Expert Alert
October 2006

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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.