University
Relations Tip Sheet - April 6, 2004
Professor: Bush losing public favor
The decision to allow National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice to testify before the 9/11 commission could be an indication that President George Bush's period of unchecked executive power is over, says a political scientist at Georgia State University. "The public is frustrated, and Congress is less willing to give the president a blank check," says Dan Franklin, an associate professor of political science. "In wartime, presidents tend to emerge stronger and with the power to do what they want internationally. But now, the country is just as divided as it was before Sept. 11, so any positive effect that Bush had following the attacks is dissipated," Franklin says. The failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, coupled with continued attacks against the military and pressing domestic issues, have eroded the public's confidence in the president, he says. "This could mean disastrous days ahead for Bush and possibly a rebound effect like the Vietnam War, where we saw a surge of Congressional authority and a severe limiting of executive power." Contact him at 404/651-4849 or poldpf@langate.gsu.edu.
Pledge of Allegiance controversy won't result in change, prof predicts
Allowing schoolchildren to recite the Pledge of Allegiance is probably constitutional since the oath refers to a non-specific deity, says law professor Eric Segall. Still, both sides have good arguments now before the U.S. Supreme Court, he adds. The pledge potentially violates church-state separation because it includes the words "under God." "We have a long-standing tradition of including 'IN GOD WE TRUST' on our money," says Segall, a noted Georgia State University expert on constitutional law. "It would be very difficult to remove all mention of God from public life." Contact Segall, who's visiting American University this semester, at 202/274-4045 or esegall@gsu.edu.
Biologist sleuths home-based fungi
Many companies that claim to find and eliminate fungi in homes use methods that may not reveal the whole gamut of microorganisms lurking in your dwelling, says Georgia State University biologist Robert Simmons in the April issue of Microscopy Today. Most indoor environments harbor fungi in dormant forms - as spores - which, combined with moisture, germinate on food, wood and ceiling tiles, releasing volatile substances as they grow and triggering allergic reactions in people. To find them, companies usually leave plates of agar - a nutrient-rich substance commonly used to grow microorganisms - around the house. The drawback: only those spores that fall out of the air, and grow on the particular agar used, actually germinate. Simmons' technique involves collecting samples from surfaces using clear packing tape and examining them under microscopes. His methods can paint a more accurate picture of what might be sharing your home. For more information, contact Simmons at 404/651-3138 or rsimmons@gsu.edu.
Libraries fight rising costs of scholarly journals
Faced with the rising cost of scholarly journals, librarians worldwide are teaming to fight for better access to research. "As the cost of journals rises - far above the inflation rate - libraries can purchase fewer journal titles and even fewer books," says Georgia State University chief librarian Charlene Hurt. Hurt and her colleagues advocate free-access or lower-cost journals that would keep published literature available to student and faculty scholars. In addition to creating a Web site to provide researchers with the latest news and information about issues in scholarly communication, the library has joined with larger organizations seeking change and is supporting and subscribing to less expensive, electronic versions of journals when appropriate. "Libraries are becoming quite militant" about fighting the rising prices of journals, says Hurt. "The real impact here is going to be on the less well-established scholars, particularly students, who aren't going to have access to published knowledge because they can't afford it." For more, contact Hurt at 404/651-2172 or churt@gsu.edu or visit www.library.gsu.edu.
Access to guns leads to trouble for juveniles
Adolescents and teenagers who think having a gun keeps them safer have the wrong idea, according to research by Erdal Tekin, assistant professor of economics at Georgia State University. "In fact, the results show that having access to guns increases the probability of a juvenile being cut, or stabbed, or threatened with a gun or a knife," says Tekin, who investigated the impact of gun availability at home, as well as drug use, on crime among kids ages 11 to 19. He found that juveniles who have access to guns and use drugs are more likely to commit robbery, burglary and theft. Tekin says he focused his research on youth because the extent of the relationship between guns, drugs and crime in that age range has not been identified. Contact Tekin at 404/651-3968 or tekin@gsu.edu.
Happening at Georgia State University:
Local artist selects 2004 Juried Student Show
Georgia State University's Ernest G. Welch School of Art and Design Gallery presents its 2004 Juried Student Show through April 23. Atlanta artist Radcliffe Bailey, whose most recent work was exhibited in the Birmingham Museum of Art and the New Museum in New York, selected the student works in this year's exhibition. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 404/651-0489 or write artgallery@gsu.edu.
Orchestra Baobab to perform at the Rialto
Senegal's legendary Orchestra Baobab, reunited after a 15-year hiatus, performs at 8 p.m. April 10 at the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts (corner of Forsyth and Luckie streets). Originally formed in Dakar in 1970, the group embraces a fusion of African and Cuban styles, including pachanga, salsa and cha cha cha. Tickets range from $20 to $45 and may be purchased at www.rialtocenter.org or by calling 404/651-4727. For more information, contact Amy Moudy Comeau at 404/651-2981 or acomeau@gsu.edu.
An evening of Big Band Jazz
The Georgia State University Jazz Band, under the direction of Gordon Vernick, presents a night of Big Band Jazz at 7:30 p.m. April 13 at Georgia State University's Rialto Center for the Performing Arts (corner of Forsyth and Luckie streets). Guest artist Kenny Garrett, saxophone, will join the performance. Ticket prices are $10 general admission, $5 for students with ID. For more information, call 404-651-INFO or visit www.music.gsu.edu. For tickets, contact the Rialto Box Office at 404/651-4727 or visit www.rialtocenter.org.
Conference attendees to discuss African-American relationships
The National African-American Relationships Institute will hold its first national conference April 16 and 17 in Atlanta's Sheraton Colony Square Hotel. Scholars, marriage and family therapists, authors, community and civic leaders, as well as representatives from faith-based and youth organizations, government agencies and corporations, will explore solutions to build and strengthen African-American marriages and families. The public is invited. Registration fees range from $20 to $175. Patricia Dixon, associate professor of African-American Studies at Georgia State University, co-founded the NAARI in 2002. For more information, visit www.aarelationshipsinstitute.com or contact Dixon at 404/651-4882 or pdixon2@gsu.edu.
Exhibit recognizes Georgia State faculty, staff writers
From textbooks to popular fiction, works by faculty and staff at Georgia State University will be on display at the Faculty/Staff Authors Exhibit and Reception from 2 to 4 p.m. April 20 in Veterans Memorial Hall on the first floor of Alumni Hall (30 Courtland Street). Georgia State President Carl Patton and university librarian Charlene S. Hurt will host the event, which is part of Georgia State's Employee Appreciation Week. For more information, contact Jake Houle at 404/651-8714 or jhoule@gsu.edu.
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