August 31, 2001, Vol. 33, No. 47
State Gives $25 Million for CILIT
Health Benefit Changes Coming
Open Forums Scheduled on Health Benefits
Grad School: Students Tell It Like It Is
Research VP Finalists Coming to Campus
Faculty Breakfasts and Lunches Start Next Month
Mail Services Back to Regular Hours
Cafe Rozsa Open for Breakfast
WKMJ Home of the Huskies
Retirement Party for Dave Ouillette
Audition Next Week for Concert Choir
Auditions Sept. 4 for "Talking With"
Teaching at Tech: Igniting Intrinsic Motivation
Women's Club Meets Sept. 6
Rozsa Welcomes New Friends at Annual Season Preview
Club Indigo Starts September 7
September Computer Classes
New Staff
Calendar
Job Postings
Bill Curnow, director, University Relations
Marcia Goodrich, Tech Topics editor
Gail Sweeting, electronic marketing assistant
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.
News (Back to Contents)
State Gives $25 Million for CILIT
Governor John Engler has approved a $25 million capital outlay appropriation, which will allow Michigan Tech to proceed with the planned Center for Integrated Learning and Information Technology.
The grant is substantially less than the University had originally requested: $80 million two years ago, $70 million last year and $60 million this year. As a result, CILIT construction will be divided into two phases, President Curt Tompkins said. Phase 1 will focus on improvements to the J. R. Van Pelt Library and the Department of Computer Science; Phase 2 will include improvements to the physics and mathematical sciences departments.
"The legislature has consistently supported the project," Tompkins said, approving full funding each time it was proposed. However, Engler declined to support CILIT until this year, and then only at a reduced amount. "The governor's key concern is that the state not exceed its bonding capacity," Tompkins said.
Tompkins likened the project to the University's previous experience with the Dow Environmental Sciences and Engineering Building. When the state did not fully fund the project, the University deferred the forestry component and then supported improvements to the Noblet building in a separate fundraising and construction effort to accomplish the original project objectives.
The entire CILIT project will involve remodeling of Fisher Hall and the J. R. Van Pelt Library and updating space for the physics, math, and computer science departments, as well as the library. It includes connecting structures between Fisher, the library and Wadsworth Hall.
Two alumni have contributed $5 million each toward the project: John Opie, whose gift is supporting library improvements, and Kanwal Rekhi, whose contribution has been earmarked for computer science. As a result, the planned renovations for the physics and math areas will be deferred to Phase 2 of the project.
As part of Phase 1, compact shelving will be installed in the library to free up room for study space. "Over the years, books have filled up the library and there's no room for students or computers," said Bill Blumhardt, director of facilities management.
"We'll be able to do four high-tech classrooms with distance learning capabilities," he said. "We had hoped to do more for instruction at the outset, but I'm still excited. If you can't do something exciting to improve University facilities with $35 million, then there's something wrong."
An architect will be hired this winter to develop plans for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of CILIT, with construction expected to begin in 2003. Phase 1 of the project should be completed in 2005, Blumhardt said.
Grad School: Students Tell It Like It Is
When it comes to graduate school, many undergraduates say nobody is inviting them to the party.
Thirteen undergraduates and two dozen grad students hashed out their impressions of graduate education last spring in a series of focus groups sponsored by the Graduate School and organized by Becky Christianson (Human Resources), assistant director for professional development. They were volunteers from among about 400 students who responded to the December 1999 survey "Why Students Stay and Why Students Leave," which gauged student attitudes and opinions about grad school. The survey responses and the focus group comments all indicated that hardly anyone was encouraging undergraduates to stay around for a graduate degree.
"As far as the undergrads were concerned, a big light bulb went on in these focus groups," Christianson said. "No one had talked to them before about going to grad school."
A longtime assumption at Michigan Tech appears to be that students will get their BS and then get a job. However, as MTU focuses on gaining a national reputation, increasing graduate enrollment has become a priority. And there's no better place to reach potential students than here.
"Students told us they felt they should be introduced to the idea of going to grad school in their junior year," Christianson said. "It's not any different from going to college for the first time. You don't start talking about college to high school seniors, because by then they've already made other plans."
And it doesn't have to be all about Michigan Tech. Assistant Graduate Dean Marilyn Urion notes that some students could benefit from a another graduate program. "We should encourage them to think about graduate school, whether here or somewhere else," she said.
Students said faculty could also show the benefits of graduate school, as well as telling about them. They report that even lackluster teachers become animated when they talk about their research in class. "Based on what students are saying, faculty may wish to consider talking about their research in class, even to freshmen and sophomores," Christianson said. "They say it helps them make a connection between their courses and applications in the real world. When faculty weave some of that into their teaching, students get a whole new spin on what education is all about."
MTU is doing some positive things. Students reported that the senior design projects get them thinking about pursuing research, and they suggest that opportunities for undergraduate research could pique their interest in graduate education.
Once students get to grad school, their experiences can vary widely. Their advisor is usually the critical variable. "I've heard from many, many graduate students, and they all say that your advising makes you or breaks you," said Jo Deaton, an industrial archaeology grad student.
Advisors need to meet with their grad students regularly and assure that they are making adequate progress and that both parties are on the same page. Students also note that they would prefer to be mentored and not treated merely as cheap labor for their advisors' research programs.
There were a few horror stories, such as the faculty member who agreed to be an advisor while neglecting to mention that he or she would be away from MTU the entire year. "And there are advisors who are cracker-jack with one or two students, while the rest are left in the wake," Deaton said.
The graduate students offered a number of suggestions for improving their educational experience. Orientation to the campus and the community needs to be more extensive. They would prefer graduate-level classes with less lecturing and more collegial discussion. More opportunities for collaboration are needed.
Grad students also said that success as an undergraduate isn't the only predictor for success in graduate school; and that students who don't graduate at the top of their class shouldn't necessarily be excluded from pursuing an advanced degree.
Lastly, all the students in the focus groups, graduate and undergraduate alike, were grateful for the chance to talk about their experiences. "I was impressed with how important it was for them to be able to talk about these issues," Urion said. "It was a common concern that something come of it all."
Faculty Breakfasts and Lunches Start Next Month
President Curt Tompkins will be hosting the annual faculty breakfasts (7:30 a.m.) and luncheons (noon) at the University Residence, located on Woodland Avenue, on Sept. 18, 21 and 25 and Oct. 2 and 3.
Faculty were mailed invitations on Monday. If you have any questions, contact Special Events at 487-2284 or events@mtu.edu.
Research VP Finalists Coming to Campus
The Search Committee for the new vice president for research has invited four candidates to campus for interviews in September.
"I think that the Tech community will be impressed with the experience and potential of all the finalists," said committee chair Walter Milligan, a professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
Each candidate will speak at a public forum, and the committee is inviting feedback from the entire campus community. The full resumes are available at the J. R. Van Pelt Library. Comments will only be accepted by e-mail to milligan@mtu.edu using the format described below. E-mail should be sent in text-only format without attachments. The identity of the sender will be confidential. Feedback received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28, will be included in the committee's report to the provost.
Interviews with David Reed, interim vice provost for research, will be held Wednesday-Thursday, Sept. 5-6. He will speak at a public forum Sept. 5 from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. in Dow 641. Since 1990, Reed has been a professor in the School of Forestry and Wood Products. He joined the faculty in 1982 as an assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor in 1986. He served as a Fulbright scholar in Portugal in 1996 and was a forest biometrician with Weyerhauser in Hot Springs, Ark., from 1980 to 1981. Reed has 118 publications to his credit and over $7 million in funded research programs. He earned a PhD in Forest Biometrics from Virginia Tech in 1982.
Interviews with A. Jacob Odgaard will be held Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 17-18. He will speak at a public forum set for 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 in Dow 641. Odgaard has been associate dean of engineering (research and graduate studies) at the University of Iowa, in Iowa City, since 1992. He came to Iowa in 1977 as an adjunct assistant professor, was promoted to assistant professor in 1980, associate professor in 1984 and professor of civil and environmental engineering in 1989. Previously, he was a postdoc at Cambridge University, England (1973-74) and a lecturer at the Technical University of Denmark (1969-72). Odgaard also served as a U.N. consultant at the University of Minas Gerais in Brazil (1972-73) and as a senior research engineer at the Danish Hydraulic Institute (1974-77). He has 122 publications to his credit and has been principal investigator on 70 grants exceeding $10 million in total funding. Odgaard has a PhD in Civil and Structural Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark and is a registered professional engineer in Iowa.
Walter F. Lange will visit campus Thursday-Friday, Sept. 20-21. He will speak at an open forum set for 4:15-5:30 p.m. Sept. 20 in Dow 641. Lange is the associate director for wireless products at IBM in Burlington, Vt. He has held a variety of positions at IBM since 1980, starting in semiconductor materials research and gravitating into senior management and technical marketing. Lange has managed large, interdisciplinary teams containing 60 PhD-level researchers and has had extensive professional experience in Asia and Europe. He has served on advisory boards at MTU, North Carolina State University and the Colorado School of Mines. Lange has recruited MS and PhD graduates extensively, and funded/managed research at major universities. He earned a PhD in Metallurgical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1979.
Allan T. Mense will be on campus Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 24-25. He will speak at an open forum set for 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 in M&M U115. He is lead systems engineer for Motorola's Teledisic Satellite Program in Tempe, Ariz. Mense has held a wide variety of positions in academia, industry and government, serving as vice president for research, Florida Institute of Technology, 1988-92; chief scientist, Strategic Defense Initiative, Washington, DC, 1985-88; project manager, McDonnell-Douglas, St. Louis, Mo., 1981-85; senior scientific staff, Science and Technology Committee, US House of Representatives, Washington, DC, 1979-81; and research scientist, Oak Ridge National Lab, Oak Ridge, Tenn., 1976-79. Mense has 47 publications to his credit and one patent. He has a PhD in Plasma Physics/Nuclear Engineering from the University of Wisconsin.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS
Send your confidential e-mail message to milligan@mtu.edu, text-only, in the following format, with "VP-R feedback" in the subject line.
Candidate name:
Evaluator category (choose one): Faculty, Staff, Student, Administrator (Department Chair, Dean, Senior Administrator, Center/Institute Director), Other (explain)
Did you meet the candidate? Yes/No
Did you see the candidate's public presentation? Yes/No
Candidate's strengths:
Candidate's weaknesses:
BRIEF comments (optional):
Mail Services Back to Regular Hours
Mail Services is back on regular hours, 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. The deadline for same-day pick up of US Postal Service Mail is 4 p.m. The daily deadlines for special services are 3 p.m. for Federal Express and 4:15 p.m. for UPS.
Cafe Rozsa is now serving gourmet coffee, espresso and specialty beverages, plus pastries and snacks, in the Rozsa lobby.
Drop by for a bite between 7:30 and 10:30 a.m. Monday-Friday when classes are in session.
By Dave Fischer
WKMJ, 93.5 FM, will be the radio home of Michigan Tech athletics for the 2001-02 season, Huskies athletic director Rick Yeo has announced.
"We're extremely pleased to be working with WKMJ," said Yeo. "Matt and John Vertin, as well as Mitch, Mary Ann, Dirk and the entire staff at WKMJ have been just tremendous and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with the station."
WKMJ will carry live broadcasts of all Michigan Tech hockey, football, women's basketball and men's basketball events. In addition, up to six women's volleyball matches will be broadcast live. The agreement calls for WKMJ to broadcast all post-season events in the above sports as well.
In addition, WKMJ will air a new program, Huskies Drive Time, each Wednesday from September through March from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. The show will be hosted by Dirk Hembrof and feature happenings in and around Huskies athletics.
"We've opted to go away from the hour-long coaches shows we've had in the past and try a format that will include all of our programs. "We really feel like it will benefit everyone, and we're excited to have Dirk Hembrof as the host."
WKMJ is the former WMPL-FM, which has been the home of Michigan Tech athletics for most of the past 30 years. In July 2001, station owners Bob Olson and Joe Blake sold both WMPL-FM and WMPL-AM to Victor Broadcasting, a group including Matt, John, and Kathy Vertin.
Legendary Bob Olson will call play-by-play action in both hockey and football, while Mark Wilcox will handle home basketball games and Wes Frahm will call road basketball action. Versatile Mitch Lake will continue to provide play-by-play for Tech women's volleyball and will also call some basketball action.
For Olson, the 2001-02 campaign will be his 31st and final year as the voice of the Hockey Huskies. Hembrof will take over as the play-by-play voice of Michigan Tech hockey and football in 2002-03.
Retirement Party for Dave Ouillette
A retirement party for Associate Registrar Dave Ouillette will be held Thursday, Sept. 6, 9:30-11:30 a.m., in Memorial Union Alumni Lounge A. "Come join the Records and Registration staff in wishing Dave the very best as he retires and begins his latest journey in life!" Dave has been at MTU 27-plus years, having joined the Tech staff in February 1974.
Audition Next Week for Concert Choir
Auditions for the Michigan Tech Concert Choir will be held during the week of Sept. 4.
The repertoire for the first program for this season will be Mass in A by Gustav Gundlach, Mass for Chorus and Orchestra by Milton Olsson and A Suite of Carols from "The Many Moods of Christmas." These works will be performed in December at the Rozsa Center in concert with the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra. A spring program will feature "Music from the Americas," with music by composers from North, Central and South America. This program will also be featured on the choir's tour of Brazil in summer 2002.
Community members interested in joining the choir are invited to attend rehearsal on Thursday, Aug. 30, to learn more about the choir and auditions. The choir meets each Tuesday and Thursday of the academic year from 4 to 5:30 p.m in Rozsa 120, the Choral Room.
More information about the choir is available from Olsson, 487-2207.
Auditions Sept. 4 for "Talking With"
Auditions for University Theatre's fall play, "Talking With," by Jane Martin, will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 4, from 7 to 10 p.m. in Walker 210. Six performances of the play will be presented in McArdle Theatre beginning Oct. 18, with Associate Professor Sue Stephens (Fine Arts) directing.
More information is available in the fine arts office, Walker 209, 487-2067.
Teaching at Tech: Igniting Intrinsic Motivation
By William Kennedy, director, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Faculty Development
A chorus of faculty voices from across the U.S. bemoan a lack of enthusiasm and drive in a larger percentage of entering students. Our own experiments attempting to improve success rates for our "killer" courses continue to include tough-love techniques, reduced class sizes, outside tutoring, help sessions, coaching and group learning. These expensive and exhausting course enhancements do improve academic performance to some extent, but most of us would admit that these palliatives do not begin to make up for waning motivation and lack of determination evidenced by some of our students.
At MTU, 35 percent of those students filling out the nearly 20,000 course evaluation forms collected during the spring 2001 semester responded to the statement "I wanted to take this course" by indicating that they were either ambivalent or negatively predisposed to having enrolled in the course in the first place. Fortunately, these motivation and initial interest measures do tend to improve over an undergraduate college career. Overall, on a five-point scale, where one is strongly objecting to taking the course and five is eagerly looking forward to it, student responses to this same survey item for courses below the 2000 level averaged just slightly above the ambivalent mark (3.15), 2000-level course responses averaged 3.7, 3000-level courses averaged 3.76, 4000 courses 4.02, and 5000 and above averaged a 4.53.
If a lack of initial motivation, especially among entering students, is a profound hurdle to learning, what can be done about it? Regis University Research Professor Raymond Wlodkowski says that our notions of what motivates students may be way off the mark and badly out of date. He writes, "Although the cognitive revolution is more than thirty years old, most colleges are locked in midcentury with a deterministic, mechanistic, and behavioristic orientation toward student motivation." Colleges, he asserts, almost exclusively employ extrinsic motivators such as competitive grading procedures as the primary carrots to encourage student learning. Such schemes, he suggests, simply don't work very well with many students.
According to Wlodkowski, motivation is the natural human capacity "to direct energy in the pursuit of a goal, and learning is a naturally active and normally volitional process . . ."* Tapping into a student's intrinsic motivation, in the view of the American Psychological Association's Task Force on Psychology in Education, is the real key to fostering more profound and lasting learning in our students. "Intrinsic motivation occurs when students can see that what they are learning is important," Wlodkowski argues. He suggests that teachers map out their motivation strategies just as carefully as they lay out the actual content of their courses.
Wlodkowski says that to maximize student learning, instructors should 1) encourage inclusion by using collaborative learning techniques, 2) create a favorable disposition toward the course goals by providing students with some choice as to the approach they will take toward mastering those goals, and 3) enhance the meaningfulness of course outcomes and increase student self-confidence by encouraging students to frequently apply what they are learning to solve real-world problems.
An instructor's enthusiasm with the course material and a clear desire to foster student success also go a long way in igniting intrinsic motivation in students.
* Raymond J. Wlodkowski, "Motivation and Diversity", in Motivation from Within: Approaches for Encouraging Faculty and Students to Excel, New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 78, Summer 1999, Michael Theall, Ed., Jossey-Bass.
Entertainment and Enrichment (Back to Contents)
Rozsa Welcomes New Friends at Annual Season Preview
On Wednesday, Sept. 5, current Friends of the Rozsa will be on hand to greet new and prospective Friends at a reception at 7:30 p.m. in the Rozsa lobby. The public is invited to enjoy some delicious desserts, learn about the upcoming season of events at the Rozsa and find out about the benefits of joining the organization and becoming a Friend. Valerie Pegg, director of the Great Events Series, will show a video that presents a sneak preview of all the touring events for the year. Milt Olsson, chair of the Department of Fine Arts, will show a video of the music, theater and dance activities in his department, and describe some events scheduled for the 2001-02 season. The event is free and is open to everyone.
The staff at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts hopes the second season will be as successful as the first. With several sellouts and good audiences at last year's shows, it became clear that the campus and local communities were very happy with the new addition to the campus skyline. And people are the important ingredient in ensuring the long-term success of such a venture. Friends of the Rozsa is an organization made up of people who value the performing arts and who see the need for such a facility in our community.
Membership in Friends of the Rozsa provides the opportunity to support special programs for area schools, keep ticket prices affordable, and ensure that the quality of programs remains high. However, it's not a one way street; Friends receive many benefits according to their membership level. Benefits range from member courtesy days, during which Friends may purchase single tickets before they go on sale to the general public and priority on box office waiting lists when shows are sold out; to actually sponsoring shows and receiving invitations to gala events. Membership includes students who often join at the starter level of $25. Ticket revenue does not meet the costs of presenting events at the Rozsa. In order to keep ticket prices affordable, prices are subsidized in large part by endowments, grants and gifts from Friends of the Rozsa and from Corporate Friends.
For further information call the Great Events Series Office at 487-2844.
Seminars and Workshops (Back to Contents)
Michigan Tech offers computer classes in collaboration with dL Education. To register for classes, send an e-mail to the Center for Professional Development and Quality Improvement at rwchrist@mtu.edu. Include the class(es) in which you want to enroll, your phone number and account number to which the class(es) should be charged. The charge is $60 for three-hour (half day) classes; $120 for six-hour (full day) sessions. Charges will be billed to your account the month following attendance. dL Education is located in the E.L. Wright Plaza, Suite 201A at 801 N. Lincoln Drive in Hancock. The Plaza is located on Quincy Hill, just below Pat's IGA.
If you have any questions, call 487-2416 or e-mail rwchrist@mtu.edu.
Regular Features (Back to Contents)
Ninette Carlson has joined the Admissions staff as an admissions representative. She was previously employed as an admission counselor at Dunwoody Institute, in Minnesota, and has a BA in Communications from Arizona State University. Carlson enjoys fishing, snowmobiling and outdoor activities.
Susan Sullivan has joined the Campus Store staff as a senior clerk N2. She was previously employed as an assistant events/ticket manager for Northern Michigan University. Sullivan has a BS from Northern Michigan University. She is married to Shane Sullivan, resides in Hancock and enjoys gardening, knitting, nutrition and exercise.
Jill Arola has joined the humanities staff as a writing center learning specialist. She recently graduated from MTU with a BA in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Secondary Education--English, and was a travel specialist with Carlson Wagonlit Travel. Arola is married to Burton Arola, has two children, Kristin and Adam, and lives in Dollar Bay. She enjoys the outdoors, including hiking, fishing and golfing, and spends her summers at a cottage in Big Traverse. Arola has a special interest in educational policy and issues.
Diane Mitchell has joined the Educational Opportunity staff as ExSEL coordinator. She was previously employed as a teacher at Gwinn High School. Additionally, she spent 15 years at Bay De Noc Community College as a math instructor. She has a BS in Mathematical Sciences from MTU, an MBA from Lake Superior State University and a secondary teaching certificate from Northern Michigan University. Mitchell is married to William Mitchell, has two children, William Jr. and Anne, and lives in Hancock.
September
Hispanic Heritage Month
| 4 | Tuesday |
| 7-10 p.m.--Auditions for "Talking With"--/wakjer 210 | |
| 5 | Wednesday |
| 4:15 p.m.--Open forum with research vice president candidate David Reed--Dow 641 | |
| 7:30 p.m.--Friends of the Rozsa reception--Rozsa Center | |
| 8 | Saturday |
| 3 p.m.--Tennis, Northern Michigan at MTU--Gates Tennis Center | |
| 14 | Friday |
| noon--Tennis, Northwood at MTU--Gates Tennis Center | |
| 15 | Saturday |
| 10 a.m.--Tennis, Saginaw Valley State at MTU--Gates Tennis Center | |
| noon--Football, Indianapolis at MTU--Sherman Field | |
| 17 | Monday |
| 4:15 p.m.--Open forum with research vice president candidate A. Jacob Odgaard--Dow 641 | |
| 20 | Thursday |
| 3 p.m.--Tennis, Ashland at MTU--Gates Tennis Center | |
| 4:15 p.m.--Open forum with research vice president candidate Walter F. Lange--Dow 641 | |
| 21 | Friday |
| 3 p.m.--Tennis, Mercyhurst at MTU--Gates Tennis Center | |
| 22 | Saturday |
| noon--Football, Northern Michigan at MTU--Sherman Field | |
| 7 p.m.--Volleyball, Mercyhurst at MTU--SDC | |
| 23 | Sunday |
| 2 p.m.--Volleyball, Gannon, at MTU--SDC | |
| 24 | Monday |
| 4:15 p.m.--Open forum with research vice president candidate Allan T. Mense--M&M U115 | |
| 28 | Friday |
| 2 p.m.--Volleyball, Saginaw Valley State at MTU--SDC | |
| 29 | Saturday |
| 6 p.m.--Volleyball, Northwood at MTU--SDC |
Job descriptions will be available at 1:00 p.m. on Friday or by e-mail from <JOBS@MTU.EDU>. For a complete listing of available jobs, visit http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings/index.shtml
The following positions will be posted Friday, Aug. 31, 2001, at 1:00 p.m. through noon, Monday, Sept. 10, 2001, in the Human Resources Office.
Custodian--Facilities (AFSCME internal posting, third shift)
CHP Mechanic/Operator--Facilities (AFSCME internal and external posting, variable shifts)
Secretary II N4--Student Affairs/Student Activities (Regular, nine-month, part-time position; 25 hours/week; UAW internal and external posting)
Media Specialist--Information Technology/Educational Technology Services
Senior Telecommunications Engineer--Information Technology
Senior Systems Analyst--Information Technology
University employees are reminded to apply in writing prior to noon, Monday, Sept. 10, 2001, 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.
A presentation on proposed changes to MTU's health-care plan will be given to the University Senate Sept. 12, Senate President Robert Keen told the senate Aug. 29.
In addition, four open forums on the changes will be held in September to inform faculty and staff about the changes. (See schedule on page 4.)
The University's budget is expected to go into the red this year, and to help cut expenses the Board of Control approved reducing $500,000 from the anticipated cost of benefits during the 2001-02 fiscal year. The Benefits Liaison Group, organized by Human Resources, was asked to address the issue. The group includes three faculty members, who were invited by Horsch to give their input, as well as staff from human resources, accounting and internal audit.
Keen, who is on the Benefits Liaison Group, told the senate that it was not an easy task.
"Our marching orders were to cut something, not to find great new benefits," he said. However, given the necessity of saving money, the program "has some nice attributes" and does address some weaknesses in the existing program.
"Where's the faculty input?" said Senator Don Beck (Physics), noting that the senate had not been asked to approve the proposal.
Keen said that decisions on financial matters rest with the administration. "We can make recommendations," he said, but neither the senate nor the Benefits Liaison Group can dictate policy.
"How is the representative on the committee chosen?" Senator Bruce Barna (Chemical Engineering) asked.
Keen replied that the members of the Benefits Liaison Group serve at the invitation of Human Resources, and that they are not representatives of any specific group. The two other faculty serving on the group are Senator Tony Rogers (Chemical Engineering), a member of the senate Benefits Committee; and Senator Jim Pickins (SFWP), a member of the senate Finance Committee.
Barna said the senate should choose its own representative.
"You're not representing the senate; the senate has no representative," Senator Carl Vilmann (ME-EM) said to Keen. Keen agreed. "We're not really representing the faculty," he said. "We're advisors, and we're doing the best we can."
"We're in a difficult situation," said Pickins. "We can have a seat at the table or not. Our choice is to be there."
"A lot of ideas were brought forth, and there were many heated discussions," Pickins said. "There will be cuts, and it will be painful." However, the process is better than it was in 1999, he said, when health-care co-pays were increased without consulting with employees.
Barna said that if Keen is not serving as a senate representative, he has "no business on the senate."
"You should not be president or not be on the committee," he said.
Keen said that he could quit the Benefits Liaison Group, but that he felt it was better to provide his input than to withhold it.
Vilmann said it would be enough to clarify that Keen wasn't a senate representative.
Several senators said the process should have been more open and some suggested that employees should have been surveyed. Senator Christ Ftaclas (Physics) said that in every organization he'd been in, "benefits are done in secret and announced." However, he said, "we're different," and this would have been a chance to involve employees in the process.
In other business, the senate
Open Forums Scheduled on Health Benefits
Human Resources is inviting all MTU employees to attend one of the following open forums to learn about upcoming changes in health-care benefits.
The University Women's Club will hold its Fall Welcome Tea on Thursday, Sept. 6, at 7-9 p.m. in the Rozsa Center lobby. Valerie Pegg, director of cultural enrichment, will be the guest speaker.
All University women, including faculty, staff and spouses, are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Pat Gotschalk at 487-6793.
Club Indigo Starts September 7
The Club Indigo food and film program at the Calumet Theatre begins again Friday, Sept. 7, thanks to the sponsorship of the Mu Beta Psi music fraternity. The movie is "The Cameraman" with silent film star Buster Keaton and it will be accompanied on the piano by professional pianist/composer Melvin Kangas.
After making two-reeler shorts with another famous comic, Keaton soon began to shape his own material. Writing, directing and acting in his full-length features, he had audiences spellbound as he would defy gravity, zoom through traffic in his collapsing Model T Ford or dangle precariously from great heights. In one film he went so far as to create chaos among hundreds of uniformed cops in a chase down Los Angeles streets; it left audiences wild.
Although "The General" was considered his greatest film, he topped it in 1929 with "The Cameraman." It was to be his last silent movie, his swan song in an era that sent the movie industry into a turmoil of transition to sound and, unfortunately, left Buster Keaton and many other silent stars behind.
"The Cameraman" tells the story of a born loser, a fellow attempting to make a living (not very successfully) as a street photographer. In desperation, he buys a second hand movie camera in hopes of becoming a great movietone cameraman. What happens after that comprises the main plot - a series of adventures that culminate in a Chinese Tong war with Keaten trapped smack in the middle of it.
"The Cameraman" with Kangas at the keyboard with his original composition for the film will be shown at 7:15 p.m. with an admission fee of $3.50 (a discount for children). But for those who wish to make this Club Indigo a complete evening, an appropriate buffet will be served preceding the film, at 6 p.m. Total package is $12, again with a discount for children.
The buffet, created by Chef Erik Karvonen of the Log Cabin Inn in Kearsarge, will take his cue from the funniest scene in the comedy and bring a multi-coursed Chinese gourmet buffet to the theatre's ballroom. Reservations are required for the buffet only - made by calling the Calumet Theatre, 337-2610.
This Club Indigo program is made possible through the support of the Mu Beta Psi music fraternity and Swede's Gifts and the Superior Divers Center, both of Copper Harbor.