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SENATE TABLES UNITED WAY RESOLUTIONAfter learning that its concerns had been addressed, Michigan Tech's University Senate has dropped any effort to end the Copper Country United Way's campus fund drive. The senate had originally considered a motion to sever the University's ties with United Way, since the organization supports the Boy Scouts, which does not admit homosexuals. Last month, the motion was amended to give the United Way one year to develop a plan to allow donors to exclude any member agencies from benefiting from their gifts. On behalf of Copper Country United Way, Virginia Schaller told the senate that the local United Way board had developed just such a system for allocating donations, so that donors could keep any portion of their gift from being sent to a designated member agency. In the future, the United Way will not decide each agency's allocation before their annual fund drive. Instead, they will conduct the drive and then distribute contributions earmarked for specific agencies. Then, the board will determine what percentage of the undesignated gifts will be given to each agency. Lastly, they will distribute the negative donations (e.g., gifts that donors specifically ask not to be sent to a given agency) to all the member agencies except the one excluded by the donor. After Schaller's report, the senate tabled its motion indefinitely, essentially letting the issue drop, at least for this year. Conflict of Interest Coordinator Christa Walck presented a series of revisions to proposed conflict of interest procedures that address privacy concerns raised by senators at their last meeting. One of the changes eliminates the need to disclose business activities that have no ties to the University. However, Walck said, if there is any doubt, such activities should be disclosed to the conflict of interest coordinator. The information will be kept confidential unless the coordinator believes that it reveals a conflict of interest. National Science Foundation guidelines were added to the proposal to clarify the term "significant financial interest" greater than $10,000. And regarding conflict of commitment, the language was changed to make disclosure of outside activities voluntary. However, the proposal encourages employees to disclose these activities to the coordinator if they have any doubts. Senator John Pilling (MSE) questioned a clause that prohibits employees from competing with MTU. Some research funders don't go through Michigan Tech because the overhead charges are too high, he said. Then researchers have been known to do the project themselves on a contract basis. "That category will be problematic," he said. Walck said such activities should be disclosed under the proposed procedures. Both the current conflict of interest proposal and Walck's latest amendments will be posted on the senate's Web site, http://www.sas.it.mtu.edu/usenate/ Pamela Eveland, director of planning and budgeting, gave a presentation on various aspects of University budgets and expenditures. She noted that a graph is being circulated that implies that MTU's administrative costs are higher than its costs of instruction. The graph could be misleading, she said, since it includes "nonacademic" expenditures, such as utilities, research staff and financial aid in with true administrative expenditures, such as salaries of administrative personnel. When those expenses are broken out, she said, administrative costs are and have been consistently less than the cost of instruction. Her entire presentation will be posted on the Web and accessible through http://www.mtu.edu/budget and http://www.mtu.edu/planbudget ------- TEMPORARY POSITIONS OPEN TO REGULAR EMPLOYEESRegular employees are now invited to take advantage of temporary employment opportunities at Michigan Tech. Temporary positions will be open to both exempt and nonexempt employees. To make sure that the temporary position doesn't interfere with current responsibilities, the applicant must have the approval of their supervisor. "We think this is a chance for employees to earn extra compensation in this time of tight finances," said Ellen Horsch, director of human resources. Employees will have three days after the date of the position posting to apply. Then, all applications will be forwarded to the department doing the hiring. If none of the applicants meet the needs of the department or if no one applies, the position will be opened to external candidates. The pay rate will be determined by the department in consultation with Human Resources. Exempt employees can earn up to 20 percent of their current salary. "I hope everyone who's interested will take advantage of this opportunity. We have many skilled people here," Horsch said. "This program gives them a chance to increase their earnings, and it also benefits those units at Michigan Tech that need their talents." Any questions can be directed to Human Resources at 487-2280. MICHIGAN TECH FORMS PRESIDENTIAL BUDGET REDUCTION COMMITTEE, PUBLIC COMMENT INVITEDMichigan Tech is forming a committee of faculty, staff and administrators to develop recommendations on budget reductions for the upcoming fiscal year. The Presidential Budget Reduction Advisory Committee will base its recommendations on the budget-cutting proposals submitted earlier this month by units throughout Michigan Tech. Members of the public and the University community, including faculty, staff, students and alumni, will be able to read and comment on the initial proposals shortly after the committee holds its first meeting, on April 2. The committee will also consider recommendations from a number of other MTU committees that have been addressing various aspects of the upcoming budget reduction process. The budget reduction proposals will be posted at http://www.mtu.edu/budget Individuals will also be able to submit their thoughts and suggestions confidentially to the committee from this site. "This will give everyone on campus the opportunity to make recommendations and offer comments to the Presidential Budget Reduction Advisory Committee," Tompkins said. "Some of these decisions will be painful, and it's critical that everyone have a chance to give their input." The University is anticipating a 10 percent decrease in its state appropriation next fiscal year. The advisory committee will hold an open forum on the proposed reductions on April 16 and deliver its first draft to the public on May 1. It will then begin work on its final recommendations. Stakeholders will be able to submit comments to the committee from May 1 to May 21. On June 3 the committee will present its final report. Final decisions on the reductions, which will be included in the University's 2003-04 budget proposal, will be made by the Board of Control. The Board is tentatively scheduled to meet the week of June 23 to act on the 2003-04 budget. The timetable was developed with the state's legislative process in mind, Tompkins said. "We haven't been able to make many decisions because we really won't know for sure what our appropriation will be until around June 11," when the state house and senate are expected to reconcile the differences in their budget bills. The committee will be chaired by Provost Kent Wray. The membership will be similar to the Reconfiguration Committee, described in the University Senate's Proposals 15-02 and 16-02, Procedures for Dealing with a Financial Crisis and Procedures for Dealing with Financial Stress. "While these procedures haven't been invoked, this committee will provide the broad and balanced input and opinion needed to develop these budget reductions," Tompkins said. Other members include Dale Tahtinen, the vice president for governmental relations; Fred Hensley, the senior vice president for advancement and marketing; Dan Greenlee, chief financial officer; Vice President for Research David Reed; Pamela Eveland, the director of planning and budgeting; the officers of the University Senate, including senate president Robert Keen, senate vice president Becky Christianson and senate secretary Craig Waddell; and two members of the Senate Finance Committee designated by the senate. Also on the committee will be the deans of MTU's colleges and schools, including Dean of Engineering Robert Warrington, Dean of Sciences and Arts Max Seel, Dean of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Glenn Mroz and Dean of Technology Tim Collins, as well as Dean of the Graduate School Bruce Rafert. A representative from Human Resources will attend meetings but will not be able to vote. The membership also includes the president of Staff Council; Christianson is both Staff Council president and senate vice president. __________ WEB SITE TO TRACK BUDGET SITUATIONA new web site will track the University's budget situation, including formal communications (such as the letter sent from the president last week), communications about decisions and other relevant information. The site was created and will be maintained by the news/info office in university relations. You can visit the web site at http://www.mtu.edu/budget/ __________ FORMER VICE PRESIDENT WILLIAMS DIESEdwin T. Williams, 85, Michigan Tech's first vice president, died March 23 at his home. He came to Michigan Tech in 1960 to head the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and was named MTU's first vice president in 1962. He held the post five years, serving as a legislative liaison and undertaking long-range planning and development projects. In 1967, he resigned the position to return to teaching and research, first as a professor and then as assistant head to the department. Williams acted in many plays in high school and college, and was a member of the Little Theater group at Michigan Tech. He appeared as Sir Thomas Moore in "A Man for All Seasons" and as Norman Thayer in "On Golden Pond." He was born March 18, 1918, in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Philadelphia. He earned his BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree from the University of Toronto. After serving in the Chemical Warfare Service during World War II, he taught at Carnegie Tech and Penn State, where he received his PhD in 1952. Among his many honors and accomplishments, he coauthored the textbook "Stoichiometry for Chemical Engineers," was inducted into the Chemical Engineering Hall of Fame and was an inaugural member of MTU's Academy of Chemical Engineering. Also, according to his obituary in the March 26 Daily Mining Gazette, "He was made a charter member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1967, which mystified his colleagues who could never figure out why." Williams is survived by his wife, Julia; their children, Timothy and Cameron (Kathleen) Williams, both of Houghton; a daughter, Frances (Mark) Niemiec of Pointe Vedra Beach, Fla.; three granddaughters, Jennifer Niemiec Kerr and her husband, Brian, of Philadelphia, Julia Niemiec of San Francisco and Mallory of Houghton; one grandson, Cameron of Houghton; and one brother, Howard (Betty) Williams of Long Meadow, Mass. A memorial service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Houghton. The Rev. Ted Durst will officiate; spring burial will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Eagle Harbor. Memorial donations may be made to the Omega House at 920 W. Water St., Hancock, MI 49930; or to the Michigan Tech Fund, 1400 Townsend Dr., Houghton, MI 49931-1295, to a memorial fund in Williams' name. The Plowe Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. __________ INTERNATIONAL SKI EVENT AT TECH THIS WEEKENDby Dean Woodbeck Judging from your back yard, you may think the snow has just about departed. The Tech cross-country ski trail, though, still has more than a foot of snow in many places. And it is a good thing. Marquette and Ironwood were slated to host the 2003 International Spring Series, an international cross-country ski competition. But race officials have watched conditions deteriorate and decided they could not put together a quality race course. This past Monday, organizers made a call to Gary Nichols, coach of Michigan Tech's Nordic ski team. Could Tech host the event? Nichols said, "sure," and called Mike Abbott, director of quality services recreation at the SDC and ski trail guru. Abbott, in turn, began mobilizing an army of volunteers. Among those who will ski this weekend are seven members of the U.S. national ski team, seven members of the Canadian national ski team, and two members of the Norwegian national team. Members from the Michigan Tech University and Northern Michigan University ski teams will also compete. NMU boasts three All-Americans between their men's and women's teams. Events this weekend include a freestyle race on Saturday and a classic-style race on Sunday. Both races start at 9 a.m. and are 10-kilometers for men and 5-km for women. The stadium area of the Michigan Tech ski trails provides excellent spectator sightlines for both the start and finish of the races. Sunday at 2 p.m., the competitors will participate in a recreational ski with youth skiers from the area. Any youth cross-country skier is welcome to join in the event at the Tech trails. The event will continue next week, with sprint qualifying races on Wednesday, April 2, a longer freestyle race on Thursday, April 3, and the International Sprint Relays on Saturday, April 5. All of the events begin at 9 a.m. The International Spring Series is sponsored by Marquette General Health System and hosted by the Superiorland Cross-Country Ski Club of Marquette. __________ IDAHO THE VICTOR IN CLEAN SNOWMOBILE CHALLENGEMICHIGAN TECH, KETTERING TAKE SILVER AND BRONZEThe University of Idaho swept the 2003 SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge this weekend, taking first place overall and five other awards in the process. Placing second was Michigan Tech, which bounded up in the standings from a 10th place finish in 2002. MTU also received the Best Design Award. Taking the bronze was the only other Michigan team in the competition, Kettering University, which tied for first in last year's Challenge and was second in 2001. Kettering also received the Most Practical Solution Award. This is Michigan Tech's first year hosting the Challenge, the Society of Automotive Engineers' newest collegiate design competition. A dozen teams of student engineers and their snow machines from across the U.S. and Canada converged on MTU March 19-22 with the goal of reducing emissions and noise while maintaining or improving snowmobile performance. The competitors braved temperatures in the 30s and heavy rain at the primary test site, MTU's Keweenaw Research Center. However, the snow and the team members held up under the spring-like weather, and all of the events in the Challenge were completed. On its way to a first-place finish, the University of Idaho also won awards for best fuel economy, quietest snowmobile, best performance, lowest emissions and best value. The team also placed first in 2002. Idaho's faculty advisor, Karen Den Braven, said her championship team has never stopped trying. "They're hardworking, dedicated, and they're really learning how to do engineering," she said. "After each competition, they ask what needs to be improved, and they work on it." Their sled was equipped with a BMW K75RT four-stroke motorcycle engine, the same engine that has spelled success for Idaho for the last two years. Bernhard Bettig, Michigan Tech's faculty advisor, called his team's second-place finish "Excellent! This is the best we've ever done. "I'm very happy with their performance, and hopefully we'll do even better next year, since only four members of the team are graduating." Other CSC award recipients were University of Wisconsin at Madison for Most Sportsmanlike Conduct, the University of Minnesota at Mankato for Best Braking, The University of Wisconsin at Platteville for Best Acceleration and the University of Wyoming for Best Handling. Teams participating in the Clean Snowmobile Challenge include Clarkson University in New York, Colorado State University, Idaho State University, Kettering University in Flint, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State University-Mankato, State University of New York at Buffalo, the University of Idaho, the University of Waterloo in Ontario, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and the University of Wyoming. __________ ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE: GOING GREEN MEANS SAVING GREENsubmitted by Environmental Sustainability Committee The Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC), appointed by President Curt Tompkins in May 2001, is composed of students, staff, faculty and several members of campus operations interested in furthering sustainable practices at Michigan Tech. The ESC was established after Students Against Violating the Environment (SAVE) and the Society for Conservation Biology presented a petition and a proposal based on their research into reestablishing a recycling program on campus. However, the idea behind the formation of the ESC was not only to encourage on-campus recycling, but also to find ways to integrate an environmental ethic into how things are done at Michigan Tech and within the local community. After launching a mixed paper recycling program on campus last year, the ESC turned its attention to drafting a document referred to as "the greenprint." The Greenprint for Campus Environmental Sustainability will be a written resource to further sustainable practices on campus. The greenprint contains chapters on energy efficiency, green building design, transportation alternatives, recycling and green purchasing, low-impact landscaping, campus and community education, cost-benefit analysis of proposed activities and funding of environmental initiatives. In addition, the greenprint will recommend sustainable practices to promote economic, environmental, and health benefits. The recommendations will be based on the ESC's review of benchmark universities, including the University of Michigan and Michigan State, as well as other sources. The ESC will present the greenprint to President Tompkins and Provost Wray for review by May, before the end of the academic year. To further the goals of sustainability, in conjunction with the upcoming Earth Week 2003 events (April 20-26), the ESC will publish its website and a series of four more articles to allow Tech Topics readers to learn how sustainability efforts will benefit Michigan Tech. Look for the second article next week on energy and water efficiency. Want to know more? Does environmental sustainability catch your attention? Are you interested in learning more about the greenprint? Here's what you can do: *Come to an ESC meeting, Fridays at 9 a.m. in the Administration Building Conference Room, 5th floor. All students, staff, faculty and community members are welcome to attend. *Subscribe to mtugreen-l@mtu.edu, an e-mail listserv to exchange ideas, ask questions and learn more about campus sustainability at MTU and other institutions. *Contact Shalini Suryanarayana, ESC chair, at shalini@mtu.edu __________ 2003 DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCEDEach year, Michigan Tech recognizes two educators for their outstanding contribution to the instructional mission of the University. The first stage in this process involves the identification of 10 Distinguished Teaching Award finalists (five in the lecturer/assistant professor category and five in the associate professor/professor category). Nearly 45,000 MTU Student Rating of Instruction scores from the spring and fall 2002 semesters were used to determine the 10 finalists. The selection committee will solicit and review comments from students, staff, faculty and alumni of MTU in making its final decision. Comments on the nominees should be sent to nsseely@mtu.edu by April 18. In the lecturer/assistant professor category, the five finalists include: *Heidi Bostic (Humanities) *Paul Buda (Technology) *Will Cantrell (Physics) *Brian Davis (Electrical and Computer Engineering) *Joel Tuoriniemi (Business and Economics) In the associate professor/professor category, the five finalists include: *Mary Ann Beckwith (Fine Arts) *Gregg Bluth (Geological & Mining Engineering and Sciences) *Gordon Parker (MEEM) *John Sandell (Technology) *Douglas Swenson (Materials Science and Engineering) The process for determining the Distinguished Teaching Award recipients from this list of finalists involves the additional surveying of their classes by members of ODK. The Distinguished Teaching Award Committee makes the final determination of the award recipients. The recipients of the 2003 award will be formally announced during the fall 2003 convocation. __________ UAW LOCAL 5000 BEGINS PENNY PROGRAMOn April 1, UAW Local 5000 will begin a Penny Program called "¢ents-ability." This promotion will benefit the Omega House Capital Campaign. Jars will be popping up on campus to collect pennies and any other monetary donations people want to make. "We're hoping that people who find pennies a bother to carry will drop those coins into our jars," said Local 5000 President Sue Sergey. Omega House is going to be a six bedroom hospice home for compassionate end-of-life care in a home-like setting. People need hospice homes when they do not have family and friends to help care for them or when they cannot afford to hire in-home care. The site of the house is in Houghton behind Festival Foods and the Bluffs. So, every dollar collected will stay right here in the Copper Country. The Omega House Board is approximately half way to their goal of $1,085,000. A second promotion will begin in May. The UAW will be selling candy bars, also benefitting the Omega House. Both promotions are scheduled to wrap-up July 31. __________ SEND IN YOUR C2E2 PROPOSALSThe Century II Campaign Endowed Equipment (C2E2) Fund Committee is soliciting proposals for the fall semester. C2E2 guidelines are available on the web at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/rgs/research/c2e2/. Click on General Philosophy and Prerequisites for Submission for the PDF file. New this year is a C2E2 Cover Sheet that needs to be included with your proposal. Faculty wishing to submit a proposal for consideration this semester should do so by 4 p.m., April 24. Send the original and eight copies to the Vice President for Research office. If you have questions, please call 487-3043. __________ MICHIGAN TECH FUND MERIT AWARD NOMINEES SOUGHTIf you know an outstanding senior student at Michigan Tech, consider nominating them for a Michigan Tech Fund Merit Award. The awards are presented annually to a senior man and woman who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and service to the University. Recipients are given a personal memento and a cash gift. Nominees must be full-time seniors in good standing with a minimum 2.5 GPA. President Curt Tompkins will present the awards Friday, May 2. The deadline for submitting nominations is Wednesday, April 9. Nomination forms are available at the Wadsworth Hall manager's office, the J. R. Van Pelt Library circulation desk, the Campus Store and the Meese Center. You can also call Dorthey at 487-3324 to have a form sent to you. __________ LOOKING FOR ROOMS OVER GRADUATION WEEKEND?If you, your friends or family are coming to Spring Commencement, on May 10, and are looking for a place to stay, try the Ford Forestry Center on US-41 just south of L'Anse. The cost is $20 per night per person and includes a continental breakfast each morning. For information and reservations, call 524-6181. __________ TEACHING AT TECH: PRODUCT OR PROCESS?by William Kennedy, Director Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development Many college instructors might agree that their primary function as educators is to deliver educational content in an engaging and effective manner to the endless succession of students arrayed before them. In this view, the teacher's responsibility is to introduce larger and larger groups of students to a carefully considered subset of ideas within an academic discipline and then to provide them with a few opportunities to demonstrate their degree of mastery of these ideas in the form of assignments or tests of various types. The students' capacity to recall and apply the problem solving routines they have heard about in the lecture or seen worked out on the board then determines their course grade. A compiled record of these course grades becomes the most concrete evidence of a student's capacity to pursue graduate study or to compete for desirable and rewarding career opportunities. Periodically, the faculty of a given institution come together to discuss what mixture of courses should rightfully constitute a degree program. College degree programs are typically divided into discrete groups including preparatory courses, broadening courses and disciplinary courses. I suspect that many instructors who do the bulk of their teaching in any one of these groupings come to secretly believe that it is their area or the curriculum which is really the most valuable and lasting component of undergraduate education. Students, as well, develop similarly parochial assessments of the comparative value of this type course over that type course and these judgments affect their diligence and performance in their course work. Educational revolutionary and social philosopher Paolo Friere likened this traditional teacher-centered education model to a sort of banking system. "The teacher talks about reality as if it were motionless, static, compartmentalized and predictable. Or else he expounds on a topic completely alien to the existential experience of the students. His task is to 'fill' the students with the contents of his narration," he wrote.* This banking model of education leads to a number of undesirable consequences for students, according to Friere. He notes, 1) the teacher teaches and the students are taught, 2) the teacher knows and the students know nothing, 3) the teacher talks and the students meekly and passively listen, 4) the teacher chooses and the students comply, 5) the teacher is the subject and the actor in the educational process and the students are the objects acted upon. Others have deemed the practice "education by inoculation." The idea is that we stuff students full of enough data and protocols to last them through their working lives. Reformers from many areas in the academy are calling for a shift from "just because" or "just-in-case" education to "just-in-time" education which equips students to continually seek out knowledge and develop the confidence and the skills to adapt to a rapidly changing world. Getting from here to there is very difficult. Faculty members who see education as the transfer of a body of knowledge can't bring themselves to sacrifice precious lecture time to any other purpose. Not to mention the fact that they have absolutely no idea how to go about creating learning experiences that not only lead to knowledge acquisition but also develop students' propensities to seek knowledge on their own and honestly and accurately assess their progress in these endeavors. Pioneers are employing learning groups, problem-based learning, learning cells, peer instruction and a host of other techniques to create students who are no longer afraid, and may even learn to prefer to embark on the lifelong pursuit of knowledge relying on their own curiosity, confidence and honest self-appraisal. * Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 30th Anniversary Edition, Continuum, New York. BASSIST OFFERS MASTER CLASS TO THE PUBLICPlaying a double bass is hard work. Its sheer size and weight demand a musician with enough strength and stamina to cope physically with this bear of an instrument. Christian McBride, acknowledged to be one of the very best acoustic and electronic bassists in the world of jazz, says the instrument is the "heart and soul" of any group. And although the bass presents special challenges, the rewards are great. McBride, who will be performing with his band at the Rozsa Center at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 28, will present a master class for acoustic and electric bass players at 3 p.m. that same day in the McArdle Theatre. This event is free and open to the public and will be of interest to all who enjoy watching and listening to musicians develop their talents with the guidance of a master of the instrument. Anyone interested in performing at the class and working with McBride, who will offer helpful suggestions as to how to improve technique, interpretation and other skills, should call 487-2844 to register. The number of musicians is limited, and registrations will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis. McBride is well known among jazz educators, not only for his outstanding skills as a musician, but for his passionate commitment to teaching young players. He offers numerous workshops and clinics at universities all over the country. In 2000 he was named artistic director of the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Summer Program, and in 2001 he was named artistic director of the University of Richmond's summer jazz program, as well as the Dave Brubeck Institute at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. The McBride residency is made possible by funding from the James and Margaret Black Endowment and is coordinated by the MTU Great Events Series Office (487-2844). __________ DYNAMIC AFRICAN BAND AT THE ROZSAsubmitted by University Cultural Enrichment Afro-beat comes to the Rozsa at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 4 with Lágbájá, one of Nigeria's leading contemporary bands. In 2001 the band was given Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Afrobeat Recording of the Year awards in Nigeria. This is an exciting group with a terrific sound and a dynamic stage show, featuring singing, dancing and chanting, along with energetic instrumentals and African percussion. Familiar western instruments such as horns, guitars and keyboards combine with the most traditional of Nigerian instruments, such as the bata and the Yoruba talking drums, to create complex harmonies, haunting vocals, original melody lines and intricate rhythms. Lágbájá draws from a range of influences--highlife (urban) and juju (tribal) to pop, funk, hip-hop, and western jazz. 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. The Yoruba word Lágbájá translates in different ways as somebody or anybody or nobody or everybody. One musician of the 11-member band wears a dramatic costume that masks every part of his body except his eyes. The masked character stands as a symbol for the common man and the voice of the faceless masses in Africa, and the question is often asked as to whether this voice will ever be heard. The costume can be traced back to the ancient traditions of Egungun and Africa's ancestral masked spirits, who emerge in times of crises to guide the people towards truth and resolution. The words of the songs are in three different languages--Yoruba, English and Pidgin English. All three can often be heard in the same song. Pidgin English is a mix of English words and words from various African languages. The rules of tense, gender and pronunciation normally applied to language are "bent" in Pidgin, making it a very creative mode of expression. The words have many levels of depth. On the surface there are catchy refrains and clever arrangements, which are tuneful and appealing. A wide range of traditional cultural caricatures is featured in the songs--the habitual liar, the gossip and the sugar daddy. They provide an opportunity to convey messages about the wrongs of society, and try to offer answers to the myriad problems facing Nigeria today. "Our music serves many functions," the musicians say, and assure us that they do not dwell on serious issues. "We flow between seriousness and fun . . . life goes on. If it is music to your ears, we are content with that." The visit of Lágbájá is made possible by the James and Margaret Black Endowment with additional support from the Michigan Council for Art and Cultural Affairs and is coordinated through the MTU Great Events Series Office (487-2844). __________ MTU DANCE COMPANY TO PERFORM APRIL 6submitted by Fine Arts The Michigan Tech Dance Company will present its third annual spring show in the Rozsa Center on Sunday, April 6, at a new time--3 p.m. This is a change from the evening time listed in the Great Events Calendar. As always, the Dance Company will pull out all the stops, presenting an exhilarating show featuring many different styles of dance, directed and choreographed by Laura Aneshansel. The show also features costumes and lighting designs by Department of Fine Arts faculty and student designers. Audience members at the Dance Company's earlier shows were astonished at the versatility and the skill of Michigan Tech's student dancers, and particularly praised the creativity of the company. Many commented, "It was one of the most entertaining student performances I've seen." Tickets are available from Rozsa Center Ticketing Services, 487-3200, on the web at http://www.tickets.mtu.edu and at the door. More information about the Michigan Tech Dance Company is available from the Department of Fine Arts, 487-2067. __________ AUDITIONS FOR "RASHOMON" APRIL 7 AND 11The Department of Fine Arts will hold auditions for its fall theatre production on Monday, April 7, and Friday, April 11, at 7 p.m. in Walker 210. MTU students and community members are welcome to audition. The play is "Rashomon," by Fay Kanin and Michael Kanin, based on the famous Japanese story in which several witnesses to a crime re-enact their very different versions of what they saw. Sue Stephens (Fine Arts) will direct the play, which is scheduled to be performed in October. Scripts of the play are on 24-hour reserve in the Department of Fine Arts office, 209 Walker. More information about the auditions is available from fine arts, 487-2067.
MEEM GRADUATE SEMINAR THURSDAYEdward C. De Meter, professor of industrial and nuclear engineering at Pennsylvania State University, will present a seminar, "Light Activated Adhesive Gripper (LAAG) Workholding Technology," on Thursday, March 27, 3-4 p.m. in MEEM 112. __________ LAKE SUPERIOR FIELD COURSE PRESENTATIONS APRIL 2The School of Forest Resources and Science and the Isle Royale Institute will offer a six-credit, month long field course, "Lake Superior Studies: Policy, History and Literature." The group will travel by van, camping and backpacking throughout the Lake Superior region. They will visit public lands that are managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Michigan DNR (state parks) and Canadian and Provincial Parks. Regional experts and land managers will meet with the group at each location. If you would like to learn more, two presentations are scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, at 4 and 7 p.m. in Room G002 of the U. J. Noblet Forestry Building. __________ APPLYING SCHOLARLY METHODS SEMINAR APRIL 10The Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development will present a faculty seminar, "Applying Scholarly Methods to Improve Student Learning in Higher Education," on Thursday, April 10, noon-1 p.m. Lunch will be provided for those who register by April 7. Associate Professor Sue Bagley (Biological Sciences) and Department Chair Brad Baltensperger (Department of Education) will demonstrate some of the inquiry-based teaching techniques they are using to improve student learning and engagement in their classes. To register, contact the Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development at 487-2046.
NEW STAFFRyan Adragna has joined the MEEM staff as a research engineer. He was previously employed at Navistar International as a project manager. Adragna has earned an MBA and a BASME, and is a master certified in Taguchi Methods. He lives in Houghton with his wife, Michele, and enjoys riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. __________ FACULTY AND STAFF RECEIVE FUNDINGAssistant Professor Chandrashekhar Joshi (SFRES) has been awarded a National Science Foundation Early Career award in the amount of $583,833 to pursue research in cellulose biosynthesis in trees. The award will support two undergraduate students, two PhD graduate students and a two-year postdoctoral associate during the next five years. Joshi and his students will study the expression patterns, regulation and functions of three cellulose synthase genes from aspen trees to better understand how they affect the quality of wood at a very basic level. Results of this work will lead to useful applications in regulating the quality of wood, a renewable material. An associated benefit of cellulose regulation is that the proportion of lignin in improved wood may be reduced thus reducing the chances of environmental pollution in the paper making process. Professor James Mihelcic (Civil and Environmental Engineering) has received $21,000 from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for his project, "Establishment of a Pollution Prevention Internship Program at Michigan Technological University." __________ ON THE ROADAssociate Professor Ulrich H. E. Hansmann (Physics) presented an invited talk, "Computer Simulations of Proteins," at the 2nd IMS Workshop on Protein Stability and Folding, March 14-17, in Kiso, Japan. Youth Program Coordinators John B. Lehman and Peter A. Larsen (Educational Opportunity) were invited to present "University, Corporate and Secondary Education Partnerships for Pre-College Students" at the Michigan Governor's Conference On Career Development, on Feb. 5, in Grand Rapids. Assistant Professor of Theater Mary Carol Friedrich (Fine Arts) presented a poster paper, "Using Color Science to Teach Theatre Design to Engineering and Science Students," at the United States Institute for Theatre Technology annual international conference in Minneapolis, March 19-22. Assistant Professor Christopher Plummer (Fine Arts) presented a poster paper, "Visualizing Sound: How to Represent Frequency, Amplitude and Time Manipulation of Audio to Students," at the United States Institute for Theatre Technology annual international conference in Minneapolis, March 19-22. __________ PROPOSALS IN PROGRESSResearchers, their proposals and their potential sponsors are *John Erickson, John Forsman (SFRES), "New Markets for Live and Dead Jack Pine to Reduce Fuel Loads," USDA, Forest Products Laboratory *R. Christopher Williams (Civil and Environmental Engineering), "Development and Implementation of Asphalt Binder Characterization and Hot Mix Asphalt Design Training and Certification Classes," MDOT *John S. Gierke (GMES), "Watershed Characterization and Hydrological Modeling for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community on the L'Anse Indian Reservation," Keweenaw Bay Indian Community *Ashok K. Goel (Electrical and Computer Engineering), "Bridging the Gaps Between Past, Present and Future in Microelectronics Education," NSF *Terry McNinch (Civil and Environmental Engineering), "RoadSoft 2003," MDOT-Planning Division *Chung-Jui Tsai, Scott A. Harding (SFRES), "Mechanism of Selective Substrate Binding Among 4-Coumarate: CoA Ligases," NSF *David F. Karnosky (SFRES), "Long-Term Ozone Exposure and Mechanisms of Emerging Melampsora Leaf Rust on Poplars: A Functional Genomics Approach," NSF *Phillip Merkey (Computer Science), "Technical Lead for Evaluation on the ESTO CT Project," NASA *Andrew Storer, David Flaspohler (SFRES), "Ecological Impacts of Exotic Forest Pest Complexes: Response of Vertebrate and Invertebrate Communities to an Incipient Beech Bark Disease Invasion," NSF *Tammy L. Haut Donahue (MEEM), Eric R. Blough (Biological Sciences), "Mechanical Loading Stimulates Production of Matrix Protein in Mensical Tissue," Arthritis National Res. Foundation *Joseph H. Holles (Chemical Engineering), "Synthesis of Nanostructured Catalysts with Pseudomorphic Bimetallic Overlayers," Oak Ridge Associated University *Shuanglin Zhang (Mathematical Sciences), "LD Mapping Using Haplotype Block: Methods and Applications," Loyola University *Craig Friedrich (MEEM), Paul Bergstrom, Ashok Goel (Electrical and Computer Engineering), Peter Moran, Steve Hackney, Howard Wang (Materials Science and Engineering), Miguel Levy (Physics), "Infrastructure Development Center for Nanomaterials Research," DOD/DARPA *Christopher Webster (SFRES), "Untangling Deer and Hemlock: Developing a Gap-Based Silvicultural System for Enhancing Winter-Cover in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan," Wildlife Division of MDNR *Yoke Khin Yap (Physics), "Nanotubes for Future Electronic Devices," ARO *Chuck Van Karsen (MEEM), "Multi-Semester Interwoven Project for Teaching Basic Core Stem Material Critical to Solving Dynamic Systems Problems," UMASS-Lowell *Raymond A. Shaw (Physics), "Collaborative Research: Development of a Phase Doppler Interferometer for Characterization of Particle-Turbulence Interactions in Clouds," NSF *John A. Vucetich, Rolf O. Peterson (SFRES), "Non-Intrusive Assessment of Genetic Deterioration in the Isolated Wolf Population in Isle Royale National Park," NPS *J. Y Hwang (GMES), "Development of a Multipurpose, Multifunction Microwave Autoclave for Advanced Materials Synthesis," NSF *Chandrashekhar P. Joshi, Scott A. Harding, Chung-Jui Tsai (SFRES), "ISGA: Molecular Genetic Dissection of Cellulose Biosynthesis in Aspen Trees," NSF *Seth W. Donahue (Biomedical Engineering), "Black Bear Bone Mechanics," National Institutes of Health *Matthew Watson, Jeremy Shannon (GMES), "Development of a Gas-Correlation Camera for Improving Ground-Based Monitoring of Volcanic SO2 Emissions," NSF *Shuanglin Zhang, Jianping Dong, Renfang Jiang, Huann-sheng Chen (Mathematical Sciences), "Statistical Methods for Mapping Complex Disease Genes," NIH *Rolf Peterson, John Vucetich (SFRES), Tom Drummer (Mathematical Sciences), "Gray Wolf Population Modeling and Estimation Techniques," Michigan DNR *Christopher R. Webster, Rolf O. Peterson, John A. Vucetich (SFRES), Thomas D. Drummer (Mathematical Sciences), "Wolves, Herbivory and Forest Health," Wildlife Division-Michigan DNR *S. K. Kawatra, T. C. Eisele (Chemical Engineering), "(TSEO3-C) Advanced Ironmaking to Reduce Environmental Impact," NSF *Andrew J. Burton, Kurt S. Pregitzer (SFRES), "Root and Microbial Regulation of Feedbacks Between Climate Warming, Soil CO2 Efflux and Ecosystem Productivity," NSF *John W. Sutherland (MEEM), "Dynamic Emergency Response Team Operational Relocation," University of Toledo *James S. Cross (Information Technology), "Making Minerals Matter: Enhancing MTU's Interpretive Collection of Minerals for K-12 Teachers," Institute of Museum and Library Services *Ibrahim Miskioglu, Burhanettin S. Altan (MEEM), "Nanocrystalline Metals and Alloys with Improved Wear Resistance, Damping and Strength Properties," U.S. CRDF *Debra D. Wright (Biomedical Engineering), "Novel Ceramic-Polymer Composites for Fracture Fixation," Whitaker Foundation *Ibrahim Miskioglu, Burhanettin S. Altan (MEEM), "Improving Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Ultrafine Grained Zn-Al Alloys Using Equal Channel Angular Pressing," NSF *Howard (Hao) Wang (Materials Science and Engineering), "Developing Metrologies and Fundamental Understandings for Processing Carbon-Nanotube/Polymer Composites," National Institute of Standards and Technology __________ CALENDAR: MARCH26--Thursday 3-4 p.m.--Seminar, "Light Activated Adhesive Gripper (LAAG) Workholding Technology--MEEM 112 28--Friday 3 p.m.--Christian McBride, Master Class for Bass Players--McArdle Theatre 8 p.m.--The Christian McBride Band--Rozsa Center 31--Monday 4 p.m.--Seminar, "New Insights into Snow-Photochemical Processes and Snow-Atmosphere Gas Exchange"--Dow 642 4-5 p.m.--Presentation, "How to Work Effectively with Communities . . ."--Memorial Union Red Metal Room 7:30-8:30 p.m.--Presentation, "Balancing Nature and Commerce in Gateway Communities"--Houghton High School auditorium APRIL 2--Wednesday 2 p.m.--Forest Education Workshops--U. J. Noblet Building G029 (Horner Hall) 4/7 p.m.--Presentation, "Lake Superior Studies: Policy History and Literature"--U. J. Noblet Building G002 __________ MICHIGAN TECH POSITION AVAILABLEJob descriptions will be available at 1 p.m. on Friday, or by e-mail at <JOBS@MTU.EDU>. The following positions will be posted Friday, March 28, 2003, at 1 p.m. through noon, Friday, April 4, 2003, in the Human Resources Office or at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings/ Head Hockey Coach--Athletic Department University employees are reminded to apply in writing prior to noon, Friday, April 4, 2003, 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. .News | Entertainment and Enrichment | Seminars and Workshops | Regular Features | Calendar | Top |
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