Monday, June 21, 2010

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Fearless forecast

What can we expect to see in the Tennessee economy over the next 12 months? According to a forecast by MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center, there should be job growth of 4,200 positions monthly or 1.9 percent annualized growth. The unemployment rate, which is at 10.5 percent now, should be down to 9.6 percent. However, housing construction growth is questionable, and home prices are not likely to change. Dr. David Penn, center director, says easing up on the stimulus too soon might shove the economy back into a recession. In the short term, an expansionary policy must be continued. In the long term, a credible deficit reduction plan, including a plan to reduce long-term liabilities, is needed, as well as an aggressive job training program.

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

Living for the city

How will cities have to change to survive in the 21st century? In “Sustainability in Cities,” a political science course to be taught at MTSU this fall by Dr. Sekou Franklin, students will examine urban development planning, policy and racial politics in cities, primarily U.S. cities. The course will focus on ecologically and socially responsible planning, policy and management of the urban infrastructure in five critical areas: water supply and management, waste minimization and management, energy production and use, transportation and food systems. Also, students will find out about green economic solutions and employment opportunities for residents of chronically distressed communities with a particular emphasis on the burgeoning movement for clean energy jobs.

Contact Franklin at 615-904-8232.
franklin@mtsu.edu

“It takes one a long time to become young.”—Pablo Picasso

Adults tend to think of themselves as the leaders of children, but Dr. Phil Oliver, philosophy, says there is a great deal that children can teach adults. He says, “There are qualities of early youthfulness, observable in actual children, occasionally even retrievable from the dungeons of personal memory, that make life worth living. The adult world often seems conspiratorially, cynically, heartlessly arranged to squash those qualities. We need them back.” Oliver says these qualities include adventurousness, curiosity, playfulness, spontaneity and trust. “I’m interested in what we can learn from childhood and in what we owe to children,” he says. “I wonder in what ways must we grow up? In what ways must we stay forever young? I’m concerned that we do kids a personal disservice and do humanity and irrecoverable injury when we ignore and withhold these lessons.”

Contact Oliver at 615-898-2050.
poliver@mtsu.edu

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.