Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Whore Eagle?

This Saturday’s Iron Bowl will be even more eagerly anticipated than in years past-- not only because of Auburn’s number two ranking in the Bowl Championship Series, but because of the scandal surrounding Tigers quarterback Cam Newton. The FBI and NCAA are investigating allegations that Newton’s father was the point person in a scheme to sell the younger Newton’s athletic services to the highest bidding school. Dr. Colby Jubenville, health and human performance, says, “With this much smoke, the automatic suspicion of fire is usually warranted. And, if anyone was looking at this with an objective lens, it’s going to be difficult for Cam Newton to clear his name. To do this, he must step up and take responsibility for his own actions whether he was involved in this directly or not.”

Contact Jubenville at 615-898-2909.
jubenvil@mtsu.edu

“One is not born a woman—one becomes one.”—Simone de Beauvoir

Professionals seeking to gain an advantage in a tight labor market can add another credential after their names with a new interdisciplinary graduate certificate offered by the Women’s and Gender Studies Program at MTSU. “The 18 credit-hour program is an opportunity for professionals in areas such as healthcare, education, legal and social services and in the nonprofit sector to acquire expertise on women’s and gender issues that can help them advance in their careers,” says Dr. Newtona (Tina) Johnson, Women’s and Gender Studies Director. Starting in the spring 2011 semester, students will have an opportunity to gain advanced training in the areas of feminist theory and methodologies, as well as in-depth knowledge of gender inequality and the intersection of gender and other forms of social identity and positioning.

For more information, contact Johnson at 615-898-5910.
ntjohnso@mtsu.edu

The Internal Respite from Taxation Service

Tax collections from real estate transactions fell 10.8 percent in the third quarter, according to Tennessee Housing Market, a publication of MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center. THS says, “The trend of transaction tax collections clearly shows the effects of the homebuyers’ tax credit as homebuyers rushed to buy, followed by a period of reduced activity. The current level of activity is similar to that of the recession low in the first and second quarters of 2009. By contrast, mortgage tax collections jumped 11 percent during the third quarter, boosted by increased refinancing activity due to lower mortgage rates. Compared with last year, however, mortgage tax collections are still down, declining from the peak in 2006.”

Contact the Business and Economic Research Center at 615-898-2610.

TR EXTRA

EXPLORE THE WAR--After two excursions to the South Pacific to expose students to some of the critical sites of World War II, an MTSU historian prepares to embark on a tour of some of the pivotal sites of the European Theater of Operations for his “Warfare and Public Memory in Western Europe” class (HIST 3070). Dr. Derek Frisby, associate professor of history, will escort students across the continent May 19-June 3, 2011, in tracing the war’s “Great Crusade.” The 16-day tour will include an examination of Normandy; Bastogne; Dachau; Operation Market Garden, a campaign fought in Germany and the Netherlands; and the “Eagle’s Nest,” Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler’s retreat in the mountains above Berchtesgarden. Students also will follow the route of the 101st Airborne Division’s “Band of Brothers.” Tours of Omaha and Utah beaches, Arnhem and the “Battle of the Bulge” site are on the itinerary, as well as the Bayeaux Tapestry, Paris, Verdun and Waterloo. For more information, contact Frisby at 615-904-8097 or dfrisby@mtsu.edu. Financial aid is available. Apply as soon as possible. Contact the Office of Education Abroad and Student Exchange (MT Abroad) at 615-898-5179 or mtabroad@mtsu.edu.

THE BETTER CHEDDAR--The MTSU Dairy Science Club is now accepting orders for cheese gift boxes. This quality Wisconsin cheese is delivered within two days of placing an order. Although MTSU has a dairy herd that produces the milk served in campus cafeterias, the university does not make its own cheese. The funds raised from cheese sales support Dairy Science Club activities such as the Beginning and Master Beekeeping classes at MTSU, clinics and team travel. The deadline for placing orders is Tuesday, Nov. 30. Orders will be available to pick up from the MTSU Milk Processing Plant in the Stark Agriculture Building the first week of December. Cheese offerings are online at http://www.mtsu.edu/abas/cheesesale.pdf. Contact Kym Stricklin at 615-898-2523 or kstrick@mtsu.edu.

DON’T LET YOUR FELLOWSHIP SAIL WITHOUT YOU.--Qualified high-school seniors interested in applying for the Buchanan Fellowships at MTSU must meet a Wednesday, Dec. 1, deadline in order to be considered. The fellowship pays full tuition (up to 16 hours a semester) and most fees for four years of eligibility as well as an annual book allowance of $1,000 and other perks such as early registration and study-abroad opportunities. Students interested in securing applications for Buchanan Fellowships should go online to mtsu.edu/honors/scholarships.html. The fellowships are limited to 20 students per year. The fellowship is named in honor of Dr. James M. Buchanan (Class of 1940), a Nobel Prize-winning alumnus. Contact Dr. John Vile, dean of the University Honors College, at 615-898-2596 or jvile@mtsu.edu.

A RADICAL IDEA--A series of six Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) classes will be offered at no charge from 6-8 p.m. each Thursday through Dec. 2 at MTSU police headquarters, 1412 East Main St. in Murfreesboro. The class will be open to all female MTSU students, faculty and staff, as well as to the general public. A workbook/training manual will be provided to each student. Enrollment is limited. For more information or to enroll, contact MTSU RAD instructor Sgt. David Smith at 615-692-2424 or 615-494-7858.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS--It’s time again for “Operation Christmas Care,” the project that sends holiday cheer to wounded warriors. The service, which was started in 2006 by Lee Ann Newton, executive aide for the Tennessee Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Center, has sent more than 20,000 Christmas cards to hospitalized military personnel. “Unfortunately, our soldiers’ individual support systems often dwindle after the life-threatening danger has passed,” says Norton, “and yet their painful daily regiment toward recovery continues. E-mails are nice, and they’re appreciated, but a colorful card or letter with a heartfelt message of support and encouragement can beam from the walls of their hospital rooms until they leave.” Contact Newton at 615-904-8573 or lnewton@mtsu.edu.