas Lectures at London's Royal Institution. His goal was to communicate the excitement of scientific discovery.

Chemical demonstrations are being used more and more by chemistry teachers as an integral part of their lectures. Seeing a series of reactions, rather than just reading about them, increases a student's interest. Seeing experiments that feature scientific principles demonstrated by an enthusiastic teacher is known to encourage students to pursue further constructive scientific inquiry.

This event is sponsored by the MTU Student Entertainment Board, which is funded by the MTU Student Activity Fee. Call 487-2844 for further information.

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TECH FUND SPONSORING ART SALE

submitted by the Michigan Tech Fund

Here's something to catch your eye: 2,000 high-quality prints will be on sale Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Red Metal Room of the Memorial Union.

Don't be a moon gawker. Find something to fill wall space and ease your mind at a glance.

The sale is sponsored by the Michigan Tech Fund. Cash, check or credit card will be accepted. All proceeds from the sale support student scholarships.

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VOLUNTEER CLOWN VISITS THE LIBRARY

Bill Waters will be "clowning around" on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Friends' Lounge at the J.R.V.P. Library. Waters is part of a group of volunteer clowns, including Dr. Patch Adams, who travel to distressed areas of countries like China, Afghanistan, Siberia and Russia to visit hospitals, homes for the aged and schools, taking laughter to unfunny places.

On Dec. 11, he will talk about his recent trip to Afghanistan and about the healing power of laughter. The haunting photographs of Afghanistan taken by Waters will be on display in the Friends' Lounge through December. The public is invited, but seating is limited.

NEW STAFF

Tim Colling has joined the staff of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering as assistant director of LTAP/TDG. He was previously employed as a project manager with Coleman Engineering in Ironwood. He also worked as a registered professional engineer in the states of Michigan and Wisconsin.

Colling received his BS in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Tech. He lives in Houghton with his wife, Trish, and children Connor (9 yrs.), Jacob (6 yrs.) and Morgan (4 yrs.).

His interests include downhill skiing, fly fishing and camping.

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MTU NOTABLES

Lecturer Jim Hertel (Engineering Fundamentals) was one of eight faculty selected as a Frontiers in Education Faculty Fellow. The award was presented at the IEEE/ASEE conference in Boston Nov. 7-9. At the conference, Hertel presented a paper entitled "Real-World Learning through Student Enterprise--The Startup Phase."

The award is given annually to faculty in the first two years of teaching and includes a grant for travel to the conference.

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IN PRINT

"A Troll for Christmas and Other Stories" is professor emeritus Harley L. Sachs's (Humanities) latest book, available through Fictionwise.com for $14. This children's book has Copper Country stories and a collection of new versions of classic fairy tales.

For more information you can visit his web site at http://www.hu.mtu.edu/~hlsachs

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December

7          Saturday

            2 p.m.--Women's Basketball, North Dakota at MTU--SDC Gym

            8 p.m.--Holiday Concert with KSO and Concert Choir--Rozsa Center

8          Sunday

            3 p.m.--Holiday Concert with KSO and Concert Choir--Rozsa Center

10        Tuesday

            10 a.m.-2 p.m.--Art Sale sponsored by Michigan Tech Fund--Red Metal Room, Memorial Union

            7 p.m.--Exploding the Elements--Rozsa Center

11        Wednesday

            Noon-1 p.m.--Presentation by Bill Waters, volunteer clown--Friends' Lounge, J.R.V.P. Library.

            5:30 p.m.--Women's Basketball, Minnesota-Duluth at MTU--SDC Gym

            7:30 p.m.--Men's Basketball, Minnesota-Duluth at MTU--SDC Gym

12        Thursday

            7 p.m.--University Women's Club "Holiday Tea"--University Residence, 21680 Woodland Rd.

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MICHIGAN TECH POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Job descriptions will be available at 1 p.m. on Friday, or by e-mail at <JOBS@MTU.EDU>.

For a complete list of open positions, see http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings/.

The following positions will be posted Friday, December 6, 2002, at 1 p.m. through noon, Tuesday, December 13, 2002, in the Human Resources Office.

Custodian--Memorial Union (Regular, full-time position; 3rd shift, AFSCME internal posting only)

University employees are reminded to apply in writing prior to noon, Friday, December 13, 2002, to be considered as internal candidates for bargaining unit positions only. Applicants from the recall pool will be given first consideration for non-bargaining-unit positions only. Vacancy announcements are normally posted every Friday at 1 p.m. in the Human Resources Office. Complete job descriptions are available in the Human Resources Office or by calling 487-2280. More information regarding employment opportunities is available by calling the Job Line at 487-2895. Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer.

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