1. “How Should We Punish Murder?” is subject of Monday’s Barrock Lecture

Jonathan Simon, Adrian A. Kragen Professor of Law at the University of California-Berkeley School of Law, will present “How Should We Punish Murder?” Monday, Jan. 24, at 12:30 p.m. in Eckstein Hall for the 2011 George and Margaret Barrock Lecture on Criminal Law.

Simon will discuss how the death penalty is dying out in the United States, but the end of capital punishment is leading to the need for principles to govern the power to punish those who are convicted of murder. In the United States, the rise of general incapacitation as the dominant purpose of punishment has produced sentences that are far in excess of international and historic American standards, according to Simon. He will suggest that these sentences help anchor a structure of imprisonment that appears unjust and unsustainable, and will argue for a new version of selective incapacitation and propose a restructuring of murder law.

Simon’s books include Poor Discipline: Parole and the Social Control of the Underclass, 1890-1990 and Governing Through Crime: How the War on Crime Transformed American Democracy and Created a Culture of Fear.

Register online. Space is limited.

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2. Former Indiana University president to discuss social innovation, liberal arts education

The Office of the Provost will hold a teleconference, “Social Innovation/Social Entrepreneurship and Rethinking Liberal Arts Education,” Tuesday, Jan. 25, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., in Zilber 370.

Tom Ehrlich, visiting professor of education at Stanford University and former president of Indiana University, will speak about how social innovation and social entrepreneurship can play a role in the evolution of higher education, specifically in redefining liberal arts education. As a curriculum reviewer for the Ashoka U syllabus review process, Ehrlich will share results from his research study analyzing social innovation and entrepreneurship curricula.

RSVP to Elizabeth Wieland, office associate for university advancement, at 8-0726.

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3. Opening lecture for Haggerty exhibition is Wednesday

Alec Soth, photographer, will be featured in an opening lecture, “The Paralyzed Cyclops,” and book signing for the Haggerty Museum of Art Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m. in Eckstein Hall. Soth’s photographs have been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions, including the 2004 Whitney and São Paulo Biennials. In 2008, a large survey exhibition of Soth's work was exhibited at Jeu de Paume in Paris and Fotomuseum Winterthur in Switzerland.

Two new exhibitions are now open at the museum:
The Truth Is Not in the Mirror: Photography and a Constructed Identity explores the nature of portraits and portraiture in contemporary photography. The photographic portrait of today is often a highly constructed artifice whose intent and purpose is to comment on the status of the individual and community in contemporary society (rather than to catch a glimpse of who the portrayed individual really is) and to challenge or trick the viewer into looking deeper into issues of identity, with those portrayed serving as ciphers for the photographer’s point of view, according to the museum. The exhibition features the work of more than 20 artists.

Hollywood Icons, Local Demons: Ghanaian Popular Paintings by Mark Anthony consists of paintings for three different plays. Ghanaian master artist Mark Anthony is acclaimed for his signage-inspired paintings that attract audiences to itinerant theatrical performances or “concert parties” by local musicians and actors. This exhibition of Anthony’s work consists of sets of paintings for three different plays: Some Rivals Are Dangerous; In This World, If You Do Not Allow Your Brother to Climb, You Will Not Climb; and When A Royal Dies, We Take Him Home. Each set portrays key scenes from the plays, including tales that reflect the social pressures brought about by rapid change and globalization, designed to attract attention and promote discussion as people walk or ride by.

The exhibitions run through May 22.

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4. Pennington-Cross honored for best paper of 2010

A paper authored by Dr. Anthony Pennington-Cross, associate professor of finance, was recently named the 2010 Edwin S. Mills Best Paper in Real Estate Economics.
 
The award honors “The Termination of Subprime Hybrid and Fixed Rate Mortgages,” which appeared as the lead piece in the fall 2010 edition of the journal, and was co-authored by Giang Ho of UCLA. The longest-running real estate journal, Real Estate Economics is considered the leading journal in its discipline.
 
Using data from before the beginning of the recent financial crisis, Pennington-Cross showed there were significant vulnerabilities associated with emerging innovative mortgage products, commonly referred to as subprime mortgages. These 30-year mortgages, known as “2/28” loans, often included a low introductory interest rate, which would increase after the first two years, often 2 to 3 percentage points. Pennington-Cross found that the rate hike itself would increase the national loan default rate by three times. Further, if these higher interest rates were mixed with flat or declining house prices, the default rate would increase sixfold.

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5. Pediatric Behavioral Health Research Conference to be held

Online registration is now available for the Fourth Annual Interdisciplinary Pediatric Behavioral Health Research Conference Friday, Feb. 25, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wauwatosa.

The conference, "Building and Sustaining Research Teams,” will feature a keynote address by Dr. H. Gerry Taylor, professor of pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, University Hospitals of Cleveland. Breakout sessions will highlight local, ongoing research in quality of life, intersection of mental and physical health, pain, methods and other pediatric research.

Behavioral health scientists, graduate students and people in training in the fields of psychology, social work, counseling, medicine, nursing and public and allied health are welcome.

This conference is sponsored by Children’s Hospital and Health System in cooperation with Children’s Research Institute, Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin, Marquette University, UW-Milwaukee and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

For more information contact Dr. Astrida Kaugars, assistant professor of psychology, at 8-3665.

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6. Campus Ministry celebrates the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Campus Ministry is sponsoring the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity through Tuesday, Jan. 25, featuring a variety of programs to foster Christian unity, opportunities for dialogue and learning about the similarities and differences between Christian traditions.

Rev. Jessica Short from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will reflect on the Sunday scriptures at the 4 p.m. Mass at the Church of the Gesu on Sunday, Jan. 23. As part of this pulpit exchange, Rev. Frank Majka, S.J., will offer a reflection during the Lutheran Campus Ministry Sunday worship service at 6 p.m. in the AMU Chapel of the Holy Family.
 
Taizé prayer will be offered in the AMU Chapel of the Holy Family at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25. Taizé Prayer is a form of ecumenical Christian prayer that serves as a witness to the foundational unity among Christians. The prayer includes meditative songs, the reading of Scripture, silent reflection and prayers of intercession.

Members of the Marquette community are also encouraged to pray for Christian unity in Marquette’s sacred spaces.

For more information on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an annual worldwide celebration held since 1908, contact Steve Blaha, assistant director of Campus Ministry, at 8-6873.

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7. Books wanted and available at book swap

Marquette will host a book swap for readers of all ages from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, in the AMU second floor lobby.

Participants are encouraged to bring gently used books of all kinds and will be allowed to take home half as many books as they provide, up to a maximum of five books. Marquette students will be on hand to help with young children to allow families to participate. The students will also help arrange books by theme and reading level to help participants find books.

The book swap is coordinated by Friends and Alumni/ae of Marquette English. In the spirit of Jesuit hospitality, FAME seeks to support a community of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, alumni/ae and friends through public readings, speakers, social occasions and community service.

For more information about the book swap or FAME, contact the Department of English at 8-7179.

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8. Class offered on healthy weight management

The Employee Wellness Program and Grow with Marquette are offering “Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight” Monday, Jan. 31, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in Raynor Library Beaumier Suite A. The class will focus on healthy and effective weight management, diet, activity and overall wellness. To register, contact Grow with Marquette at 8-7305. Space is limited.

For each wellness Grow with Marquette class, participants can earn credit toward a Wellness Reward package and entry in a grand prize drawing. For more information contact Mandi Richter, wellness coordinator, at 8-4581.

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9. Group fitness registration begins Monday, free classes offered tomorrow

Registration for group fitness classes offered through the Department of Recreational Sports begins Monday, Jan. 24, for Rec Plex classes and Tuesday, Jan. 25, for classes at the Rec Center. Classes will run for 10 weeks, with no classes held the week of spring break. All classes are first-come, first-served. For more information contact Shannon Bustillos, assistant director of recreational sports, at 8-7778.

The Department of Recreational Sports is offering free group fitness classes tomorrow, Jan. 20.

The classes are free to members. The cost is $2 for faculty and staff who are non-members to enter the facility and participate in the classes:

• Spin at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Rec Center
• Zumba at 1 p.m. at the Rec Center and 3 p.m. at the Rec Plex

Call 8-6979 for more information.

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10. Counseling Center offering workshops about working with distressed students

The Counseling Center is offering two workshops for working with distressed students. “Instructor Resources for Students in Need” reviews identifying, intervening with and referring a distressed student to appropriate resources. “QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)” trains participants how to get help for someone who is suicidal. Both workshops can be scheduled for departmental groups by calling the Counseling Center at 8-7172.

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11. Guest lodging available in campus apartments

Guest apartments are available in Campus Town West and Humphrey Hall to provide visitors with an alternative to area hotel accommodations. 

Faculty, staff and administrators can house job candidates, guest speakers, seminar participants, new staff members, parents and other visitors who need a place to stay while on campus. Each furnished, air-conditioned guest apartment can accommodate up to four people and has a fully equipped kitchen with appliances and dishes, two extra-long twin beds with pillows and bed linens, alarm clock/radio, dresser, desk, closet space, a full bathroom with linens, wireless Internet access, an iron/ironing board and a television with cable in a living room with a couch and chair.

For rates and room availability, contact Conference Services in the Office of Residence Life at 8-7208.

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12. Gesu hosting coffee and dessert reception following "Respect Life" Mass

The Church of the Gesu Sanctity of Life Working Group will host a coffee and dessert reception in the lower church gathering space following the 5:30 p.m. Mass tomorrow, Jan. 21. Mass will be celebrated with a special intention for “Respect Life.” Immediately following the reception, the archdiocesan-wide “Holy Hour for Life” prayer vigil will be celebrated from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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13. Dress for bitter cold tonight and tomorrow

The City of Milwaukee Health Department is urging area residents to take precaution as bitterly cold temperatures coupled with strong winds move into the area tonight. The National Weather Service states that temperatures will range from 0 to -15 degrees with strong wind gusts and wind chills of 20 to 30 degrees below zero beginning tonight and continuing through Friday morning.

Marquette community members should dress properly and limit their time outside. If precautions are not taken, severe frostbite and hypothermia could occur. Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, resulting in abnormally low body temperature, a potentially life-threatening condition. Frostbite occurs when unprotected skin is exposed to very cold temperatures and freezes.

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