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UM News Silver – September 20, 2019

On UM News this week, you’ll learn about a naval research study that took place on campus, how an event gave students tips on self-care, and how student-housing developments could be a cause for empty dorm rooms on campus. UM News was produced by Tessa Nadeau and directed by Tina Brennan.

UM News Maroon – September 20, 2019

On this edition of UM News, you’ll learn how UM’s electric buses will help save money in the long run, while also improving air quality. We’ll also tell you about the economic impact that the asbestos issue had on ASUM Childcare. This week’s show was produced by Tessa Nadeau and directed by Tina Brennan.

Naval Office Training Program at UM

A naval research study that is taking place at UM looks into the progress volunteers make in physical conditioning.

The Office of Naval Research is planning on using the results to develop a personal training app.

Exercise Science Researcher Brent Ruby oversees the student and community member volunteers.

“I think we have about 35, 40 people in this particular project. It’s a very simple calisthenic based program so basically, are they getting better? At what rate?,” Ruby said.

The program is 4 months long.

ASUM Transportation Electric Buses

ASUM Transportation is benefiting the local air quality and helping UM save money. This is Due to ASUM’s electronic buses. Electric buses admit no carbon emissions and divert enough diesel fuel to fill the entire Grizzly pool. These buses cost 720 thousand dollars but will pay for themselves in about 11 years due to the amount of fuel saved.

Dorm Room Decline

Competition from new student housing complexes could be the cost that stay empty.

Roam Student Living’s leasing manager said numbers increased Roam by about 20 percent this year. She also said these complexes offer things the dorms don’t.

UM Student Peyton Croaker agreed.

“I loved the amenities that Roam had in comparison to the dorms, having a washer and drying and having a bathroom in my unit was huge for me with like privacy and personal things,” Croaker said.

Dorm rates at UM cost from two to three thousand dollars per semester. This compared closely with Roam’s Monthly rates that start at about five hundred and fifty dollars for a four bedroom per person.

ASUM Childcare Facility “Feels like a New Home”

The ASUM Childcare Facility still needs to recover thousands of dollars in toys and equipment left behind after the asbestos outbreak.

The program finally returned to its original home in McGill Hall this summer after a temporary relocation back in January. All staff was advised to leave behind anything that wasn’t essential in order to prevent the spread of the contamination.

Director of ASUM Childcare, Vicki Olson, says that aside from the financial setback, it was a unifying experience for the program.

Self Care Fair

A university event provided students and the community with tips to destress. The Student Involvement Network hoped it would broaden what people think of as self care. 

University student Sydney Bish says that these events are a good break from her routine.

UM Children’s Dance Class

Children in the community are taking dance classes hosted by the university’s preforming arts program.

Professor Laurel Sears instructs a class at the university level which teaches students the basics of conducting a toddler dance class on a professional level.

Sears says the class is a creative movement-based class that teaches children ages three to ten to use their excited energy and direct it towards a creative form of expression.

“It’s just a joy to get to know kids and be around their sweet energy. It’s fun to get to know professionals that will be going into the world and they get to have a little more of a voice as a teacher in this space,” Sears said.

The classes run for twelve weeks and students can still enroll after the first week.

Written and edited by Tina Brennan

UM Farm to Market

This summer, UM Dining started “The Farm to Market” in the University Center to promote UM fresh food gardens.

Fresh produce from the university gardens and farms across Western Montana are sold Tuesdays in the UC Market.

UM Gardens cultivates more than 90 different fruits and vegetables annually. This produce is not only used on campus, but also in the Iron Griz restaurant/catering business.

Garden manager, Stasia Orkwiszewski, said that even though the gardens don’t pull in a lot of revenue, they fulfill the agricultural needs of the campus.