Accountability

Some consumer groups have attacked Ernst & Young for releasing a memo to audit committees stating that they should preapprove broad categories of nonaudit services rather than scrutinize each case for potential independence problems. Dr. Jim Burton, business dean, CPA, CFE, says E&R's position is understandable because of time and cost. "In light of possible public perception issues, however, extra caution beyond what is strictly required may be advisable, at least for a period. The issue of independence is not only one of independence in fact ... but in perception."

Contact Burton at 615-898-2764.
eburton@mtsu.edu

Getting Mac back on track

McDonald's is developing a new theme and returning to basics in an effort to regain its former fast-food dominance. So how did the company get off track? Dr. DeAnna Kempf, marketing and consumer behavior expert, says part of the problem is the sheer ubiquitousness of McDonald's. "You can efficiently describe the size of a town [by] telling how many McDonald's it has. ... And adding a 'Mc' prefix to nouns implies that it is a standardized, common, low-end item, like 'McFurniture.'" Perhaps it has become too familiar and thus less desirable to people who crave individuality and custom services, she adds.

Contact Kempf at 615-898-2997.
dkempf@mtsu.edu

Changing lives

Forty-three 10th-, 11th- and 12-graders from Pearl- Cohn High School, who have the potential but perhaps not the encouragement or wherewithal to go to college, are participating in a three-week Gear Up Institute at MTSU, made possible by a grant through Vanderbilt University. The teens attend classes everyday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. in math, English, aerospace, mass comm, University 101, and "Make a Difference." The students have individual mentors as well as teachers assistants with them throughout the day. Media welcomed.

For information, contact Stephanie Dunn or Dr. Catherine Stogner at 615-898-5522.

TR EXTRA

THURSDAY, June 19, 4:30 p.m.--Groundbreaking for the Emmett and Rose Kennon Sports Hall of Fame Building at MTSU (behind Murphy Center). Media weclomed.
JUNE 16-25: Camp Prism, June 16-25, is a collaboration between MTSU and Murfreesboro City Schools, in which children will work together in hands-on activities involving chemistry, biology, geology, math and more. Events will take place on campus and around the community, beginning around 8:30 a.m. Media welcomed. Contact Dr. Rebecca Zijlstra, coordinator, on her cell phone at 848-8960 or Linda Gilbert, Murfreesboro City Schools, at 615-893-2313.
JUNE 16--JULY 3: The Jennings and Rebecca Jones Reading Academy that will be held at Bradley Elementary School in Murfreesboro. "The inability to read and write is a lifelong, crippling handicap," says director Dr. Nancy Crews. Contact Crews at 615-898-5630 or visit http://www.mtsu.edu/~readacad. Media welcomed.