Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012

Campus Counseling Centers Expand Focus

University counseling centers nationwide have reported an increase over the past few years in the number of students coming in for services. Their focus has also expanded from addressing problems adjusting to college life to also dealing with more complex and severe mental health issues. Marie Aho (Counseling and Consultation Services) elaborated on the shift in a recent presentation to the NMU Board of Trustees.

“Traditionally, students sought campus-based counseling services for issues associated with the new college environment, living with strangers, stress related to academic or financial demands, developmental and separation concerns and relationship conflicts or breakups. But now we’re seeing more students come to campus with clinical depression or serious mental illnesses (SMIs) such as bipolar disorder. An estimated 25 percent are taking psychoactive medications. Others are struggling with negative coping such as cutting or eating disorders. It’s not clear if troubled students make up an increasing proportion of the campus population or if more are seeking help because of outreach efforts and rising awareness of mental health needs. Most of what we’re seeing here is in line with the national trends.” Full Story

New WNMU-TV Control Room Helps CAPS Students

WNMU-TV has a new, all-digital production room in the lower level of the Learning Resources Center and recently obtained a portable audio/video field production unit for use at campus activities, including commencement.

The state-of-the-art facility in the LRC was designed by Grant Guston (Learning Resources Division), pictured standing behind Mike Lakenen (WNMU-TV). Guston spec’d out equipment from broadcast vendors and even some unconventional sources such as eBay. The new production facility has enhanced the quality of local programs originating at the station. It also is being used for the studio component of a television production class, providing hands-on experience with equipment in use at many TV stations and large venues such as Lambeau Field.

Full Story

WiMAX Extended to Houghton, Internet Upgrade Completed

In recent technology-related developments, NMU’s WiMAX capability has extended to the Houghton area.  Also, the university has upgraded its primary Internet connection from 1 gigabits per second to 10 Gbps.

According to Dave Maki (Information Technology-Technical Services), a company named BBTelsys is leasing WiMAX spectrum from the intermediate school district in Houghton with plans to sell it for business use. The company contacted NMU for assistance because of the university’s experience operating its own WiMAX network. Full Story

Faculty 2012-13 Sabbaticals Announced

Sabbatical leaves are a long tradition in higher education, with the first program beginning at Harvard University in 1880. At NMU, leaves are granted for the purpose of engaging in activities that will "...enhance the professional growth and effectiveness of the recipients." All full-time, tenure-earning faculty are eligible to apply for one of two types of sabbaticals: professional development, which may improve competencies through study, research or other suitable experience; or research, scholarship and creative works, which enables faculty members to contribute to their disciplines through activities leading to publication or the production of creative works. To see the nine NMU sabbatical projects approved for the 2012-13 academic year, read the Full Story.

Seven Receive Reassigned Time Awards for Winter Semester

Seven NMU faculty members are taking advantage of reassigned time awards this semester to focus on research, writing and other scholarly activities. To see the overview of recipients and their projects, go to the Full Story.

NMU Honors Martin Luther King Jr.

Northern's Multicultural Education and Resource Center is honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. during a week-long celebration. NMU President Les Wong participated in a “Let’s Chat” session with students on the subject of diversity Tuesday night. Keynote speaker and author Moustafa Bayoumi presented “How Does It Feel to Be a Problem? Being Young and Arab in America” on Wednesday. Remaining events, which are free and open to the public, are as follows: Slam poet Bluz will perform and emcee an open-mic event from 7-11 tonight (Jan. 19) in the Woodland Park Apartments multipurpose room; and an inaugural MLK Bash to celebrate the final day of Martin Luther King Jr. Week will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Jan. 20, in the University Center Great Lakes Rooms. Music will be provided by Radio X with DJ Cedric Douglas, aka DJ Loko. Also, remaining book discussions about Bayoumi's How Does It Feel to Be a Problem: Being Young and Arab in America are scheduled from 2-3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, and 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, both in the C.B. Hedgcock atrium. For more information, call ext. 1554.