Friday, June 30, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Gitmo and the Supremes

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-3 yesterday that the Bush Administration lacks the authority to try the “enemy combatants” being held at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba by military tribunal. Dr. Karen Petersen, political science, says, “This ruling is yet another indication of the legal grey zone in which we are operating in the ‘war on terror.’ Although specific to about ten detainees at Guantanamo, the broader implications point to a curbing of executive power. According to the ruling, the President could convene military tribunals if Congress approved such a move. Given that this is an election year, Congress is not likely to make bold moves that would give the appearance of weakness.”

Contact Petersen at 615-898-2708.
kpeterse@mtsu.edu

Don’t bother to knock

MTSU will be closed Tuesday, July 4, because it is a designated university holiday. All offices will be closed, but will resume regular hours of operation (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) on Wednesday, July 5. All undergraduate and graduate students will resume classes July 5. MTSU offices will be open and classes will be held Monday, July 3. The fun, food and festivities of Celebration Under the Stars will take place at MTSU on Tuesday, July 4. (See TR extra below.) There will be no Today’s Response on Independence Day.

In case of campus emergencies, contact the MTSU Department of Public Safety by calling 615-898-2424.

The rockets’ red glare

In most cases, the color in pyrotechnic devices, such as those used on the Fourth of July, comes from a salt. Dr. Preston MacDougall, chemistry, says, “For instance, barium-containing salts, similar to those you may have swallowed or taken in at the other end prior to a gastrointestinal X-ray, are embedded along with an explosive mixture to give a bright green starburst. Immediately above barium on the periodic table, strontium is the key ingredient for the bright reds in a pyrotechnician’s palette. In its elemental form, there would be a high danger of premature explosion. So salts such as strontium carbonate are blended instead. For the blues, take copper salts.”

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

TR EXTRA

FROM CAMP TO COLLEGE--Kayley Kravitz is a veteran of all three years of Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp. She studied guitar, bass and piano. In the fall, the 18-year-old graduate of The Webb School in Bell Buckle will attend Boston’s Emerson College, where she will major in journalism with an eye to becoming a music journalist. Simultaneously, Kayley will minor in music at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. She encourages parents to enroll their daughters (ages 10-18) in this year’s camp, which is slated for July 31-Aug. 5. “Not only will they get to learn the ins and outs of the music business—they will gain a self-confidence that will benefit them for the rest of their lives,” Kayley says. Deadline for open registration is TODAY. Contact Kelley Anderson, Anna Fitzgerald or Courtney Sharpe at sgrrc05@gmail.com or call 615-898-8140.

A SLICE OF LIFE—TODAY, noon--The Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Summer Bridge Program at MTSU is coming to a close for 27 college freshmen. At noon TODAY, there will be an awards program in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building. The guest speaker will be Rev. Vincent Windrow, vice president, Zycron Computer Services, Inc. For the two-and-a-half weeks, the students have spent 12 hours a day in math, chemistry, physics, computer science, aerospace and writing classes under the direction of Dr. Barbara Knox in order to sample a taste of college life. Media welcomed at the awards ceremony. Call Knox at 615-898-5311 or bknox@mtsu.edu.

TEACHING ANDREW JACKSON--MTSU and The Hermitage are collaborating in a “Landmarks of American History Teacher Workshop” funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. “The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson, and “America 1801-1861” will be offered through TODAY and July 10-14 at The Hermitage. These workshops will enable K-12 educators to intensify their study and increase their knowledge of important historical topics through direct on-site experiences. Topics to be explored include “Growing Democracy,” “Cotton Economy and Slavery,” “Indians and Westward Expansion,” “Reform and Religion,” “Women’s Lives in a Changing America,” and “Developing a Distinct American Material Culture.” Contact Dr. Janice Leone, history, at 615-898-5580 or jmleone@mtsu.edu.

GET ACCUSTOMED TO IT--Nine sessions of orientation for new students, called CUSTOMS, will be offered in 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 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 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.

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.

STAR-SPANGLED PARTY—INDEPENDENCE DAY--Once again, MTSU will host “Celebration Under the Stars.” The party will start at 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 4, on the intramural field. There will be games and activities for the youngsters from 5-8 p.m. There will be prizes and promotional giveaways. Wal-Mart will donate the “Celebration Under the Stars” birthday cakes. At 8 p.m., the Murfreesboro Fire Department’s color guard will present the colors. The Tennessee Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra will perform patriotic tunes, Sousa marches and inspirational classics. Capping off the evening’s entertainment will be the traditional fireworks display at 9 p.m. Contact Marlane Sewell, steering committee chair, at 615-896-6710. Tune in to WGNS-AM 1450 on July 4 starting at 3 p.m. for any changes in the day’s schedule of activities.