For the week of March 6, 2006

From the 6th floor

Someone said to me yesterday, "You know, it smells like spring outside." So I took longer than usual walking through the parking lot this morning to check out the rumor. And guess what? It's true...it does smell like spring outside. I'm sure you know that scent I'm speaking of. It can't quite be put into words but you know it when you smell it. It gives you a sense of optimism...yes, there is sunshine and warmth ahead. That's what it smells like outside today. Forecasters are calling for continued mild temperatures right through the end of the week, with highs near 40, so that should prove favorable for the great smell of spring to continue.
A sunny day watching the ice at Picnic Rocks. A number of people decided to spend their lunch hour along the lake.

An important legislative update from the president

In past years I have given you periodic updates on the legislature’s funding for Northern. I will continue to do so this year because your knowledge and input on all university activities is important. We have just begun the first meetings of the appropriations process. I’m fond of sports metaphors so please forgive me. But the legislative process, in particular, lends itself to competitive metaphors. As you may recall the higher education appropriations process is a four period game: the first period is the governor’s funding recommendation, the second period is the Senate funding deliberations and recommendation, the third period is the House funding deliberations and recommendations and the fourth period is the Conference of the House and Senate for final recommendations. The first period was completed when the Governor’s budget recommendations were issued on February 9 th. There are many elements of her higher education proposal that we support and others were we still have questions. Her funding for Northern is at 1.82% -- which puts us close to the middle of the funding increases for the state’s 15 universities. It is a very good beginning for us! But there are three more periods of play. Two weeks ago, the Senate began their budget hearings and I testified on Northern’s future needs and successes in the past year. Two other university presidents also testified. The Senate hearings will continue until mid March. We expect the Senate to complete their hearings and make their funding recommendations by the end of March. The House will begin their process in April and finish in late May. My periodic updates will give you our perspective and sense of the legislature’s funding recommendations as the process moves forward. Once again I may be asking for your help in contacting specific legislators. Your help last year was wonderful and was a key part of the success we had last year in defeating attempts to cut our funding. So thank you and we will be sending more specific information soon.

NMU looks at increasing faculty

Dean of Arts and Sciences Terry Seethoff speaks to the NMU Board of Trustees at their Feb. meeting.

The NMU Board of Trustees recently reviewed a proposed action plan that would reduce faculty productivity, which is highest among state universities, by adding 60 full-time equivalent teaching positions over the next three to five years. The target would be achieved through a combination of budget reallocations and an “appropriate mix” of tenured/tenure-earning faculty (T/TEF) and non-tenured faculty (NTF).   During a focus discussion, Terry Seethoff said NMU faculty compensation is slightly below the state average. But instructional costs and productivity (fiscal-year equated students per full-time equivalent teaching faculty) are high because the faculty mix is 74 percent T/TEF and 26 percent NTF. Seethoff said the state average is 58 percent and 42 percent, respectively. “The bottom line is that Northern relies on full-time faculty to a greater extent than other schools and this mix governs the overall cost,” he added.   Full story.

Hockey Wildcats to take on Wisconsin Badgers in Green Bay

Attention NMU alumni and friends...have you heard the exciting news?
The NMU Wildcats will host the University of Wisconsin Badgers at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Oct. 6 & 7, 2006.
This promises to be a fun-filled weekend of Wildcat activities. But you must act now!
The previous time the Badgers played at the Resch Center, tickets sold out in an hour.
We want to make sure there are plenty of green and gold fans at the games so we're making tickets available for a limited time to Wildcat fans only.
You must act fast to purchase game tickets for the weekend.
NMU has a limited number of tickets AVAILABLE NOW for the special rate of $20 for adults and $15 for students, plus handling charges.
Tickets are available by calling the NMU Superior Dome Ticket Office at 906-227-1032 or by going to the NMU EZ Ticket Web site.
(Follow the links and use promotional code GOCATS)
Don't delay.
This special rate is only available for the month of March, and tickets are likely to sell quickly.
A number of NMU events and activities are being planned to coincide with the games.
Make sure you are a part of the action by purchasing your game tickets now.

NMU vs. UW Badgers
Oct. 6 & 7
Green Bay Resch Center

Purchase tickets now!

Wildcat sports update

The Northern Michigan University men's basketball team saw its season come to an end with an overall record of 17-11 and a 13-5 slate in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Volcy brothers were named to the GLIAC All-Conference Team.   Ricky was a first team selection while older brother, Marco, was named to the second team.  Marco also was named to the GLIAC North Division All-Defensive Team. Ricky led the Wildcats in scoring (20.4 ppg), blocks (71), assists (94) and steals (40) for the 2005-06 season.  Marco averaged 11.1 ppg, led the team in rebounds (8.0 rpg), had 34 blocks and 29 steals for the past season.
Meanwhile, in CCHA second-round action, the NMU hockey team will face off against the University of Nebraska-Omaha at the Berry Events Center in a best-of-3 series, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, (March 10-11-12.) In their previous match-up, the Mavericks swept the Wildcats at the BEC. The 'Cats are playing for the opportunity to advance to the CCHA championship at Joe Louis Arena, March 16-17-18.

A few more Wildcat Night Across the Country photos

Tampa, Fla. Keith Nelson '86 and a surprise guest at the party, Marquette Mayor Tony Tollefson ' 82. Thanks to host Jay Pritchard '75.
Grand Haven, Mich. Thanks to host Kay Battice '97.		Andrew Thompson '98 and his daughter, Alexis.

NMU Archives Web site featuring historical exhibits

The new NMU Archives web site is currently featuring two historical exhibitions you might find interesting. Aurthur Mikus, senior history major, created "Protests on Campus" as part of his internship in the NMU Archives. The exhibit explores NMU student activism in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Gayle Martinson, former NMU Archivist, and the late Bruce Hanninen, NMU Academic Computing Services, created "An Early History of NMU Campus Buildings." You can view both exhibits here.

From the E-mail bag

"Easton Patrick Joseph Zivnoska. He arrived on 2/23/06 at 9:53 p.m. He was 7lbs, 9 oz, 20 3/4 inches. All is well. Baby and Patience are happy and healthy!" Mike Zivnoska '02 mikeyz56@hotmail.com

Have something you'd like to share? Feedback should be directed to dhemmila@nmu.edu

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