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Should Tech raise admission requirements?

December 10, 2015

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“My Life Is Not a Joke”

Where’s the snow, El Niño?

Huskies pep band members take the court Dec. 5 during the men’s basketball game.

Photo by Devin Miller

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Thursday, December 10

NEWS

Michigan Tech Lode

“My Life is Not a Joke”

Ten person panel on Fisher 135 stage (Left). Students participate in silent protest by Husky Statue (Right).

Photo on left courtesy of Davy McLeod. Photo on right courtesy of Center for Diversity and Inclusion

Johnathan Jaehnig News Writer Wednesday, Dec. 2, students, faculty and staff gathered around the Husky statue, many linking arms and wearing shirts that read “MY LIFE IS NOT A JOKE.” The silent protest, like the march held on Nov. 13, was to express the discontent with the absence of more severe charges against the former Tech student who posted a threat to African American Students via Yik Yak a few weeks ago. Organizers placed the protest between 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., and encouraged students to stand as long as they could. Over the course of the demonstration the number of participators increased and decreased as members came and went between classes.

Later that same evening, a discussion panel on culture and difference met to address recent issues on campus. The event was scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m., but event organizer and moderator Emerald Gary, President of the Society for Intellectual Sisters, joked that it really started “On Tech Time: five minutes late”.

The panel was not scheduled as another hasty response to the Yik Yak threat, but had actually been set into motion after Halloween weekend to address racially insensitive costumes at a party, including students dressing in blackface. The Yik Yak threat and the controversial Daily Bull article on sexual Harassment were

also addressed. The event started with a moment of silence for the 32 victims of the shooting in San Bernardino.

The 10-person panel, picked by the Society of Intellectual Sisters, included representatives from graduate and undergraduate student government, student organizations, and faculty and staff representatives including Darnisha Slade of International Programs and Services, and Bonnie Gorman, Associate President and Dean of Students. Graduate Student Government President Chelsea

“I saw hope in the future of Michigan Tech, that we can come together and open this kind of dialogue.”

- Jacob Cavins Nikula, and USG and Memorial Union Board member Jacob Cavins were also present. Wesley McGowan, President of Film Board, Faith Morrison, Advisor to the Society of Intellectual Sisters, Nathan Shian of the National Society of Black Engineers, Josh Cannuck of Memorial

Union Board, Keweenaw Pride and Canterbury House, and Maya Gonzales rounded out the panel.

The first question posed to the panel asked how the events on campus affected them. Nikula addressed the Yik Yak threat by saying that it affected her by the way it affected her friends. She also spoke about the Daily Bull article. “As a woman at Tech, we are a minority, and I don’t find it funny that we can be harassed,” she said Cavins also said that he was embarrassed at first byt the Yik Yak threat, but was impressed by the way that the campus community came together afterward, adding, “I saw hope in the future of Michigan Tech, that we can come together, and open this kind of dialogue.”

Shian spoke on the blackface event and the Yik Yak threat emphasizing that certain events affect people differently, “For me a threat like that is not just a threat on my life, but it’s directed at me and my family. I feel like Tech is my family…. I don’t want to come here and find out that someone was shot. At this time and day, people should know that some things are just not okay.” Gorman also spoke on the issues, elaborating on the ways that campus administration has a responsibility to act during these events.

One audience member pointed out during the discussion that he thought “there were a number of people sensationalizing [The Daily Bull Article] without even reading it.” The panel was

then asked if it was wrong for the offended to feel offended. Gonzales commented, “People say ‘you are oversensitive because you are a woman’ or ‘you are oversensitive because you are not from here.’ I’m sensitive because I don’t like it.” The concept of “oversensitivity” was a recurring theme during the course of the discussion. The issue of whether or

“I believe that ignorance is a choice. You reach a stage in life where you make conscious decisions to say or do things.”

- Nathan Shian not it is the responsibility of minorities to make people aware of what they find offensive was introduced by an audience member who stated that he was unaware that blackface was offensive.

In response to the question of whether there is a specific way that people Continued on page 5

Michigan Tech Lode

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Thursday, December 10

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Week in Domestic Terrorists Kill 14 This World Events Daniel Stockard News Writer

Obama Responds Bernardino Shootings

to

San

Last week, 14 innocent people were murdered and 21 were wounded at an office Christmas party by U.S.-born Syed Rizwan Farook and Pakistan national Tashfeen Malik, who are believed to have been ISIS sympathizers. Addressing the nation from the Oval Office on Sunday night, Obama outlined the steps that America has been taking to combat ISIS, which to this point have consisted of collaboration with local forces, air strikes, and use of special forces. He emphasized that “...it won’t require us sending a new generation of Americans overseas to fight and die for another decade on foreign soil.” He also highlighted the need to ban those on “no-fly” lists from purchasing firearms, and curb access to “powerful assault weapons.” Finally, he urged Americans against framing the conflict as one of being at war against Islam, as that’s exactly what the terrorists want.

Investigators search a Black SUV that the suspects used to try to escape from police.

Peter Nouhan News Editor Early Wednesday morning, Dec. 2nd, the employees of the San Bernardino health department gathered for an event in a conference room at the center. Syed Rizwan Farook, a county health inspector, left the event early and returned shortly thereafter with his wife, Tashfeen Malik.

Dressed in combat gear, Farook and Malik entered the building and sprayed 65-75 rounds with assault rifles before escaping in a black SUV Police arrived minutes later to discover an explosive on a table that had not yet detonated.

The police tracked the couple down to a suburban neighborhood where a violent shootout ensued. The suspects managed to fire 76 rifle rounds before they were brought down by police.

Tragically, Farook and Malik killed 14 people and wounded 21 others at the San Bernardino health department. Around the time of the shooting Malik had declared her allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) on Facebook, prompting the FBI to treat the shooting as an act of terrorism. However, even though Farook and Malik were inspired by ISIS, investigators have not found evidence linking the killers to a larger group or terrorist cell.

Officials later discovered more than 10 completed pipe bombs and a stockpile of thousands of rounds of ammunition in the couple’s home. They also found evidence that the couple tried to destroy their electronic devices and erase their

Amid the weapons stockpile, authorities found the couple’s six-month old child... it awaits being reunited with extended family. electronic footprints, indicating that the shooting was premeditated. Amid the weapons stockpile, authorities found the couple’s six-month old child. The orphan has been temporarily placed in the custody of San Bernardino County Child Protection Services while it awaits being reunited with extended family.

Federal investigators released a statement on Monday, Dec. 7, saying that Farook and Malik has been radicalized

Photo Courtesy of Assoicated Press

for “quite some time.” Unfortunately, they have yet to uncover many clues into their motives behind the attack.

FBI Director James B. Comey has stated that this case defies typical patterns for mass shootings or terrorist attacks.

Farook’s mother, who lived with the couple, was apparently unaware of the plotting activities her son and daugherin-law were engaged in. Additionally, Farook was a United States citizen, born in Illinois, whose parents were from Pakistan. He met Malik on a Muslim dating website in 2014 and flew her here from Saudi Arabia before he married her.

To obtain a green card the couple had to prove that their marriage was legitimate, and Malik had to pass criminal and national security background checks that used FBI and Department of Homeland Security databases.

The San Bernardino terrorist attacks mark the deadliest mass shooting since Sandy Hook (2012), which killed 20 children and six adults. The latest attack has added new fodder to the debate of gun control in the United States. Many are concerned that Farook and Malik had almost no trouble amassing the arsenal they needed to amount their attack. If police had not stopped the couple, they would have been more than capable of inflicting significantly more damage and taking many more lives.

France Clamps Down after Terror Attacks

In light of the Paris attacks last month, France has begun a nationwide crackdown against perceived radical threats. Up to 160 mosques are expected to be closed in the upcoming months under a law that allows the shutdown of places of worship that encourage radical views. In addition, authorities have raided 2,235 homes and buildings, arrested 232, and confiscated 334 weapons, according to Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve.

However, there are fears by human rights groups like Amnesty International that the application of some of these laws are starting to violate human rights.

Eritrean Conscription Remains Indefinite

Eritrea has reportedly retained its policy of indefinite military conscription, despite promises last year to limit mandatory conscription to 18 months, according to Amnesty International.

Eritrea is the third largest contributor to the current migrant crisis in Europe, and the conscription policy is one of the main drivers. The conscription essentially amounts to forced labor, and individuals are paid in the range of $10 a month. Those who are caught attempting to escape the service (including refugees forcibly returned from Europe) are subjected to abysmal detainment in underground cells or shipping containers.

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Thursday, December 10

NEWS

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Student Org Spotlight: Dagorhir Evan Mayer News Writer

One of the most recognizable and unforgettable organizations on Michigan Technological University’s campus is the Live Action Role Players that are members of Dagorhir.

Dagorhir offers battle games with fastpaced, full-contact combat simulations with elements of live action-role playing. In addition, the organization combines elements of both history and fantasy into their games, which helps participants experience their fantasies on a variety of levels, which according to the club’s president Abby Wilson, or Master At Arms as she is referred to in the organization, is a wide ranging appeal that is the reason for Dagorhir’s nationwide success.

The organization began in 1977 by a group of friends in the Maryland and Virginia area who were fans of Lord of the Rings and medieval history. The name “Dagorhir” is derived from Tolkien’s Sindarin Elven language, and translates

as “Battle Lords.” The organization grew as more events were held at various Renaissance Festivals and magazines featured stories on the group.

Dagorhir came to Michigan Tech in the fall of 2012. Initially, it was just a small group of students and a handful of weapons. Since then the organization

“Dag is a place that we can go in order to hangout, workout, and swordfight. It’s a wonderful stress reliever.”

- Abby Wilson

has exploded in size, and most of the members have their own personal weapons, and more people continue to join every year.

Currently the organization is

The Dagorhi team poses with their handmade weapons.

comprised of 30 people who meet on Sunday mornings in the SDC Wood gym from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The organization also holds campouts in the spring and summer.

In the future, a goal of the organization is to hold a major event on campus. This would include having other players from around the state and region coming up to participate in their event.

There is a $5 dues for a semester and this money is used for weapons upkeep in the arsenal that the organization has built. The weapons in the arsenal are then offered to people that want to participate, but have yet to make weapons of their own.

Photo Courtesy of Abby Wilson

“For us members, Dag is a place that we can go in order to hangout, workout, and swordfight. It’s a wonderful stress reliever,” Wilson said. “I know that live action role play stuff has a stigma about being dorky, but nobody in the group is going to judge you, and it’s really fun to fight. Past fighting there is also the making of garb, story writing, and building weapons.”

Dagorhir welcomes everyone to join them. To join, email arwilson@mtu. edu or attend the weekly meeting and members will run you through the rules so that you are safe to fight, then you are ready to jump into battle like all of the other members that make up Dagorhir.

Black Friday Recap Aaron Kostrzewa News Writer The day after everyone acknowledges how thankful they are for the blessings in their lives begins the onslaught of greed and mindless spending. Black Friday is the kick-off for the Christmas holiday season where consumers take advantage of killer deals to buy gifts for loved ones.

The day was coined Black Friday back in the ‘60s when the annual Army vs. Navy football game was held in Philadelphia.

Because of all the spectators flocking to see the game, retailers experienced a large increase in sales. However, the crowds of people were a nightmare for the police department, who began referring to the day as Black Friday.

Fast-forward 50 years and it is now the most profitable day for brick-and-mortar retailers. Surprisingly though, stores make the most money from online sales

over Thanksgiving weekend, a change from the past few years. Adobe reports that $11 billion was spent in U.S. stores online between Thanksgiving day and Cyber Monday, an increase of 14 percent, while in-store spending was down 10 percent to $10.4 billion. It appears the concept of making a few clicks at home is more appealing that facing the crowds.

With retailers striving to find every way possible to squeeze every cent out of consumers, one wonders what the next step they will take to do so is. Just a few years ago, many large chain stores moved to opening their doors Thanksgiving evening; a change that causes employees to cut family time short and encourage consumers to depart from their families in order to save a few dollars on a doorbuster item. Whatever your opinion may be on the holiday shopping season, remember to enjoy the small things in life that mean the most, and let family time be the most important.

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Michigan Tech Lode

Thursday, December 10

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Is Electric the Future? “...Not a Joke” Continued from page 2

Shveta Dhamankar News Writer Way back in 1914, Edison and Henry Ford were working on an electric automobile that would be cheap and practicable. The problem had been the battery. It was too heavy and required incessant charging. Gasoline, on the other hand, had far greater energy density than an electrically powered vehicle (EV).

That alone outweighed the perceived environmental benefits of an EV. More than 100 years have elapsed but the same problem continues to persist.

The current batch of cars use Lithium ion technology. These batteries, though far more advanced and energy-dense than the nickel-iron batteries Edison was offering, are a far cry from what gasoline and diesel can achieve. None of the mainstream pure EV can travel more than 100 miles without stopping for ‘fast’ charging that lasts for more than an hour. Secondly, the power trains are 50 percent more expensive. All in all, the numbers simply do not add up.

For all intents and purposes, these cars are meant for the super rich.

In 2015, electric car sales were up by 1.1 percent. The story, however, is far more complicated. The highly anticipated Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt, that promise triple the current range, have curbed the sale of EVs that lie within the same price range. BMW and Tesla, however, experienced a boost in sales with the BMW i3 and i8 and the Tesla Model S. The Tesla Model S grabbed the top spot (22 percent of the market share) in terms of sales for January 2015 to September 2015. The BMW i3, with 19 percent of the market share sat primly in second place.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, is going to face some tough competition from German manufacturer Porsche. Still in its infancy, Porsche will be developing a car

The Chevrolet Bolt EV electric concept vehicle is unveiled during the North American International Auto Show, in Detroit (2015).

Photo Courtesy of Assoicated Press

that runs up to 300 miles per charge and will exhibit long range and performance.

Porsche may have the upper hand when it comes to charging. The lithium ion batteries, it claims, will take no longer than 15 minutes to charge. Compared to what is out in the market right now, 15 minutes is akin to 80 percent charge in the blink of an eye.

Despite the increasing numbers, both in terms of sales and range, the lithium ion technology will be around for at least another decade. Several government think tanks and Universities across the United States are working on cells that can get an EV on par with a gasoline or dieselpowered car. Closer to home, scientists at Michigan Tech are working on a storage device that combines the high energy density of a chemical battery with the power delivery efficiency of a solid state capacitor. This storage device is similar to an ‘ideal’ cross between a battery and a

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capacitor, amplifying the positive features of both constituents. The Carbon Foam Capacitor Battery, as it is fancily called by the scientists at MTU, is a lot lighter than the current lot of lithium ion batteries, delivers more charge than a capacitor and can be recharged umpteen times with close to no signs of degradation.

Electric cars will need years of thinking and innovation to be on par with gasoline and diesel powered automobiles. On the surface, they might be a lot cleaner but the sheer cost required to make them that clean is too high.

The sales of electric cars are increasing with each passing year, but look at the bigger picture. These cars have not made a noticeable dent on the sales of conventional cars. Battery technology will have to improve by leaps and bounds for electric cars to take up a fair share of the automobile market and be ‘clean’ at the same time.

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should be treated, Gorman responded, “Everyone on campus should be treated with respect. Things gets messy real quick… it wasn’t until much later in life that I learned that these things were not correct, and I don’t think I’m the only one walking around with that.” Shian said, “People don’t need to agree to get along most of the time […] but I believe that ignorance is a choice. You reach a stage in life where you make conscious decisions to say or do things.”

The final discussion topic of the evening asked what we can do to create positive social change on Tech campus and beyond. Slade said, “What we can do is to spend time developing relationships” with different people. The idea of circulating free tickets to events like International Night to encourage attendance by non-international students was brought up, as was the idea of making discussion panels repeat events every semester. Joining student organizations was also a suggestion made by some, though one member of the audience commented that it is easy for some to use student organizations as an excuse to not socialize with other people.

The discussion ended after Kellie Raffaelli, Director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion encouraged students, especially those who are not minority groups, to go to the Center of Diversity and Inclusion. Located in the Hamar House between Fisher and Walker, the CDI acts as a headquarters for several student organizations, but also gives out free coffee and encourages interaction with people of different backgrounds. The take-away message of the evening was that the best way to combat ignorance is to expose one’s self to difference.

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Thursday, December 10

PULSE

Michigan Tech Lode

John Cassidy at the MUB Straight Outta Compton Sumit Bongir Lode Writer

John Cassidy is a comedian, magician and balloon artist by profession, and holds several Guinness World Records for balloon sculpting speed. He has appeared on television shows like Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Martha Stewart Living, and many more, as either a stand-up comedian, magician or as a Guinness Book of Records celebrity. He has also been featured in periodicals like FHM, National Geographic Kids’ Magazine and Time. He is a frequent performer aboard Disney Cruise Lines and has performed at the White House five times. Some of the other venues where he has performed include The Magic Castle in Hollywood, Foxwoods Casino, the Golden Nugget Las Vegas, the Flamingo Las Vegas and The Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach. He and his wife, Jennifer, performed at the MUB Ballroom last Saturday night for an event organized by the MUB Board.

Daniel Stockard, the Music and Variety Chair for the MUB Board, spoke about organizing this event, saying “Well, it was actually organized over the summer.

Austin Nyenhuis and Jessie Stapleton, who helped bring John here, saw him at NACA, which is a big collection of acts that you can bring to campus and he stood out because he was really original

and hilarious. We thought the people would enjoy him, and I think they did!”

If you were one of the over a hundred who attended this event, then you know what Stockard is talking about.

A show characterized by live audience participation, candies, money, music and lots of balloons – it just could not get any more entertaining! John enthralled everyone with his great sense of humor and fast paced performances whose main content was magic and balloons. One of the acts included him getting inside a balloon with a diameter over six feet to retrieve a card secretly chosen by a member of the audience.

John spoke enthusiastically about performing at Michigan Tech and his experience with the students here, “This is my first time at Michigan Tech. I am so surprised and grateful for everybody in the Midwest. Everybody is so nice and kind, the kids (students) are so friendly.

They should just enjoy their lives, have fun and keep going.” John has his share of followers on Facebook and Twitter. He also maintains his own website, http:// www.johncassidy.com, where you can find more information about him.

The MUB Board has one more event lined up for the students on Thursday evening, which is the Study Break, an event whose primary goal is to ameliorate the exam stress for the upcoming finals week.

Kendall Belopavlovich Sports Editor This weekend, The Film Board will be showing the dramatized hip-hop biography Straight Outta Compton. Movie times are Friday, 5:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., Saturday, 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 11:30 p.m. and Sunday, 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Straight Outta Compton follows the story of a revolutionary rap group, N.W.A., whose five members include Eazy E, MC Ren, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and DJ Yella. N.W.A.’s most memorable songs include “Straight Outta Compton”, “F--- Tha Police” and “Boyz-NThe Hood.” These rappers paved the way for the future of the industry alongside the likes of Tupac and Biggie Smalls.

Gaining speed in the late eighties, the fivemember group was blunt and explicit about their experiences of growing up in Compton, Calif. while dealing with issues of racism and police brutality. The group’s founder, Eazy E, was a drug dealer who started up Ruthless Records in an attempt to build a rap empire.

It wasn’t until Eazy joined forces with Dr. Dre, who possessed revolutionary mixing skills and Ice Cube, who penned many of N.W.A.’s songs, that Ruthless Records kicked off, later adding MC Ren and DJ Yella to the mix.

The group also received attention from the FBI with a warning that told them to watch their step. Ruthless as they were, the

members barely heeded the warning and continued preaching their anthem “F--Tha Police.” After a few years of success, the group fell apart as a feud began between Ice Cube and the rest of the group. Diss tracks were produced from both sides, including Ice Cube’s “No Vaseline”, which lyrically tore apart his former group members.

Straight Outta Compton follows the story of a revolutionary rap group, N.W.A., whose five members include Eazy E, MC Ren, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and DJ Yella.

There’s more to the story, which unfolds in the movie. After watching, you will have a whole new understanding of their songs, especially Dre’s “Forget About Dre.” Suge Knight plays a big role in the movie, but he’s not the only one. Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Tupac are also brought into the movie’s storyline.

IMDb gave the movie an 8.1 out of 10 rating, while Rotten Tomatoes gave it 81 percent. Among the producers are Ice and Dr. Dre, and Ice Cube is played by his son, O’Shea Jackson Jr.

What to do at home over winter break Aric Rhodes Pulse Editor Winter Break is, with only slight argument, generally agreed upon to be the best school break. Thanksgiving Break and Spring Break are great, of course, but they only last a week each, and students come back into the middle of classes that they just spent the better part of a week ignoring completely. With Winter Break, though, students get a full three weeks off, and even get to return to a fresh start with the new semester.

That three week hiatus from school can leave students wanting for activities, though. The hustle and bustle of the highspeed student life becomes a molasses slow crawl for many. That’s why it is best to come into the break with, at the least, a basic plan for what to do. That way, with the plans already made, it becomes a lot easier to justify going out.

When making plans for winter break, the first thing to check out should be local cinemas, theatres, and plays. These types of mass entertainment are generally readily available, and you can easily join with or bring along others. On top of this, there happen to be a few block-busting movies which always time their release for the holiday season. This year in particular will be witnessing the return of Star Wars to the big screen, which is almost guaranteed to kill a few hours.

For those of a more outdoors persuasion, the Winter Break provides plenty of time for ambitious endeavours, from hiking and snowshoeing to camping and sledding. There’s no shortage of things to do outdoors, especially if the weather cooperates. Even if it doesn’t, there are few things in the world that can compare to warming up with a nice hot drink after a day in the cold. Even better, this is another type of activity that is easy to do alone or together with friends or family.

Even if you’re just sitting down and relaxing, enjoy the fact that you finally can. Happy holidays from all of us at the Lode, and here’s wishing you a great new year.

Of course, the most important thing to do over the Winter Break is to spend time with loved ones. Whether they’re friends or family, it really is the people that you are with that’s most important, rather than how you spend the time. Don’t be afraid to be alone, though. Sometimes, it can be just as important to spend a little time with yourself.

The biggest feature of the Winter Break for many students is the holiday season.

While the specific traditions almost certainly vary, the emphasis on family and togetherness is something of a universal constant. This doesn’t mean that everyone needs to be spending the entire break with family members, of course, only that one should spend at least some time with them. After all, this is likely their first time seeing the students in a while as well. Even if it is only going out to a movie with them, or letting them treat you to dinner, it’s still a good gesture to try and let them see you.

Either way, it really does come down to the individual decision.

Whatever you’re doing over this break, make sure that you’re having a good time of it and enjoy yourself. Even if you’re just sitting down and relaxing, enjoy the fact that you finally can. Happy holidays from all of us at the Lode, and here’s wishing you a great new year.

Michigan Tech Lode

PULSE

Thursday, December 10

7

An Enchanting Ballet: The Nutcracker Amy Joy Patterson Lode Writer

For most children, Christmas is the holiday of hot chocolate and expensive gifts. Within a few short years of beginning elementary school, most kids have discovered the ruse that is Santa Claus, and the magic associated with the Christmas season is lost with their innocence. Many Christmas traditions, such as a-wassailing and the consumption of sugar plums, are today so dated that most people do not even know what they are. However, in 1892 Russia, Christmas was quite a different holiday. Christmas was a time of great miracles and childhood intrigue. Celebrated since the 10th century, Christmas captured the hearts and souls of the Russian people, and was celebrated primarily through good food, and better friends.

During a modern Christmas, one could not experience the animation of a wooden object, a battle between mice and men, and a land of delicious desserts, but for young Clara in the classic ballet, The Nutcracker, this enchanted fairytale was

reality. Considering the spellbinding and mystical nature of the tale, it should come as no surprise that Michigan Tech’s own production of The Nutcracker, performed by the Minnesota Ballet and the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra, completely sold out, filling more than 1,000 seats at the Rozsa Theater.

For many, such as Michigan Tech student Paige Hanson, The Nutcracker is a show that must be seen more than once. “I’ve seen it five times,” Hanson said. “The Nutcracker reminds me of Christmastime. I really enjoy listening to classical music because I played in orchestras growing up. I find the music very peaceful to listen to.”

At this particular showing of The Nutcracker, music was performed by the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra, which is composed of violins, violas, cellos, flutes, horns, oboes, clarinets, bassoons trumpets, trombons, tubas, and percussions. This wide variety of instrumental talent is what creates the rolling, swelling drama of the ballet.

As for the members of the Minnesota Ballet who provided the visual beauty of the show, long-time fan Paige Hanson had this

to say: “Watching people dance to classical music makes it more enjoyable to listen to.

The older dancers stood out because they were very good. It was obvious they had been dancing for a long time.” True to her observation, of the seventeen dancers listed as part of the Minnesota Ballet’s company,

all but five are fully graduated, professional dancers.

The Nutcracker is the must-see show of the holiday season. Rich with tradition, it truly reminds one of the importance of the simple things in life: family, friends, food, and of course, fun.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia user Zelda F. Scott

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Thursday, December 10

COMICS

Michigan Tech Lode

You know, pep rallies weirded me out in high school, and they’ve only gotten creepier in retrospect.

Comic courtesy of XKCD

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Okay, technically, ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.’ And it was a hundred and fifteen years ago.

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ALL I WANNA DO IS *DEDUCE NOISE* *DEDUCE NOISE* *DEDUCE NOISE* *DEDUCE NOISE* AND A *DEDUCTION NOISE* AND PET BASKERVILLES DOGGIES

PUZZLES

Michigan Tech Lode Puzzles Edited by Will Shortz

WITH DRAWL

1

agreement?

20 Take a turn 21 American hub 22 Stacked messily 23 Half a sawbuck 24 How you might classify a blade, a gas tank cap or a starter handle?

27 Reason to stay only at Hiltons or Marriotts?

29 “Frozen” reindeer’s name 30 Giving evasive answers 31 Roll served at a bar 32 Little one 33 Timeworn words 35 Kind of strength 39 “____ the Housetop” (Christmas song) 42 Extremely, in dated slang 45 Mob that disturbs the peace in new and interesting ways?

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dramedy 51 ____ mater (spinal membrane) 52 Affect in a personal way 54 Small, secluded, wooded valley 55 Maker of indoor cars 57 Druggists’ implements 59 Hospital worker 61 Attractive blacksmith at a stable?

63 Like Paganini, by birth 65 Food service giant based in Houston 66 CPR expert 67 Corruption 68 Candy brand since 1901 72 Rough 75 Municipal leaders who work the late shift?

78 Director of “Carlito’s Way,” 1993 81 Panasonic rival 82 Outback runners 83 Songwriter Novello

Puzzles Online: Today’s puzzle and more than 9,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). For the daily puzzle commentary: nytimes.com/wordplay.

Mobile crosswords: nytimes.com/mxword

84 Beseech on

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Sunday, November 29, 2015

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clowder : ____ 88 Trident-shaped letter 89 Bass organs 91 Troy, in the “Iliad”?

95 Cold shower?

96 Word in a New Year’s Eve song 97 Never closed, as a resort 98 “We won” gesture 100 Nonprofit network 102 One who gets no credit?

105 Historical chapter 107 “Preparation meeting opportunity,” it’s said 109 Smallest possible aspirin dose?

113 Normandy’s coat of arms, basically?

116 Punk subgenre 117 D-Day invaders 118 Green stuff 119 Wildly enthusiastic 120 Jimmy Fallon’s employer 121 Moves quickly, informally 122 Big Easy lunch 123 Hang around 124 “I Ching” concept

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sort 63 Van ____, “Lane in Autumn” painter 64 Principled 67 Stair’s face 69 Bedroom on a train, e.g.

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74 Unchecked growth 75 Expected amount 76 Kids’ outdoor game 77 Chum at sea 78 Does an investigation 79 Maleficent

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Sudoku - Puzzles and Games - NYTimes.com

Sudoku — Hard

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Last week’s solutions:

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Tahoe 18 Pushing the envelope 25 Many a 1950s B-movie 26 Chicago suburb 28 Mother of Zeus 34 First Pierce Brosnan 007 film 36 ____ cup (spillproof container) 37 Northeast octet 38 Dogfight preventers 39 College team named for a tribe 40 Blowtube projectile 41 TV alien’s home

Rules: Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 block contains 1-9 exactly once.

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11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 ACROSS 97 Ammonium and others O V E R C O C A S S H O E S H E A D 26 1 Key word #1 98 Subj. for Bloomberg 19 20 21 22 J O V I H O A G Y M I X U P O S L O 5 Plants with intoxicating News 23 24 25 26 A L E C E X P E N S E T Y P E S P E W 99 Puts in stitches, leaves say 28 29 30 27 28 29 30 31 10 Mosque no-no 100 Food that's an anagram I T S E L F E M C E E S H E S S I A N 32 33 34 35 15 Key word #2 of 98-Across 32 33 34 B A A L E A S E C O D A E S E 19 Bon ___ 101 Washing the dishes, e.g.

36 37 38 39 40 41 42 O V A R Y E S T I G O R N A S T Y 20 Songwriter 103 35 36 37 38 39 40 Carmichael 41 42 Plantation device 43 44 43 44 45 46 47 B E Y O N D T H E T I M E L I M I T 21 Minor snafu 105 Subj. with many 48 49 50 51 52 53 22 Capital known for 300 irregularities I R O N E R S S A R A N A U T O B O T 46 47 48 49 54 55 56 57 58 59 106 Shabby years as Christiania E T U I A D S W A G O N D I N E R O 23 Ill-fated seducer in "Tess 108 Sound in "Eleanor Rigby" 60 61 62 63 64 51 52 53 54 S C R U B S E M I S Z E N E R of the D'Urbervilles" and "Yesterday" 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 W E N T T O O F A R R E C K L E S S L Y 24 1-Across + 15-Across 110 Disdainful sounds 72 73 74 75 56 57 58 59 60 "Little" visitor to 26 Erupt 113 A L C O A P I S A N S H E A R 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 27 What a driverless car Slumberland, in old R I A L T O S E D A N E L S A P E D 62 63 64 drives comics 85 86 87 88 89 90 S E A D U C K D I R A C E S O B E S O 29 Pageant V.I.P.s 114 122-Across + 91 92 93 66 67 some soldiers in the 68 125-Across 69 70 71 Y E A R B O O K P H O T O G R A P H 30 Like 94 95 96 97 98 99 117 Holder of small doses American Revolution S T O A T I O N S I P O D A R N S 100 101 102 103 104 105 32 Farmyard call 72 73 74 75 76 77 118 Former British crown P O I T A S K B A L E R E S L 33 You may leave when it's colony in the Mideast 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 I L L K E P T V I O L I N S N I F F S 119 TurboTax up option 79 80 81 82 113 114 115 116 117 N E M O N O T A G O O D B E T V I A L 34 Endnotes?

120 As old as the hills 119 120 121 35 Portland, Ore.-to-Boise 121 Petro-Canada competitor 118 A D E N E F I L E H O A R Y E S S O 84 85 86 87 88 122 123 124 125 122 Key word #3 dir.

12/1/2015 Games - NYTimes.com L O N G A F T ESudokuR- Puzzles andA G R E E S H O T 36 Egg producer 123 Looking for 90 91 92 93 94 38 The "e" of i.e.

124 Go well together — Medium 79 Recharge midday December 1, 2015 36Sudoku Stage prize 39 ___ Olshansky, first 125 Key word #4 81 Sandpaper and such 37 Old TV adjustment: 96 97 Soviet-born N.F.L. player 82 Creatures that may live Abbr.

DOWN 41 Villainous 39 inside oysters - hence Radiologist, e.g.

1 California resort 98 99 100 101 102 103town 104 43 1-Across + 122-Across 40 the name Biological blueprints 2 V, in physics 48 Workers on the board 42 83 Makes up (for) Cable's ___ Classic 3 1997 Samuel L. Jackson 106 107 108 109 49 It covers everything 110 111quite112 44 Lucius's son, in Harry 84 Springfield exclamations film clearly 86 Potter Male lead in Disney's 4 Pilaf-like product 114 115 116 50 Decepticon's foe in 45 Fancy marble "Frozen" 5 Pot user?

"Transformers" 46 Fidelity offerings, for 88 Messy food order at a 6 Tic-tac-toe failure 54 Sewing case 118 119 120 short carnival 7 "Understand?"

55 Clio nominees 90 Witty Nash 47 Political insults, so to 8 Fellow students, 57 S.U.V. alternative 92 122 123 124 ___ choy speak generally 59 Moolah 51 Uncle ___ 93 Common wedding 9 Brings together 60 Benchwarmer 52 Hershiser who was reception feature 10 "Hook" role 62 Final Four round 94 Kind of column Sports Illustrated's 1988 11 Successes in the game 64 ___ (items used Brothers’ keepers 8 Fictional 43 cards Occupant of a in 80Battleship Attempt to pass 95 "Holy ___!"

Sportsman of the Year ESPsmall tests) house 53 Major ally?

96 J. Paul Getty and others the bar?

Potawatomi 12 Sister brand of Front-wheel-drive 65 1-Across + 125-Across 56 Islamic mystics 102 Literally, "breathless" tribesman 44 No more than 81Phisoderm Mr. ____ of “The coupling, for short 70 15-Across + 122-Across 103 58 Place for a bust [You stink!]

13 Elation Wind in the 9 Butler on a 45 Musician’s 72 Acronym on the S&P 104 Ho hi 60 Figurine French ingredient 14 ItWillows” helps you get ahead plantation 500 virtuosity 61 107 Stemming from Beast on Skull Island, 15 Pardner's mount in French toast by another birth Boston skyscraper, 10 Maker of Healthy 73 Galileo, 63 Archenemy of Mattel's 46 Have go at 1685Glimpses informally 75 Take off, as a heavy 108 Low-lying area He-Man with “the” Naturals food Interlock 47 Castaway’s site 17 Orioles' div. coat?

65 109 General interests?

Robert who oversaw the played Chaplin in “____ Darlin’” 11 Supporting 48 Phone abbr. 1886He Like many student 76 Venice touristbutton attraction 66 Author Wiesel acquisitions of Pixar, "Chaplin" (Count Basie 12 Wraps (up) 12/1/2015 Sudoku Puzzles and Games - NYTimes.com 78 S.U.V. alternative 53 Treasure from una 25 Date films 67 Tournament organizer Marvel and Lucasfilm number) 80 Golfer Ernie 13 Least bit mina 110 since '39 Ophthalmologist's 28 QB Bobby who Sudoku — Hard December 1, 2015 81 Acted like 90 Ben of “Zoolander” 68 "Ha! I was right!" concern 14 Honey or pumpkin 56 Missouri’s original purportedly put a curse 85 Goldeneye or harlequin 69 Says "Read you loud 111 Burkina ___ (African 92onPlace for visual the Detroit Lions aids 15 “Serves you right!”

87 Paulcapital who won a Nobel in and clear ... over," say land) 31 93Germophobe's Talking toy need since 58 Large volume Physics 16 Seismological 71 Rope in 112 Vending machine feature 33 Doesn't 1965 pursue 89 1962 Paul Anka hit 60 Mike’s “Wayne’s 74 115 Informer, informally Small songbird focus 34 Mustard, but not 91 15-Across + 125-Across 94ketchup: City dweller’s yell 77 South American tuber 116 Burns's "before" World” co-star Abbr.

17 City near Lake 94 Coat fur

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Rules: A) You must fill in the boxes in each row and column with the numbers 1 to 6. Do not repeat a number in any row or column.

B) The areas of the grid with dark outlines around them are called cages. At the top left of each cage is a target number and operation.

This means that the numbers in the cage must 1use that operation to total that number.

Hint: Look for cages that are around just one box. The target number will have no operation symbol.

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a poker player

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By Patrick Berry

ACROSS 1 Butter?

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Thursday, December 10

OPINION

Michigan Tech Lode

Should MTU have higher admission requirements?

Pro: Andrea Spencer

?

Shan Amarnani Opinion Editor

Michigan Technological University may not be an Ivy League school by any means, but it is well known for preparing students for the working world. The placement rate is 96 percent among undergraduates, which means that within six months of graduation, students are employed within their field of study, enlisted in the military, or enrolled in graduate school. Tech does this with a surprising amount of leniency with admission requirements. As many underclassmen are finding out at this time of year, that means there are certain classes meant to let only the best pass and leave the rest to drop out. This is only leads to disappointed students afraid to tell their parents that the thousands of dollars spent on an education wasn’t worth the effort. If admission requirements were raised, more students would be able to get through the tough classes without wasting their money or racking up a hefty sum of loans.

If a student has the determination to come to Michigan Tech, even if this involves a loan, the least Michigan Tech can do is give the student a chance to succeed. Yes, Tech might not be for everyone but that does not mean that the student’s opportunity to succeed should be taken away from him or her just because they might not be as gifted as the other students attending Tech. People change and if a student realizes the opportunity at hand, and has the determination and motivation to succeed, he will succeed. Now, imagine if this student was denied admission simply because said student was not smart enough. This would not be fair for the student. It is also worth mentioning that even though Tech’s acceptance rate is slightly higher than other universities, Tech still has the some of the smartest students in attendance.

With a decrease of incoming students, more would have the opportunity to receive scholarships and on-campus living. The residence halls always have an overflow of students and every year some get denied a place to live. How can Tech be accepting more students each year without addressing this issue? A student, no matter how smart, can’t succeed without a good place to live. Raising the admission requirements would give a better experience to students who have earned it. Plus other competitive schools aren’t hurting for students, and the competition could even bring in more applicants. Instead of hearing that Tech is a fall-back school, it could be a first choice for prospective students.

Looking at it from an economic perspective, increasing the admission standards would only decrease the amount of students who will be attending Tech. This entails higher tuition fees and a less diverse student population. Sure, this might mean only the best of the best get to attend Michigan Tech but the university is placed in such a remote location that it is entirely possible that increasing the admission requirements would only leave Tech with a few hundred students. Even now with the acceptance rate being slightly higher than other universities, Tech still only has around 5,700 undergraduates attending. Increasing the admission requirement would only decrease the amount of undergraduates attending.

Therefore, from an economic standpoint, increasing admission requirements would not be feasible.

ROUND 3

ROUND 1

Opinion Editor

Con:

ROUND 2

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According to The College Board, a grand total of 64 percent of Tech’s students graduate within six years. That blows a standard of going to college for four years out of the park. Additionally, only 85 percent of freshmen return for their second year, compared to the University of Michigan where 97 percent return for a second year. This is probably related to the fact that the University of Michigan has much higher admission requirements and 8 percent lower acceptance rate than Tech does. If Michigan Tech wanted to retain more students and in doing so provide a better learning environment, then it would raise the bar for future incoming classes.

Many factors affect the return rate of students. For one thing, in-state tuition at Michigan Tech is relatively high compared to other universities. Another factor affecting the return rate is the location of the school. Some people just don’t want to drive 500 miles to get to their school. Sure, 15 percent of student didn’t make it back but at least these students did not leave empty handed. They gained experience. Some of these students might have even transferred to the University of Michigan. Whatever the reason may be, at least these students got had an opportunity. Now, to take away this opportunity is unjust.

Michigan Tech Lode

OPINION

Thursday, December 10

Testing what we’ve learned or what we’ve memorized?

Lode Writer We all know that tests are a part of our education. But tests are not the way to learn. Standardized testing teaches students how to memorize facts rather than learn the information. By handing a student a Scantron and a pencil, we are testing the ability to spit back what we were told to memorize because it is important. What we should be learning in schools are the critical skills, such as being able to critically think, or social and communication skills we need to operate as members of a community and a nation.

American high schools focus on standardized tests such as the ACT and the SAT. These tests and scores determine our worth as students. There is so much pressure to do good on these objective tests that we often forget that the subjective skills are just as important. For example, standardized tests often do not test our ability to communicate with the people around us. Spitting back facts about the structure of a cell or dates of wars will not help students communicate in crucial times.

Another thing that standardized tests fail to test is someone’s ability to be

creative. Someone who scores poorly on a standardized test may be the best artist out there but due to the systematic teaching and testing, they cannot demonstrate their intelligence. It goes for other ‘artistic’ abilities as well. Standardized testing focuses on Common Core skills like science, math, grammar, and reading for information. The ability to contribute to conversations, speak a different language, or play an instrument is not tested. I believe these are skills that shape us as people. That’s not to say that science, math, and grammar do not have their own place in shaping our intelligence but rather that they should not be the only things that determine our intelligence.

Howard Gardner, a developmental psychologist, proposed his theory of multiple intelligences. There are nine different types that he lists. Of the nine, only the logical-mathematical, verbal-linguistic and occasionally the visual-spatial are tested. Intelligences like existential, musical rhythmic-harmony, and interpersonal are rarely tested or seen as important. In fact, these types of skills and intelligences are seen as so unimportant that most public schools lose their funding for such programs.

All in all, standardized testing is ruining our standards for intelligence. For students with intelligences such as the musical

A photo of a Scantron test form Photo courtesy of timlewisnm from flickr.com

rhythmic-harmony, they may feel less worthy or even stupid compared to their fellow classmates that are more logicalmathematical in intelligence. No one learns the same way and therefore standardized testing is not a good way to fairly test everyone.

Why capitalism trumps all Shan Amarnani Opinion Editor

Before I begin explaining why capitalism is the best of all economic and political structures, perhaps it would would be of great benefit and interest to first explain what capitalism is. Capitalism is an economic system which involves private ownership and is primarily driven by profits. Capitalism usually involves the production or creation of goods or services, most likely done for profit.

The reason this system works almost seamlessly is because of our very humanistic nature. Some of you may know that we are classified as mammals, which means we all fall under the category of animals. The nature of animals, or mammals more specifically, is to survive. We tend to disregard others’ circumstances and instead focus on our own interests; this is known as primal instincts.

Although we are at the very top, we all are still part of the animal kingdom hierarchy.

Because of this, we are primarily driven by our own interests which, in essence, is

basically what capitalism is all about. It’s about our interests and not about others.

It is the survival of the fittest. This can be a double-edged sword. The consequences of capitalism is that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Of course, this is not what is intended. I believe, however, that no matter how unfair life can be, we always have the choice to get back up and try harder. This is where capitalism shines. It favors those who have the drive to succeed and the persistence to keep moving forward.

A very good example of this is the story of Chris Gardner. Gardner’s childhood was surrounded by poverty, domestic violence, alcoholism, sexual abuse and family illiteracy.

He was raised by his mother and never knew his father. Gardner became fascinated with finance. He was motivated to learn as much as he could. Gardner was able to secure a spot in the Dean Witter Reynolds training program but became homeless when he could not make ends meet on his meager trainee salary. Despite all this, he was able to overcome all of life’s challenges and is now a CEO of his own stock brokerage firm.

Another very good example is the story of John Paul DeJoria. DeJoria grew up in a

Aric Rhodes

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broken home. His parents divorced when he was only two years old. His first job was selling Christmas cards door-to-door when he was only nine years old. He worked as a paperboy when he was 11 years old. He went into the Navy after graduating high school.

After getting out of the Navy in 1964, DeJoria worked a number of odd jobs. In 1971, DeJoria went into the hair care business as a sales representative. He started learning about the hair care business and decided to start his own hair care company with his friend, Paul Mitchell. After splitting up with his wife and giving almost all of his money to her, DeJoria had to live in his car for a while and had only $700 to his name. He had some samples of shampoos and conditioners made and started selling to salons door-todoor just as he did when he was a kid. After just two years, DeJoria and Mitchell made close to $1 million gross.

Both Gardner and DeJoria came from a life of poverty but they did not let that stop them from achieving success. This is what capitalism is all about. It’s about having the freedom to follow your passion. This is why, of all the economic and political structures, capitalism trumps all.

The home stretch, as my dad always put it. Finals week is the last chance for many students to make a meaningful impact on their grade. It is also one of the most dreaded parts of many students’ semesters. Testing has become an undeniable part of the scholastic system the world over, a way of judging as many students as quickly as possible. The problem with Final tests, though, is that there are a myriad of reasons not to use them, but they are often used regardless of this.

From test anxiety to simple burnout, there are a variety of reasons that a student may not be able to answer a question on a test that he or she may know how to solve.

These students and their very real conditions are simply ignored out of convenience by the testing system.

The commonly cited reasoning is that it would be too difficult to judge each student on an individual basis, and certain criteria must be met in order to prove competence in a subject.

Along with putting the burden on the student, saying they don’t “fit” the system, this reasoning can lead to another dead end in that tests are not necessarily the best way to prove knowledge of a subject. For example, one student might have a physical intuition built by working consistently with electronics in the labs of the course. This valuable skill would be utterly ignored in a paper and pencil test, in favor of comparatively less important fact memorization.

Thankfully, this over dependence on testing seems to be having a downhill trend. While it is unlikely that our culture will ever get over its love for standardized education, it is at the very least moving in the right direction. Final projects, presentations, and the like generally give a better demonstration of a student’s overall skill and learning level then a single test could, with less chance of being failed because of a bad day.

So, fellow students of Michigan Tech... as you go into the dreaded finals week, just remember this piece of solace: the system is broken, and the odds are stacked against you, but you’ve already gotten this far.

12

SPORTS

Thursday, December 10

# the By

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Points scored in last weekend’s women’s basketball game against Walsh, who now have a 4-2 game record.

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Points scored by women’s basketball player Danielle Blake during last weekend’s game against Walsh University.

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Shots on goal were made during the hockey team’s final bout last weekend while playing Alaska Anchorage.

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Players of the men’s basketball team scored double digit points attributing to their Dec. 3 win against Malone.

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Points scored by the leading men’s basketball player, freshman Bryan Heath, on Dec. 3.

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Football players, Ryan VanGoethem and Brett Gervais, were named post-season 2015 Academic All-Americans by CoSIDA.

Michigan Tech Lode

Women’s basketball fires up Utkarsh Mishra Lode Writer The Michigan Tech’s women’s basketball team started their season by playing two games last week against Malone University on Dec. 3 and Walsh University on Dec. 5. Tech started well, defeating Malone University by 80-55 and Walsh University by 70-64.

The first game against Malone University was a good contest in which the score-line was (20-15, 21-19, 20-12 and 19-9). The first two quarters were neck and neck, but Tech started dominating in the fourth quarter, attaining a massive lead and making their victory assured.

Tech’s Kylie Moxley set the tone early with 14 first-half points on 5-of-7 shooting. Morgan Anderson tied a school record with eight 3-pointers as part of a career-high 26 points. Playing without starters Kelli Guy and Brenna Heise (both injured), Anderson and the Huskies shot 54 percent on court and restricted the visitors to 34 percent shots on net.

Moxley set the tone early with 14 firsthalf points on 5-of-7 shooting. Tech held a 41-34 advantage at the half-time break, then they asserted themselves in the third quarter to jump ahead 61-46.

Anderson hit her seventh and eighth 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and had a chance to break the record with an open look from the left wing with 3:30 remaining that rimmed out. Coach Kim Cameron cleared her bench in the final minutes, and the Huskies extended their margin to a game-high 25 points for the final buzzer.

The second game against Walsh University was a close encounter in which the scoreboard ended as (15-14, 14-11, 20-18 and 26-17).

All four quarters were close enough to define a good contest between both

teams, but ultimately Tech emerged as the better team by winning with a small difference, 70-64. Michigan Tech committed 15 turnovers in the first half of the game but trailed by only one. The Huskies’ defense covered for the errors by limiting the Cavaliers to just two points off those turnovers.

Walsh made 4-of-6 3-point attempts in the third quarter and entered the fourth with a 47-44 advantage. Tech shut out the visitors for the first four minutes of the last frame and grabbed the lead. The teams played to a 55-all tie with 3:30 minutes left to play before Anderson put the Huskies up for good.

Blake finished with a game-high 20 points and added 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.

Anderson posted 18 points and Moxley

added 13 points and eight boards.

Walsh was led by Brooklyn Wooten’s 18 points and eight rebounds. Kelsey Funderburgh, who entered as their leading scorer at 16.0 per game, was held to seven points on 3-of-12 shooting.

Michigan Tech finished with a 38-28 rebounding advantage and committed just three turnovers in the second half.

The Huskies shot 49 percent from the floor compared to WU’s 42 percent.

On the match against Malone University, Coach Kim Cameron said, “Any time you can get a win is a good result, Walsh is a good team, and they really tested us. We were able to make the plays down the stretch, and it was a total team effort.

Tech will play its next game tonight against Findlay University in Findlay.

Lindsay Winter jumps up for a shot while Walsh player Alex Hochstedler defends the net.

Photo taken by Utkarsh Mishra

GLIAC North Player of the Week Press Release MTU Athletics Michigan Tech women’s basketball player Morgan Anderson (De Pere, Wis.) has been named GLIAC North Division Player of the Week for her performance in a pair of Huskies wins last week.

Anderson averaged 22.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists as Tech improved

to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in league play.

She posted a career-high 26 points with the help of a school-record tying eight 3-pointers in an 80-55 win over Malone last Thursday (Dec. 3). She hit four more triples en route to an 18-point night in a 70-64 win vs. Walsh on Saturday (Dec. 5).

Anderson averages 13.3 points per game on the season, having hit 21-of-46 3-pointers (45.7 percent) in six games.

During last year’s season, Anderson started in all 31 games for Tech, played a team high of 980 minutes and scored 323 points during the season. Anderson was also named the team’s outstanding newcomer in the 2013-14 season, playing in 27 games and scoring 70 points during the season.

Besides her career as a successful athlete, Anderson maintains a 3.68 cumulative GPA in biology.

Thursday, December 10 13 SPORTS Women’s basketball has four signed to NLI’s Sidelines

Michigan Tech Lode

Press Release MTU Athletics Michigan Tech women’s basketball coach Kim Cameron announced that four student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to join the program.

Hannah Hobson, Baillie McGirk, Abbey Ostman and Ellie Welsh will all continue their education and playing careers at Michigan Tech beginning in 2016-17.

Hobson, a 5-11 forward, is a senior at Stoughton High School. She earned allconference first team honors each of the last two seasons. A year ago, Hobson averaged 10.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while leading her team to a 17-7 record and a regional finals appearance.

Cameron on Hobson: “Hannah is an excellent leader and communicator on the floor. . . Hannah has great size which will cause match up problems with anyone that we play. She can defend all positions and offensively can score inside and out.”

McGirk is a 5-8 guard who’s finishing

her prep career at Rockford Lutheran High School in 2015-16. As a junior, she was named all-state honorable mention and all-conference first team after pacing the Crusaders to a 27-6 record and trip to the Illinois Class 3A state tournament quarterfinal.

Cameron on McGirk: “Baillie is a shifty guard who has great control and always makes the right decision. She has the ability to break down defenses and pick them apart. She stood out to us because of her tremendous court sense and decision making.”

Ostman, a senior at St. Ignace, is a 5-9 guard. She was named the 2015 UP Class D Player of the Year and to the allstate first team after leading the Saints to a 22-5 record and the 2015 Michigan Class D state title. Ostman averaged 17.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists as a junior and has a career point total of 1,057 through three prep seasons.

Cameron on Ostman: “Abbey is a tough, hard nosed kid who comes from a exceptional, discipline, high school team. Her

work ethic is what sets her apart from everyone else. Defensively she creates turnovers with active hands and a flat out desire to get the ball. Abbey can shoot the 3 and get to the basket. She will not be outworked and is a great fit for our program.”

Welsh is a 5-6 guard in her final season at Hononegah High School. She averaged 8.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game a year ago for the Indians, which advanced to the Illinois Class 4A regional finals.

She has been a part of three consecutive conference titles for HHS and is the team’s top returning scorer for 2015-16.

Cameron on Welsh: “She is a sharp shooter who has the ability to get to the rim and find open teammates. She is a tough player who can guard a number of positions and can knock down shots.

She leads by example and is a great teammate.” The four student-athletes will join the program next fall.

“These players are all tremendous student-athletes who will fit into and continue the tradition of our program both on and off the court,” added Cameron.

Huskies lose to Anchorage Press Release MTU Athletics Brett Boeing and Tyler Heinonen both scored goals and goaltender Matt Wintjes made 24 saves in his first-career start, but the No. 17-ranked Michigan Tech hockey team fell to Alaska Anchorage 3-2 in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association contest in front of 3,419 at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

Heinonen’s goal-scoring streak now stands at seven consecutive games. The all-time program record is 10 games in a row, shared by George Lyle (1975-76) and Gord Salt (1977-79) “Tonight’s game was very similar to last night’s in a lot of way,” said head coach Mel Pearson. “We didn’t get any puck luck this weekend. I give Alaska Anchorage a lot of credit, but we’re obviously disappointed in the results. We have to get back to work and there’s a lot of hockey left. This won’t define our season.”

Boeing’s first in-season goal as a Husky gave Tech a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.

Previous goals scored were pre-season.

After an extended shift in the offensive zone, Alex Gillies won a race to a loose puck and sent it to Jimmy Davis at the point. Davis corralled the pass, looked up and fired it towards the net. Boeing, who

was standing at the edge of the right circle, got his stick on the shot and redirected it just under the glove of Anchorage goalie Olivier Mantha.

Following an early second-period goal by the Seawolves, Tech fought back and regained a one-goal lead before the end of the middle frame. With the Huskies skating on the power play, Alex Petan took a pass from Boeing, skated to the middle and sent a low, hard wrister towards the net. Heinonen, who was camped out at

the edge of the crease, got just enough of the puck to tip it over the line for his WCHA-leading 11th goal of the season.

Alaska Anchorage scored twice in the third to rally and win.

Michigan Tech (9-6-1 overall; 8-6-0 WCHA) wraps up its first-half league schedule next weekend (Dec. 11-12) when it travels to Lake Superior State to take on the Lakers. Friday’s game starts at 7:37 p.m. while the finale is set for 7:07 p.m.

Forward player CJ Eick rails a shot past Alaska Anchorage’s goalie, Olivier Mantha.

Photo taken by Devin Miller

Varsity volleyball announcement Three women have signed National Letters of Intent for the 2016-17 season of women’s volleyball at Michigan Tech. Kristine Fink, an outside hitter and defensive specialist, hails from Scarsdale, N.Y. Fink played for the Scarsdale High School team for four years, having been a starter for three years and served as team captain for two years. During her high school career, Fink’s kill-counter totaled 736, 310 of which came from her senior year alone. Tech coach Matt Jennings said of Fink, “Kristine brings a lot to the team.

While skilled, her natural touch on the ball and feel for the game is obvious once you see her play in person.” Fink plans to pursue a bioengineering degree during her time at Tech. MacAulay Petersen, from Paw Paw Mich., served as an outside hitter for four years on her high school’s varsity team. Jennings said of Petersen, “MacAulay is the real deal. She has a cannon of an arm, great net presence and is capable of scoring a lot of points at the pins.” In addition to Fink and Petersen, Minnesota native Emilia Widen will join the Huskies next year. Widen is a middle blocker, having played on her high school’s volleyball team for three years and received the Burnsville Offensive Player of the Year as a senior. Coach Jennings commented on Widen, “Emilia brings skill, height and depth to our talented middle core.

She comes to us having learned the position from one of the best clubs around and will undoubtedly make our middle attack even stronger. Her ability to block and regularly contact the ball at a high point is impressive, and her understanding of the angles and spacing involved with the middle position is exceptional.”

Coach Jennings, who will serve his fifth season as head coach next fall, has lead the women’s volleyball team to its greatest season since 2008, with a total of 19 wins. The volleyball team also had an incredible 10-game winning streak during the start of this year’s season, and ended in the GLIAC Quarterfinals after losing to long-time rival Ferris State. With the addition of these three impressive players, the women’s volleyball team will have an aggressive edge to work with next season.

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Thursday, December 10

SPORTS

Michigan Tech Lode

Where’s the snow, El Niño?

Davy McLeod Lode Writer

El Niño’s presence has been evident these past few weeks, making Houghton and Hancock look starkly different from last year’s proclaimed “snowpocalypse.”

In 2014, Mt. Ripley opened over Michigan Tech’s Thanksgiving break, and there was snowfall almost every other day after that. Currently, Mt. Ripley is struggling with the lack of snow. Rest assured, however, there have been similar seasons in the past that were successful.

“Our main focus has always been opening as soon as possible.

We’re snow farmers, and we grow skiers and snowboarders. ” -Nick Sirdenis “We’ve been through this before,” said Mt. Ripley’s Nick Sirdenis. Sirdenis is the general manager of Mt. Ripley, and has been in the ski business close to four decades. “This year is just strange because we’re not getting the right temperatures for blowing snow.”

The right temperature for blowing

snow is around 29 degrees Fahrenheit, but forecasts in the near future are showing high thirties and low forties. When the conditions are right, Sirdenis is always ready.

“Our main focus has always been opening as soon as possible,” Sirdenis said.

Then smiling he adds: “We’re snow farmers, and we grow skiers and snowboarders.”

Is El Niño a great drought that will starve the farmer’s crops? Or is this simply a delayed winter that will arrive fashionably late? Sirdenis remains hopeful, and so does Lonie Glieberman; he’s the founder of Mt. Bohemia, a ski resort in the northern Keweenaw Peninsula just south of Copper Harbor.

“There will still be plenty of good snow days,” said Glieberman, adding, “Just, not as many.” Glieberman recalled the winters of 2009 and 2010, in which the snow was late to grace the resort in December, but came all the same to stay until March.

“When the snow is good, you just have to be ready,” he said.

Mt. Bohemia doesn’t groom any of their runs, appealing more to back-country skiing and snowboarding. Hence, they rely heavily on natural snowfall from the nearby Lake Superior.

It’s tricky to predict snowfall; that’s like trying to predict which football team will win the Super Bowl and by how much. As students, being flexible with travel time is tough: classes on weekdays, homework over weekends and evening exams make

up most of our schedules. Nonetheless, staring at stacks of papers, computer screens and lecture hall whiteboards can make a person go mad.

When the snow flies, take the opportunity to get out and go stare into another kind of white: the freedom that is a steep, snow covered hilltop.

Mont Ripley protests El Niño as December rolls past with no signs of snow.

Photo taken by Davy McLeod

Men’s basketball beats Malone Tasauf Torzo Lode Writer On Dec. 3, the Huskies’ men’s basketball team won their GLIAC home opener against Malone for their sixth consecutive year to improve to a 2-2 overall standing and 1-0 standing in league play.

In the first half of the game, Malone was in full control of the court, taking an aggressive lead of 27-19. The Huskies bounced back to Malone with all their effort, scoring nine points in the next five minutes, which was followed by Bryan Heath’s triple with 1:19 remaining in the first quarter.

With the way Malone’s players were dominating the court, it seemed like there was no hope for the Huskies to

win. However, the Huskies made a great comeback and won the first half with a score of 37-34.

In the second half the Huskies kept the heat and completely dominated the court without giving Malone a single scope to take a lead. Tech won the second half with a score of 49-38 and the Huskies victoriously ended the game with a final score of 86-72.

All of the five starter players for Tech scored more than 10 points. Freshman player Bryan Heath topped the list with 22 points while Kyle Monroe came closely behind with 18. Luke Heller added 15 points, Dillon Gordon scored 12 and Jeff Gregory also added 10 points to the final score. These five players collectively scored 77 points out of the total 86 for the game, allowing the Huskies to achieve an easy victory.

The Huskies played their second game of the week on Dec. 5, against Walsh.

They failed to win the match, but the heat from their winning game against

“With the way Malone’s players were dominating the court, it seemed like there was no hope for the Huskies to win.”

Malone carried over. The first quarter of the game was a toss-up.

Both teams scored, but the half ended with Walsh winning it, 41-35.

Walsh continued to score in the second half, keeping the lead. The Black and Gold tried to get back into the game but failed to win. Nearly at the end of the second half, the Huskies fell back 18 points, then scored six points with 1:14 remaining, though they could not complete their attempted comeback.

Heath scored a team-high 13 points, tying Gregory, who scored the highest total points of his career. Monroe scored 12 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists during the game. The second half ended with a score of 42-36 in favor of Walsh, who won the game, 83-71.

The Huskies will play their next game tonight, at 7:30 p.m., at Findlay.

Michigan Tech Lode

SPORTS

Thursday, December 10

15

Ski team’s UP Dual Meet canceled Michael Rader Lode Writer Last weekend’s UP Dual Meet was supposed to feature the Upper Peninsula ski trails we all know and love: the ones with glistening white snow, blistering winds and the familiar omni-cloud stretching across the horizon.

Instead, Mother Nature has smiled upon the UP this year and granted us the warm, precipitation-free weather we expect from Kansas. What she did not realize is how much we miss the bad weather, especially when, it comes to snow sports. For the Huskies Nordic Ski team, the warm weather has brought cold tidings: their officially scheduled meet had to be canceled.

Instead, the team held a scrimmage race against the Northern Michigan Wildcats’ skiers. Because of the sparse packets of snow, the teams had to use “rock skis,” old skis over which damage is not fretted.

They were able to get in some competition and a good race, though none of it was official. Head Coach Joe Haggenmiller says

the meet “...was productive as a test for us.”

He added longing for more of our favorite flaky precipitation: “We are hoping for a dumping of snow so we can get in some better training.” Unfortunately, he may have to wait a while.

Anyone who has stepped outside in the past month knows that something unusual is happening. Our highs have been in the fifties, allowing us to walk to campus in shorts and not even feel the breeze.

Our lows have been similarly warm, barely dipping below 30 degrees Fahrenheit at all this past month.

Though it may sound old-fashioned, the common belief is that without temperatures below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, winter really hasn’t yet shown her icy, heartless self. Please, Lady Winter, if you’re reading this, we want you back.

On Saturday, Dec. 5, when the meet was supposed to take place, the high reached 52 degrees, and Houghton has had just over 10 inches of snow this year. Last year on the same date, Houghton peaked at a balmy 27 degrees, we already had over 40 inches of snow, and it was snow that

stayed. Our average snowfall by this time of year is over 22 inches, so it has clearly been a slow start. As a result many Yoopers are asking, “Why?” We have all heard about El Niño, but it remains unclear to many exactly what El Niño is (or why it is important to our weather). El Niño is the warmest phase of the meteorological oscillation of the southern Pacific Ocean. El Niños can last

“We are hoping for a dumping of snow so we can get in some better training.”

-Joe Haggenmiller

a year or more, and the current conditions have been occurring since July (hence our unusually dry autumn).

Typical El Niño effects are the warm, dry winters of Seattle and Vancouver, but especially strong oscillations can extend the effect all the way from the Pacific to the American Northeast. For those cities along that band (like Houghton), the warm weather can be unusually persistent for many months.

The Climate Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gave a 90 percent prediction that this El Niño effect would remain strong through the 2015-16 winter, and an 80 percent chance to continue through spring. This would result in far less snow than the UP is used to (an average of 240 inches in Houghton) and far warmer temperatures.

This does not bode well for the ski team, who needs the snow to train and race effectively. The team is scheduled to compete at the Wildcat Open in Marquette this coming weekend, but mother nature has put the meet on tentative hiatus.

Upcoming

Events December 10 - December 16 Equal and Opposite - Opening Reception

Thursday, Dec. 10 5 - 7 p.m. Rozsa Gallery B

Student Learning Lab Showcase, a showing of the student-transformed space at the end of the fall semester.

Masters Defense: Julie Osborne

Friday, Dec. 11 12 - 2 p.m. Fisher 329

Advisor: Dr. Megan Frost “Inhibition of Bacterial Growth and Prevention of Bacterial Adhesion With Localized Nitric Oxide Deliver.�

Straight Outta Cometon

Friday - Sunday, Dec. 11 - 13 2:30, 5:30, 8:30, 11:30 p.m. Fisher 135

The group NWA emerges from the mean streets of Compton in Los Angeles, California, in the mid-1980s and revolutionizes Hip Hop culture with their music and tales about life in the hood.

Songs of the Season: MTU Concert Choir and MTU Chamber Singers

Saturday, Dec.12 7:30 - 10 p.m. Rozsa

The Michigan Tech Concert Choir and conScience: Michigan Tech Chamber Singers explore Songs of the Season!

Home for the Holidays

Wednesday, Dec.16 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Alumni House

The Keweenaw Alumni Chapter invites you home for the Holidays. Enjoy a festive evening at the Alumni House in the company of Michigan Tech alumni, staff, faculty and friends.

See you next semester!

-The Michigan Tech Lode