Thursday, May 14, 2009

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Educational opportunity for all

A Tennessee General Assembly measure that would have prohibited students from being admitted to public higher education institutions unless they can establish U.S. citizenship or lawful residence has been tabled until 2010. Dr. Laura Blackwell Clark, associate professor of educational leadership, says such proposals are counterproductive for education, the economy and the society as a whole. She’ll discuss her views at 7 a.m. this Sunday, May 17, on “MTSU on the Record” with host Gina Logue on WMOT-FM (89.5 and wmot.org). Clark appeared before a House subcommittee last month to testify against the proposal. She said, “My belief is when we block educational access to any of the residents, any citizens, any non-citizens, any people who are part of our American community, we do our community a disservice in the long term.”

Contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.

Let’s see what develops.

The job of raising money for colleges and universities is more challenging than ever in an economy undermined by insecurity in the housing and labor markets and on Wall Street. Into the breach steps Nick Perlick, MTSU’s new Director of Development. The 31-year-old Perlick, who came on board in late March, says, “Interestingly what we’re going through provides a unique opportunity to strengthen our case for support. … Never before have we needed philanthropy to be such a major part of the university’s funding.” Perlick was executive director of the Middle Tennessee Medical Center Foundation from December 2006 to March 2009. From 2003 to 2005, he was development director and officer at The Ohio State University.

To schedule an interview with Perlick, contact Randy Weiler in the Office of News and Public Affairs at 615-898-2919.
jweiler@mtsu.edu

In denial

Several groups of Holocaust deniers are using Facebook to spread their theory that the execution of more than six million Jews by the Nazi regime during World War II is a myth. Some people are demanding that Facebook shut down these groups, but Facebook officials, while distancing themselves from this belief, say they won’t interfere. Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism professor and First Amendment expert, says, “Freedom of speech is there to enhance debate in an effort to improve society. And debate means using reasoned arguments, facts and not opinions, and a willingness to listen to the other side. Reasoned debate, not hysterics, will win the day. Remember, it does no good to shout the opposition down, because when you shout, you drown your own voice as well.”

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

TR EXTRA

MAZEL TOV!—Congratulations to WMOT-FM News Producer Shawn Jacobs, who won three Honorable Mention honors in the latest round of the statewide Tennessee Associated Press Broadcasters Association Awards. Jacobs was acknowledged in the “Best Radio Newscast,” “Best Radio Enterprise,” and “Best Radio Public Affairs” categories. WMOT-FM is the 100,000-watt public broadcasting service of MTSU. Turn to 89.5 on your FM dial or listen in real time at www.wmot.org. For more information, call the station at 615-898-2800.

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS--“People are shouting too many philosophies of health and happiness at us,” notes a commentator on the recent explosion of interest in a topic of vital interest to us all—our own perceived well-being. But long before the shouting began, philosophers like Aristotle, Epicurus, Montaigne, Spinoza, Mill, Hume and James were carefully considering the question of how to get happy and stay that way. Dr. James Oliver will lead students through an examination of this subject in “The Philosophy of Happiness,” a class slated for Tuesdays and Thursdays this fall at MTSU. “In this course, we’ll survey older philosophical ideas about happiness, the new approach in psychology, and some of the best fictional literature,” says Oliver. ”Our approach will be calm, reasonable and interdisciplinary, with no gratuitous shouting.” Contact Oliver at 615-898-2050 or poliver@mtsu.edu.

GET A CLUE!--MTSU is expanding its popular CSI: MTSU four-day program for students entering the 10th, 11th and 12th grades in Rutherford and surrounding counties. This year’s event is slated for June 16-19. The goals of CSI: MTSU are: to allow students to explore many unique career possibilities in forensic science; to provide a “real life” reasons to tackle higher level math and science courses; and to develop skills in teamwork, seeing and understanding details, critical thinking and presentation skills. The student investigators will be presented with a re-creation of an actual crime scene. Each student is trained in the fundamental processes of collecting evidence, including DNA, fingerprints, hair and fibers, simulated blood spatter, and shoe prints. For more information or to register, call 615-898-2462 or send an e-mail to eshockle@mtsu.edu.