Benefits and History of the Experience Tech Initiative

Explore the benefits of the Experience Tech Initiative and view a brief history of this collaborative program.

Experience Tech Benefits

The Experience Tech fee complements the Student Activity Fee and provides students the opportunity to experience much more of Michigan Tech. Students have access to regularly scheduled theatre; jazz, orchestra, wind symphony, pep band, and choir performances; cross-country and downhill skiing; hockey games; art gallery showings; snowboarding; year-round tennis; golfing at Portage Lake Golf Course; and Intramural sports.

• Mont Ripley Skill Hill
• Gates Tennis Center
• Portage Lake Golf Course
• Huskies Hockey
• Intramural Sports
• Outdoor Adventure Program
• Rozsa Presenting Series
• Tech Trails and Forest
• Music and Theater Performances
• Student Health and Well-being

Mont Ripley

Mont Ripley welcomes all snow enthusiasts. The ski area is owned by Michigan Technological University and sits in the middle of Houghton and Hancock. Mont Ripley is a star attraction of the scenic Keweenaw Peninsula, home to the most snow in the Midwest.

• 24 Trails
• 440' Vertical Drop
• 112 Acres of Skiable Terrain
• 100% Night Skiing and Snowmaking
• Six Different Glade Runs
• Three Lifts
• Tubing Park—3 lanes, 1 handle tow
• One mile from the Michigan Tech campus
• Powder Bowls, Beginner Hills to Expert Runs, Cruisers to Bumps, Racers to Glades
• Terrain Parks with Jumps and Slides

Because Mont Ripley is in the snowiest town in the Midwest (Hancock, Michigan, was designated third snowiest city in America by the Weather Channel), not only will you have more opportunity to ski some fresh powder, but our groomed runs are velvety soft corduroy in which hero turns can be made! Although Mont Ripley has a great learning area with a learn-to program to fit your needs and wallet, we are famous for our challenging terrain. From our urban back country glades to our terrain parks with more than thirty features—including jumps and slides to challenge your abilities—Mont Ripley is that hidden gem you've been looking for.

Watch Ride Along: Skiing at Mont Ripley video

Watch Tubing at Mont Ripley video

If you have never skied or snowboarded and would like instruction, Michigan Tech offers several physical education courses where beginners and the experienced can receive weekly lessons.

What it Covers

The fee includes access to Mont Ripley ski hill (when there's snow on the ground of course) and one 50% discount on ski or snowboard daily rental package.

Procedure

Michigan Tech students will have the opportunity to receive a Mont Ripley Season Pass that allows you unlimited skiing and snowboarding during our season. Along with the season pass is a free reciprocal day of skiing at Big Powderhorn Mountain, Pine Mountain, Marquette Mountain and the Porkies. Also, we have reciprocal days with Ski Copper, Monarch Mt. and Powderhorn Mt. in Colorado. A tubing park discount also comes with the season pass.

Gates Tennis Center

Come and play tennis or pickleball at Gates Tennis Center! Enjoy a set or two on one of our four indoor courts, one of which has two outlined pickleball courts — with open weekday and weekend court hours available, playing tennis and pickleball year-round has never been this easy. Your fee also covers racquet rentals, tennis balls, and ball machine use.

Procedure

Fill out the SDC Facility Reservation Form ahead of time to reserve the space more than 24 hours in advance! Simply bring your valid Michigan Tech student ID and the front desk attendant will direct you to your court. Reservations made less than 24 hours in advance must be made in person. These reservations can be made with the front desk attendant just prior to the reservation, if available. Just bring your Michigan Tech student ID. If you wish to play over the weekend and online reservations were not made online prior to Friday, they must be made in person with the front desk attendant.

For additional information on hours and reservation policies please see the Gates Tennis Center website.

Portage Lake Golf Course

Greens fees are covered with the Experience Tech program. Rental clubs for students are only $5. Student Discounts apply for pull carts, cart rentals and lessons. Students shall make a tee time online. Remember to arrive early and present your Michigan Tech ID to the attendant.

For information about proper golf etiquette, please visit the USGA website.

Procedure

Visit the Portage Lake Golf Course website or call 906-487-2641 to book your tee time and for further details on rates, location, course information, and policies.

Huskies Hockey

A block of 750 seats available in sections J - O are held for Experience Tech students. Your valid Michigan Tech ID will gain you access to the John MacInnes Ice Arena student entrance (northwest corner of arena near the double doors leading to Portage Health) one hour prior to each home hockey game. Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Procedure

Your Michigan Tech ID will gain you access to the John MacInnes Ice arena student entrance one hour prior to each home hockey game. Seats are first-come, first-serve in pre-designated sections marked Experience Tech Seats.  If a student would like to sit next to a friend, it is best for both the student and friend to enter the ice arena at the same time.

What if all 750 E.T. Seats are Claimed?

The Athletic Department is continuing to offer $5 student tickets for the upcoming regular season as a carry over from the previous seasons. As long as reserved seating is still available on the student half (North side) of the arena, you will receive a reserved seat for $5 after Experience Tech tickets are gone. Once reserved seating is sold out, you will receive a standing room ticket until those are sold out at which time all ticket sales stop per fire code.

Regardless of whether the seat you pick is an Experience Tech seat or a purchased $5 student ticket, you will be required to show your valid student Michigan Tech ID at the time you pick up your ticket, and at the entrance on game night.

Michigan Tech Students can still purchase season tickets if they would like to be guaranteed the same seat location for every home game.

Intramural Sports

The Intramural-Sports program has been an integral part of the Michigan Tech experience since the early 1970s. Over the years we have offered a variety of recreational activities for the Michigan Tech student body. We continue to improve and expand our recreational services and facilities. We strive to be innovative and creative in satisfying the recreational needs of the student body.

What it Covers

Free IM-Sports program (no entry fees)

Restrictions

Due to restriction of ice time, ice hockey will be restricted to 50 teams. A deposit is required to help reduce forfeits (please see Deposit/Forfeit Policy below).

Forfeit Fee Policy

Forfeits

For all Intramural leagues/tournaments, if a team forfeits a game, they will be charged a forfeit fee and eliminated from playoff consideration. The amount of the fee varies from sport to sport and is based on factors such as length of game, amount of staff required for the game, etc. A second forfeit by a team will result in the team being removed from the league/tournament and an additional forfeit fee being assessed. This includes forfeits resulting from, but not limited to:

• Not having enough players to start a game – Game time is forfeit time (see exception)
• Not having enough players to continue a game due to players being ejected/disqualified.
• Being assessed a forfeit (disqualified) by the officials or game supervisor for unsportsmanlike conduct, excessive physical play, fighting, etc...

Forfeit Fee Tiers

• $75.00 – Ice Hockey
• $30.00 – Basketball, Flag Football, Floor Hockey, Softball
• $20.00 – Frisbockey, Innertube/Water Polo, Soccer 4’s, Volleyball,
• $10.00 – Individual/Dual Sports, Bowling, Wallyball, Sand Volleyball Fours, 3‐on‐3 Basketball, Second forfeit in same day for team sports
• $ 5.00 – Second forfeit in same day for Individual/Dual Sports, Bowling, Wallyball, Sand Volleyball Fours and 3‐on‐3 Basketball.

Forfeit Fee Notes 

• All Forfeit Fees will be paid at the Central Ticket Office on the first floor of the SDC.
• Once the fee has been assessed, all players on the team will be ineligible to participate in any intramural activity until all fees are paid! The entire team will be suspended on IMLeagues. Suspensions will be lifted once the fees are paid!
• Payment Instructions
  • Forfeit fees must be paid within 48 hours of the team’s forfeit or prior to noon on the day of the team’s next game (by noon Friday if the team’s next game is on Saturday or Sunday), whichever comes first. If a team does not pay the forfeit fee prior to their deadline, the team’s remaining schedule will be cancelled, and the team will be removed from the league. NOTE: This does not forgive fee(s) owed.
  • The supervisor will fill out a form that a forfeit has occurred. They will put it in the folder with the score sheets.
  • The IM Office will contact (email or phone) the team captain the following day.
  • The team captain, assistant captain, or designated team member must pay the forfeit fee at the Central Ticket Office.
  • If the fee is not paid by the designated date/time the team will be dropped from league play in that sport and they will not participate in any other IM competition until the fee is paid.
  • Paying the fee does not cancel the forfeit. It is still a forfeit. Two forfeits and the team are dropped from league play. All information will be recorded at the IM office and Central Ticket Office.
• Unpaid Fees
  • Teams that have not paid their forfeit fee by the end of the sport’s play‐off  tournament will have a $10.00 late fee assessed ($5.00 late fee for $10.00 forfeit fees).
  • Teams are still responsible for any fees resulting from forfeits during the playoffs.
  • The team captain is ultimately responsible to the Intramural Program for any fees owed.
  • The captain may have a hold placed on their IMLeagues account and will not be allowed to register for any further intramural event until the fee is paid.
  • If a team still has outstanding fees, the team captain may have a hold placed on their grades, transcripts and registration until all fees are paid
• Weekend Tournaments
  • For weekend individual/dual events and team tournaments, the same forfeit policy will be enforced.
  • If an individual or team plans not to show up for an event, he/she had originally signed up for, they will need to contact the Intramural Office by noon the day before the event is scheduled to begin.
  • If an individual or team doesn’t contact the Intramural Office and doesn’t show up for the event, he/she will be assessed a forfeit fee and a hold will be put on their IMLeagues account.

Forfeit Time

Game time is forfeit time! At game time the clock timing the contest will be started. At this time, the offended team is given the option to take the victory or wait up to 10 minutes for the other team and play the game. Once the decision is made by the offended captain, it may not be reversed and the outcome of the contest will stand. Any time consumed by waiting for a team shall be taken off the time allotted for the game.
In the event that neither team is ready to play at the designated starting time, a double forfeit will be declared.

Outdoor Adventure Program (OAP)

Michigan Tech is a prime location for outdoor adventure, and the OAP wants to get you outside and active! The Outdoor Adventure Program is funded by the Experience Tech fee.

We help connect students to the outdoors through guided trips, leadership training, information sessions, equipment rental, and by working closely with student organizations to help advertise and program events. We have been busy working hard to bring students excellent outdoor opportunities.

Each person who has paid the Experience Tech fee also gets a one-day snowshoe rental. You must visit OAP in person with your Michigan Tech ID to take advantage of the offer.

You can also get access to Nordic ski equipment rental for the Recreational Trails. 

Watch Ride Along: Mountain Biking video

Watch Michigan Tech Huskies Learn and Compete in Log-Rolling video

Presenting Series Events at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts

Through your Experience Tech Fee, you can experience  extraordinary touring performances from around the country and the world for free. This year’s season curates a wide range of disciplines including dance, theater, music, art, comedy, and film. Simply present your valid Michigan Tech ID card at the ticket office. When you attend, you must be present with your Michigan Tech ID, and may bring one additional guest.

Procedure

Events take place at the Rozsa’s James A. and Margaret C. Black Performance Hall. There are 300 ET seats available for each event on a first-come, first-served basis, so advance reservations are recommended* To reserve your seats and receive your tickets in advance, please reserve your tickets online or present your valid Michigan Tech Student ID at the Rozsa. Unclaimed ET seats will be released to the general public 10 minutes prior to the start of a performance. For more information please contact the Rozsa  at 906-487-1906 or rozsa@mtu.edu

*Please note that for shows with less than 300 seats available, ET only is limited by capacity.

Michigan Tech Trails and Recreational Forest

The Michigan Tech trail system accommodates all levels of classic and skate skiers, mountain bikers, snow bikers, snowshoers, walkers, hikers and runners—from beginner to the advanced user. The trails are available to Michigan Tech students with a valid Michigan Tech ID.

Sense what it's like riding through our University's trail system on a mountain bike. Check out what the trails are like in the winter.

The trails are available to students and trails enthusiasts.  Users and events include:

• Big Foot Snowshoe Event
• Blue Key Skate and Classical Race
• Community Programs Boot Camp Conditioning
• Copper Country Cycling Club Races
• Down Wind Sports Demo Day
• Junior Olympics Qualifying Races
• Mountain Bike Festival Events
• Muck Run
• Nordic Ski Club Events
• Omega House Hike for the House
• Outdoor Adventure Program Great Northern Adventure Race
• PE Cross Country Skiing Classes
• PE Road Biking Classes
• ROTC Events
• U.S. Nationals Obstacle Course
• Varsity Cross Country Team Races and GLIAC Meets
• Varsity Nordic Ski Team Races
• Wellness Program Snowshoe/Snow Bike Demo
• Winter Carnival Races

More information about trail conditions, equipment rentals and use is available on the the Michigan Tech Trails and Recreational Forest website!

Michigan Tech Music and Theater Performance

Admission to Michigan Tech Music and Theater performances presented by the Visual and Performing Arts Department are a part of the Experience Tech program. When you attend a Michigan Tech Music or Theater performance (approximately 28 per year)  with your valid Michigan Tech Student ID, you may also bring one non-student at no additional cost.

Procedure

Events may take place at either the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts or McArdle Theatre. Please present your valid Michigan Tech Student ID at the performance hall entrance to be scanned. You and one guest will be admitted. You must be present with your valid student ID for your guest’s ticket to be valid. Student tickets are limited by show capacity, and reservations are recommended to guarantee ticket availability. You can reserve your tickets online or present your valid Michigan Tech Student ID at the Rozsa. For more information contact Rozsa ticketing at 906-487-1906 or rozsa@mtu.edu. You can also visit the Visual and Performing Arts Department or the Rozsa online for more information.

Student Health and Well-being

Student Health and Well-being programming is partially paid for by the Experience Tech Fee and covers all areas of well-being by equipping the student community with prevention-focused strategies that will result in a more balanced lifestyle. Through various events, classes, workshops, and other programming, Student Health and Well-being strives to empower students to adopt healthy behaviors and improve balance during their years at Michigan Tech and the years that follow. For more information, visit The Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being website.

How did this fee come about?

Experience Tech is the result of an idea which came from students active in both extra curricular activities and student government. The idea was kicked around between individuals and various groups without solid direction. Other universities have some similar aspects to their student fees; none, however, come close to the scope of Experience Tech. This structure would take a lot of gumption to pass and implement.

The next step was numerous conversations with various constituencies, including members of the Student Commission and Undergraduate Student Government (USG), about the possibility of developing an all inclusive student fee that would provide access to the Visual and Performing Arts Department Events, Hockey Games, Mont Ripley Ski Area, Portage Lake Golf Course, Gates Tennis Center, and Intramural Sports.

During fall 2007, a small group of students and staff examined the financial feasibility of this proposal. As a result, it was determined that for approximately an additional $64 per student per semester access to ALL of the above events and activities could be provided.

Over the course of fall 2007 and spring 2008, current students were shown publicity through postings and internet group messages(facebook), and asked to participate in polls to gauge positive response. During this time prospective components and structures of the fee were adjusted based on student feedback on forum websites and through personal conferences with students, staff, and faculty.

In April 2008, USG ran an online vote for or against the fee, and surveyed respondents on specific attitudes regarding all various components of the fee. Results were returned with an overwhelming majority vote coupled with a hugely positive attitude from students. 80.3% of over 3,000 students who responded voted in favor of the fee.

The information regarding various aspects of the fee structure were presented to the Michigan Tech Board of Trustees in May 2008. After deliberation at the June meeting and Summer Retreat, and asking questions of the Vice President and Students working on the fee, the Board of Trustees put the new fee structure to a vote at this meeting. The fee structure was passed with a 5 to 4 majority vote by the Board of Trustees.

It was agreed that the program would be reviewed on a three year cycle. This review was completed in 2011, 2014, 2017, and 2020. Moving forward the program will be reviewed annually.

All of these factors contribute dually to serve in support of Michigan Tech's Strategic Plan