Friday, June 18, 2010

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

The state of the cities

The worst is probably behind us. The economy will improve, but not smoothly. Improvement in Tennessee depends on sustained growth of the U.S. economy. Those are some of the conclusions from the analysis of Tennessee’s economic outlook presented by Dr. David Penn, director of MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center, to the Tennessee Gas Association on June 14. The report says by April 2010 nonfarm employment had risen back to about the same level as July 2009—a little more than 2.600,000 jobs. Based on year-to-year figures for nonfarm employment growth, Penn finds Chattanooga, Clarksville and Knoxville in recovery. Cleveland, Nashville, Johnson City, Jackson and the state as a whole are feeling less pain. Morristown, Memphis and the Kingsport-Bristol area are still hurting.

Contact Penn at 615-898-2610.
dpenn@mtsu.edu

Here’s our international reporter, Roman Around.

A new international media studies minor, which will go into effect in the fall 2010 semester at MTSU, will be the subject of “MTSU on the Record” with host Gina Logue at 8 a.m. this Sunday, June 20, on WMOT-FM (89.5 and wmot.org). Dr. Richard Pace, professor of anthropology, will explain the requirements for the new minor, which include courses in anthropology, electronic media communication, sociology, and other disciplines. The new minor is designed to offer students a broad understanding of how views are produced by and disseminated in widely varied and dispersed populations around the globe. To listen to last week’s program on Stockton Helffrich, television’s first censor, go to http://www.mtsu.edu/news/podcast/podcast2010.shtml and click on “June 13, 2010.”

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

The not-so-naked truth

In a demonstration held June 12 in San Diego against America’s dependence on oil, protesters wanted to wear only body paint. However, they were forced to don some clothing to avoid arrest under a municipal anti-nudity ordinance. Organizers had petitioned for a temporary restraining order challenging the law on First Amendment grounds, but they were denied. David Hudson, adjunct political science professor and First Amendment Center scholar, says a U.S. district judge “first noted that the city clearly had the power to pass an anti-nudity law. Next, he determined that the law advanced the government’s interest in public safety. … He also determined that the law was not designed to suppress free expression but to promote public health and safety. The law also advanced the government’s interest in shielding people from being unwittingly exposed to nudity.”

Contact Hudson at 615-727-1342.
dhudson@fac.org

TR EXTRA

IT’LL BE A HOOT!--Older Wiser Learners (OWLs), an organization for nontraditional students at MTSU, will hold a summer potluck pool party and picnic from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, June 24, at the Campus Recreation Center. Members of OWLs, OWLs alumni and their families are welcome. Participants may use the outdoor pool and sundeck from 4:00-5:30 p.m., or, in the event of rain, the indoor pool and adjacent hallway. For the potluck dinner from 5:30-6:30 p.m., each participant should bring a side dish of vegetables, salad or dessert to serve 8-10 people and a large bottle of soft drink, tea or water. In addition, a silent auction of OWL-related items will be conducted with proceeds to benefit the student organization. Contact the Off-Campus Student Center at 615-898-5989.

KEYBOARD CAMPERS--“Partners for Innovation in Information Technology” at MTSU will be conducting summer computer camps for local area high school students July 12-16. Starting with rising ninth-graders, students will be invited to attend one of the three week-long (full-time, 40-hour) summer camps: the Alice camp, the Robotics camp and the Multimedia camp. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of computer science through experiences that have proven successful in advancing learning of high school students. The week-long camps will be free to attend, but seating will be limited. For more information and camp applications, contact the PIIT website at http://www.mtsu.edu/~piit.

THE CLUE CREW--The MTSU Forensic Institute for Research and Education will sponsor “CSI-MTSU,” a four-day program designed for students entering the 10th, 11th and 12th grades in Rutherford and surrounding counties June 22-25. The student investigators will be presented with a re-creation of an actual crime scene. They will be divided into several teams. A professional will direct and coach each team as the students use math and science to solve the crime. Each student will be trained in the fundamental processes of collecting evidence, including DNA, fingerprints, hair and fibers, simulated blood spatter and shoe prints. Additionally, students will learn how to process the evidence, conduct interviews and formulate theories while working in a team environment. Snacks, lunches, T-shirts and baseball-style caps are included in the fee of $250. For more information, contact Eve Shockley at 615-898-5530, or go to http://www.mtsu.edu/fire/workshops.shtml.

I’M PLAYING WITH MY BOOKS, MOMMY.--“Books and Children in the 19th Century: A Small Portrait” is the theme of an exhibit on display now and throughout this summer in the fourth floor Special Collections area of MTSU’s James E. Walker Library. The purpose is to show the variety of ways children and the adults around them engaged with books in the 1800s and early 1900s. The works available for viewing are indicative of the children’s book as an object of moral and educational value. The idea behind the books is to teach values and build character. Entertainment techniques are employed strictly to attract the children and hold their interest. Highlights include several movable books, which are books that contain text or illustrations that the child can manipulate. Pop-up books are one such type of movable book. Many items in the display have never been exhibited previously. Call the James E. Walker Library at 615-898-2772.

ADOPT A VET--The Albert Gore Research Center is an official partner in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. The center participates as part of its public service mission. Currently, the Gore Center has about 50 veterans of World War II and Korea on its list of those willing to be interviewed for the Veterans History Project at MTSU, but these vets are in their 80s and 90s. It is urgent that the Gore Center have funds in hand to record their stories in 2010. With each tax-deductible contribution of only $50, the Gore Center can fund one interview with a WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War or Iraq/Afghanistan veteran, or a civilian who supported the war effort by working in war industries or volunteering for the USO, Red Cross or other support organizations. Your donation will pay for tapes and other supplies, transcription, permanent archiving and posting of the materials on a website. For more information, go to http://gorecenter.mtsu.edu/adoptvet.hem.

APRENDA CON ME--The University School of Nashville is hosting MTSU’s 2010 Summer Language Institute, where you can learn Spanish in a fun, low-stress environment. The methods employed are Total Physical Response (TPR) and Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS). These methods mimic the way you learned your first language. Movement, games, songs and storytelling are all part of the instruction. Brian Roberts will teach Spanish I for ages 16 and up from July 19-23 at the University School and from Aug. 2-6 at the O’More School of Design in Franklin. Jason Fritze will teach Spanish II for ages 16 and up from July 19-23 at the University School. The cost for all language classes is $350 with a $20 materials fee due on the first day of class. Contact Dr. Shelley Thomas at 615-898-5757 or shthomas@mtsu.edu.