Friday, June 2, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

The Academy

With students from other countries surpassing U.S. students in science, the need is greater than ever to stress science in grades K-12. To this end, the Tennessee Junior Academy of Science, which began in 1942, helps high school science teachers get youngsters involved in the discipline. Dr. Preston MacDougall, chemistry, has served as a judge of research projects submitted by these students. He says, “ A small but growing number of high schools have hired scientific research directors and offer some funding, as well as course credit for approved research. At high schools where sports are black holes for extracurricular dollars, such research is aided by Academy grants to students who proposed to do their own scientific research but need to purchase some supplies.”

Contact MacDougall at 615-898-5265.
pmacdoug@mtsu.edu

Breaking the code

The rating system for movies today show that the public can have a direct impact on how much information they can demand. That’s the view of Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism. “Today, we see rating systems not only for movie, but also for records, television programs, and even proposals for rating systems for World Wide Web sites,” Burriss says. “But what all of these systems have in common is that they are designed to give the public information, rather than restrict the flow of information.” Of course, the codes also allow material some will find offensive, but Burriss says that’s all right. “Whether the message is from the government, a religious leader or just the local crackpot, the choice of paying attention is up to you,” he says.

Contact Burriss at 615-898-2983.
lburriss@mtsu.edu

“Hurdles and Hangovers”

The short story will come to life for students when Dr. Claudia Barnett, English, begins her summer class “Hurdles and Hangovers: Stories of Everyday Life” this Monday. “Almost all short stories are about hurdles of some kind because you have something to overcome, which is what makes it into a story to begin with,” Barnett says. “But, strangely, many of these short stories had hangovers in them, too,” especially characters in author Raymond Carver’s writings. Most stories Barnett will have her students read are contemporary, but also on tap for study are “The Death of Ivan Ilych” by Leo Tolstoy and Franz Kafka’s “Metamorphosis,” which Barnett says is “a great hangover story, if you look at it that way.”

Contact Barnett at 615-898-2887.
cbarnett@mtsu.edu

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.

GET ACCUSTOMED TO IT--Nine sessions of orientation for new students, called CUSTOMS, will be offered in June and July for freshmen and transfers on a first-come, first-served basis. Students pursuing majors in the colleges of Basic and Applied Science and Mass Communications and undeclared majors will have CUSTOMS June 6-7, June 13-14, June 23-24, July 11-12 and July 24-25. Students pursuing majors in the colleges of Education and Behavioral Science, Liberal Arts and Business and undeclared majors will be held July 9-10, June 20-21, July 6-7 and July 20-21. Transfers may complete CUSTOMS online and be cleared by their advisers to register for fall classes. For more information, call the Office of New Student and Family Programs at 615-898-5533 or visit http://www.mtsu.edu/~customs.

THE ART OF GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL--High school students can spend a fun and productive summer at the annual Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts June 11-July 15 at MTSU. Youngsters will enjoy intensive study in art, dance, theater and music during the five-week residence program. Students now will receive six hours of college credit instead of three, as was the case in prior years. “We had a fantastic school in 2005, with more than 200 talented students who had a wonderful, life-changing experience at MTSU,” Dale McGilliard, professor of speech and theatre, observes. “Everything from registration into classes, to buses to dorms, to the smallest detail was excellent, thanks to all the school’s teachers who worked so hard to make things happen for these young artists of Tennessee.” Contact McGilliard at 615-898-2274 or dmcgilli@mtsu.edu.

HEAD FOR THE MOUNTAINS!--Some 16 MTSU alumni and several faculty members have contributed to the newly published “Encyclopedia of Appalachia.” The title has more than 2,000 entries which provides ready reference to information about the people, culture and history of Appalachia. MTSU’s Center for Historic Preservation was contacted by scholars at East Tennessee State University’s Center for Appalachian Studies and Services about collaborating on the project. CHP Director Dr. Carroll Van West says he agreed to participate because of his interest in southern architecture and because the Applachian region suffers from stereotyping. Contact the Center for Historic Preservation at 615-898-2947.

CANCER ANSWERS--“Taking It to the Streets: Summit on the Burden of Cancer in Tennessee,” a state cancer summit, will be held Thursday, June 15, at the Vanderbilt Student Life Center. MTSU is a partner in providing funding for several initiatives aimed at reaching more people with information on the deadly illness. Issues to be addressed include creating access to services for the homeless and the utilization of churches to raise awareness of the importance of cancer screenings for African Americans. The Tennessee Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition, which is made up of 272 individuals and organizations in Tennessee, is the driving force behind the gathering. Contact ReJeana Colman at 615-435-5739 or Gail Hardin at 615-936-5885, or visit http://www.vicc.org/2006summit.