Sue McDaniel, Tech Topics, editorial assistant, 906-487-2343

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TICK INFESTATION AFFECTING ISLE ROYALE MOOSE POPULATION

A tick infestation accounts for the changes in the annual wolf-moose survey at Isle Royale National Park, according to Professor Rolf Peterson (SFRES).

Peterson said the 2003 survey counted 19 wolves on the island, as opposed to 17 last year. The island's moose population decreased from about 1,100 last year to 900 in 2003.

"Winter ticks will slow the moose down for a couple of years," Peterson said. "The tick infestation resulted from an early, warm spring in 2001 and an unusually mild autumn that year. This was an event that affected moose herds from New Hampshire to Alberta since 2002. It has killed a lot of moose in the region."

The Isle Royale wolf-moose survey is the longest running predator-prey study in the world, now in its 45th year. Peterson has conducted the study for the last 33 years. As an island in the middle of Lake Superior, Isle Royale presents a unique opportunity for such research.

"Our objective is to understand how the moose and wolves interact when humans are not affecting the outcome," he said.

Peterson said there is a lag time before the moose feel the effects of the tick infestation. The ticks attach themselves to the moose in the fall and are on the moose all winter.

"The biggest effects are in late winter as female ticks withdraw blood to support their own reproduction in the spring, when they drop off the moose," Peterson said.

Weather continues to play a role in another way. Isle Royale "had as long a stretch of cold as I've ever seen," Peterson said. "Plus, there was no snow at all when we got there in early January." In the two months he spent on the island, he reports a snow depth of no more than 10 inches.

The lack of snow benefits the moose, because they can freely roam the island. A larger snowfall causes the moose to hunker down in conifer swamps, making them easier prey for the wolves. Typically the wolves attack old moose and young calves.

"Many moose died in 1996," he said, "so the average moose is only five or six years old. There are a lot of young adults, which are hard moose to bring down."

The Isle Royale wolves continue to reside in three packs. "The territorial skirmishes seem to have settled," Peterson said. "There was one lone wolf killed by a pack."

Peterson also said that all three packs should have litters of pups in late April.

The wolf-moose study is supported by Isle Royale National Park, the National Science Foundation, the Earthwatch Institute and a number of individual donors.

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DEPARTMENTS ON THE MOVE

Several departments in the Administration Building have made, or are about to make, some major moves. In some cases, completely out of the building.

Internal Audit has moved, and Institutional Analysis is soon to move to the UPPCO building, creating more space for Research Services and the Graduate School. Facilities will also be moving to one of their waterfront buildings.

ÊWhy all the moving around? ÒIt was cramped, and we had multiple people in small offices,Ó said Joanne Polzien (Research Services). ÒWe needed more room, and we wanted to be able to separate federal from nonfederal research programs.Ó

Research Services has now taken over the space vacated by Internal Audit. ÒWe actually have signs up now so people can find us,Ó Polzien said. ÊÊThe Graduate School will begin their move from the third floor to the fourth floor when Facilities moves to the waterfront, but this will probably not happen until summer.

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MARCH 14 LAST DAY TO DROP CLASSES

The last day to drop full-term spring semester classes is Friday, March 14, by 5 p.m. According to the University policy on late drops, "After the eighth week of the semester, a student may request a late drop from the Office of Student Affairs, which will consider those requests that involve circumstances beyond the student's control." Extenuating circumstances considered are prolonged illness, serious accidents and death in the immediate family or of a close friend, or similar situations beyond the student's control. All requests must be made in writing. No late drops will be granted to avoid poor grades.

Also, note that the last day to drop track B classes (those that begin on March 14)

*with a refund is Tuesday, March 18

*with no grade is Tuesday, March 25

*with a "W" grade is Thursday, April 10

All drops must be done in person in the office of Student Records and Registration. Drops cannot be done via the web.

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FACULTY RECEIVE FUNDING

Professor Vladimir Tonchev (Mathematical Sciences) has received $20,589 for the first year of a two-year project totaling $42,017, "Codes, Designs and Finite Geometry," from the National Security Agency.

Associate Professor William Sproule (Civil and Environmental Engineering) has received $9,661 from the National Park Service Isle Royale National Park for his project, "Planning a Visitor Transportation System for the Keweenaw National Historical Park."

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TEACHING AT TECH: LEARNER-CENTERED TEACHING (Part One)

by William Kennedy, Director

Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development

Mary Ellen Weimer is a prolific and highly regarded scholar in the area of college teaching improvement and editor-in-chief of The Teaching Professor newsletter. I am particularly fond of her work because at the point in her career when she decided take a break from her research to return to the classroom to test many of the ideas in her books, she found, and then admitted, that some theoretically sound innovations simply didn't work in practice. Such honesty and lack of hubris are quite rare in a field that generates unsubstantiated teaching fads on a monthly basis.

In her new book, "Learner-Centered Teaching: Five Key Changes to Practice*," Weimer characterizes many of the students she faces in her classroom these days, saying they "want all classes to be easy but expect most will be hard. They wish their major did not require math, science, or English courses. A good number will not speak in class unless called on. Most like, want, indeed need, teachers who tell them exactly what to do. Education is something done unto them. It frequently involves stress, anxiety and other forms of discomfort."

Weimer maintains that such signs of reticence and resignedness may be the unintended consequences of an educational acculturation process in which the instructor habitually wields all of the power in the environment. To demonstrate her point, she asks a series of questions. Who decides exactly what students will learn? Who controls every aspect of the pace of learning? Who determines the assignments and methods used in the course? Who sets up course policies and procedures? Who controls the classroom, the flow of information and, even, who gets to talk and for how long? In most classrooms, the answer is nearly always the same: the instructor calls all the shots. Weimer maintains that this total exercise of control in the college classroom is counterproductive if one of the goals of higher education is to produce confident, resourceful and independent learners.

To re-engage some of their students, Weimer suggests that instructors consider employing some gradual power-sharing strategies. She lays out a carefully delimited set of suggestions for how power can be more productively and legitimately shared in the college classroom. She is not calling for the reckless abdication of an instructor's responsibility. Instead, she says that instructors should look for opportunities to encourage students to make suggestions and recommendations about some negotiable aspects of the course. Weimer, for example, now allows her students to select from a list of possible assignments that will be used to demonstrate their mastery of course material.

Another instructor distributes a syllabus marked "Draft" on the first day of class. He then discusses amendments, date changes or other student suggestions during that opening class. He says the students have never tried to water down the course or lower the bar.

Weimer maintains that she has renegotiated enough power in her classes to better engage the majority, but not all, of her students. She still has students failing her courses, doing little or none of the work required of them. She cautions that teachers must carefully weigh the amount of shared decision-making authority it takes to motivate students against their maturity and ability to operate with more freedom and autonomy.

Weimer maintains that as long as grades are "used as gatekeepers to subsequent educational experiences" that teachers must maintain control of the grading process. Similarly, in undergraduate settings, instructors must retain substantial control of course content while still offering students choices about approaches and methods of mastery.

Next week we'll look at some of the other ideas Weimer has field tested that make instruction more "learner-centered."

*Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, 2002

UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S CLUB TO HOLD ANNUAL SPRING BRUNCH

The University Women's Club will hold its annual spring brunch at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, at the Miscowaubik Club in Calumet. They welcome all women to attend.

The program will include a brunch buffet, mini-massages and magnet therapy demonstrations.

The cost for the event is $14. If you are interested in attending, contact Sangita Goel at 296-5831 or via e-mail at goel@chartermi.net. All reservations must be received before March 20.

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WOMEN'S WEEK PRESENTATIONS MARCH 10-14

Outreach and Multiethnic Programs is observing the fifth annual Women's Week Celebration, "The Goddess in You: Women Pioneering the Future," with a series of presentations Monday-Friday, March 10-14. All events begin at noon in Memorial Union Ballroom B unless otherwise noted.

The Reverend Sydney Morris, a Unitarian Universalist minister, will speak on "Socially Responsible Investments" Monday. After the presentation, Praise in Effect Gospel Choir, directed by Kari Jordan and Amanda Otis, will perform.

On Tuesday, artist-musician Melissa Davis will present "Collagehappning." From 8 to 10 p.m., Lumber Janes will present a benefit concert in the Memorial Union.

Singer-songwriter Jana Sampson, a Native American Music Award recipient in 2001-02, will present "Walking in Two Worlds" on Wednesday.

Sheryl Sorby, associate dean for academic programs in the College of Engineering, will speak Thursday on "They Told Me I couldn't Realize My Goal Because I was a Girl! But Look at Me Now."

Photojournalist Fern Logan will present "The Goddess Revisited" on Friday in Walker 202.

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GUTHRIE THEATER RETURNS TO MICHIGAN TECH

submitted by University Cultural Enrichment

On an empty stage, a mysterious host conjures up four famous characters from the world of theater, Antigone, Cyrano de Bergerac, Nora Helmer from Ibsen's "A Doll's House" and Willy Loman from "Death of a Salesman." The host introduces them to each other and has them compete to see who has the greatest, most play-worthy life story. So begins the Guthrie Theater's production of "The Stuff of Dreams," a new play by Bill Corbett, to be presented in the McArdle Theatre on Wednesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. Why the McArdle Theatre and not the Rozsa? This is an intimate play, a studio production, for which the Guthrie recommends an optimum audience of around 200 for the full effect of the piece. Guthrie artistic director Joe Dowling says that with a minimum of sets and costumes, "this play allows the audience to see that human relationships are at the heart of theater--that our theatrical imaginations can take us beyond our daily lives."

The play will be followed by a special Friends of the Rozsa membership drive dessert reception at which the audience can meet and chat with members of the Guthrie company. There will be an opportunity to become a member of Friends of the Rozsa and to renew current memberships.

Tickets are on sale at the Rozsa Center Box Office (487-3200, Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) or online at http://www.tickets.mtu.edu. Discounts will apply for subscribers and current Friends of the Rozsa.

Bill Corbett has taken his source material for this new and intriguing play from Sophocles, William Shakespeare, Henrik Ibsen, Edmund Rostand and Arthur Miller, all great playwrights in the history of theater, who created memorable characters with compelling and dramatic stories. Antigone's story is one of self-righteous rebellion, Cyrano's centers on the pain of unrequited love, and Willy Loman confronts the tragedy of his life, while Nora, who claims no heroism or unusual strength, reveals an innate bravery. Despite the somber nature of the stories, the tone is light, fun and competitive. Each of the characters tries to make the best case for winning the sympathies of the mysterious host. When the host reveals himself as Hamlet, he claims that he is the winner. He has suffered as much as the others, but has experienced the ultimate pain and pressure by having to deal quickly with so many overwhelming layers of danger and intrigue.

The Guthrie Theater Company is an institution of international distinction founded in 1963 by the great Irish director Sir Tyrone Guthrie. (He also founded the Stratford, Ontario, Shakespeare Festival, an institution that has also achieved international standing.) His particular vision that endures to this day was to provide the region with quality theater and to set a national standard for excellence in theatrical production and performance.

This mini-residency, which will include two workshops and a performance for high school students, is funded by the Friends of the Rozsa and the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and coordinated through the MTU Great Events Series Office (487-2844).

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CLUB INDIGO TAKES YOU TO PARIS

submitted by Joe Kirkish

Mu Beta Psi music fraternity offers a trip to Paris Friday, March 14. With this month's food and film program at the historic Calumet Theatre they feature the MGM musical "Gigi"--winner of nine Academy Awards in 1959 for the next Club Indigo.

"Gigi" is based on Colette's naughty story about a young Parisian girl (Leslie Caron) trained to become a courtesan to the wealthy Gaston (Louis Jourdan). It is a love story with amusing twists. Maurice Chevalier plays Gaston's roguish uncle who casts an always admiring eye on the ladies, while British comic Hermione Gingold is Gigi's grandmother and former Chevalier flame. Even Eva Gabor is on hand as Gaston's current and vapid mistress.

This is MGM's first--and finest--musical to be shot on location, and under Vincent Minelli's capable direction, Paris never looked more lovely. In fact, "Gigi" is an extravaganza that features some of the best cinematic tributes to the French lifestyle ever filmed, as only the MGM studios at their peak could create.

Lovely Lerner and Lowe ("My Fair Lady") tunes, beautiful women, fine acting, lavish sets and costumes (Cecil Beaton), and Paris at the turn of the century--what more could be wanted?

The movie is sponsored by the Goodman Travel Agency, Houghton and the Mu Beta Psi music fraternity. It will be shown in the theatre at 7:15 p.m. As with all Club Indigo events, it will be preceded by an appropriate buffet, this one with all French cuisine, at 6 p.m. The combination of dinner and movie is $13, with discounts for children. For buffet reservations, call the theater at 337-2610.

April's Club Indigo promises another Parisian treat, this one featuring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant in the romantic mystery thriller "Charade," on Friday, April 25.

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LATIN NIGHT HEATS UP MARCH

Heat up March and enjoy Latin music and dancing at Noche Latina on Friday, March 14, in the Memorial Union Commons. The theme is tropical, so wear your best "tropics" outfit and be ready to dance the night away. Everyone is invited. The fun begins at 8 p.m. and runs until midnight.

The cost is $3 for singles and $5 for couples and tickets will be available at the door. The event is being sponsored by Educational Opportunity's Outreach and Multiethnic Program.

"The event is the result of the huge success of last semester's Latino dance, Bailemos Night," said Madeline Voelker (Educational Opportunity). She added that students requested something like this to be repeated every semester, someplace where they can all come together and have a good time.

If you have any questions, contact Voelker at 487-2920 or mmvoelke@mtu.edu

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VIRTUOSO BASSIST TO PERFORM WITH KSO

submitted by University Cultural Enrichment

Evan Premo has impressed audiences throughout the U.P. with his skill on the bass in his family's celebrated folk band, White Water, since he was eight years old. Meanwhile, the 18-year-old virtuoso is at home in symphony orchestras and as an award-winning classical bassist. On Saturday, March 15, Premo will perform as featured soloist with the Keweenaw Symphony in the Rozsa Center, playing Serge Koussevitzky's showpiece for bass, the Concerto for Contrabass and Orchestra. Milton Olsson, KSO conductor and chair of Michigan Tech's fine arts department, puts it simply: "Evan is spectacular. It will be a stunning performance."

Premo, a senior at Forest Park High School in Crystal Falls, has been a member of the Keweenaw Symphony and Marquette Symphony orchestras for several years. He is a student of the KSO's principal bassist, David Reese, Professor Emeritus Ronald Caviani (University of the Pacific) and Professor Diana Gannett (University of Michigan). In 2002, he studied for a month with legendary bassist Gary Karr and will do so again in 2003. He has also attended the Richard Davis Conference for Young Bassists in Madison, Wis., working with the most accomplished bassists in the country. Evan was featured last year on "From the Top," the syndicated National Public Radio program that showcases young classical musicians, and he performed at Carnegie Hall as part of the National Festival Orchestra conducted by Lukas Foss. In late March, he will perform the Bottesini Concerto No. 2 with the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra.

Russian-born composer Koussevitzky is best known as one of America's most honored conductors (30 years with the Boston Symphony), but he was also a gifted bassist. The concerto, written in 1904 when virtually nothing existed for solo bass, quickly became the standard work for the instrument. The March 15 concert is a rare opportunity to hear this historic work performed.

Another work on the March 15 program, "Gloria" by Francis Poulenc, is connected to Koussevitzky. This masterwork for soprano solo, choir and orchestra was commissioned and premiered by the Boston Symphony in 1961 as a tribute to their longtime music director. The Michigan Tech performance of this stunning music features the 90-voice Michigan Tech Concert Choir and soprano soloist Victoria Walker, who returns to Michigan Tech after previously performing here in Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" and Mass in A by Gustav Gundlach. In addition to extensive solo and recital work, Walker is a member of the voice faculty at Michigan State University and Alma College.

The March 15 program also includes two shorter works for choir and orchestra, Brahms' moving "Schicksalslied," and Beethoven's "Hallelujah" from "The Mount of Olives."

The KSO and Concert Choir join forces annually for concerts that bring to life some of the world's greatest music for choir and orchestra. As in the past three years, this concert is sponsored by the Copper Range Abstract and Title Agency of Houghton. The appearance of gifted soloists with the KSO is made possible by a generous grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

The March 15 concert will conclude with a reception for audience members and musicians sponsored by White Water Associates of Amasa. Tickets are available from Rozsa Center Ticketing Services, 487-3200, and on the web at http://www.tickets.mtu.edu.

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"DANCING FOR WEDDINGS" CLASSES BEGIN MARCH 13

Get ready for the summer wedding and party season by learning the basics of the most popular couples' dances including swing, waltz, merengue, hustle and polka. Sessions will be held on Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. in the SDC Dance Room 207. The classes will run for seven weeks, March 13-April 24.

The cost is $44 for a student couple and $58 for a non-student couple. Sign up at the SDC Central Ticket Office. Class size is limited. Call the instructor, Cari Raboin, at 482-8322 with any questions.

LEARNER-CENTERED TEACHING WORKSHOP MARCH 13

The Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development will present a faculty workshop, "Learner-Centered Teaching," at noon, March 13. Lunch will be provided for faculty registering by March 10.

The workshop will discuss instructional approaches designed to overcome the problems of attendance, classroom participation and declining quality of student work.

For more information, contact the Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development at 487-2046.

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SOLAR HOMES PRESENTATION MARCH 18

Merle Niemi Kindred will present "Passive Solar Homes in the Keweenaw" on Tuesday, March 18, at 7 p.m., in Minerals and Materials Building U115. Everyone is invited.

The presentation is sponsored by the Keweenaw Chapter of Michigan Tech Alumni and Friends, and is the third and final event in their new speaker series.

For more information, contact Sharon Haapala at 487-1994 or sjhaapal@mtu.edu.

IN THE NEWS

Russ Alger (KRC) was mentioned in an article, "In Search of An Icebreaker? Try Molasses," in the Metro section of the March 1 edition of the Washington Post.

The article discusses research into alternatives to salt for melting ice on highways. "In real simple terms, we're looking at ways to make the pavement act like a hard sponge," said Alger in the article.

You can read the entire article at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18574-2003Feb28.html

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ON THE ROAD

Associate Professor Ulrich H. E. Hansmann (Physics) presented a talk, "Computer Simulation of Protein Folding," at an international workshop celebrating the 60th birthday of the renowned statistical physicist Ditrich Stauffer, in Niteroi, Brazil, on Feb. 27. He presented the same talk on Feb. 19 at a seminar at the University of Florida, Gainesville.

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CALENDAR: MARCH

10        Monday

            Classes Resume

            4 p.m.--Seminar, "Mercury Cycling in Lake Superior: Ecosystem Perspectives"--Dow 642

12        Wednesday

            7 p.m.--Guthrie Theater, "Stuff of Dreams"--McArdle Theatre

13        Thursday

            Noon--Learning-Centered Teaching Workshop

            7-9 p.m.--"Dancing for Weddings" class--SDC Dance Room 207

14        Friday

            6/7:15 p.m.--Club Indigo dinner/movie, "Gigi"--Calumet Theatre

            8 p.m.-Midnight--Noche Latina (Latin Night)--MUB Commons

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NO NEW POSITIONS THIS WEEK

For a complete listing of available jobs, visit http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings/index.shtml

No new positions are posted this week at Michigan Tech. 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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