Northern Michigan University and its Technical, Office and Professional (TOP) union, UAW Local 1950, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Jan. 24 that will accelerate the previously negotiated wage increase timeline by more than three years. The MOU increases the minimum hourly rate from $12.75 to $15.10, effective immediately. About 70% of members will receive some boost in hourly pay.

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance will present its inaugural CO/LAB Company full-length performance, a vibrant dance showcase featuring a variety of styles and three pieces choreographed by NMU students. The schedule includes 7:30 p.m. performances Feb. 2-4 in Forest Roberts Theatre, and a 1 p.m. sensory-friendly Theatre for All matinee on Feb. 4.

Seven Northern Michigan University faculty members have been selected to receive 2023 Faculty Research Grants. The awards of $7,000 each support scholarly activities such as publications, the creation of artistic works, manuscript development and research projects. The recipients and their project titles are:

Current and recently admitted Northern Michigan University students are invited to apply for NMU Foundation donor-funded scholarships for the 2023-24 school year. About 500 scholarships are available. The application system is open through Monday, Feb. 20.

A new exhibition titled "It's All Downhill: Alpine Skiing in the U.P." will open at the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University on Saturday, Jan. 21. It focuses on the region's skiing roots introduced by Scandanavians and the Alpine ski hills that have operated across the U.P. for the past 80 years. 

Beginning this semester, Northern Michigan University is partnering with Bark River-Harris (BR-H) High School to offer NMU's first dual enrollment course in the field of education. Sixteen students from BR-H and three to five students from Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy are participating in the course, Schooling in America. The goals are to give students the opportunity to gain college credits while in high school, and to potentially interest them in pursuing a career in education.

An exhibition of creative works by Northern Michigan University School of Art & Design faculty will open with a free, public reception from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at NMU's DeVos Art Museum. The Faculty Biennial Exhibition highlights diverse achievements in all media and concentrations.

Mark Hares, a 1989 Northern Michigan University alumnus who serves as mental health services manager at Marquette Branch Prison, will present "Psychology in Corrections" at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, in The Science Building, room 2902.

NMU Philosophy Professor Antony Aumann is featured prominently in a "New York Times" story on how students' increasing use of A.I. chatbots is prompting universities to restructure courses and take preventive measures. He continues to field numerous interview requests as other media worldwide have focused on the topic. Aumann said a red flag went up in response to a paper submitted in his world religions class last semester. After confronting the student, who ultimately confessed to using ChatGPT to write it, Aumann planned to implement changes in his courses this month.