The loud minority

Vocal minorities often make so much noise that it is difficult for citizens to gauge public opinion from news reports, say the organizers of the new MT Poll, released by the MTSU Office of Communication Research. The poll reveals that 60 percent of the respondents believe that the majority of Tennesseans are currently against an income tax with sales tax cuts. Exactly the reverse is the case! According to the survey, 61 percent support that proposition. About 47 percent think Tennesseans will eventually support an income tax with sales tax cuts--and more women (54 percent) than men (40 percent) feel that way. Contact Dr. Robert Wyatt, poll director, at 615-477-8389, or Dr. Ken Blake, associate director, at 615-210-6187.

A grand, grand opening!

After several years of planning and preparation, MTSU's Tennessee Miller Coliseum will open with pomp and fanfare, beginning with public tours at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon, March 18. The coliseum is located at 304-B West Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro. Special remarks by Charlie Myatt, chair of the Miller Trust Planning Committee, and MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee will commence at 7 p.m., followed by the "Symphony of Horses" and the Murfreesboro Philharmonic Orchestra at 7:30. The coliseum is 222,000 square feet and including the bleacher section, will seat 6,500 spectators. The cost of the coliseum is $15.6 million, made possible by a gift from John C. and Mary Elizabeth Miller. Media welcomed.

For more information, contact the NPA office at 615-898-2919.

Embezzling

A former United Way executive, Jacquelyn Allen-MacGregor, a 20-year employee, pleaded guilty to embezzling $1.9 million. What drives people to steal from their own organizations, especially those that are charity-based? "The frequent association and involvement with financially sound and thriving organizations is always eye candy for the human nature," says Dr. Ken Edmisson, expert in the psychosocial foundations of organizations. "What's difficult about this is how easy the access is to funds for these individuals. Many see it as a means to advance the particular organization, while in essence, they are merely advancing their own personal interests."

Contact Edmisson at 615-898-5918.
edmisson@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA: Tonight, 8 p.m., Imani Wind Woodwind Ensemble, Wright Music Building, free of charge. Media welcomed.