Discipline program in schools improves behavior, learning outcomes
   The recent controversy surrounding news that a metro Atlanta school system underreported thousands of disciplinary incidents has rattled parents and educators alike. But across the state, schools are taking a proactive approach to solving disciplinary problems in an effort to create a safer school climate and better learning environment. Sixteen schools across Georgia, from Chatham to Habersham counties, are participating in the School-Wide Discipline Project, a federally-funded initiative that trains schools to develop discipline techniques that teach children appropriate school behavior. Since the project began in 2000, participating schools have reported 26 to 70 percent decreases in the number of office referrals. Director Juane Heflin said the project is helping increase the amount of time students are engaged in learning activities." As more and more schools participate I think we're going to see achievement scores increase, because children are going to be in the classroom learning, " said Heflin, associate professor of educational psychology and special education at Georgia State University. For more information on the project, contact Heflin at 404-651-0129 or jheflin@gsu.edu.

Music industry taking on individual file traders
   With CD sales falling drastically, the music industry is taking names -- by going after individual users of file-trading services such as Grokster, Kazaa and Morpheus. The industry, which recently suffered a serious setback when a federal judge in Los Angeles ruled that the owners of such software can't be held liable for what people do with it, filed lawsuits this month against four college students who are major file traders, charging them with copyright infringement and seeking billions of dollars in damages. The film industry also is taking legal steps to protect its movies, which are frequently shared over file-trading services. Law professor Michael Landau, an expert on intellectual property, technology and arts/entertainment law at Georgia State University, is available to discuss developments in these ongoing battles. Contact him at 404-651-2084 or mlandau@gsu.edu.

Managing the new workforce
   Springtime means graduation for millions of the nation's college students, and a subsequent influx of young people into the workforce. What should older managers know about this generation of employees? "This group of graduates is much less unrealistic and more cynical than their predecessors," says Bill Kahnweiler, "They don't expect job security, and they don't expect a company to be loyal to them. Many of them have seen their parents laid off, and some have even had it happen themselves. This is not a group of graduates that's new to working." Kahnweiler, associate professor of human resource development at Georgia State University, is an expert on leadership and motivation of employees and other "people issues" in the workplace. Contact him at 770-390-0431 or wkahnweiler@gsu.edu.

Potholes expected in road to Iraq's democracy
   Military action in Iraq may be ending, but the battles there have just begun, according to Georgia State University assistant professor of political science Michael Herb. An expert on regime change and the Middle East, Herb anticipates physical attacks to continue as long as coalition forces occupy the country. Political challenges will persist, with a struggle to create an Iraqi government that will be both acceptable to Iraqis and friendly to American interests. Herb says involving other countries and the United Nations could be an excellent way to convince the Iraqis of our good intentions and create a sense of legitimacy for the rebuilding operation. Still, says Herb, the likelihood that the next Iraqi regime "will be really friendly to the United States seems really quite remote to me." He feels that based on elections in other Arab countries, Islamists would certainly win any election in Iraq. The only question, he says, is how radical the victors will be. Contact Herb at 404-651-4851 or herb@gsu.edu. Hear audio clips of Herb discussing obstacles to democracy in Iraq at http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwrad.

Dr. Mom: Female scientists straddling research and motherhood
   Research and motherhood usually don't mix in the world of science. To pursue the most lucrative research opportunities, it's hard for women to manage their duties as scientists and as mothers. But the chemistry department at Georgia State University nurtures an environment where faculty members can teach, research and also have a family. Al Baumstark, the chemistry department chair, distributes a quarterly newsletter in which pictures of families and news of vacations outnumber articles about the latest experiments. The family-friendly environment - both for faculty members and graduate students - is something Baumstark says he's proud of. Contact Baumstark at 404-651-1716 or chealb@panther.gsu.edu. Jenny Yang, an associate professor of chemistry and mother, can talk about her experiences juggling family and research. Contact her at 404-651-4620 or chejjy@panther.gsu.edu.

Happening at Georgia State University:

Georgia State's Spring Commencement Exercises
   The largest graduating class in university history will celebrate its achievements during three commencement exercises May 10 at Georgia State University's Sports Arena (125 Decatur St.). About 2,600 students will graduate this spring, with more than 1,900 marching in the graduation ceremonies. State Sen. Sam Zamarripa (D-Atlanta), the first Latino elected to the Georgia Senate, is the commencement speaker for the morning ceremony (10 a.m.). Deloitte & Touche chief executive officer Jim Copeland, a Georgia State alumnus, will address graduates at the 2 p.m. ceremony. Atlanta City Attorney Linda DiSantis will speak to graduates in the evening ceremony (6 p.m.). Georgia State will also honor distinguished alumni Jere Drummond, retired vice chairman of BellSouth, and bank executive Patrick Flinn during morning commencement exercises (10 a.m.). For more information, contact Betsy Robertson at 404-651-3572 or b-robertson@gsu.edu.

Georgia State Leads will be published monthly during the summer by the Department of University Relations. For more information about the publication or to sign up to receive Georgia State Leads, contact Beth Flannigan at 404-651-3574 or bflannigan@gsu.edu.

Don't see what you're looking for? Call University Relations at 404-651-3025 for fast access to faculty experts and university news. After hours and on weekends, contact Betsy Robertson, assistant director, via pager at 404-655-3456.

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