* SENATE KEEPS ON TRUCKIN’

The University Senate will continue to meet and conduct its usual business, even as it grapples with a constitutional conundrum and a grievance threat from the American Association of University Professors.

Senate President Terry Monson made the announcement. “I plan to convene the senate on a regular schedule until the AAUP and the administration sort out this problem,” he said Oct. 13.

According to Monson, the national AAUP organization told the local chapter that the senate’s constitution violates Michigan’s Employment Relations Act in that it excludes union members. As a result, the union could file a grievance with the Michigan Employment Relations Commission.

After the tenured and tenure-track faculty voted last month to form a bargaining unit under the auspices of the AAUP, the senate moved to amend its constitution so that the faculty, who will soon be union members, could continue to be represented by the senate. However, the amendment fell short of garnering the requisite two-thirds majority from the senate’s constituency, precipitating the current crisis.

Theoretically, the senate, which advises the administration and the Board of Control on matters ranging from degree programs and academic probation to tenure, promotion and the academic calendar, would be composed only of nonunion staff once the Michigan Employment Relations Commission certifies the AAUP union vote. And, without faculty senators, the senate would not have a quorum and could not conduct business.

If the senate does eventually lose its faculty component, the administration has indicated that it will still seek their counsel. The president and the provost both want the senate to continue with its work, Monson said, noting that Provost Kent Wray had informed him that, in the absence of faculty representation on the senate, he would establish committees to advise him on matters previously dealt with by the senate.

Senators discussed reasons for the constituency’s failure to pass the constitutional amendment, with some senators citing an underlying rift between faculty and professional staff as well as a general misunderstanding of what the senate does and how it works. Senator Dickie Selfe (Humanities) said that some staff felt that faculty members and Human Resources would define “professional staff.” The senate had passed a motion saying the Executive Committee, made up of senate committee chairs and senate officers, would make that determination in consultation with Human Resources. Professional staff do chair some senate committees, and the senate vice president is a staff member. Some staff are also upset because staff senators cannot vote on some academic issues.

Senator Madhukar Vable (MEEM) said he had polled his constituents, who are all faculty. “This form of the senate is poorly supported in my department,” he said. MEEM faculty were more likely to support separate representation for faculty and staff.

Other senators discussed how the senate operated before professional staff were included in the constituency. Then, the administration repeatedly returned proposals to the senate because, unknown to the senators, they would have resulted in administrative problems. Such glitches are far less likely with the input of professional staff senators.

Senator Erik Nordberg (Library) said that bad feelings between faculty and staff should not be allowed to overcome the good that the senate does.

“I’m sensing a lot of fear and anger,” he said, adding that it seems to come from constituents who are not involved with the senate. “It’s not about who has the power,” he said. Most of the senate’s actions address the overall business of the university, such as academic programs, not faculty and staff issues per se. “I don’t want us to lose the opportunity to do the things that have to be done,” Nordberg said. “I don’t want to lose shared governance because of a fight over who’s got the power.”

Meanwhile, senators also discussed what to do about the impending AAUP grievance. While the university may ultimately be responsible for defining the senate constituency, it was a vote of the constituency and not action by the administration or the Board of Control that created the current situation.

Associate Professor David Chesney (Chemistry), vice president of the local chapter of AAUP, said that, in any case, the senate should encourage the Board of Control to remove the language referring to union membership.

Senator Craig Waddell (Humanities) said the senate should not refer the matter to the Board of Control. “What’s to keep them from making other changes?” he said. Senator Cindy Selfe (Humanities) recommended forming a task force to look at how senates operate in other universities with unionized faculty.

Senator Walter Milligan (MSE) said it would be a huge mistake for the AAUP to pursue a grievance on this matter so early in its relationship with the university.

“I think we acted too quickly,” Monson said, referring to the senate’s efforts to clear up its constituency problem. Misinformation and misinterpretation were the result, he said.

The senate’s Executive Committee will continue to work on the issue and report back to the senate. In addition, the senate will form a task force to meet with the AAUP to discuss their future relationship and ask that the union delay filing a grievance while the senate attempts to solve its constituency problem.

** TECH UNDERGRAD FEATURED IN FORTUNE

Mechanical engineering senior Sam Barros, who earned local notoriety for appearances on Junkyard Megawars and Discovery Canada (which nicknamed him Plasmaboy), is again garnering media attention.

Barros is among a handful of electricity enthusiasts profiled in the Oct. 14 edition of Fortune magazine. “Lightening Bugs,” by Ivan Amato, chronicles the exploits of “high-voltage hobbyists” and describes Barros’s first experience with household current, in which he bent a wire and stuck both ends in an electric socket.

The story notes that Michigan Tech has given Barros access to lab space, where he works on his projects. You can read more about it at http://www.fortune.com/fortune/stipp/0,15704,710286,00.html

1. UNITED WAY CAMPUS CAMPAIGN UNDER WAY

"Neighbor Helping Neighbor" is the theme of this year's United Way Campus Campaign. The Copper Country United Way benefits 15 nonprofit health and human service organizations in our area.

Nancy Seely, associate director of the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Faculty Development, is the new Michigan Tech United Way chair. "Ted Soldan has been the chair for the past four years and did a great job," Seely said. "I want to thank him for all of his past support of United Way and for helping me as I begin this year's campaign." Seely agreed to chair the campaign after working with Soldan last year.

"I'm a firm believer in United Way and the support it provides to our local agencies,” said Seely. “I first became involved with United Way over 20 years ago when I worked in San Antonio, Texas, where I saw the benefits of contributing to one agency instead of having to contribute to many agencies. Plus, with payroll deduction, I never missed the donation."

Like last year's campaign, a contribution of $25 or more can be designated for one agency or can be designated not go to one agency. This allows contributors to have more control over how their money is used.

The annual campus campaign began on Oct. 12. Volunteer solicitors from across campus will be distributing the packets of information. Please consider donating to this cause; donations of any amount are gladly accepted. For more information on this year's campaign, please contact Seely at 487-2046 or nsseely@mtu.edu.

2. MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY SIGNUP BY FRIDAY

Make A Difference Day on Oct. 23 is a day when staff, faculty and students are encouraged to spend the day "making a
difference." Several student organizations are sponsoring community service projects on Michigan Tech's campus as well as throughout the community. In order to participate in a project, you need to sign up online at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/fyp/madd/ . The deadline to sign up for a project is Friday, Oct. 15. If you have any questions, please contact Jenny Greyerbiehl at 487-1963.

3. FRIENDS OF LIBRARY ANNUAL MEETING THURSDAY

The Friends of the Van Pelt Library at Michigan Tech will be holding their annual meeting on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 4:30 p.m. in the MTU Archives on the ground floor of the Van Pelt Library. The meeting is open to the public, and homemade refreshments will be served. Following a brief business meeting, tours of the new library building will be conducted. All are invited to see the beautiful Michigan Tech Library and to support the Friends.

4. DEPARTMENTAL SCHOLARS HONORED AT LUNCHEON

Provost Kent Wray honored 22 Departmental Scholar Award winners at a luncheon on Sept. 15. Winners received a $200 award. Departmental scholars, all seniors, represent the best student scholarship in the department.

The Department of Biological Engineering honored Meghan McGee who has earned a 3.98 GPA and holds offices in many organizations, including the Student Board of Biomedical Engineers and the Biomedical Engineering Society. She has also done extensive research with Professor Rolf Peterson (SFRES) on how osteoarthritis in moose affects muscle and joint forces.

Jason Gillespie was recognized by the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics for his 3.98 GPA and involvement in numerous organizations, a few of which included MTU Peer Mentoring, OTL, varsity cross country and track and Campus Crusade for Christ.

The first ever Michigan Tech student to be awarded the national Goldwater Scholarship, Nick Ballor, who has a 4.0 GPA, received the honors from the Department of Chemical Engineering. Ballor has done extensive research with Professor Don Lueking (Biological Sciences) on a specialized bioreactor-based problem.

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering honored Tor Anderzen, who is recognized for his outstanding work as a volunteer in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Student Success Center and in assisting the department in acquiring a much needed $30,000 total station.

Alexandria Guth, who has earned a 3.83 GPA, was honored by the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences for her two years of work as an undergraduate research assistant on a project studying gas emissions from an active volcano using satellite remote sensing.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering honored Joshua Hamilton for his 3.82 overall GPA and 4.0 departmental GPA. Hamilton is a member of the Innovative Casting Enterprise, the Troupe and the Materials Honor Society of Alpha Sigma Mu to mention a few.

The Department of Biological Sciences recognized Timothy LaBonte, who has earned a 3.93 GPA, for his volunteer work at the Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center, being a 24-hour on-call fireman in Laurium and receiving the Kathy Jean Jensen Endowed Scholarship.

Lawrence Mailloux has earned a 3.95 GPA and was recognized by the Department of Chemistry for his involvement in the American Chemical Society Student Affiliate group and outreach activities to local schools.

The Department of Computer Science honored Christopher Fuller who has a 4.0 GPA. Fuller is recognized for his work on the team software project that developed the game “MathWarrior” and his work with a faculty member on “smart” mouse research.

The Department of Education honored Melissa Peterson for her attention to detail and willingness to work diligently and go the extra mile to insure the highest quality work.

The Department of Fine Arts recognized Kyle Erickson for his 4.0 GPA in computer science and involvement in fine arts programs. Erickson is a member of the Wind Symphony, Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra and the Troupe.

Kristyn Blessing was honored by the humanities department for her quality work and the maturity of her approaches. She also recently won the MTU Lawrence and Elsie Klein Creative Writing Award.

The Department of Mathematical Sciences recognized David Clark, who has earned a 4.0 GPA, for his work on numerous research projects, “Modeling the Behavior of Loaded Dice” and “Is Popcorn Normal” to name a few.

Catherine Waisanen, who has earned a 3.88 GPA in Biological Sciences and is a member of the varsity volleyball team, was honored by the Department of Physical Education. She is also involved in Blue Key, MTU Concert Choir and Fellowship of Christian Athletes just to name a few.

The Department of Physics recognized Chee Sheng Fong who has earned a 4.0 GPA and has displayed outstanding work in his research assistantship with Associate Professor Raymond Shaw (Physics).

The Department of Air Force ROTC honored Cadet Clayton Cooke, who has earned a 3.66 GPA in Electrical Engineering and is ranked second in his AFROTC class. Cooke has also been noted by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories and selected for their Military Academic Research Program.

Cadet Craig Genung, who has earned a 3.3 GPA in mechanical engineering, was honored by the Department of Army ROTC. Genung is a member of the men’s varsity basketball team and is proficient in Spanish. He displays strong leadership qualities and attended a 39-day Leadership Development and Assessment Course at Fort Lewis, Wash., last summer.

The Department of Social Sciences honored Laura Walikainen who has maintained a 4.0 GPA. She is recognized as a superb student and has recently participated in an undergraduate research project with Associate Professor Victoria Bergvall (Humanities) on the “eh/hey” phenomenon of the Yooper dialect.

The School of Business and Economics recognized Jennifer Nelson who has earned a 3.8 departmental GPA. She was a member of the CenTILE Project and Blue Key and is a ski instructor.

Helena Haycock was honored by the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science for her 3.71 GPA. She is a member of Xi Sigma Pi and the Forestry Honor Society, and she has also worked on research projects dealing with root carbon allocation and organic decomposition rates.

The School of Technology honored Clint LeaTrea for his research and scholarly ability, creativity and extraordinary communication skills.

The Department of Electrical Engineering recognized Laura Cooper who has earned a 4.0 GPA. Cooper is a member of the Blue Marble Security Enterprise, OTL, Fencing Club, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and IEEE Power Engineering Society to name a few.

5. NEWS YOU CAN USE--PREVENTING THE FLU

Due to worldwide issues in the manufacturing process, flu shots are not widely available during this flu season.

Portage Health suggests the following precautionary measures to help maintain a healthy immune system:

1. Eat a balanced diet.
2. Trade junk food for fruit.
3. Wash hands frequently using soap, water and friction.
4. Waterless hand soaps (instant hand sanitizers) are effective in reducing disease transmission.
5. Avoid sharing the same drinks, foods and eating utensils.
6. Avoid sharing bath towels.
7. Launder and change bed linens regularly.
8. Get adequate rest.
9. Participate in some kind of exercise program.

While all this may seem elementary, a few precautionary steps will help you avoid the "bugs" and stay healthy this season.

Only those in the high-risk category for flu-related complications, such as people who are 65 years and older, children 6 months to 23 months old, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic medical conditions, will receive the vaccine. If you have questions about whether or not you should get the flu vaccine, please contact your physician.

6. TEACHING AT TECH--MARGINALIZING & MATTERING

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

In my never-ending effort to improve the impact of my instruction, I have taken to requiring students to submit weekly written reflections of their reading assignments. These reflections must be e-mailed to me no later than two hours before the beginning of class time on the due date. In these reflections, I ask students to briefly summarize the central ideas of the article they read and then to evaluate the utility/validity of those key ideas based upon their own educational and life experience. In preparing their reflections, I encourage students to work for clarity and concision.

I respond to each of these electronic submissions by return e-mail. If a submission seems obviously shallow or superficial, as they occasionally do, I will indicate to the student that I will begin to take their work seriously when they demonstrate that they put some time and thought into it. I tell them that agreeing with my interpretation of a reading is not the point, but that taking the issue seriously is a requirement of the course. Such pointed responses normally result in a substantial improvement in the quality of subsequent submissions.

Much more frequently, I am pleased to report, I am truly amazed by the quality of thought evidenced in these reflections. I generously heap praise on students who submit quality work and will typically encourage them to extend their thinking by providing them with additional questions related to their interpretation of the reading. Very often, they respond to these questions by searching out additional sources to develop or enrich their understanding of the issue at hand.

E-mail is an excellent medium for this sort of dialogue. It provides an asynchronous, informal, familiar vehicle through which students can present their evolving understandings without the fear of being cited for violating formal writing conventions. Some of their submissions read like torrents of ideas cascading over one another. Others are more deliberate, demonstrating nascent attempts to provide logical underpinnings to support their newly formed and untested assertions.

I am surprised that so many students seemed shocked that I read their writing so carefully and that I take the time to point out their exceptional work and suggest directions for advancing their understanding. Many report that my e-mail is the first time that they recall receiving personal feedback from a professor beyond occasional marginalia, quiz and exam grades.

Some years back, Nancy Schlossberg and various colleagues applied sociologist Morris Rosenberg's notion of the importance of "mattering" to higher education. Schlossberg suggests that mattering is the feeling that "others depend on us, are interested in us, and are concerned with our fate." Feeling that we matter exercises a powerful influence on our actions and our learning. Educators can promote mattering, or they can keep people on the periphery by omission or commission (marginalizing). Charles Kiefer and Peter Senge observed that we need to create learning environments that promote the development of the human spirit, thus creating a "fundamental shift of mind, in which individuals come to see themselves as capable of creating the world they truly want rather merely reacting to circumstances beyond their control."*

Within the constraints imposed by increasing class sizes and the ever increasing toll exacted by competing demands, finding ways to recognize and engage individual students in dialogue may encourage changes that will affect students' lives long after the term is over.
*Metanoic Organizations in the Transition to a Sustainable Society. Reflections, Vol. 1, Number 1, Fall 1999, pp. 25-36

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7. RUSSIAN COMPANY PROVIDES GREAT FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT AT ROZSA

Submitted by University Cultural Enrichment

Direct from the mountains of the Caucasus, here is a sensational show with nonstop action and great entertainment for the whole family. Brilliantly colored and embroidered costumes, folk dances, heart-stopping acrobatics, tightrope walking, drumming, sword fighting and knife throwing are among the incredibly varied skills of this dynamic 40-member company. This is a performance with something for everyone. Lezginka, the State Dance Company of Daghestan in southeastern Russia, comes to the Rozsa for a matinee performance on Sunday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m. 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://tickets.mtu.edu.

Folk traditions of music, dance and the martial and visual arts are strong in Daghestan. Lezginka's performance reflects this rich culture and offers an exciting and colorful kaleidoscope of the heritage of the numerous ethnic groups in this rugged area situated in the Caucasus Mountains between the Black and Caspian Seas in the extreme south of the Russian Federation. Ancient villages, often looking as they did centuries ago, nestle among the magnificent mountain ridges and lush alpine meadows. Costumes and languages still vary from village to village, but in the past each village cultivated a unique skill, such as tightrope walking or knife throwing. Although such traditions are gradually fading, Lezginka keeps this rich heritage alive for the rest of the world to enjoy.

"Lezginka" is the name of an exhilarating whirling dance that is performed on festive occasions in Daghestan. Following the centuries-old technique practiced in this part of the world, both men and women dance on their toes, not in toe shoes but actually on their toes, which are bent back to allow the dancers to maintain balance. They become accustomed to this seemingly unnatural practice much as western ballerinas become accustomed to toe shoes. It's a learned skill, "and once you know how, it doesn't hurt at all," says Panina Israelov, 20, one of the company soloists.

The company has toured extensively in Russia, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Taiwan. This is their first U.S. tour, and the company has been welcomed with great enthusiasm across the country.

The visit of Lezginka to the Rozsa has been made possible by funding from the Katherine M. Bosch Endowment and the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and is coordinated through the MTU Great Events Series Office (487-2844).

8. LINDA BAKER TO VISIT TECH AS GUEST ARTIST

Submitted by Fine Arts

Artist Linda Baker, a signature member of the National Watercolor Society and a nationally acclaimed teacher from Spring Lake, Mich., will present four lecture-demonstrations on the theme "Composition by Design," Oct. 21-22 as the fine arts department's Guest Artist in Residence. Baker's two-hour presentations, which are free and open to the public, are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Friday, Oct. 22, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., in McArdle Theatre (Walker Arts and Humanities Center). Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to attend one or more sessions.

Baker's work is extraordinary in its use of light and its framing of everyday objects to create stunning watercolor compositions. Her work has been featured in publications including Best of Watercolor, People in Watercolor, Artistic Touch 2 and 3, the American Artist Magazine and Watercolor Basics. She has received awards from prestigious national exhibitions including Watercolor USA, Watercolor West, National Watercolor Society and recently the American Watercolor Society. Mary Ann Beckwith, professor of art and coordinator of the Guest Artist Residency program, says, "She's a truly inspiring artist and teacher."

In addition to the public lecture/demonstrations on Thursday and Friday, Baker will present a two-day workshop on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 23-24, which requires advance registration and a fee. Community members are welcome to attend and should contact the Department of Fine Arts, 487-2067, for registration information.

9. PRO WRESTLING EVENT FRIDAY

Pro wrestling will be coming to Michigan Tech on Friday, Oct. 15, at 9 p.m., in the SDC Wood Gym. Former WCW, NWA, WWF/WWE wrestling superstars will be doing battle in the squared circle. Feature matches include a hardcore match (no disqualifications) between Tracy Smothers and Ricky Morton. The main event will be a match between Rick Steiner and Buff Bagwell. Other superstars include Viscera, Demolition Ax, Dan Severn, The War Machine, Frank Parker and Scotty McKeaver, plus a surprise former WWF superstar.

Tickets are free to all MTU students with a student ID, $10 for the general public, and available at all campus box offices. The event is being sponsored by C-Pro Entertainment and New Innovations in Tech Entertainment, and is supported by the student activity fee. For more information contact Rob Bishop at rmbishop@mtu.edu.

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10. PHYSICS COLLOQUIUM THURSDAY

Professor Yury Gogotsi of Drexel University will present a physics colloquium, "In-situ Fluid Studies in Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes," Thursday, Oct. 14, at 4 p.m., in Fisher 139. Gogotsi is the director of the A. J. Drexel Nanotechnology Institute. He has received awards from several institutes including the International Union of Materials Research Societies and the American Ceramic Society. For more information, contact Yoke Khin Yap, ykyap@mtu.edu, 487-2900.

11. LUNCH-N-LEARN TUESDAY ON ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

The Benefits Office and Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center are holding a lunch-n-learn, “Alzheimer’s--Maintain Your Brain,” on Tuesday, Oct. 19, noon-1 p.m., in Memorial Union 105A.

Jan List, RN, BSN, CCRN, CEN, the nurse manager--education at Keweenaw Memorial, will talk about the disease, risk factors and possible ways to prevent Alzheimer’s.

This is the third in a series of lunch-n-learns coordinated by Terry Smythe, fitness director at Keweenaw Memorial Rehab and Fitness Centers. BYO lunch; water and other beverages will be provided. Show your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan ID card, Group 55248, and enter the drawing to win prizes.

If you have any questions, contact the Benefits Office at 487-2517.

12. COMPUTER SCIENCE SEMINAR FRIDAY

Assistant Professor Byung Choi (Computer Science) will present "Attack and Defense Technologies for Distributed Denial of Service" Friday, Oct. 15, in Fisher 139, at 3 p.m. DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service), a major threat to the security and stability of the Internet, is a coordinated cyber attack in which the attacker compromises many vulnerable hosts and has them attack a specific victim or a group of victims.

The damages to a DDoS victim are typically the depletion of CPU time, memory and network bandwidth so that services become unavailable to legitimate users. As the understanding of DDoS attack and defense technologies has significantly improved, it is widely believed that future DDoS attacks will also be technically more advanced and harder to detect. In this talk, Choi briefly reviews possible defense technologies and their effectiveness and limitations. He will also discuss a new methodology of run-time task migration as an effective measure against DDoS.

13. MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SEMINAR THURSDAY

The Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics will host a graduate seminar presented by Associate Professor Jeffrey Naber (MEEM). The title of presentation will be "Individual Cylinder Torque Deficit Measurement via Physically Based Signal Processing of Crankshaft Dynamics for IC Engines,” and it will take place Thursday, Oct. 14, at 3 p.m. in MEEM 112.

14. CHEMISTRY COLLOQUIUM FRIDAY 

Professor Uwe H.F. Bunz from the Georgia Institute of Technology will present a chemistry colloquium, "From Organic Semiconductors to Self-Assembled Bubble Arrays," Friday, Oct. 15, at 3 p.m., in Chem Sci 101. For more information, contact Haiying Liu, hyliu@mtu.edu, 487-3451.

15. SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION LECTURE FRIDAY

Katie Alvord, author of “Divorce Your Car! : Ending the Love Affair with the Automobile,” will present a lecture titled "Sustainable Transportation" Friday, Oct. 15, at 3 p.m. in Dow 642.

16. BIOLOGY SEMINAR FRIDAY

David Domozych from Skidmore College will present "Desmids and Biofilms” Friday, Oct. 15, at 3 p.m. in Dow 743