Monday, August 17, 2009

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

And at the end of the second quarter, the score is …

It will come as no surprise that the second quarter numbers for the Tennessee economy are discouraging. According to MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center, “Over the year ending in June, six of 10 lost payroll jobs occurred in the goods-producing industries (construction and manufacturing). Only the health care industry generated new jobs during the second quarter. Increasing job losses moved the unemployment rate to 10.5 percent in the second quarter with the number unemployed averaging nearly 318,000. By contrast, the first quarter unemployment rate was 9.1 percent and unemployment was 276,000. Rural areas have been hit particularly hard by manufacturing job losses as factory jobs represent a larger portion of payrolls in the rural counties than in urban areas.”

Contact the Business and Economic Research Center at 615-898-2616.

Defending the right to be stupid

What happens when people with historically inaccurate and morally offensive views spout those views on social networking Web sites? Holocaust deniers are among those who are using social networking platforms to spread their anti-Semitism. Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism, says, “Personally, I think we need to give even more exposure to extremists on both the right and the left. We need to let them have their say. And if what they have to say makes you uncomfortable, more power to them. Maybe then more people will take the time to figure out why those folks are wrong. 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.”

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

High Volt-age

General Motors unveiled its Chevrolet Volt hybrid vehicle last week with boasts of an amazing highway MPG rating of 230. This signals a new approach by GM’s CEO Fritz Henderson. Dr. Don Roy, management and marketing, says, “The corporate GM brand will be downplayed as most resources will be directed toward the four remaining GM brands (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GM) and the various models that are subbrands of the four brands. This move is appropriate. There is not a great deal to be gained by promoting the GM brand today. It carries a great deal of negative baggage. Greater consumer interest will likely exist for the different GM nameplates, not the parent brand.”

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

TR EXTRA

SOLID AS A ROCK BLOK—Registration is open now for this fall’s Rock Blok workshop at MTSU. Young musicians ages 10-17 can learn music, make friends and form a band at the workshop, which is slated to begin September 5th. “When a student signs up, he or she is assigned to a band with other students,” says Ryan York, executive leader of Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities (YEAH!) and workshop leader. “Each band has two professional musicians as volunteer teachers. The students then spend two hours each Saturday learning music, working up a set list, making merchandise for their band, recording an album and writing music.” At the conclusion of the workshop, the bands will perform in concert. The fee is $40 a month ($120 total). For more information, go to www.YEAHintheBoro.org, send an e-mail to info@YEAHintheBoro.org, or call 615-849-8140.

PRESSING ON--The legacy of MTSU’s working replica of an 18th century printing press will be explained through photos and prints as part of an exhibit at the main branch of the Nashville Public Library, 615 Church St., through Sept. 27. The exhibit is titled “Telling the Story: Letterpress Printing and Community.” The university’s segment will include the story of letterpress printing at MTSU. The works of current MTSU art students; alumni; visiting artists; faculty; elementary, middle- and high-school teachers and students who printed on the James E. Walker Library’s unique device will be highlighted. A reproduction of the English common press used by Benjamin Franklin in the early 1700s, the printing press was handcrafted in 2004 and 2005 out of chestnut and white oak wood from a 100-year-old house in Virginia. Contact Kristen Keene at 615-898-5376 or kkeene@mtsu.edu.

FOOTBALL FESTIVITIES--The MTSU Rutherford County Alumni Chapter’s annual Pigskin Pre-Game will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29, to kickoff the football season. The event will be held at Marymont Mansion in Marymont Springs, 1140 Rucker Lane in Murfreesboro. “Last year, almost 500 people attended Pigskin and we were able to raise almost $10,000 toward the scholarship fund,” says Paul Wydra, assistant director in the Office of Alumni Relations. Tickets for the event, which will run from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., will be $35. Attendees must pre-pay and reply by Wednesday, Aug. 26, to secure their tickets. The ticket price includes food, entertainment by Danny Lowe, beverages, door prizes and more. On-site parking will be available. Call 1-800-533-6878 for more information.