Tompkins proposes 6 percent hike in state funding for MTU
Zanoni on Graphoanalysis: Word Processing of Another Kind
Big Foot Snowshoe/Tennis Shoe Walk Saturday
Anti-Stress Booklets, Exercise Video Available
Museum Open for Fun Day
Teaching Tips: The Syllabi of Inspiring Teachers
Fun Classes Coming This Spring
Troupe's Annual Comedy Show March 26-28
Concert Pianist to Give Recital March 15
Circuit Packaging Expert to Speak March 10
In print
MTU notables
Positions available at MTU
Calendar
Bill Curnow, director, University Relations
Dennis Walikainen, manager, Editorial Services
Marcia Goodrich, Tech Topics editor
Gail Sweeting, composer
Information to be included in Tech Topics should be submitted to the Tech Topics editor in one of the following ways:
By electronic mail--send information to ttopics@mtu.edu
By interdepartmental mail--send double-spaced, typed copies to the attention of Tech Topics editor, University Relations.
Each week, the deadline for submitting information is Friday at 5:00 p.m. for the following Friday distribution.
Tompkins proposes 6 percent hike in state funding for MTU
President Curt Tompkins asked the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee March 2 to recommend a 6 percent increase in state funding for Michigan Tech.
Tompkins noted that, as the Upper Midwest's only public technological university, Michigan Tech has by far the most expensive array of scientific and technological programs among Michigan's public universities. And, even if the state opts to increase MTU's appropriation by 3 percent (twice Governor John Engler's recommended 1.5 percent), the University would still have to consider a significant tuition hike in order to maintain its quality programs.
"[With a 3 percent increase in state support], it will be necessary to increase tuition significantly to place Michigan Tech in closer proximity to the tuition levels of Michigan State and the University of Michigan, the two institutions with the most-similar programs in engineering and science," Tompkins said. "Also, pending approval by the Board of Control, it is expected that MTU will initiate an upper division/lower division undergraduate tuition schedule."
The state legislature is deliberating Engler's budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. After the budget is finalized, the Board of Control is expected to set tuition for the 1998-99 academic year.
Zanoni on Graphoanalysis: Word Processing of Another Kind
The first time Mary Zanoni talked with a graphoanalyst, the handwriting was on the wall.
Two years later, she is a certified graphoanalyst herself. Zanoni (IT), manager of System Administration Services (SAS), became fascinated by handwriting analysis when she was called to court as a witness. A former colleague had sustained serious head injuries in an auto accident and was wrangling with his insurance company over the settlement.
"I was called to be a witness, to say how he had changed," Zanoni said. "He was different person, though he appeared pretty normal. His lawyer had hired a graphoanalyst to analyze his handwriting before and after the accident."
While Zanoni and the graphoanalyst waited to testify, the analyst talked about the basis of her science, how personality traits are revealed in handwriting. Intrigued, Zanoni took an eighteen-month distance-learning course and received her certification in summer 1997. Thankfully, she has no immediate plans to abandon SAS for a new career, but she is happy to shed some light on a field whose authenticity is often ranked up there with phrenology and the Psychic Friends Network.
"You basically see personality traits in handwriting--they say it's really brainwriting," she said. "If you were to lose the use of your hands and write with your foot, your writing would be similar."
Handwriting can reveal traits such as aggressiveness and loyalty, or whether you are analytical or intuitive. A graphoanalyst identifies these traits and then examines how they interrelate.
"Just because a person shows argumentativeness doesn't mean they will be arguing all the time," Zanoni explains. "If you also have pride and dignity, you'd be likely to control yourself."
How traits are expressed also depends on the individual's level of control. "Often, people without control traits express other traits more," she said. "For instance, emotional responsiveness will enhance other traits." Thus, someone who reacts strongly to criticism might bash someone over the head for calling them a jerk. A less-responsive person might fire back an insult. Down the scale, an even-tempered person might ask, "I wonder why they called me a jerk?" And a very cold person could be completely indifferent to the accusation, other than perhaps denying it.
Graphoanalysis is used by the legal system to determine the authenticity of documents and has numerous applications in business. It is sometimes used to measure the credit-worthiness of a potential borrower, or to determine if a job applicant has the personality traits necessary to succeed on the job. This can be a touchy area, Zanoni notes, and employers cannot use graphoanalysis as their sole hiring criterion.
Handwriting analysis can also show areas of natural ability and can be a useful part of career counseling.
The International Society of Graphoanalysis, to which Zanoni belongs, forbids the use of handwriting analysis for sheer entertainment or parlor tricks. But it is intriguing, and she does occasionally analyze her friends' and relatives' handwriting. For her final exam, she did a complete graphoanalysis on her husband.
"He was my worst skeptic," she recalls. "You get two responses when you talk about handwriting analysis: 'Do me!' or 'It's all bumps on the head and crystal balls.'" Her husband was entrenched in the second group.
"Anyhow, I did my analysis, and he was flabbergasted. He said, 'Now I don't have any secrets from you.'"
Well, not really. Graphoanalysis doesn't tattle on you, and it certainly doesn't reveal that you cheated on a test or lied about where you were Saturday night. And it doesn't unmask you as either saint or sinner.
"Traits are not good or bad; it's how you use them," Zanoni said. "Aggressiveness can land you in bar brawls or earn you a sales commission. It depends on how other traits affect how you manifest it."
In any case, we have fewer secrets than we believe. "Everybody around you knows what you are like anyway," Zanoni said. "Graphoanalysis just gives a much clearer picture."
In Zanoni's case, she discovered through graphoanalysis that her husband was very exploratory; he wants to investigate every option, while she is more quick to make a decision. The new knowledge gave her the patience to wait for him to sift through all the data. "With graphoanalysis, you can understand what your spouse needs to be happy," she said. And, knowing their differences, she also feels more comfortable insisting on her right to make the occasional snap decision.
"I don't always write the same way."
Whether you are scribbling a memo or penning a letter to your grandmother, the information encoded in your handwriting remains essentially the same. "A lot of people say, 'I don't always write the same way,'" Zanoni said. "That's true, but it's like your face. You can be smiling, or crying, or teed off, but it's still the same eyes and mouth. Your handwriting is a reflection of who you are."
Some reflections are better than others. Printing doesn't give as much information as cursive script. And signatures have special meaning.
"When you write your signature, you are deliberately expressing yourself to others," Zanoni said. "It's like your trademark. Many times they are beautiful and ostentatious." Other signatures are unreadable, which can telegraph that the signer really doesn't want to be known.
For most people, imitating someone else's signature is "excruciatingly difficult."
"How you write is part of your personality, and if you try to write like someone else, you are suspending your personality," Zanoni said.
A few people, however, are gifted forgers. "They are like actors, who can take on another personality and express it as if it were their own," she said.
Though she has no plans to abandon SAS, Zanoni is not writing off the possibility of practicing graphoanalysis professionally. She has been awarded a scholarship to pursue her studies and expects to receive her master certification in about a year and a half. "I just want to learn as much as I can," she said. "And I would like to teach," possibly an introductory workshop on graphoanalysis or a short course along the lines of "It's Never Too Late to Know Your Mate."
If she were to make a career out of graphoanalysis, Zanoni would like to be a questioned document examiner--someone who specializes in determining the authenticity of documents, particularly legal ones, on behalf of the court. That could come after she receives her master certification.
Her mentor, whom she met in Houghton County Circuit Court, is a master graphoanalyst. In her court deposition, she confirmed Zanoni's impressions of her injured friend: "It was real obvious from his handwriting that he had undergone some changes."
And yes, he did receive his insurance settlement.
__________________
Graphoanalyst Mary Zanoni provided this brief analysis based on the handwriting of another Information Technology employee. Does it remind you of anyone you know? His/her name is hidden elsewhere in Tech Topics.
Optimism is very strong in this person. S/he is the kind of person who sees the cup as half full rather than half empty.
The writing indicates that this person has healthy self-esteem and pride in his/her work. Philosophically, s/he has analyzed and determined a code to live by. S/he is environmentally conscious, using all resources well. S/he is broadminded and accepts diversity and variety with enthusiasm. S/he is direct in communicating with others and will not be evasive or deceptive. S/he is persistent in striving for what s/he feels is important, yet also yields when it is necessary.
Who is this person? [Answer]
Big Foot Snowshoe (Or Maybe Tennis Shoe) Walk March 7
The Wellness Department and the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department are sponsoring the Big Foot 2K and 6K Walk (considering the weather, both snowshoes and tennies are acceptable footwear) on Saturday, March 7, at McLain State Park. The 6K (3.7 miles) starts at 9:00 a.m. and the 2K (1.24 miles) starts at 9:30 a.m. The event is open to the general public.
Shuttle service is available from Suomi College's gym beginning at 7:30 a.m. and continuing on the half hour.
You may register in advance with Erin Carter, wellness coordinator, for $13 (includes T-shirt) or on the day of the walk for $15. All participants will have a chance to win a $500 credit toward their choice of NordicTrack equipment, a McLain State Park cabin rental, Calumet Theatre tickets, and many other prizes. The first fifty finishers will each receive a medal.
If you would like additional information, please contact Carter at ejcarter@mtu.edu or 487-2172. Her office is in the Human Resources suite, Administration/Student Services 204.
Anti-Stress Booklets, Exercise Video Available
The Wellness Department has a new five-minute video on starting a walking/exercise program. All MTU employees are welcome to check it out.
The department's supply of stress management booklets is depleted, but more are on order. If you'd like one when they arrive, or if you would like to borrow the exercise video, contact Erin Carter, wellness coordinator, at 487-2172 or ejcarter@mtu.edu
The Seaman Mineral Museum will be open Saturday, March 7, from noon to 5:00 p.m. for MTU Family Fun Day.
"We have many new items in our inventory," museum staffers said, including mineral Easter eggs and a new fossil case.
The museum is located on the fifth floor of the EERC.
Teaching Tips: The Syllabi of Inspiring Teachers
Submitted by William Kennedy, director, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Faculty Development
For the last few weeks, we have been exploring the essays of two of the Carnegie Professor of the Year award winners contained in the recently released book Inspiring Teaching (1997, Anker). In one of the concluding essays, John Lough, from the University of Georgia in Athens, reviewed the syllabi of several Carnegie national teaching award winners in an attempt to identify some of the common elements of their instruction. His findings are rather interesting.
Lough acknowledges that, although there is great variation in specific elements in the syllabi, several common themes or features emerged. He found that the syllabi
As a part of this review, Carnegie award winners were also asked what they felt were the most crucial elements to include on the first day of class. Three major themes emerged. First, these professors take the time to clearly explain exactly what the course will cover, provide a complete explanation of what will be required of each student, and conduct a review of the syllabus explaining the rationale for each of the elements.
The second commonly held priority of the first day is getting to know the students. Procedures for doing this obviously vary with the size of the class. In classes of up to fifty students, these professors actually learn each student's name and reason(s) for enrolling in the course in the first few weeks of class.
The third common priority for the first day of class is piquing the student's interest in the course materials. These award-winning professors attempt to do this in a wide variety of ways. Many work to connect the goals of the course with the student's collective and individual goals and interests, no matter how banal or narrowly focused they may seem. Some provide specific examples of how the knowledge and skills gained in the course are likely to affect students' professional or personal lives. Some cite specific examples of how previous students have benefitted from the course. Most of these professors also attempt to focus their students' attention on the most intriguing or topically relevant considerations related to the course material.
After reading Inspiring Teachers, I remain convinced that there is no one right way to teach. Teaching draws on our emotional as well as our intellectual resources. The process of continuously discovering how we can make the most of our own gifts, talents, and knowledge for the benefit of our students is one element in becoming an "Inspiring Teacher."
Underlying all of the efforts of these Carnegie Professor of the Year award winners is a clear commitment to go the extra mile to see that
every individual student under their guidance succeeds to the best of her/his ability. Their actions and syllabi say, "Here is where we need to go, here is what you need to do, and here is what you can expect from me."
We've got some copies of Inspiring Teaching available for your review. It's an easy read. If you'd like to borrow one, give us a call at the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Faculty Development at 487-2046.
Fun Classes Coming This Spring
The Recreation Department is offering several courses to the community during spring quarter, March 9-May 16. Most classes meet once or twice a week in the evenings or on the weekend. Costs listed below are for non-students; MTU students receive a discount in several classes. For specific information, call 487-2975.
Troupe's Annual Comedy Show March 26-28
Submitted by the Department of Fine Arts
The Troupe, Michigan Tech's popular improvisational group, will fill Walker Theatre with laughter once again when the seventh annual Campus Comedy Show opens a three-night run on Thursday-Saturday, March 26-28, at 8:00 p.m. (Note: This is two weeks later than the dates printed in MTU's Great Events Calendar.)
Tickets are available from the Memorial Union Box Office (487-3200) and SDC Central Ticket Office (487-2073) for $7 general admission, $5 seniors, and $3 students ($1 more at the door).
The Troupe, a twelve-member student group directed by Sue Stephens (fine arts), writes its own comedy skits, improvising some of them on the spot using suggestions from the audience. Their skits also include spoofs of familiar stories and current events. Audience members of all ages enjoy the Campus Comedy Show, a highlight of the year for anyone who appreciates what an inspired improv group can do.
Members of The Troupe perform throughout the year for local schools and service organizations, where their skits include educational programs on preventing alcohol and tobacco use, preserving the environment, and similar issues. The group frequently collaborates with the MTU Wind Symphony to present lively evenings of music and comedy.
Concert Pianist to Give Recital March 15
Submitted by the Department of Fine Arts
Concert pianist Nancy Royce Martin will present a recital on Sunday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. in Walker Theatre
Martin will perform works of Mozart, Debussy, Bartok, and the "Wanderer" Fantasy by Schubert. Tickets for the recital, sponsored by the Department of Fine Arts, are $7 general public, $5 senior citizens, and $3 students. Tickets are available from MTU's box offices (487-3200), the Calumet Theatre, and at the door.
Martin received a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the American Conservatory in Chicago, and a master of music, cum laude, from Indiana University. She has taught on the faculties of Kent State University, the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and the College of St. Scholastica, where she was artist-in-residence. She has performed frequently throughout the United States and Germany as soloist and chamber music artist. Martin currently lives in Negaunee, where she has a piano studio associated with Michelsen Music and is active in the Superior String Alliance.
The March 15 recital is Martin's first appearance in the Keweenaw area. She will join concertmaster Eric Lawson (fine arts) in a special violin-piano recital to be presented on Sunday, March 29, at 3:00 p.m. in Walker Theatre. Proceeds from both recitals will be donated to the Superior String Alliance and the Copper Country Suzuki Association. For more information, contact the fine arts office, 487-2067.
Circuit Packaging Expert to Speak March 10
David Crouthamel, of Lucent Technologies, will give a talk, "Mold Compound Evaluation for Improved IC Packages Performances," on Tuesday, March 10, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in ME-EM 302.
Plastic packaging is used to strengthen and protect integrated circuits, and is essential for their long-term reliability. Crouthamel will discuss the performance limitations of low-stress plastics now used for integrated circuit encapsulation, as well as the improvements offered in newer compounds. In addition, he will outline the methodology of a typical mold compound evaluation and discuss how to use an acoustic microscope to assess the interfacial integrity within the integrated circuit package.
All interested persons are invited. For more information, please contact Mahesh Gupta, 487-3566.
The following students and staff were awarded over $38,000 in grants from the Michigan Space Grant Consortium in February.
The recipients, their awards, and their funded proposals are Assistant Director Shalini Rudak (Educational Opportunity), $5,000, "Educators' Fellowship to Explore Group Dynamics and Team Building in the Classroom"; consultant David Dunlop (physics), $3,619, "Rockets for Schools"; Youth Programs Coordinator Kerry Hicks (Educational Opportunity), $5,000, "Women and Minorities in Engineering Group" and $5,000, "American Indian Biology, Geology, and Computer Workshop"; grad student Gari Mayberry and Research Assistant Professor Gregg Bluth (geological engineering and sciences), $5,000, "The Integration and Visualization of Volcanic Hazards Data"; graduate student Sharon Barker and Chair William Rose (geological engineering and sciences), $5,000, "Remote Sensing of Volcanic Clouds: Improving the Retrieval Algorithm for Low Latitudes"; graduate student William Everham and Associate Professor Jacqueline Huntoon (geological engineering and sciences), $5,000, "Visualization of the Michigan Basin Graduate Fellowship"; undergraduate Andrea Vander Woude and Research Assistant Professor Judith Budd (geological engineering and sciences), $2,500, "A Remote Sensing K-12 Tutorial of Lake Superior"; undergraduate Jonathan French and Gregg Bluth (geological engineering and sciences), $2,500, "Characterization and Satellite Mapping of Keweenaw Peninsula's Mine Waste Products."
PhD candidate Suresh Sampath (physics) and former Associate Professor James Cordaro (physics) published a paper, "Optical Properties of Zinc Aluminate, Zinc Gallate and Zinc Alumino-gallate Spinels," in the Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Vol. 81, No. 3 (1998).
Senior Research Engineers Mark Osborne and Russ Alger (KRC) published an article, "Cold and Tired," in the magazine testing technology international 98.
Job descriptions are available from Human Resources starting at 1:00 p.m. on Friday.
You can e-mail us at JOBS@MTU.EDU and we will e-mail you the job description you request.
The following position will be posted Friday, March 6, 1998, at 1:00 p.m. through noon, Friday, March 13, 1998, in the Human Resources Office.
Custodian--Memorial Union Building (Regular, full-time, third shift, AFSCME internal posting)
Senior Secretary (N5)--Educational Opportunity (Regular, full-time, UAW external posting)
System Administrator--System Administration Services, Information Technology
Off-Campus Studies Advisor--International Programs and Services (Regular, part-time)
University employees are reminded to apply in writing prior to noon, Friday, March 13, 1998, 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 1:00 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.
March
National Women's Month
| 5 | Thursday |
| noon--Basketball luncheon--Memorial Union 105 | |
| 4:00 p.m.--David Salmanson on C&H uranium mining in New Mexico--Archives Reading Room | |
| 7 | Saturday |
| 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.--Family Fun Day--SDC, Memorial Union | |
| 9:00/9:30 a.m.--Big Foot 6K and 2K Walks--McLain State Park | |
| 10 | Tuesday |
| 10:00 a.m.--David Crouthamel, "Mold Compound Evaluation for Improved IC Packages Performances"--ME-EM 302 | |
| noon--Basketball luncheon--Memorial Union 105 | |
| 12 | Thursday |
| 4:00 p.m.--Britt-Louise Gunnarsson, "Images and Image Work: The Discursive Construction of the Bank"--Walker Theatre | |
| 6:00/7:00 p.m.--Club Indigo: Italian buffet and The Gold of Naples--Calumet Theatre | |
| 13 | Friday |
| 8:00 p.m.--Hypnotist Fred Winters--Fisher 135 | |
| 14 | Saturday |
| 8:00 p.m.--Hypnotist Fred Winters--Fisher 135 | |
| 15 | Sunday |
| 7:30 p.m.--Nancy Royce Martin, piano recital--Walker Theatre | |
| 17 | Tuesday |
| 8:00 p.m.--Peking Opera Company--Calumet Theatre | |
| 26 | Thursday |
| 8:00 p.m.--The Troupe's Comedy Show--Walker Theatre | |
| 27 | Friday |
| 8:00 p.m.--The Troupe's Comedy Show--Walker Theatre | |
| 28 | Saturday |
| 8:00 p.m.--The Troupe's Comedy Show--Walker Theatre | |
| 8:00 p.m.--The Acting Company, Romeo and Juliet--Calumet Theatre | |
| 29 | Sunday |
| 3:00 p.m.--Nancy Royce Martin and Eric Lawson, piano-violin recital--Walker Theatre |
Answer to Mystery Script: Ted Soldan