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Reuben Sandwich
Standards Nebraska | Nebraska Public Media
The Nebraska claim centers on Omaha’s Blackstone Hotel in the 1920s when Lithuanian-born Jewish grocer Reuben Kulakofsky requested a corned beef and sauerkraut sandwich during a late-night poker game with a group nicknamed “The Committee” which included hotel owner Charles Schimmel. Schimmel’s son Bernard (a European-trained chef) is refined it by adding Swiss cheese and dressing, then grilling it on rye.
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Threshold
Siena University New York
"Temple alumnus dedicates Hardwick Hall elevator to late wife and their love story"
Temple alumnus dedicates Hardwick Hall elevator to late wife and their love story: https://t.co/6wE3eXjJr8 https://t.co/JWQnig0Mhw pic.twitter.com/9uHpg9xhHS— Standards Michigan (@StandardsMich) August 27, 2026
Christchurch School Virginia
These are the standards most U.S. campuses apply at residence-hall move-in. They mix fire/life-safety codes with energy and cost controls. Details vary by school, but the pattern is consistent.
Fire and electrical safety
- No open flames: candles, incense, fireworks, Sterno, grills.
- No appliances with exposed heating elements: hot plates, toasters, toaster ovens, skillets, deep fryers; air fryers are banned on most campuses.
- Cooking only in designated kitchens; in rooms, usually only a UL-listed microwave (often 700–1,000 W) or a university MicroFridge combo.
- No halogen lamps, lava lamps, plastic-shade multi-bulb lamps, or space heaters unless the university issues them.
- Extension cords banned or tightly limited; only UL-listed surge protectors plugged directly into the wall. No daisy-chaining.
- Keep a clear 36-inch path to the door; do not block exits or prevent the door from opening 90 degrees.
- Wall coverings limited (often 10–25% of a wall); hanging fabric/tapestries often banned unless fire-rated.
- Upholstered furniture must meet fire-resistance labels such as CAL TB117-2013.
- No lithium-ion micromobility devices (e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards) stored or charged in rooms on many campuses.
- Do not cover, disable, or hang items from smoke detectors or sprinklers.
- Health-and-safety inspections shortly after move-in.
Building and personal security
- Card/fob access; do not prop exterior or stairwell doors.
- Lock the room whenever you leave, even briefly.
- Guests must be escorted; residents are responsible for them.
- Weapons, ammunition, and realistic replicas prohibited.
Economy / energy standards
- Mini-fridges typically capped at about 3.6–4.5 cubic feet; Energy Star models preferred or required.
- One fridge and one microwave per room; extra units banned to avoid overloaded circuits and higher utility costs.
- Many schools rent or install MicroFridge units because they use less energy than two separate appliances.
- Personal window/portable ACs usually prohibited; cooling is centralized.
- LED bulbs recommended; high-watt lamps discouraged.
- Limit how many devices run at once so circuits do not trip.
Property-economy / damage control
- No nails, duct tape, or adhesives that peel paint; Command strips often allowed.
- No lofting with cinder blocks or unapproved risers (especially risers with built-in outlets).
- No extra mattresses, waterbeds, or large non-university furniture.
- Damage found at check-in/check-out is billed to the student.
Related Standards Michigan coverage:
“`
Teacher Calls for Supplies
U.S. public school teachers post donation requests on X because official classroom budgets rarely cover what students actually need. Surveys find about 95–97% of teachers spend their own money; recent averages run roughly $600–$1,000 a year, and higher in some states. School allotments often sit near $200. That gap buys pencils, paper, books, snacks, hygiene items, and decor so every child can participate.
Pay has not kept pace with those costs, inflation, and (lately) tariff-driven supply-price jumps. Many teachers also work second jobs. District purchasing is slow, restricted, or aimed at core curriculum, not daily consumables or student basics. Platforms like DonorsChoose exist for the same reason; X is simply a faster way to share a wishlist with parents, alumni, and strangers.Teachers say they do it so students are not left without materials. Crowdfunding is a workaround, not a substitute for adequate school funding.
Thank you for finding and supporting my list! So much color here to brighten my classroom!!
💙🩵💚🧡❤️💜 pic.twitter.com/PdM5QH91qa— My Students Call Me P (@MrsPete23) August 23, 2026
Jacob’s Well
Standards Pennsylvania | Standards Michigan Water
“At the Water Trough” 1876 J. Alden Weir
‘Forever chemicals’ detected in 65% of sampled private wells in Pennsylvania
Many settlements use well water as their primary or supplemental source for potable water, irrigation, or campus operations. This is common in regions where municipal water infrastructure is limited or costly, and groundwater from private or on-site wells provides a reliable alternative. For context, about 13 million U.S. households rely on private wells for drinking water, and many educational institutions follow suit due to similar geographic and economic factors.
Examples of Colleges and Universities Using Well Water:
- Rural Campuses in General: Numerous small liberal arts colleges and community colleges in rural settings (e.g., in the Midwest, Northeast, or Pacific Northwest) draw from on-site wells. For instance, a 2025 analysis of campus water systems notes that rural colleges often contend with well water challenges like high total dissolved solids (TDS) or iron content, requiring specialized treatment such as reverse osmosis purifiers.
- Oregon Institutions: Approximately 23% of Oregon households use domestic wells, and this extends to educational facilities. Oregon State University’s Well Water Program actively educates on groundwater protection for well-dependent users, implying local campuses (including community colleges in areas like Jackson County) rely on wells for potable supply.
- Utah System of Higher Education Campuses: Public colleges like Snow College (in Ephraim, UT) and Dixie State University invest in filtration systems specifically for processing secondary or well water used in irrigation and operations. Snow College’s upgrades target well-sourced water to cut usage by 30%, while DSU filters secondary water (often well-derived) for campus landscaping.
Why Well Water is Used
- Location-Driven: Campuses far from urban centers (e.g., in agricultural states like Iowa, Kansas, or Vermont) opt for wells to avoid high municipal hookup costs.
- Sustainability and Cost: Wells support self-sufficiency, especially for non-potable needs like cooling towers or grounds maintenance, aligning with green initiatives on many campuses.
- Treatment Needs: Institutions often add purification (e.g., UV systems for bacteria or softeners for hard water) to meet safety standards, as wells can introduce contaminants like arsenic or nitrates.
🍂 A little fall breather for your Wednesday afternoon 😌🍁 pic.twitter.com/gfyTV0p1mf
— Penn State (@penn_state) October 25, 2023
Relata:
Exploring Well Water Testing Behaviour Through the Health Belief Model
Update Status
The CPU upgrade yesterday was not entirely successful but we had a workaround at the ready to manage contingencies. All animal related standards we covered in yesterday’s session is linked here.
This page will be posted to our X-feed: @StandardsMich to remind our colleagues and followers that software needs to be “maintained”
Animal Health Considerations Before, During and After the County Fair
“GV Brew”
Grand Valley State University Statement of Financial Position 2023: $1.057B
Located on the First Floor of the Mary Idema Pew Library*
Moving into Grand Valley State University | Kent County Michigan
Grand Valley State University | Ottawa County Michigan
Grand Valley State University | Kent County Michigan
The Dutch founded America’s greatest city, got pushed out, and then took over West Michigan. https://t.co/HwfZCjBAbO
— Kurt Steiner (@Kurt_Steiner) February 8, 2026
Grand Valley State University
Located 15 minutes from Traverse City, this Laker alum and his family are celebrating their 10th season at Rove Winery this summer! 🍷🍇 Read about Creighton Gallagher ’06 and his journey to the vineyard here: https://t.co/lJ0eYlL7z7 pic.twitter.com/iAXWXRuglO
— Grand Valley State (@GVSU) August 6, 2025
2029 National Electrical Code Panel 3
Articles covered by CMP-3:
Article 206
Non-Power-Limited Remote-Control and Signaling Circuits | Article 300
General Requirements for Wiring Methods and Materials | Article 335
Instrumentation Tray Cable — formerly Article 727 | Article 720
Limited-Energy System Installations | Article 721
Limited-Energy Power Sources | Article 722
Limited-Energy Cables | Article 723
Raceways, Cable Routing Assemblies, and Cable Trays for Limited-Energy Systems | Article 724
Class 1 Power-Limited Remote-Control and Signaling Circuits | Article 725
Class 2 and Class 3 Power-Limited Circuits | Article 726
Class 4 Fault-Managed Power Systems | Article 728
Fire-Resistive Cable Systems | Article 760
Fire Alarm Systems | Article 772
Non-Power-Limited Remote-Control and Signaling Circuits | Article 300
General Requirements for Wiring Methods and Materials | Article 335
Instrumentation Tray Cable — formerly Article 727 | Article 720
Limited-Energy System Installations | Article 721
Limited-Energy Power Sources | Article 722
Limited-Energy Cables | Article 723
Raceways, Cable Routing Assemblies, and Cable Trays for Limited-Energy Systems | Article 724
Class 1 Power-Limited Remote-Control and Signaling Circuits | Article 725
Class 2 and Class 3 Power-Limited Circuits | Article 726
Class 4 Fault-Managed Power Systems | Article 728
Fire-Resistive Cable Systems | Article 760
Fire Alarm Systems | Article 772
Chapter 9 Tables
Top 10 Issues
| Issue | Summary |
|---|---|
| 1. Consistency of Code Language | Standardize terminology throughout the NEC by eliminating inconsistent wording, duplicate phrases, and varying expressions that describe the same technical concepts. |
| 2. Compliance with the NEC Style Manual | Many proposals seek removal of redundant requirements already addressed elsewhere in the Code, resulting in a cleaner, more concise document. |
| 3. Restoring Lost Requirements | Numerous submitters argue that important technical provisions disappeared during recent article reorganizations and should be restored. |
| 4. Article Organization | Improve article formatting, numbering, and overall structure to make the NEC easier to navigate and maintain. |
| 5. Emerging Technologies | Expand the Code to better accommodate fault-managed power, battery energy storage, portable power systems, EV-based power sources, hydrogen technologies, and new circuit classifications. |
| 6. Installation Clarification | Clarify requirements for raceways, wet locations, roof decks, cable trays, conductor spacing, barriers, and other installation practices. |
| 7. Installer Safety & Reliability | Enhance electrical safety through improved wiring practices, better physical protection, stronger cable support requirements, and fewer failure points. |
| 8. Definition Ownership | Assign definitions to the Code-Making Panels having primary technical expertise to improve long-term consistency and maintenance. |
| 9. Coordination with Other Standards | Improve harmonization between the NEC and companion standards such as UL, ANSI, NFPA 79, and hazardous-location requirements. |
| 10. Reducing Complexity | A recurring objective is to simplify the NEC by reducing duplication, improving readability, and making the Code easier for installers, inspectors, designers, trainers, and licensing authorities to use. |
The Public Inputs demonstrate a broad desire to make the National Electrical Code more consistent, technically complete, better coordinated with related standards, and easier to understand without compromising electrical safety. Many proposals emphasize restoring requirements inadvertently lost during recent reorganizations while preparing the Code to accommodate rapidly emerging electrical technologies.
Mike recommends these issues as priority for the Joint IEEE IAS/PES committee
Atul Arunkumar Shenoy, P.E., SMIEEE is Mike Anthony’s Alternate on CMP-3
Susan Newman Scearce is the Chairperson for CMP-3
Ω
2029 Public Input Submittals CMP-3
N.B. Public Input No. 2633-NFPA 70-2026 [ Global Input ] PDF Page 6, regarding re-organization of the NEC into below 1000 V and above 1000 V.
Noteworthy proposal concepts:
- Cable trays interfering with HVAC ductwork and fire sprinkler lines. Parallel cable tray feasibility
- Difficulty accessing lighting fixtures and fire alarm components for maintenance.
- Potential violation of plenum clearance and airflow requirements. Some cable trays in plenums reportedly contain non-plenum-rated cables, which is a fire code violation.
- Document flags this as a high-priority remediation item before any LED lighting retrofit proceeds.
- Existing security wiring (CCTV, access control, intrusion detection) is a mix of old analog coax and early Cat 5 cables.
- Many runs exceed recommended length for reliable video transmission. Frequent signal degradation and reliability complaints.
- Security cables are sharing overcrowded cable trays with power-limited lighting control wires and fire alarm cabling.
- Risk of electromagnetic interference (EMI) noted due to proximity to higher-voltage lines.
- Plenum space constraints make it difficult to add new IP-based security cameras without major reorganization.
- Current security wiring cannot support newer high-resolution IP cameras or PoE+ powered devices.
- Several editorial proposals by Mike Holt. (He’s generally correct on clarity improvements that he needs for educational purposes)
Ω
For discussion next meeting, when we march through all proposals of interest to IEEE:
- When electricians work in ceiling plenums above hallways while students pass below, several serious hazards emerge. Tools, screws, cable scraps, or ceiling tiles can fall, causing head injuries or slips. Disturbed dust, fiberglass, or potential asbestos particles may rain down, creating respiratory risks.
- Live electrical work on lighting or cable trays raises shock/fire dangers if a fault occurs or debris shorts circuits. Open plenums can compromise fire-rated barriers, allowing smoke or flames to spread rapidly in an emergency.
- Noise and visual distractions increase trip hazards for students. Without full barricades, lockout/tagout, and proper fall protection, these overhead activities expose young people to preventable injury. Scheduling work after hours or using full corridor closures is essential.
- Power-limited (Class 2) cabling operates at low voltage (<60V DC) with current/power caps (~100VA), dramatically reducing shock and fire risks. Installation is simpler and cheaper—no conduit or heavy mechanical protection needed in many cases, allowing flexible routing. LEDs run cooler and more efficiently with remote drivers, improving lifespan and energy savings. Easier maintenance and safer for retrofits.
- Severe distance and power limits due to voltage drop and 100W/5A caps require multiple drivers or shorter runs. Higher upfront costs for specialized power supplies. Potential reliability issues from more connection points. Less suitable for high-power or long-distance applications compared to line-voltage wiring.
Public Inputs Relevant to School and College Facilities
| Campus Facility | Relevant Issue | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Student Health Centers, Medical Schools & Campus Hospitals | Improved protection of underground feeders, raceways, and wiring methods, together with replacement of conductors damaged by water, fire, corrosion, or severe physical impact. | Enhances electrical reliability for healthcare occupancies where continuous operation is essential. |
| Athletic Stadiums & Arenas | Improved protection of underground services, direct-buried conductors, warning ribbons, and raceways. | Supports reliable electrical service for stadium lighting, scoreboards, concessions, and outdoor utility infrastructure. |
| Temporary Athletic & Campus Events | Recognition of modern portable power sources, including battery energy storage systems and portable fuel cells, in addition to traditional generators. | Useful for commencement ceremonies, concerts, athletic tournaments, festivals, and temporary event power. |
| Research Laboratories | Expanded wiring methods for hazardous (classified) locations, including ITC-HL cable installations. | May affect university research laboratories, pilot plants, engineering facilities, and chemical research buildings. |
| Residence Halls & Classroom Buildings | Improved protection against concealed wiring damage caused by nails, screws, and furring strips during construction and renovation. | Helps reduce wiring damage during frequent campus remodeling and maintenance projects. |
| Campus Utility Infrastructure | Clarifications involving direct boring, underground raceways, service feeders, and warning ribbon installation. | Relevant to the large underground electrical distribution systems commonly found on university campuses. |
Although these proposals would benefit campus infrastructure, the CMP-3 transcript contains very little discussion directed specifically at educational occupancies. Topics such as healthcare facilities (Article 517), stadium emergency systems, data centers, laboratories as occupancies, residence halls, libraries, and central utility plants largely fall within the jurisdiction of other NEC Code-Making Panels such as CMP-1 and CMP-15 where Mike has been a Principal or Alternate for IEEE.
April 29, 2026
At the request of IEEE Joint IAS/PES Standards Michigan, Mike Anthony moved to CMP-3 from CMP-15.
Articles Under CMP 3
- Article 300 — General Requirements for Wiring Methods and Materials
- Article 335 — Instrumentation Tray Cable (in some references for the 2029 cycle)
- Article 590 — Temporary Installations (being relocated/renumbered in the 2026 cycle, e.g., potentially to Article 140 in Chapter 1, as temporary wiring is not treated as a special occupancy)
- Article 720 — Limited-Energy System Installations (new/general article covering wiring methods for limited-energy systems)
- Article 721 — Limited-Energy Power Sources
- Article 722 — Limited-Energy Cable (covers cables for power-limited, fault-managed, etc.)
- Article 723 — Raceways, Cable Routing Assemblies, and Cable Trays for Limited-Energy Systems (newly created in the 2026 cycle)
- Article 725 — Class 2 and Class 3 Remote-Control, Signaling, and Power-Limited Circuits
- Article 726 — Class 4 Fault-Managed Power Circuits and Equipment
- Article 727 — Instrumentation Tray Cable
- Article 728 — Fire-Resistive Cable Systems
- Article 760 — Fire Alarm Systems (power-limited and non-power-limited portions)
CMP 3 also handles associated content in: Chapter 9 — Tables, including Tables 11(A) & (B) and Tables 12(A) & (B) (related to conductor properties and other supporting tables for the above topics).
- Notes on Changes and Scope
CMP 3 focuses on general wiring rules, cable types, raceways/trays for low-energy applications, and signaling/communications-related wiring (distinct from higher-power utilization equipment or special occupancies handled by other panels). - In the 2026 NEC cycle, there has been significant reorganization of Chapter 7 to consolidate limited-energy systems under articles like 720–726 (and related ones), moving away from older structures. This includes new articles for raceways/cable trays specific to limited-energy systems and adjustments to scopes for clarity.
- Article 206 (Non-Power-Limited Remote-Control and Signaling Circuits) appears in some 2026-related references as newly designated or relocated material handled in this area.
Temporary installations (Article 590) are transitioning out of “special” categories in restructuring efforts.
During today’s sessions of the IEEE E&H Committee and our own we will prepare draft proposals relevant to the safety and sustainability agenda of the USA education facility industry. Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.
Brown University Electrical Design Criteria | Information Technology Resources Policy
Posted December 20, 2025
The University of Michigan has supported the voice of the United States education facility industry since 1993 — the second longest tenure of any voice in the United States. That voice has survived several organizational changes but remains intact and will continue its Safer-Simpler-Lower Cost-Longer Lasting priorities on Code Panel 3 in the 2029 Edition.
Today, during our customary “Open Door” teleconference we will examine the technical concepts under the purview of Code Panel 3; among them:
Article 206 Signaling Circuits
Article 300 General Requirements for Wiring Methods and Materials
Article 335 Instrumentation Tray Cable
Article 590 Temporary Installations
Chapter 7 Large sections of limited energy cabling for signaling and information technology
Chapter 9 Conductor Properties Tables 11A & B, Tables 12A&B
Public Input on the 2029 Edition will be received until April 9, 2026.
Related:
- Since the lifespan of educational buildings make the building core and shell susceptible to multiple changes not typically associated with commercial buildings, additional pathways should be placed in areas where the core and shell components of the facility are likely to re-main for extended periods of time
- It is recommended that all areas of an educational building have wireless coverage unless prohibited
“Whatever It Is, I’m Against It”
A Proposed Data Center Campus for Wisconsin Rapids
The rapid growth of data centers presents genuine challenges to electric power systems: very large concentrated loads, accelerated interconnection schedules, new transmission requirements and concern over who ultimately pays for the necessary infrastructure. These problems deserve careful attention, but they are fundamentally engineering problems — and therefore problems capable of engineering solutions.
Electrical power systems have repeatedly adapted to new classes of load. Electrification of industry, air conditioning, electric heating and large computing facilities each altered planning assumptions in their time. Data centers will do the same.
Power engineers are already developing better methods for load forecasting, staged interconnection, demand response, energy storage, on-site generation and microgrids. Data centers themselves can become more flexible loads, reducing consumption during stressed grid conditions rather than operating continuously at maximum demand. Improved transmission planning, advanced protection and controls and better coordination between utilities, system operators and large customers will further reduce adverse effects.
The present difficulties should therefore not be mistaken for permanent conditions. Engineering practice evolves when operating experience reveals new constraints. The extraordinary concentration of electrical demand created by artificial intelligence will test the grid, but it will also accelerate improvements in how large loads are designed, connected, controlled and supplied.
How Stupid Would It Be to Put Data Centers in Space?
Riding the orbital data center wave
SpaceX and Google Are in Talks to Launch Data Centers in Orbit
Community Impact Strategies for Data Centers
1. Build vertically — Stack rack “white space” across three to five floors, including one or two below grade, to reduce building footprint and land consumption.
2. Make architecture an asset — Treat the exterior as an architectural statement appropriate to its community rather than as an anonymous industrial enclosure.
3. Support municipal infrastructure — Design electrical and standby-generation capacity to support critical municipal loads, including water and wastewater systems during major regional contingencies.
4. Co-locate emergency management functions — Provide space and resilient infrastructure for local or regional emergency management operations.
5. Provide community swing space — Incorporate adaptable space that can support sports, recreation and other community uses when not required for primary facility operations.
A data center need not be only a data center.A very large, extraordinarily well-powered and resilient building can return some of that resilience to the community hosting it.
Electricity
Natural Gas
Traffic
Water
Noise
Taxation
Security
Relata:
Dr. Gad Saad Named Global Ambassador for The Northwood Idea and Visiting Professor
Gad Saad (Northwood University Michigan) & Jordan Peterson (University of Toronto) discuss the intellectual intransigence in education settlements
New update alert! The 2022 update to the Trademark Assignment Dataset is now available online. Find 1.29 million trademark assignments, involving 2.28 million unique trademark properties issued by the USPTO between March 1952 and January 2023: https://t.co/njrDAbSpwB pic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
— USPTO (@uspto) July 13, 2023
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