The Technocrat

Student Loan Delinquency Rate Is Up

2012-03-05T21:11:00.001-07:00

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!

Top 10 iTunes Songs of 2011

2012-03-03T13:53:00.006-07:00

In December of 2011, iTunes released its “Rewind 2011” year-end chart toppers and awards for its top selling songs, apps, albums and more. A recap of 2011’s biggest hits would have you party rocking your way into the deep with Adele and LMFAO coming in at the one and two spots. Adele really hit it big in 2011, surpassing old favorites such as Katy Perry and Bruno Mars.

What makes a chart-topping song? More than half of the songs below deal with some form of love relationship whether it be a “forget-you”, grenade catching, or an extra-terrestrial experience. One song that was particularly infectious was “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People. What is this song really even about? Some guy named Robert with a gun who’s telling you to run faster than his bullet?

Perhaps the memories of what you did when you were listening to these songs are really the reason they are chart toppers. After all, who didn’t rock out to “Moves Like Jagger” or “Party Rock Anthem” while sitting at those awful stoplights on Park Street?

Don’t see your favorite song from 2011 on the list? Check out www.billboard.biz to see where it ranked on the charts!

1. Rolling in the Deep - Adele

2. Party Rock Anthem (feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock) - LMFAO

3. Firework - Katy Perry

4. Grenade - Bruno Mars

5. Forget You - Cee-Lo Green

6. Give Me Everything (feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer) - Pitbull

7. E.T. (feat. Kanye West) - Katy Perry

8. Moves Like Jagger (Studio Recording from “The Voice,” ft. Christina Aguilera) - Maroon 5

9. Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People

10. Super Bass - Nicki Minaj

Top 10 Free Smartphone Apps of 2011

2012-03-03T13:45:00.001-07:00

There’s plenty of jammin’ iPhone apps that won’t cost you a cent. 2011 was another great year for Apple, despite the loss of its fearless leader, Steve Jobs. In honor of the media giant, or as I like to call it, the Big Apple, here’s my top 10 apps of 2011.

1. Facebook

Let’s not try to pretend you waste spend far more time on this site than MyMtech. And why not when it’s just as easy to update your status strolling between classes as it is from the comfort of your classroom. Notice: Facebooking while walking may result in running into doors, light posts, railings, and other pedestrians. Facebook may also decrease your grade point.

2. Angry Birds Free

Unlike Facebook, which one could argue can also be used for the “research” and “educational” purposes, as well as sheer time-wasting; Angry Birds is a one trick time-wasting pony. But spend a couple Angry hours chasing pigs and you’ll discover what a gratifying waste of time it is.

3. Bible
Join over 35 million people who read, listen and share God’s Word using the Bible App, myself included. At press time (I always wanted to say that), I am 78% done reading the Holy book, which is much farther than I’d be without this app. There’s a huge selection of 200+ free Bible versions and 200+ plans to help you track your progress. My favorite part? Bible will read to you with its audio feature – complete with theme music, sound effects, and voices- oh my!

4. Redbox
Movie rentals for only $1.20 a pop? Major DUH… Download the free app to reserve your copy of the hottest new releases before your roommate can beat you down to Wal-Mart to pick it up. Winning!

5. Pandora Free/ Spotify (tie)
Gone is the age of illegal MP3 pirating, welcome to the largest free and legal music library you could ever want. Pandora makes it easy to discover new artists with a similar sound to musicians you already dig, and save your stations for later listening. Spotify’s coolest feature? You can link it to #1, Facebook, and swap playlists with friends, or tell all your friends what you’re listening to. You know, because they care.

7. Groupon
In college you can’t afford to not be a savvy shopper, Groupon is by far one of the best coupon apps out there, bringing deals up to 90% off straight to your phone. You’ll only see deals in your area (Billings/Bozeman is an option), so you won’t be left drooling over the 2 for one skydiving adventure in Houston, TX. Discover deals on dining, travel, excursions, goods, electronics, and more!

8. SparkPeople
Keep your fitness spark alive with the iPhone Food & Fitness Tracker. This app is designed to help you track your weight loss progress or healthy lifestyle goals with a calorie tracker, access to meal plans, a log for your fitness and calories burned, and more. Detailed weight and calorie reports give you feedback on your progress, and the app will fully sync with your current SparkPeople.com online account.

9. IWBNIN (I Was Broke Now I’m Not)
Budgeting is now easier than ever thanks to this app with built in categories for multiple income sources, various expenses, and common monthly costs such as gas, rent and groceries. Best feature? The app automatically calculates the percentage of your income that goes to each expense so you can track where most of your hard earned dollars are going.

10. NFL Mobile
Summons the magical powers of knowing where the ball is, the score, quarter, and stats of your favorite football teams whenever they’re playing without interrupting your flourishing social commitments. Now that’s dedication.

The 3 W’s For Better Sleep

2012-03-03T13:39:00.001-07:00

Imagine this situation: You’re bright-eyed, energetic, and happy. Today you’re looking and feeling good. You’ve got the attitude, “Today is my day! I can do anything! Bring it on world, I’m ready.” Go get ‘em tiger!

Now imagine this situation: You had to drag yourself out of bed this morning, you’re tired, cranky, irritable, and feeling less than your best. It feels like everything is hard today! Your attitude is more like, “I just want to skip today. Why does everything bad always happen to me? What next?” Now, recall your last week and ask yourself this – which situation more closely matches your average day? I hope you can say the happy-go-lucky one, but if you can’t, then definitely don’t stop reading now! Let’s solve your “bad-day syndrome” once and for all.

You may be surprised to find out that a “bad-day” actually has more to do with night than it has to do with day. How can this be? In a word: sleep; or lack thereof. Americans are sleeping less than ever.

A 2005 National Sleep Foundation poll found that Americans averaged 6.9 hours of sleep per night, which represents a drop of about two hours per night since the 19th century. (Newsweek) Yet, science still holds that 8-10 hours is the ideal amount of sleep for adults to feel fully rested and function at their best. That’s the bad news. The worse news? A test conducted by the University of Chicago discovered that subjects that continuously slept less than 6 hours per night were as impaired as subjects who had been awake continuously for 48 hours. However, when the sleep deprived subjects were polled they did not report “sleepiness,” and they thought they were not being affected by their lack of sleep. So even if you don’t notice like in the situation described at the beginning of this article; you’re still being affected! I think it’s time we take “shut eye” into serious consideration. I know good habits aren’t formed overnight, but try these few tweaks to help you get more shut eye on a regular basis. The three W’s to better Zzz’s are:

1) Wake up at the same time – Every day. Your internal clock is an amazing thing, if you consistently go to bed and wake up at the same time your body will start getting itself ready to fall asleep at the proper time, making your sleep quality better so you’ll wake up feeling more rested and ready for the day. Try to keep your weekend wake-up time within 30 minutes of your regular wake-up time.

2) Wind Down – If you find yourself tossing and turning before you can fall sleep, you likely aren’t winding down properly. Your body can’t fall sleep directly after a mentally or physically taxing activity due to the high stress; your brain just isn’t ready! Try setting aside the 30 minutes before bedtime to do a relaxing activity like reading, taking a bath, journaling, drinking tea, or talking to a friend. TV may be one of your favorite pastimes, but avoid it directly before sleep; the light prevents your brain from releasing melatonin and serotonin, the “sleepy” hormones. Find a before-bed routine that works for you and do it consistently.

3) Workout - You may not be surprised to find this one on my list, but exercise should be on your sleep checklist too: studies show that exercise- even if only at a moderate pace for 30 minutes- dramatically increases your body’s ability to fall asleep, and improves your sleep quality. Ideally, exercise should be performed in the morning so you’re be energized at the start of your day, not the end. The bottom line: You can sweat your way to sweet dreams. Win, win. I’ll see you at the gym!

Greenhouse Gas Inventory

2012-03-03T13:38:00.000-07:00

What is a greenhouse gas inventory? A greenhouse gas inventory is how an institution, such as Montana Tech, or a household, such as your own, accounts for its emission of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are those that contribute to global climate change.

Did you know that since 2009 Montana Tech has conducted its own greenhouse gas inventory every other year? And finally, did you know that as a student, faculty, or staff, you play a major role in the accuracy of Montana Tech’s greenhouse gas inventories? In the past, commuting has accounted for 18% of the campus greenhouse gas inventory, or the carbon footprint, of Montana Tech.

In 2009 only 7% of students responded to a commuting survey. Whereas, the response rates for faculty and Staff/MBMG were 35% and 26%, respectively. While these numbers reflect some of the population of Tech, they don’t portray the portrait of greenhouse gas emissions as accurately as possible. A greater participation in the survey will improve the accuracy of the inventory.

Around mid-February, you will be asked by the Chancellor’s office and the campus Sustainability Committee to participate in a survey. This survey will ask you how many miles per round trip, how many times per week, and what type of transportation you use to get to Montana Tech. Different types of transportation have different types and quantities of greenhouse gas emissions. For example, walking or biking would produce no greenhouse gas emissions, while taking the city bus or driving would produce some greenhouse gas emissions.

Keep your eyes peeled in February for the “daily commuting” survey so that you can help Tech capture an accurate snapshot of its greenhouse gas emissions!

Tim Tebow Coming To Butte

2012-02-26T13:43:00.001-07:00

It’s Tebow Time! Fuel Fitness & Nutrition is holding a Habitat for Humanity event right here in Butte, MT on March 6, 2012 at the Butte Civic Center. Special guest? None other than the highly inspirational and publicly spiritual superstar: Tim Tebow, NFL quarterback for the Denver Broncos. The event starts at 1pm, and tickets are on sale now on the Butte Civic Center web site, starting as low as $25.00! Even better, you can get a free ticket if you sign up for one year membership at Fuel Fitness at either the Helena or Butte location.

Although the focus can easily be placed on the celebrity appearance, the true meaning of the event is not so superficial. According to KBZK.com, Michael Burks, the owner of Fuel Fitness, said “the reasons for the event are to bring in an exciting, positive role model to the Butte community as well as to raise enough funds to allow Habitat for Humanity to build a new house for a family in need. We have priced the tickets so that anyone can afford to come to the event, and if we can fill every seat we will raise enough money to allow Habitat to provide a brand new home to a local family.”

At the event, Tebow will speak for a short time and then answer fan questions. Michael Burks, owner of Butte’s Fuel Fitness, is creating a great opportunity for fans to get their questions answered by allowing them to submit questions via the Fuel Fitness Facebook page. Questions will be picked from the submissions and answered by Tebow at the event. If you have a question, get online and submit it now! Not only could you get an answer to your burning questions, but if your question is answered at the event you will receive recognition for your submission. According to Burk, the news of the event is “spreading like wildfire,” so get your ticket as soon as possible! And remember, every penny earned from business sponsorships and tickets will go to Butte’s Habitat for Humanity. The event’s tagline is: ‘Let’s fill the house so we can build a house’. More information will be posted soon to the Fuel Fitness Facebook page.

Coupon Into Savings!

2012-02-26T13:41:00.000-07:00

You hear it every day, “the economy is in the tank”, “I just need to save a little money”, “gas prices are just too high”. Well, all these things point to a nation looking to be frugal. Well, maybe there is a bit more you could be doing to be frugal. Take for example the hit TLC show, “Extreme Couponing”. These people will stop at nothing to score a deal, and they spend hours doing it. You don’t have to spend hours looking for coupons or make it your full time job to look for them, but next time you head to the shelves of the grocery store, consider taking the time to look for a coupon.

There are a couple of tricks to saving big at the grocery store, from online coupons to local coupons and store sale flyers. It may come as a surprise that some of the best deals you can find won’t come from Wal-Mart. I know, you’re thinking how could that place ever fail you? Chances are that for everyday shoppers and those who aren’t looking to really make a steal, Wal-Mart will be your best option. However, what you won’t find at Wal-Mart are weekly sales and promotions like you would find at say Safeway or Albertsons.

These weekly sales are where you can really save big bucks. For example say you are looking for something as simple as an antacid. Sure you could buy the generic store brand and generally save a significant chunk of change. But generic store brands rarely go on sale and they don’t have big savings coupons. Consider the name brand Tums and try this. Do a Google search for “Tums Coupon”. A dollar off printable coupon instantly comes up.

Ok, so you’ve found your coupon. Sure, you could go to the store and the next time you need an antacid you’re ready to save a little. But there is more you could be doing to save! Go scan the weekly advertisements for Safeway, Albertsons, and CVS (yes you can do a Google search for this too). What you’re looking for is a sale on Tums, and if there are multiple sales going on, you want to select the store with the best deal. If you don’t see a sale for it that week, be patient and keep checking the advertisements week by week, it’s bound to pop up. If you do find a sale, see how much of it you can get for that price and how many coupons you can use with the offer. Then maximize your savings and assess your budget to see what quantity of that item you can get for that low price.

Now you don’t just have to do this with Tums, there are hundreds of store brands just waiting for you to find coupons and sales for them! Take my savings example from a few weeks ago. I had two coupons for Tide laundry detergent for $3.00 off. The store had Tide on sale for $5.99, down from $9.99. I used my coupons and was able to score 2 bottles of Tide laundry detergent for a total of $5.99. If I had been paying full price for these items I would have been out about 20 bucks! So the next time you are looking to go to the grocery store, take the time to research whether or not you could be saving a few bucks. What is the old saying? A penny saved is a penny earned!

Top Ten Reason Charlie Oredigger Is Single

2012-02-26T13:39:00.001-07:00

There’s no doubt that our school’s fearless leader, Charlie Oredigger, is built like a brick house, has outstanding confidence, a commanding presence, and a fighting spirit. So why would a man with such knight-in-shining-armor qualities find himself single on Valentine’s Day? I’ve done some research on this perplexing issue, and I have discovered the top ten reasons why Charlie Oredigger is single (and perhaps many other engineers).

1. He will promise to take you out to a 7-course meal on your first date, which will turn out to be a pasty and a six-pack of beer.

2. Former lovers have accused him of being self-absorbed and having a “big head.”

3. The only key to his heart is the Tau Beta Pi key.

4. He will never write you a love letter, because writing poetry is not an “efficient” use of words.

5. He has several cats, all of which are named after scientists or mathematicians.

6. No matter how hard you cry and how loud you yell, he just sits there calmly discussing your emotion in terms of mathematical logic.

7. He’s too aggressive. It’s not his fault, his parents told him to just “Get Into It.”

8. He has a habit of destroying things in order to see how they work, including relationships.

9. He tries to pick up girls with witty banter like: “Engineering is one of World of Warcraft’s more interesting crafting professions – it requires materials produced with another profession, usually Mining.”

10. He carries a pick-ax with him at all times.

Miss Montana

2012-02-26T13:37:00.002-07:00

The Miss Montana Scholarship Program is calling on young ladies from across the state to apply for an opportunity to be a contestant in the next Miss Montana program. Every Miss Montana contestant will receive an $850 scholarship. Those contestants placing in the top five will receive scholarships from $1,250 up to $5,000. The new Miss Montana will travel to Las Vegas for the chance to become Miss America and receive more scholarships.

The young women who participate in the program will become our future leaders. The Miss America Organization is the nation’s leading achievement program and the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than 45 million dollars in scholarship assistance.

Contestants are judged on interview skills, talent, formal wear, on-stage question, and fitness in swimwear. The Miss Montana Scholarship Program also sponsors the Miss Montana’s Outstanding Teen Program the same week for younger girls ages 13 to 17 years old.

If you know a talented young lady, who has good communications and interview skills, high scholastic goals and would make a great ambassador for our state, tell her about the Miss Montana Scholarship Program. Applications are available at www.missmontana.com. Current deadline in March 10, 2012.

Career Services Readies for 4th Annual CareerSmart Fair

2012-02-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

The 4th Annual CareerSmart fair is just a few weeks away and the Montana Tech Career Services office is very excited at the additional number of companies attending. With more than 40 companies registered, this is over a 21% increase in participation over last year. Scheduled for Wednesday, February 15th, from 8:30a.m. to 3:30p.m. in the Student Union Building, the CareerSmart Fair is actually the “kick off” for the spring recruiting and this increase in recruiter interest is taken as a good indicator of continued economic recovery.

Career Services is constantly trying to add to the diversity of the organizations coming to campus to recruit and the growth of this spring event is most encouraging. If there are particular companies you are interested in, let Career Services know. We can reach out to share information about Montana Tech and degrees to help bring those entities to campus in the future.

In addition to the CareerSmart Fair itself, Career Services has arranged several other opportunities for students. On Valentine’s Day, February 14th, there will be a series of very interesting afternoon workshops presented by professionals in their fields.

• Gina MacIlwraith and her team from the Grand Teton Lodge will encourage students to “Think Outside the Box – Unconventional Career Paths.”

• Julie Zamski of The Sherwin Williams Company will help business students with a wide variety of topics including what to do to get a business-focused recruiter’s attention.

• Emily Arthun and her team from Cloud Peak Energy in Gillette, WY will present an interesting program on “The Changing Face of Coal – New Opportunities within the Industry.”

• Former St. James Healthcare HR professional, Pat Dudley, will regale listeners during his presentation “Confessions of a Human Resources Director: Real Life Stories of What NOT-to-Do.” This is an especially “safe” environment to ask those questions you didn’t feel comfortable asking an HR professional of an organization you were interested in working for.

Scheduled times and signups for these workshops are on DIGGERecruiting.

The traditional 2nd Day Interviews will follow the career fair on Thursday, February 16th, from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. To date, we have 13 companies staying on campus to recruit. Check DIGGERecruiting to see what you need to do in order to be considered for an interview slot.

In order for the students to take full advantage of career events like this, they need to have an updated, current DIGGERecruiting account. This is the information used to send targeted e-mails for relevant on-campus schedules, information sessions, resume collections, and workshops that are taking place on campus. In addition, students can create a “job agent” through their DIGGERecruiting account to alert them when pertinent jobs are posted on the Jobs Board. Currently, there are 428 active jobs posted – including everything from part-time local jobs to internships and full-time opportunities around the world.

Be IN DEMAND – update your DIGGERecruiting account, sign up for the workshops and attend the 4th Annual CareerSmart Fair!

PHOTO: Pekin Noodle Parlor - Jason Silvernale

2012-02-26T13:33:00.001-07:00

This past Saturday, the Mai Wah Society conducted its annual Chinese New Year parade. The only business left from Butte’s former Chinatown is the Pekin Noodle Parlor located at 117 Main Street. Historians believe the Pekin could be the oldest Chinese restaurant in the nation and attribute the origin of Keno to the establishment as well.

5 Bad Valentine’s Day Gifts

2012-02-26T13:30:00.002-07:00

The forced love, the cheesy cards, the overpriced meals, and those creepy giant teddy bears, you guessed it, it’s Valentine’s Day! Ok, so Valentine’s Day isn’t all that bad, but I think we all can recall our best and worst Valentine ’s Day gifts, even if they date back to our elementary school days. Valentine’s Day is often referred to as a “Hallmark Holiday”, made up so that card companies can make an extra buck. For most of us though, we really do want to be showered with a little extra love or given some cheesy card. If you’re looking to find the perfect gift for someone special, steer clear of some of these actual Valentine’s Day gifts below from the glo.msn.com/relationships blog and some of your fellow students at Tech.

1. A “Twilight” bookmark of Edward, or really anything from “Twilight”. Ok, yes, many girls and guys love these movies, but that doesn’t make them or anything from them a good gift idea. Leave these vampires out of Valentine’s Day!

2. A cactus. Unless the person you love collects these desert plants, nothing says I love you like a spike to the finger.

3. An alarm clock. Again, like the cactus thing, unless someone is a huge collector of alarm clocks, it’s probably not the best idea. Maybe they will think “It’s time I started seeing someone else”.

4. A coupon for a hug that expires by the next day. If you are going to go the coupon route, which can be effective, don’t put an expiration date on it!

5. A deodorant gift pack. Did someone actually give this? “I love you, but you stink!”

MTech Tube - Butte, Montana Shows Support For Ron Paul

2012-02-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

Technocrat reporter Jonathan Kershaw stops in with the group of Ron Paul supporters that can be seen holding signs on Harrison Ave. during the weekends.

MTech Tube - Tech Day at Discovery Ski Hill

2012-02-06T14:50:00.000-07:00

Students and faculty of Montana Tech enjoy a day of winter sports at Discovery Ski Hill. Interview with Chris Van Nuland, Director of Student Activities. Event sponsored by the Montana Tech Alumni Association.

Filmed January 29, 2012Shot, edited and produced by Aaron Briggs.
Additional filming by Frankie Schwartz.
Music : Kevin MacLeod "Got Funk"

MTech Tube - Cheer Squad

2012-02-06T14:48:00.000-07:00

We take a look at the changes for the cheer squad at Montana Tech for the 2011-2012 semester.

MTech Tube - Details of Unauthorized Grade Changes at Montana Tech

2012-01-31T00:10:00.001-07:00

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

2012-01-30T14:20:00.004-07:00

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.

The surface portion of the project is located at the existing Bell Diamond Mine site in Butte. The site was acquired from Butte Silver Bow because of its ideal location— a large electrical substation is within 500 feet of the drilling area and an existing three-thousand foot mine shaft is located on the property. The geothermal portion of the project is 10,000 feet below the surface of the Bell Diamond Mine site, and drilling can be cut down considerably if this existing mine shaft is utilized. A set of production and injection wells will be drilled to establish a down hole heat exchanger or heat reservoir. Once the heat reservoir has been established, essentially hot water will be brought back to the surface and pumped through a surface heat exchanger and re-injected back into the heat reservoir as a closed loop system.

Montana Tech’s Center for Advanced Mineral and Metallurgical Processing (CAMP) has a unique opportunity to collaborate with Geothermal Energy Montana on the development of technology for the project. “We look forward to the opportunity to expand our research with Montana Tech by collaborating with CAMP to develop the technology” said Lester. The development of technology and the testing of the site will prove whether or not this project will be a success for Butte.

The project has met limitations with funding, which is delaying the testing process and the development of technology. Since this is one of the first geothermal power plants of its kind in the United States, it is difficult to get investors on board with the idea. However, Butte has an advantage over other proposed geothermal locations in the United States because it has access to plenty of water, which is an essential part to the closed loop geothermal process.

The benefits of geothermal energy are numerous, including economic growth and opportunities for Butte and Montana. Geothermal energy is carbon neutral, and is a clean, sustainable energy source. Eventually geothermal power plants pay for themselves, and can provide low-cost energy to their surrounding areas.

Letter to Editor: HPER Renovation

2012-01-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

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.

Beginning with the most obvious and frustrating, is the lack of locker rooms. For seven months, anyone that has used the HPER has been unable to safely store their possessions. Unless your a guy willing to brave one of the athlete locker rooms, your forced to leave your belongings unsecured in the hallway and other areas that are used for stretching and body weight exercise. Further, unless you brave the athlete locker rooms, your forced to change in the one of the restrooms, which is not set up for such activity, is not a pleasant experience, and one that I personally find annoying, both when I have to do it and when someone else is. The other side of it, is that guys at least have the option of using the athlete locker rooms. To my knowledge, and what I’ve witnessed, females on campus don’t have that option. They are forced to either change in the restrooms, or in the equipment storage off the gym, as happened after a basketball game, in which the visiting team changed in the store room, while several people walked by the partially open door. This does not enhance the reputation of the school, especially given the length of time it has been necessary.

The other issue with the lack of locker rooms, is the lack of showers. Unless you live on or near campus, it’s not easy or convenient to shower after a workout. For anyone who commutes to school, it becomes virtually impossible. This forces people to either spend the rest of the day smelling of sweat, or workout at end of the day, when they can head home and shower. This results in a couple of things. First, it makes it impossible to grab a workout during a break, which means you have to start planning workout times. This is highly troublesome, as it may be that the only time available to workout is during a break, and with the growing concern about obesity, is something that should be encouraged, not hindered. Second, it limits the types of activities that are available. This gets back to the general lack of locker rooms, as well. Without showers and locker rooms, the pool can’t be open. Now, I am aware of talk about getting rid of the pool, but as yet, that hasn’t happened, and Tech represents about the only good lap pool in the area, as the Y pool I consider to cold, and distraction from the other pool interferes with it. Additionally, more related to the lack of locker rooms, is the fact that the racquetball courts have been converted into temporary locker rooms, removing them from use. This means that there are no racquetball classes, which is one way to get people into the HPER and get them active.

The locker rooms were closed the end of last semester. Since that time, there has been a great deal of work done on the new expansion, but the locker rooms have remained closed. Finally, just before Thanksgiving break, some major progress was apparent with the mens locker room, but the womens locker rooms remain missing in action. The result of this, is a growing trend of students and faculty that have decided to join a private gym. While that is their right, there is still the issue that I pay a HPER Use Fee, which gives me access for that semester. Now, I am forced consider joining a gym, and paying the membership, on top of the fee Tech already assessed, or not be able to workout to the level I want. In a time when the First Lady is campaigning for fitness in children, obesity and health are a growing concern, and rising costs everywhere, I’m placed in a position to choose with money already tight. Maybe it’s just me, but this seems like a bad situation. And it is not getting any better.

When the locker rooms closed, it was supposed to be for the summer, and they would reopen in time for football. That obviously didn’t happen. Personally, I think it’s time that it did. I think the focus should be on getting the locker rooms open, and getting the HPER back to a fully usable state for everyone. Build the new expansion after the HPER is made usable again. Either that, or waive the HPER Use Fee until the remodeling is finished, and let me use it for a gym membership.

- JB

Make The Most Out Of Winter Break

2012-01-30T14:18:00.004-07:00

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.

1. Visit a Local Ski Resort

Ski Discovery -or for many of us, “Snowboard” Discovery – is just an hour’s drive away and offers a wide variety of terrain and runs for every skill level. Tickets are reasonably priced, and even more so on special “Tech Days” scattered throughout the year. Skiing not your thing? Tubing is just as fun and requires basically zero skill. Okay, so it does require enough skill to stay on the thing, but laughing at your friend’s “skill” is almost as fun as tubing itself.

2. Plan a Spa Day

I’m not talking about your high-end boutique here — although now is the best time of year to get lucky at those since many luxury spas offer steep discounts at this time of year — but rather an outing to a reasonably priced salon for a new hair-do with your girlfriends, or manicures in a fun holiday color. Here in Butte, Planet Beach offers great package deals for everything from massages to tanning to facials. Make it a group outing, and after just a couple hours, you’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated without breaking the bank.

3. Schedule a Movie Marathon with Friends

If you absolutely must spend break watching TV instead of getting out of the house, this is the only way to do it. Have you missed all the new releases in the last 3 months because of weekend studying? Raid the Redbox in your neighborhood and catch up on all the must-sees. Or perhaps a marathon of the Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or every movie that’s ever had Johnny Depp in it is more your speed, whatever you prefer, a great way to share the fun with others is to invite your friends and have each person choose a movie to bring. It’s a great way to ensure that there’s at least one flick in the bunch that everyone wants to see, and it’s also a great way to find out something you might not have known about your friends before and enjoy a movie that you may never have heard of.

4. Embark on a Food and Beverage Tour

This sounds expensive, but it doesn’t have to be if you plan ahead, especially if you check websites like Groupon.com and Restaurant.com before you go. Identify a few restaurants you’ve been dying to try or Google “restaurants” in your hometown and go somewhere you’ve never heard of. I would recommend going to during lunch hours, since many places have specials and the prices are generally lower midday anyway. Of course, inviting friends on your excursion will make it much more enjoyable!

5. Challenge Yourself With New Recipes

Here’s an option for the Rachel Rays at heart. I for one cannot get enough of shows like Cake Boss, Chopped, Cupcake Wars, and anything to do with building ridiculous things out of cake. I love to cook, but most of the time I am far too busy to experiment in the kitchen or bake desserts like cakes and cookies. But now is the time! This winter, fill your house with the aromas of Christmas cheer by baking holiday cookies, building a gingerbread house with family, or maybe just having a “cupcake war.” Don’t tell your mom I suggested that!

6. Hit the After-Holiday Sales

Many people are all shopped out by the time the after-holiday sales hit because they started way back at the craziness of Black Friday. I never have time to shop until the last minute, so after the holidays I am still itching with the shopping bug and ready to take advantage of the deep discounts on overstocked merchandise. Right after New Year’s you can score up to 90% off the holiday’s gift-worthy goodies. Say hello to a new Gingerbread scented bubble bath gift set! To: Me, From: Santa.

7. Invite Other Staycationers Over for a Sleepover

Who doesn’t love a good sleepover? Ladies, can I get an amen? Winter is the best time to invite friends over for a night of movies, games, food, and drinks because who doesn’t want to cozy up inside when it’s freezing cold outside? Even if you’re far from your friends, this can be a fun family bonding time by “camping” in the living room together and getting some quality time in. Pile up on blankets and pillows and talk the night away, you’ll be surprised what you learn about your family and friends.

8. Give and Get at the Thrift Store

What’s great about thrift shopping right after the holidays is that a lot of people have cleaned out their closets and donated their old clothes and accessories to make room for the new items they received as gifts. I recommend you do this to: clear out all your old clothes you haven’t worn all year and make room for a new wardrobe. Didn’t get what you wanted for Christmas? Make a run to the local thrift or vintage shop and browse the aisles for the perfect pieces you never knew you wanted, or at least the most terribly awesome ugly sweater for Christmas Eve!

The Guest At Every Party

2012-01-30T14:18:00.000-07:00

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.”

According to NPR’s Lauren Silverman, these cups were created out of paper cone cups that used to be placed at water coolers in the 1940s. These cups were then developed into wax lined cups, which were later developed into Solo’s “Cozy Cup”, which held coffee. And finally out of this came the plastic, red Solo cup that we now see today.

Perhaps the only drawback of the red Solo Cup is that the plastic it is made out if is difficult to recycle, and the sheer number of cups used is rather large. As a disposable item, this cup often gets thrown into the trash, and then put into a landfill where it can take hundreds of years to break-down. However, the Solo cup is rather durable, and can stand a few hand washes for multiple party uses. If you’re looking to save more cash for beer, and spend less on cups, consider buying durable, reusable and washable plastic cups. Many stores often have sales on these during the summer months and they will last much longer than Solo cups, and will work just as well for your party experience!

Digger Den

2012-01-30T14:17:00.002-07:00

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.

Let’s break this down to the fundamental components. The Mill Building would include the new Digger Den, a computer lab, the coffee shop, a conference room, a lounge space and more. The hours for the Mill Building would most likely be extended into the night on school nights, and possibly later for weekends, giving more opportunity for student use. The SUB would house a combined Bookstore, copy/mail center and Digger Card Center. These combined services would make buying Tech Gear easier for prospective students, Alumni, and Digger fans. Book buying would also be easier with more space and increased staff. The Bookstore Director, Jeni Luft, is ecstatic about this idea. The move would give her bookstore increased space and a projected increase in revenue. Chris Van Nuland, Director of the Student Union, likes the idea because the new Mill Building would be very student oriented, giving him more opportunity for activities. As ASMT Vice President, I believe that the move would be very beneficial for the student populace in that the needs of the students would begin to be resolved.

The only remaining input the administration requires is yours, the student population. Therefore a survey will be sent out with questions like, “Does this move represent the best interests of students?” and, “Would there be enough interest in moving the Digger Den, or is its current position acceptable?” This survey will be sent out soon with these questions and more in order for the administration to best obtain the student input regarding this potential change. If you feel strongly one way or another, please do not hesitate to fill out this survey. Any comments and concerns can be voiced to me, John Henson, during my office hours or by email at, asmt.vicepresident@mtech.edu

Watch for the upcoming survey on the Montana Tech website and Digger Central.

Have a Healthy Year!

2012-01-30T14:16:00.003-07:00

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!

Positive changes are much easier to maintain than negative changes, like restrictions. Focus on adding more good foods to your diet instead of removing junk foods, this way you will not feel deprived and you will get full on the good stuff before you ever reach for that can of pop.

Here are some healthy additions:

• Eat a large salad every day.

• Satisfy your sweet tooth with at least three fresh fruits each day.

• Add “GOMBBS” of these yummy foods: Greens, Onions, Mushrooms, Beans, Berries, and Seeds. These foods are scientifically-proven to have potent wellness benefits.

• Swap oily/greasy/fried foods, for baked, broiled and grilled foods. Use heart healthy coconut or olive oil in place of margarine, butter, and other oils in your baking.

• Always keep your kitchen stocked with fresh and frozen produce.

• Drink water instead of pop, juice, or energy drinks. Just say NO to overly sugary, over-priced drinks and drink up with H2O. Aim to drink 8+ glasses of water a day.

• Make a new healthy-recipe at least once a week to give you something to look forward to and make sticking to your healthy habit fun.

• Discover new foods: Ever tried coconut milk ice cream? How about almond butter, Greek yogurt, protein powder, almond milk, couscous, and bison? You’d be surprised how yummy eating healthy can be!

No one wants to completely cut out something they love, so don’t! Life is meant to be enjoyed and having desert a couple times a week is not going to ruin an overall healthy diet. However, I try to stick to the 80/20 rule. Focus on eating healthy 80 percent of the time and then allow for 20 percent of your diet to be “fun” foods that you just plain love! Be it dessert, Lucky Charms, pizza, a donut, or a couple drinks with your friends; give yourself a little wiggle room and you will be much more likely to perpetuate your good habits into the long term.

For anyone starting a new habit or resolution, the beginning is always the hardest. But stick with it, you can do it! Remember, something cannot become a habit unless you do it repeatedly; but the good news is once you do form healthy habits you’ll keep doing them almost without thinking! Eating right is respecting yourself; believe that you deserve the best.

10 Things Recruiters Say About Tech Students

2012-01-30T14:15:00.001-07:00

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.

#2 – They are ambitious very early – Many Tech students quickly begin to seek out internship opportunities or summer/work study jobs that will add to their broad experience base, both inside and outside the classroom.

#3 – Solid technical knowledge – Recruiters are impressed with the breadth of practical knowledge our students have. This comes from solid classroom preparation and the technical backgrounds they develop in terms of internship experience.

#4 – Great GPAs – Many companies use GPA as a qualifier for interviewing. The recruiters cite that they keenly understand the rigors of the coursework at Tech (many are alums) and acknowledge those students who can maintain the high GPA.

#5 – Well prepared to interview – One thing nearly every company looks for when interviewing students is “What do they know about our company.” Tech students are often complimented on the research they have done before going into an interview. One recruiter remarked that a student asked him about a very technical drilling technique his company was using and the recruiter was scheduled to go to a class on this the following week because it was that new!

#6 – Good communicators – Being able to “tell your story” quickly and succinctly is another skill recruiters value. Tech students are often highly rated on their ability to clearly communicate and give good examples of their past experience.

#7 – Good eye-contact – Being able to maintain consistent eye-contact with one or more interviewers can be a challenge, but one Tech students seemed to have added to their skill bases. It helps convey honesty and sincerity.

#8 – Community involvement – Companies look for future employees who care about others and have volunteered time to community projects or extra-curricular activities.

#9 – Confidence – Tech students value their knowledge, experience and skills and are able to confidently tell recruiters what they can bring to the workplace. Believe in yourself and others will believe in you too.

#10 – Passion – Citing Dave Wulf of ConocoPhillips – “This year brought about some exceptional students. It is what keeps me coming back. The talent and passion has never been better in these students. Tech should be proud of these students.”

So, congratulations Montana Tech students! You are remarkable examples of the Tech experience and it is easy to see why you are IN DEMAND. For those of you who may not feel ready in terms of your resumes, interviewing skills or job search strategies – have no fear. Career Services is open during the upcoming holiday break and our staff stands ready to help. Just give us a call at 496-4140 or come by Engineering Hall 103 to make an appointment.

Get Your Nordic On

2012-01-08T21:49:00.001-07:00

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.

The crowning jewel of the area’s Nordic scene is Mt. Haggin Nordic ski area, 11 miles south southwest of Anaconda on Mill Creek Road (highway 274). This free of charge (donations are accepted to offset grooming costs) and immaculately groomed trail system provides sweeping views of the Pintlers on the 10-mile Little California Loop trail and hosts the popular Legends of the Wulf annual ski race. After your ramble, cross the street and relax in everything the “soup shack” has to offer—soups, pies, coffee, and hot chocolate awesomeness. More info can be found at: www.milehighnordic.org.

An excellent, yet unsung trail system lies about 6 miles north of Walkerville. The Moulton trails offer a wide range of trails and intermittent grooming to make this area one of the most peaceful settings around. You’re likely to meet as many energetic trail-dogs as skiers here, adding to the lure. I know Denali, my Husky, is itching to get up there.

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

2012-01-08T21:24:00.000-07:00

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.

When asked about the album’s meaning, Shadow explained that the themes are based upon the influence of technology, and about what he felt was the “aggressive marketing” of technology in modern times (the cover shows a smartphone painting the title on a billboard). He also explained the difficulty for an artist to get attention for his/her efforts, by saying “It’s really hard to get people to pay attention if all you’re doing is putting out an album. It only matters to people if you’re wearing a meat dress, or slagging off your peers, or generally behaving like an ass. So it’s satire, and I’m the butt of the joke.”

Some fans and critics have described the album as weak or unfinished, due to the in-cohesive flow of the album. Through the ups and downs of the record, DJ Shadow explores many different styles, from the heavy-metal guitar riffs of “Border Crossing” and “I Gotta Rokk”, to the dusty acoustic grooves of “I’ve Been Trying”, reminiscent of Clutchy Hopkins (another great artist, who some believe may actually be Shadow himself). “Sad and Lonely” and “Redeemed” sound like soulful Moby B-sides, while “Tedium” and “Run For Your Life” bring together the frantic jungle rhythms, guitar riffs, and spacey sound effects that DJ Shadow twists together with his own style . Despite not having a continuous energy, I think this album definitely has some good tracks and it’s worth some critical listening.

The Less You Know, The Better - ALBUM AVAILABLE NOW @ DJSHADOW.COM by djshadow

Music Review: Sofrito - Tropical Discotheque

2012-01-08T21:22:00.001-07:00

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.

For this compilation, Sofrito gets the party started with 15 grooving tracks, ranging from funk, cumbia, calypso, highlife, carnival, and more. Highlights include an exclusive cumbia by Quantic, “Cumbia Mochilla,” a sizzling tune from the up-and-coming Frente Cumbiero, “Pitchito”, and a new edit of a rare Victor Uwaifo disco cut. My personal favorite is “Dat Soca Boat” by The Mighty Shadow, a song so up-beat and contagious, it’s impossible to not get up and dance when you hear it. The artists included in this compilation come from countries as diverse as Nigeria, Colombia, Trinidad, and French Guyana (that’s right- get out your map). But, this album isn’t just about experiencing “world music”- it’s about bringing you some of the best dance music you may have never heard. So check out this release from Sofrito, it’s sure to bring some tropical heat into your chilly semester.

Sofrito: Tropical Discotheque mini-mix by DJ Hugo Mendez by Strut

20 Questions: Shawn Crowe

2012-01-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

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.

4. Where is your favorite place to eat in Butte?

I like Sparky’s quite a bit and I recently ate at Casagranda’s Steakhouse and I was very impressed by them!

5. Where are you originally from?

I was born in Anaconda, Montana, but raised in Butte for most of my life.

6. Where do you see your career in 10 years?

I hope that businesses will hire someone of my age and background, but in the end I would prefer to work for myself making art and selling it.

7. What is your favorite summer activity?

Frisbee golf

9. Describe yourself in one word.

Alive

10. List two song you’ve been listening to lately.

“Tear you Apart” by She Wants Revenge

“Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream” By Bob Dylan

11. What was the last good movie you saw?

X-Men First Class

12. What is your favorite book/magazine?

A confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

13. What is your favorite TV show?

Recently I’ve been enjoying the Office, Modern Family, and the Big Bang Theory

14. What was the last interesting you learned at Tech?

It would be hard for me to put my finger on one, but it was in a Technical Communications class.

15. Where would you go on a dream vacation?

Paris and Venice, because those places have spawned some of the greatest artwork that the world has ever known.

16. What is one thing everyone should know about you?

I’m a fine artist

17. What is your favorite hobby?

Table top role playing games

18. What is the best present you have ever received?

It was acutally a present I didn’t receive, my little niece wanted to buy me sunglasses for my, birthday because she said I looked like a rockstar, but my sister pointed out that I already wear glasses so I couldn’t wear sunglasses.

19. What is your favorite thing about Tech?

That its reputation is well known, which may help me find work.

21. What gives you the greatest satisfaction in life or at school?

Sobriety

22. What gives you the most frustration in life or at school?

The thing that gives me the most frustration about Tech is that it lacks any kind of art program. It is as if art is not valid here.

No Jobs For Slobs

2012-01-08T21:11:00.001-07:00

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.

The topics discussed included the place setting – which utensil to use when. Did you know by forming a “b” with your right hand thumb and index finger you can determine which is YOUR bread plate and that forming a “d” in the same manner with your left hand you can be sure which is YOUR drink.

When tackling the salad, Mr. Courture suggested that a cherry tomato never be stabbed with the fork. Conquering the cheesy trap of French Onion soup and how to corral long noodles were also covered. Students experimented with rolling one strand of pasta on the tines of the fork into a manageable bite.

Other “killer” situations, including what price of dinner to order and whether or not to order alcohol, were questions posed from the attentive audience. Many of the students participating were from other countries and added a great deal of insight when discussing dining in other cultures. Chancellor and Mrs. Blackketter, veteran formal dinner attendees, also offered many practical suggestions.

One of the topics hammered home was that of the cell phone. The cell phone should be left in the car during a formal dinner or interview dining situation – no exceptions! The host of the event or the prospective employer will notice if you pay attention to your phone rather than the guests at the table.

This collaborative event between Dining Services and Career Services is an important link to thoroughly prepare students for situations awaiting them as they interview for both internships and jobs following graduation. Alan Couture received excellent evaluations from everyone who attended and all of the participants would recommend this workshop to a friend. One of the students commented, “There was a lot of information presented that was new to me or that I would never have thought about.” While another student shared, “Wished I would have had this earlier – requirement before internship.”

If you missed this event, don’t worry. The Career Services website has information on etiquette and many other videos pertinent for interviews. By choosing one of the CareerSpots, a wealth of information in 3-5 minute bites is at your disposal 24/7/365. Contact Career Services office, in Engineering Hall 103, for more information.

Whats New In Career Services

2011-11-30T22:17:00.001-07:00

There are several new changes within Montana Tech Career Services, including two new staff members. Administrative Associate for both Career Services and the Office of Alumni Affairs, Angie O’Neill joined our ranks in May after transferring from the University of Montana’s Alumni office. A Butte native, Angie enjoys being such a vital member of the of two Montana Tech teams.

Kathlene McNamee, Program Coordinator, came on board the end of June. After leaving the United Way of Butte and Anaconda as its Executive Director, she spearheads the Montana Tech career fairs and on-campus recruiting efforts. A long-time member of the Tech family, Kathlene is probably best known as an adjunct psychology teacher on the South Campus – a post she has held since 1995.

In addition, Kasey Kaszycki, Stephanie Sloan, and Cathy Westfall are the Career Assistants student employees this academic year.

Next, the Career Services website has a whole new look. In an effort to be more user friendly, these pages host a wealth of information for students, alumni, families, employers, faculty and staff. Since “going live,” the site will continue to grow with new content and pictures depicting the various career events throughout the year.

To help Career Services reach more students across all disciplines, the web pages sport an added feature CareerSpots – Job Search Videos. Each video is action-packed and less than two-minutes in length. So, no matter your question – you have concise information at your fingertips 24/7/365!

To get the most out of the website and our office, you should CREATE an account in DIGGERecruiting! This essential step opens a world of opportunities to you – regardless of your current year in school. Career Services is MORE than just placement …. Through your DIGGERecruiting account you will be able to access the latest information, such as: which companies will be on campus and when; conduct comprehensive job searches by viewing current local, regional, and national openings; discover where relevant workshops on resumes, cover letters, and interviewing techniques will be held; see what resources are available to you in both book and video form from our office; and most importantly, you will receive periodic e-mail alerts on relevant career topics and more!

If you’d rather talk to a real, live person, our friendly staff awaits your questions in Engineering Hall Room 103, or give us a call at (406) 496-4140.

Drivin' On Thin Ice

2011-11-30T22:14:00.001-07:00

How do you get to school? Do you drive, take the city bus, walk, or fly? As the temperatures in Montana dip below freezing and the snow begins to fall, getting to Tech can become a bit of a challenge. Unfortunately it’s also the time of year where the most accidents can occur. Ever been the student who had to reverse down the Park Street hill because of icy roads? The good news is that there are winter and even fuel saving tips that can help you ‘break the ice’ on your way to school.

One myth about winter driving is that you have to let your car warm up for long periods of time. The truth is that letting your car idle a while before heading to school will hurt your wallet and the air you breathe more than it will benefit your car. According to the Consumer Energy Center of the California Department of Energy the best way to warm up your car is to drive it. And as a rule of thumb, they recommend letting your car warm up for 30secs-1min. If you are driving an older model car, allow 1-2 minutes to warm up as a rule of thumb. Any more time given to letting it warm up they say is wasted energy. Remember that idling gets you 0 miles to the gallon of gasoline, and can burn up to a gallon of gasoline for every hour spent idle! Idling has also been linked to increases in asthma, allergies, heart and lung disease and cancer, and not to mention increased carbon emissions!

According to Motor Trend tires “naturally lose about 1 psi of air pressure each month and they also lose 1 psi for every ten-degree drop in air temperature”. In winter, this means that it is extremely crucial to check your tire pressure weekly or even daily. Motor Trend stresses that vehicles with under inflated tires don’t handle as well, and this is a big safety concern, especially on icy roads. Under inflated tires also decrease the fuel economy of your car, so be sure to keep an eye on tire pressure during the winter.

The Montana Department of transportation offers a winter checklist for winter car maintenance. The checklist includes items such as: allowing extra driving time to get to your destination, keeping your vehicle free of snow and ice, taking your speed down when it’s hard to see, keeping a safe distance between other vehicles, looking for ice on bridges, and keeping tires in good condition or purchasing snow tires.

Winter also means that it’s time to update or start your emergency car kit! The Montana Department of Transportation recommends several emergency items that you should keep in your car should the blizzard of the century come barreling down. Items include:

1. Flashlight with extra batteries

2. First aid kit

3. Blankets

4. Extra coats, hats, gloves, and boots

5. Whistle and flares to signal for help

6. Basic tool kit, knife, shovel, small axe

7. Garbage bags, towels, and hand sanitizer

8. Water

9. Tow chains, straps, cat litter for traction

10. Spare tire

11. Jumper cables

12. Starter fluid, extra oil, and deicer

13. Non-perishable high energy food for 3 days

14. Local maps

15. Matches, small paper and wood kindling

Happy `Tweener Season

2011-11-30T22:12:00.001-07:00

This time of year can be frustrating for us outdoor enthusiasts. The weather’s too spotty or unpredictable for hikes or bike rides and there’s just not enough snow yet to start those eagerly anticipated winter sports. Being so unique, it almost deserves its own name—‘tweener season—not really autumn and not yet winter; it’s “tween” the two. But that doesn’t mean you should grab the chips and settle into the futon for a couple weeks of Halo before Disco’s chairlifts start running. Just because the leaves are falling, doesn’t mean your motivation should: ‘Tweener season has everything to do with rallying once the snow falls.

Most importantly, right now could be the most valuable time to hit up some of Butte’s trails. The cooler weather is a great excuse not to get out, but if you grab an extra layer or two you’ll find the trails (literally) all to yourself. There’s nothing better than a peaceful ramble up the Maud ‘S’ Canyon on the East Ridge, getting to the vista just as the sun sets behind the Pintlers. There’s a good chance you might have the view of Butte all to yourself.

Now is the best time to get in the gym to keep what’s left of your fitness. Google some sport specific exercises to keep things fresh for the next few weeks. And please, please don’t forget to take care of your gear. It’s smart to get an end-of-the-season tune-up for your bike and plan ahead for tuning up your skis or snowboard, things get hectic this time of year. Need gear? Keep an eye on www.steepandcheap.com and local shops for killer preseason deals on all the goodies you need.

You see, ‘Tweener season is good after all. It guarantees you’ll be the first of your crew to hammer this winter, no matter what your chosen adventure. You’re welcome.

Battlefield 3 Out Now

2011-11-30T22:10:00.001-07:00

The next game in the Battlefield series has finally arrived. Titles such as Battlefield have set high standards for their customers and year after year they still find ways to surpass our expectations. Battlefield 3 has done this yet again and left their community with a smile, and a huge replay value for a military first person shooter game. Problems were experienced on the launch with servers randomly crashing, upsetting a lot of people. Since the first week of the game launch however most problems have been fixed and online play is a blast.

If you loved any of the previous Battlefield games then this one is sure to please you. It includes new vehicles like jets, new game modes, and even a series of co-op missions to play online with a friend. Did I mention almost everything weapon wise is customizable? There are tons of attachments to unlock that will improve your weapons efficiency at decimating your enemy or helping your team. The graphics have been improved and game play is still as addictive as ever. There is too much to say about this game in one article, just be aware that it is overall a great buy.

Are You Too Busy?

2011-11-30T22:08:00.001-07:00

In college it’s rare to not be busy - busy studying, busy working, busy attending class. We’re all so busy I bet most of us don’t even notice how busy our classmates are! Busy isn’t necessarily bad, it’s good to be productive and involved; but too busy means you’re overcommitted, neglecting important priorities, and constantly feeling exasperation and anxiety.

One of the ironies of being too busy is wanting to cut back and change, but not having the time to figure out how to do it! I want to help you avoid ending up a frazzled mess by Thanksgiving break, by giving you a check-list of 5 signs you’re too busy. Do any of these signs fit you? If so, make the necessary changes now!

1) You Spend A Lot of Time Worrying About Your Time.

Do you find yourself endlessly cycling through your to-do list in your head, arranging and rearranging your schedule, or wishing throughout the day that you had more time? Try this: Take a mental break. Remove one thing from your schedule for today that is the least important—it might be putting off doing the laundry or postponing watching a TV show, and instead do nothing! Just lay down and listen to a favorite song or take a bath. Disconnect from “timing” your life for at least an hour.

2) Spontaneity? What’s that?

The movie “Yes Man” comes to mind when I think about this sign; you used to say yes to a impromptu fun event or get together with friends, but now the idea just seems ridiculous. Spontaneity fills your head with anxiety about trying to schedule one more thing into your day. While there’s definitely a limit to being able to handle surprises in your routine, some amount of spontaneity is important to add spice to your life.

3) You’re Sleep-Deprived and You Know It.

Do you find yourself dozing off in class, at work or at the wheel of your car? Do you oversleep on weekends to make up for weekday deficits? Time to hit the brakes! Skipping the recommended 7-8 hours a night may seem like an easy way to gain extra time in your day, but you’re actually cutting into precious time for our bodies to repair and restore. Getting good sleep improves memory, boosts your ability to empathize with others, and heightens your problem-solving skills by two-fold. Try making sleep your #1 priority; schedule your bedtime (like you do everything else) and guard that appointment fiercely! When time’s up, time’s up! Hit the sack.

4) You’re Ecstatic for Cancellations.

Ok, so it’s definitely not unnatural to be a little excited about a class getting canceled or having a paper deadline pushed back. They key here is to think about how you plan to use that extra time as soon as you discover a cancelation. You immediately think, “Cool I can call __ and catch up on their weekend away.” This response is positive and relaxed, and fills the free time with a meaningful activity. Here’s scenario #2: You immediately think something like: “Great, now I can edit that paper… finish that homework…email my professor… If your mind immediately floods with a whole new overwhelming to-do list then you’re overbooked! I know it’s difficult to actively cancel things yourself, but try this: take your schedule for the next two weeks and cut at least three appointments each week. Be ruthless. See how those weeks feel as you live them out with more breathing room.

5) Can’t Remember Last Time You “Took Time For Yourself”

A schedule without joy is a joyless schedule! We all have something we love to do, maybe its painting, or playing video games, or hunting. It’s easy to bench these activities from our schedule’s starting lineup because they’re “frivolous,” but making time for these “time indulgences” is very important because they nourish us, get us to slow down, and help us actually enjoy life! Write down a list of activities - be specific about where you want to go, what you want to do, and who you want to do it with. Now, pick at least one activity to do each week for the next few weeks. I promise you’ll find more joy in life and less stress!

If you start to hear a lot of off-hand comments or complaints along the lines of: “You’re so busy,” or “You’re wearing yourself thin,” or “I never see you anymore,” it’s one of the surest signs that your time needs an overhaul. You are no help to anyone else and no fun to be around if you’re a frazzled, stressed out mess! Thanksgiving break is coming up and I urge you to take a real break. You’re doing fine kid :)

Stricter Parking For Tech

2011-11-09T20:22:00.002-07:00

Ever noticed one of those cars on campus with a never-ending stack of parking tickets splashed across its windshield? Maybe this car has even been yours at some point! Well it looks like the jig is up for habitual offenders because parking enforcement at Montana Tech is about to get a lot stricter.

The Montana Tech parking policy already states that students with unpaid parking citations will not be allowed to re-enroll for future semesters or obtain transcripts. However, in addition to these penalties, Montana Tech also reserves the right to immobilize or tow vehicles of habitual parking offenders.

Effective immediately, students with 3 or more parking tickets will receive sticker notices of parking violations. The notices are to prepare for the stricter enforcement that is about to take place in January. At the start of the spring semester, Montana Tech will begin to use parking boots to immobilize repeat offender vehicles. In order to reclaim functionality of the vehicle, the offender will be responsible for paying to have the parking boot removed, as well as paying for any existing parking fees they have incurred. Offenders are also responsible for any damage made to the parking boot that may occur from attempted drive offs or removal. The stricter enforcement of the parking policy will apply to both students and employees of Montana Tech.

Enforcement in January will also take into account unpaid tickets and violations from previous semesters, so if you currently have unresolved parking citations, now would be a good time to take care of them. And if you haven’t purchased a parking decal, you can still do so in the physical plant office. Decals for the full year (fall-spring) are $55.00. Parking tickets are $20.00 per citation this year.

“What students who have not purchased parking decals are essentially doing is taking away a parking space from someone who has paid for one, and this isn’t fair” said Maggie Peterson, Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance. Maggie along with Art Anderson, Director of Montana Tech’s Physical Plant, are getting serious about habitual parking offenders. “There isn’t a policy change occurring, these rules have already been in place. There are just too many chronic parking offenders on campus who are causing the stricter enforcement.” said Maggie.

Many students often complain about the inadequate parking at Montana Tech and the proximity of parking to classrooms. In comparison to larger campuses such as the University of Montana, Montana Tech has relatively proximate parking and an abundance of it. Another advantage of parking at Montana Tech is that decal fees are also relatively lower than those at larger universities.

As an alternative form of transportation, Montana Tech also offers students free city bus rides between campus student housing, the north campus, and the College of Technology. Pick up’s on the north campus are in front of the SUB and the Natural Resources Building. Tech students also have free access to city bus routes even if they are not using the busses to get to class or between campuses.

With winter rapidly approaching be sure to pay close attention to where you park because you may pose a safety hazard to other vehicles or your own. Snow cover can often make hatched areas and no parking zones invisible. “This is when most accidents on campus occur because students are parking in dangerous areas that they cannot see.” said Art Anderson. So be sure to check your parking job as tickets can still be issued for vehicles parking in snow-covered areas.

Some parking tips that Maggie and Art offer for students are:

1. Arrive early to give yourself enough time to find a parking space and make it to class

2. Purchase a decal at the beginning of the year (or semester that you start) to avoid parking tickets

3. Don’t park in visitor parking, as these areas are for visitors only, and they are among the most heavily monitored for tickets

4. Take advantage of the city bus or walk to campus if you live close enough

5. Pay close attention to areas that are cross hatched in the winter time, as snow cover can often cause these potentially dangerous areas to be unseen

Hammer and Pick

2011-11-09T20:21:00.000-07:00

In the early 1990s, I traveled to Germany to complete research begun years before during my year abroad as a doctoral graduate candidate. As a proud Montana Tech professor, I wore a traditional “School of Mines” lapel pin given to me one year at graduation by our Dean of Engineering, Pete Knudsen. It is in the form of the Tech shield, including our motto and emblem, the hammer and pick. These are the same crossed implements that adorn the cover page of The Technocrat.

The pin fascinated my German colleagues. As historians of science and technology, they knew immediately what “De Re Metallica” referred to, but the symbol of the crossed hammer and pick puzzled them. Germany had only recently reunited, and the emblem of the former East Germany had been a hammer and compass (see illustration), itself derived from the hammer and sickle emblem of the Soviet Union. Some of my German colleagues assumed that the Montana Tech emblem meant that my college was a communist institution!

This prompted me to investigate how the crossed hammer and pick might have come to be Tech’s emblem. Sure enough, it turned out that “crossed proletarian implements” – including hammers, picks, and sickles – were commonly used as symbols by communist nations. The hammer and pick symbol, however, long predated the rise of Marxism in the early 20th century.

The coat of arms for Berggießhübel, a 15th century Saxon town known for iron mining and hammer making, depicted a miner holding a pick against a rock face with a hammer raised in his other hand. Coats of arms for other towns, such as Barsinghausen (a sandstone quarry and later a coal mining center in lower Saxony) and Freiberg (in the “Ore Mountains” of Saxony), incorporated a crossed hammer and pick remarkably similar to Montana Tech’s emblem. The symbol became widely used in the 16th century during the great mining boom in Saxony.

The hammer and pick emblem was incorporated into the shield of the Freiberg Mining Academy, established as the world’s first school of mines in 1765. In the United States, several schools in addition to Montana Tech also adopted some version of the hammer and pick symbol as part of their emblem. These included the Colorado School of Mines, South Dakota School of Mines, and America’s first—the Columbia School of Mines, established in 1864 and now called the Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute of the State of New York.

Topographic map users will also recognize the hammer and pick as the USGS symbol designating a quarry or open pit mine.

I’ve never understood why my German colleagues immediately recognized the origins of “De Re Metallica” but failed to recognize the origins of the hammer and pick symbol. On the one hand, I think, it reflects scholarly neglect of visual information or visual artifacts. Similarly, many historians of chemistry would be hard-pressed to distinguish between Erlenmeyer and volumetric flasks. After all, they might explain, historians of science deal with ideas and not things (or symbols of things). On the other hand, it also reflects the universities and archives where I did my research—all were far removed from historic mining districts such as Silesia or Saxony.

Here in Butte America, we are (or were) at the center of a major mining district. You can hardly take a hike or hunt a now-deserted ridge without tripping over a tailings pile, stumbling into a dog hole, or finding an abandoned adit. And on campus, of course, the hammer and pick emblem is a constant reminder of our heritage.

Halloween Candy Guide

2011-11-09T20:18:00.002-07:00

Everyone loves Halloween sweets. How can you say no to the endless abundance of (free!) fun-sized candy bars and loads of home-baked goodies around every turn? I love Halloween candy just as much as anyone, but if you are like me and are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, then Halloween can be a horror movie come true for your fitness goals! It doesn’t have to be scary, even if you’re determined to stick with your diet plan for muscle building or fat loss you can still give in to your candy cravings without too much damage by choosing wisely.

The #1 key is portion control – anything is excess, even if it is carrot sticks, will derail your diet and leave you with an upset stomach. So don’t think you can over-indulge pain-free. Stick to a single serving size of your chosen treat and enjoy it slowly.

It also helps to understand which types of candy will be your best options in terms of overall nutrition as well as the calorie content they provide. I give you the Top Ten Health(ier) Treats for Halloween, so you can enjoy the Halloween season and navigate Candyland as easily as you know your way around the weight room. All the options on this list have less than 200 calories per serving and are listed in increasing saturated fat content.

1. Gummi Bears (8 gummi bears): 57 calories, 0 g fat.

Gummi bears are as cute as they sweet and chewy – indulge in their adorable deliciousness without a single gram of fat.

2. Blow Pop (1 pop):
60 calories, 0 g fat.

As a bonus, your mouth will stay busy chewing the gum after you’re done with the candy for a long-lasting treat.

3. Candy Corn (22 pieces):
140 calories, 0 g fat.

The Halloween classic - Indulge in bright, pretty Halloween specialties guilt-free because they’re fat-free, too! You can spread out your 22 pieces throughout the day and enjoy them for hours.

4. Skittles (1 fun-size bag of Skittles):
80 calories. 1 g fat.

Enjoy fruity, chewy Skittles when you’re not craving chocolate. Fun fact? Each Skittle has about 5 calories.

5. York Peppermint Patties (3 patties): 140 calories, 3 g fat.

Refresh your palate with a few minty York Peppermint Patties. They can help make your mouth feel fresh and clean, discouraging you from eating more sweets.

6. Caramels (5 caramels): 160 calories, 3.5 g fat.

Caramel apples are a calorie-bomb – you’re easily eating a meal’s worth of calories, and a day’s worth of sugar, all under the illusion of “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Get your caramel fix with 5 of these minis instead!

7. Whoppers (18 Whoppers): 180 calories, 7 g fat.

They’re lower in fat than traditional chocolate candies, and you can savor the milky malted flavor of 18 of these little gems.

8. Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (3 cups):
132 calories, 8 g fat.

In my opinion, these are worth every single gram of fat! Be sure to take 3 and walk away from the bowl to avoid temptation.

9. Fun-size Snickers Bars (2 bars): Two fun-size Snickers: 160 calories, 8 g fat.

As an added benefit you’ll also get nuts in the Snickers bar, which is a healthy source of dietary fat.

10. Raisinets (1 package Raisinets, 1.58 ounces): 190 calories, 8 g fat.

The chewy chocolate texture of these make them especially satisfying, and all that chewing makes them longer lasting than other treats, plus they also boasts less fat than other chocolate candies.

A pretty good line-up to choose from don’t you think? Now that you’ve got the facts, you’re armed and ready to get the treat without the trick. Choose your treats wisely this Halloween and you can still come out with your six-pack intact! Boo-yah.

Montana Tech Judo

2011-11-09T20:17:00.001-07:00

This past weekend the Butte-Montana Tech Judo Club hosted and competed in a regional judo and submission grappling tournament. The tournament was well attended with over 300 competitors from Montana, Idaho, Washington and North Dakota.

Club members competed in judo, which is a form of wrestling that requires the competitors to wear a jacket (or gi), as well as submission grappling where the emphasis is on controlling your opponent until a submission technique can be applied. The judo team judo event was won by the Montana Tech club, and is coached by John Amtmann, Dr. Marisa Pedulla, Kahl Clark and Justin Azure. Dr. Marisa Pedulla competed at this tournament and impressed the audience and competitors alike with her proficient judo technique. Club members who competed included:

Adult Members:

Kyle Haustveit 1st place judo, 2nd place grappling

Eric Berdeaux 2nd place judo, 1st place grappling

Cole Kratochvil 3rd place judo

Sam Pennell 3rd place judo

William Hay 2nd place judo

Jase Miller 4th place judo

Bryant Black 2nd place judo

Child Members:

Robert Lester 2nd place judo, 2nd place grappling

Aidan Amtmann 1st place judo (girls division), 1st place judo (mixed boys and girls division)

Courtney Walsh 2nd place judo

20 Questions w/ Alesandro Acuna

2011-11-09T20:15:00.001-07:00

Alesandro Acuna (AJ for short) is a freshman in liberal studies. In addition to studying at Montana Tech he competes in body building and weight lifting competitions.

1. What sports, clubs, or associations are you affiliated with?

The sports that I am participating in as of now are body building and weight lifting competitions.

2. What is your favorite academic subject?

English

3. Who is your favorite faculty member?

Jack Crowley

4. Where is your favorite place to eat in Butte?

Northwest Noodles and Wraps!

5. Where are you originally from?

Reno, Nevada, I moved to Butte when I was 6 years old.

6. Where do you see your career in 10 years?

I hopefully see myself as a mental health and addiction counselor or probation officer. Also, I would like to get my license to be a personal trainer in my free time.

7. What is your favorite summer activity?

Going out on a boat and swimming at a lake.

8. Describe yourself in one word.

Outgoing

9. What was the last good movie you saw?

Horrible Bosses

10. What is your favorite book/magazine?

Harry Potter series.

11. What is your favorite TV show?

Tosh 2.O

12. Where would you go on a dream vacation?

Brazil

13. What is one thing everyone should know about you?

I’m not a hard guy to talk too, I love meeting new people and talking.

14. What is your favorite hobby?

Weight lifting and training

15. What is the best present you have ever received?

My first snowboard.

16. What gives you the greatest satisfaction in life or at school?

Being around my family and friends.

17. What gives you the most frustration in life or at school?

Getting assigned homework in every class on a Friday.

18. What are you most afraid of? Not waking up when I go to sleep.

19. Do you prefer to text or talk on the phone?

Neither, I prefer to talk to people face to face.

20. What is your major?

Liberal Studies

Stretching (The Truth)

2011-11-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

Stretching probably isn’t on the top of your to-do list. We’ve all heard that we should stretch to maintain flexibility, and that you should always warm up before exercise to prevent injury, and stretch afterwards. But do you really know why? The reason why we often neglect stretching and write it off as the “optional” part of our workout is that we don’t necessarily see any adverse effects from not stretching, so we don’t think it matters if we skip it. What you don’t know is all of the benefits of stretching you’re missing out on! Do any of the following results appeal to you?

•Reduced muscle tension→ resulting in decreased feelings of stress and fatigue

•Increased joint range of movement →resulting in improved posture (you’ll look taller, leaner, and command respect with your confident stature!)

•Enhanced muscular coordination →resulting in improved sports performance (and not to mention fewer spills once the sidewalks start to ice up)

•Increased circulation of the blood to various parts of the body → resulting in increased energy levels, and more blood flow to your brain, so you’ll think and react faster too!

Now you have a motive to stretch, but if you’re still fuzzy on how you should go about stretching, don’t worry - it’s easy to start! By stretching 3 to 5 times a week, you can take advantage of all the benefits listed above and prevent countless injuries.

Not all stretching is created equal, lets break down the best types of stretching to perform, and when to do them to maximize the benefits and minimize the extra time spent doing them. If you think about it I bet you find yourself subconsciously stretching when you wake up, when you go to bed, or when you’ve been sitting for a long time - the body naturally enjoys a good stretch! Start your day off with shoulder rolls, side bends, toe touches, and of course: the classic “rise and shine” stretch with your arms extended above your head. I don’t spend any extra time on these stretches by performing them while I’m brushing me teeth, it’s a great way to start your day! If morning stretching doesn’t appeal to you, try the same sort of routine before bed to de-compress and de-stress. You’ll sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed.

Everyone should stretch, but it’s crucial for exercise and sports enthusiasts. Dynamic stretching (which implies moving the joint through a particular range of motion without holding any particular position) should be performed before a workout. I recommend combining your warm-up and stretches routines by performing a 5 minute circuit of exercises like side lunges, arm circles, butt kicks, shoulder rolls, jogging in place, and calf stretches before starting exercise.

After exercise, perform static stretching - which is exactly what its name implies - stretching one particular muscle as far as you can without pain, and then holding that position for at least 10-15 seconds. This type of stretching is best after a workout because it helps relax muscles and increases mobility. A time saving tip for static stretching during a weight lifting workout is to perform these stretches during your rest periods between sets, focusing on the muscle you just worked. I know from personal experience that this type of stretching dramatically reduces soreness the day after an intense workout. If you skip it, then don’t be surprised if you’re moaning and groaning the next day in pain!

To be well rounded, remember to stretch all of your major muscle groups and to stretch equally on both sides of your body. Be sure to focus on technique and breathing through the stretch to relax your muscles and achieve the deepest stretch. It’s not necessary to perform every stretch your high school gym teacher ever taught you or become a devout yogi (unless that’s what you’re into), just a few basic movements should do the trick.

Not Saying Goodbye

2011-11-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

Tony Campeau first came to Montana Tech in December of 1994 working as a part time recruiter at the COT. Upon his arrival to Butte he began renovating a house and by the time he had finished, he had a job working at Tech. He could have left Butte and Montana Tech several times, but there was something that always drew him back.

On Monday October 31, 2011 Tony will be leaving Montana Tech for the associate registrar position at Montana State University. Tony has mixed feelings about leaving Tech, on one hand he is excited for his new adventures and to be closer to his family, but he is sad to leave his current position and all the friends he has made through his time here.

“I have created the perfect job here from the job description to the standing desk in my office” said Tony. His favorite part of working at Montana Tech all these years was being able to help the students one-on-one. He did more of that when he first started, and more recently has been working with student policies. The thing he will miss the most is the relationships he has made with the faculty, staff and students, some of them becoming his best friends.

Tony has left some pretty big shoes to fill and even though we will miss Tony greatly we wish him all the best with his future endeavors! We are not saying goodbye, we are just saying “We’ll see ya later!”

Thanks for everything Tony!

Occupied By Government

2011-10-27T17:09:00.004-06:00

I have to say that I share most — if not all — the goals of the honest Left, which would be embodied in a constantly rising standard of living for the lowest economic classes. I often find myself watching Democracy Now for its antiwar, free-speech, and anti-death-penalty stances. But the big problem with the honest Left is their absolute and obstinate refusal to learn the most basic economic principles. The “Occupy Wall Street” movement is no different, and it is a real pity that all this energy and frustration can’t be put to use toward achieving their goal.

Many demands are being made, but sadly, if these were ever implemented, they would make problems worse by lowering the standard of living for all — especially for the poor! I will proceed to address some of the demands in plain English, hoping to reach out to them.

Raise the Minimum Wage to $20

If this were a solution, why not raise the legal minimum to $50 an hour, or maybe to $1,000 an hour? If this were a real solution, why not go to a poor country and legislate a minimum wage of $1,000 an hour and let the wealth flow!

Hong Kong, which enjoys one of the highest standards of living with almost no unemployment, didn’t have a minimum-wage law until 2010, and it was passed because of pressure from the Communist government in Beijing. Switzerland has a very similar story of creating amazing wealth with low unemployment for its population without a minimum wage until very recently.

With the minimum wage you are creating an obstacle for hiring people if their labor doesn’t produce more than the minimum wage. For example, if a teenager without experience produces only $5 an hour, the employer will not hire him at $20 per hour, because it would represent a loss of $15 per hour. The employer will instead not hire at all, hire a more experienced and productive person, or purchase a labor-saving machine.

Every single time a minimum-wage law is passed, or the

minimum-wage rate is raised, unemployment figures rise, and they rise mostly among the most vulnerable in society.

Free College Education

What do you mean by “free”? Are the costs going to magically go away? Perhaps what they mean is that they want somebody else to pay for their education. They protest against the plundering on the part of bankers, which is a correct stance, but instead of advocating for honesty across the board, they just want to plunder themselves.

Guaranteed living-wage income, regardless of employment

Everybody would like to do something fun and get paid for it, but reality is different. If you are a poet or literature graduate and are not getting paid enough, it means that people are not interested enough in what you are doing, or that there are too many other people trying to do what you are doing. If you are not being paid enough you are not in a field that serves and meets the needs of your fellow citizens. Your low pay is a signal; pay attention to it.

Ending “free trade” and opening immigration

Do you not see the contradiction in these two demands?

If you want a high standard of living, you need free trade. Import restrictions may seem like common sense, but all they do is create economic distress. This is why economic sanctions are put in place against enemy regimes: these sanctions are meant to hurt them, not benefit them. Why would you want to impose economic sanctions upon yourselves?

Immigration is always positive because it increases the division of labor, which makes society more productive; but it doesn’t work if you offer immigrants “free” services, because then people do not come with a job in mind but rather with the promise of free goodies. This type of policy always creates racial tension between the immigrants and the population at large.

Immediate across-the-board debt forgiveness for all; Outlaw all credit-reporting agencies

These two demands, if passed into law, would be rewarding debtors and punishing savers, rewarding risk takers at the expense of prudent people. Need I say more?

Of course, the corrupted system by which the banks create credit out of thin air, creating bubbles in the economy, has to end.

One trillion dollars in infrastructure spending

If this were the solution, why not do 2 trillion? Why not 100 trillion? Why don’t poor countries just spend more?

Economics is pretty much like most other sciences: 2+2=4 here in North America, just as 2+2=4 in Siberia or Argentina. This means that if you compare your own household’s economic workings with the national economy you can make very accurate assertions and learn many things. Keeping this in mind, when you and your family are broke, do you spend more? Does spending create more wealth for you as an individual? The answer to those questions is of course a resounding no.

Then, ask yourself this: What makes me better off? What measures bring my economic house in order? When you have the answer to those questions, not only will you — hopefully — understand that the government cannot possibly help; you will also know what you need to do.

Article by Rod Rojas
This article first appeared at Mises.org
http://mises.org/daily/5753

Music Reviews: Fela Soul / Wilco

2011-10-24T22:53:00.000-06:00

Gummy Soul Records - Fela Soul

Released 9/13/11

Following the recent trend of musical mash-ups, this digital-EP combines vintage recordings of the afrobeat-soul legend Fela Kuti with hip-hop pioneers De La Soul. As the creator/producer (Amerigo Gazaway) puts it, “Afrobeat, jazz, funk, and hip-hop are already so interconnected, I always thought it would be exciting to work on a project that combined all of these elements together. I hope this project will help to bridge the gap between hip-hop and afrobeat, and serve as an introduction for hip-hop fans and music fans alike who are unfamiliar with Fela Kuti or De La Soul’s music.” While this combination sounds too good to be true-- this release is for real, and it sounds exactly like what you’re imagining. And the best part of all? It’s available for FREE download on the Gummy Soul website (link below). Yes, read that again- it’s FREE!!!

“Fela Soul” is an 9-track musical journey, combining afrobeat rhythms, funky horn riffs, and classic, clever hip-hop. Even if you’re familiar with the original music, Gazaway seamlessly intertwines the two artists into something completely new, interesting, and original. The album also features Redman, MF DOOM, and Gorillaz. The FREE download package also includes full liner notes with a track-by-track breakdown of the EP’s creation. A Radio Edit version of the EP and a bonus track are also available on the same website. This online-release is definitely worth downloading and the price is right!

Get it here:

http://gummysoul.bandcamp.com/album/fela-soul

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Wilco - The Whole Love

Released 9/27/11

“The Whole Love” is the eighth album by alternative/indie rock group Wilco. This is the first release on the band’s own label, dBpm, emphasizing their artistic independence and ability to step out of the box of the music-industry-model. After making music for more than 15 years, this album seems to be a return to a more “traditional Wilco-sound”, when compared to the post-addiction “Sky Blue Sky” of 2007 and the tongue-in-cheek “Wilco (The Album)” of 2009. The songs on the new album are more adventurous and surprising, often steering away from the typical verse-and-chorus structure, but still staying true to Wilco’s talented use of tempo and key changes. Whether you’ve been ignoring the Wilco hype for all these years, or you’re a returning fan, “The Whole Love” is definitely worth checking out.

The wide range of styles on this album is reminiscent of Wilco’s earlier rock-and-rollercoaster albums “Summerteeth” and “A Ghost is Born.” The opening track, “Art of Almost”, is probably the most experimental on the album- clocking in at just over 7-minutes, complete with polyrhythms, electronic noise effects, string arrangement, and droning industrial guitars. The mood lightens considerably with tunes like “I Might”, “Dawned on Me”, and “Standing O”, which bring out the best of garage-rock, with catchy guitar riffs and retro-fuzz organ. There are still a few soft, sentimental songs like “Open Mind” and “Rising Red Lung” which show that the band still has its alt-country roots. My personal favorites include the jazzy, ragtime-esque “Capitol City”, the super-catchy title track “Whole Love”, and the final track, “One Sunday Morning”, which light-heartedly questions religion, the after-life, and dealing with mortality- while featuring one of the best instrumental hooks on the album. It seems that Wilco is only getting better with age, and they are one of the few bands that can continue to experiment and still attract new fans at the same time.

Tech Spikers Remain Winless in Frontier

2011-10-24T22:49:00.000-06:00

Montana Tech and UM Western have been looking to break into the win column in Frontier Conference play and few predicted they would do so. The Bulldogs of Western snapped a Frontier win dry spell that dates back to 2008 – or 30 conference matches ago. Montana Tech saw a glimpse of hope in a convincing third set where they dominated the game, winning by a 15 point margin. Nevertheless, Western controlled the tempo in the final and fourth set to claim the win for the night.

Shersteen Cline led the Digger offense with 11 kills in the match while Kiara Ross and Michelle Hardy dished out 13 and 17 assists, respectively. Ross and Hardy also led the team in digs, tallying 11 and 15 respectively. Lacey Phelan hit well for the night accumulating a .429 hitting percentage. Korey Krumm led Montana Tech at the net defensively with 4 “stuff” blocks.

The Lady Diggers return to the HPER for more volleyball action when LC State returns to finish a contest delayed due to a power outage earlier this month. The game is scheduled to be continued on October 12th at 2 pm.

Montana Western def. Montana Tech 25-17, 25-18, 10-25, 25-20

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

KILLS Western 44 (Kayla Schmid 10, Bailey Branson 10, Charelle Minor 9, Emily Erickson 7, Susanne Rehse 4, Paige, Latimer 4)

Tech 40 (Shersteen Cline 11, Korey Krumm 7, Emily Matosich 7, Lacey Phelan 6, Emily Lobnitz 5, Kendra Lyons 4).

ACES Western 2 (Schmid 1, Erickson 1), Tech 3 (Cline 2, Katie Petteys 1).

Assists — Western 37 (Latimer 31, Shelby Mack 3, Erickson 2, Michaela Jeffs 1),

Tech 37 (Michelle Hardy 17, Kiara Ross 13, Kendra Lyons 4, Phelan 3).

DIGS Western 55 (Mack 14, Latimer 14, Schmid 9, Erickson 7, Branson 5, Rehse 4, Jessica Brunett 1, Minor 1),

Tech 52 (Hardy 15, Ross 11, Kirstin King 8, Allyse Cruise 7, Cline 7, Matosich 1, Lyons 1, Petteys 1, Lobnitz 1).

BLOCKS Western 7 (Minor 5, Rehse 2, Erickson 2, Branson 1), Tech 10 (Krumm 4, Cline 2, Phelan 2, Matosich 1, Lyons 1, Lobnitz 1).

Smart Water

2011-10-24T22:37:00.001-06:00

So there you are at RD’s Party shop or maybe in the Marcus Deli and your mouth is bone dry. You are so thirsty that you wish it would rain and leak through the ceiling in hopes that even the tiniest drop will land on your tongue. This is the type of thirst that can only be cured by drinking crisp water. So what do you do? Ah, you purchase bottled water of course!

But have you ever stopped to think about where bottled water comes from? Or where its plastic bottle comes from? Or better yet, have you ever thought about what you’ll do with the plastic bottle when you’re finished with it?

Maybe you’ve though about this cycle and maybe you haven’t. If you haven’t given it thought, here are some interesting facts about bottled water:

Each year Americans consume 8.6 billion gallons of bottled water according to onlineeducation.net. The price of bottled water can be up to 10,000 times the cost of tap water. You wouldn’t buy pizza at the Vu Villa if it were even 20 times the cost it is now. So why would you buy water, which on average in America is $0.0015 per gallon, for even $0.79 per liter?

Bottled water doesn’t just make your wallet cry; it hurts the environment and your body as well. According to the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) bottled water is often held to far less standards than city regulated tap water. For example a study by the NRDC found that “one or more samples of eight waters (8 percent) purchased in California exceeded the 5 ppb warning level for arsenic set under California’s Proposition 65, a law requiring public warnings if a company exposes people to excessive levels of toxic chemicals.”

Is this really “Smart Water”? The plastic bottles from bottled water can sit in landfills without breaking down in upwards of 500 years or more. And if the bottles are made with harmful chemicals, the chemicals can leach into ground water and pollute tap water supplies, rivers, and the oceans.

You can help put an end to this madness by making a personal commitment to not purchase bottled water, except when other sources are contaminated. So get a reusable aluminum water bottle and drink to your health, wallet, and the environment!

Local Food - Crêpes!

2011-10-24T22:35:00.001-06:00

In fall, there’s nothing like sitting in a cozy restaurant and looking out at the season’s beauty while enjoying the warmth of a great cup of coffee and a hearty plate of wholesome food. Doesn’t that just sound inviting? If you fancy a similar experience then look no further than The Copper Crêperie, located in uptown Butte on Park Street, just a block off Montana Street towards Montana Tech. This cozy little restaurant offers up an abundant selection of delicious and wholesome comfort food, all wrapped up in the uniquely delectable packaging of a “crêpe.”

A crêpe is a type of very thin pancake, usually made from wheat flour, which is then filled with sweet or savory fillings to create endless flavor combinations. The Copper Crêperie goes above and beyond the classic wheat crêpe and offers: traditional, buckwheat, sweet, gluten free, and fresh herb. All the options can be a bit overwhelming so there’s a menu of “Suggestions” for the less adventurous crêpers. Suggestions include: ham, cheddar, onion and chives in a fresh herb crêpe; yogurt, fruit, and Nutella in a sweet crêpe; and my brother’s favorite - raspberries, sweet cream, and raspberry sauce in traditional crêpe. They even have a variation of the classic Greek gyro and Philly sub! The word “crêpe” is of French origin, derived from the Latin crispa, meaning “curled;” which will make perfect sense to you once you take your first bite. Your taste buds will want to curl up and cozy down in the mouthwatering and delectable flavor!

My family and I have made a tradition of going to The Copper Crêperie every Sunday after church, where this weekend I had the pleasure of meeting two other Tech students and their friends from Canada. They had been there the day before as well and just couldn’t get enough. In their words, I found out what kept them coming back to the Crêperie two days in a row, “The food is dope and off the hook!” To which Payton added, “It can be summed up in a single word: ‘siiiiiick’.” (Meaning ‘good’ in this context, of course) They said that the food is so good it was worth driving 18 hours all the way from Canada to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving here, instead of feasting on turkey and stuffing back home. If that doesn’t convince you to try The Copper Crêperie next time you’re craving some good eats then maybe this little ballad will do the trick, a group composition written courtesy of our fellow Tech students after they’d thoroughly enjoyed their crepes:

“A Copper Crêperie crêpe requires the accompaniment of only a fork and a knife. The presence of salt and pepper on the table is clearly only for aesthetic purposes, as the crêpe needs nothing more. It is laughable to fathom improving this beautiful work of culinary art with something as mundane as salt and pepper.”

Well said boys, well said.

Origins of "De Re Metallica"

2011-10-24T22:30:00.003-06:00

Ask most college students about “de re metallica” and they’ll probably mutter something about a heavy metal band. Montana Tech students, of course, know better. Tech’s motto, “de re metallica,” is a good fit for what began as The Montana School of Mines—a college that originally focused on degree programs such a Mining Engineering and Mineral Processing, and that today offers a diversity of programs including Technical Communication.

Our motto was taken from the name of the book, De re metallica, published in 1556 by the Saxon philologist and physician Georgii Agricolae (aka Georgius Agricola; 1494-1555). Like many learned men of the time, he adopted a Latinized version of his original name, Georg Bauer (which translates as “George Farmer” or “George Peasant”). Similarly, Latin was the standard language of the time for academic publications.

It was a heady time in Saxony, with the Protestant Reformation, a silver mining boom, and some miners joining the Peasants’ War to fight repressive government. Agricola was more interested in mining and his own career than he was in the political or religious events of the day.

As a practicing physician in Joachimsthal, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), in the late 1520s, Agricola also studied mining and smelting activity at the local silver mines. This research led to the publication of Bermannus (1530), a short work on metallurgy. It was written in the form of a Socratic dialogue with the “learned miner” Bermannus, who was based on his friend Lorenz Berman.

After 1530, Agricola moved to nearby Chemnitz, a larger mining and smelting center. He published a number of smaller works and, by 1550, completed the text for his magnum opus, De re metallica. Twelve chapters cover topics such as mine surveying, mining machinery, assaying, ore processing, and separating lead from gold. The book was not published until after Agricola’s death, probably because of the numerous illustrations—each had to be painstakingly cut into a wooden printing block.

De re metallica became a popular work of technical communication, serving as the standard source on the subject for nearly 200 years. After 1750, the book was largely a historical curiosity until the early 1900s. A young mining engineer named Herbert Hoover (later President Hoover) was working in Europe when the old book came to the attention of his wife, Lou Henry Hoover. She began an English translation in 1906 and, along with Herbert, completed the work in 1911 and published it the following year. The Montana Tech library has several copies of the Hoovers’ translation.

MTECH Tube - Occupy Butte/Wall Street

2011-10-20T12:56:00.000-06:00

I hope you enjoy our first effort in bringing video content to The Technocrat, please share with your friends!

Remembering Peter Votapka

2011-10-13T11:15:00.003-06:00

LIBBY - A friend to everyone, people he knew and those henever met, Peter Frank "Pete" Votapka was born 10 weeks prematurelyin Spokane on Feb. 17, 1988. Before he was 2 years old, he had a multitude ofsurgeries, but he was a fighter for a better life throughout his short time.

He was willing to help at home or with friends, whether itwas clearing brush or fixing a problem computer. He had many answers on how tosolve the problems of the world and put those into action, not just ideas orwords. Pete volunteered at food drives, raising money for the band and otherprojects.

He drowned on Thursday, July 28, 2011, in the KootenaiRiver, giving his life to save another's.

Pete had a soft and generous heart for those less fortunateand fought to correct injustices done to any. Faces lit up whenever he entereda room. He lived life to the fullest and had little patience for those whotalked but did not act.

He was known for his wicked sense of humor and carefulobservation. On a trip to Washington, D.C., with his parents at age 8, henoticed homeless people sleeping on the building heat grates. He quipped,"Who are these people anyway? Did they used to be congressmen?"

Pete was an Eagle Scout with a Silver Palm and a BronzePalm. As an Eagle Scout, he was selected to give the annual report to thegovernor. He was also elected into the Order of the Arrow. He helped withyounger people in Scouts for many campouts and activities.

Music was a passion of Pete's. He played the trumpetthroughout middle and high school and especially enjoyed Pep Band, even playingwith the Loggers when he came home for college breaks. He was selected for the2005 National Jamboree Band, where he got to shake President George W. Bush'shand. He played in the Montana Tech Pep Band in college for two years.

His love of music and information technology led him to theKMSM Radio station at Tech, where he had a regular weekly DJ show and convertedthe radio station to online streaming for listeners around the world to enjoy.He was a troubleshooter for the staff and an important part of theirfundraising. Pete enjoyed being a chef at many of his friends' gatherings.

Cyber security was another passion. He competed in theNational Cyber Defense competition as a member of Montana Tech's team in whichthey placed seventh in the nation, beating major universities. Pete graduatedfrom Montana Tech in May with dual degrees: a Bachelor of Science in networktechnology (cyber security) with a minor in medical informatics, and anassociate of applied science in web development and administration. Pete wasready to make his mark on the world!

Pete is survived by his mother Jenny, father Frank andbrother Ryan of Libby; his maternal grandmother Elva Blaz of Anaconda; andpaternal grandmother Betty Votapka of Oceanside, Calif. His grandfathers BillBlaz and Carl Votapka preceded him in death.

He is also survived by his very special Kammi McClain,several aunts and uncles, and cousins from both sides of his family as well asso many people he helped and his friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to thePeter Votapka Automation System Fund, KMSM Radio, 1300 W. Park, Butte, MT59701; Boy Scouts of America Melita Island Camp Committee, c/o Chris Roberts,1534 Tamarack St., Missoula, MT 59802; or the Shriners Hospital for Children.

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Homein Libby.

Saints March Over Diggers

2011-10-13T11:13:00.001-06:00

In front of a crowd nearing six thousand, the Saints of Carroll College defeated Montana Tech 26-0, for the 15th consecutive time.

The first quarter presented some opportunity for the Orediggers in the form of a fumble recovery by Nate Thompson and an interception by Logan Ledgerwood. Nonetheless, Tech couldn’t convert and would not see the end zone the rest of the night. Carroll held the Digger offense to a total of 130 yards – 108 passing and a mere 22 rushing yards.

Connor O’Neill, Mike Walkman, and Jacob Workman each tallied a sack for the evening. Pat Hansen punched in 23 yards for the evening. James Roberts, Leif Knatterud, and Trent Thomas caught for 24, 34, and 25 yards respectively.

Montana Tech is now 0-4 in Frontier Conference play and 1-4 for the season. The Diggers will return to Alumni Coliseum on October 29th when the Rocky Mountain Battlin’ Bears travel to the Mining City.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING Carroll, Demarais 31-121. Shane Lowman 9-61, Broadhead 5-(minus 7), Dakota Stonehouse 2-6.
Tech, Pat Hansen 14-23, Brian Schwarzkoph 13-(minus 13), Nick baker 3-12.

PASSING Carroll, Broadhead 10-23-1-184.
Tech, 17-36-2-108.

RECEIVING Carroll, Ritter 4-44, Lat Wipplinger 3-85, Hogan 2-9, Justin Knight 1-0.
Tech, James Roberts 5-24, Leif Knatterud 4-34, Trent Thomas 2-25, Craig Halko 2-14, Phil Antonioli 2-6, Hansen 2-5.

Homecoming Recap

2011-10-13T11:10:00.001-06:00

The Baptist Student Union had a homecoming year that will not be forgotten. The Baptist Student Union established themselves as the dominant club on campus winning two of the three annual events in dominating fashion as they won the overall competition defeating perennial giants in SME and SPE.

BSU won the bed races by defeating last year’s champion by modifying their radical bed design from a year ago. Continuing their two wheel-bobsled inspired design, they were able to overcome both SPE and SME in dominating fashion. SME slightly modified their winning design from a year ago by placing the larger wheels in the front of the bed and the smaller wheels in the rear. This modification made them slower than the other beds in the race. Also making a return to glory in the bed races was ASCE with their winning design from two years ago finally fully repaired and displaying success that was missing last year.

BSU also won the parade competition having a mock cemetery on their float. Also making impressive floats were SME, and Math Club. The Environmental Engineers of Montana Tech won the historical Race to the M. King and Queen honors went to the representatives from the COT.

Congratulations to all those that enjoyed success during this year’s homecoming and special congratulations to the Baptist Student Union.

QWick Guides

2011-10-13T11:07:00.002-06:00

Those interested in discovering the wealth of outdoor recreation in and around Butte can stop looking. QWick Guides Butte is the first book in a new series of quick reference, locally produced and focused trail guides, as well as, the only guidebook specifically designed for the Butte area.

Jon Wick, the author and editor of QWick Guides (QWG), came to western Montana in 2004 to teach elementary school in Philipsburg. During this time, he spent the summers as the owner and adventure director of Outdoor Endeavors Adventure Trips based in Wisconsin, and began the Granite High School Outdoor Club to share his appreciation for outdoor recreation. He began living part time in Butte in 2006. Most recently, on a year sabbatical teaching English in South Korea, he discovered a talent for writing, becoming a published author in several notable online magazines, and becoming the managing editor for the travel website, www.theexpeditioner.com.

The idea to create QWG blossomed from a conversation with a friend of his, asking about local hikes while Jon was overseas. In an attempt to describe where to go, it dawned on him that there is no guidebook for trails around Butte, like the several for Missoula or Bozeman. Both individuals had maps, pamphlets, papers, and experience, but there was not one specific source that could answer their questions. Out of this need, Jon decided to combine his outdoor passions and newfound writing skills; QWG was born. Still being in Asia, he began working and writing, with help from his friend, Brandon Byars, to patch any information voids that Jon couldn’t get while away. Upon his return, this past October, he put the book to press, releasing it the beginning of January. The goal of QWick Guides Butte, is to jump start a line of easy to use guidebooks focusing on local knowledge, local assets, and local trails across western Montana.

QWick Guides Butte contains seventeen trailheads within 30 miles of town. For each, there are GPS coordinates, elevations, difficulty rankings, detailed driving directions, trail descriptions, and trail information. The black and white cover photo better captures the essence of Butte, while all the other pictures and maps are full color. There is a separate notes page and a page dedicated to the contact information of local information agencies.

Is Diet Soda Good For Your Diet?

2011-10-13T10:55:00.003-06:00

Chances are if you’re drinking diet soda you’re either trying to lose weight or you consider it a “healthier” option that regular soda and are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Diet soda has no calories, no adverse effects on your diet (or your waistline!), no guilt, and the same great taste as the sugary-calorie-laden variety. What could be better right!? Well, not so fast. Many people have bought into diet soda as a “healthy” food, but that just isn’t the case! Let’s take a closer look at what’s really going on with diet sodas.

Before it even gets to your stomach it’s causing problems. Regular soda is hard on tooth enamel, with the sugar and acid being the most problematic ingredients. Diet soda eliminates the sugar, but not the acid. The acid eats away our tooth enamel, which is our main barrier our teeth have against decay. From there they acidifying your entire system, disrupting the good flora in your gut, where about 60 percent of your immune system resides, and wreaking havoc on our general health.

Diet sodas boast of having no sugar, yet still having the same sweet taste. This is because diet drinks are sweetened with artificial sweeteners instead of the real deal. Most varieties use aspartame, like the popular sodas Diet Pepsi and Diet Coke. This nasty little chemically derived sweetener has accounted for over 75 percent of the complaints reported in the FDA’s Adverse Reaction Monitoring system. The most common adverse reactions attributed to aspartame are headaches, dizziness, attention difficulties, memory loss, slurred speech and vision problems. Other problems linked to aspartame are depression, skin irritations, menstrual problems, fibromyalgia, and joint pain.

Besides the serious health concerns, aspartame causes something called the “cephalic phase response.” It makes your brain think that what you’re eating is sweet, so even though there are no calories to absorb the brain triggers a surge of insulin into your bloodstream telling your body, “Sugar is here! Stop burning fat and use the sugar instead!” This results in a vast array of insulin-related problems: increased appetite, increased urge to eat (especially simple carbohydrates like those found in junk foods like cupcakes, potato chips, and candy bars). Your body increases fat storage, halts all healthy protein-and-starch production, and releases a cascade of pro-inflammatory bio-chemicals that lower your immunity. You’re left a confused caloric monitoring system, which compels you to plump up and eat even more unhealthy stuff later! Yikes.

Diet soda isn’t looking so innocent now is it? There’s a lot of research still to be done, and while diet sodas are still FDA approved, I’d rather be safe than sorry. If you’re currently hooked on the stuff I recommend you try starting each day with a big bottle full of pure water, add a squirt of lemon juice, and drink to your health! Avoid the sodas and vending machines, and just see if you don’t start feeling better a whole lot better. A friend of mine put it simply, “I don’t drink diet soda. It has “die” in the name!”

Contract Changes For Tech Faculty

2011-10-13T10:55:00.001-06:00

The majority of Tech’s full-time instructional faculty – 64 of approximately 110 total – are represented by a union, the Montana Tech Faculty Association (MTFA). Among those represented by the MTFA, a high proportion – more than 75% – are dues paying members. Non-members who are represented must still pay a required representation fee. When a majority of faculty first approved MTFA representation, professional engineers and nursing faculty were excluded from the bargaining unit and thus pay no fees.

Every two years, MTFA representatives sit down with a management bargaining team to negotiate a new contract. This contract, or collective bargaining agreement, defines the relationship between management and faculty for matters pertaining to salaries, benefits, and terms and conditions of employment. Generally, Tech management has extended whatever the contract language specifies for MTFA faculty to cover all faculty. This makes sense, given the nature of Tech and the fact that some engineering departments have faculty both covered by and exempt from the bargaining unit.

For the 2011-12 and 2012-13 academic years, the following changes were bargained in the recent contract between the Montana Tech Faculty Association and management:

• For the fiscal year beginning 01 October 2011, a salary raise of 1% + $500;

• For the fiscal year beginning 01 October 2012, a salary raise of 2% + $500;

• For Department Heads, an increase in the annual stipend from $2,500 to $5,000 per year;

• Summer school compensation will rise significantly, with faculty to be paid 2/9ths of their salary if they teach a full summer course load of 8 credits. Summer salary will be pro-rated for instructional loads fewer than 8 credits and for classes with fewer than 10 students; and

• A new merit plan will be implemented for faculty with exceptional achievement in any combination of teaching, service, and/or scholarship. Merit awards are $2,000 each, with half going to base salary and half as a single year bonus. In each academic year, up to six awards are available to the 66 MTFA faculty. Additionally, management announced that up to six are available for the approximately 55 non-bargaining unit faculty.

In addition to these material benefits, new contract language will also take effect regarding the role of the faculty senate, copyrights, approval for course coverage while on professional travel, and other minor areas. Faculty are encouraged to read the new contract carefully. Copies are available from the MTFA Secretary, Professor Chris Danielson and at the Board of Regents web site.

Sustainability At Tech

2011-10-13T10:54:00.001-06:00

A school of engineering students and faculty should be able to put Montana Tech on track for being carbon neutral in the future, right? Did you know that Montana Tech has a sustainability committee that is working on just that concept? The committee is relatively new for Montana Tech and it is still in the early stages of developing a climate action plan to put Montana Tech on track to become carbon neutral.

Environmental engineering professor Rick Appleman, along with two environmental engineering students, are all working hard to produce Montana Tech’s second greenhouse gas inventory report, which will be for the fiscal year 2011 (For Tech this is July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011). The greenhouse gas inventory reports are just the first steps towards becoming carbon neutral. The reports will help Montana Tech analyze where it can reduce green house gas emissions and look at what areas on campus need the most improvement.

However, reducing green house gas emissions doesn’t just mean that Montana Tech would implement less driving or turn it’s heat down at night. Other ways of reducing carbon emissions include campus building lighting and heating upgrades, campus building weatherization’s, recycling, supporting local food production and much more.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is just one step on the path towards sustainability that includes environmental, economic and social dimensions. Sustainability is literally something that can sustain itself, or something that can endlessly work. When sustainability is used in an environmental context, it means to live and act in a way that could be sustained over time with negative but acceptable impacts to the environment. You’ve heard this packaged in several ways through various media and scientific claims –climate change, global warming, and “going green” just to name a few.

Sustainability is really much more than these claims. It’s a choice to live a responsible and mindful lifestyle. It’s being conscious that all of our actions, large and small, do have an impact on the environment. It’s realizing our impacts make differences, from driving a car when we could have walked to throwing away something when it could have been recycled. We are the educated workforce of the future, and it is our responsibility to be leaders in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advocates for sustainable living.

You as a student can start helping Montana Tech get on track for sustainability! For starters, start recycling aluminum and plastic containers at sporting and major events. For the homecoming football game alone, Aware Butte Recycling reported that Montana Tech was able to recycle 50 pounds of aluminum and 20 pounds of plastic. These numbers don’t sound very high, but when you consider that there are 35 cans in 1 pound of aluminum, you realize that these recycling efforts alone collected over 1700 aluminum cans!

If you are interested in helping Montana Tech get on track for becoming more sustainable be sure to keep an eye out for future articles in this paper and updates on the Digger Central website!

The Daily Digs

2011-10-05T19:41:00.001-06:00

I just want to take this opportunity to remind all of our readers to check out our blog, The Daily Dig! It is where we share lighthearted video clips, cartoons, photos, or interesting links. We have one of our writers putting up new blog posts everyday, so there should always be fresh content! Here are some of the recent postings:

EWB Visits El Salvador

2011-10-03T18:33:00.000-06:00

The Montana Tech chapter of Engineers Without Borders took their first journey to El Salvador this past July. This will be a five-year project for EWB in El Salvador. The goal is to stop the downstream erosion due to the torrential rainy season that is ruining the existing road, which is a main road for transportation connecting three separate communities. Our plan is to straighten this road and replace the existing culvert system. This first trip was strictly an assessment and data collection trip in which we were there for a total of eleven days. We met with the local mayor and community members to discuss the problem with the road. Thankfully we had Local Peace Corp volunteers to translate Spanish for us as well as serving as our tour guides and helpers.

We were able to survey the site with the help from numerous community members. Hattie Torgerson led the team with soil sampling, while Butch Gerbrhandt and Brad Miller surveyed and came up with the plans of action to fix the problem. I, Frankie Schwartz was the documentarian and photographer for the trip. I plan on producing a short film of EWB’s first trip to El Salvador by the end of this year. This was a great opportunity for me and can be for anyone interested in EWB. It’s a club and non-profit organization that can suit any desired degree field at Montana Tech. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. We learned a new language Spanish; eat Salvadorian fruits and numerous other foods. We were able to attend a food festival as well as some tourist destinations. We got to swim at the waterfalls in Juaya and hit the beach and surf and boogie board on the coast, which was called El Tunco. Our assessment took place in the city of Ahuachapan.

The reason I joined EWB was to get the opportunity to help people in need. I had heard of EWB through one of the members and he told me of what EWB does. I became a member the moment I heard that they were a club that travels the world to aid and assist people that are less fortunate. They were looking for a communications major in particular to be the documentarian of their assessment trip. This was the perfect opportunity for me to get some hands on experience with degree related work as well as the satisfaction of helping others in need.

We are trying to get students interested in EWB because it is something for a better cause. Tech is known for its engineering reputation and why not have students within these engineering programs get hands on experience helping those in need. We are helping ourselves as well as others, plus you get the opportunity to travel abroad, learn new languages and cultures.

Gender Stereotypes In The Gym

2011-10-03T18:29:00.000-06:00

If men are from Mars and women are from Venus, then Mar’s gyms must be full of weight benches and dumbbells and Venus’s gyms must be full of ellipticals, treadmills, and abdominal machines.

Some fascinating stuff stems from contrasting male and female attitudes, and differing views on fitness and working out is no exception. If you’re a gym-goer, you have undoubtedly noticed how women tend to flock to any form of cardio and ab or butt-toning exercises. Men generally stick to the “grunting and groaning” variety of exercising, more properly known as resistance training.

Not convinced? Next time you go to the HPER just take a mental tally of the boy-to-girl ratio in the cardio room vs. the weight room and you’ll see what I mean. Personally, about two thirds of my workout time is spent in the male dominated areas of the gym, but I sure didn’t start working out this way. I was just as cliché as they come, but now I’ve found that a little open-mindedness to the weight room will go a long way.

Take it from me girls; having a well rounded lifting routine will do wonders for your figure! Women are often afraid of “bulking up” due to weight training, but unless you’ve really trying to get big it’s just never going to happen. Try adding a weights program to your fitness routine that hits all the body’s major muscle groups three times per week.

Guys, you may think certain forms of aerobic and strength-training exercises are “girly” but many stereotypical women’s workouts are beneficial for burning calories, extremely effective at strengthening often-forgotten muscle groups, and losing excess body fat. Bottom line? Mix up your routine with a little ‘girly’ and a little grunting. The truth for both men and women alike is this: combining consistent aerobic exercise with strength training is the most effective routine for full-body fitness.

Allyse Cruise, Player Of The Week

2011-10-03T18:28:00.000-06:00

The Frontier Athletic Conference announced on Sept 5 their selections for players of the week in the fall sports currently underway. Montana Tech’s own Allyse Cruise was announced as the Player of the Week for volleyball after a 32 dig performance at the UST Labor Day tourney in Houston, TX. This performance places Cruise at #2 in the all-time ‘Digger record book for digs in a single game.

Allyse Cruise is a 5’8” Libero for the Orediggers, currently in her Junior year of eligibility and working towards a degree in Metallurgical Engineering. She is a native of Liberty, Saskatchewan. We asked Allyse about how her season is progressing.

What has your favorite moment this season been so far?

“Beating Western!! Their new coach has really improved the team but it was great to get an early in the season win over one of our rivals!! Another high point was our win over Friends University. They were receiving votes for the top 25 and were a really great team. We played some of our most consistent volleyball during that match, which was great to see!”

What are some of your goals for the 2011 Digger Volleyball Season and Team?

“I usually have the same team goals in mind every year, be undefeated against Western and beat Carroll at home! We haven’t managed to pull off a win against Carroll in a really long time, so I am hoping that this is the year. Because we have such a young team, I set an individual goal of improving the consistency of my defense. I need to make sure that I perform at a high level all the time, so our young offense can get the chance to shine!”

Get To Know The SAC

2011-10-03T18:27:00.000-06:00

With Homecoming festivities starting this week, students are going to be able to enjoy numerous activities provided by the Student Activities Committee. Two women sit in the isolated corner of first floor of the Student Union Building where their office lies. JoAnne Nordhagen is laughing with Brenna Ferko while Pandora radio is playing on a nearby computer. Mrs. Nordhagen is the head of the Student Activities Committee and with along with her assistant Brenna, they are responsible for the planning and preparation of the homecoming activities.

This year’s edition of homecoming will still feature the Race to the M and the legendary bed races. This year’s edition of homecoming will feature new events that have Mrs. Nordhagen and Miss Ferko excited.

“I want to make sure everything goes smoothly,” said Mrs. Nordhagen. A laugh comes from Miss Ferko.

“I do whatever JoAnne needs me to do,” said Miss Ferko. Miss Ferko is responsible for promoting club involvement and helping with the particular homecoming activities.

“This year we are doing a baking contest and a talent show,” said Mrs. Nordhagen. “It will be exciting to see the talent at Tech.”

The Student Activities Committee does place a heavy emphasis on the homecoming activities. But the hard work that Mrs. Nordhagen and Miss Ferko does not stop with homecoming activities.

“We will have Humans versus Zombies,” said Mrs. Nordhagen. The Humans versus Zombies will be arriving shortly after homecoming. “Basically it’s a game of tag. We also will have Casino Night, a carnival, and we are trying to get an obstacle course. We will do something fun for Halloween and of course the Christmas Stroll. I also want to make sure the clubs are well promoted throughout the campus.”

Miss Ferko is working on a campus wide recycling project in conjunction with Circle K and C.O.T. leadership. The goal will be to create a long-term recycling program on both campuses. Miss Ferko is also working on working on a reward system for the clubs on campus. The reward system promotes that clubs will assist each other in activities. For example if the Math club assists Circle K in a volunteering activity, the Math club will receive points. At the end of the year, the clubs who assist the most will receive money for the following year.

Mrs. Nordhagen and Miss Ferko share a laugh. In their office in the corner of the first floor of the Student Union Office, the two of them are hard at work, but they do not show any signs of stress. Hard at work without stress, students have a lot to look forward to this week.

20 Questions w/ Lacie Lovshin

2011-09-28T21:59:00.000-06:00

Lacie is a sophomore student studying elementary education here at Montana Tech.

1. What sports, clubs, or associations are you affiliated with?

I am involved with Montana Tech Cheerleading, I’m actually the captain of the squad! I also referee and play beach volleyball at the Mcqueen Athletic Club here in Butte.

2. What is your favorite academic subject?

My favorite classes are those that apply to my degree, which is elementary and special education. I love learning about new approaches to education.

3. Who is your favorite faculty member?

My favorite faculty member is Brittney Smith, the Montana Tech cheer advisor and coach. She is so talented and has brought so much to the program.

4. Where is your favorite place to eat in Butte?

I’ll definitely have to say Casagranda’s Steakhouse – on Sushi Night…I love sushi!

5. Where are you originally from?

I was born in Billings, and moved to Butte when I was 3 years old.

6. Where do you see your career in 10 years?

I will hopefully be teaching in an elementary school for 3rd or 4th graders.

7. What is your favorite summer activity?

Summer is the perfect time to go outside! I really enjoy anything outside–camping or riding my dirt bike!

8. What is your favorite part about cheerleading?

I’d have to say it is coming up with new cheers and dances and getting the crowd to participate in cheering on the Diggers!

9. Describe yourself in one word.

Bubbly!

10. List two song you’ve been listening to lately.

“This ole boy” –Craig Morgan

“Tough” – Kelly Pickler

11. Last good movie you saw?

I don’t usually watch movies, but one of my favorites to watch is “A Walk To Remember”

12. What is your favorite book/magazine?

Any of the fashion or gossip magazines such as People magazine and Cosmopolitan magazine.

13. What is your favorite TV show?

My favorite TV shows are mystery shows, like Criminal Minds.

14. Last interesting you learned at Tech?

I would have to say that in biology, we learned about how people’s perceptions of women and men’s bodies has changed since the 1950’s, it is so drastic, and the “ideal” body by today’s standards is so unrealistic!

15. Where would you go on a dream vacation?

The Bahama’s! I’ve always wanted to go there because of the weather, the beaches, and it just looks like you could have a ball there!

16. What is one thing everyone should know about you?

Although I look and sometimes act like your typical girly-girl, I love getting outdoors and I’m not afraid to get a little dirt on me!

17. What is your favorite hobby?

I’m going to have to stick with cheerleading on this one!

18. Best present you have ever received?

For Christmas one year I got a pink cell phone…I actually cried when I got it!

19. Favorite thing about Tech?

I really am glad that Tech’s cheerleading program is expanding this year, it’s one of my favorite things to do!

20. What is your favorite website?

I don’t really have a favorite website, but I love to shop online at Forever 21, Wet Seal, and Victoria’s Secret.

Advice From A Senior

2011-09-28T21:52:00.000-06:00

Graduating from high school or college is a big thing but there is always something that we wish we did or things we are happy we tried. Now that I am going to be graduating from college this year I have been reflecting a lot on things I have done and things I wish I have done. With this I feel that I should leave some tips that are still finishing up or just starting.

Things I wish I would have done:

• Got more involved with clubs
Even though I have been very involved with the campus I still feel like I could have been involved with some of the clubs, not just the jobs or events on campus but the larger networks.

• Start my networking early
Creating your network early is very important! Starting to find people in your field to help you find a job down the road will help a lot. Going to the career fairs will help with this if there are companies there for your profession.

• Back up everything
Teachers will tell you this many times, but you should listen because even if you lose your thumb drive or it becomes corrupt you are going to need everything on it, and they don’t like excuses!

Things I’m happy I did:

• Broke out of my shell
Throughout my life I have always been one of those shy quite girls and if you are that way in college then you will miss out on a lot of great experiences. Just remember college is a new place and it gives you a chance to find you.

• Tried new things
For me this was cheerleading. In high school I did not like cheerleaders because of their personalities, but it was different here and something I’ve never done. One of the ways to grow and learn new things about your self is to try new things.

•Got involved with my program
Most of the programs at Tech provide activities within each department some even have a groups that you can become involved with. The more you get involved the more people you will have to help you get through your time in college.

•Got involved with the campus
I have worked in the Enrollment Processing Office and the Technocrat for three years now going on four. Working on campus has made me get involved with Tech days, registration events and many other activities making it so that I have met many very interesting and amazing people. My biggest piece of advice is to be yourself but don’t be afraid to try new things! Have fun and enjoy college!

Last Day To Drop

2011-09-28T21:47:00.000-06:00

We are now into the first few weeks of class and starting to get the feel of things. For anyone who didn’t get started off on the right foot it is not too late to change pace. There is an option to drop a class fifteen days after classes start without any recourse, this will not affect your GPA or be on your transcript. The last day to drop without anything on your transcript was September 12th.

Anyone who drops a class now will receive a ‘W’ on your transcripts which means incomplete and that you withdrew from your class. These “W’s” are not removable but they do not affect your GPA and can be somewhat beneficial if it doesn’t look like you are going to pass your class. The last date to drop a class with a “W” is generally fifty days after classes start and lands on October 31st this year. If you choose to stick it out and then decide to drop your class at a date later than this it will be counted as an “F”, don’t think I need to explain what that means.

In order to drop a class a student must acquire and add/drop card which can be obtained in the one stop shop, then must get an advisors approval and signature along with the professors of the class as well. I encourage everyone to try their best in their classes and see them all the way through. If you have a bad semester though or personal matters get in the way there are ways to salvage your GPA and academic transcripts. These dates are marked in the academic calendar with much more other important dates. For more information on dropping or adding classes stop by the one stop shop.

5 Frugal, Healthy Tips

2011-09-11T13:43:00.000-06:00

Your schedule may not seem daunting yet, but the stress of college can turn many a good intentioned student into a stressed out, sniffling, and sleep-deprived mess. That’s why now it’s an excellent time to make a few small investments to keep your health and sanity during the school year. Here’s five frugal finds to stay healthy this year:

1. Multivitamin
A multivitamin contains key nutriments for brain function, healthy skin and bones, and immune system function. You can pick up a bottle of the good ol’ one-a-day multivitamins for just a few bucks at Wal-Mart, but why not have fun staying healthy? Opt for fruity gummies or chocolate chews to indulge your inner child!

2. Student Planner
Remove the stress of forgetting about an important task until the night before by writing down exam dates, paper due dates, and even birthdays, parties, trips and holidays. You’ll minimize the clutter in your life and keep your mind free from trying to keep it all in order.

3. Earbuds
You can snag a pair of these little guys for under five bucks in the sale bin at Staples, and you’ll be glad you did. Besides their obvious uses, you can use them as earplugs so you can sleep in noisy dorm rooms or play Mozart when studying to take advantage of the great influence classical music has on brain development.

4. Re-usable Water Bottle
For your health it’s important to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, dehydration makes you feel tired and sluggish, which leads to unproductivity - also known as ‘the dog ate my homework syndrome.’ But for the health of the planet it’s important to not fill landfills with millions of plastic bottles every year. Plus, bottled water is not cheap. I’ve seen it for sale for 8 dollars a bottle! But hey, water is free right? Make the one-time investment of a good water bottle, and then drink to your health!

5. Hand Sanitizer
The last essential health find can often be found at the best price: Free! On campus, be on the lookout for hand sanitizer dispensers at the library, the Student Union, the gym, computer labs, and outside classrooms. Germs thrive in common spaces and it’s impossible to avoid all contact with germs, but a squirt of hand sanitizer can’t hurt!

Avoiding The Freshman 15

2011-09-11T13:40:00.000-06:00

Entering college for the first time is exciting. Life is suddenly filled with an array of new freedoms, and without Mom and Dad’s supervision you can do whatever you want! But if you’re not careful, your new-found freedom can have some disastrous effects. I’m not talking about missing the no-shorts-or-sandals-memo in Chemistry Lab and getting a little too much exposure to the experiment, I’m talking about over-indulging in the freedom to eat and drink whatever you want. The product of this reaction is all too often the dreaded freshman fifteen.

A recent study found that 23% of college freshmen gained at least 5% of their body weight while none lost that amount. There are so many contributing factors it’s easy to see why students fall into poor eating habits. Factors such as late-night studying and snacking, increased alcohol consumption, and an all-you-can-eat buffet dining hall all contribute to weight gain. But it doesn’t have to happen to you! We’re at college to learn, so why not learn a few simple ways to keep those pounds off? Here are my top 3 tips on how to avoid the freshman 15:

1. Early to bed, and early to rise

•It’s tempting to hit the snooze for an extra 5 min before class, but waking up in time for a healthy breakfast gets your metabolism revved up and steady for the rest of the day.

•Go to bed early enough to wake up for breakfast! Sleep-deprivation actually causes your body to crave food (for the energy) and it’s the worst kinds – Foods high in carbs, sugars, and fat. Log at least 7 hours a night to keep your mind sharp and your waistline in check.

2. Find time to stay active

•Offset some of those extra trips to the buffet by keeping up a regular fitness routine. Take a fitness class, make a gym date with friends, go hiking on the weekends, or just play a game of Frisbee, whatever you do get moving!

•College is stressful, which often leads to increased consumption of comfort foods such as ice-cream, pizza, and baked goods. A smarter way to relieve stress is to sweat it out! Exercise releases tension and floods your bloodstream with ‘feel good’ endorphins.

3. Make smart drink choices

•Drink lots of water – Drink a glass of water before every meal and keep a water bottle with you. An added bonus? You’ll be saving $ by not buying sodas and sports drinks.

•The best way to avoid added calories is to not drink alcoholic beverages. Not an option? Choose your drinks wisely, stick with light beer and mixers made with seltzer water and just say no to shots and sugary cocktails!

•My best tip on social drinking is to fake it! Order water with a splash or cranberry, or pour out a beer and fill it with water. Your friends will never know the difference, but you’ll avoid the calories and the hangover. Cheers to that!

Music: The Cults, Explosions In The Sky

2011-09-11T13:36:00.000-06:00

The Cults - The Cults
Released on Lily Allen’s record label (In the Name Of) in early- June, this is the self-titled debut album from the duo named “Cults.” Although once considered “a couple of NYC nobodies,” the band has certainly been receiving a lot of attention lately for their first full-length release. Despite the band’s seemingly dark name, this album fits perfectly into the Indie pop/rock category. The sweet vocals of Madeline Follin, backed by the smart production work of Brian Oblivion, create an album that combines the best of 1960s pop with modern dance-rock.

Most of the songs on the album have fairly simple arrangements, but the addition of synthesizers, electronic samples, big drum beats, and distorted guitars push the music to a level beyond generic “pop music.” The vocal melodies seem familiar, like something you’ve heard from the Shirelles or Shangri-Las, but with lyrics like, “I knew right then that I’d been abducted” and “I can never be myself, so f--- you”- this is definitely not your parents’ girl-band. Cults make good use of changing the mood and tempo between songs, keeping the album from feeling stale and predictable. Stand-out tracks include “Go Outside,” “You Know What I Mean,” and “Walk at Night.” The sounds of dreamy surf-guitars, pianos, and the occasional xylophone, fit nicely with the echo-fuzz vocals, delivering hooks that are sure to get stuck in your head. Do yourself a favor, and check out this feel-good summer album, before we get thrown back into the depths of winter.

Explosions In The Sky - Take Care, Take Care, Take Care

Released in late-April, “Take Care, Take Care, Take Care” is the sixth release from this Texas-based band, the follow-up to 2007’s “All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone.” Although the band rejects the “post-rock” genre label, this album definitely continues in the tradition of heavy, wide-open soundscapes that form the core of the evolving post-rock scene. The pounding rhythms and intricate guitar melodies create the perfect soundtrack for an engaging film or a late-night drive.

Right from the opening track, the band finds familiar ground with reverb-heavy guitar melodies, layered within crashing rock rhythms. Where previous albums seemed stylistically similar and songs flowed together, each track on “Take Care…” stands on its own, creating different moods at every turn. The song “Human Qualities” features electro-drum beats and string arrangements, reminiscent of Radiohead, but this somewhat introspective tune is followed by the galloping drums, thick cymbal crashes, and screaming electric guitar of “Trembling Hands.” The final track, “Let Me Back In”, rises and falls with dramatic crescendos, subdued grooves, and distant guitars- clocking in at just over 10 minutes. This song serves as a great example of Explosions in the Sky’s style, because even though their songs can be long-winded at times, the changing tempos and interwoven melodies keep the listener from getting bored with repetition.

Parking On Campus

2011-09-11T13:33:00.000-06:00

Montana Tech is always growing and competition for parking spots on campus is heating up. If you live close by walking to and from class will save money and benefit your body. If you must drive, be careful not to break parking regulations.

Students and faculty with vehicles must purchase a parking decal to use the lots. Decals for students cost fifty five dollars for the first and fifteen for each additional decal. The decals are classified as follows A- faculty/staff, B- student/faculty/staff, D- residence hall, P- professional staff, V- visitor, VC-chancellor, FV- MT Tech Foundation visitor parking only.

Parking fines will be issued if any of the regulations are violated such as, parking in the wrong zone, or parking on the street. The fines have been increased from $10 to $20 this year. If the fine is not paid a hold is placed on your transcripts by the registrar’s office until all fines are paid. Handicapped parking violations are more serious and carry a hundred dollar fine.

As Tech security guard Sean Milligan informed me, most fines are issued for violating parking regulations and are easy to avoid. If you ever have issues finding a parking spot the HPER lot normally has spots available, the gravel lots west of the HPER and NRB always have parking spots available.

The Most Ticketed Areas
Crosshatched areas along east end of tiers
Crosshatched areas at the west library lots
Yellow curbs on Park street, front of NRB
Visitor parking spots on campus
Students parking in the faculty staff lots
Staff and B decal students in dorm lots
In front of the HPER
Between handicapped spots
Museum only spots

Lady Diggers Down Western, Walla Walla

2011-09-11T13:28:00.000-06:00

photo: Jason Silvernale

The Montana Tech volleyball squad hit the Kelvin Sampson Court for two convincing victories to open their first home stand of the season. Walla Walla University and Montana Western traveled to Butte to face the Orediggers, who were 1-3 from the previous weekend. The Diggers prevailed in both contests boosting their record to .500 for the season.

Walla Walla University was Montana Tech’s first opponent for the afternoon. With outside hitters Shersteen Cline and Emily Matosich sidelined with injuries, Gabby Weber was brought of redshirting to fill the gaps. Along with other true freshman, Emily Lobnitz, Weber contributed 13 kills in her Montana Tech debut. The Diggers easily handled Walla Walla winning in straight sets, 25-16, 25-10, 25-21.

The Bulldogs from Western were the on the bill for the evening contest against Tech. The Bulldogs returned all but one teammate from last year’s squad who were winless against Frontier Conference members. A different looking team was expected to play due to new coaching staff but despite Western’s new competitiveness, Tech prevailed in four sets, 25-21, 11-25, 25-16, 25-20. Lobnitz tallied 12 kills in the match and hit at an impressive .364 to lead the Diggers in kills.

Montana Tech def. Walla Walla 25-16, 25-10, 25-21.

Kills — WWU 16 (Elisa Westman 6, Heather McFadden 2, Michelle Warner 2, Victoria Buell 2, Natalie Wilkening 2, Kelsie Schafer 1, McKenzie Duellman 1), Tech 30 (Emily Lobnitz 8, Kendra Lyons 5, Korey Krumm 5, Gabby Weber 5, Michelle Hardy 3, Lacey Phelan 3, Alex Courtney 1).
Aces — WWU 2 (McFadden 1, Schafer 1), Tech 5 (Kiara Ross 1, Allyse Cruise 1, Hardy 1, Weber 1, Lobnitz 1).
Assists — WWU 15 (Schafer 8, Jacque McCluskey 5, McFadden 1, Wilkening 1), Tech 26 (Hardy 23, Ross 3).
Digs — WWU 33 (Wilkening 10, Karissa Jacobson 6, Schafer 6, Buell 4, McFadden 3, McCluskey 2, Westman 1, Duellman 1), Tech 48 (Cruise 12, Weber 12, Ross 7, Kirstin King 4, Hardy 4, Lyons 3, Lobnitz 3, Krumm 2, Phelan 1).
Blocks — WWU 4 (Westman 3, Warner 1, Schafer 1, Wilkening 1), Tech 5 (Krumm 3, Cruise 1, Lyons 1, Phelan 1).

Hansen Scores Five TD’s

2011-09-11T13:24:00.000-06:00

photo: Jason Silvernale

Big changes were abundant at Alumni Coliseum on Saturday – a new tailgate location on the west end of the field, Brian Schwarzkoph as quarterback, and Chuck Morrell as head coach of the Diggers. The new era of Montana Tech Football started off with a bang seeing a 50-47 double overtime victory over Southern Oregon. However, Pat Hansen, a redshirt freshman from Ekalaka, may have stolen the show having scored five of the Digger’s touchdowns including the game winning score in the second overtime.

Hansen ran 178 yards over 31 carries and totaled 38 yards on 7 passes from Schwarzkoph. Another shining moment for a younger Oredigger was when true freshman Jake Helbling picked off a Southern Oregon pass and returned it 30 years. Senior Marcus Johnson and Freshman Shane Gorman both recovered fumbles during the contest.

Schwarzkoph completed 34 of 51 passes on the day, nearly a 67% total. There were a total of eight receivers on the day with Trent Thomas and James Roberts each nabbing six. In addition to Hansen’s touchdowns, Nick Baker and Thomas also scored for the Diggers.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICSRUSHING — SOU, Barragan 15-95, Baldwin 12-69, McDonald 8-42, Marshawn Friloux 8-48, Team 3-(minus 8). MT, Hansen 31-178, Schwarzkoph 10-32, Baker 3-10.
PASSING — SOU, McDonald 27-40-1-319. MT, Schwarzkoph 34-51-2.
RECEIVING — SOU, Donahue 9-118, Mike Olson 6-89, McKenzie 4-28, Barragan 2-17, Baldwin 2-27, Matt Brown 1-21, Friloux 1-11, Shane Kirkpatrick 1-8. MT — Hansen 7-38, Trent Thomas 6-59, James Roberts 6-42, Leif Knatterud 5-46, Craig Halko 4-64, Clay McQueary 3-30, Phil Antonioli 2-16, Brandon Preslar 1-10. Alumni Coliseum.

Welcome Back!

2011-09-07T20:04:00.001-06:00

Summer is winding down, and most of us are settling into school for the semester. Lots of things are changing here on campus and the staff here at The Technocrat plan to keep you informed! It is my first year as editor, and I am hoping that you will all enjoy the changes coming to the paper. If you have any suggestions be sure to send me a message.

One focus of ours will be to direct more of our content online. We hope to expand our digital media production and hopefully get some interesting and informative YouTube videos coming your way. Keep an eye out as the website takes shape and we expand our offerings on the web. If you think you could help us out in some way, as an on-the-air personality or even behind the scenes, we are always interested!

We are always looking for driven and intelligent students to contribute or work for us. If you feel like you could help out be sure and stop by The Technocrat office in the basement of the SUB!

Recycling At Montana Tech

2011-09-07T20:03:00.001-06:00

So you’ve just finished a refreshing beverage that you’ve purchased on campus, now what do you do with the empty container? You could very easily walk over and place it in a trash can. However, with a little more effort you could be environmentally responsible and dispose of your used product in a recycling bin.

To understand the value of recycling it’s important to look at what recycling actually means and does. Recycling creates a closed-loop system where used products are returned back to processing centers to be turned into “new” products again. This system cuts down the cost to consumers, lessens environmental impacts, and creates a more sustainable product system.

According to Eco-Cycle, one of America’s largest non-profit recyclers, American’s generate more than 230 million tons of solid waste each year. By recycling just 30% of our waste each year, Americans save the energy equivalent of 11.9 billion gallons of gasoline and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 25 million cars off the road.

It isn’t enough to occasionally recycle. We as humans are responsible for our present and future state of things. Recycling should be a part of every human’s daily routine; it’s the responsible way to take care of our waste.

With these facts in mind, do you know where or what you can recycle on campus or in Butte? Montana Tech has small recycling bins located near the front entrances of every building on campus. There are also two large recycling “dumpsters” behind the library. The services on campus are provided by A.W.A.R.E Inc. of Butte. Products that can be recycled on campus include: plastic, aluminum, paper, and cardboard. You cannot recycle glass at Montana Tech.

To recycle around Butte, you can take all the above recycling plus glass to the Headwaters Cooperative Recycling bins at these locations:

Civic Center
Harrison Ave
NCAT/Hillcrest School on Continental Drive
Behind Post Office on Dewey Boulevard
West Side, Excelsior Ave.
Across from Pan Canadian (Excelsior and Platinum)

New Coach, New Squad

2011-09-07T19:56:00.000-06:00

photo: Jason Silvernale

For the last three year Montana Tech’s Cheerleading squad has been under the leadership of Cristie Hess who left the position this summer. Joe McClafferty, Tech’s athletic director, found the girls an experienced new coach.

Brittney Smith is Montana Tech’s new cheerleading coach and has a strong background in cheerleading. She began cheering at age five and participated in gymnastics. Her freshman year she moved to Anchorage, Alaska and joined the varsity cheerleading squad. Brittney moved to Eureka, Montana for her Sophomore and Junior years of high school where her sister started up the cheerleading squad for football and basketball. For her Senior year she moved back to Anchorage, Alaska and finished high school there.

Brittney moved to Butte at the end May with her boyfriend and six month old son, not knowing if she would find any cheerleading work in the area. Brittney has big plans for the squad but the first thing on her list is to get the girls on the squad scholarships.

“Eventually I would like to work up to a competitive squad, but the first thing is to get it so that the squad is respected by the student body” said Brittney regarding her long term plans for the squad.

Yes, that is long term, Brittney doesn’t plan on going anywhere. “I can see a long road of coaching here!”

Brittney is very driven when it comes to cheerleading and getting coach. She really knows what she is doing and loves getting to watch the squad grow and learn and strive to be better. “It’s one of the best things in the world to watch the girls grow” says Brittney.

Tryouts for Basketball season will be held at the end of September so keep an eye out for the dates.