Expert Alert | Archive | 2006
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'Tis the season to be betting
Dec. 15, 2006
The College Bowl season is about to heat up and the NFL playoffs are on the horizon. For some that means a friendly wager with friends, but for others it can be more serious. A University of Minnesota expert who can comment on gambling addiction is:
Ken Winters, University of Minnesota professor of psychiatry
Winters has been studying addictive behaviors for the past three decades. His research focuses on problem gambling, and he can discuss its root causes.
To interview Winters contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Working to prevent E. coli outbreaks
Dec. 12, 2006
Sixty-one cases of E. coli sickness have been confirmed in the past week around the country. Now, nearly three dozen more have fallen ill in Iowa, and health officials have tracked the outbreak back to the Taco Bell and Taco John’s fast-food chains. The University of Minnesota has been working on break-through technology to combat such food-borne illnesses. A university expert who can discuss the technology is:
Joellen Feirtag, Extension Service Food Science and Nutrition professor
Feirtag has been working with a disinfecting system that cleanses food of viruses and bacteria such as E. coli. The water-based process does not affect flavor and is safe for the environment. She can discuss the system and its genesis and applications from home sinks to spinach fields.
To interview Feirtag, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Minnesota leads health rankings
Dec. 5, 2006
Today, the United Health Foundation released its annual “America’s Health Rankings,” putting Minnesota at the top. Based on factors such as health insurance coverage, personal habits and environment, and quality of medical care, this is the fourth straight year Minnesota has taken the top ranking. A University of Minnesota expert who can comment on Minnesota’s placement is:
Professor Jean Abraham, University of Minnesota School of Public Health
Abraham can discuss the results of the rankings and the overall picture of what brought Minnesota to the top. Her research focuses on health economics and policy, health insurance, welfare analysis and hospital market competition.
To interview Abraham contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Walmart goes India
Nov. 30, 2006
Although Walmart has been unsuccessful with its attempt to move into German and South Korean markets, it has announced Monday that it will be moving into India's. Given Walmart’s recent announcement of decline in sales for only the second time in 27 years, what can be expected of this move? A University of Minnesota expert who can comment on the issue is:
Srilata Zaheer, Carlson School Professor of Strategic Management and Organization
Zaheer says that Walmart should not expect quick returns from entry into India. On the plus side, Walmart has teamed up with one of the most dynamic and entrepreneurial mobile communications firms in India: Bharti. At the same time, however, running a retail chain is quite different from running a mobile-phone operation.
Zaheer is the chair of the Strategic Management and Organization Department at the U's Carlson School. Her expertise includes international mergers and acquisitions. Zaheer has written about the organization of the multinational enterprise, identity and culture in cross-national mergers and the migration of Indian business to the new economy.
To interview Zaheer, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.
Video game craze in full swing
Nov. 17, 2006
Eager gamers, young and old, have been camping outside the doors of electronics stores for days to get their hands on Sony’s new Play Station 3 video game console. It is a growing trend in the United States that has seen its revenues surge past movie ticket sales. From the fanatics who create online game cults to the casual player, Americans have come a long way from the days of Pac-Man to state of the art graphics that rival reality. What impact have these technological advances had on society? And are people spending too much time in front of the TV, caught up in fantasy worlds? A University of Minnesota expert who can comment on these issues is:
John Riedl, computer science professor, University of Minnesota
Riedl can discuss the evolution of video games over the past two decades and how they have been more and more integrated into our culture. He can also go into some of the technological depth of the advanced consoles on the market today. At the university, his research focuses on understanding how to create and use computer technology to solve the problems of increasingly complex human organizations.
To interview Riedl contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Rumsfeld’s resignation
Nov. 8, 2006
President Bush announced today that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is stepping down from his post. Is this a consequence of Rumsfeld's performance? Did the White House heed the military’s calls for Rumsfeld’s resignation? Or is this the first response to the election results? University of Minnesota experts who can comment on Rumsfeld's resignation are:
Jason Roberts, professor of political science, University of Minnesota
Roberts says that this is the "first sign of effect of yesterday's election" and this is signaling that the people's voice has been heard by the White House. Roberts specializes in congressional elections.
Colin Kahl, professor of political science, University of Minnesota
Kahl can comment on Rumsfeld's handling of the war in Iraq and what else might have prompted the decision to have Rumsfeld step down. Kahl teaches courses in international relations, American foreign policy, and terrorism. He has recently completed a Council on Foreign Relations fellowship at the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C. and visited Baghdad earlier this year doing research for the Department of Defense.
To interview Roberts or Kahl, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.
Minnesota Elections
Nov. 7, 2006
Minnesota’s much anticipated elections are tomorrow, and the barrage of TV ads, negative spars, debates and polls is finally peaking. Politicians are feverishly getting in their last minute campaigning as tomorrow may bring a new governor or even the first Muslim in the United States Congress. University of Minnesota experts who can cut through the clutter and talk about the election, trends, results and implications are:
Greg Thorson, political science professor, University of Minnesota, Morris
Professor Thorson is an expert on Minnesota politics. His primary research is done on legislative politics and public policy. He has done numerous interviews on elections and comment on what tomorrow’s results will mean.
Jason Roberts, professor of law and political science, University of Minnesota
Roberts’ current work focuses on the parties and procedures in the U.S. Congress and historical congressional elections. He recently hosted the “Conference on Party Effects in the United States Senate.”
William Flanigan, political science professor, University of Minnesota
Flanigan can comment on what type of voting behavior may come out and the importance and rapid change of public opinion preceding and during an election. He has also studied the effects of electoral change on political systems such as Minnesota’s.
Guy-Uriel Charles, University of Minnesota Law School professor
Charles is a professor at the U’s Law School and the director of the Institute for Law and Politics. Charles can offer commentary on the legal perspective of the election, i.e., whether lengthy legal challenges are likely if some of the races end up very close.
To interview any of the experts above, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.
Saddam's sentence and what it means for Iraq
Nov. 6, 2006
On Sunday, Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death by hanging - a sentence that has major implications for Iraqis and Iraq’s future. What does the sentence mean to the Iraqi people? What does it represent to the different ethnic groups in Iraq? Will this calm things down or rather incite more violence? A University of Minnesota expert who can comment on the death sentence and analyze what this means for Iraq politically is:
Colin Kahl, professor of political science at the University of Minnesota
Kahl teaches courses in international relations, international security, American foreign policy, civil and ethnic conflict, and terrorism. He has recently completed a Council on Foreign Relations fellowship at the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C., where he has worked on a variety of “War on Terrorism” issues. Kahl currently teaches a class at the U called “War on Terrorism and American Foreign Policy,” and has visited Bahgdad earlier this year where he did research for the Department of Defense.Other issues Kahl can also comment on are:
• U.S strategy, policy, and military conduct in Iraq
• Current U.S. policies related to the war on terrorism
• Application of the Geneva Conventions and other aspects of the law of war in Iraq and the broader war on terrorism
To interview Kahl, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.
A U of M peak through the Hubble Telescope
Nov. 1, 2006
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced that it would coordinate a mission to make vital repairs to its prized Hubble Space Telescope. Over its 16-year life, the instrument has been used by scientists from around the world to peer further into galaxies and learn more about our universe. A University of Minnesota professor who has been one of those lucky scientists and can discuss his work and the importance of the telescope is:
Evan Skillman, professor of astronomy, University of Minnesota
Skillman is currently the primary investigator for seven Hubble Space Telescope projects. One of these focuses on “astro-archeology” which observes present star formations in order to determine how stars are created. His other projects involve ultraviolet spectroscopy that analyze what actually is in those huge, burning masses millions of miles away.Media Note - professor Skillman is only available for phone interviews.
To interview Skillman contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
New Jersey gay marriage ruling
Oct. 25 , 2006
The New Jersey Supreme Court will release its long-awaited ruling today on whether that state must allow same-sex couples the full legal right to marry. The case, Lewis v. Harris, was brought by seven gay and lesbian couples. Currently, Massachusetts is the only state to recognize the constitutional right to gay marriage. University of Minnesota experts who can comment on the ruling are:
Dale Carpenter, U of M Law School professor
Carpenter says the ruling will have enormous impact, legally and politically. Carpenter is an expert on issues involving sexual orientation, including same-sex marriage. He teaches and writes in the areas of constitutional law, the First Amendment, sexual orientation and the law.
Edward Schiappa, U of M communication studies professor
Schiappa is an expert on legal argumentation who has studied the U.S. Supreme Court reasoning on gay rights for 17 years. If the plaintiffs win, it would make New Jersey the second state to recognize gay marriage. Unless the case is decided narrowly by the Court, a victory would allow gay couples from other states to go to New Jersey to be married legally, he says. A victory by the plaintiffs would have huge symbolic value for both the advocates and opponents of gay marriage. “This could be the "October Surprise" that galvanizes voters on both sides in the November election,” Schiappa says.
Kathleen Hull, U of M sociology professor
Hull is an expert on same-sex marriage. In Hull’s new book, “Same-Sex Marriage: The Cultural Politics of Love and Law,” she explores what marriage means to gays and lesbians in the United States. In her earlier book, "The Cultural Politics of Same-Sex Marriage," Hull examines same-sex marriage as both a cultural and a political/legal phenomenon. She has also researched the impact of the emerging self-proclaimed "marriage movement," which seeks to protect and strengthen the institution of traditional (heterosexual) legal marriage through efforts at legal and cultural change.
To interview the experts, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801 or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962.
300 million fellow Americans
Oct. 17 , 2006
The U.S. Census Bureau has announced that the United States’ population has reached a historic 300 million people this morning. But with this milestone come challenges. As suburbs spill further outward, condos pop up on almost every street corner and our roads become chock full of traffic, Americans are dealing with the effects of such an increase. University of Minnesota experts who are available to discuss the 300 million mark:
John Adams, professor of geography, University of Minnesota
Adams’ work focuses on metropolitan development and regional growth. He studies how populous areas evolve economically, physically and socially over time. He can comment on:
• How schools, businesses and the government must adapt
• Changes in land and housing markets, incomes and taxes
• Expected government responses and political tensions
Deborah Levison, professor at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
Levison researches the methods and issues behind population tracking. In her work, she creates “life tables” that compare birth and death rates and incorporate national variables to give accurate population forecasts.
To interview Adams or Levison contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Resignation of UnitedHealth CEO Bill McGuire
Oct. 16 , 2006
UnitedHealth CEO Bill McGuire resigned Sunday in response to a stock option arrangement that allowed McGuire to backdate his options in order to maximize earnings. UnitedHealth also dismissed several others in its leadership ranks. University of Minnesota experts who can comment on McGuire and the stock option arrangement are:
Rajesh Aggarwal, professor of finance at the U’s Carlson School of Management
Aggarwal specializes in executive compensation and can explain what exactly backdating stock options means. He can also comment on why it is not an acceptable form of compensation, as shareholders and others were not made aware of it.
Norman Bowie, professor of strategic management at the U’s Carlson School of management
Bowie is professor of strategic management and the Elmer Andersen Chair in Corporate Responsibility. His research focuses on corporate responsibility and business ethics, and he can comment on the McGuire case.
To interview Aggarwal or Bowie, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.
North Korea's nuclear threat
Oct. 11 , 2006
North Korea’s reported nuclear test earlier this week is certain to cause some form of punitive action by the United Nations Security Council. Pyongyang has furthermore threatened to fire a nuclear missile, and the United Nations are discussing what actions to take to thwart this rising threat. University of Minnesota faculty who can comment on North Korea and the political situation are:
Seung-Ho Joo, professor of political science, University of Minnesota, Morris
Joo is a political science professor specializing in East Asian foreign policy and security. He can comment on the history of nuclear developments in North Korea and the region’s reactions. Joo has also studied the sometimes tumultuous relationship between the United States and the two Korean countries.
Edward Farmer, professor of history, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Farmer teaches world history at the U and specializes in Asia - China in particular. Farmer can comment on current developments in North Korea and the U.S. administration’s handling of the situation. He can comment on North Korea’s strategic position within the region and its military capabilities. In regards to a possible solution of the crisis, Farmer can elaborate on advantages and downfalls of both bilateral or multilateral talks with North Korea.
To interview Farmer or Joo, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.
U of M school violence expert available for interviews
Oct. 3 , 2006
With the recent murder of six school children in small-town Pennsylvania, the past week has now seen three different school shootings across the country. While one reportedly involved revenge by a student on his principal, the others were more difficult to make sense of with adults preying on children in class. A University of Minnesota expert who has studied these types of situations and can comment on the tragedies is:
Edward Taylor, University of Minnesota professor of social work
Taylor is available to discuss the issues surrounding the recent violence. He is currently completing a research article on the developmental histories of more than 200 people who were violent and had schizophrenia. He has also done a survey of high school students’ fears about school violence. While he has been focusing on these relevant issues as a researcher, he is still shocked by the killings and trying to “make sense and meaning out of these events.”
To interview Taylor contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Minnesotans love the maroon and gold of fall
Sept. 29 , 2006
Thank goodness that the last season before Minnesota’s less than comfortable winter is such a beautiful one. From Lake Superior’s shore to the state’s southern border, fall’s foliage puts on a vivid display of colors. But we often take for granted nature’s complex and necessary process of seasonal change and adaptation. A University of Minnesota expert who can give a scientific perspective on the changing of colors is:
Florence Gleason, University of Minnesota plant biology professor
Gleason can discuss the chemical processes that leaves and other vegetation go through during all seasons and what we are actually seeing outdoors this autumn. She reminds us that the change in color is not just for show, but a vital need in Mother Nature.
To interview Gleason, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
One coup in Bangkok with a U of M professor
Sept. 21 , 2006
Martial law has been declared, political meetings are forbidden and foreign news networks are now removed from national television - Thailand is experiencing a military coup. Early Wednesday morning, amid no reports of violence, the southeast Asian country’s military chief announced a government take over. Now tanks and troops are quietly patrolling the capitol city, awaiting a round of elections to fill vacant positions. This is one of dozens of coups in Thailand since the end of World War II and the first since 1991. A University of Minnesota expert who has an intimate view of the situation and is available to comment is:
Gerald Fry, University of Minnesota professor of education policy and administration
Recently returned from Thailand for a World Bank meeting, professor Fry can discuss the current state of the country. He personally knows the prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed during the coup. For the past several years Fry has traveled extensively throughout southern Asia as an advocate for education reform.
To interview Fry, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Twins playoff race and the math of “magic numbers”
Sept. 20 , 2006
It is the last few weeks of Major League Baseball’s regular season, and eager Minnesota Twins fans are pulling out their pad and pencils to calculate the team’s “magic number” - how many more wins the team will need to clinch a playoff spot. After a monumental late season comeback, the Twins find themselves in the race to catch the Detroit Tigers for the Central Division title, or hold off long-time foe, the Chicago White Sox, for the Wild Card spot; either win will assure post-season play, but with a division title comes home field advantage. What math is behind the “magic numbers” that will determine where the Twins fall? A University of Minnesota expert who can comment on “magic numbers” is:
Lawrence Gray, University of Minnesota math professor
Gray can discuss the math that goes into “magic numbers” at the end of every baseball season and where the Twins currently stand. A Twins fan himself, Gray can also go into depth on the elimination numbers that he hopes the Tigers or White Sox will soon reach. In the classroom, his teaching focuses on probability theory.
To interview Gray, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.
9/11: five year anniversary
Sept. 8 , 2006
Monday marks five years since that Tuesday morning in 2001 when the United States was fully and brutally introduced to home-front terrorism. The tragedy still lingers in the minds of many Americans who witnessed the planes crash, whether in person on the streets of New York or even thousands of miles away in front of the television. Almost 3,000 people were killed that day: husbands, wives, fathers, mothers and children. How have these families who lost loved ones searched for hope and closure these past five years? Few times in American history has the country been so horrifically shocked on its own soil, tightly united in common defense, and then slowly and sharply polarized. Our foreign involvement has drastically increased, and we now live in a society with “orange” and “yellow” levels of security alertness.
Colin Kahl, assistant professor in political science at the University of Minnesota
Kahl teaches courses in international relations, international security, American foreign policy, civil and ethnic conflict, and terrorism. He has recently completed a Council on Foreign Relations Fellowship at the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C., where he has worked on a variety of “War on Terrorism” issues. Kahl currently teaches a class at the U called “War on Terrorism and American Foreign Policy,” and has recently returned from a week in Baghdad, where he did research for the Department of Defense.Kahl can comment on a variety of issues, including:
• The origins and U.S. response to 9/11
• The evolution of the terrorist threat since 9/11
• Current U.S. policies related to the War on Terrorism
• U.S strategy, policy, and military conduct in Iraq
• Application of the Geneva Conventions and other aspects of the Law of War in Iraq and the broader War on TerrorismKahl is returning from Washington on Monday and will be available from noon to 3 p.m. During the weekend, he will be available for phone interviews.
Pauline Boss, professor of family social science at the University of Minnesota
Shortly after the attacks, Boss worked with family members of 9/11 victims and has continued to help them in the following years. She can speak about what she has learned from them and how she has worked on “resilience and new hopes rather than the pain of it all.” She discusses these themes in her new book, “Loss, Trauma and Resilience.” She is also coordinator of the post-9/11 Minnesota-New York Project.
To interview Kahl or Boss, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Controversy surrounds ABC’s scheduled Sunday/Monday airing of “The Path to 9/11”
Sept. 7 , 2006
ABC’s plans to air the two-part miniseries The Path to 9/11 beginning Sunday evening is generating a lot of controversy. The miniseries is based on interviews and documents including the report by the Sept. 11 commission. ABC says the miniseries is not a documentary but a dramatization. Clinton administration officials say that the five-hour movie is riddled with factual errors and fabrications. University of Minnesota experts who can discuss the controversy are:
Professor Mary Vavrus, U of M communication studies professor
Vavrus is an expert in the area of media studies, with particular emphasis on the political economy of the media and women in the media. She is author of Postfeminist News and an expert on critical media literacy. Vavrus says that The Path to 9/11 “highlights ABC's political bias, something that poses special problems during this run-up to the November mid-term elections.”
Professor Edward Schiappa, U of M communication studies professor and chair of the communication studies department
Schiappa is author of Defining Reality and teaches courses in freedom of speech and media studies. He says “the contradiction of Disney (who owns ABC) being unwilling to distribute Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 because it was controversial yet showing The Path to 9/11 without commercials is large.” “The airing of Path after CBS pulled their show about the Reagans due to complaints certainly challenges the myth of 'liberal media'.”
Professor Gil Rodman, U of M communication studies professor
Rodman teaches media and cultural studies. His areas of expertise are critical media studies, cultural studies, popular culture, communication technologies and Politics of Race and Ethnicity. Rodman says “Path demonstrates very odd priorities on ABC's part: the $40 million that the network spent to make a piece of "entertainment" (one that won't have commercial sponsors) could have been used to fund an awful lot of serious investigative journalism instead.”
To interview any of the professors, contact Patty Mattern at (612) 624-2801; or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
The “slimming” of soon-to-be CBS news anchor Katie Couric
Aug. 30, 2006
News broke today that a photo of Katie Couric, the incoming “CBS Evening News” anchor and the first solo female anchor of a weekday network evening news in history, had been touched-up to make Couric significantly slimmer. Couric said that she was unaware the photo would be touched-up until the CBS magazine it appears in crossed her desk. A University of Minnesota expert who can speak about the doctored photo and how women in the media are treated differently than their male counterparts is:
Mary Vavrus, a University of Minnesota communication studies professor
Vavrus is an expert on women and the media. Vavrus' research interests include news media representations of gender, feminism and postfeminism.
“In TV news, a woman’s size is always an issue,” Vavrus says. “In TV media, women’s cache has always been based on their appearance and men’s isn’t and, sadly, that hasn’t changed in years.”
Vavrus is currently working on a book, tentatively titled “Gendered Brands: Identity and the New Terrain of Media Politics.” Vavrus is also a member of the graduate faculty of the Feminist Studies program and teaches graduate courses including political economy of media culture, feminist media studies, qualitative methods in media studies and feminist cultural studies and electoral politics.
To interview Vavrus, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.
Minneapolis going for wireless
Aug. 30, 2006
Philadelphia, San Francisco and Anaheim have it, and now Minneapolis is on its way to becoming a wireless city. This Friday the City Council will vote on whether or not to approve the $20 million project that would give roughly 90 percent of the city a wireless internet connection for $20 a month. In its preliminary plan, a locally based technology firm has been appointed to undertake the daunting task. A University of Minnesota expert who can discuss what being a wireless city entails is:
Nihar Jindal, electrical and computer engineering professor at the University of Minnesota
Professor Jindal has extensively researched wireless communications at the university’s Digital Technology Center. He currently teaches a course on the subject. During his career he has also worked with Intel and Bell Labs on wireless technology development. Jindal can comment on the challenges encountered in a metropolitan-wide wireless system and what services it would provide.
To interview Jindal, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Plan B - The Morning-After Pill
Aug. 25, 2006
This morning, the Food and Drug Administration approved Plan B, the morning-after pill, for over the counter sales for anyone 18 and older. Girls 17 and younger will still require a doctor’s note to obtain the emergency contraceptive. A University of Minnesota expert who can comment on this issue is:
Martha Erickson, parenting expert and senior fellow at the U’s Insititute for Child Development:
Erickson served as the first director of the University of Minnesota’s Children, Youth & Family Consortium, and she currently co-chairs the president’s Initiative on Children, Youth & Families at the U. She can give parents advice on a number of issues, including:
• Talking to teenagers about what is a morning-after pill
• Ensuring your teens know that Plan B is not simply an alternative to condoms or other contraceptives
• General advice on talking to kids about sex
• Helping your kids make good decisions in all areas of life
To interview Erickson, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.
Pluto demoted
Aug. 24, 2006
For the past 12 days, thousands of astronomers from around the world have been meeting in Prague, Czech Republic at the International Astronomical Union conference to determine the standards of what constitutes a planet. Today, the astronomers voted on a universal definition that demoted Pluto to a “dwarf planet,” bringing the total number of “classical” planets down to eight. University of Minnesota experts who can comment on this historic decision are:
Terry Jones, professor of astronomy at the University of Minnesota
Professor Jones specializes in infrared astronomy, stars and the Milky Way. Widely published in his field, he has had the opportunity to work with the Minnesota Supercomputer Institute and the Hubble Space Telescope to locate obscure stars hidden in our galaxies. Jones is available to discuss the demotion and some of the controversy over the new definition.
Larry Rudnick, professor of astronomy at the University of Minnesota
Professor Rudnick’s research focuses on supernovas and cluster galaxies. An Institute of Technology Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award recipient, Rudnick has also consulted for public television's “Newton's Apple” and is a founding member of the Minnesota Planetarium Society. He is also available to comment on the new definition.
To interview Jones or Rudnick, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Advice for parents sending their children off to college
Aug. 24, 2006
Going away to college is an anxiety-filled time for students, and it’s a difficult time for parents as well. Parents are searching for advice on how to handle this transition in the child’s life. A University of Minnesota expert who has advice for parents is:
Marjorie Savage, University of Minnesota Parent Program director
Savage has good advice for parents as they prepare to send their children off to college. In fact, Savage wrote the book on helping parents navigate their role in their child’s life when he or she leaves home for college.
In her book, “You’re On Your Own (but I’m here if you need me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years,” Savage guides parents through this critical period of life.
The unwritten rules for parent involvement in college-age children’s lives have changed, said Savage, who has worked in parent programs for 10 years. “When I started in this field, the message was for parents to let go,” Savage said. “About eight to nine years ago, I noticed a change in the student population. Students didn’t want their parents to completely let go.”
She gives tips on how to navigate issues that arise during college, involving everything from credit loads and body piercings to sex and finances. Savage’s book offers advice to help parents gauge when it’s appropriate to get involved in their children’s life and when it’s better to back off. When it comes to finances and health, get involved, Savage advises. When it comes to talking to professors about class, parents should not interfere, she said. “That’s considered sacred ground.”
To interview Savage, contact Patty Mattern at (612) 624-2801.
3 more planets in our solar system?
Aug. 16, 2006
Nearly 2,500 astronomers from the International Astronomical Union are meeting for the next two weeks in Prague, Czech Republic, to agree on a standard system of defining what constitutes a planet. The past half-century has seen great advances in telescope technology, and scientists have been able to observe further into the galaxy and in more precise detail than ever before. Now, with asteroids and once unknown clusters visible, the space community may be adding three more planets, forcing updates in textbooks and encyclopedias across the globe. University of Minnesota experts who can comment on these astronomical changes are:
Terry Jones, professor of astronomy at the University of Minnesota
Professor Jones specializes in infrared astronomy, stars and the Milky Way. Widely published in his field, he has had the opportunity to work with the Minnesota Supercomputer Institute and the Hubble Space Telescope to locate obscure stars hidden in our galaxies. Jones is available to discuss the three planet candidates and some of the controversy over the possible new definition.
Larry Rudnick, professor of astronomy at the University of Minnesota
Professor Rudnick’s research focuses on supernovas and cluster galaxies. An Institute of Technology Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award recipient, Rudnick has also consulted for public television’s “Newton’s Apple” and is a founding member of the Minnesota Planetarium Society.
To interview Jones or Rudnick, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
BP’s Alaska oil field and gas prices
Aug. 7, 2006
BP has announced the shutdown of the biggest oil field in the United States due to major corrosion in one of its pipelines. The oil supply affected accounts for eight percent of the nation’s oil. This reduction in global oil output will put additional strain on an already tight oil market and is certain to affect prices at the pump. University of Minnesota experts who can talk about the possible surge in oil and gas prices and alternative fuels are:
Akshay Rao, professor of marketing at the U's Carlson School of Management
Rao is the chairman of the department of marketing and logistics management and a professor of marketing at the U's Carlson School. He specializes in pricing and can answer questions on gas prices in response to the shutdown of the oilfield. Rao can also field questions in the general arena of gas pricing strategy.
Alfred Marcus, professor of strategic management and organization at the U's Carlson School of Management
Marcus can talk about the supply and demand dynamics that contribute to the price of gas at the pump. He can also talk about hybrid technologies such as hybrid electric vehicles or ethanol. Marcus can discuss hybrid technologies and what the government needs to do to provide incentives that will result in more fuel efficient vehicles and less oil dependency in the future.
Jerry Fruin, professor in the applied economics department at the U's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
Fruin can talk about BP’s announcement this morning and how this ties into the global supply of oil vs. directly affecting the prices at US pumps.
To interview any of the experts above, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.
Cuba and Castro’s future
Aug. 1, 2006
For the first time in his 47-year tenure, Fidel Castro has relinquished power of Cuba. Raul Castro, the 79-year old’s younger brother, is stepping in while the dictator undergoes intestinal surgery. Since Fidel led the communist revolution to power in 1959, the United States and the small island country have been on uneasy and sometimes hostile terms. Now, with Fidel’s health and Cuba’s future in jeopardy, the United States is strongly pressuring the government to prevent a possible Castro family regime. A University of Minnesota expert who can discuss Cuban politics and relations with the United States is:
David Samuels, political science professor at the University of Minnesota
Professor Samuels is a specialist in the area of Latin American politics. He can comment on past and current relations between the United States and Cuba and give some insight into what could develop as Castro’s condition changes.
To interview Samuels, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Dangerous temperatures in the Twin Cities
July 31, 2006
Temperatures in the Twin Cities will hit the 100 degree mark today, as the heat wave that hit Minnesota continues to endanger people as well as animals. University of Minnesota experts who can talk about the heat, its potential dangers, and give tips on what to do, are:
John Shutske, professor and safety and health specialist with the University of Minnesota Extension Service
Shutske can give advice on how to avoid heat illness - especially when working outside. People that are in danger, according to Shutske, include agricultural and construction workers, those who work in the landscaping and horticultural industries, homeowners doing yard work, as well as joggers, hikers and those playing organized sports. Shutske has a number of tips that he can offer up on working outside and staying safe in the heat.
Kelly Tart and Justine Lee, U of M College of Veterinary Medicine emergency veterinarians
Tart and Lee treat pets suffering from heat related problems. They can give tips on how keep your pets safe in the heat.
To interview any of the experts above, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 6124-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Excessive Heat Watch
July 28, 2006
The National Weather Service has issued an “excessive heat watch” for the Twin Cities. It has been issued for Saturday and Sunday, but the U’s climatologist Mark Seeley says that it will most likely be extended into next week. University of Minnesota experts who can talk about the heat, its potential dangers, and give tips on what to do, are:
Moira Novak, athletic trainer at the U’s intercollegiate athletics department
Novak is an expert in the area of heat exhaustion. She can comment on heat exhaustion, heat stroke/sunstroke, and hydration in general. Novak can provide excellent tips for people on what symptoms to watch out for, how to stay hydrated and how to properly exercise in this weather.
Kelly Tart and Justine Lee, U of M College of Veterinary Medicine emergency veterinarians
Tart and Lee are emergency veterinarians at the U, and they treat pets suffering from heat related problems. Tart and Lee can give tips on how keep your pets safe in the heat.
To interview any of the experts above, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu, or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
July 27, 2006
As former Enron and WorldCom executives begin their prison terms or await sentencing, the corporate community and America’s economy are adjusting to the repercussions left after the scandals. Four years ago this week, federal legislators passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to combat such illegal practices that were permeating the business world. But who has been affected by such rules and regulations? How has the economy reacted? And what have corporations done to accommodate the act? University of Minnesota experts who can comment on the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are:
Ivy Zhang, accounting professor at the U of M's Carlson School of Management
Professor Zhang has been monitoring the effects of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on the American economy for the past two years. Her research, the first of its kind, has documented the events after the passage of the law and found that markets have reacted negatively. Similarly, she has also studied Continental European firms’ voluntary adoption of the General Accepted Accounting Principles that United States’ companies abide by.
Brett McDonnell, professor at the University of Minnesota Law School
Professor McDonnell is analyzing the organizational structure of post Sarbanes-Oxley firms. His concentration is on the area of limits of corporate control and what role the board of directors plays in its independence from the business. In his other work, McDonnell studies mergers and acquisitions, securities regulations and corporate contracts. He has also been published in the Minnesota Law Review, the Yale Law Journal and the Antitrust Bulletin.
To interview Zhang or McDonnell, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Boundary Waters Wildfire
July 20, 2006
The fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area has claimed almost 31 square miles of wilderness, and the battle to contain it continues. A University of Minnesota expert who can talk about the wildfire is:
Lee Frelich, director of the U of M’s Center for Hardwood Ecology
Frelich has done extensive research on forest fires and windstorm disturbance in remote wilderness areas such as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota and the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Upper Michigan. While dangerous and destructive, Frelich would contend that this wildfire is a good thing, as it is critical for the regeneration of the forest, and that the current fire might not even be enough to regenerate the area.
To interview Frelich, contact Jeff Falk at (612) 626-1720 or jfalk@umn.edu, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu. Radio stations wishing to feature Frelich as a call-in guest, please submit timeslot and call-in number to jfalk@umn.edu.
Israel-Lebanon Crisis
July 14, 2006
Late last month, an Israeli soldier was kidnapped by Palestinian rebels on the Gaza-Israel border. In retaliation, Israeli forces struck back, demanding the release of their soldier. Now, two weeks later, the fighting has spread north to Lebanon with Hezbollah militants, and the region finds itself in another military conflict. University of Minnesota experts who can speak about the issues involved in this conflict are:
Michael Barnett, professor at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
Barnett, a professor in international relations at the University of Minnesota, can comment on Middle Eastern politics. He can help decipher some of the complexity of the region's relations and history between the Middle Eastern states. Regarded as one of the nation's leading international relations scholars, his work in Arab-Israeli affairs has been published in World Politics, International Studies Quarterly and the European Journal of International Relations.
Oren Gross, professor at the University of Minnesota Law School
Oren Gross is the Irving Younger Professor of Law and the Director of the Minnesota Center for Legal Studies at the University of Minnesota Law School. He is an internationally recognized expert in the areas of national security law, international law and international trade. He is also an expert on the Middle East and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Prior to coming to the University of Minnesota, Gross was a member of the faculty of the Tel Aviv University Law School in Israel. Gross is currently in Tel Aviv.
To interview Barnett or Gross, contact David Ruth at (612) 702-9473 or druth@umn.edu.
Heat Wave in Minnesota
July 13, 2006
A potentially dangerous heat wave is hitting Minnesota, and people, pets, lawns, and crops all across the state might suffer. University of Minnesota experts who can talk about the heat wave, its potential dangers, and what to do, are:
Mark Seeley, climatologist with the U's department of soil, water, and climate
Seeley, a climatologist at the U, can comment on this heat from a meteorological perspective. Seeley says, “there won't be any 'ifs' and 'buts' - the next four to six days will be very stressful for people.” Seeley also says that Minnesota has not experienced a heat wave of this length and intensity in more than a decade, and some parts of the state have not gone through something like this since 1988. His prediction is that this heat will last at least until Monday or Tuesday next week. Seeley can give tips on how to deal with the heat, what precautions to take and how to ensure our neighbors, the elderly and our families stay safe.
Jeff Todd and Justine Lee, emergency veterinarians with the U's College of Veterinary Medicine
Todd and Lee are University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine emergency veterinarians, and they treat pets suffering from heat related problems. They can give tips on how to take care of your pets during this heat wave, and how to avoid potentially dangerous overheating.
Moira Novak, athletic trainer at the U's intercollegiate athletics department
Novak is an expert in the area of heat exhaustion. She can comment on heat exhaustion, heat stroke/sunstroke and hydration in general. Novak can provide excellent tips for the public on what symptoms to watch for, how to stay hydrated, and how to properly exercise in this weather.
Bob Mugaas, professor and extension educator with the U of M's Extension Regional Center in Farmington
Mugaas is a regional extension educator in horticulture, and his area of expertise is turf grass science and management. He can talk heat waves and lawns, and he can give tips on what can be done to alleviate dead lawns, especially in regards to watering bans that some cities are starting to enforce. Mugaas can also talk about general lawn issues such as sustainability, natural lawns, low input lawn care, environmentally responsible lawn care, chemical and non-chemical weed control and lawn care for protecting water quality.
Dave Nicolai, extension educator with U of M's Extension Regional Center in Hutchinson
Nicolai is a regional extension educator in crops, and his area of expertise is corn and soybeans. He can discuss the issues farmers are facing across the state related to the heat, their crops and the lack of rain. He can comment on when this could become a serious issue and potential economic damage.
To interview any of the experts above, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
G8 Summit and Russian Democracy
July 12, 2006
With President Bush in Russia and the G8 Summit about to happen in St. Petersburg, Russian President Putin and U.S. Vice President Cheney have been taking “shots” at each other over Russia’s brand of democracy. A University of Minnesota professor who can talk about the G8 Summit and Russian democracy is:
Evelyn Davidheiser, director of the Institute for Global Studies at the University of Minnesota
Davidheiser is the director of the U’s Institute for Globals studies, and her area of expertise includes foreign relations and the democratization of Russia. She can comment on the significance of the G8 Summit happening in Russia, Russia’s desire to be a player in the West, and what we should be watching for in the Bush-Putin relationship.
To interview Davidheiser, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Aquatic invasive species
June 28, 2006
The barnacle-like zebra mussel poses a continuing threat to North America's industrial, agricultural and municipal water supplies. The zebra mussel as well as other aquatic invasive species continue to be a costly nuisance for freshwater shipping, boating, fishing, and claming as well. A University of Minnesota expert on zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species is:
Doug Jensen, University of Minnesota Sea Grant Extension Program, Duluth
Jensen is an aquatic invasive species specialist with the U’s Aquatic Invasive Species Information Center in Duluth. A zebra mussels specialist, Jensen frequently provides public presentations on zebra mussels, as well as other aquatic invasive species, and ways to prevent and minimize their impacts.
Jensen’s expertise includes other invasive species such as sea lampreys, Eurasian watermilfoil, and the, as Jensen puts it, “new kid on the block,” the New Zealand mud snail.
Jensen can also speak about a new national initiative called “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers” - an effort to stop aquatic nuisance species aby educating or showing Minnesotans how to help minimize the spread of these invasive species in our rivers and lakes. To find out more about “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers,” go to http://www.protectyourwaters.net/.
Another initiative Jensen can talk about is called “Habitattitude.” This effort is directed at aquarium hobbyists, backyard pond owners, water gardeners and others who are concerned about aquatic resource conservation, and gives practical advice on how to, for example, dispose of goldfish, i.e., not to flush them down the toilet.
To find out more about “Habitattitude,” go to http://www.habitattitude.net/.To interview Jensen, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Minneapolis as an architecture destination
June 23, 2006
The new Guthrie Theater, designed by internationally-renowned architect Jean Nouvel, opens Sunday, June 25, and is the latest striking addition to Twin Cities’ architectural and cultural landscape. The Guthrie is Nouvel’s first completed North American project, and one of the largest theatrical arts building projects in the country. It’s opening comes on the heels of several arts and cultural building projects by architects with international reputations. Earlier this month, the Minneapolis Institute of Art opened a new wing, which was designed by Michael Graves. Just prior to that, the new $125 million Minneapolis Central Library, designed by Cesar Pelli, opened. The Children’s Theatre Company, designed by Michael Graves, celebrated its opening last October. And a little more than a year ago, the new Walker Art Center, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, opened. A University of Minnesota expert on Minneapolis as an architecture destination is:
Thomas Fisher, Dean of the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of Minnesota
Fisher is available to speak about the changing face of Twin Cities’ architecture and how Minneapolis has become a touted destination for architects.
Fisher has served as the editorial director of Progressive Architecture and Building Renovation magazines, as the historical architect for the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office, as the Regional Preservation Officer at the Western Reserve Historical Society and as a historian with the Historic American Engineering Record. He has lectured or juried at more than 30 different schools of architecture and more than 60 professional societies.
To interview Fisher, contact Patty Mattern at (612) 624-2801, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Minnesota's Wine Trail
June 22, 2006
Who needs Napa Valley when wine is flowing throughout Minnesota? This month Minnesota unveiled its first-ever wine trail, the Three Rivers Wine Trail. A University of Minnesota expert who can discuss Minnesota's wine industry is:
Kent Gustafson, professor, University of Minnesota Tourism Center
Gustafson is available to discuss Minnesota’s growing wine industry. He sees the trail as a way to create a niche tourism market around the science of making wine.
The Three Rivers Wine Trail of Minnesota includes seven wineries and vineyards that wind from Chisago City down along the Mississippi, Cannon and St. Croix rivers to Lake City. The trail invites wine connoisseurs to spend a day or weekend visiting the wineries and vineyards and, of course, sampling wine.
Twenty-five years ago, growing wine in the harsh Minnesota climate was almost impossible. Today there are 19 small wineries, thanks in part to the University of Minnesota, which developed cold-hardy grapes varieties that are both tough and tasty.
Just this spring the University of Minnesota’s Horticultural Research Center released the much-anticipated Marquette, a cold-hardy, disease-resistant grape that yields a pinot noir-like red wine comparable to that produced in sunny California. Marquette marks the fourth variety released in six years by the University’s grape-breeding program - a shot in the arm for the emerging Minnesota wine industry and an unlikely boost for traditional Minnesota agriculture.
For more information on the Three Rivers Wine Trail, visit www.threeriverswinetrail.com.
To interview Gustafson, please contact Jeff Falk at jfalk@umn.edu or (612) 626-1720, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu. Radio stations: please specify preferred call-in time.
Superman Returns
June 21, 2006
Superman can easily leap tall buildings in a single bound, but how does he do it? “Superman Returns” premiers at theatres nationwide June 28, and it will likely be a summer blockbuster. A University of Minnesota expert who can comment on the superhero is:
Jim Kakalios, professor of physics, University of Minnesota
Kakalios, author of the book “The Physics of Superheroes,” will be available for interviews beginning June 26. Kakalios’ book takes a real, and often humorous, look at the actual science behind the powers of superheroes like Superman, Spider-Man and The Fantastic Four. Surprisingly, Kakalios found that the writers of the comics often got the science right behind some of the superheroes abilities.
Kakalios began using examples from comics to teach physics to his students in 2001. His experience with his Physics of Superheroes Freshman Seminar, and the popularity of big budget superhero movies, suggested to him that there might be a broad audience interested in learning the physics concepts that underlie our modern technological lifestyle, explained in a fun and accessible manner.
To interview Kakalios or obtain a copy of the book, contact Mark Cassutt at (612) 624-8038 or cassu003@umn.edu, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
June is Dairy Month
June 16, 2006
June is celebrated as Dairy Month nationwide, an opportunity to highlight Minnesota’s dairy farmers.The nation’s sixth largest milk-producing state, Minnesota’s dairy industry generates $2.7 billion in economic activity annually. The state counts 5,300 dairy farms and more than 450,000 cows. But the state’s dairy industry is facing challenges. Facing competition from farms in the western U.S.:
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The number of dairy farms in Minnesota has dropped 72 percent in the last 20 years.
The number of dairy cows is down almost 50 percent.
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Milk production is down 23 percent.
Neil Broadwater, University of Minnesota Extension educator in dairy
Broadwater is available to discuss the state of Minnesota’s dairy industry. Broadwater says that the viability of the dairy industry in Minnesota is of great economic and food production concern to the people of Minnesota. While there are several reasons for the decline in the state’s dairy industry, Broadwater says, education can have a major impact on whether dairy continues as a growing Minnesota industry. Educating producers and industry professionals on new technologies and modernization of dairy operations will enhance profit and the lifestyle of dairy farm families across the state.
To interview Broadwater, please contact Jeff Falk at jfalk@umn.edu or 612-626-1720.
Carp Copulation
June 14, 2006
Yes, you read correctly. A combination of factors, including the time of year, fresh water, the increased water temperature and the rapid growth of aquatic plants, are all responsible for a hormonal surge in female carp. A direct result is a significantly increased amount of carp mating activity in our lakes. According to reports and professional expertise, this activity lasts for hours at a time and can be easily observed when accidentally strolling around the lake. A University of Minnesota carp expert is:
Peter Sorensen, professor, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota
Sorensen can comment on carp mating behavior as well as carp in general. The surge of hormones in female carp can be smelled, and according to Sorensen, “most freshwater fish are like dogs--they get around their environment by sniffing." Sorensen has done extensive research on pheromones and used his research for practical application in the area of population control, including carp control.
To interview Sorensen, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Somalia
June 7, 2006
Much tension remains in Somalia as the capitol, Mogadishu, was overtaken by an Islamic militia two days ago. Somalia has been lacking an effective government since 1991, and the capitol was controlled mostly by a number of warlords who have been pushed from their strongholds in Mogadishu. A University of Minnesota expert who can speak about the situation in Somalia is:
Abdi Samatar, professor of geography, University of Minnesota
An East-African native, Samatar has taught courses on Africa and the Islamic world. His area of expertise focuses on Somalia, and he is fluent in the language. Samatar can speak about the current situation in Mogadishu and put it in a larger perspective. The outcome of the takeover, he says, will depend, in large part, on the reaction of the international community. Samatar can also comment on what this means to the Somali population in Minnesota, as many maintain relationships and strong connections with friends and family in Somalia.
To interview Samatar, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
The DaVinci Code
May 19, 2006
Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, they had children together, and their descendants still walk the earth today. That is the premise of Dan Brown’s best-selling novel ‘The DaVinci Code’ and the movie by Ron Howard that opens in theaters everywhere today. University of Minnesota experts who can talk about the DaVinci Code are:
Jeanne Kilde, Institute for Advanced Study, University of Minnesota
Kilde has taught extensively on religion in America, and she has lectured on the DaVinci Code for a number of organizations. She can speak to Dan Brown's commingling of verifiable historical information on the real person, Mary Magdalene, a contemporary and disciple of Jesus, and the popular legends about her that arose in the Medieval period. She can also discuss the ways in which the DaVinci Code taps into popular interests about early Christianity and its relationship to contemporary religious thought and practice, in particular the role of the divine feminine in the book.
Michael Gaudio, Department of Art History, University of Minnesota
Gaudio is an assistant professor in the U's art history department, and he is an expert in the visual culture of early modern Europe and the Americas. Whether it is the Vitruvian Man, the Mona Lisa, the Last Supper, or Madonna of the Rocks, Gaudio can comment on all these DaVinci pieces mentioned in the DaVinci Code.
To interview Kilde or Gaudio, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Medicare Part D
May 11, 2006
The sign-up period for Medicare Part D ends on May 15, and policymakers and consumers will begin to assess the implementation of this new prescription drug benefit. What is Medicare's larger financial and political future? What are the upcoming challenges facing Medicare and near-retirees? University of Minnesota experts who can talk about Medicare Part D:
Lawrence Jacobs, professor at the U’s Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs
Jacobs is an expert on health care policy, and he can speak about the history of Medicare and American health policy. Jacobs can also offer analysis on the political implications of the success or failure of Medicare Part D. Lawrence R. Jacobs is the Walter F. and Joan Mondale Chair for Political Studies and director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. He also is a professor in the University of Minnesota’s Department of Political Science.
To interview Jacobs, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Sigmund Freud's 150th Birthday
May 4 , 2006
This Saturday is Sigmund Freud’s 150th birthday. The work of this highly influential psychologist, who was often referred to as the “Father of Psychoanalysis,” has been both a source for reverence as well as controversy in today’s academic circles. University of Minnesota experts who can discuss Freud are:
Auke Tellegen, retired professor of psychology, University of Minnesota
Tellegen’s area of expertise includes personality research and assessment. When it comes to Freud, she can speak to the science and psychology of Freud's time.
Madelon Sprengnether, professor of English at the University of Minnesota
Sprengnether is a professor at the U’s English department and author of “The Spectral Mother: Freud, Feminism, and Psychoanalysis.” Sprengnether’s research looks at Freud and feminist psychoanalytic criticism. She can also talk about Freud's theories and written works.
To interview Tellegen or Sprengnether, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
'A Day Without immigrants'
May 1 , 2006
Today, millions are expected to boycott jobs, schools and businesses as a way to show the economic power of immigrants. The rally, dubbed “A Day Without Immigrants,” is expected to draw millions more than in previous years because of a proposed congressional bill that would make illegal immigrants felons. University of Minnesota faculty who can comment on the issue of immigration are:
Donna Gabaccia, professor of history and director of the Imigration History Research Center
As the director of the IHRS, Gabaccia’s expertise lies heavily in the area of immigration history and international migration. She can also comment on immigrant life in the United States and how immigrants change mainstream society. Gabaccia can also put U.S. immigration history in global and comparative perspective.
Katherine Fennelly, professor at the U's Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs
Fennelly's areas of expertise include immigration and public policy as well as diversity and cross-cultural relations. Her research and outreach interests also include human rights of immigrants and refugees in the United States.
Erika Lee, associate professor of history at the U
Lee's research and teaching focus on immigration and 20th century U.S. history. She has published widely on the topic of defining the United States as a “nation of immigrants” and a “gate-keeping nation.” She argues that this definition “has never been more true than in the twenty-first century. Immigrants continue to be at the center of changes in American society, politics, economy, and culture. And immigration laws and policies continue to figure prominently in changing ideologies of national identity, citizenship, and race, as well as technologies of national security and border control.”
Louis Mendoza, associate professor and chair of the department of Chicano studies
Mendoza's research interests include Chicano literary and cultural studies and U.S. immigration literature.
To interview any of the experts above, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Increasing gas prices and alternative fuels
April 27, 2006
$3.00 for a gallon of gas is fast becoming a reality across the country. What has prompted the rise in gas prices? Is it simply the increased price of crude, or is there a strategy behind the pricing? Are there alternatives, what are they, and are they accessible to the average consumer? University of Minnesota experts who can speak about the issue of rising gas prices and alternative fuels are:
Akshay R. Rao, professor of marketing at the U’s Carlson School of Management
Rao is the chairman of the department of marketing and logistics management and a professor of marketing at the U’s Carlson School. He specializes in pricing and can answer questions on the sudden surge in gas prices recently - not only in what prompted the rise, but also in the area of pricing strategy.
Vernon Eidman, professor in the applied economics department at the U’s College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences
Eidman’s research focuses on alternatives when it comes to gasoline. Specifically, he can talk about the use of ethanol and biodiesel, and how their use might offset gasoline needs in the future.
To interview Rao or Eidman, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Boston Scientific gets approval to buy Guidant
April 20, 2006
Boston Scientific Corp. has received final regulatory clearance for its acquisition of Guidant Corp. University of Minnesota experts available to talk about the acquisition of Guidant are:
Art Hill, professor of operations and management science at the U’s Carlson School of Management
Hill is available to discuss the acquisition of Guidant.
Rajesh Aggarwal, professor of finance at the U’s Carlson School of Management
Aggarwal can talk about the merger and possible legal issues related to the acquisition.
Rajesh Chandy, professor of marketing at the U’s Carlson School of Management
Chandy can talk about what makes a good merger/acquisition from an innovation standpoint. He can answer questions like: Are these companies a good fit? Will they continue to innovate?
To interview any of the experts above, contact Dawn Skelly at (612) 624-8770.
UnitedHealth CEO wants execs to give up stock options
April 18, 2006
UnitedHealth CEO William McGuire has recommended that his company's senior executives give up their stock options. If UnitedHealth’s board approves this recommendation, it would set a major precedent in the area of executive compensation. The University of Minnesota has several experts who can discuss McGuire’s proposal and executive compensation in general:
John Fossum, professor of industrial relations at the U’s Carlson School of Management
Fossum is a professor and acting associate dean at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. He can comment on the recommendation put forth by McGuire and what might have prompted his decision. Fossum can also answer general questions about executive compensation.
Rajesh Aggarwal, associate professor of finance at the U’s Carlson School of Management
Aggarwal is a finance professor and also an expert on executive compensation. He can answer general as well as specific questions relating to McGuire.
Jared Harris, researcher at the U’s Carlson School of Management
Harris has done extensive research in the area of strategic management and business ethics, and financial misrepresentation is in large part the subject of his research. Harris’ research indicates that executive stock option compensation massively increases the likelihood of misrepresentation, i.e., cheating.
To interview any of the experts above, contact Asim Dorovic at 612-624-0214 or by email at dorovic@umn.edu.
Filing that tax return
April 13, 2006
The deadline to file those taxes is inching closer and closer, but we still have a few extra days until April 17 to file our returns. Are there things we need to know? Were there some recent changes in the tax code that might affect us? Is there a certain deduction we should know about? And what if we get into trouble with the IRS? University of Minnesota experts who can discuss taxes and filing returns this year are:
Rosemary Heins, family resource management educator with the University of Minnesota Extension Service
Heins can help low- and moderate-income Minnesotans get all the deductions and tax credits they are eligible for. According to Heins, many Minnesotans are missing out on deductions and credits, and she has a number of tips for filing tax returns this year.
Kathryn Sedo, director of the Income Tax Clinic and professor at the University of Minnesota Law School
As the director of the U of M Law School Income Tax Clinic, Sedo helps represent taxpayers who have issues related to the IRS. For example, after clients' returns are filed Sedo would assist with any problems that arise or potential collection issues when someone owes money to the IRS but cannot pay. Clients are mostly low-income Minnesotans, many of whom are minorities.
Paul Gutterman, senior lecturer in the Accounting and Master of Business Taxation program at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management
Gutterman has extensive experience teaching in the area of taxation and tax code. He can offer insights into current tax law as well as tips for filing your return.
To interview any of the experts above, contact Asim Dorovic at 612-624-0214 or email dorovic@umn.edu.
U of M Immigration History Research Center
April 3, 2006
More than 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States, and proposed legislation by the House of Representatives prompted massive protests in the last two weeks. Immigration has the potential to be a hot-button issue as the 2006 election draws closer, and the University of Minnesota can offer valuable resources to journalists and media outlets in covering the issue.
The Immigration History Research Center (IHRC) at the University of Minnesota is a nationally renowned organization that advances the understanding of the history of the American immigrant experience. As an integral part of the University of Minnesota, the Center preserves and promotes the history of immigration and ethnicity in shaping the culture and society of the United States. The Center serves scholars and the public in the state of Minnesota, in the nation, as well as internationally.
The IHRC collects, preserves, and makes available archival and published resources documenting immigration and ethnicity on a national scope. The Center also documents the work of institutions and individuals concerned with service to and programs for immigrants. Through collaborative projects, the IHRC facilitates preservation of materials and promotes new acquisition initiatives. The Center has a rich archive of materials documenting immigrant and refugee life from the late 19th century to the present.
The Center’s Advisory Council offers a breadth of expertise with representatives from the U’s department of history, the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs the U’s institute for Global Studies and several others schools at the University of Minnesota. Select faculty who can talk about immigration in the United States are:
Donna Gabaccia, professor of history and director of the IHRC
Expertise: Immigration history; international migration; immigrant life in the United States; how immigrants change mainstream society; U.S. immigration history in global and comparative perspective;
Katherine Fennelly, professor at the U’s Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs
Expertise: Immigration and public policy; human rights of immigrants and refugees in the United States;
Erika Lee, associate professor of history at the U
Expertise: Immigration and 20th century U.S. history; United States as a “nation of immigrants” and a “gate-keeping nation”; and
Louis Mendoza, associate professor and chair of the department of Chicano studies
Expertise: U.S. immigration literature; Chicano literary and cultural studies.
For more information on the IHRC or to interview any of its experts, contact Asim Dorovic at 612-624-0214 or at dorovic@umn.edu, or visit www.ihrc.umn.edu/about.
Immigration Debate
March 27, 2006
More than 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States, and proposed legislation by the House of Representatives prompted massive protests this weekend. University of Minnesota experts who can talk about the immigration debate are:
Joel Wurl, associate director, U of M Immigration History Research Center
Wurl is the head of research collections and associate director of the Immigration History Research Center at the University of Minnesota, where he has worked since 1985. He is an adviser to public programs, exhibits, and historical preservation projects and has presented and published research on several topics related to immigration. He has spoken to a diverse array of community audiences on the immigrant experience in America and, particularly, in the state of Minnesota.
Katherine Fennelly, professor at the U’s Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs
Fennelly’s areas of expertise include immigration and public policy as well as diversity and cross-cultural relations. Her research and outreach interests also include human rights of immigrants and refugees in the United States.
Erika Lee, associate professor of history at the U
Lee’s research and teaching focus on immigration and 20th century U.S. history. She has published widely on the topic of defining the United States as a “nation of immigrants” and a “gate-keeping nation.” She argues that this definition “has never been more true than in the twenty-first century. Immigrants continue to be at the center of changes in American society, politics, economy, and culture. And immigration laws and policies continue to figure prominently in changing ideologies of national identity, citizenship, and race, as well as technologies of national security and border control.”
Louis Mendoza, associate professor and chair of the department of Chicano studies
Mendoza’s research interests include Chicana/o literary and cultural studies and U.S. immigration literature.
To interview any of the experts above, contact Asim Dorovic at 612-624-0214 or at dorovic@umn.edu.
Human Trafficking
March 23, 2006
In recent weeks, several cases of human trafficking have surfaced in Minnesota. This increase in labor and sex trafficking has prompted a number of human rights organizations to increase their efforts in this area. University of Minnesota experts who can discuss the issue of human trafficking are:
Barbara Frey, director of the Human Rights Program at the University of Minnesota
She was elected in 2000 as an alternate member of the U.N. Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, a body of independent experts who advise the United Nations on human rights policy. Frey has taught international human rights at the University of Minnesota in both the Law School and the Institute for Global Studies since 1989. She is an expert on the issue of human trafficking and will also be organizing a conference on April 21, 2006: “United Front for Children: Global Efforts to Combat Sexual Trafficking of Children in Travel and Tourism.”
Lauren Gilchrist, outreach coordinator for the University of Minnesota’s Deborah E. Powell Center for Women’s Health
The Powell Center is a member of the Minnesota Human Trafficking Watch, and Gilchrist assists in coordinating training, conducting public education and outreach, and providing comprehensive services to victims of trafficking in Minnesota.
David Weissbrodt, professor of law at the University of Minnesota Law School
Professor David S. Weissbrodt is a distinguished and widely published scholar of international human rights law. He established the University of Minnesota Human Rights Center and helped establish the University of Minnesota Human Rights Library.
To interview Frey, Gilchrist or Weissbrodt, contact Asim Dorovic at 612-624-0214 or at dorovic@umn.edu.
South Dakota's Ban on Abortion
Feb. 27, 2006
Both houses of the South Dakota Legislature have passed a bill that bans almost all abortions, including in cases of rape or incest. The bill awaits signature by Gov. Mike Rounds who has stated that he is inclined to sign it. University of Minnesota experts who can comment on this topic:
Sally Kenney, professor and director of the Center on Women and Public Policy
Kenney is a professor at the U’s Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs and she directs the U’s Center on Women and Public Policy. Her areas of expertise include: women, law, and public policy; judicial selection; women and electoral politics; feminist organizations. Kenney is also the author of For Whose Protection? Reproductive Hazards and Exclusionary Policies in the United States and Britain.
Dale Carpenter, associate professor of law at the University of Minnesota Law School
Carpenter teaches and writes in the areas of constitutional law and sexual orientation and the law.
Jill Hasday, associate professor of law at the University of Minnesota Law School
Hasday teaches and writes in the fields of anti-discrimination law, constitutional law, family law, and legal history.
Joanne Miller, assistant professor of political science at the University of Minnesota
Miller’s areas of expertise include motivations of political participation and news media effects on citizens' attitudes and behaviors. She can comment on the abortion ban issue from a public opinion and legislation perspective.
Timothy Johnson, assistant professor of political science at the University of Minnesota
Johnson’s expertise includes judicial politics, U.S. Supreme Court decision-making, U. S. Supreme Court oral arguments, and the evolution of precedent. Johnson can comment on the process of this case going to the U. S. Supreme Court and potential developments in that arena.
Kathleen Hull, sociology professor at the University of Minnesota
Hull teaches the class Love, Sex and Marriage, and her research interests lie in law and social movements related to gender and sexuality.
Michelle Mason, assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Minnesota
Mason can provide brief written commentary on the issue in regards to ethical implications.
To interview any of the experts above, contact Asim Dorovic at 612-624-0214 or at dorovic@umn.edu.
Violence in Iraq
Feb. 24, 2006
The recent ethnic violence in Iraq has cost more than 138 lives since Wednesday. Some go as far as to say that Iraq is on the verge of civil war. Here is a University of Minnesota expert who can put the violence in perspective:
Iraj Bashiri, professor and chair of the Slavic and Central Asian languages and literatures department at the University of Minnesota
Bashiri is an expert on Islam and the West and the roots of conflict between the two. He is available to comment on the recent religious violence in Iraq by describing the differences between Sunnis and Shiites and the roots of their conflict from a historical perspective. Please note that Bashiri does not wish to comment on the U.S. war in Iraq.
Bashiri is a native of Iran who came to the United States in 1966 as a graduate student in linguistics. A distinguished College of Liberal Arts teacher, he also has an honorary doctorate in history and culture from Tajikistan State University.
To interview Bashiri, contact Asim Dorovic at 612-624-0214 or at dorovic@umn.edu.
Legal Disputes at the Olympics
Feb. 23, 2006
While the Olympics can be all fun and games, legal disputes occasionally arise during the Games. During the current Olympiad, the Austrian cross-country team was accused of using banned substances, and an investigation is underway. Two weeks ago, U.S. skeleton team member Zach Lund was suspended over a previous failed drug test. Here is a University of Minnesota expert to talk about legal disputes at the Olympics:
Allan Erbsen, associate professor of law at the University of Minnesota Law School
Erbsen can talk about various legal disputes that may arise during the Olympic Games. The failed drug test or the alleged doping scandal are just some of the issues Erbsen can discuss. Erbsen attended the Athens Olympics in 2004, and he was counsel to several athletes and sports federations in arbitration matters during the Olympics. He has also written extensively about Olympic dispute resolution.
To interview Erbsen, contact Asim Dorovic at 612-624-0214 or at dorovic@umn.edu.
$365 Million Powerball
Feb. 17, 2006
The Powerball jackpot is at a record-high, with an estimated $365 million after Wednesday’s drawing did not yield a winner. University of Minnesota experts to talk about the Powerball are:
Felix Meschke, assistant professor in the department of finance at the U’s Carlson School of Management
Meschke can discuss investment and spending options of a potential win. You just won $365 million, but now what? Should you take the cash payout, or should you agree to installment payments? Would it make sense to simply put the money into a savings account and live off the interest, or should one invest, and, if so, where? Meschke can answer those and other practical, real-life questions on spending and investment of potential winnings from the Powerball jackpot.
Doug Arnold, director of the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications and professor of mathematics at the U
Arnold can discuss odds and numerical chances of winning the jackpot as well as any other mathematical questions related to it. For example, how much money can you spend right away and still have a million a year for the next three generations of your family? Arnold can also offer very interesting facts about the Powerball, such as whether you are more likely to get hit by lightning or win, or what the odds are of your ticket wining vs. you dying in the next 30 seconds.
To interview Meschke or Arnold, contact Asim Dorovic at 612-624-0214 or at dorovic@umn.edu.
Romantic Relationships and Finding an Online Valentine
Feb. 9, 2006
Wayne Caron, assistant professor in family social science
Caroncan speak about intimate relationships, long distance relationships and the impact the Internet has had on people who are forming and maintaining relationships. For example, the Internet allows people to maintain multiple relationships at once—something that is much more difficult to do in the real world, Caron said. The Internet also opens up a new opportunity for people who might not get out of their homes much because of their age or because of a disability, he said. Caron will be leading a lecture and discussion on “Love in the New Millennium: Electronic Dating. Gender Roles. Cyber-Sex. How have the rules for dating changed?” at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in Room 2-137 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis.
Heather Haberman, researcher in the department of family social science
Haberman can speak about Cyber Romance. Haberman has conducted research about online dating and taught classes on Cyber Romance. She can talk about how romantic relationships are initiated, developed and maintained using the Internet. She can also talk about safety precautions people should take when developing Cyber relationships. When she started her research in 1999, there were about 500 people on Match.com (an online dating site) and today there are millions of people using it, Haberman said. People can find love on the Internet, she said. In fact, research has indicated that people who start relationships online are just as successful as relationships started in more traditional ways, she said.
To interview the experts, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.
Iran and the Nuclear Standoff
Feb. 8, 2006
Iran has announced that it will resume nuclear activities and severely limit inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. University of Minnesota experts are available to talk about Iran and the implications of its actions for the region and the world:
Michael Barnett, Harold Stassen Chair of International Relations at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs and an adjunct professor of political science at the University of Minnesota
Barnett can comment on recent developments and Iran’s referral to the U.N. Security Council. He is an expert on international relations, international organizations, the United Nations, and the politics of the Middle East. Barnett is an award-winning writer, and his scholarly writings have appeared in major professional journals. He was also a Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow at the U.S. mission to the United Nations.
Ronald Krebs, professor of political science at the University of Minnesota
Krebs is an expert on international relations theory, international security, and counterterrorism. He has been named a McKnight Land-Grant Professor at the University of Minnesota for 2006-2008. He has also been awarded research fellowships by, among other institutions, the John M. Olin Institute for Strategic Studies at Harvard University, the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University, and the Eisenhower World Affairs Institute.
Iraj Bashiri, professor and chair of the Slavic and Central Asian Languages and Literatures Department at the University of Minnesota
Bashiri is a native of Iran who came to the United States in 1966 as a graduate student in linguistics. A distinguished College of Liberal Arts teacher, he also has an honorary doctorate in history and culture from Tajikistan State University. Bashiri has traveled extensively in Iran, and he presents a balanced view of the dynamics of greater Iran.
To interview any of the experts above, contact Asim Dorovic at 612-624-0214 or at dorovic@umn.edu.
Elections in Haiti
Feb. 7, 2006
Haiti is electing a president today and choosing a parliament in the first election since 2000. University of Minnesota experts are available to talk about elections in Haiti:
April Knutson, senior lecturer in the Department of French and Italian
Knutson is an expert in the history and literature of Haiti. She has taught classes on Haitian history and literature and led U of M students to the Caribbean island nation to conduct research through the SPAN program in 1999. In June 2005, she spent two weeks in Port-au-Prince interviewing women community organizers, labor leaders, and writers. Knutson is one of the founders of the Haiti Justice Committee of Minnesota.
Ruben Joanem, a native of Haiti studying at the U of M
The election in Haiti hits close to home for French and Italian doctoral student Ruben Joanem, a native of Haiti who still has family there. He makes frequent trips to Haiti and has been in touch with friends and families throughout the election.
To interview Knutson or Joanem contact Asim Dorovic at 612-624-0214 or at dorovic@umn.edu.
Sociology of the Super Bowl and Super Bowl advertising
Feb. 3, 2006
Douglas Hartmann, a sociology professor, can speak about how the Super Bowl provides a focus for many broader gatherings of family and friend. He can also talk about why football and the Super Bowl is so important to men. Hartmann co-wrote the article, “The Sanctity of Sunday Afternoon Football: Why Men Love Sports.”
John Eighmey, the Raymond O. Mithun Land Grant Chair in Advertising and a national authority on advertising, marketing and mass communication, is available to speak about Super Bowl advertising prior the big game and will offer commentary about the ads following the game. Eighmey has held senior positions at Young & Rubicam Advertising in New York. He can also speak about what companies use Super Bowl advertising to reach their markets and why others don’t. Eighmey said the buzz on Super Bowl advertising this year is that it will be “more gender-friendly and less macho.” Ads during last year’s Super Bowl received less-than-favorable reviews, he said.
To interview Hartmann or Eighmey, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.
President Bush’s State of the Union address and its subjects
Jan. 30, 2006
Kathryn Pearson, political science professor, can provide an expert analysis of the President’s State of the Union Address. Pearson has been a Research Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and she specializes in American Politics.
Jason Roberts, political science professor, is also available to comment on and analyze the State of the Union Address. Roberts’ specialties include American politics, the U.S. Congress, elections, and U.S. Supreme Court nominations. He has published articles in the American Journal of Political Science, the Journal of Politics, and Congress and the Presidency.
Alfred Marcus, a professor in the Carlson School of Management, can speak about renewable energy policy. It will take putting good public policies in place to make way for technological advances, Marcus said.
Stephen Parente, a professor of finance at the Carlson School of Management, is available to comment on health savings accounts. He has been researching health savings accounts for the Bush administration. Since 2002, he's been the lead investigator on three of four grants that the University of Minnesota has received from the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Evaluation and Planning, to study Health Savings Accounts.
Dale Carpenter, a University of Minnesota Law School professor, is a constitutional law expert and can speak about the issue of domestic spying and the fourth amendment.
To interview any of the experts above, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.
Middle East situation in light of Hamas' electoral victory
Jan. 27, 2006
Oren Gross, University of Minnesota Law School professor, is available to discuss Hamas victory in the Palestinian elections and the impact of the situation on the Middle East. Gross is an expert on the Middle East and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Prior to coming to the University of Minnesota, Gross was a member of the faculty of the Tel Aviv University Law School in Israel.
To interview Gross, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.
Ground Hog Day
Jan. 27, 2006
Mark Seeley, University of Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist, is an expert on Ground-Hog Day, which is Thursday, Feb. 2. Ground-Hog Day or Candlemas Day, the halfway point of winter, has been recognized in many mid-latitude cultures and countries for centuries, Seeley wrote in excerpt from Minnesota Weather Almanac. “It is founded on anxiety associated with how long winter will last coupled with a belief that some of Mother Nature’s creatures are better at anticipating weather than we are,” he said. Seeley can also speak to the unseasonably warm weather. “It looks like we’ll have the warmest January in modern history.”
To interview Seeley, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.
Chinese New Year
Jan. 27, 2006
Jennifer Wu Dunn, from the University of Minnesota China Center, can speak about the Chinese New Year, which begins on Sunday, Jan. 29. She can talk about the legends and customs behind the New Year celebration. She can also explain how this year is the Year of the Dog.
To interview Dunn, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.
Ford plant
Jan. 23, 2006
Alfred Marcus, professor of strategic management and organization, can talk about fuel-efficient vehicles and Ford’s possible production shift to focus on more hybrid vehicles. Marcus an expert in business strategy, business and the natural environment and safety and quality.
John Fossum, professor of human resources and industrial relations, is an expert on the strategic management and production issues facing the St. Paul Ford plant. He's willing to talk about a wide range of topics regarding this issue, including how Ford may be looking at how it will use the St. Paul plant property.
K.K. Sinha, professor of operations and management science, is an expert in management of technology and operations strategy. He studies complexity in manufacturing operations and performance evaluation of manufacturing plants. He would be willing to comment on Ford’s plant closings strategies and how they will affect overall operations.
John Remington, professor of human resources and industrial relations, is a labor management and employment law expert, and can comment on all issues related to worker/management negotiations, layoff notification rules, and labor education.
To interview any of the experts, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.
Middle East situation in light of Ariel Sharon’s deteriorating health
Jan. 6, 2006
Oren Gross, University of Minnesota Law School professor, is available to discuss the situation in Israel in light of the deteriorating health of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Gross is an expert on the Middle East and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Prior to coming to the University of Minnesota, Gross was a member of the faculty of the Tel Aviv University Law School in Israel.
To interview Gross, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801.
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