October 2008 « EMUtalk.org

And now, a word from our sponsors…

Steve Pierce posted a comment about one of the Google Ads that pops up on the site once in a while, so I thought I’d post it here:

One of your google ads had a link for 100% EMU Oil.

So as to not get you in trouble, here it is http://www.onlynaturesfinest.com/searchinfo.aspx?srchtxt=emu%20oil

This [...]

“Outsourcing, Open Source, and Budget Cuts”

This recent Inside Higher Ed, “Outsourcing, Open Source and Budget Cuts,” is about recent trends in college computing, and it seems to square with some of the issues going on here at EMU right now. You can read it on your own, but the trend has been a shift to outsource email (Google is the leader in this), campus notification programs, budget cuts, and open source options for online teaching.

Now, I know we’ve outsourced our email systems (so far, so good), and I also know we have a cell phone alert system. I’m not sure if EMU’s ICT has suffered the same kind of budget cuts that have been a national trend (about half of public institution IT departments have had budget cuts), and I’m not sure if the budget cuts for ICT at EMU have been in proportion to other units on campus. Maybe yes, maybe no.

But I’m most interested in finding out where EMU is at in terms of considering course management systems, particularly open source solutions.
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Perhaps this is the last we will hear from John Fallon…

Or we can hope, at least. From Pam Young comes this news:

Earlier today (October 30), Judge Archie C. Brown of the 22nd Circuit Court of Washtenaw County granted Eastern Michigan University’s Motion for Summary Disposition and dismissed former EMU President John Fallon’s lawsuit that was filed against the University in 2007. Judge Brown [...]

“God Hates Signs” protester

Given some of the recent talk here about the Soulwinners and counter-protests, I thought that folks might find amusing this post on the fantastic blog boing-boing, “God Hates Signs protest waged against Westboro Baptist Church.” This is the oh-so charming group that likes to parade around with signs saying stuff like “God hates fags.” [...]

“Expand regent voting”

In this political season, I thought that this letter in the Detroit News might be of interest here. It’s short, so here’s the whole thing:

What I would like The News to explain in its endorsements for the Big Three Michigan public universities (“Our picks for university, state education boards,” Oct. 16) is: [...]

Editorial: EMUTalk.org/sitedad endorses Obama 1000%

This kind of crosses over into more of the political than I usually go here at EMUTalk.org, but I couldn’t resist:

As I noticed via the Ypsi City Desk this afternoon, for the upcoming presidential campaign, the Ann Arbor News has joined the ranks of the firmly uncommitted. Or, more accurately perhaps, “For president: flawed candidates, no endorsement.” Not to spoil it too much, here’s the last few paragraphs:

These are both good men at heart. Both, we are sure, are well intentioned.

Yet both have indulged in campaigning that is beneath them. Each has distorted the record and the positions of the other. This campaign – which held the promise of, for once, possibly remaining civil and grounded in issues – has sunk into the mud like the rest of them. All four candidates on the major-party tickets have participated in that, to varying degrees. And all four should be embarrassed.

Our political endorsements aren’t really meant to tell people how to vote, but rather to add to the public discussion on important issues. In this race, some will surely see this lack of endorsement as a cop-out or a lack of courage. So be it. For us, it’s simply a reflection of reality.

One of these two men will win on Election Day. Whoever he is, here’s hoping he proves us wrong.

Continue reading Editorial: EMUTalk.org/sitedad endorses Obama 1000%

YFD works hard at EMU

From my news feed just a bit ago, as reported in the AAN, “Ypsilanti firefighters have a busy night:”

It began at 6:42 p.m. when firefighters were called to Dining Commons 3 at Eastern Michigan University when three student workers experienced breathing problems after mixing chemicals in a bucket that caused intense fumes, [...]

Emus lose again (and wishful thinking)

From the EMU Athletics program web site, I learned that “Football Falls to Nationally Ranked Ball State, 38-16.” Not surprising, really. But I have to wonder if there aren’t some football boosters at EMU who look at this game with a bit of envy and wishful thinking.

I don’t follow MAC sports too closely, [...]

“Police Investigate EMU Armed Robbery”

I saw the email update/announcement about this the other day, but the fact that it turned up on the channel 4 “Click on Detroit” web site is a little concerning: “Police Investigate EMU Armed Robbery.” From the article:

The Eastern Michigan University Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred Wednesday evening outside [...]

The new email system (and a simple hack around the 50 addresses thing)

We’re about three weeks into Zimbra at EMU, and I have to say that I am on the whole pretty impressed. The conversion (at least on the user end) seems to have gone pretty smoothly, the system seems pretty robust, and it seems to “just work” quite well. I’ve been playing around with the set-up and I find new little goodies every day that make me like it more. So, on the whole, a thumbs up from me; I’d be curious to read others’ reactions to this too.

It is, of course, not perfect.
Continue reading The new email system (and a simple hack around the 50 addresses thing)

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