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

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SENATE APPROVES NEW GRAD PROGRAMS

The University Senate gave the go-ahead Feb. 11 to three new graduate degree programs.

Building on its MS in Industrial Archeology and History, the Department of Social Sciences is proposing a doctoral degree in industrial heritage and archeology. The department has received a number of inquiries from students interested in a PhD program, and nine MS students have entered doctoral programs at other universities, department chair Bruce Seely said. However, this would be the only PhD program of its kind in the nation.

He noted that, unlike most graduate programs in social sciences, a majority of the master’s students in the industrial archeology program are fully supported by outside funding, and nearly 80 percent receive some type of external support. Funding has come from research grants to investigate sites such as the West Point Foundry, in New York, and other industrial sites in Norway and Alaska.

To get off the ground the first year, the program would need about $40,000 to fund graduate teaching assistantships. The department is also searching for external dollars to complete $225,000 in renovations to the Academic Office Building and the adjacent Archaeology Annex. “We don’t have any available offices, period,” Seely noted.

As the program grows, it would require one additional faculty member to fill an existing line that is currently vacant. Senator Jim Pickens (SFRES) and Senator Bill Gregg (GMES), representing the senate’s finance and curricular policy committees, respectively, both praised the quality of the proposal.

Pickens expressed some concern that funding might not be available for the additional faculty position. Provost Kent Wray said that line could be filled in the third year, if it is justified by enrollment.

Dean of Sciences and Arts Max Seel described the social sciences faculty as a group “at the peak of their profession,” generating valuable research while carrying the heaviest undergraduate teaching load at the university. “I know these are difficult times to launch a PhD program, but we should give them the possibility,” he said. If it fails to generate sufficient enrollment, the program could be dissolved.

The proposal passed overwhelmingly on a voice vote.

If the program is adopted by the Board of Control and the State Board of Academic Officers, it could begin enrolling students this fall.

Two spinoffs of the Master of Engineering program, an ME in Civil Engineering and an ME in Environmental Engineering, also got the senate’s nod. The programs would give students advanced education in their fields without the research requirements usually involved in an MS degree. Neither program involves additional expenditures. Both Pickens and Gregg reported that their committees had fully supported both programs. The senate also approved a minor in polymer science and engineering, to be based in the chemical engineering department.

On a 21-6 vote, the senate adopted “A Senate Statement on the December 2003 Referendum,” which included a list of grievances against President Curt Tompkins. The first stated that “last spring’s surprise introduction of a proposed restructuring plan caused turmoil in the university community.” Wray responded that a number of academic units had supported the restructuring plan, and that any new proposal was bound be a surprise.

Gregg said that his department had been generally in favor of the reorganization, while Senator Don Beck (Physics) indicated that members of his department were unhappy with the proposal.

Secondly, the statement cited “last spring’s wavering on the football program.” Wray noted that Tompkins had withdrawn general fund support from the program and allowed it to be reestablished when football backers came forward with a proposal to underwrite it with external funds. The general fund support has not been reinstated.

Thirdly, the statement called Tompkins to task for a letter that went out to students over his signature that had been written by a Pennsylvania State University administrator. Wray noted that the university had permission to use the Penn State letter, and that the attribution was omitted erroneously when the letter was distributed. Tompkins did not intend to take credit for anyone else’s work, he said.

Fourth, the statement listed “confusion over the fate of the School of Technology, which at one time appeared to be disbanded but is now adding programs.”

Senator Ron Roblee (Technology) took issue with the statement that the administration was responsible for confusion on the fate of the School of Technology. Proposals to eliminate the School or merge it with another unit have always come from the College of Engineering, he said, and the School was never disbanded. The administration decided to support the School based on the recommendation of an ad hoc committee.

Fifth, Tompkins was criticized for his statement at convocation that the university was emerging from its budget problems, which was reversed a month later following revelations that tuition revenue had been seriously miscalculated. And lastly, the statement cited “his incorrect statement that MIT was reducing pay for 11 days . . . to justify MTU’s 5-day furlough.”

Tompkins’ statements on Michigan Tech’s financial situation were based solely on the best numbers available at the time, Wray said. “I think we’ve all made decisions based on information that later turned out not to be true,” he added. And regarding the MIT issue, Tompkins admitted his error and did his best to correct it as quickly as possible.

Senator Marilyn Cooper (Humanities) said the grievances were “observations, not facts” and reflected the feelings of her constituents.

Before approving the statement, the senate deleted the clause relating to the School of Technology.

In other business, the senate adopted a resolution asking that the administration and the Board of Control ask Governor Jennifer Granholm “to choose an appointee with financial expertise when filling the current vacant Board of Control position.” Wray said the administration had suggested several candidates and that some of them had such expertise.

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2. FIRM TO LOOK AT MICHIGAN TECH BUDGET

Michigan Tech has retained Dickmeyer Consulting, of Upper Grandview, N.Y., to examine the university's budgeting process, CFO Dan Greenlee has announced.

Nathan Dickmeyer has already conducted phone interviews with a number of MTU staff and is visiting campus Wednesday-Friday, Feb. 11-13. He will review the university's budgeting software and processes and Internal Audit's report on the tuition revenue shortfall; evaluate the budget area's staffing; and make recommendations on a budgeting format. He is also expected to develop a timetable for implementing suggested changes.

The project is scheduled to be completed by the next Board of Control meeting, on March 5.

Dickmeyer Consulting is one of two firms specializing in higher education systems and finance that were recommended to the university by the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

Dickmeyer was selected with the input of the Board of Control Finance Committee following a University Senate request that an outside firm be retained to look into MTU's budget process. Cost of the review will be approximately $11,000, about $9,000 less than the other proposal submitted.

Dickmeyer has 30 years' experience working and consulting for more than 200 colleges and universities. As a CFO, Dickmeyer designed budgeting systems for Johnson State College, the Monterey Institute of International Studies, Teachers College of Columbia University, City College of the City University of New York and Mercy College. He authored the chapter on budgeting in the fifth edition of NACUBO's "College and University Business Administration."

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3. ORIENTATION 2003 RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD

by Jana Jones, student writer

The Michigan Tech Orientation 2003 theme, "Your Journey Starts Here," continued the journey of excellence for which the MTU Orientation program is becoming known. The program won the award for outstanding use of theme at the National Orientation Directors Association conference, held in Seattle this fall.

Signs of journeys and travels were included throughout orientation, in the postcards and publications that were sent to first-year students, the orientation event names, such as team meetings being called trip talks, and orientation team leaders being referred to as tech guides.

"Use of theme provides a way to make everyone feel included across the campus community," said Beth Wagner, assistant dean of first-year programs. "The theme provides an opportunity to be creative and helps us reach our orientation goals."

This is not the first time that Michigan Tech has been recognized at the NODA conference. In 2002, Michigan Tech received awards for an outstanding orientation Web site and outstanding orientation booklet, and in 2001, received recognition for outstanding use of theme.

"We do have a history of award-winning orientation at Michigan Tech," Wagner said.

They have already started planning for Orientation 2004. This year, the student staff includes Jen Bzura, Nicole Carlson, Doug Johnson and Danielle Jones. Jones will also be filling the orientation internship position this summer. She has been on the executive staff for the past two years and plans to pursue a graduate degree in student affairs.

"My work with Student Affairs and First-Year Programs has inspired me to continue my studies in higher education administration," Jones said. "The effort and accomplishments I have seen in this office are motivating."

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4. BLUTH RECEIVES ENHANCED FACULTY RESEARCH MENTORING AWARD

Associate Professor Gregg Bluth (GMES) recently returned from his volcanology research in Guatemala to learn that he is the fifth recipient of the Graduate School's Enhanced Faculty Research Mentoring Award. Bluth will use his $1,000 award to support graduate student research on volcanic activity in Guatemala. This research gives students experience in various types of geophysical methods used in ongoing investigations, and it helps them develop their own research ideas and directions.

According to Bruce Rafert, dean of the Graduate School, all the recipients of this award have distinguished themselves with exemplary performance in support of MTU's graduate programs. Bluth wants his students to have opportunities to travel, develop colleagues and participate in the different types of research and needs for scientific studies. "If I can help students take advantage of opportunities and sometimes give a little advice, they can develop their research and see what areas of geosciences they might pursue."

The Enhanced Research Mentoring Award is made each term. Department chairs are encouraged to submit faculty nominations.

The other four recipients, Research Assistant Professor Matt Watson (GMES), Assistant Professor Seth Donahue (Biomedical Engineering), Professor Patrick Martin (Social Sciences) and Associate Professor Miguel Levy (Physics), were announced last fall.

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5. TECH AND WHIRLPOOL HOST HIGH SCHOOLERS

Michigan Tech and Whirlpool Corporation will host 100 high school students and their parents in a program to investigate careers in math, science, engineering and technology.

The event will take place March 6 at the Whirlpool headquarters in Benton Harbor. Representatives from Admissions, Financial Aid and Educational Opportunity will answer students' and parents' questions.

Whirlpool engineers and staff, including a number of Michigan Tech alumni, will provide hands-on demonstrations for those attending.

Funding comes as part of a $42,950 Whirlpool Foundation grant that has also paid for 40 Benton Harbor-area students to attend the 2003 Explorations in Engineering workshop at Tech.

The Whirlpool/Michigan Tech collaboration recruits underrepresented students into science, technology, engineering and mathematics degree programs.

For more information about the partnership, contact Chris Anderson, executive director of educational opportunity, at 487-3539.

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6. UAW LOCAL 5000 UNDERTAKES SECOND PENNY PROGRAM

UAW Local 5000 kicks off its second Penny Program, called "cents-ability," on Feb. 16.

This promotion will benefit the Copper Country Humane Society in support of their building fund. Jars will be available across campus until June 1.

The Humane Society is planning to begin site preparation in May near the current facility on U.S. 41. They are now more than halfway to their building fund goal of $400,000. "With your pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters, we can help make this animal shelter a reality for our community," organizers said.

"So, reach into your pocket for that change you've been jingling and drop it into one of the jars you'll see in department offices."

The UAW hopes this fundraiser will be even more successful than last summer's, which benefited Omega House.

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7. YOU'RE NOT SENDING VIRUSES

Many people have been getting e-mail messages saying that they have sent a virus to some unfortunate person.

Don't worry. Chances are you haven't. Just delete these messages.

A typical example follows:

  ScanMail for Microsoft Exchange has detected virus-infected attachment(s).

  Sender = joesmith@mtu.edu

  Recipient(s) = WebMail

  Subject = <no subject>

  Scanning time = 02/04/2004 10:31:39

  Engine/Pattern = 6.810-1005/753

  Action on virus found:

  The attachment file.zip contains WORM_MYDOOM.A virus. ScanMail has

  Deleted it.

  Warning to sender. ScanMail has detected a virus in an email you sent.

Here's what's happening. Many non-MTU machines are infected with a virus that fakes who it sends mail as. So, it's possible for an infected machine to send mail out as an @mtu.edu e-mail address.

The virus itself isn't in our machines. IT has blocked over 250,000 incoming e-mails containing the virus.

This is a two- or three-fold increase in the number of e-mails we've seen containing any other virus. Because this virus is so widespread and the amount of mail it sends is larger then any other virus, the number of bounced messages we receive and the length of time we receive them for will be a lot longer then usual.

The reason this happens is that some companies/schools, when detecting a virus, e-mail the person that "sent" the virus. MTU's virus filter is configured not to send that message.

For more information feel free to contact your system administrator

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8. TEACHING AT TECH: APPLYING THE FINDINGS OF THE SCIENCE OF LEARNING

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

Professors Diane Halpern and Milton Hakel suggest that most academics would openly scoff at someone who claimed to be a biologist or an engineer without acquiring the appropriate educational preparation but that many academics think nothing of passing themselves off as highly skilled teachers though most have little formal training in teaching.* Take heart! The authors also found very little evidence that the content experts in the learning sciences themselves actually apply the learning principles they have identified when they enter their classrooms.

Halpern and Hakel report on a 2003 gathering of 30 experts from various areas in the learning sciences who met to identify empirically validated principles that teachers might employ to encourage long-term retention and extended utility. They deduced the following principles:

* The most important instructional variable is providing students with multiple and varied retrieval opportunities. In English, this means designing courses so that students must repeatedly dredge up and use what they are learning in a variety of contexts. Each retrieval strengthens the memory trace. Altering contexts improves utility.

* Varying learning conditions requires more effort but results in more durable learning. Mixed problem sets are better than stringing together iterations of the same protocol. Halpern and Hakel suggest students tend to resent courses which circle back and elicit mixed skills and information sets, but that the resulting learning is more durable and applicable.

* Presenting information in multiple formats is better than repeating it in one. Designing assignments that require visuospatial processing along with others that emphasize auditory-verbal processing ultimately improves learning.

* The prior knowledge and previous misconceptions students bring into a class session largely predetermine student learning. Teachers need to repeatedly assess what students believe and know before the class begins and then periodically recheck for conceptual attenuation.

* Varying conceptions about learning affect the performance of teachers and students. If you see learning as memorizing facts, it will affect the way you teach and your students learn. If a student believes she just can't do math, she probably won't be able to.

* Experience alone is not a good teacher. Performance without reflection and feedback often leads to misconceptions.

* Lectures seem to work well because we tend to evaluate them by testing for short-term recall. However, being able to pick out the right multiple guess item is not nearly the same as being able to frame an ambiguous problem, conceive a solution and understand the process involved.

* Students tend to remember the concepts associated with items that appeared on the test and to forget those that were omitted.

* An in-depth understanding of basic principles is preferable to a superficial recall of a wider range of information.

What you do in class matters much less than what you ask your students to do. Learner-centered instruction begins with the notion that we will do whatever it takes to engage and encourage our students to learn deeply and to retain and be able to apply what they learn wherever they find themselves.

*Applying the Science of Learning to the University and Beyond, Change, July/August 2003, pp. 36-41.

9. STRIKE UP THE BAND! MUSIC MAN COMES TO TOWN!

submitted by University Cultural Enrichment

Strike up the band! River City, Iowa, is coming to the Rozsa Center. The Broadway musical "The Music Man" arrives in town for three performances on Friday, Feb. 13 (7:30 p.m.), and Saturday, Feb. 14 (3 p.m. matinee and 7:30 p.m.). This show combines all the ingredients of the great classical Broadway family musical--a liberal dose of Americana, unabashed nostalgia, memorable tunes and a picture book set and costumes from the Broadway revival. Five-time Tony-award-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman, who also staged "The Producers," brought new sparkling life to the Broadway revival in 2000, and it shines brightly in this critically acclaimed touring production. 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 plot revolves around the charming, fast-talking con man Harold Hill as he expertly tricks the townsfolk of River City with his dreams of a marching band that will make the town proud. He convinces them that he can teach their children to play when, in fact, he doesn't have a clue about music himself. Harold is in the business of selling dreams, but never sticks around to see them come true. He takes the money for band uniforms and instruments and usually runs, but not this time! He falls in love with Marian, the town's straight-laced librarian. When she first discovers his deception, she's determined to expose him. Instead, very reluctantly, she falls in love with him as she comes to realize that he's a man who is larger than his faults. She sees the way he has managed to bring the town together, to instill pride into this previously small-minded community whose people have become excited about the music and share a dream. They rediscover the joy of life and the joy of caring for one another. It's a splendid celebration and a gentle, humorous satire of small town values in the early 1900s.

"The Music Man" is one of the shows that defined the Golden Age of Broadway in the '40s and '50s, but there's a timelessness in this show in the clever lyrics and tunes and the wonderfully lively choreography. The gorgeous barbershop harmonizing in "Goodnight Ladies," the contagious "Seventy-Six Trombones" and the highly-spirited story line are as entertaining today as they were 47 years ago when the show first opened on Broadway, winning more Tonys than "West Side Story."

New York City-based Big League Theatricals brings this production to the Rozsa. This is a company that produces many attractions that appear on Broadway and then puts them on the road to tour nationally and internationally. Over the years the Great Events Series has included many Big League attractions, including "Titanic, the Musical," "A Christmas Carol," and "Blast II, Shockwave." "The Music Man" is on tour with three huge trailers, a record for the Rozsa.

This event is made possible by funding from the James and Margaret Black Endowment. For more information contact the MTU Great Events Series Office (487-2844).

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10. JAZZ PROGRAM SPONSORS "BEACH PARTY" THIS WEEKEND

The Department of Fine Arts says "Come to the Beach Party!" this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13 and 14, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. in McArdle Theatre. The informal event features dancing to live jazz combos, contests, prizes (including a door prize drawing) and Caribbean-themed fun, including limbo.

Jazz studies director Mike Irish says the decor, contests and prizes featured at this year's "Beach Party" are being organized by enthusiastic members of the Jazz Lab Band. Beach Party is an annual February event featuring small-group jazz. Proceeds from the $4 tickets support the jazz studies program.

"Come as you are, or if you like, get into the mood with beachwear or your favorite Hawaiian shirt," Irish says. "Pirates of the Keweenaw" costumes are also encouraged. "You'll enjoy great jazz from bands such as Blues Breakers and Tuff Stuff, plus a dance mix. You can dance and limbo, or just sit back and enjoy the scene."

Soft drinks and snacks will be available. Seating will be informal, with tables ringing the dance floor, and beach towels and blankets under the palm trees.

Tickets for the "Beach Party" are available at the door only. For more information, contact Fine Arts, 487-2067.

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11. CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT FEB. 15

The Department of Fine Arts will present an all-Beethoven chamber music concert, featuring Cori Somers, violin, Jeremy Brown, viola, Margaret Twining and Patrick Quimby, cello, and Neil Paynter, piano, on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in McArdle Theatre. The program includes Beethoven's Sonata in G Major (Opus 96) for violin, the Trio in C Minor (Opus 1, No. 3), and the Quartet in E-flat Major (Opus 16).

Cori Somers is concertmaster of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra and artistic director of the Copper Country Suzuki Association. Margaret Twining teaches cello for the Copper Country Suzuki Association and has performed with the KSO and numerous other orchestras and ensembles. Neil Paynter accompanies the Michigan Tech Concert Choir and Copper Country Chorale in addition to performing with chamber groups and the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra.

Two of the musicians are Michigan Tech students and members of the KSO. Jeremy Brown, a computer science major from Lansing, has been principal viola in the Lansing Junior Symphony Orchestra, Central Michigan University Honors H.S. Orchestra, and the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp's premier orchestra, a member of the Pine Mountain Music Festival's orchestra, and student conductor of the Lansing Everett High School Orchestra. Patrick Quimby, a materials science and engineering major from Olympia, Wash., has played in numerous chamber groups and concerts, including a previous concert in this fine arts chamber series.

This is the third concert in this year's Chamber Music Series in McArdle Theatre. Tickets are available from the Rozsa Center Box Office (487-3200), http://www.tickets.mtu.edu , and at the door for $6 general, $3 students.

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12. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR MALAYSIAN NITE

"Salam sejahtera!" or peaceful greetings, says the Malaysian Student Association.

You are invited to Malaysian Nite 2004, held at Ameurasia Saturday, March 13, from 5:30 to 10 p.m.

The theme for this year is "Sehati Sejiwa," which means "One heart, One soul." This theme celebrates Malaysian cultural diversity and unity. A wide variety of delicious Malaysian food will be prepared by Malaysian students. The entertainment will include cultural and contemporary performances as well as a short sketch entitled "A Boy in Houghton."

A total of 220 free tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The tickets can be picked up at the MUB Commons Feb. 9-13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. A $10 refundable deposit is required and will be returned at the entrance during the day of the event. This event is made possible by funding from the USG and local sponsors.

13. FREE VIDEOCONFERENCE FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO START A BUSINESS

submitted by Paul Nelson

A two-hour videoconference, "Structuring Your Company," for faculty, staff, students and people from the community interested in starting a business will be held Wednesday, Feb. 11, 6-8 p.m. in EERC B11.

The videoconference will cover the different ways in which a new business might be structured, the impact of the choice of structure on investors, stock options and other equity interests, intellectual property basics, and why and how to select an attorney.

This is the second in a series of five videoconference training sessions offered during spring semester for the Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest. These sessions are sponsored by the Office of Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization, CenTILE, and the School of Business and Economics, along with the Michigan Tech Enterprise SmartZone and the Keweenaw Industrial Council. For further information, contact Paul A. Nelson at 487-2809.

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14. MEEM GRADUATE SEMINAR THURSDAY

J. Michael Fife, leader, Electric Propulsion Group, U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, will present a MEEM graduate seminar, "Electric Space Propulsion Development at the Air Force Research Laboratory," Thursday, Feb. 12, 3-4 p.m. in MEEM 112.

IN THE NEWS

International Collegiate Programming contest team members Joe Nievelt, Kyle Rokos and Patrick Williams are featured in a Feb. 1 Detroit News/Free Press story. This is the first time a Michigan Tech team has qualified for the competition since the 1980s, and it's been five years since an American team has won. During the competition, teams try to solve eight or more problems in five hours. They will compete against 71 other teams in Prague March 28-April 1. You can read the story online at http://www.detnews.com/2004/technology/0402/01/b07-51479.htm

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IN PRINT

Assistant Professor Dana Johnson (SBE) published an article, "An Empirical Study of QS-9000 Using Principal Components Analysis and Robust Regression," in Quality Management Journal, Vol. 11, No. 1.

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BULLETIN BOARD

Assistant professor seeking like-minded faculty and staff for for fun and exercise. Interests include intramural men's volleyball or tennis doubles. Enjoys sports, but not terribly competitive. Beer after matches a plus. Contact Tim at 487-2359 or scarlett@mtu.edu.

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CALENDAR: February

12--Thursday

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

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

13--Friday

  7:30 p.m.--"The Music Man"--Rozsa Center

  8 p.m.--"The Vagina Monologues"--M&M U115

  10 p.m.-1 a.m.--"Beach Party"--McArdle Theatre

14--Saturday

  3 p.m.--"The Music Man"--Rozsa Center

  7:30 p.m.--"The Music Man"--Rozsa Center

  8 p.m.--"The Vagina Monologues"--M&M U115

  10 p.m.-1 a.m.--"Beach Party"--McArdle Theatre

15--Sunday

  7:30 p.m.--All-Beethoven Chamber Music Concert--McArdle Theatre

19--Thursday

  5:30 p.m.--Women's Basketball, Lake Superior State at MTU--SDC Gym

  7:30 p.m.--Men's Basketball, Lake Superior State at MTU--SDC Gym

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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 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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