Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Visit the world

International dancers and musicians, tasty cuisine, arts and crafts—it’s all at the International Folkfest through Sunday in Rutherford County. Spokesman Scott McCurley says, “International Folkfest is committed in bringing together folk art performers with diverse backgrounds in a peaceful and friendly atmosphere to provide entertainment and give our community an insight and understanding of the cultural heritage and traditions of other people.” Folkfest dancers will perform TODAY at 12:30 p.m. outside MTSU’s James E. Walker Library. The culmination of the event will be an all-day street festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 17, on the Town Square. Admission is free.

For more information, call McCurley at 615-885-2631 or visit http://www.mboro-international-folkfest.org/.

Telling truth to power

Where can a government employee go to report fraud, abuse, waste or mismanagement without fear of retaliation? The U.S. Supreme Court, in a recent 5-4 decision, ruled against an L.A. prosecutor who recommended to his superiors that a case be dismissed due to irregularities he discovered. Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism professor and First Amendment expert, says the court was wrong “in its distinction between insubordination and honest disagreement. … there is a clear difference between employee comments that are insulting and abusive and those that point out errors and disagreement.”

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

Something to kick about

The FIFA World Cup soccer tournament is in full swing in Germany, and the world is all atwitter—except for the United States. “The relative lack of interest among American sports fans does not deter sponsors such as Gillette, MasterCard and McDonald’s,” says Dr. Don Roy, management and marketing. He says they “use FIFA World Cup as a platform to reach dozens of countries throughout the world. If the U.S. team has a strong performance in the tournament and attracts the interest of sports fans in this country, it will be an added benefit for sponsors.”

Contact Roy at 615-904-8564.
droy@mtsu.edu


TR EXTRA

HOPE AND HELL AT THE “HOT L”--Three MTSU undergrads, a professor and an alumnus breathe life into the seedy trappings of a condemned urban hotel when they check into “The Hot L Baltimore.” They’re lending their talents to the Murfreesboro Little Theatre’s production of the off-Broadway play at 7 p.m. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY and at 2 p.m. SUNDAY. Tim Johnson, a junior working toward a bachelor’s degree in business administration, plays Bill Lewis, a night clerk who harbors romantic feelings for one of the ladies of the evening who entertain their clients at the hotel. “He covers his true sentiments for the girl in a somewhat clumsy, but friendly manner,” Johnson says. For reservations, contact the MLT box office at 615-893-9825.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVE LIKE A REFUGEE—SATURDAY--You’re thousands of miles away from home. You’re in a strange land where the language and the customs are unfamiliar. But returning home would mean starvation, rape, perhaps even death. That’s the situation facing international and refugee students who fled countries where war and terrorism are a way of life. Community Assistance for International and Refugee Students (CAIRS) helps these students pay for medical expenses, groceries and textbooks. CAIRS will hold a yard/garage/bake sale to raise money for these worthy young people from 8 a.m.-noon SATURDAY at the St. Rose of Lima school gymnasium, 1601 North Tennessee Blvd., in Murfreesboro. Contact Karen Case, CAIRS adviser, at 615-427-9411 or kcase@mtsu.edu.

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 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 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 THROUGH TOMORROW 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—TOMORROW--“Taking It to the Streets: Summit on the Burden of Cancer in Tennessee,” a state cancer summit, will be held 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.

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.