Have a Super Day

Organizers for the now-in-the-books Super Bowl XLVI (that’s number 46 for those of us who have not kept up with our Roman numerals) are to be heartily congratulated for what seems regarded nationally as a standout. Over these past two weeks, I’ve read with some attention the press’s perspective on Central Indiana. Admittedly, when Allison Melangton, President & CEO of the Indianapolis Host Committee started encouraging folks to knit scarves for volunteers, recruiting school kids to write welcome notes to put in visitor’s hotel rooms and branding all manner and sort of thing super – “Have a Super Day” – “Participate in Super Cure” – and even go to the “Super Care Clinic” if injured or unwell – it occurred that all this hospitality might serve to reinforce bigoted views of middle Americans as rube residents of Hooterville.

A Liberal Arts Degree - Is It Worth It?

Be a part of this timely discussion. “A Liberal Arts Degree  - Is It Worth It?” With increasing tuition rates and student loan debt, is a college education even worth the expense? Please join IU College of Arts & Sciences administrators and faculty to discuss pressing questions regarding this hot button topic. Audience members should plan to participate in a lively discussion with questions for the panelists - and each other! The discussion will be led by: Larry Singell, Dean, IU College of Arts and Sciences Jamsheed Choksy, Professor of Central Eurasian Studies and History; Presidentially-appointed and Senatorially-conformed member, United States National Council on the Humanities Richard Miller, Professor of Religious Studies and Director, Poynter Center for the Study of Ethics and American Institutions Prospective students, current IU College of Arts and Sciences students, IU alumni, IU admissions staff, local secondary education professionals, and advocates for higher education are invited to this discussion.  This event is free and open to the public, but preregistration with the College of Arts and Sciences Office of Advancement is required. Registrants will receive a copy of The College magazine’s article, “Is a College Degree Worth the Cost” prior to the event. Date: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 Time: Reception 6:00pm - 6:30pm (4th Floor Lobby), Discussion 6:45pm - 8:00pm (Room 405) Location:IUPUI Campus Center, 420 University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46202. Click here for directions. Please RSVP to asalumni@indiana.edu or at 812-855-7934. Related Articles http://college.indiana.edu/magazine/fall2011/cover.shtml http://www.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,2072670,00.html http://chronicle.com/article/7-Major-Misperceptions-About/64363/ Making the Most of College: Students Speak Their Minds [Hardcover] by Richard J. Light On the Purpose of Education - PDF Article

Myth Busting

It has fallen out of vogue with the educated set to admit an affinity for watching television and eating fast food. So if confession is good for the soul, I confess that TV, at its best is awesome; and on some days, it is hard to beat a Quarter Pounder with Cheese and those addictive French fries. Isn’t moderation the key? The boob tube and calorie bombs are offset with shows at the Tarkington, a piled-high reading list, IU basketball and time on the treadmill. However the advent of modern cable programming has not only brought into our homes a bunch fame-obsessed would-be starlets exhibiting way too much of their wares on reality shows, it has also delivered some innovative family programming.

Spring Has Sprung

It is our position that the longer days and sprouting flowers can only mean one thing – spring is upon us. While we are eager to welcome the return of blue skies and green grass to displace the dingy grey that follows Indiana winter, we are also reminded that higher temperatures and March Madness likewise serve to indicate that we must be vigilant for kids darting out into the streets and lanes of our fine community. Cooped up for many long months (we’re talking about the parents and kids alike), many youngsters are breaking out the bicycles even before all of the snow is gone.

Robbing Hood

Maid Marian may have found him dreamy; but, is the story of Robin Hood one that makes sense today in the world of big government and, as some might say, the ubiquitous nanny state? Certainly, the need continues. Without regard to how much we collectively produce as a society, some of us will have more than others. Even in the most altruistic communist or utopian examples, certain ones stand above his or her peers. While most thinking folks can agree with this simple assessment, the cooperation ends there. Many believe with great passion that those in our midst who have excelled are to be rewarded for their industrious nature, superior intellect, and use of given talents and resources. Others, in describing the same set, would levy equally fervent charges of robber-baronism. They might denounce those at the top of hierarchy of, at best, using undue force or position to elevate themselves over their peers, or, at worst, label them criminals to the end of ultimate persecution and prosecution.

Adjustable Rate Future

It is our opinion that the recent warning from Moody's Investment Services about the potential downgrade of the credit rating of the United States of America may be the most frightening economic indicator yet to face our new Congress and President. We hope it is a wakeup call to Washington and to each of us – without improved Federal budget deficit management and positive indicators of economic growth, we risk loss of a the coveted AAA Government Bond Rating.

The White House 2010 deficit forecast of $1.565B represents 10.6% of our gross domestic product and is the highest ratio of debt to GDP since WWII – if Moody's acts on its warning, like an increasing adjustable rate mortgage, we would pay more for the same and strain our wounded economy.

A Piercing Predicament

From the earliest days, we’re taught not to judge a book by its cover. Mostly, it is very good advice. We cannot assume that following the stereotype leads to good judgment. Yet as a parent of an ever-maturing family, I find that appearances do matter. Can we risk allowing our sons and daughters – clearly our most treasured responsibility – to get in a car with another teenager noticeably tattooed and pierced and a plethora of interesting and unusual ways? Likewise, can we send them off to church camp after reading stories of predatory cultish practices sometimes infecting the once safe harbor? Is it that the question, like all normative valuations, depends wholly on the route used to determine the answer? Or, is it simply a percentage of risk charged against one’s tolerance for a particular eventuality?

If given a perfect amount of information and time, most of us would work to arrive at a thoughtful solution. Simply because a teenage girl has elected to have a tattoo on her neck is not enough to assume that she is reckless in all areas of her life. However absent the time to assess the risk adequately, can we, in good faith, disregard this very public statement? So, does how people look define them?

The Public Option

It is our position that our schools are to be lauded where they consider both aptitude and desire in preparing students for life after graduation. Too often we expect our youth to master calculus, music, art and geopolitics while being a three season athlete to satisfy our concept of Excellent Education? Dismal statistics on employment rates following both direct entry into the workforce after high school and even four year college coupled with the continual demand for more money from tax and tuition payers demand alternatives.

Schools must consider employer expectations for workers in curriculum. Isn’t it more important for those who may not excel at academics to understand the basics of balancing a check book and budgeting?

No Means No

It is our position that voters deserve a clear delineation of the merits and distinctions of the latest round of referendum in comparison to the failed January, 2009 plan (voters said no to the new tax). In refusing to acknowledge the spoken will of the people, it seems that our School Board is implying that we voters/taxpayers were ill informed or worse. The Board must do more to show how it has incorporated our votes into its thinking. Asking the same question in rapid fire without reflection reminds one of a petulant child begging for a toy. Can I have it now? Can I have it now? Can I have it now?

Some of the frustration from voters may come from framing of the discourse. Like accusing those opposed to war as being unpatriotic, many blind advocates for increased school funding prefer to believe that anyone opposed to higher taxes must be a kid-hater. Of course, neither is true.

Deficit Voting - is it a Problem?

It is our position that the State of Indiana generally and our legislature specifically must act in response to falling revenue. The State has undershot its tax collection forecast for the past 17 months including this past month. Leaders in the Indiana Senate have undertaken to past a collection of resolutions aimed at making our budget balance. While no one wants to spend less, we believe it would be irresponsible to take any other action. With business already suffering tremendously from the current recession and concern over coming months (including potential for significant tax increases or continued malaise in the economy), government must continue to make its expenses match it earnings.