The Student Scoop

Student News Briefs – April 3, 2020

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“I have one life and one chance to make it count for something… My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.”

― Jimmy Carter

EVERY WEDNESDAY: Trivia Night!

Trivia Night!  Join us at 8 PM EST on Zoom.  Think you know more than your friends?  Full of facts and not sure when you might need them?  Prove to everyone you know your stuff!  We will have weekly Wednesday trivia nights until the end of the semester.  First up will be general trivia on April 8.  Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get more information about upcoming trivia topics and other fun events!

Comedy Magician Trent James – LIVE on your computer!

Join us virtually on April 10 at 9:00 PM EST for a night of laughs, magic, and fun!  

Comedy magician Trent James is bringing a fresh new feel to the “classic magic show”. Trent’s high-energy performance combines mind boggling magic with gut busting humor that has earned rave reviews in seventeen states. Trent is now quickly becoming one of the top magicians in the country. Don’t take our word for it…he has received top awards from both The International Brotherhood of Magicians and The Society of American Magicians, as well as being the youngest recipient of The Milbourne Christopher Award (Past winners Included David Copperfield and Penn and Teller). Trent’s unique sleight of hand magic and hip vibe have made him a huge hit at colleges, comedy clubs, and corporate events.

Everyone is invited and the show is family-friendly.  You will even get to learn a trick or two!

Watch on Zoom: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LZz9opwiR3GVUCkHH4GQ0g

Census 2020 — Help Our Community

Michigan Tech encourages everyone to complete the 2020 Census and count yourself where you reside for most of the year. This would be your residence in the Houghton/Hancock/Keweenaw area or on campus. Your participation ensures the Michigan Tech community receives the future support it needs for parks, roads, walking and bike trails, schools, and city services and programs. For more information, please visit this site.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Michigan Tech is planning to host virtual events educate the campus community to prevent sexual violence. The following events are available to students, staff and faculty: End Rape on Campus and It’s On Us Zoom UniversityFor Sexual Assault Awareness Month, End Rape On Campus & It’s On Us have partnered together to bring you Zoom University: A Self-Care Survivor Series, a virtual course collection of webinars, workshops and more for students and survivors throughout Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Join them next week for:

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action on Tuesday, April 7

Help turn social media teal — the color of sexual assault awareness and prevention — on April 7th by sharing a teal selfie using #SAAM. Teal ribbons, t-shirts, nails, hair, makeup, jewelry, ties, and other accessories have been popular items worn in the past. You can also take the It’s On Us pledge and share your pledge through social media. Sample post: Today is the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action, and I’m wearing teal to show my support for survivors. #SAAM #IAsk

Dial Help Virtual TEAL Survivor Support Group on Tuesday, April 7

Dial Help, Inc. is hosting a virtual TEAL Survivor Support Group at 7:00 PM on April 7, 2020 through Zoom. Contact Paige to join at (906)482-9077 or psetter-hallwachs@dialhelp.org. TEAL is a free, safe, and non-judgmental community support group for anyone who experienced sexual violence past or present, including childhood abuse. Funded by the Division of Victim Services.

RAINN Checks for RAINN Day on April 14

The Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN) is holding their annual RAINN Day on April 14, 2020. On April 14, Dial Help, Inc. and Michigan Tech Title IX are teaming up to host two Zoom meetings:

In these Zoom meetings, we will discuss self care, violence prevention and services available. Each session will hold space for questions from the audience.

Denim Day on Wednesday, April 29

Michigan Tech Title IX invites you to wear denim with a purpose on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 for International Denim Day to support survivors and educate our community about the forms of sexual violence. Denim Day was founded after a 1999 Italian Supreme Court decision overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore tight jeans. Enraged by the verdict, within hours the women in the Italian Parliament launched into action and protested by wearing jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court. Peace Over Violence, a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles, organized the country’s first Denim Day event in 1999. You can find more information about Denim Day here. Please join us in wearing denim proudly on April 29. 

With any questions about these events, please contact Kaylee Kapatos at kkapatos@mtu.edu.

Minecraft Building Night

The Alley wants you to build something in Minecraft! The theme for this event is campus. We will be accepting photos through our email (makerspace@mtu.edu) all week (April 6th-10th), and posting a compilation on Facebook.

(If you don’t own Minecraft, the original browser version is still available at https://classic.minecraft.net)

Campus Store Course Material Updates – Buyback and Rentals

RENTAL RETURNS
Students who have rented books for the Spring Term will be required to return those books to Public Safety by May 15, 2020.  Students have a two week extension for rental returns.  Students who have left campus will be asked to ship their books back to the store, while those who remain on campus will have a drop location at Public Safety while the campus store is closed. We are planning in the event that we are unable to reopen, or for students who have returned to their permanent home. During this process, both the Campus Store and Public Safety will ensure adherence to the Governor’s order of social distancing, and respect safety guidelines for handling rental returns. These steps include, keeping a 6′ distance and disinfecting books. Students will receive communication regarding their rentals with instructions for proper returns. If students reach out to faculty to questions regarding their rental books, please have them contact Jennifer Cowan at the Campus Store.  

BUYBACK
Students will now have the chance to sell their used textbooks through an online buyback program. Michigan Tech Campus Bookstore has partnered with two used textbook wholesalers who are offering students the opportunity to sell their books back without leaving their home. The Campus Store website will allow students to compare prices to both Nebraska Book Company and MBS Book Exchange. Both companies will allow students to print off a return label for free shipping. If you’d like to find out more, you can reach out to Jennifer Cowan at the Campus Store or click here (https://www.bookstore.mtu.edu/michtech) During this time of social distancing, this is just one way the Campus Store is helping to smooth the transition for students by seeking new ways to offer services students depend on.

New Deadline for Undergraduate Research Internship Program (URIP) applications

The deadline for   Undergraduate Research Internship Program (URIP)  applications has been extended to April 20th.  

The program consists of a 20-week internship (Mid-September through Mid-March), a $1,600 stipend, and professional development activities centered in academic research and scholarship. The internship program is open to any undergraduate student on campus.

Applications are due by April 20 and include the following:

1.     Online Application Form

2.     Project Description

3.     Faculty Mentor Letter of Support

4.     Faculty Match Funding Acknowledgement

Details of these requirements can be found at mtu.edu/honors/research/urip/application.html.

This program is made possible by generous donations from the Portage Health Foundation, the DeVlieg Foundation and with the support of the Pavlis Honors College.

Campus-wide and Virtual Exhibit: The Art of Climate Change

The work of Chicago-based artist Alisa Singer, Environmental Graphiti is a series of digital paintings created to enhance public awareness of the science of climate change. Each of the artworks is derived from a chart, graph, map, word or number relating to key facts about climate change. Michigan Tech’s exhibit includes 23 pieces displayed at 10 locations across campus and virtually via the interactive campus map.

View the Tech Today article for more information

MTU SDH Event: The Keweenaw’s First Waste Reduction Drive

The Keweenaw’s First Waste Reduction Drive!

*DRIVE DATE POSTPONED TO THIS SUMMER (OFFICIAL DATE TBD)*

*PLEASE KEEP COLLECTING THE 5 WASTE ITEMS*

Stay tuned for more information regarding the new Drive date.  We are hoping to hold the drive sometime this summer when it is safe for people to gather in groups again.  If you are no longer able to hold on to your items or you will not be in the Keweenaw this summer, please contact sdh@mtu.edu and we will work with you to take your items off your hands.

Please continue saving these five items: granola/energy bar wrappers, batteries, plastic caps and rings, Styrofoam and cardboard egg cartons, and any plastic bag containing a recycling number.How much WASTE can we SAVE from the landfill as a COMMUNITY?

Emergency Resources for Students

During the outbreak of COVID-19 students may be experiencing different types of needs. Michigan Tech has been working to develop a list of resources to address these needs. 

Food Resources:

  • Husky FAN: Food pantry and emergency meals,
  • Western UP Food Bank (Houghton),
  • Meals for children: Houghton-Portage Township Schools are providing meals by order (email sturnquist@houghton.k12.mi.us or call 906-369-0449) to children 18 and unders.
  • BHK Community Action Agency can provide monthly food options to those in need: 906-482-5528,

Utility Resources:

  • Utilities: Some area utilities (electric, gas, water) can assist customers with payment plans or assistance with paying bills,
  • UPPCO is suspending non-payment cut offs until April 5, customers need to contact them to inform them of any changes to their income during this time,
  • Spectrum: Offering internet options for students who do not have access,

Medical:

  • Medical: Hospitals can offer payment plans or other assistance for payment,

Storage:

  • Uhaul: Offering free storage for students for 30 days

Job opportunities:

  • Area businesses are hiring extra workers during this time for deliveries, additional cleaning and stocking,

Emergency Funds:

  • Betty Chavis Emergency Fund
  • International Student Emergency Fund
  • Graduate School Emergency Fund (Loan Program)

There may be additional resources depending on your area of residence. Please refer to your city’s webpage, local news, or social media.

We are continuing to add to this list, please check back on the Dean of Students Emergency Resources page for updates.

Success Coaching at the Wahtera Center

Success coaching is still available through the Wahtera Center. A lot of sudden changes have happened in the last couple weeks and you may find yourself feeling like you’d like some help with areas like refining your study techniques, beating procrastination, or taking care of yourself, a coach can provide direction. Learn more about success coaching here. Contact us at success@mtu.edu to schedule an appointment. 

Career Services is here for you

Virtual LinkedIn Session Wednesday, 25 March from 12-1

Virtual LinkedIn Session Thursday, 26 March from 5:30-6:30

Virtual Graduating and Still Looking Session Tuesday, 31 March 5:30-6:30

Virtual Graduating and Still Looking Session Wednesday, 1 April 12-1

These events are listed in Handshake, and a link is provided therein for students to join the sessions.

In addition, we’re offering 50 hours of one-on-one appointment slots for students who wish to meet with us virtually. We’re continuing to review offers on behalf of students and offer negotiation guidance when needed. Students can either schedule offer reviews through Handshake, or they can send an email to career@mtu.edu if there aren’t appointment slots available. 

Finally, students can send their resumes to career@mtu.edu for reviews and recommendations.