Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

The air that I breathe

Anti-doping agencies are considering regulating or banning artificially induced altitude conditions (altitude tents) used by elite athletes. If the effects of an illegal drug can be simulated naturally, is it ethical to use artificial means to reproduce that environment for the purpose of enhancing athletic performance? Dr. Mark Anshel, health and human performance, says researchers need to study the tents’ impact on performance outcome first. “It could have a placebo effect or be absolutely useless to performance,” he says. “What’s next—banning shoes with computer chips that alter flexibility of the cushion in the sole?”

Contact Anshel at 615-898-2812.
manshel@mtsu.edu

Y’all come!

The MTSU Office of Alumni Relations has a new home. Two newly renovated properties at 2259 and 2263 Middle Tennessee Boulevard will house the staffers. An open house is slated from 4-7 p.m. this Thursday. The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are requested. “We hope members of the community will stop in and look around,” says Ginger Freeman, Director of Alumni Relations. “The renovation of the space is truly remarkable.” The facilities, which previously served as private residences, have been revamped to accommodate the staff’s offices, conference areas and workrooms, as well as to assure compliance with handicapped accessibility regulations and fire codes.

Contact Allison Payne, assistant director, Office of Alumni Relations at 615-904-8199 or go to http://www.mtalumni.com.

Medicare Part D

The sign-up period for Medicare Part D ended yesterday amid as much confusion and controversy as when the program was announced. Christine Lombardi, Middle Tennessee Medical Center’s Director of Case Management, says, “While the Medicare prescription drug program is a federally administered supplemental benefit program, most seniors have been engaged more frequently and persistently by providers and vendors than by representatives of the government. This can add further confusion as each provider claims to offer the best benefit to the subscriber, leaving the senior to decide what information to trust for their best interest.”

Contact Lombardi at Christine.Lombardi@mtmc.org or MTMC’s Kim Reynolds at KREYNOLDS@stthomas.org.

TR EXTRA

SAVE THOSE TICKETS!—Due to illness, “Fresh Air” radio show host Terry Gross was notable to fulfill her previously scheduled commitments at MTSU. Her appearance has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 19. Marc J. Barr, electronic media communication, says new tickets will not be printed. Therefore, people with the original April 17 tickets are encouraged to keep them for the September event. For more information, contact Barr at 615-898-5118 or at mjbarr@mtsu.edu.