Thursday, October 9, 2008

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Stock shock

Does the stock market slump affect your decisions as a consumer? Respondents to MTSU’s latest Middle Tennessee Consumer Confidence Index gave a variety of answers. Dr. Tim Graeff, director of MTSU’s Office of Consumer Research, says, “The long-term nature of the stock market means that fluctuations in the market value of investments should not have as dramatic of an effect on consumer spending as increases in gasoline prices. However, approximately one-third of consumers reported that they have reduced their spending on travel (34 percent), eating out (32 percent), entertainment (32 percent), and home improvement projects (30 percent) due to the recent decreases in the stock market. Even though investors might not need to liquidate their investments for many years, reductions in the value of their investments and savings can make consumers feel less wealthy in the short term.”

Contact Graeff at 615-898-5124.
tgraeff@mtsu.edu

Been there, done that?

John McCain brought up the question of Barack Obama’s relative lack of experience again in Tuesday night’s presidential debate in Nashville. Dr. Amanda DiPaolo, political science, says, “The experience issue started when Sen. (Hillary) Clinton’s campaign strategy was to focus on experience, and the issue has stuck, overshadowing the issues of the day … and has been legitimized by both campaigns focusing on this character issue, which may be insignificant. After all, President Lincoln’s political experience included unsuccessfully running for Senate, and, briefly, (he) was a member of the House of Representatives for two years (1847-1849) before becoming what historians say is the greatest President of the United States.”

Contact DiPaolo at 615-898-2135.
dipaolo@mtsu.edu

What’s in a name?

The Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County and the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area will present the third lecture in a four-part series of public programs at 7 p.m. tonight, Oct. 9. Kevin Cason, a Ph.D. student in the public history program at MTSU, will discuss the history and folklore of how Rutherford County communities and geographic landmarks earned their names. Cason, along with fellow doctoral student Heather Bailey, conducted fieldwork and research on various historic landscapes and structures in Rutherford County to uncover how each place got its unique name. The team effort culminated with the students creating an exhibit showcasing historic photographs of the various sites. This talk is free and open to the public.

Contact Jennifer B. Butt at 615-217-8013.
jbutt@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

MILD, SPICY AND EN FUEGO—Lambda Theta Phi fraternity, the Lovely Ladies of Lambda Theta Alpha, and the MTSU Office of Intercultural Affairs will present a live salsa band and salsa dancers on the Keathley University Center knoll today, Oct. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event, which is free and open to the public, is part of MTSU’s continuing celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. For additional information, contact the Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs at 615-898-5812.

NO NEED FOR THE TIM RUSSERT MEMORIAL DRY ERASE BOARD (FLORIDA! FLORIDA! FLORIDA!)—MTSU students will prepare and broadcast their own election night roundup live on MTTV, Channel 10, from 8 p.m. to 11 or possibly later, on Election Night, Tuesday, Nov. 4, depending on how close the tallies are. “It becomes more than just an organizational exercise, which is important,” says Dr. Bob Pondillo, who teaches “Electronic Media Production: Election Night News Coverage.” “However, it’s one thing to know how to make great television, but it’s quite another to know how to engage the community.” Although arrangements are subject to revision at a moment’s notice depending on the circumstances, the class is planning on three bases for live shots. The percentages in each race will be displayed at the bottom of the television screen through a black box Associated Press interface device. Contact Pondillo at 615-904-8465 or pondillo@mtsu.edu.

PUTTING IT TOGETHER--“Pulled Resources,” a sculptural collaborative by artists Dan DeZarn and Thomas H. Sturgill, is on display now through Friday, Oct. 17, at MTSU’s Todd Gallery. The artists have a shared interest in exploring the concerns of contemporary human culture. In the past, they have focused on material usage, commodity, nature and people, and how those ideas intersect, says Eric V. Snyder, gallery curator. “They quickly found that they could construct impressively large, labor-intensive projects in relatively short periods of time and with fairly modest budgets,” Snyder says. Located on the first floor of MTSU’s Todd Building, the Todd Gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and closed on all state holidays. Admission is free. Exhibits are open to the public. Contact Snyder at 615-898-5653 or esnyder@mtsu.edu.