Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

When repealing becomes unappealing

U.S. Rep. Bob Bishop (R-Utah) has introduced a bill for a new Constitutional amendment that would enable legislatures in two-thirds of the states to repeal any law Congress passes. Dr. John Vile, dean of the University Honors College and Constitutional law expert, wrote in the National Law Journal that the reasons for rejecting such legislation are “compelling.” Vile asserts, “The size of the U.S. deficit suggests that legislators already find it more advantageous to mandate benefits and lower taxes than to cut programs and raise taxes. Article I, Section VIII vests Congress with certain powers and responsibilities. What if state vetoes made it impossible for Congress to carry out such powers or fulfill such duties? What would happen if state legislators began vetoing tax bills without vetoing corresponding appropriations? Who should voters hold responsible?”

Contact Vile at 615-898-2596.
jvile@mtsu.edu

Still overcoming

“The State of Blacks in Middle Tennessee,” a recent comprehensive report by scholars and other experts, finds that life for African-Americans in the region is still separate and unequal. The report was published by the Urban League of Middle Tennessee in partnership with the Urban EpiCenter and the Center for Community Change. Dr. Sekou Franklin, associate professor of political science at MTSU, edited the report and contributed articles about African taxi drivers and voting in Nashville’s 2007 mayoral election. “The taxonomy of contemporary racism (overt racism, institutional racism, racial disparity, racial polarization, racial steering, the black-white achievement gap) is as pervasive in the 21st century as it was in the 1960s,” writes Franklin in the preface. Franklin’s colleague, Dr. Moses Tesi, political science, also contributed an article on Africans in Middle Tennessee.

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

Is the green movement losing its chlorophyll?

By comparison with a 2009 Harris Poll fewer respondents in a recent survey said they switched to bottled from tap water, donated or recycled electronics or bought locally grown produce. Dr. Don Roy, management and marketing, says it’s not yet time to mark the end of the green consumer. “It is possible that some consumers are reverting back to previous attitudes and behaviors as their personal situations improve,” says Roy. “We can look at reactions to gasoline prices and observe similar patterns. When gas prices rose to their highest levels, more consumers cut back on driving, more interest existed for fuel-efficient vehicles and electric and hybrid vehicles were in vogue.”

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

TR EXTRA

LEARNING ABOUT COLLEGE -- “How to Win at the Game of College,” a three-part seminar series to equip students with the tools and strategies to ensure college success, will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, in the State Farm Lecture Hall (Room S102) of the Business and Aerospace Building at MTSU. A dynamic, interactive and audio-visual presentation by Dr. Ryan Otter, assistant professor of biology, and based on his book How to Win at the Game of College: Practical Advice from a College Professor, the opening installment of the series is titled “The Benefits of the ‘Be Weird’ Strategy.” It will focus on how college is different from high school and how being “weird” will lead to success. For more information, contact Otter at 615-898-2063 or rrotter@mtsu.edu or Gina Logue of the MTSU Office of News and Public Affairs at 615-898-5081 or gklogue@mtsu.edu.

SCIENCE SAYS … -- Middle Tennessee Education Center in Shelbyville is offering an Experimental Physical Science course beginning today, Jan. 19. Dr. Pat Patterson, associate professor of chemistry at MTSU, will teach this four-hour graduate course. It involves basic concepts, laws and principles of astronomy, chemistry, geology and physics with an emphasis on the utilization of equipment available in actual school situations. The class will meet each Wednesday from 4-10 p.m. at MTEC and is recommended for teachers who wish to begin or continue their “Plus 30” hours of graduate work. MTEC is located at 200 Dover St. in Shelbyville. To find out more, contact Molly Culbreath at 931-685-4444 or mculbrea@mtsu.edu.
YES, THEY CAN! -- The Center for Health and Human Services at MTSU will administer the “Yes I Can! Diabetes Self-Management Program” from February through June in Rutherford County. It will consist of six weeks’ worth of two-and-a-half-hour sessions that will be completely free to participants. The community-based protocol is derived from a model created by Stanford University and used nationwide for the past 20 years. Diabetics, their supporters and people who might have indications of a pre-diabetic condition are encouraged to participate. There will be a cap of 20 people per class, so sign up now. Doctor’s referrals are not required. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Children will not be allowed to attend. For specific times and locations or to register online, go to http://www.mtsu.edu/achcs/YesICan.shtml.

“NOTHING HAPPENS UNLESS FIRST A DREAM.”—CARL SANDBURG--Dr. Jhon (spelling is correct) C. Akers will interpret the works of poet Carl Sandburg on classical guitar in “Carl Sandburg and the Spanish Guitar,” a lecture slated for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, in the State Farm Lecture Hall of the Business and Aerospace Building. Akers was twice the featured lecturer for the Sandburg Days Festival in Galesburg, Ill. He is an associate professor of modern languages at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. Sandburg, a poet, historian and winner of three Pulitzer Prizes, also collected folk songs and wrote children’s literature and had a lifelong love for the Spanish guitar. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. William Yelverton at 615-898-2004 or 615-898-5623.