Monday, July 26, 2010

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Digital for the masses

The new Digital Media Studio on the second floor of the James E. Walker Library will provide MTSU students with access to cutting-edge technology for perfecting their class projects starting in the fall 2010 semester. With Technology Access Fees paid by the students themselves, the library purchased types of computer hardware and software specifically requested by the students. The hardware will include eight Dell PCs with 22” monitors and 12 iMacs with 27” monitors. Some PCs and iMacs will be equipped with flatbed scanners. In addition, pen tablets, headphones and multi-format card readers will be available for checkout. “”We want everyone to be able to access this,” says Emerging Technologies Librarian Heather Lambert. “The whole goal of this area is that it’s accessible to everyone—not just graduate students, not just film students, not just computer science students. This is for everyone.”

Contact Lambert at 615-494-7784.
hlambert@mtsu.edu

Loren Mulraine, take one

Dr. Loren Mulraine is anticipating a challenging new year as chair of the Department of Recording Industry. Mulraine took on the job this month, replacing the retiring Chris Haseleu. “Our consensus has been that we don’t want to solely be reactionary to the industry but to give thought to how we can lead the industry,” explains Mulraine, an entertainment law attorney. Some of Mulraine’s goals include expanding the department’s presence on Music Row, developing a greater online presence with more distance-learning courses and creating more industry partnerships to help maintain program quality in the wake of ongoing funding cuts. The department, which is the largest of its kind in the United States, boasts more than 1,200 majors and 28 full-time faculty members.

Contact Mulraine at 615-904-8364.
lmulrain@mtsu.edu

Doubting Thomas

When it comes to the First Amendment, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas doesn’t mind being the only one on the high court with his particular perspective. David Hudson, adjunct political science professor and First Amendment Center scholar, points out that Thomas issued lone dissents in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission and Doe v. Reed in this past term. Hudson says, “Thomas describes himself as an originalist, following a constitutional philosophy that places primary emphasis on the original intent of the Founders. Thomas also does not believe as strongly in stare decisis—Latin for ‘let the decision stand’—as his colleagues, meaning he’s not afraid to overrule past court decisions with which he disagrees. This philosophy often puts him at odds with other justices.”

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

TR EXTRA

NO ENRGY CRISIS HERE!--Although many physically disabled youth miss out on adaptive-recreation opportunities as part of their lifestyle, the local creators of Camp ENRGY are hoping their summer-camp template will soon catch on. Now in its second year, Camp ENRGY, which stands for Excellence ‘N’ Recreation and Games for Youth, is a weeklong camp for youth designed and implemented by Dr. Don Morgan, director of the Center for Physical Activity and Health in Youth at MTSU, and two of his doctoral students, Sandy Stevens and Jenny Hutchens. Set for today, July 26, through Friday, July 30, on the MTSU campus, the camp’s registration roster filled quickly. Like last year, this year’s daytime camp will include yoga, swimming, nature trails, dance, indoor soccer, martial arts and GPS-based activities, as well as baseball, golf, strength/flexibility training and football. To request interviews with Morgan or Stevens, or to request a camp schedule, contact Lisa L. Rollins at 615-898-2919. Media are welcomed to attend, videotape and photograph camp activities for editorial purposes.

IT’S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO THEM.--For the eighth consecutive summer, girls with a passion to rock the house will descend on MTSU for the Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp (SGRRC) sponsored by Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities (YEAH!), today, July 26, through Saturday, July 31. The day camp for girls ages 10-17 aims to create a positive atmosphere of collaboration and self-esteem. Campers will attend workshops and receive instruction in guitar, vocals, keyboards, bass, electronic music, songwriting, drums, recording, screenprinting, music herstory, photography, zine-making and do-it-yourself arts and crafts. On Saturday, July 31, the bands the girls have formed during the week will put what they’ve learned on display in a showcase performance at 7 p.m. in the Siegel High School auditorium, 3300 Siegel Road in Murfreesboro. Doors open at 6 p.m. All tickets are $10 general admission. Children age nine and under will be admitted free of charge. Contact the SGRRC at 615-849-8140 or sgrrc@yeahintheboro.org.

“A HEALTHY STATE ENCOURAGES MANY VOICES—AND LOTS OF LISTENING.”—HHS SECRETARY KATHLEEN SEBELIUS--Expressions of confidence, faith, defiance, togetherness, satire and sobriety characterize the second edition of Voices We Haven’t Heard, a publication of MTSU’s June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students. The latest Voices is larger than last year’s edition, and it includes feminist poetry and prose nestled between glossy, colorful covers. Center Director Terri Johnson says the magazine empowers students by providing them with a creative outlet for their observations on racism, sexism, classism, homophobia and other forms of oppression. Voices We Haven’t Heard is free and available from the June Anderson Center in its new home, Room 320 of the Keathley University Center. For more information, call 615-898-5989 or go to www.mtsu.edu/jac.

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 Aug. 2-6 at the O’More School of Design in Franklin. The cost 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.