Thursday, July 13, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Battling with the bloggers

Bloggers complain that Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher is violating their rights by blocking state employees’ Web access to certain blogs that have been critical of Fletcher’s administration. Fletcher says he’s just trying to cut down on on-the-job dawdling. Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism, says this situation raises some interesting issues. “On the free speech front, the general rule is that government can not ban speech based on content or viewpoint,” Burriss says. “In terms of employer rights, an employer could probably block access to all Web sites except those directly related to company business. … Thus, Governor Fletcher could probably block access to all blogs, but not to one blog or another based on content.”

Contact Burriss at 615-898-2963.
lburriss@mtsu.edu

All together now

Each year, nontraditional students award honors to the important people in their lives who make it possible for them to balance family, child-rearing and a college education. This year’s winner of the Best Husband award from the Older Wiser Learners (OWLs) student organization is Richard Denney of Murfreesboro. Richard and his wife, Monique, have five children ranging in age from 10 to one. Monique is an elementary education major, and Richard is also a full-time student, majoring in business administration. Monique studies from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The older children, 10-year-old Davien and nine-year-old Avionne, play with the babies and help with the cooking and household chores. In fact, they received a certificate as nominees for Best Children.

For more information about how nontraditional students juggle college, work and family responsibilities, contact Dr. Carol Ann Baily, director, Adult Services Center, at 615-898-5989 or cabaily@mtsu.edu.

Energy boost

MTSU is one of more than 200 schools around the country that are buying renewable energy. The Tennessee Board of Regents recently approved student-led energy sustainability initiatives to be funded with money from an $8 per student per semester tuition fee. Students for Environmental Action says MTSU will offset 10 percent of its total energy consumption with renewable energy when the initiatives take effect. This will make MTSU the largest user of renewable energy in the state and in the entire Tennessee Valley Authority region. “Our generation is taking responsibility for our energy resources and participating in democracy by voting in record numbers to raise their own tuition in thename of sustainable energy,” says Charlee Tidrick, MTSU alumna and member of Tennessee Alumni & Students for Sustainable Campuses.

Contact Brandon Armstrong of MTSU Students for Environmental Action at 615-498-5922 or bma2c@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. Contact Kelley Anderson, Anna Fitzgerald or Courtney Sharpe at sgrrc05@gmail.com or call 615-898-8140.

GROWING YOUNG MINDS--More than 300 people are expected to attend this year’s “Growing Young Minds,” a dinner/live/music/silent auction fundraiser to benefit Project HELP, TONIGHT in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building. Registration is at 6:15 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Live music by the Boomers will follow at 7:30 p.m. The silent auction bidding will close at 8:15 p.m. Founded in 1983, Project HELP provides early intervention and family support services to high-risk children, children with disabilities and children with developmental delays.Contact Project HELP at 615-898-2458 or at http://www.mtsu.edu/~projhelp.

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 TOMORROW 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.

SHOW US YOUR STUFF!--The students who have attended the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts at MTSU this summer will showcase their talents at the Finale Festival TONIGHT AND TOMORROW NIGHT. Tonight’s event will include performances in opera and theatre. Tomorrow night’s event will feature dance and music. Performances on both evenings will begin at 7 p.m. and will be presented in Tucker Theatre. Tickets are $20, a price which includes admission to both nights of entertainment. A fundraising reception will take place at 5:30 p.m. and will include an hors d’oeuvres buffet in the Todd Gallery lobby prior to tomorrow night’s performance. The cost to attend the reception is $100 per person, which includes tickets to the performances. Contact Brenda Batey at 615-352-5184 or b.batey@comcast.net.

COACHES’ CORNER--MTSU alumni, friends and fans are invited to attend two Blue Raider Blasts from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18 on the courthouse square in Woodbury and Thursday, July 20 at the Celebration Pavilion off Celebration Way in Shelbyville. Director of Athletics Chris Massaro and MT head doaches Rick Stockstill (football), Rick Insell (women’s basketball) and Steve Peterson (baseball) will be on hand to meet fans and share exciting news about the upcoming season. There will be inflatables, face painting and music for families to enjoy. Whitt’s Barbecue will provide dinners for $5 per plate. Admission is free. Contact the MTSU Office of Alumni Relations at 1-800-533-MTSU (6878) or at http://www.mtalumni.com.

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 24-25. Students pursuing majors in the colleges of Education and Behavioral Science, Liberal Arts and Business and undeclared majors will be held 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.