With an executive order likely and estimates of its impact ranging from a 5-15 percent reduction in state funding for the current fiscal year, NMU President Mike Roy said the President’s Council is exploring measures to address a potential shortfall. At the university forum Oct. 22, Roy said that with the estimates circulating now, Northern could face a reduction of anywhere from $2.3 million to $7 million.

“We should know by Thanksgiving what the exact number will be, but we can’t wait that long to begin the process,” he said. “I told the President’s Council at its Wednesday meeting that it should develop a reduction plan of $4.6 million, based on the middle-ground assumption of a 10 percent executive order. That plan must be in place by the end of November so that we can present it to the university community and then take it to the NMU Board of Trustees’ December meeting." Full Story

NMU Stop on Gov. Tour

Marquette will be one of six stops on Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s statewide tour to address the $900 million budget crisis. The governor’s office is partnering with Michigan media to broadcast live, one-hour forums from each location.

The Marquette event, being billed as “An Evening with the Governor,” is scheduled from 7-8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4, from the Jeannette Bowden Studios in the LRC. Sonya Chrisman (WNMU-TV) will serve as host and moderator.

The town hall meeting will feature a studio audience of about 50 people invited to participate who represent a cross-section of the Upper Peninsula population. The first 15 minutes of the program will be a presentation by the governor.

The second 15-minute segment will allow the studio audience to respond to questions posed by the governor using instant polling devices provided by Michigan ’s Virtual University . The event will conclude with a 25-minute general question and answer period.

Forum Addresses Technology

Aside from the budget update, “Technology at NMU” was the primary focus of the Oct. 22 university forum. Here is a brief summary of some of the presentations addressing that topic:

•Gavin Leach (Finance and Planning) and Dave Maki (AdIT) discussed the future of the wireless network. Campus-wide implementation has focused on classrooms, lobbies, hallways, student lounges, eating areas, the library and student apartments. Leach said Northern plans to continue expanding wireless to areas of campus where access is not available.

Another effort is under way to provide community-wide wireless access to students, faculty and staff. Full Story

Public Stations' Academic Role Explored

A faculty/staff committee is seeking input from the campus community on ways that academics can better utilize the public broadcasting facilities.

The committee is asking for responses to the following question: How do you perceive Public Broadcasting’s current support for academics, and how do you envision our broadcast operations could be changed to strengthen their support of academic departments and student needs in the future?

E-mail comments or suggestions to Bill Rigby (TAS), chair of the committee, at brigby@nmu.edul or attend an open forum from 4-5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, in the Mead Auditorium in West Science. Full Story

World Cup a Success

The World Cup at the Berry Events Center last weekend “put Marquette on the map as one of the best – if not THE best – places to hold a world-class competition,” according to Andy Gabel, the president of U.S. Speedksating.

He said all of the required ingredients came together to make the short-track event a success: effective organization, community-wide support, fast ice, fierce competition, two world records, and boisterous sold-out crowds of about 4,000 each day.

Gabel, a former USOEC athlete and Olympic medalist, said he and Jeff Kleinschmidt (USOEC) are already in conversations about the possibility of having future competitions at NMU. Full Story

A smooth World Cup event depends on an equally smooth sheet of ice. It usually takes a minimum of five days to adequately prepare a frozen surface to meet the standards for an international short-track speedskating competition.

Four buildings and grounds employees managed to accomplish the task in just 48 hours on the heels of an NMU hockey game and a junior hockey tourney. Despite the rush, their efforts reaped two world records and numerous compliments from athletes, coaches and officials. Pictured from left: Bret Zorza, Dave Klumb and Rick Schwemin. Cheryl Perroud was not available for the photo. Full Story

Depression Screening Held at NMU

Nearly 60 NMU students were screened for depression and other mood disorders in conjunction with National Depression Screening Day earlier this month. The free service was provided by counseling and consultation services, along with the nursing department. Many students had scores suggesting a need for further evaluation and/or treatment, and a number of them are receiving follow-up counseling as a result. NMU participates in the national “College Response” program, which was sparked by an increased prevalence of mental health problems experienced by college students.

“Counseling statistics from the past two years consistently show 40 to 45 percent of NMU student clients experienced depression as a major concern,” wrote Mary Pelton-Cooper (Counseling and Consultation Services). “Fortunately, depressed people respond very well to treatment. The counseling provided on campus helps students participate more fully and successfully in the academic community, enhancing the overall quality of their university experience.”

More Treats than Tricks

There will be trick-or-treating and a Halloween party for children of NMU employees and students from 3:30-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. The starting point is the east entrance on the first floor of the University Center.

Children will parade through the first floor corridor, trick-or-treating at each participating office/student organization. The end of the route will take them up to the Wildcat Den for refreshments and other surprises.

Family Weekend

Northern’s 39 th annual Family Weekend will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 31- Nov. 1.

For a schedule of events and more information, visit http://www.nmu.edu/familyweekend/.