Eliminating points of view

On June 2, the FCC is scheduled to vote on what Dr. Larry Burriss calls "one of the most far-reaching proposals in several years." The Republican-controlled commission will determine how many radio and TV stations one company can own and how many one company can own in each community. Also proposed is a relaxing of "cross-ownership" rules that prohibit one company from owning both a broadcast station and a newspaper in the same community. "Concentration of ownership in fewer and fewer hands will only lead to a less, not more, enlightened public," he notes.

Contact Burriss, professor of journalism, at 615-898-2983.
lburriss@mtsu.edu

Christie 'Timid' Whitman

Christie Todd Whitman, who served two years as head of the EPA and is stepping down from that post, was known to have butted heads with President Bush on environmental concerns "and overall has not been considered an effective advocate for the environment," says Dr. Cindi Smith-Walters, professor of biology and environmental education expert. Whitman tried to avoid conflict and was often caught between a White House that supports the energy industry and environmental groups. "Environmental groups hope that her successor will take a more confrontational stand when it comes to environmental protection and regulation."

Contact Smith-Walters at 615-898-5449.
csmithwa@mtsu.edu

What's in your water?

Today, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., students will demonstrate new water-testing technology that will become an integral part of the physical science courses at MTSU. The demos will take place in Wiser-Patten Science Hall, Room 100. This technology employs TI 83+ Graphing Calculators and Vernier Probes and Sensors to discover the properties in water. Water samples are from "all over the place," says Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross, associate professor of chemistry, including Philadelphia and Chicago. Iriarte-Gross and Dr. Martha Weller, professor, physics and astronomy, have written and are testing a new lab manual for the course. Media welcomed.

Contact Iriarte-Gross at 615-904-8253.
jiriarte@mtsu.edu