Ms. Camilla Hyman recently joined the Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Staff as the Business Services Specialist for the department. Ms. Hyman has replaced Ms. Donna Meyers, who retired at the end of Spring 2011.

This summer, Camilla Hyman joined the Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Department as Business Services Specialist–a role that had been left vacant by Ms. Donna Meyers, who retired at the end of Spring 2011. Ms. Hyman, who has lived in Maryland her entire life, grew up just down the road from UMBC in Catonsville, MD and now lives in Baltimore City. Apart from being an expert at all things payroll, Ms. Hyman has served as a Girl Scout leader for the past seventeen years.

Before coming to UMBC, Ms. Hyman spent nine years working for the Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology (GEST) and Joint Center for Earth Sciences (JCET) departments at UMBC. Prior to that, she worked for the Division of Behavioral and Developmental Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine departments at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). With less than a month of CSEE office life under her belt, Ms. Hyman already says that she finds the position enjoyable. The best part about her job, she says, is learning about different cultures from the Graduate Students that she interacts with every day. 

Apparently something.

After discussing binge drinking and pot use statistics, the Fox News naysayer Bill O’Reilly brought up the government’s affordable birth control plan (one that removes co-pays and deductibles).

Take a look at this clip and let us know if you think any of the comments were out of line.

In another segment, a Fox News commentator suggested that, “If you can afford a $5 Frappucino at Starbucks, you can pay your $5 co-pay.” We’re not sure if this really reaches the demographic (not to mention not all co-pays are as inexpensive as $5).

The affordable birth control provisions are set to go into effect on August 1, 2012. It is still unclear how all of the costs will be handled, something left up to insurance companies. Regardless, many see this as a huge win for family planning, especially when considering that half of pregnancies are unplanned. This new provision could lead to decreased unwanted pregnancy rates, and subsequently, less terminations of pregnancy.

And as for the title above, you can let us know.

Whether or not you enjoy reality tv, it’s out there. People like yourselves are talking about it, watching it, making it, starring in it, and undoubtedly being affected by it.

There is one reality TV show whose high drama may have became too real for some.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has aired its premiere episode of the second season. This despite the untimely death of a participant.

Last season rumors flew, sisters stopped speaking, husbands cheated, relationships fell apart. One of those unstable relationships was between Taylor Armstrong and her husband Russell.

Russell Armstrong committed suicide less than a month ago after telling a friend:

It’s funny how a reality show can ruin your entire life”.

Before the season premiere, the Real Housewives of New York (part of the Bravo series) shared their reaction to Russell’s death.

Kelly Bensimon disagreed with the widespread feeling that the show being taped could have been a contributing factor to Russell’s death:

I would never blame it on the show.”

Does reality TV need to adopt a code of ethics, like this article suggests, or should reality TV be left real in spite of the possible tragedies?