Friday, Dec. 14, 2012

Board Approves TOPS Contract, AFSCME Reopener

NMU’s Technical and Office Professional Staff (UAW 1950) has ratified a new contract by a 95-32 vote. AFSCME 1094, composed of food service, maintenance and police employees, also ratified a wage and benefit reopener to its previously negotiated agreement by a 48-25 margin. Both deals were approved today by the NMU Board of Trustees. Full Story

Faculty Awards Presented

Five NMU faculty members were honored at the annual Celebration of Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship Ceremony on Dec. 6 in the University Center. Recipients were (from left): Chris Kirk (HPER), Technology Innovation; Erich Ottem (Biology), Excellence in Scholarship; Michael Joy (Modern Languages and Literatures) and Claudia Hart (Business), both Excellence in Teaching; and Patricia Hogan (HPER), Technology Innovation. Full Story

Printer Survey Under Way

NMU is conducting a building-by-building survey to determine the number, types and annual volume of desktop printers.

“The data will be used to analyze options for standardizing and possibly consolidating print/scan machines to reduce costs, especially for inkjet and small laser printers, which are the highest cost per page,” said Art Gischia (Finance and Administration). “Printing costs have tracked near $100,000 per year for the past three years on purchases through our prime vendor contract.” Full Story

NMU Named 'Model of Efficiency'

Northern is one of nine colleges and universities nationwide named by University Business magazine in its “Models of Efficiency” national recognition program. Sponsored by Higher One, a company that assists in college business office operations, the Models of Efficiency program recognizes innovative approaches for streamlining higher education operations through technology and/or business process improvements. A particular efficiency highlighted at NMU was a collaboration to improve the Foundation Scholarship application and selection process. Full Story

SIFE Helps Teenagers Prepare for Employment

NMU’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is presenting a series of workshops to teenagers from the residential program at Great Lakes Recovery Center designed to prepare them to enter the workforce. According to SIFE adviser Ray Amtmann (Business), the GLRC participants have a history of substance abuse or behavioral health issues for which they are receiving treatment, but typically have no shortage of creativity and energy—major requirements for successful entrepreneurs. Full Story

Alumni Award Nominations Due Dec. 31

Each year, the NMU Alumni Association board of directors recognizes and honors alumni who have been influential and demonstrated exceptional achievement in their professions, their communities or both. Wildcats have made tracks throughout the world and their journey began at Northern.

Faculty and staff members have been an integral part of that journey. Some have kept in touch long after students graduate and know, perhaps better than anyone, of graduates whose activities or achievements warrant recognition. Employees are encouraged to review the criteria for Alumni Awards and nominate individuals for one of the five awards. Nominations are good for three years. Those received by Dec. 31 will be eligible for the next selection cycle. The awards are presented during Homecoming at the annual Alumni Awards and Scholarship Brunch.    

United Way Campaign Begins

Pledge packets were distributed via campus mail this week for the 2012-13 workplace campaign to support the United Way of Marquette County.

The money raised will be distributed among more than 30 local non-profit member agencies that rely on financial support from the United Way and address the four "impact areas" of basic needs, youth programs, health care programs and independence for the elderly and adults with disabilities. Ann Sherman (Human Resources) and Mike Rudisill (Engineering Technology) are co-coordinators of the campus campaign.

Grand Hotel's Musser Named Commencement Speaker

R.D. (Dan) Musser III, the president of Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, will be the keynote speaker at Northern Michigan University’s mid-year commencement on Saturday, Dec. 15. He also will receive an honorary Doctor of Business degree from NMU. Full Story

Commencement Streamed in HD

Northern's commencement has been televised in high definition for several years on WNMU-TV and also streamed on the Internet for those who cannot attend the ceremony. But Eric Smith (Broadcast and A/V Services) said this weekend's event will be the first that combines both precedents by featuring a live HD stream online. There will also be HD screens in the Superior Dome.

"Broadcasting in HD means the images are much clearer," Smith said. "They have a higher resolution and a better picture quality, which makes the ceremony more enjoyable to watch. When the graduates cross the stage, it will be easier for friends and family in the Superior Dome to identify their graduate through the image magnification system on screens donated by Rich Lundin, an NMU alumnus. And streaming a clearer image over the Internet will create a better viewing experience for those watching from a remote location."

The ceremony will be broadcast on WNMU-TV and streamed free on America One/B2 Networks (a link is available at www.nmu.edu/commencement).