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Monday, February 09, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bryce Kanago, assistant professor of economics, (319) 273-2951, (319) 273-2412, bryce.kanago@uni.edu
James O'Connor, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
Note to editors/news directors: A weekly service of the University of Northern Iowa Office of University Marketing & Public Relations. Following is a list of story leads and the University of Northern Iowa sources who can best address each of them. Feel free to contact sources directly. Do federal budget deficits really matter? During his recent State of the Union address, President Bush discussed his proposed budget plans for fiscal year 2005. While he concedes that his budget proposal will increase the nation's budget deficit, which is forecast at more than $500 billion this fiscal year, he maintains that his proposal will strengthen America. His opponents say that budget deficits should not be allowed in the federal budget.
According to Bryce Kanago, assistant professor of economics, the concern over deficits is that they will raise interest rates and cause a decrease in business spending on capital goods. However, Kanago says, "You have to look at your overall goal. The negative effect may be offset, or reversed, if the government uses deficits to finance productive purposes, provide tax credits for the purchase of capital, or to keep from raising tax rates. We need to consider whether expenditures are justified, not simply how they are financed."
Contacts:
Bryce Kanago, assistant professor of economics, (319) 273-2951, (319) 273-2412, bryce.kanago@uni.edu
James O'Connor, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
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Revel in your 'single-ness' says UNI professor
This time of year, it seems like everyone's in love. Television commercials for everything from new vehicles to greetings cards feature loving couples, and there are weddings on many favorite prime time shows. "Human beings are relationally driven," explains Roberta Davilla, associate professor of communication studies. "We gravitate toward relationships rather than separation. We want satisfying and stable relationships. It's a real need for us."
But, she says, that doesn't mean people who aren't in a relationship should hole up in their lairs until the Valentine's Day hoopla has passed. Rather, she says, use that day to take time for yourself. "Do things that make you feel good as a person. If you like flowers, buy yourself flowers. If you want a box of chocolates, buy yourself a box of chocolates. It's just a 24-hour period, and you should think of it that way -- as just one day."
She advises those who are depressed by the approach of Valentine's Day to "do some self-reflection and see what's good about your life. Look at the blessings you do have."
Contacts:
Roberta Davilla, associate professor of communication studies, (319) 273-7154, roberta.davilla@uni.edu
Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
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Condoms and communication
Valentine's Day kicks off National Condom Week. While sex seems prevalent throughout society, surprising statistics show a lack of communication about intimacy. "A National Centers for Disease Control (CDC) study showed that 90 percent of women were embarrassed to discuss sexual issues with their partner," says Joan Thompson, health educator at the University of Northern Iowa. "More than half of them actually said they don't believe women should talk about these things."
In a country of more than 65 million people with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), that's a dangerous cultural belief. "Two-thirds of all STDs occur in people 25 or younger," Thompson says. "And at least one in four people will contract a STD once in their lives." She explains the best way to completely avoid STDs is abstinence or maintaining a long-term monogamous relationship.
Contact:
Joan Thompson, health educator, (319) 273-2198,
Melissa Barber, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
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To cancel class or not to cancel classes, that is the question
One television meteorologist predicts one to four inches of snow. Another says we'll get nine. How do school superintendents know when bad weather warrants canceling classes? Alan Czarnetzki, is director of UNI's Science center for Teaching, Outreach and Research on Meteorology (STORM). He says one of the center's goals is to help superintendents better incorporate weather and road information into their decision-making process.
Czarnetzki and Patrick O'Reilly, a support scientist with the STORM project, have developed free, online training modules and links to weather information. Among the tools available to superintendents is a road and weather information system known as Foretell. "Foretell provides superintendents an hour-by-hour forecast of weather and road conditions. Our resources allow people in neighboring school districts access to the same information. That reduces the inconsistencies superintendents find when they look for information on their own," Czarnetzki explains. "Superintendents still face difficult weather-related decisions, but STORM gives them tools to use as they talk among themselves."
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