With the increased enrollment of students who openly identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (GLBTQ), the Michigan Tech Safe Place Program is designed to be a comprehensive and in-depth resource to better prepare faculty, staff, and graduate assistants to address the needs of these students. The training program addresses a wide range of terms that GLBTQ students use to define their identities, issues that GLBTQ students often deal with during the coming out process, concerns that GLBTQ students face both in and out of the classroom, ways that faculty, staff, and graduate assistants can create inclusive classroom and office environments, where faculty, staff, and graduate assistants can refer students who need to report harassment, and the on- and off-campus resources available to students. All graduate students are invited to participate in the program. The spring 2013 training times and the online registration form are available at http://safeplace.mtu.edu/register.php.
The Office of Compliance, Integrity, and Safety at Michigan Tech will be conducting an ‘Ethics, Integrity, and Responsible Conduct of Research Workshop‘ on May 8th (Thursday) and 9th (Friday). Attendance and passing (the exam) of this 2-day workshop will fulfill the University’s graduation requirement for Responsible Conduct of Research training. Graduate students who have not completed course work fulfilling this requirement and who plan on graduating spring or summer semester are encouraged to attend.
There are different components to this workshop and the lectures will be conducted by experts in different fields.
It is a $25 registration-fee course and helps you complete the requirement of RCR advanced training in just 2 days.
Applications are being accepted for the 2014 Ford Foundation Fellowships Programs for Achieving Excellence in College and University Teaching. Full eligibility information and online applications are available on our website at: http://nationalacademies.org/ford
Eligibility Requirements:
- U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents, or individuals granted deferred action status under the DACA program
- Planning a career in teaching and research at the college or university level in a research-based filed of science, social science or humanities
Stipends and Allowances:
- Predoctoral–$20,000 to the fellow, institutional allowance of $2,000 for three years
- Dissertation–$21,000 for one year
- Postdoctoral–$40,000 for one year, $1,500 employing institution allowance, to be matched by employing institution
Awardees have expenses paid to attend one Conference of Ford Fellows.
Approximately 60 predoctoral, 35 dissertation, and 24 postdoctoral fellowships sponsored by the Ford Foundation and administered by the National Research Council of the National Academies.
Application Deadline Dates:
- Predoctoral: November 20, 2013
- Dissertation: November 15, 2013
- Postdoctoral: November 15, 2013
For Further information please contact:
Fellowships Office, Keck 576
National Research Council of the National Academies
500 Fifth Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202.334.2872
Fax: 202.334.3419
On Friday, April 16, nine alumnae were inducted into the Presidential Council of Alumnae (PCA). In addition to the nine new inductees, 30 PCA members were also on campus for their annual business meeting April 14-16.
The PCA advises the President on campus climate issues, provides suggestions for enhancing the University’s environment for students, and assists the President by identifying programs and activities that will benefit Michigan Tech. PCA works with the Office of Institutional Diversity, the Advancement area and the academic departments to help implement their ideas and support the University’s strategic plan.
The inductees are as follows:
- Nancy A. Auer (Arnold), Biological Sciences, ’95 (PhD Alumna Graduate)
- Ellen M. Bauman (Barrett), Electrical Engineering, ’90 and ’93 (MS Alumna Graduate)
- Elzbieta G. Berak, Civil Engineering, ’81, Engineering Mechanics, ’85 (PhD Alumna Graduate)
- Michelle-Anne Christensen (Irmen), Geological Engineering, ’84, Civil Engineering, ’86
- Kathleen Haselmaier (Calder), Computer Science, ’84
- Wendy L. Kram (Davidson), Mechanical Engineering, ’91
- Catherine A. Leslie (Kuchta), Civil Engineering, ’83
- Barbara K. Lograsso (Kiiskila), Metallurgical Engineering, ’80 and ’82, Metallurgical and Materials Science, ’91 (MS, PhD Alumna Graduate)
- Erin A. Zimmer (Atwell), Chemistry, ’98
Another component of the PCA program includes the annual Women of Promise awards. This award recognizes current female students from each academic department who go above and beyond what is expected of them in terms of being a well-rounded student. The award goes to students who have demonstrated academic achievement, campus and community leadership, good citizenship, creativity and other characteristics of high-achieving individuals.
The honorees are as follows:
- Anne E. Aho, Social Sciences
- Ashley N. Benjamin, School of Technology
- Kaitlyn J. Bunker, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Danae N. Danen, Mathematical Sciences
- Heather L. Dickey, Computer Science
- Andrea Dixon, Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
- Roxane Gay, Humanities (PhD Alumna Candidate)
- Krista M. Kasuboski, Exercise Science, Health and Physical Education
- Chelsea R. Leighton, Visual and Performing Arts
- Britta C. Lundberg, Material Science and Engineering
- Amanda L. Malburg, Civil Engineering
- Jaclyn E. Nesbitt, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (MS Alumna Graduate, PhD Candidate)
- Annie L. Putman, Chemistry
- Leslie M. Sabbann, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (undergraduate)
- Erin M. Scanlon, Physics
- Alison J. Springer-Wilson, Chemical Engineering
- Danielle M. Stoll, Biomedical Engineering
- Anna A. Uhl, Biological Sciences
- Donieka R. Walker, Cognitive and Learning Sciences
- Katherine R. Waring, Environmental Engineering
- Jill C. Witt, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (PhD Alumna Candidate)
- Katie L. Wysocky, School of Business and Economics
Published in Tech Today
The Michigan Tech Safe Place Program is a comprehensive resource to better prepare faculty and staff to address the needs of students who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (GLBTQ). The training program addresses a wide range of terms that GLBTQ students use to define their identities, issues that GLBTQ students often deal with during the coming out process, concerns that GLBTQ students face both in and out of the classroom, ways that faculty and staff can create inclusive classroom and office environments, where faculty and staff can refer students who need to report harassment and the on- and off-campus resources available to students.
All faculty and staff members are invited to participate in the program. The fall 2013 training times and the online registration form are available online.
Published in Tech Today
The Office of Education (OE) at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) is currently recruiting for the NASA Internship Program at Glenn. This is a 10-week paid internship program for eligible college students, both undergraduate and graduate, as well as paid fellowships for faculty members. The dates of the two summer sessions are as follows:
- Session #1: June 5, 2017 – August 11, 2017
- Session #2: June 12, 2017 – August 18, 2017
Participants have the opportunity to work with some of the Nation’s most talented scientists and engineers advancing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); and non-STEM majors that lend support to the NASA mission. Participating in internships and fellowship programs is an important part of the personal growth and professional development of college students and faculty. At NASA GRC, we understand how beneficial these opportunities are for participants of all backgrounds.
All interested faculty members and students, please register to attend our NASA GRC virtual career fair on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from 2 – 3:30 p.m. EST.
The following login/dial-in information is set for the webinar:
Virtual meeting space: Dial-in Audio Connection: Toll free (844) 467-6272, then enter passcode 988353. Connect 10 minutes prior to start time, sign-in with first and last name
Vanessa R. Webbs, M.Ed., Internship Project Manager
NASA Glenn Research Center
GRC-Intern@mail.nasa.gov
There is still room to register for the fall 2014 Safe Place training. The Michigan Tech Safe Place program is a comprehensive resource to better prepare faculty and staff to address the needs of students who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (GLBTQ).
The training program addresses a wide range of terms that GLBTQ students use to define their identities, issues that they often deal with during the coming out process, concerns that they face both in and out of the classroom, ways that faculty and staff can create inclusive classroom and office environments, and refer students who need to report harassment, and the on-and off-campus resources available to students.
View the fall 2014 training times and register online.
Dear students,
In early April, the Provost convened an ad hoc committee to look into issues impacting graduate students. This committee submitted a set of recommendations to the Provost concerning employment, Daniell Heights graduate student housing, fundraising, and communications. The outcome of those recommendations is the subject of this email.
Employment
The committee recognized that a number of students have had their on-campus working hours reduced or eliminated entirely. The committee recommended that these students be supported for the hours they were unable to work. Across-the-board compensation is not possible at this time due to the wide variability in student situations and need. Federal Work-Study students will continue to be paid for the number of hours they were allowed. Students experiencing financial hardship as a result of lost hours are encouraged to apply for assistance through the emergency funds listed later in this email.
Daniell Heights Housing
The results of recommendations made in regard to Daniell Heights are below:
- There will be no evictions as long as a student has a payment plan in place and is meeting their obligations.
- Accounts Receivable will offer zero-interest payment plans. Please contact them to set one up: mtu.edu/fso/office/contact/
- Late fees were waived in April. At this time and going forward, normal late fees will be applied. Students are encouraged to set up a payment plan if they are having trouble making rent payments.
- Students having trouble making their payments should reach out to Accounts Receivable to discuss their situation. Accounts Receivable will work with individuals to discuss future plans and expectations. Additional communication will be coming from Accounts Receivable and Housing.
- Previously planned rent increases are included in the budget for 2020-2021. It is not anticipated that these increases will change.
- If a hold is placed on your account, please contact Accounts Receivable to discuss your situation.
Fundraising
As the demand for emergency funds has increased, the committee recommended that fundraising for these emergency resources be made a priority. The dean of the Graduate School and Advancement and Alumni Engagement are putting together a plan to raise funds that will be specifically set aside for grad student support. These funds will be prioritized for students who are not eligible for other forms of emergency resources.
Communications
For information of particular interest to graduate students, visit the MTU Flex website, which addresses questions and concerns from students, faculty, and staff.
Emergency Funds
There are a number of emergency resources available to students. Please see below for a list of available resources.
- Husky Emergency Assistance Fund – Emergency funds for students and staff experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. These funds do not need to be paid back.
- Graduate School Emergency Fund – Zero-interest loans provided by the Graduate School. Currently capped at $500 per application. Very flexible repayment options.
- International Student Emergency Fund – Available to international students experiencing financial hardship. Currently limited to $500 per student, but other amounts may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The funds do not need to be paid back.
- Betty Chavis Emergency Fund – Emergency funds for students—now including graduate students—experiencing financial hardship.
- HuskyFAN – Food resources available for students experiencing food insecurity. No-cost meal packets can be picked up from Public Safety. Please schedule a pickup ahead of time.
CARES Act funds will also be available to eligible students. We are awaiting University guidance on how the funds will be disbursed. Official communication on this matter is forthcoming.
The Graduate School recognizes the difficulty of the situation and urges any graduate student who is experiencing hardship or who feels their concerns are not addressed by the information in this email to reach out by emailing gradschool@mtu.edu. We are here to help.
Take care,
Pushpa Murthy
Associate Provost and Dean, Graduate School
Michigan Tech IT has launched a new site for students, faculty and staff to download software packages available to them for installation on their personal computers. Software includes Matlab, AutoCad, ChemBioDraw, EndNote, Microsoft Office and more.
To see a list of available software, login to www.it.mtu.edu/downloads, using your Michigan Tech ISO username and password.
A graduate student at Michigan Tech, Rhianna Williams, is earning a master’s degree far from the ivory tower of the classroom. She’s working as a volunteer with the US Office of Surface Mining VISTA program, helping residents of the Uncompahgre Watershed learn about protecting their water resources.
“I joined for the opportunity to practice what I’d learned in the class out in the field,” she says.
Williams conducts watershed education programs in the schools and monthly water sampling for Riverwatch, a group that monitors the river’s conditions along a 10-mile stretch of the Upper Uncompahgre River.
“I’ve enjoyed working with kids,” she says. “We work with local third-grade teachers to take the class out water sampling every month. They were really excited to know that the data they collected would be used to make decisions about their river.”
VISTA, originally Volunteers in Service to America, was founded in 1965 as a national service program designed to fight poverty in the US. In 1993, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs.
The OSM/VISTA and Peace Corps Coverdell programs offer graduate students the opportunity to combine academic study with supervised, practical field experience and research. Michigan Tech has partnered with OSM/VISTA programs since 2012
For the full story, see Michigan Tech News.