Lesson learned: U.S. needs allies to combat terrorism
   Two years after the devastation of Sept. 11, the United States is trying too hard to fight the war against terrorism alone, says Chip Carey, assistant professor of political science at Georgia State University. "We're stretched beyond our means as a country," says Carey. "In the days immediately following the tragedy, a swift, sure victory seemed possible. However, time has borne out the need for multinational cooperation." He stresses the need for U.N. cooperation on peacekeeping tactics, including training the police and army in Iraq, as well as help from Germany and France in pursuing terrorists in Western countries. Carey researches international criminal justice and human rights. He can be reached at 404-651-4845 or polhfc@panther.gsu.edu.

Finance prof: 'Market timers' abuse financial-market system
   Allegations of abuses by major mutual-fund companies could have severe repercussions on investor confidence, says Jason Greene, an associate professor of finance at Georgia State University. New York Attorney General Mark Spitzer recently claimed that these companies had engaged in fraudulent after-market trading practices with privileged institutional investors. "The most troubling issue is that mutual fund companies appear to have been active participants in allowing large hedge funds to profit at the expense of individuals," Greene says. Greene recently published a study showing that small investors have been losing money to "market timers" for several years. In many cases, these individuals have been private investors who have taken advantage of predictability in mutual fund share prices. "Based on our study, we estimate that profits to these 'market timers' come at the expense of buy-and-hold shareholders in the fund to the tune of more than $1 billion a year," Greene says. Contact him at 404-651-2655 or jgreene7@gsu.edu.

Does Georgia's music industry top the economic charts?
   Our state is teeming with budding and established musicians representing virtually every musical genre. Renowned artists from around the world now come to the Atlanta area to record and produce. Teen bands from Dalton to Valdosta dream of leaving their garages for the big time. Just how "bounty-licious" is the state's music industry? Kelly Edmiston, an assistant professor of economics at Georgia State University, is examining the economic impact of Georgia's commercial music business. Contact Edmiston at 404-651-3519 or prckde@langate.gsu.edu.

Perfectionism has its flaws - but can be good for some
   Although we like to hate perfectionists, society often rewards their nit-picky ways - and being one might actually be good for your self-esteem, according to a researcher in Georgia State University's College of Education. "Setting high personal standards is not necessarily a problem, but rather how perfectionists deal with the discrepancy between their standards and their actual performance," says Jeff Ashby, associate professor of counseling and expert on perfectionism. Ashby's research has shown that adaptive perfectionists - those who hold high personal standards - had higher levels of self-esteem than their peers. But maladaptive perfectionists - those who see performance as equating to self worth -- almost always have clinical levels of depression or anxiety. Maladaptive perfectionism is most common among college students, whose performance is constantly being measured by grades. "In general, these folks are not interested in giving up high standards because there's a pretty big payoff," Ashby says. Contact him at 404-651-2550 or jashby@gsu.edu.

Happening at Georgia State University:

Sept. 11 anniversary panel discussion planned
   A panel discussion: "Terrorism Post-9/11: Where Are We Now? What Have We Learned? How Can We Prepare for the Unimaginable?" will be held at noon Sept. 11 in the Georgia State University Student Center Speaker's Auditorium. Panelists include Michael Dorn of Georgia's Office of Homeland Security; Sonayia "Sony" Shepherd, state bioterrorism/emergency preparedness exercise coordinator; and William L. Waugh, Georgia State professor and author of Living with Hazards, Dealing with Disasters, Terrorism and Emergency Management and International Terrorism: How Nations Respond to Terrorists. The event is sponsored by the Undergraduate Economics Club at Georgia State. For more information, contact Kelly Edmiston, assistant professor of economics, at 404-651-3519 or prckde@langate.gsu.edu.

World Media Forum to address Arab-U.S. relationships
   Three Saudi Arabian experts on journalism and commerce will form the panel at the 53rd World Media Forum, "Strengthening Arab-U.S. Relationships: The Saudi Arabian Connections." The event is planned for 2:30 p.m. Sept. 10 in Room 100 of Alumni Hall (30 Courtland St.). For more information, contact Leonard Teel at 404-651-2697 or joulrt@langate.gsu.edu.

Fall enrollment grows, retention rates improve
   Georgia State University's enrollment grew slightly this fall, largely due to retention efforts that have kept top students here, university officials reported. The number of new freshmen decreased by 26 percent, with 2,050 freshmen registered for classes this semester, compared to 2,776 enrolled in fall 2002, the largest freshmen class in university history. Still, overall enrollment grew by 585 students to a total student body of 28,087. Bill Fritz, associate provost of academic programs, said efforts were taken to curb the number of incoming freshmen because the university couldn't sustain another surge in enrollment. Fritz attributes the overall growth to a number of new initiatives that have attracted top students to the university and kept them engaged in the university's academic and social offerings, improving retention. He can be reached at 404-651-1156 or wfritz@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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