Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

If you build it, you will win.

MTSU’s Construction Management Technology Team continues to build a name for itself nationally among four-year colleges and universities. In a field of 36 teams, MTSU earned second place in the National Association of Homebuilders student competition Jan. 19-21 in Las Vegas. The team has been first (2007), second (2009) or third (2008) in each of the past three years. In the past 11 years, MTSU has placed in the top 10 eight times and cracked the top five for the past five years. “We’ve been blessed,” says Dr. David Hatfield, construction management programs director and professor in the Department of Engineering Technology. “We work at it and it seems to pay off.”

Contact Hatfield at 615-898-2781.
dhatfiel@mtsu.edu

The Dow’s in the dumper, and I’m not feeling too good, either.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted 382 points yesterday. That’s not going to do much to help consumer confidence, which was in sad shape when MTSU’s Office of Consumer Research (OCR) surveyed 500 randomly selected adult residents of Davidson, Rutherford and Williamson counties on Feb. 2 and 3. “Personal finances are … a concern for consumers as more and more people lose their jobs and continued decreases in the stock market erode consumers’ savings and retirement accounts,” writes Dr. Tim Graeff, director of the OCR. “Only 10 percent said that compared to a year ago they are ‘better off financially.’ Forty-one percent said that compared to a year ago they are ‘worse off financially.’ Such concerns about personal finances, savings and investments can put a significant damper on consumers’ spending behaviors.”

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

Oh, behave!

Research indicates that classroom management is one of the most frequently mentioned problems by both beginning and experienced teachers. Dr. Phillip Waldrop, associate dean for teacher education at MTSU, will present “Do It Your Way: Manage to Excel,” a professional development program for teachers,” from 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST tomorrow, Feb. 12, through the MTSU Satellite and Webcasting Center. This session is directed toward beginning K-12 teachers. Participants will gain specific strategies for improving the flow of classrooms so that students can be successful in learning and behavior problems can be minimized.

For more information, call 615-898-2737.

TR EXTRA

“WHERE YOU LEAD, I WILL FOLLOW.”—CAROLE KING AND TONI STERN--MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee will conduct town hall meetings at 4 p.m. today, Feb. 11, and at noon, tomorrow, Feb. 12, in the Keathley University Center Theater. These events are part of Leadership Week 2009 presented by the Office of Leadership and Service. In addition, team students will take part in ”Family Feud” from 6:30-10 p.m. tonight, Feb. 11, in Room S102 of the Business and Aerospace Building. Based on the television game show, it’s billed as “an evening of fun with friends with an educational twist.” And Vincent Windrow, director of the Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs, will address the topic of “Breakthrough Thinking” at 3:30 p.m. today, Feb. 11, in Room 322 of the Keathley University Center. All these events are free and open to the public. For more information, go to www.mtsu.edu/leadandserve.

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME.--To help students dealing with high prices and tight budgets, the MTSU Off-Campus Housing Web site will waive its $25 fee for posting notices of apartments to be sublet effective immediately. The Web site (www.mtsuoffcampus.com) was created in November 2007 by the Office of Off-Campus Student Services in cooperation with Off-Campus Partners, a Virginia-based company providing services to nearly 30 universities. Property managers pay fees to post information such as location, price and type about apartments, condominiums and houses for rent and for sale. To make it easier for students to cut transportation costs, the Web site also features Carpool Central, a message board for people seeking rides to and from school; Ride Board, for rides wherever they want to go out of town; and a Roommate Matching message board. For more information, contact the Office of Off-Campus Student Services at 615-898-5989 or ocss@mtsu.edu.

Y’ALL COME BACK NOW, YOU HEAR?--The MTSU Department of Art’s Gallery at Todd Hall presents “Revisited,” an exhibit featuring the collective works of four of its retired faculty members, through Friday, Feb. 20. The artists whose work is being showcased are Ollie Fancher, who taught graphic design and drawing; Jim Gibson, sculpture; Klaus Kallenberger, jewelry; and David LeDoux, painting. Eric Snyder, gallery curator, says these individuals “contributed a great deal to the Department of Art’s program and curriculum and have been asked to return to MTSU in honor of their hard work.” The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and is closed on all state holidays. Admission is always free and exhibits are open to the public. For more information, contact Snyder at 615-898-5653 or esnyder@mtsu.edu.