Faculty Union Rejects Contract

Northern's faculty union, the American Association of University Professors, has voted down a new three-year contract. The final outcome of Wednesday’s vote was 132 against the proposal and 107 in support. AAUP represents nearly 300 Northern faculty members. Full Story

Board Approves Capital Outlay Request

The NMU Board of Trustees has approved a 2010-11 capital outlay project request, which public universities are required to submit to the state annually. The request is part of the university's rolling five-year master plan.

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Environmental Center/Institute Idea Moves Forward After Campus Forum

A campus forum was held last week on the feasibility of an institute or center that will position NMU as the leader of environmental programs and activities in the Midwest. Most in attendance agreed that the idea warrants a closer look, despite some territorial concerns expressed by representatives of impacted departments.

“I think it went really well,” said Suzanne Williams (Chemistry), who along with Jill Leonard (Biology) is leading the feasibility study.  Full Story

Prof Explores Influenza Pandemic School Strategies

H1N1 preparedness in schools is the topic of an upcoming research article co-written by Mary Jane Tremethick (HPER), NMU student Kristen Wassink and recent NMU graduate Nicole Weber. The trio collaborated with Maureen Johnson, an Indiana State University professor. Their report provides an overview of the virus, methods for stopping the spread of infection and classroom interventions for preschool-12 students that can be used to address pandemic influenza. Full Story

First H1N1 Case Confirmed at NMU

The Health Center reported this week that a student has been confirmed with H1N1 influenza and there are several other probable cases. Dr. Thomas Schacht said the staff continues to monitor the situation, but there's been no upswing in cases since the announcement. Most who become ill with H1N1 flu can expect mild to moderate symptoms similar to the seasonal flu and will recover within a week without requiring medical care. For more information and tips for prevention, visit Health Center.

Matherne Book Focuses on Detroit Founder

Antoine de Lamothe-Cadillac established a trading post at what would become the city of Detroit, was the namesake for the luxury automobile and served as one of the first governors of Louisiana. His early years are chronicled in a new collection of 80 prose poems in French and English by Beverly Matherne (English). Lamothe-Cadillac: Sa jeunesse en France (his early days in France) spans Cadillac’s life from his 1658 birth in Saint Nicholas de-la-Grave, France, to his voyage to the New World as a soldier in Louis XIV’s army. Matherne will read from the book at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Falling Rock Café in Munising and at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Joy Center in Ishpeming. Full Story

Author Tim O'Brien Coming to NMU

Author Tim O'Brien, whose The Things They Carried is this year's One Book, One Community selection, will discuss his book and answer audience questions during a visit to NMU. The event will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, in the Great Lakes Rooms of the University Center. It is sponsored by NMU student chapters of the Marquette Alger Reading Council and Sigma Tau Delta, along with the NMU student finance committee, the English department and Marquette General Hospital. Admission is free to NMU students with ID and $10 for non-students. For details, visit One Book.

NMU Co-Sponsors New "Your Health" Series

A presentation on Parkinson’s disease will open the new “Your Health” public lecture series co-sponsored by NMU, Marquette General Hospital, the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and the U.P. Health Education Corp. The first event is scheduled at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in Reynolds Recital Hall. The public is invited free of charge.

Jack Lipton, professor and director of the division of translational science and molecular medicine for the MSU College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids, will present “Parkinson’s Disease: Origins, Consequences and Potential Therapeutics.” He will provide an overview of Parkinson’s, describing how it occurs, potential causes and the consequences for patients diagnosed with the disease. He will also discuss promising research being conducted—at the new MSU Udall Center for Excellence in Parkinson’s Disease Research and elsewhere—to preview the types of therapies that might be available in the future. "Your Health" speakers will also interact directly with NMU students and faculty.

Alumni Awards Announced

Three NMU alumni will be recognized for their achievements as part of the Homecoming 2009 activities. Cynthia Peck of Saginaw, Mich., will receive the Alumni Achievement Award. Retired Rear Adm. Michael Roesner of Prudenville, Mich., and Ronald Stump of Boulder, Colo., will receive Distinguished Alumni Awards. Full Story

Northern State Normal held its first classes on Sept. 19, 1899, in "old City Hall" on Washington Street. To celebrate the official 110th birthday of the institution, the Wildcat Den in the University Center served free cake last Friday. President Les Wong and Phyllis Wong each sampled a piece of sheet cake and invited students and employees to join them. There were also two large display cakes decorated with historical and current photos.

Theresa Nease (President’s Office) serves a dual function at Northern. She is executive assistant to the president and also secretary of the NMU Board of Trustees. It was the latter role that consumed her time this morning as the board held one of its regularly scheduled business sessions. During these meetings, Nease sits at a table in the back of the conference room, recording the minutes. She’s also there to ensure that the board adheres to its bylaws and follows the official rules of order. Full Story