The Technocrat

BREAKING NEWS: Tech Athletic Director Dismissed, Women's Coaches Resign

noreply@blogger.com (The Technocrat) — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 22:28:00 +0000

BUTTE- Athletic Director Charles Bradley was dismissed today. Women's Head Coach Deann Craft and Assistant Coach Kesha Watson resigned after the dismissal of Mr. Bradley.

Coach Craft was 6-6 coaching this year's Lady Oredigger squad.

Assistant Coach Lindsie Wilson will coach the Lady Oredigger squad tonight against Lewis and Clark State College.

An interim Athletic Director will be named at a later time.

Closed Minds = Closed Doors

noreply@blogger.com (The Technocrat) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:45:00 +0000

As a student in Professional and Technical Communications (PTC) at Montana Tech, I shouldn’t have been angered by a recent post on the Facebook page “Montana Tech of the University of Montana Confessions,” a page dedicated to anonymous confessions of Montana Tech students. The post reads: “Anything but STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) classes here is a joke. Especially PTC and Liberal Arts. Enjoy paying off your student loans with your minimum wage McDonald’s paycheck because Tech doesn’t give two sh*%ts about you.”

I’ve faced this type of criticism after year, which is why I shouldn’t have been mad, but I was. Here I am again, facing the engineering and stem ego battle. Its no surprise that that stigma surrounding non-stem majors, as this Montana Tech student so tactfully pointed out, is that we won’t be successful, and that our place in the world is below that of engineers.

PTC, liberal studies, and business majors of the like, should know what I’m talking about when I say our degrees are looked down upon by STEM majors. Now, I realize I’m being a little stereotypical here, because not everyone thinks this way, but in my four years at Tech, I’ve encountered many students who truly believe, that because they are engineering students, they will be more successful in life and that their fields of study somehow have more meaning than other degrees because they “advance science.” Hate to burst your bubble or anything, but success in life, from what I’ve learned, is determined by how hard you want to work at something. And anyone, educated or not, who wants to work hard and with a little tact, will often find success.

My initial reaction to this Facebook post this was a middle finger up in the air, and recount of all the times during the last four years that i’ve spent trying to explain my major to people…even to the professors at Tech (I mean seriously?). After careful thought however, and calming down my 4-years of built-up anger towards Montana Tech for not only cultivating this type of atmosphere and disconnect for it’s students, but allowing it’s faculty to take part in this petty game as well, I came to the realization of a few things. 1. Diversity is the heart of every truly strong system (thanks Discover Biology) 2. Closing minds to areas of study other than science will lock you behind a narrow door and a narrow way of thinking, and leave little room for meaningful advancement.

I want to remind students that we attend a liberal arts college. I also want to remind students that no successful business on the planet operates without a marriage of STEM majors and liberal studies/business/PTC majors. Every business needs at the very least, an accountant, a writer, and a technical expert. Would you have been able to learn much here at Montana Tech without the help of a technical writer (oh hey, thanks PTC majors) writing the textbooks your teachers use on a daily basis? The knowledge of our past has been given too us through written and oral texts that were painstakingly transcribed by those who weren’t directly engaged in the fields of science. And yes, I wouldn’t even be writing this text on my Macbook today if it weren’t for mining and petroleum products, I get that. But one cannot exist without the other. The success of the petroleum and mining industries is largely due to not only a demand for these products, but the expression and creation of the demand for these products, and the business and accounting models that surround them.

It’s my fault I guess for attending a primarily mining school, and expecting other students and faculty to respect my major and other non-stem majors, but in my experience true success comes only when people collectively use their talents to work together. Only then will all facets of the worlds problems be addressed and possibly overcome. And Montana Tech, by shutting its doors, only closes opportunities. My only complaint about my education here at Tech is that my degree has been treated always as second to STEM degrees. I only see this as limiting to the student population of Montana Tech in the future and only as shutting doors to opportunities we don’t even know exist yet. Opportunities of which only can be achieved with a collaboration of degrees and fields of study.

Tips on Motivation

noreply@blogger.com (The Technocrat) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:44:00 +0000

What does motivation mean to you? Generally, motivation is the desire or willingness of someone to do something. All of us know the best way to be successful in our lives and at school. In this article, I will focus on my own experiences here at Tech that motivated me.

If you asked me what is the best way to motivate myself, I would tell you what I do and advise you to do the same things. First of all, keep in touch with your family. My family is the best support for me and they help me when I have problems. Whenever I feel bad and I am having a hard time with life or school, I remember my family. They sent me to the United States to get my degree and to be successful in my life.

The second thing is to find real friends who will help you when you feel frustrated in school. It is best to stay away from the students who disappear when you really need them, like when you are sick or prefer to study rather than hang out and do nothing worthwhile.

The last one is to go to your professors to get some motivation. I will tell you a story about what happened to me last semester. On my first exam in Calculus II, I got 48%; on my second one, I got 68%. Because I was disappointed with my grades, I asked my friends and my family if I should drop the class. They advised me to talk to my instructor. I took my drop card and went to my instructor’s office Dr. Hilary Risser, and I told her, “I would like to drop your class.” She asked me why. I told her that I was disappointed and I did not think I could pass the class. She said, “I trust you are a good student. Stay and you will pass this class. There are many exams left, and you will able to do it.” After our discussion, Dr. Risser motivated me to stay in the class. When I took the third exam, I got 90% and I got 89% on the fourth exam.

Other instructors who have motivated me here at Tech are Dr. Karen Wesenberg-Ward, Jeff Johnson, and Janie Payne. These instructors have made themselves available to me whenever I have had questions. They have been patient and understanding. Furthermore, Margie Pascoe is my American mom, and I am thankful for her advice. On the other hand, some instructors have more of an intimidation style that scares students away from their course. I have had these kinds of instructors in the past and have not been motivated by this style of teaching.

From my experiences, I discovered that being motivated is how you succeed. Remember this: The failure is not in falling but is in remaining where you fell and not standing up again.

5 Things Students Can Do In Butte

noreply@blogger.com (The Technocrat) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:43:00 +0000

It has been suggested that Tech Students are sometimes known for being heavy drinkers. Some may have retaliated by claiming there is nothing to do in Butte besides getting plastered! However surprising this may seem, drinking is not the only activity Butte has to offer for students. Here are 5 easy things to do in Butte and the surrounding area:

1) Hit the Slopes: Discovery Ski Area offers $30 lift tickets for Montana Tech’s spring break, March 10-15 for students with Diggercards. Even if you are not an avid skier give it a try! Disco offers ski and snowboarding lessons and rentals for those who don’t have their own equipment or who are not as confident on the slopes. A day of skiing is a good opportunity to get outside and to get active.

2) Go Bowling: Bowling might seem like a lame idea at first, but it always turns out to be fun! Get together a big group of friends and head over to one of Butte’s multiple bowling allies. Buy some pizza and turn on Sport Center as you bowl. You may not be the Dude from the Big Lebowski, but it still could be a great social activity to do with friends on a homework-free night!

3) Soak in Fairmont Hot Springs: Feeling stressed? Take a night off to soak your stress away at Fairmont Hot Springs. It’s only about 15 miles away and only $8.75 to get in. There is even an awesome water slide! It could be an easy, quick, and inexpensive vacation from your studies.

4) Snowshoe Surrounding Trails: Bad Beaver Bikes on Park rents out a variety of snow equipment such as Snow Shoes and Cross Country Skis. Snowshoeing is an easy way to get out doors and on to the many trails our area has to offer. Hike near Thompson Park and enjoy the view of our surrounding mountains. When you come down from your cold hike, enjoy one of Butte’s best cups of coffee or hot cocoa at The Hummingbird Café (right down the street from campus)!

5) Have a Game Night: Mario Party, Poker, Spades, Axes and Allies are just some of the fun games you can play with your friends. You name the game and make it into an evening of non-drinking entertainment. Get some junk food and participate in good humored competition with your buddies!

Montana Tech SPE

noreply@blogger.com (The Technocrat) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:41:00 +0000

Escaping the February winter chill was a plus for the Montana Tech SPE student chapter representatives as they recently headed to Houston, Texas to attend the second SPE Student Summit hosted by the SPE student chapter of Texas A & M University.

Besides hearing speeches presented by industry experts and listening to discussions led by petroleum professionals, the Montana Tech reps also got an insider look at the Shell Woodcreek facility. The summit’s focus on “the art of unconventional resources” and the role they play in the future of oil exploration was a recurring theme as the students toured the Baker Hughes Center for Technology Innovation and the Schlumberger facilities.

The summit provided numerous opportunities for all who attended the chance to mingle with future colleagues, meet fellow Petroleum Engineering students from all over the United States, and learn the latest from the best in the industry. After enjoying the warm weather and Texan hospitality, the Montana Tech SPE reps came back to Butte ready to share their new knowledge about the future in the oil industry.

Keeping their focus on giving back to the community, the Montana Tech SPE chapter recently participated in the Pintler Polar Plunge at Silver Lake. While braving an icy dip into chilly waters, on February 2, two teachers and six students jumped into the frigid waters for the sole purpose of raising money for the Special Olympics. The Montana Tech team efforts contributed over $2,800 to Montana Special Olympics.

On April 18-20, Montana Tech will be hosting the 18th Annual SPE Technical Symposium. Industry experts from around the country will be sharing recent technological advances and there will be numerous opportunities for students to learn about the new advances, mingle with experts, and socialize with those in the profession. On Thursday night there will be an industry social followed by the Symposium Banquet on Friday evening, where the winners of the SPE scholarships will be announced. On Saturday, April 20, there will be a golf tournament with industry professionals, so be sure to break out your game. Also, you won’t want to miss the chance to cheer on our final round of PetroBowl tryouts during our “mock PetroBowl.” Registration for SPE members is $40 and $180 for non-members which includes Montana Tech Symposium shirts, and tickets to both the social and banquet. Hope to see you there.

At Dawn We Rage: Concert Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Technocrat) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:39:00 +0000

I was skeptical when first asked to review a night out listing to At Dawn We Rage, the electronic dance music DJs. However, as the night went on a whole new musical genre was discovered. Upon entering the Silver Dollar I was immediately greeted by the sight of people of all age groups dressed in loud outfits. There were women dressed as cats and there was GoGo dancers wearing bedazzled bikinis.

The electronic scene definitely attracts an interesting mix of characters. As the night aged, the place became packed and the outfits and people grew more outrageous. The music itself did not let you hold still. The large amount of bass and the dubstep-like sounds engulfed all listeners and they just had to dance! Positive remarks from the crowd members wear heard throughout the night.

Chad, an SHGF productions employee was asked why he was into electronic music and he stated “Because I can feel it” without any hesitation. It was interesting to observe the uncensored dancing and flashy visuals that come with this genre of music. Other than the intense music, awesome visuals, and bikini clad chics, there was an overall welcoming vibe from everyone.

I even got a chance to chat with one of the opening DJs known as Wargasm. When I asked the Butte native about how he got into this music, he said he simply “found a few songs and the music just stuck”. As a newcomer to this genre I can see how the intricate sounds can just stick with you!

MTech Tube - Montana Tech Bed Races 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 04:07:00 +0000

http://youtu.be/S0BgsEwSbjo

MTech Tube - Montana Tech Talent Show 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 04:05:00 +0000

http://youtu.be/Tebm7MFKzmI

Montana Tech History [infographic]

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 02:14:00 +0000

A Leap From The Edge Of Space

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 02:12:00 +0000

Have you ever looked out the window of an airplane and been terrified of what would happen if you jumped out if it? On October 14, 2012, an Austrian man turned that fear into a shockingly breathtaking reality, only he didn’t jump out of an aircraft. Felix Baumgartner jumped from a carefully planned capsule, sponsored by Red Bull, giving a whole new meaning to the famous tagline “Red Bull gives you wings.”

The mission, sponsored by Red Bull, has been coined the “Red Bull Stratos Jump.” Baumgartner made the jump, which lasted over 9 minutes, over the state of New Mexico, and plummeted to the earth from over 24 miles (119,846 feet) above it. He not only broke the sound barrier (registering at Mach 1.24 according to the Huffington Post), he also broke the world record for being the first person to reach a supersonic speed without traveling in a jet or spacecraft, but rather just freefalling to the earth’s surface.

Baumgartner’s jump had no affiliation whatsoever with NASA, but NASA attended the jump, eager to learn from the technology developed to make this jump possible. In order to make the jump his team had to design a special suit for him. If a tear had occurred in his suit, according the Huffington Post, he would have been exposed to temperatures as low as -70 degrees as well as virtually no oxygen.

Luckily Felix’s jump was successful and he experienced no problems in his suit or with the jump. He pulled his parachute at around 5,000 feet above the earth’s surface as planned and touched down in New Mexico without a scratch. Once he landed he thrust both of his arms into the air claiming a victory.

Felix, as quoted online in the Fox News Article about the jump stated ““When I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble, you do not think about breaking records anymore, you do not think about gaining scientific data,” Baumgartner said after Sunday’s jump. “The only thing you want is to come back alive.”

An interesting idea to take away from this extraordinary jump is that it paves the way for private space exploration. One day some of us may be able to enjoy visiting outer space, and the technology used to develop Baumgartner’s suit could very well be used as emergency gear in the future of space exploration. NASA is already in the process of looking for emergency evacuation gear for the space station and this jump has helped pave the way for it.

Want to learn more about this exciting piece of history? Watch the jump on YouTube at http://youtu.be/8Oq2Xl7oiws. Or visit the Red Bull Stratos project website at http://www.redbullstratos.com/.

Avoiding The Flu

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 02:11:00 +0000

Each year on average approximately 20% of U.S. residents get influenza (a.k.a the flu). More the 200,000 people are hospitialized from flu complications every year, and since 1976 it is estimated that roughly 49,000 people have died from the flu in the United States.

While the flu can be treated, it is no laughing matter and prevention of it is crucial. Feeling sick or being around those who have been exposed can increase your risk of getting it and increase the risk of spreading it to others. A person is contagious with the flu for 5-7 days after becoming sick, and 1 day before symptoms occur. You can pass the flu virus to someone else before you even know that you are sick. Typically it takes 1-4 days for a person to become sick after they have been exposed to the virus.

The take home message here is to prevent the spread of the flu by staying home if you feel any flu symptoms. Age groups that are particularly vulnerable to the flu include children and those aged 65 years and older.

It is important to get a flu vaccine every year to decrease your risk of becoming infected with the flu or passing it on to someone else. Each year the flu vaccination is re-developed and contains new immunity towards the ever developing virus. The effectiveness of the flu shot last year (for the 2011-2012 season) was roughly 50%. Which may not seem like a high number, but it’s important to remember that it takes 2 weeks for the flu shot to become effective, so those receiving it who were already exposed, may have gotten sick and could have skewed this average.

As midterm passes by and the end of the semester is finally in sight, the last thing you would want to have happen to you would be to catch the flu. Looking to avoid catching the flu this year? Where can you get a flu shot in Butte? Does Tech offer flu shots for students?

Fortunately for Montana Tech Students a free flu shot is available to all students who have 7 or more credits at the north campus. The shot has been available since October 15 and it will continue to be available until December 21, 2012 in the Student Health Center on the bottom floor of the SUB. The student health center is open weekdays from 10am-2pm. For more information about the shot stop by the health center or call 496-4243. Highlands College students can also receive the shot by paying $30.70.

Many pharmacies and doctors offices around Butte offer the flu shot at a low or reduced cost. It’s important to get the shot as early as possible to decrease your chances of exposure. Remember it takes 2 weeks for the flu vaccination to become effective, so time is of the essences. Be sure to stop by the student health center to keep yourself healthy this semester!

Choosing or Changing a Major

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 02:06:00 +0000

Amazing, it is already week eight of the fall semester. How do you think it is going? Is this the best semester ever? Are you wondering what you got yourself into?

Not knowing what you want to do can be stressful. Deciding on a major or to change the major you are in, really is a “major” life decision. Don’t panic about doing this. It is important to do some work and make an informed decision. You do not want to change to simply avoid a hard class, a specific subject or instructor but rather get information to know you have thought about some key items before you make the major decision.

Often students feel pressure to select a major. Sometimes this pressure comes from their peers who have known that they have always wanted to “grow up and be a…(fill in the blank)” or maybe the pressure comes from family because mom, dad or a family member has a specific job title and great career satisfaction. Sometimes the pressure comes from completing financial aid forms. This pressure isn’t meant to be negative, although right now in the eight week it may feel like it!

There is a reason to help (or force) you to decide on a major. It is because studies show that students who declare and enter a specific major at the start of college will be more likely to finish their degree. Most of the programs have a 4-year plan available in the course catalog. It helps to ensure your success because some courses should be taken in the appropriate sequence. Use the college catalog as a guideline to help you navigate your academic career.

If you are feeling lost either in the lecture or the labs, it is important for you to take some time and ask yourself some hard questions. Are putting forth your best effort in the classes you are taking? Have you taken all the measures to do well? Have you visited the Tech Learning Center? Midterms are upon us. It is important for you to think about what you are taking and how you are doing. If there is a pattern of not doing well, then you should find and use resources to help you do better, talk to your professor or decide whether there is a better fit for you in a different major.

If you are thinking you may be in the wrong major, know that you are not alone. On the average, college students change their major 2.7 times. If you are unsure about where to begin, take some time and get your general classes out of the way. Start with a beginning level course and start exploring a variety of fields. However during this time, learn more about your interests, join clubs related to your major or in an area about which you are passionate. Learn more about you! At Montana Tech there are several different assessments that you can take at no charge. This will help give you some direction and assist you in your search to identify your personality, skills and interests. Knowing what is important to you is critical as you move to the next step of exploration.

Explore some different kinds of jobs or occupations. Start learning about what companies hire in the area of what you want to do. A reality check will come in to the picture when you start building professional relationships. Meet some people in the field doing the work you want to be doing. Inquire about job shadows, informational interviews or in person when employers are on campus in class lectures, career fairs or company information sessions. Get degree-related experience to know what you are getting into. Hopefully, this will validate that you like what you are doing. Contact Career Services if you need assistance with any of these items.

Consider attending the Major Exploration workshop on Tuesday, October 30th at 4:30 pm in Engineering Hall 204. Learn more information about finding the major and related occupations that is best for you!

Fun Halloween Facts [infographic]

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 02:05:00 +0000

The Truth About Energy Drinks

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 02:02:00 +0000

So you stayed up late studying for that thermodynamics test last night and you’re hoping to nail it. You know the material and you’ve been to every class but you’re just not feeling up to speed. After all, staying up until 1 am on a Thursday night was no easy feat, half your friends went out to the bar and you barely were able to resist participating in thirsty Thursday. But alas! You prevailed and now you just need an energy drink to boost your brain power. You own this test!

What do you pick? Red Bull? Liquid Ice? A Monster Java Bean? Maybe 5-hour energy? You pick your poison and feel like you did well on the test. You’re done with class and now it’s time get ready to celebrate, after all its Friday and you have no homework. So why did you crash on your couch for four hours after the test. Was it because you were burning the midnight oil for the test? Was it the stress of the week? Chances are the culprit is actually your energy drink.

Energy drinks claim to boost your energy, brain power, and alertness. They are part of the fastest growing and most popular drinks in America. However, the untold truth about energy drinks is that they can have negative effects on your health. The effects of energy drinks have not been widely studied, bringing their safety into question.

Most energy drinks contain ingredients such as caffeine, B vitamins, sugar, and herbs. Caffeine is the main power delivering ingredient in most energy drinks. The daily recommend amount of caffeine is 200 - 300 mg (according to the Mayo Clinic). Energy drinks can contain anywhere from 80 to 500mg of caffeine per serving. When high doses of caffeine are consumed, many adverse reactions can occur including, insomnia, rapid heart rate, palpitations, jitteriness, and elevated blood pressure. Consuming over 200 mg of caffeine can cause your blood pressure to increase by up to 14 points. Caffeine is also a diuretic, meaning it can cause you to become dehydrated. Over time, many people build up a tolerance to caffeine, so you they up consuming more of it to get the same effect, which can be harmful to your blood pressure.

Many energy drink labels also boast that they contain energy boosting B vitamins. While B vitamins play a vital role in our bodies metabolism, most people rarely have a B vitamin deficiency. And that’s the catch, B vitamins only boost your energy if you are deficient in them, which is typically a medical rarity. These vitamins are generally just flushed out of systems as soon as we take them.

Common herbs found in energy drinks include Guarana and Ginseng. Gurarana is an Amazon native, red fruit that boasts twice the amount of caffeine as a coffee bean. While it may increase your alertness, it also subjects you to the side effects of caffeine. Ginseng is extracted from the root of the ginseng plant and has been in shown in studies to boost brain power. The kicker here is that you would need at least 200 mg of the herb to feel this effect, and most energy drinks don’t contain this.

The last common ingredient found in energy drinks is sugar. One serving of an energy drink can contain as much as 12 teaspoons of sugar. The recommended daily serving of sugar is 6 teaspoons for women and 9 for men. When you consume that much sugar it goes straight to your blood glucose levels and that gives you an energy boost. The down side – You crash as soon as those levels drop. You also gain weight with that much sugar consumption, so its hardly worth the short-term energy boost.

Before you grab an energy drink, think about a healthier alternative to wake you up. Consider drinking green tea or regular black coffee. These drinks contain healthy amounts of caffeine (when they are drank in moderation), are typically less expensive, and don’t contain the sugar and artificial chemical that energy drinks contain.

Digger Football Victories

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 02:01:00 +0000

Montana Tech wrapped up the homecoming celebrations with a 48-45 double overtime victory against Southern Oregon. This is the Orediggers fourth straight win and leaves Montana Tech ranked at No. 13. This is their highest ranking since October 2, 2006 when they were ranked at No. 14.

Tech was the first to score with a 27 yard field goal from Matt Berg. At the end of the first quarter Southern was leading 11-3.

At half-time Tech was leading 18-14, with touchdowns from wide receivers Braxton Lucero and James Roberts. Matt Berg scored a 30 yard field goal and Pat Hansen a 46 yard touchdown leaving the score tied at 28 by the end of the third quarter.

Nick Baker completed another pass to Roberts in the fourth quarter putting the score at 35-28. Southern scored a touchdown and missed a field goal leaving the score tied and sending the game into over-time.

During the first over-time Tech’s Zach Kinney made a touchdown putting the Orediggers ahead 42-35. The lead didn’t last as Southern’s McKenzie made a touchdown to tie the game once again at 42-42.

Montana Tech’s Pat Hansen scored the winning touchdown in double overtime, leading the Orediggers to victory. The final score was 48-45 and gave Tech a four game winning streak.

Montana Tech will be traveling to Eastern Oregon University on October, 20th. The game is scheduled to start at 12 PM on Saturday.

The Diggers continued their winning streak with another win against Dickinson State over the last weekend. Quarterback Nick Baker threw three touchdown passes in the first half as the Diggers marched on to beat the Blue Hawks, bringing an end to a 10 game losing streak against this North Dakota school.

Recycling At Montana Tech

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 01:51:00 +0000

Looking for a place to drop that empty plastic water bottle? Emptying out all those papers in your binder from last semester? These items and much more don’t have to go into the trash can; Montana Tech has several recycling bins and locations available on campus.

Just this year Montana Tech won a national recycling logo contest which provided $5,000 worth of good quality bins through Busch System and a month later Tech received a grant for 32 new recycling bins through “Keep America Beautiful” and Coca Cola. Pepsi also donated eight Pepsi bottle bins for plastics and cans. Securing these awards grants happened because of hard work from Montana Tech’s recycling committee.

Currently, Montana Tech collaborates with AWARE Butte, Recycling, a local non-profit organization that employs the handicapped to sort recycling materials to go to market. They provide one or two 55-gallon bins for each building on campus. Custodians deliver their building’s recycling to these larger bins, and each Thursday, Butte Recycling picks it up for sorting and distribution.

Bins are located throughout campus and they come in a few different colors. Smaller light blue bins are located throughout the buildings on campus and larger green trash can sized bins are located near the entrances of each building on campus. There are larger gray bins outside in the area between the Science and Engineering Building and the Student Union Building. If you are looking to recycle things from your home, there are two large recycling “dumpsters” in the library parking lot that you can place items in to.

Don’t let the efforts of the recycling committee go to waste. Recycling on campus is just as easy as throwing trash away, so look for the blue recycling bins! Items that can be recycled on campus include:

Paper

•Office Paper

•Shredded Paper (bagged only)

•Envelopes

•Junk Mail

•Magazines

•Newspapers

•Books (phone, bound)

Cardboard

•Please flatten cardboard boxes yourself

•Leave flattened cardboard behind bin

•

Put flattened cardboard inside the bins

at the Library parking lot

Aluminum Cans

•Aluminum (empty cans only)

Plastic

•#1 (PETE) – Water, Juice, Soda Bottles (empty)

•#2 (HDPE) – Clear Milk Jugs (rinse thoroughly)

•#2 Solid through #7 (rinse thoroughly)

Items NOT accepted include:

•Glass (safety issue with handicapped workers)

•

Coated Paper, Boxes, Cartons

(waxed, foiled)

•Wrapping and Construction Paper

•Kleenex, Napkins, Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, Diapers

•Waxed Drink Cups (pop, coffee)

•Styrofoam (cups, food boxes)

•Non-Plastic Milk/Juice Cartons (waxed)

•Food and/or Wrappers

•Appliances and Electronics

•Pots, Pans, Tin or Steel Cans

•Metals

•Rocks

Healthy Fast Food?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 01:50:00 +0000

Life in college is a busy time. Whether we have tests, quizzes, homework assignments, or any other class obligations to fulfill, we as students are always on the go. With that being said, it may be difficult for us to find a decent quick meal. So many of us turn to fast food in between studying and class without really thinking about what we are eating. Sure, you know that fast food is unhealthy and you know that a home cooked meal beats a fast food meal any day, but for some of us, eating fast food may be unavoidable. Fast food should not be consumed on an everyday basis, but if you occasionally feel the need to get it, what are some of the healthier options available to you?

Fitness Magazine has named a few fast foods which according to them are, “surprisingly healthy,” in a recent article titled “24 Surprisingly Healthy Fast Foods.” Here are some of their top picks for restaurants such as Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), McDonalds, and Taco Bell. The jury is still out on whether or not these options offer a truly “healthy” alternative, but choosing these options will help you cut down on calories if you’re on the go.

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)

KFC Original Recipe Drumstick

140 calories, 8g fat, 2g saturated fat

Pick just one drumstick and add some of the lower calorie sides below for a healthier alternative.

KFC Potato Salad

180 calories, 9g fat, 1.5g saturated fat

This option doesn’t have any trans fat, and its packed with red bell peppers, celery, potatoes, and onions. Be sure to choose this over fried potato wedges.

KFC Cole Slaw

190 calories, 11g fat, 2g saturated fat

Cabbage is packed with vitamin C and carrots contain vitamins A, K, C, and potassium, making this option healthier than other menu items.

KFC Honey BBQ Sandwich

300 calories, 6g fat, 1.5g saturated fat

This happens to be the lowest calorie sandwich option on the menu.

McDonalds

McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets with Sweet ‘N Sour Sauce

4 pieces, 220 calories, 10g fat, 2g saturated fat

McDonald’s Hamburger

260 calories, 9g fat, 3.5g saturated fat

This burger makes the cut because of it’s size. Rather than choosing fries to accompany it, choose a side salad with a vinaigrette dressing, and drink a diet soda or a bottle of water.

McDonald’s Egg McMuffin

300 calories, 12g fat, 4.5g saturated fat

Rather than choosing the sausage options available on the menu, choosing this option, with lean Canadian bacon, is a healthier alternative.

McDonald’s McChicken

370 calories, 16g fat, 3.5g saturated fat

Since this sandwich is smaller than the grilled chicken options, it has fewer calories.

Taco Bell

Taco Bell Fresco Style Crunchy Taco

150 calories

7g fat, 2.5g saturated fat

Asking for a meal from Taco Bell’s “Fresco” menu, means they give you fresh salsa instead of the less healthier alternatives of cheese and sauce.

Taco Bell Fresco Style Grilled Steak Soft Taco

170 calories, 5g fat, 1.5g saturated fat

Red meat will add protein, zinc, and iron to your diet.

Taco Bell Fresco Style Tostada

200 calories, 6g fat, 1g saturated fat

Taco Bell Gordita Nacho Cheese -- Chicken

270 calories, 10g fat, 2.5g saturated fat

This pick is covered in cheese yet still is under 300 calories.

Pizza With A Side of History

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 01:43:00 +0000

If you have a love for music, art, and gourmet food, a great place to visit is the Broadway Café, located at 302 East Broadway. The café features a variety of gourmet pizzas, salads, appetizers, espresso, beer, and wine.

If you are visiting for lunch, ask about the lunch special which includes a slice of pizza, salad and drink for $7.75. The café makes their pizzas with garlic, olive oil and their own herbal pizza dough recipe. They also have gluten free pizza available. The pizzas are all named after famous restaurants that once operated in the mining city; such as the ‘hill top’, ‘ippity bop’, ‘spokane’, ‘sunny side café’, and the ‘meaderville gianino’s special’.

Aside from pizzas they also have a great selection of dinner salads to choose from. The salads are made with their homemade dressings and served with a breadstick. The ginger tahini salad is a favorite, topped with a ginger tahini dressing, red onions, olives, mushrooms and feta cheese.

You can dine inside the restaurant or on the covered patio. The café is located in one of Butte’s historical buildings that have been renovated. The building was formerly known as the Naughton House. It was constructed around the turn of the century by James Naughton, a mining engineer. It was renovated in 1991, but the hardwood trim, post and beams are part of the original structure. The wood floors, displayed art work, and old-fashioned décor make for a great dining atmosphere.

The Broadway Café hours are Monday through Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Saturday noon to 9:00 p.m. Be sure to check out the live music which starts at 6 p.m. Friday nights.

Tech Partners With YMCA

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 01:40:00 +0000

In 2009, Montana Tech students voted in favor of using student fees to remodel and expand the HPER Complex (not including the pool). During the renovation process, it was determined that the pool was leaking several thousand gallons of water per day. The pool was drained and it was determined that many structural problems exist with the current pool. To install a new pool and fix mechanical and ventilation issues would cost Montana Tech approximately $400,000. While Montana Tech works to determine what is affordable for the campus in regards to the pool facilities, we are pleased to partner with the YMCA to provide aquatic options for our students.

During this school year, Montana Tech and the Butte Family YMCA have partnered to provide aquatic facilities to current Tech students. Students will swipe their Digger Cards at the electronic scanner at the Y’s front desk and will be able to use the facilities for free. The YMCA will tally the number of uses monthly and will charge Montana Tech a per swipe usage fee. Montana Tech’s Scuba Diving Class will also use the facilities. Montana Tech faculty and staff do not pay to use the HPER facilities; therefore, they will not be able to use the aquatic facilities at the YMCA.

The unlimited and free use of the Y’s aquatic facility for current Montana Tech students will be in place for the 2012-2013 school year.

Is 13 Your LUCKY Number?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 01:39:00 +0000

One of the biggest events on the Montana Tech Campus this fall is quickly approaching! The 13th Annual Career Fair will take place in the HPER Complex on September 13, 2012 from 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.m. Will 13 be YOUR lucky number this year? It can be – if you prepare!

DIGGERECRUITING - CREATE YOURS OR LOG IN

Get a head start on your job search and update your information including your year in school, expected graduation date, Overall GPA and other profile information. Remember to review your entire DIGGERecruiting account profile. Make sure that your contact information is current and select that you are interested in receiving emails from Career Services. Our office relies heavily on email to communicate interview details and upcoming career events.

Please note that many employers screen on various criteria, if you can’t sign-up for something you think that you should be able to, PLEASE stop by Career Services or email CareerServices to ask why!

UPLOAD YOUR RESUME

This is also a great time to spruce up your resume and upload it into your account. Your most recent work experience and GPA are helpful information to share with employers. If you need help, check out the workshops scheduled (see below), the online resources available at http://www.mtech.edu/career/students/resources.htm or email Career Services to schedule a resume review.

2ND DAY INTERVIEWS & FALL RECRUITING

There are numerous fall interview schedules active in DIGGERecruiting. Some of them are pre-select schedules and some of them are open sign-ups. Be sure to update your profile and resume before you request an interview or sign up. The earliest deadline to request an interview is September 3rd, and sign-up deadlines for accepted students will be on September 10th. If you need a DIGGERecruiting refresher, stop by the Student Employment Fair on Wednesday, August 29th or stop by Career Services!

***Note:*** Some companies will only sign up people at the career fair, please pay attention to the recruiting schedule for these details. Please (please) read the application instructions for the on-campus interviews or jobs. It is important that you take time to read and follow the instructions. If not, you can screen yourself out by not following them.

RESEARCH THE COMPANIES

Employers consistently tell us that students can do a better job knowing more about the companies you are interested in, meaning - read their profile and check out their website! Don’t be the student who walks up to them and asks what their company does…rather impress them and stand out from the crowd with what you know about them and how you would be an excellent candidate!

DRESS FOR YOUR SUCCESS

When you meet recruiters at the Career Fair or for an interview, dress like you knew they were going to be there! Be sure to have a nice outfit and shoes (no sneakers need apply!) Remember it is important to make a good one, after all you never get another chance to make a first impression!

WE ARE ON FACEBOOK

Remember to watch for upcoming events, deadlines and companies coming to campus! Information will be posted on Facebook, check out details in DIGGERecruiting or see what’s coming up on the calendar on our homepage. Remember DIGGERecruiting has a ton of jobs posted online, including student employment and part-time positions.

We’re there for you -- Our office is available to assist you with any career-related questions. If you need anything, please feel free to stop by Career Services, we are still in Engineering Hall 103, OR send an email careerservices@mtech.edu OR give us a call 496.4140.

Adjusting to Montana Tech

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 01:37:00 +0000

How can you make your experience at Montana Tech fun and meaningful? Adjusting to college can be difficult at first, but once you get the hang of how everything works, things just seem to fall into place. Attending athletic games (go ‘diggers!), getting involved with activities on campus, and joining clubs are just a few ways to make your experience more rewarding. Some recommendations for first-year college students are:

Be Patient: becoming familiar with campus and adjusting to new found freedom takes time. Tech has many resources available to help you adjust to school, including counseling.

Connect with Other Students: Chances are your peers share similar thoughts and concerns as you do. Talk with your roommate or students in your classes about adjusting to college or invite them to do something fun like join a club or an intramural sport.

Get Involved on Campus: Student clubs and intramural sports are great ways to meet new people and make new friends. Being a part of a team also helps build important interpersonal skills that are necessary for jobs and conflict resolution.

Use Campus Resources: Having a problem adjusting? Use the school’s counselor. Need help studying? Talk to the helpful staff in the library. Have a question about something on campus? Go to the student union building and ask the information desk. Looking for an internship? Utilize Career Services resume and career fair workshops. Looking to recycle? Use the bins located around campus, or the two bins behind the library.

Take Care of Yourself: Eat healthy, get enough sleep, exercise, and maintain positive relationships. All of these things affect your school performance one way or another, so control them in a positive light.

Tech Tip: If you drive to campus be sure to get there at least 10 minutes before your class starts, especially for mid-morning and early afternoon classes. It seems that the campus fills up around these times and it can take a while to find a decent parking spot, the flood of pedestrians around these times can slow things down even more.

Staying Healthy In School

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 01:35:00 +0000

Whether you’ve been in college for a few years or you’re just starting out, staying healthy during school can be a bit of a challenge. Eating healthy and exercising regularly are important parts of maintaining a healthy physical lifestyle as well as an academic one. What you eat, how often you exercise, and how much sleep you get can affect your grades, relationships, and many other facets of your life. Here are four areas that typically give college students the most trouble when it comes to staying healthy in school.

Exercise

If walking up the hill on Park Street leading up to campus is giving you trouble, you aren’t alone. Between homework, work, and classes many students have a hard time making it to the gym. However, exercise doesn’t just have to include going to the gym, there are other forms of exercise that are equally as rewarding. Simply taking 20-30 minutes every day to go for a walk is a great way to stay fit, and when it’s bitterly cold outside you can even walk around the halls of the HPER complex – the number of laps you need for a mile is written on the wall. Many gyms around Butte offer Zumba classes and there are always Intramural sports you can get involved with at the HPER. Taking the time to exercise will not only help you burn calories, it can also help you sleep, the next major area that college students have trouble with.

Sleep

Burning the midnight oil is an age old saying for staying up late to get things done, but doing so usually means sacrificing precious time to sleep. Typically you should get between 6-8 hours of sleep every night, but this varies by each individual. Do you get cranky when you get less than 8 hours of sleep? Are you ok when you only get 6 hours of sleep? You know what your body needs more than anyone else, so listen to it. The experts say to make time to finish homework earlier in the day, go to bed before 12, and set your smart phone off to the side at least 30 minutes before you sleep.

Eating

You are what you eat right? Well, not exactly, but what you eat can have a big impact on your weight, mood, and overall health. Loading up on chips, pop, and a candy bar may seem like a great way to get through a study session, but unless you plan to burn those snacks off with exercise, you are asking for weight gain. According to the Mayo clinic, what you eat also affects your mood. Picture yourself eating a green salad with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, with a cool glass of water with lemon in it. Feel a little relaxed? Now picture a gas station coffee cup and a bag of powdered donuts. Feel a little stressed out? Taking the time to eat healthy can boost your mood simply because you know you are taking the time to take care of yourself.

Alcohol

Hanging around with friends and having a few drinks can be a fun experience and a much needed break from studying. However, drinking can also interrupt your sleep, cause you to gain weight, affect your school performance, and hurt your relationships. Before you go out, take a second to visualize and plan your night. Do you have homework that needs to be done the next day? Plan to have only 1-3 drinks. Have you been fighting with your roommate? Resolve the conflict before you get “liquid courage” and accidently bring the subject up. Do you want to stay out dancing until the bars close? Plan to have someone you trust walk you home. Not knowing your limits with drinking can be a dangerous thing. “Black-outs” occur when your drink to the point of losing the brain capacity to create and form memories. These occurrences are not only dangerous for your brain function; they can also put you into dangerous situations. If you are struggling with knowing how much to drink or if you “black-out” frequently, talk to a friend you trust or seek help from the school counselor.

National Student Employment Week

noreply@blogger.com (The Technocrat) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 02:20:00 +0000

The National Student Employment Association (NSEA) has designated April 9-13, 2012 National Student Employment Week. As recognition of student employees is going on among this country’s universities, the importance of student workers is clearly being demonstrated at Montana Tech. Currently, departments across both campuses employ more than 580 student workers. Day after day, their impact on the workings within our institution is experienced, both directly and indirectly, by nearly everyone associated with this university.

Student employment is a true “win-win” situation. It allows the student to utilize many of the technical skills learned in the classroom setting, while at the same time presenting the chance to learn and master other important techniques – often labeled “soft skills.” Recruiters continually state they look for both when interviewing candidates for internships and full-time jobs. Customer service, verbal and written communication skills, and interpersonal skills – for example being a positive member of a team – all are present in a student employment environment.

To recognize these dedicated student employees, the Offices of Student Employment (Montana Tech Career Services, Enrollment Processing and Payroll) have organized a number of events during that designated week:
• Beginning on Monday, April 9th and running through Thursday, April 12th there will be a table in the Student Union Building Lobby where student employees can enter a drawing by submitting feedback about their jobs. One name will be drawn every day, with a Grand Prize winner receiving a Bookstore Gift Certificate. Notifications will be sent at the end of the week.
• Tuesday, April 10th is the Student Employee of the Year (SEOTY) Reception. Slated for 6:00p.m. in the Copper Lounge, SEOTY nominees and their employers will be recognized during this invitation-only event. This year’s winner will then advance to a regional and national competition.
• What better way to cap off the week that with cake and ice cream? Student employees will enjoy this tasty treat in the Courtyard (between the SUB and S&E) over the lunch hour on Thursday, April 12th.

Each and every one is a sincere THANK YOU for a job well done. Once again, Montana Tech students demonstrate they are IN DEMAND!

Farewell to Butte's Last Madam

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:15:00 +0000

photo: Wikimedia

From The Great Falls Tribune

"Butte's last madam died Saturday at Crest Nursing Home at the age of 94, the Duggan-Dolan Mortuary confirmed Tuesday. The cause of her death was not immediately known.

Garrett, also known as Lee Arrigoni, told the Montana Standard in 1991 that prostitution should be considered a commodity instead of being morally wrong. "If you don't think it's morally wrong, then it's kind of fun," she told the Butte newspaper."

Student Loan Delinquency Rate Is Up

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:11:00 +0000

From The LA Times:

A new report raises even more alarms: It's likely that as many as 1 in 4 borrowers was carrying a past-due student loan balance in the third quarter, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Monday.

Indeed, the New York Fed put the latest outstanding student loan balance at $870 billion. That's more than the total credit card debt, $693 billion, and car loan debt, $730 billion.

The average balance per borrower: $23,300.

Montana Tech doesn't have to deal with this issue very often. Even though 55% of our students take out loans to pay for their education, t he default rate is around 2-3%. This is not a positive trend for the nation though, through the mortgage crisis we have seen what can happen if too many people have bad debts they cannot pay back. Let's hope this isn't the next bubble about to burst that will take the whole economy down with it!