Megan Gilge, Tech Topics editorial assistant, 906-487-2343

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SALARY REDUCTIONS TAKE EFFECT

Michigan Tech employees will see smaller paychecks starting Jan. 23, due largely to another round of state cuts to public universities.

The administration expects to receive a 5 percent midyear reduction to the university's appropriation. The state has said that 2 percent will be returned to universities that don't raise spring semester tuition and limit next fall's increase to the rate of inflation. MTU has held the line on tuition this spring, but it's too early to speculate on tuition for 2004-05. In any event, that rebate is not guaranteed, and MTU officials are not counting on the revenue. "We need to plan for the worst and hope for the best," President Curt Tompkins said in a Dec. 19 memo.

Regular full-time, part-time, and fixed-term faculty and staff, including Tompkins and other university administrators, will have their salaries reduced by the equivalent of five days of pay. Employees supported by designated or expendable restricted funds won't be affected. Union employee wages are subject to negotiation.

The reduction in pay began on Jan. 4 and continues through June 19 (12 pay periods) or the end of the employee's current appointment period, whichever is sooner. Staff will receive five days of unpaid leave to be taken before June 19, when everyone's salary is scheduled to be restored.

"These cost reduction actions indeed disturb me," Tompkins said. "They were taken only after all options were carefully reviewed."

"At a time like this, it is important that we all support one another in the job that we do for Michigan Tech."

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BUDGET PLANNING COMMITTEES WANT YOUR IDEAS

Five committees are developing recommendations on the budget, should MTU's state appropriations be cut again this fiscal year or the next.

The budget reduction committees include the following: Vice Presidents, chaired by CFO Dan Greenlee; Deans, chaired by Keith Lantz (SBE); Staff, chaired by Brenda Helminen (IT); Faculty, chaired by Martha Sloan (Electrical and Computer Engineering); and Horizontal Reductions, chaired by Larry Davis (SBE).

All the committee members are listed at http://www.mtu.edu/budget

This page includes a link to a form that members of the Michigan Tech community can use to provide ideas for budget reduction. Responses will go to all of the members of all of the committees.

You can submit suggestions anonymously or provide your name and e-mail address. Giving your contact information allows the committee members to reach you for more information.

Faculty, staff and students are also welcome to contact a member of any of the committees directly.

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BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING RECEIVES WHITAKER GRANT

by Laura Walikainen, student writer

The Department of Biomedical Engineering hopes to expand the opportunities for its students through a recent grant from the Whitaker Foundation.

The three-year grant, valued at approximately $180,000, will help the department develop new industrial co-ops and internships for biomedical engineering majors on campus.

"This funding will be significant in the impact that it can have on our program," said Dave Nelson, professor of biomedical engineering.

So far, the Whitaker grant has enabled the department to hire Peter Cattelino to coordinate biomedical engineering internships. Cattelino is working on developing new industrial relationships for the department.

"We're anticipating that there will be some other good spin-offs from these relationships too," said Nelson. "This will hopefully lead to additional permanent placement opportunities for students upon graduation. And some of these same industrial partners may sponsor senior design projects, help to develop some of our facilities here or may help to improve the laboratory experience for our students."

The immediate goals of the department include establishing a stronger presence at the campus job fair in February and creating at least 15 new co-ops or internships during the first year of the grant.

"I think its no secret that one real important advantage to finding a job when you graduate is to have completed a co-op or internship," said Nelson. "Biomedical engineering may be a relatively small field, but it's growing rather quickly and, it's important for Michigan Tech to be on the forefront."

Michigan Tech's biomedical engineering program got its start in 1997, thanks to a $942,605 Special Opportunity grant awarded by The Whitaker Foundation.

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DON'T NEED YOUR PAPER TECH TOPICS? TELL US

Most MTU employees using computers now get Tech Topics by e-mail. Nevertheless, News and Information Services still sends out paper copies to most offices and departments on campus, just because we are nice and want to give you choices. Plus, some people don't have computers. And it's our job.

However, If you find yourself throwing out your paper Tech Topics unread, please let us know and we'll quit sending them to you. Jarrod Karrau and the Tech Express office have asked not to receive paper Tech Topics anymore, since they all subscribe via e-mail and would like to reduce paper waste.

If you want fewer paper Tech Topics newsletters or wish to cancel deliveries to your area all together, please let us know at ttopics at mtu.edu.

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UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN DRAWS TO A CLOSE

Michigan Tech's 2003-04 United Way Campaign is officially over. All departments have submitted their donations. Co-chair Nancy Seely says we are still a little behind last years total and still shy of our goal of $40,000.

"There is still time to donate," Seely said.

If you missed your department's campaign and still want to give, you can send your donation to either Seely or co-chair Ted Soldan anytime. It's not too late to take advantage of payroll deduction for 2004.

Seely and Soldan want to thank everyone who volunteered or donated in support of the many local organizations that make the Copper Country a great place to live and work.

TAKE PILATES, AQUABLAST AND MORE THROUGH COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Community Programs is offering two new fitness programs and bringing back an old favorite this spring. Pilates and Aquablast will be offered for the first time, and Gymnastics returns in January.

Pilates consists of exercises working the muscles in your abdominal, lower back and hip region to build strength and flexibility and to streamline your shape.

Aquablast uses water's natural resistance to get your heart rate up and condition your muscles. It's a great aerobic workout that is easy on the joints. No swimming skills are necessary for this class.

Gates Tennis Center will house Gymnastics in the spring. Tiny tots, beginner, intermediate and advanced classes will be offered. Class sizes will be limited, so register early.

Spring Community Programs begin January 15. Other programs offered are Tennis, Aikido, Aerobics, Learn to Skate, Swimming, Aquafit for seniors, Social Dance, Pistol Safety and Scuba.

For more information, call 487-2975.

CALENDAR: JANUARY

8--Thursday

  5:30 p.m.--Women's basketball, MTU v. Wayne State--SDC

  7:30 p.m.--Men's basketball, MTU v. Wayne State--SDC

10--Saturday

  5:30 p.m.--Women's basketball, MTU v. Hillsdale--SDC

  7:30 p.m.--Men's basketball, MTU v. Hillsdale--SDC

16--Friday

  7:05 p.m.--Hockey, MTU v. North Dakota--MacInnes Student Ice Arena

17--Saturday

  7:05 p.m.--Hockey, MTU v. North Dakota--MacInnes Student Ice Arena

19--Monday

  noon--Half-day recess for Martin Luther King Day begins

24--Saturday

  1 p.m.--Women's basketball, MTU v. Findlay--SDC

  3 p.m.--Men's basketball, MTU v. Findlay--SDC

30--Friday

  7:05 p.m.--Hockey, MTU v. Colorado College--MacInnes Student Ice Arena

31--Saturday

  7:05 p.m.--Hockey, MTU v. Colorado College--MacInnes Student Ice Arena

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NO NEW POSITIONS THIS WEEK

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 906-487-2280. More information regarding employment opportunities is available by calling the Job Line at 487-2895 or visiting http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings/ . Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer.

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