MTech Tube - Details of Unauthorized Grade Changes at Montana Tech

Chancellor Donald Blackketter and Vice Chancellor Doug Abbott discuss the unauthorized grade changes at Montana Tech. Filmed January 26th, 2012, edited for time. Shot, edited and produced by Aaron Briggs.

Geothermal Energy In Butte

The natural mineral resources of Butte have been mined for over 130 years, and now the Mining City has the potential to utilize yet another untapped resource; geothermal energy. Dennis Lester, a Petroleum Engineering Alumni of Montana Tech, and owner of Geothermal Energy Montana LLC, has been creating a plan to develop a geothermal energy power plant in Butte since the late 1980s. 

“This project would be a great step forward for Butte as well as Montana and the United States” said Lester of the project. The only other geothermal project of this kind in the United States exists in New Mexico, but other projects of this kind can be seen in many countries throughout the world, such as Japan, Germany, Australia, and Switzerland. 

Letter to Editor: HPER Renovation

To begin, I am in favor of remodeling the HPER. It has needed it for some time, what with the growing use, the locker rooms that don’t support that number of people, and the limited space available for exercise other than in the weight and cardio rooms. However, what should have been a minor inconvenience to be patiently waited out, has become a major frustration and impediment to making use of the facilities.

Make The Most Out Of Winter Break

I’ll be the first to say I am looking forward to the up-coming month long break from school. I love the holidays, and actually having some free time for something fun is the best gift anyone could give me for Christmas!  As busy college students, free time is not something we’re used to though. And if you’re not careful, the absence of the stress and demands of college during break can create quite a time void in your schedule, which can easily lead to spending the entire winter break plopped down on ma and pa’s couch and not doing anything fun! To ward off cabin fever and give you a jump-start on planning some fun activities for the break, here’s a few simple winter stay-cation ideas to keep you from wasting break hibernating in your parent’s basement. 

The Guest At Every Party

Having a party? Don’t forget the food! Don’t forget the beverages! And most of all, don’t forget the Solo cups! A recent story on National Public Radio’s (NPR) All Things Considered featured a piece about red Solo brand cups and how instrumental they have been in creating the perfect disposable beverage container. After all, these red cups have been partying with college students since the 1970s!

Country singer Toby Keith has even written a song about the cup called “Red Solo Cup.” The makers of the Solo cup didn’t even need to ask Keith to write the song. He just sings it as a true fan of the iconic cup, saying “I love you, red Solo cup. I fill you up. Proceed to party. Proceed to party.”

Digger Den

The administration here at Montana tech is constantly looking for ways to improve how students use the campus for both studying and social activities. Many students have noticed a lack of study spaces available to students after the school’s normal operation hours. In addition, other than the Digger Den, there are few places dedicated towards student social activities. Montana Tech’s administration and the Associated Students of Montana Tech (ASMT) have teamed up to make a step toward solving this problem. Our proposition is to switch the Bookstore and the Digger Den, creating a Mill Building dedicated to students. 

Have a Healthy Year!

Thinking back over the last year you probably don’t really remember much about what you ate. You know that you did eat, but when it comes to what you ate that probably doesn’t seem too important. Well, I challenge that! It turns out that what we eat affects us in more ways than we’d like to admit. The trouble with good habits is we don’t necessarily see a “reward” for doing them (like getting a prize for eating veggies), but we can definitely avoid many health problems by keeping good eating habits. These health problems range from seemingly harmless things such as headaches and stomach aches, to more serious condition such as depression, hormone imbalances, heart disease, and cancer. Bad habits tend to snowball into bigger problems if left unchecked, so now is the time to change things and set some new healthy habits for the New Year. If you make the initial effort and do not let harmful habits creep back in you will reap the rewards of more energy, fewer sick days, and a longer more fulfilling life. Let’s get started! 

10 Things Recruiters Say About Tech Students

Career Services is in a unique position to hear firsthand from companies and their recruiters what they think of Montana Tech students.  After every event and interview session evaluations are collected, reviewed and tabulated.  The fall career fair and the numerous interviews that followed listed a multitude of compliments, but these were the consistent themes and, as such, our top 10!

#1 – Strong work ethic – “They roll up their sleeves and they get things accomplished.” Over and over the recruiters cite our students’ ability show up early, work until the job is done and done well.  

Get Your Nordic On

photo: Qwick Guides: Anaconda & Philipsburg

Nordic skiing, or cross country, typically sees a longer season than its downhilling older brother. Because Nordic trails are typically less rugged and exposed than those on a mountainside, snow more easily accumulates, providing additional weeks (sometimes) of great snow conditions on either side of the alpine skiing season. Now that Ullr has started dropping his wintery goodness over southwest Montana, the Nordic trails may just be where it’s at until the downhill slopes become rock free. If you’re looking for a spot, no fear, the Butte area has some of the state’s most stellar Nordic skiing areas. 

Just on top of Homestake Pass, roughly 5 miles east on I-90, sits Homestake Lodge ski area. Day passes run $15 for the over 20 miles of total trails; some of those are lighted trails for nighttime skiing. Besides, the Lodge has possibly the most inviting post-adventure fireplace in the land. For directions, races, events, and more visit www.homestakelodge.com.

Music Review: DJ Shadow - The Less You Know, The Better

This is DJ Shadow’s fourth album, his first release of original material since The Outsider in 2006.  As with his other albums, The Less You Know… defies your expectations of what hip-hop (or turntablism/funk/whatever) should be.  Like DJ Shadow’s earlier work, this album relies heavily on production wizardry and choice music samples, which cover a broad range of time periods and musical styles.  

Music Review: Sofrito - Tropical Discotheque

Strut Records presents the debut compilation by Sofrito, one of the UK’s leading “Afro, Caribbean and Latin music party collectives.”  DJs Hugo Mendez and Frankie Francis, alongside The Mighty Crime Minister, have been throwing renowned dance parties in warehouses across Europe and North America since 2005.  With an attention to detail and an eye for obscure records, Sofrito creates a mixture of vintage tropical grooves and exclusive dubplate edits.

20 Questions: Shawn Crowe

1.What sports, clubs, or associations are you affiliated with?
In the community I participate in art shows 

2. What is your favorite academic subject?

My favorite subject is history, although I haven’t been able to take any history classes at Montana Tech.

3. Who is your favorite faculty member?

I’ve been really pleased with all of my professors at Montana Tech, but my sister, Stephanie Crowe, works in new student services and she helps me navigate around Tech’s general system, which can be confusing at times. 

No Jobs For Slobs

No jobs for slobs.  This could have been the 21st century description of the focus of the 3rd Semi-Annual Etiquette Dinner that was held on November 15, 2011 in the Copper Lounge. Dining Services Director, Alan Couture, led the student attendees through the challenging waters of proper etiquette when dining at a formal event or with a prospective employer.