The Lode at Michigan Tech

Michigan Tech performs well in national rankings

Nick Blecha — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:45:49 +0000

Michigan Technological University
has long had a reputation
as a high-quality school, and it seems that reputation is not without merit: the U.S. News and World Report’s college
rankings, as well as the Princeton Review’s rankings, have both rated Michigan Tech among the top universities in the nation.
The U.S. News and World Report’s College Rankings have given Tech a rank of 117 among national universities, an improvement from last year’s ranking of 121. Tech shares that rank with two other schools: Loyola University Chicago and the University of San Francisco. U.S. News also ranked Tech as the 57th best public university
in the nation, and the third best in Michigan, behind only the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. Finally,
Tech was listed among “A+ schools for B students,” which were described as high-quality schools that also accept a large number of students with an ACT of 20-30, and also have high retention rates.
The Princeton
Review also once again listed Michigan Tech as “Best in the Midwest”
in book “The Best 373 Colleges, 2011 Edition.”
Unlike the U.S. News and World Report rankings, the Princeton Review’s report only profiles 15 percent of American schools, and also bases its ratings partly on student response (The U.S. News rankings do not include student opinions as a factor).
Dr. Les Cook, the Vice President
for Student Affairs at Tech, said that while the rankings are certainly good news, one shouldn’t look too much into them, since those rankings tend to focus more on “inputs” like selectivity and test scores rather than outputs. “The attention Michigan Tech gets from being
recognized among the best is valuable and certainly helps reconfirm our academic reputation,”
Cook explained, “but what students gain from their experience here is far more important.”
University President Glenn Mroz said much of the same thing, telling the Lode, “Certainly we’re pleased with the recognition from both magazines,
and it’s always good to be moving
up.” But, Mroz said, “In the end, the real gauge of whether a university or a degree program
is good is whether a graduate gets the education to do what they want to do in life. I think Michigan Tech does very well in that area.”
Students, for their part, took a generally positive view of the news. First-year exercise science
student Deedra Irwin said that the ratings “Makes me feel honored to be going to such a great school.” Fletcher Swanson, a first-year materials science engineering student, agreed. “That’s fantastic, I mean, that’s exactly why people come here. That and the snow.” Students also agreed with U.S. News and World Report’s assessment of Tech as an “A+ school for B students.” “I was a B student myself… they get you up to speed with the harder classes if you’re not quite there yet,” said third-year computer science and management information systems student Adam Gibson. He wondered, though, whether a university’s hiring practices were taken account in either of the ratings, referencing his disappointment with the layoff last year of adjunct computer science professor Bill Siever. Swanson was less concerned about the quality of the ratings. “I guess it would depend on the source,” he said, but added “I’m going to go out on a limb here and say Princeton’s pretty trustworthy.”

EERC Tree: 1915-2010

Lena Wilson — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:42:09 +0000

There once stood a great, well-loved, decrepit white pine in the center of campus. The EERC tree (originally ‘the Leaning Pine’) living in front of the EERC building was cut down on August 17. It seems that there should be some sadness or sorrow surrounding
the EERC tree’s death but it is widely understood that its hulking, leaning being was becoming a threat to public safety.
The pine simply could not survive its isolated environment.
It was quite obvious that the end was near for this old fellow, with his many dead and dying limbs and severe lean. The decision to cut down the tree was handled by Facilities Management. “There were few negative reactions. Most folks realized that safety precedes sentiment,” says Director of Facilities John Rovano.
Forester and Lecturer James Schmierer (undergraduate from 1994-98) remembers betting
with his friends at the beginning
of each term whether or not the Leaning Pine would fall. “I usually bet in favor of the tree — that it would persist for another quarter”. Although the community will never know how long a leaning tree will lean before it lays down.
There are many ideas for what to do with the pine now. Some requests are to make benches for the memorial garden
next to the Rozsa Center or use some of the wood for a sculpture to place on campus. Some “slices” have been requested
for posterity. Facilities Management have stored several
large servings of the pine and plans to parcel them out as requested.
It has been decided another
Michigan white pine will be planted in the EERC tree’s place. Irrigation and electricity
have been added to the area. Now there will be a lighted
white pine at the center of campus. Of course there will be maintenance for this new tree placed in the same urban landscape with the same additional
stresses. Perhaps in another one hundred years Michigan Tech will have it’s leaning tree back. For now the student body will have to find a new candidate for Winter Carnival Queen.
For more information, read the August 18 Tech Today.

Banweb to receive a facelift

Rachel Plafchan — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:40:50 +0000

On the morning of Tuesday Sept. 7, Enterprise Applications Services (EAS) will turn on a new user interface for the campus
Banweb system.
The Banweb system includes Student Self Service, Faculty and Advisor Self Service, and Employee
Self Service. This new interface will be more graphical,
but essentially all of the menus and options remain the same. Only the look and feel will change.
The new interface has undergone
many weeks of testing and validation; however if you do find an issue or error, you can click the “Report a bug” link or email eas@mtu.edu.

Illusionist Craig Karges dazzles Rozsa

Nick Blecha — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:39:04 +0000

Orientation Week at Michigan Tech wrapped up on Friday with a performance at the Rozsa Center
from illusionist Craig Karges. Karges, who has been named Entertainer
of the Year six times by the National Association for College
Activities, showed the audience
several unusual and improbable
actions.
Karges started off by telling the audience that much of his show is based around the idea of “ESP,” his examples for which included things like the experience of deja vú, or perhaps saying something unusual at the exact same time as someone else. However, Karges does not actually claim to possess any sort of supernatural power, and says that he is an entertainer, not a magician or psychic. Furthermore,
he claims not to use any “stooges” or “confederates” in his act (that is, planted audience members who react in prearranged
ways to give the impression
that the performer is working with random audience members). Anyone who can prove that he does in fact have stooges among the audience can have $100,000 donated to charity, as Karges explained
early in the show.
In fact, much of Karges’ show relies on things like psychology. During one of his acts, Karges invited
an audience member to the stage, instructed her to hide a coin in one of her fists, then asked her repeatedly if the coin was in one of the fists, with her answering “yes” the first two times and “no” the second two. Finally, Karges would actually guess which hand the coin was in. His guess was correct the first two times, but incorrect the third time. However, according
to a note that was shown at the beginning of the game but not read until the end, Karges “knew” where the coin actually was, but guessed wrong intentionally. As he explained in the middle of this act, it works because people very often pick the same sequence of hands to hide the coin in. For example,
right-handed people, such as the volunteer, almost universally
pick the right hand the first two times.
Karges’ show also contained a mind-reading segment. Before the show, audience members interested in participating were invited to take a slip of paper from a clipboard and write a few things about themselves. During
the mind-reading segment, Karges would describe an audience
member who had filled out the questionnaire, and would then ask if they had written certain
things on their slips of paper. His statements were invariably correct.
Some of Karges’ other acts included
correctly identifying a random piece of currency provided
by an audience member as a five-euro bill and reading its serial number, moving and even lifting a table with the help of an audience member using only their fingertips, and inviting four audience members to each describe an aspect of a random ficticious car (make/model, color, license plate number, and price), then pulling out a sealed envelope containing a note describing the exact car the four audience members
did.

Pete Lee performing for SACS

Raeanne Madison — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:35:11 +0000

On Friday, Sept. 3 from 10:00pm to 11:15pm, comedian Pete Lee will be performing in the MUB Ballroom. The event is hosted by the Student Activities
Comedy Series (SACS), an organization that promotes alcohol-free social events on campus such as comedy shows.
Pete Lee has been seen on NBC’S Last Comic Standing and is a regular on the popular morning radio show, The Bob & Tom Show. His work is featured
on XM and Sirius satellite radio.
Pete Lee is the second of several
comedians lined up for the 2010-2011 school year. Also look for performances by comedians
Johnny Cardinale, KT Tatara, Bobby Banuelos, Tracey Ashley and Rajiv Satyl.

Culture Shock #1

Jun (Miles) Ni — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:34:10 +0000

Another new year and another beginning! How’s your summer Huskies? Welcome back! From last year’s column,
I got so many positive feedbacks and I think this is the main reason for me to keep it. But I will also be super busy this year. I didn’t realize how many positions I applied last year until I was trying to put everything into my calendar the other day. It is not fun at all. That’s why this column will rotate between me and another Indian graduate student. But I will still be around.
“How’s your summer Miles?” I answered this question at least 100 times in the past two weeks. I think this is a good opportunity for me to talk a little about my summer so I don’t have to answer it again—go read the LODE!
Well, as you all known from last year, I got an internship
from a company downstate. It is an auto company, which makes all kinds of car shifters. Because they also have a facility at Shanghai China, so I was lucky enough to work in my hometown. I was really excited about this great opportunity. I didn’t make whole a lot of money but the company covered my entire living expense and transportation
fee while I was in Shanghai. They even bought me the return airplane tickets! I think I did well because they want me back next summer. It’s a good start for my career in US eh? But tell you what, my mom was pissed. This was my first time be back to home since I came to tech at 2008. She had a big plan for my summer. She wanted me to get a driver license, have a long distance travel with her and my dad, and take a GRE test… Once I told her I only have weekends to stay at home, I think she was really upset. I still feel really sorry about this for my mom although I got so much working experience.
Do you guys enjoy the warm weather this week? I stayed in over 100-degree weather at least one month and half. The summer at Shanghai is tremendously HOT! Fortunately, my working place has air condition so I didn’t get dehydrated. Actually almost all families have at least one AC. There’s no way to fall in asleep when you are still sweating. Oh, by the way, just some basic info for Shanghai: it is the biggest city in China with population of 20 million, which is about the same size as New York City.
I heard some of my friends are going to study abroad in China next summer. They are really scared of this trip. But if I can survive here, you guys can make it there. We like Americans. However, if you are on food diet—I’m also using a small app on my phone to watch my weight—this not gonna work in China. You won’t be able to track your calories at all. Need an approval? I gained 15 pounds in 3 months! Trust me, no matter how delicious
the dishes are, one bite is good enough.
Man, I have so much to talk about but I just don’t know where to start. But we have the whole year, don’t we? Thanks for all your supporting again! Hope all of you will have a great year and improve yourselves

Ask Sassy

Rachel Plafchan — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:31:32 +0000

Dear Sassy,
So the academic year is starting and I am already getting so sick of all the freshmen on campus!
They ask the dumbest questions and, if you ask me, they seem like a bigger group of tools than
last year. Do you have any advice for freshmen so that they can blend in a little easier?
Sincerely,
Uppity upperclassman

Dear Uppity, Transitions are never easy. The first year at college can be a very challenging time. Which is
why no one should ask questions! Questions will only make you look dumb and you probably will scare away any potential friends. It’s much better to meander clueless through your first semester
than be prepared. Helplessness builds character.
I’d like to add that your generalization of the entire class based on what is probably only a few
interactions is spot on! You obviously are very perceptive and have superior insight into a person’s
character. Use this gift to help the first-years. Take them aside and let them know how they
can change to better blend in. Please let me know how it goes! I’m sure we will all be educated, not to mention entertained, by the results.

Dear Sassy
I’m having some roommate issues. My roommate never wears pants, ever. I’m not an ultra-
conservative person by any means but he’s the kind of person that just shouldn’t be walking
around without proper clothing. How do I broach the subject?
Sincerely,
No pants, no way

Dear No Pants,
Every year, freshmen around the country wake up on morning and realize, with horror that their roommate sleeps in the nude. It can be an alarming and uncomfortable situation. First of
all, you should consider yourself lucky that your roommate isn’t a skinny sleeper. At least he’s being
considerate enough to provide some covering, however meager.
It’s never easy to address such personal habits as this. The best thing to do is to take your
roommate’s dislike for clothing one step further. Walk around in the nude. Play computer games
in the nude. This may help to put things in perspective for your roommate.
It’s the old fight fire with fire routine. As a disclaimer, prepare for any repercussions, legal or
otherwise, that might result from you prancing around the room as bare as the day you were born.

Dear Sassy
Lately, I have been getting some flak in the dining hall. Some people think it’s rude to get more than one drink. Sure, I might hold up the line a little, but I am entitled to get a pop and water. Is
there some etiquette that I don’t know about? Should I sacrifice the quality of my meal for the
sake of expediency?
Sincerely,
Dawdling Diner

Dear Dawdling,
College cafeterias, or dining halls if you prefer the euphemism, are dangerous places. Stomachs
are empty, stress levels are high and the savagery of the diners can only be matched by their impatience. Don’t take it personally. I’d encourage you to keep getting your two, three, or four
drinks. Do a social experiment and get six drinks. See how long it will take before your face is
being pressed in the waffle iron.

Done with dinky dorms

Jack Ammerman — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:28:41 +0000

Summer is gone and a new school year has arrived. And just as with all things, time has brought change to Michigan Tech. Graduates have left and new students arrived, the new apartment building is finished, and most of third floor Douglass Houghton Hall has been converted
to single rooms.
Having lived on the third floor of DHH last year, to me this was an excellent move by housing. Compared to other rooms on campus, DHH has some of the smallest room sizes. If you have never lived, visited, or even imagined
the rooms in question it is important that you realize how small they are. Housing Facilities have them listed as 15’1” wide x 10’6” long. Along with these measurements
is the phrase “Exact dimensions may vary”. This is smaller than Wadsworth and McNair
Halls which are both about 10 square feet bigger. Not only are third Floor DHH rooms width and length smaller, but also the ceilings are lower too. Take a trip to first floor DHH, then second, then third. You will see a drastic change in head room. Douglass Houghton Hall is also the oldest Residential Hall on campus and was built in the late 1930s. The third floor was originally the attic
of the building but changed into living space in order to house more students. The fact that it is an addition to the building makes the rooms on third floor even more interesting. None of them are exactly alike. Some rooms even have weird partitions creating
odd angles on the walls. This makes setup at the beginning of the year particularly difficult. Especially
when it is impossible to rearrange the furniture into new configurations in some rooms. Living in these rooms with a roommate is quite a challenge.
Last year at Michigan Tech I encountered that challenge. I lived on the third floor of DHH with a roommate. The cramped rooms and inability to change our setup was a discomfort to me. Especially
when I went downstairs and saw guys triple lofting their beds. When I was given the option
for a single room the next year I jumped at it, glad to finally gain a bit of extra space. Interestingly
I was given the exact same room as last year, except minus one full set of dorm furniture. This has made all the difference. These rooms were cramped and uncomfortable with two people living in them. Converted to singles however, they are perfect.
Without an extra bed, desk, and dresser in the way, I can arrange
the room to save space. I am simply amazed at how different
it feels. Though still small in size, with only one person the rooms are much more comfortable.
Because of the conversion to singles the rooms have become
incredibly appealing. Last year it seemed to me that I was always spending time trying to get out of the room because it was so cramped. This year I have already noticed that I want spend time in my room because it is so relaxing!
Of all the changes that have occurred in Houghton over the summer creating single rooms in Douglass Houghton Hall was one of the best. Housing could have created these singles anywhere they chose, but I feel that their pick was a perfect fit.

Huskies eager to kick off inaugural season

Stephen Anderson — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:26:31 +0000

Maybe the excitement of the 2010 World Cup has worn off a bit, but it is time to get back in the soccer spirit, as Michigan Tech welcomes its brand new varsity women’s soccer team to the Huskies family.
Head coach Michelle Jacob
started preparing for the fall season on Feb. 8, joined later by assistant coach Chuck Coan. The two combine for more than 20 years of collegiate
coaching experience. Fourteen players were directly recruited and seven more added
onto the roster, completing the 21-women roster. All but one player are listed as freshmen
from an eligibility standpoint,
so, while the team may have a few bumps in the road early on, they will have plenty of time to develop chemistry.
It is hard to know exactly how well the team will compete against stiff Great Lakes Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference opponents, but Jacob has some lofty expectations for the team: “We have excellent team speed, a nice mix of crafty and direct players, some smart, solid defenders
and a strong keeper. We will go into every game feeling we can win.”
Jacob added, “We are very athletic, with good skill at all positions. We are still working on syncing up as a team. When you have 21 players who have never played together before, it is a challenge to get everyone on the same page.”
The Huskies will generally play with a three-forward formation
with an attacking strategy
through the midfield and forwards. The defense lacks a little depth according to Jacob, but the quick, aggressive defenders
who are on the team will try to keep shots away from goal, which will be patrolled by one of the two Husky goaltenders.
While the starting lineup is starting to emerge through scrimmages, some practice injuries
could open the door for some other players. Fans and media alike will have to wait until game time to see the starting
lineup.
The Huskies open their season
tonight (Thursday, Sept. 2) against Concordia-St. Paul at 7 p.m. on Sherman Field. Including
the Concordia-St. Paul game, the Huskies will play their first eight games at home, including bouts against Northern
Michigan on Wednesday, Sept. 8 and defending Division II national champion Grand Valley State on Friday, Sept. 17.
Seven of the Huskies final nine games will be on the road with an October 30 regular season
finale in Marquette against Northern Michigan. The GLIAC
tournament will take place in the first week of November.
“Come out and see us play,” said Jacob. “We will provide a fast and exciting game and we really want our fans to be the 12th player for us, encouraging the team to rise to their highest level at every home game.”
Look to the Lode for comprehensive
coverage of the brand new varsity women’s soccer team throughout their first-ever season.

Volleyball eyes return to NCAA Tournament

Daver Karnosky — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:24:45 +0000

In head coach Orlando Gonzalez’s
first season, the volleyball Huskies finished just under .500, but in the process, they earned a spot in the NCAA Regional Tournament. They look to return
to the NCAAs again this season, despite losing some key contributers.
The Huskies posted a 14-15 record
that included a 10-6 GLIAC record and a huge win at home over Grand Valley State last season.
As they move into Year Two with Gonzalez, the Huskies have again been picked to finish fifth in the GLIAC Coaches’ Poll.
The task won’t be easy as the Huskies lost eight contributing members from last year’s squad. All eyes will be on junior outside
hitter Kristine Sexton, who earned All-GLIAC First Team honors last season while leading the team in kills (373) and hitting percentage (.248).
Joining Sexton among the leaders of this year’s team will be seniors Alicia Schneider, Kaitlin
Wiza, and Kasey Woodcock. Schneider played her first full season of volleyball last year and picked up 171 kills.
Woodcock joins the Huskies after transferring from Concordia-
St. Paul. While there, she was a member of three national championship squads.
At setter, the Huskies will likely
rely on sophomore Madeline Haben, who started every match as a freshman. Haben notched 1,136 assists a year ago, and will be expected to improve upon that impressive total this season.
Six freshmen join the fray this season as the Huskies look for the roster combination that will best fit them down the stretch.
Schedule-wise, the Huskies will have their work cut out for them as they will face four nonconference
opponents as part of the Ferris State Invitational starting
Fri., Sept. 3. They will open their GLIAC schedule on the road at Saginaw Valley State on Sept. 10.
The first home match for the Huskies will be Sept. 17 against Ashland. The match is the first of a five-match homestand.
All told, the Huskies will face 11 opponents who competed in last season’s