Art wars

Two high school teachers in New Mexico were placed on leave for refusing to remove war-related (both anti and pro) student artwork posted in their classrooms. They contended that removing the material was a violation of the students' rights to express their opinion. Dr. Lon Nuell, art professor and local school board member, says certainly schools have an obligation to protect students from materials and information deemed harmful, such as cigarette or alcohol ads or pornography. "Equally, a school system must provide ... the freedom to express ideas--even if those ideas are not in keeping with the mainstream in a community." It is essential that individual voices be heard.

Contact Nuell at 615-898-2505.
lrnuell@mtsu.edu

Adoption

One of the reasons why so many well-suited potential parents look overseas to adopt a child is because of the archaic rules in this country, says Debbie Simpson, director of the Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance. She points to such questionable criteria as the number of years difference in the father and mother's ages and a willingness to stay off work for an entire year. "We should review the rules for state adoptions and look at restructuring the system. We should never allow children to be adopted by less than model parents," she adds. The results to the child and to society are too critical, she notes.

Contact Simpson at 615-904-8318.
dsimpson@mtsu.edu

Study with caution

Certainly study abroad programs are more cautious this year with MTSU programs and those with KIIS (Kentucky Institute for International Studies) and CCSA (Cooperative Center for Study Abroad) monitoring travel advisories, says Dr. Doug Heffington, professor, geosciences. "The MTSU program in Italy (art) has been cancelled ... in light of events in the Middle East. I work with the KIIS Costa Rica program, and so far only one of my MTSU students has dropped for safety reasons."

Contact Heffington at 615-898-5978.
jheffing@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA: TODAY, 12:30 p.m. reception, 1 p.m. program--Outstanding MTSU will receive the prestigious President's Award, Provost's Award, and Achievement Award. Two additional honors will include the Outstanding Student Leader Award and the Community Service Award. The program will take place in the JUB Tennessee Room. Contact Deana Raffo at 615-898-5786. Media welcomed.
TONIGHT--7 p.m.--The conclusion of the 4th annual Student Film Festival features seven films. Awards to the top three will be presented tonight based on creative and technical aspects. For more information, contact Tommy Gibson at 615-898-2551. This is free and open to the public--and media are welcomed.
TOMORROW, April 11, 7 p.m., at Hastings on Memorial Blvd. Is there a 'Grand Designer' or is the natural world, with all its complexities, the result of mindless, purposeless forces? Dr. Eric Klumpe, MTSU assistant professor, physics and astronomy, astronomer and astronautical engineer, will discuss both sides of the faith-and-life debate and offer comments on the scientific prospects for a resolution. Free and open. Contact Klumpe at 615-898-2130. Media welcomed.
SATURDAY, April 12, 4:30 doors open--MTSU International Banquet with food, exhibits, dancing, music--all to celebrate our diversity; Tennessee Room, James Union Building; tickets are $12 per adult; $10 children 12 and under; $6 MTSU students with ID; $3 MTSU int'l students. Contact Sandy Brandon at 615-898-2238. Media welcomed.