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Tuesday, September 24
Will the UP become the 51st state? RAND SILVERS Lode Writer Suggested pull quote: “There is nothing more American than a group trying to form a government that is more suited to their needs” -Chad Stevens At a rally on Sept. 7, 2013 in Kinross, Michigan, Chad Stevens, President of the Northern Michigan Liberty Alliance called for the secession of the UP, the northern part of the Lower Peninsula and parts of northeastern Wisconsin to form the new U.S. state of Superior. To many, this idea seems rather outlandish. For instance, when asked, Michigan Tech student Sawyer West said, “I didn’t realize they even had enough people to become a state.” But to Stevens and his organization, the only outlandish thing is that the UP is even part of Michigan in the first place. In fact, the UP was only included after Michigan came out on the losing side of a bloodless border dispute with Ohio called “The Toledo War.” In December 1836, a compromise was finally worked out that gave Ohio the Toledo Strip, while the UP was added to the Michigan Territory as a sort of consolation prize. The first mention of UP independence in a major publication was as early as an 1858 article in the Wall Street Journal. Since then, support for the movement has peaked and ebbed at various times, most recently coming to a head in the 1970’s, when an independence initiative came within one vote of passing the Michigan legislature and being presented to Congress. While this movement is not new, it still enjoys support today. Stevens finds that in his discussions with voters the topic “really strikes a chord” with voters across the spectrum, many of whom believe their interests are not being heard in Lansing, bringing up the 2010 example of a group of counties in the UP that issued Lansing a petition for the right to grow hemp which has received no response. Stevens also claims there would be economic advantages to secession, citing at his rally a study claiming that for every dollar paid in taxes, residents of the UP only receive 96 cents in benefits. Not everyone shares Stevens’ predictions for an independent UP, however. In an emailed statement, Brian Hoduski, co-chair of the Houghton County Democratic Party, stated that “the UP untethered from the rest of Michigan would be an economic disaster,” citing concerns about the cost of such things as road maintenance. Other critics point out that the UP would be the smallest state in the country, with only 60 percent the population of Wyoming, which is currently the smallest state. There is also some discussion about how Michigan Tech would fare in the case of secession. Hoduski questions whether the UP would be able to provide the level of financial support the school has traditionally received from Lansing, and asks “How many downstate kids would still come to MTU if they had to pay out-ofstate tuition?” Stevens, however, states his belief that “the overwhelming majority of voters would be happy to have Tech as part of a new University system, and subsidize it.”
NEWS
Michigan Tech Lode
Handling stress before it starts NICOLE IUTZI Lode Writer
Students tend to feel extreme levels of stress around final exam week as they study for hours and prepare for exams. That fateful week, activities are offered to students to help relieve some of the anxiety and pressure put upon them, but what about resources, tips or events for students to prevent stress during the rest of the semester? There are many basic wellness activities which can help to reduce stress. “Exercise is really helpful in terms of managing stress it helps with mood disturbance and anxiety,” said Crystal McLeod, Clinical Psychologist for Counseling and Wellness Services. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise can help with sleep, your mood and help to forget the irritations of the day. Adding exercise to your busy college schedule may be difficult, but there are some tricks to getting the most out the time you have. Try exercising with a friend or take three 10-minute walks instead of one 30 minute one. Maybe grab a mat and try out some yoga poses. Michigan Tech offers adult community programs through Recreation and students are welcome to sign up for classes like yoga, tennis, zumba and aqua fit. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is another basic way to reduce stress, along with having a nutritional diet. “One big thing would be time management so that you’re not playing catch-up so the work you are doing is being spread over the entire semester rather than at these spurts,” said McLeod. Use tools like Google Calendar or a planner to schedule your day so don’t have to keep it all in your brain. “Schedule fun time into your schedule to relax so you have the time,” said Whitney Boroski, coordinator for Health and Wellness. Academic success coaches are available in the Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success to help students with time management, study skills and effective use of campus resources. There are academic success workshops titled “Study Smarter, Not Harder” available to students through mid October. To RSVP to an academic success workshop, please email (simpson@mtu.edu).
Presentations on topics related to healthy living and stress management are available through Health and Wellness Services. Some presentations include discussions on sexual health and risk management. Any student organization or group can schedule a presentation, but they do ask that you call a week ahead of time. Take advantage of the resources available to you on campus. Taking the proper preventable actions, like scheduling a time with a learning center coach before you start to fall behind, can only benefit you. Visit professors’ office hours and ask questions in class. Be realistic about your expectations and limits for each new semester or position you take on. “It’s important to know your limits, people have this very crazy idea of what they can actually handle and what reality actually is,” said Boroski. “We’re taught from our freshman year that everything we do has to benefit our resume or ourselves, you can’t do something just because you want to do it. Those events overshadow the fun events,” said Cassandra Kussow, Peer-health advocate in Health and Wellness Services. With so many different student organizations on campus, join a group that would be fun for you where you won’t be stressed if you miss a meeting. Find something that isn’t going to be stressful in your life, find a hobby, take thirty minutes and watch a show you like or read a book other than a textbook, knit, hike, go biking, do something fun. Try a new perspective and find at least one positive aspect of what you’re doing. Being happy to see a friend in your least favorite class could offer more of an incentive to actually attend the class. “However if you’re noticing significant impacts in your sleep...you may notice your mood drops down, you’re irritable, you can’t concentrate or you feel very overwhelmed, you may need a little additional support during those times and that might be a good time to set up an appointment with a counselor,” said McLeod. With abundant resources on campus for you to take advantage of, reach out and speak with someone who is willing to help before you overload your semester. Health and Wellness Services is located in the top floor of the Outdoor Adventure Program (OAP) house.
2013 Homecoming recap KATELYN WAARA News Editor Friday night’s windy conditions, cloudy skies and the occasional sprinkle of rain didn’t hinder the hundreds of students who headed out to Chute and Ladders for the Homecoming 2013 pep rally and cardboard boat races. Nestled near the Portage Canal, the parade led down to the waterfront park where Blizzard “wobbled” to the blaring music, the Michigan Tech Cheer and Dance teams performed and the pep band proudly played our favorites. Members of the Huskies football team also attended the pep rally to deliver this message to fans: “Thanks for the support and GO HUSKIES!” Following the Michigan Tech fight song, students from
organizations across campus braved the balmy 65 degree water to race their homemade cardboard boats.Triangle Fraternity was the first successful organization to maneuver their duct-taped vessel around the buoy and make it back to shore without sinking. Flags representing the many organizations flew over the crowd as more boats entered the water. Swimming from campus, West McNair residences created their own shark-finned hats to tie the team’s uniforms together, uniting them as one as they prepared for their turn at the rowing. Towels were provided for those who did not fare the waters well. As another Homecoming week closes, planning for next year begins. Look for more photos from this year’s Homecoming festivities on page seven the Pulse section!