U.P. 200 sled race starts Friday

The U.P. 200 will start Friday, Feb. 17, and continue through Tuesday, Feb. 22. The race will start at 7:10 p.m. in downtown Marquette and go through Deerton, Munising, Gwinn and Grand Marais.

“Student will be volunteering, along with many others,” said Pam Forsberg of the U.P. Sled Dog Association.

Activities will include a Winter Fest party at the Upfront and Company from 7-11 p.m. on Friday night. The race will end on Sunday, Feb. 20, at Mattson Park in Marquette. The award ceremony will be held on Monday, Feb. 21 at 8 a.m.

– Adelle Whitefoot

Fraternity comes to NMU

The Alpha Chi Rho national fraternity will be coming to NMU to try to start a chapter. The expansion coordinator, Ryan Barck, came to NMU last fall and presented to the Green Council in  hopes of opening a chapter.

“We are seeking students who want to beat the stereotype that exists on campus,” Barck said.

Alpha Chi Rho started in 1895 in Hartford, Conn., and has 25 active fraternities on campuses around Michigan, including Central Michigan University, Ferris State University and Oakland University.

Barck said he wants students who value academics and community service, and also students who want to make a positive influence on campus and leave a lasting legacy.

“Alpha Chi Rho has come to NMU because we want to create a positive environment for students … and help network for jobs after college,” Barck said.

Barck will be at NMU until Saturday, Feb. 19, to try to get the word out about Alpha Chi Rho. There will be an informational meeting tonight at 7 p.m. in the Back Room of the University Center. For more information on Alpha Chi Rho, visit www.alphachirho.org or e-mail Barck at [email protected].

— Robyn Goodman

Economic Forum to be held

Northern Michigan University will present “Michigan’s New Normal: Our State’s Economic, Revenue and Budget Situation” at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, in Reynolds Recital Hall. It is free and open to the public.

Jeffrey Guilfoyle, president of Citizens Research Council of Michigan, will speak about the state’s economy. He has worked as director of the Office of Revenue and Tax Analysis in the Michigan Department of Treasury. Guilfoyle advised the state treasurer on economic and revenue matters and was responsible for the administration’s economic and revenue forecast. His areas of expertise include school finance reform, intergovernmental fiscal relations and Michigan’s tax structure. He has authored papers on the economic effects of property taxes and on Michigan’s revenue sharing system.

This forum is hosted by the NMU political science and public administration department and the office of the president. For more information, call (906) 227-2019.

— NMU News Bureau