22 – Kevin Wright, professor of criminology, was quoted in an article regarding whether a plea bargain can lower the rate of death penalty cases. Wright noted that no research shows that death is used to force a plea. He added, "Nationwide most states don’t use it." Wright went on to say that what the plea bargain does is save money. Wright was also quoted in an article regarding a case in which a Broome County sheriff’s deputy was killed. The article discussed what a life sentence in a state prison would be like for a pair of men who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Wright noted that it would be hard to endure at first as it takes eight to 10 years to accept such a punishment. Wright noted "The finality of this won’t hit them right away."

29 – John Vestal, professor of theater, was quoted in an article on the passing of comedian Bob Hope. Vestal noted that Hopes’ comedic skills, marked by a quick mind that could turn any situation into something humorous were "top notch."

August 2003

1 – Hari Srihari, professor of systems science and industrial engineering, was quoted in an article about a BU project that will help the emergency room at the Wilson Memorial Regional Medical Center become more efficient. Using industrial engineering principles, the project will soon be extended to other parts of the hospital. Srihari noted "In manufacturing, you never reach a point where you say this is as good as it can be. We’re using the same thought for emergency rooms."

7 – Cheryl Brown, director of admissions, and Andrew Morris, associate director of undergraduate admission, were quoted in an article regarding the increase in the number of women attending New York colleges. Morris noted that the gender gap is even more pronounced within minority groups. "Female high school students see college as a means to be able to get into careers and earning situations to provide for themselves and their families." Brown added that that maturity levels between genders may also be factor in the increase in number of women attending colleges. She noted "Women come out of high school with a more mature focus on their futures."

10 – Subimal Chatterjee, associate professor of marketing, was quoted in an article regarding the increase in the number of young adults who choose to go wireless for their phone call needs. Chatterjee noted that the challenge for telephone companies is to increase their efforts to retain customers who are finding alternatives to the traditional phone service, noting "The critical task for both cellular and land-line operators will be to look at the underlying consumer psychology and use the information to segment the market."

26 – Lynda Shoemaker, coordinator of housing services, and Elizabeth Droz, director of the Counseling Center, were quoted in an article offering tips for college students n how to deal with a roommate. Shoemaker encouraged student to talk to each other before coming to school in order to reach a certain comfort level . "It is all a bit of learning how to live with somebody." Droz suggested talking about differences before they get out of hand, noting "Keep the lines of communication open, do not keep things bottled up."

28 – Peter Gerhardstein, associate professor of psychology, was quoted in an article relating to how we perceive the passing of time. Gerhardstein noted that during the winter months, people tend to be less active and the repetition of daily routines such as attending school, meetings and work tend to make time seem to pass more slowly. He also notod that notions of time seem to change as we age – time passes too quickly when we’re young and seems to drag the older we get.

July 8, 2003

Ron Miles, professor of mechanical engineering, was featured on the Osgood File on the CBS Radio Network. He spoke about how what he has learned from how a particular fly hears can be applied to development of tiny directional microphones that can be used in hearing aids. "It’s all kind of inspired by what the fly could do," said Miles. "It’s cool, it’s definitely cool." The Osgood File is hosted by Charles Osgood.


July, 2003

Susan Bane, professor of chemistry, was featured in Biotech Week and Cancer Weekly and Drug Week for her research into the anticancer drug Taxol. Bane and her collaborators are trying to learn more about the protein tubulin, which is found in all cells, and what Taxol does to tubulin. "If you want to build a new drug based on an old one," she said, "you have to know how the original works. We are laying that foundation."


July 11, 2003

Ali Mazrui, director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies, was appointed one of seven chancellors of Kenya’s public universities by Mwai Kibaki, Kenya’s president. According to the report in the Chronicle of Higher Education, "the move was meant to lessen government control of higher education and reduce intimidation of professors and students." Mazrui is a native of Kenya and will serve as chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.


July 24, 2003

David Sloan Wilson, professor of biological sciences, was interviewed about "how niceness evolves" for The Guardian of London. The article explained how Wilson became involved in evolutionary biology, and delves into his thoughts about religion as well. According to the article, Wilson believes that religion encourages collective action when the interviewer writes, "The worship of a common god, he believes, is really the worship of a common good, to whom everyone in the tribe or religion must defer."

Gannett News Service
July 28, 2003

Binghamton University alumna Kathleen Cardone ’76 was confirmed by the Senate to serve a federal judgeship in El Paso, Texas, according to a Gannett News Service report. She has served twice as a state district judge in Texas, was the first judge to serve in the 388th Judicial District Court and founded the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office.