Thanks to MSNBC!

No matter where you were in the U.S. this past week you probably heard the phrase “It’s hot!” more than a few times.

Throughout the last several days, a massive heat wave overtook 29 states. On Friday, the East Coast seemed to take the brunt, breaking previous temperature records.

In Central Park, the temperature reached 115 degrees once humidity was factored in. Parts of Washington, D.C. felt like 120 degrees.

All over, power grids faced increased demand as people took shelter inside and cranked their air-conditions up.

How have you been keeping cool?

Sending a “save the date” card is a tradition for large events (re: weddings, parties, etc.) What would the news “Save the Date “cards look like? We’re going to take a crack at it.

July 23, 2011: The Borders “Going Away”  sale begins. Yesterday, a federal bankruptcy court approved the companies liquidity plans that will go in effect today. Customers can expect to see discounts on all of their favorite books.

Everyday!: Negotiations about the national debt ceiling continue to collapse as Speaker Boehner and President Obama fail to reach an agreement. The country is nearing the ceiling that will cause the United States to default on its loan. How much longer can this turmoil last?

September 20, 2011: President Obama has set an official date for the abolishment of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” that was passed last December. He is convinced that this can be done without any harm to military readiness, but the Pentagon must work out the logistics.

August 2012: NASA plans to land a rover on Mars. There is a 96 foot crater that could tell us if there is really the potential for life on Mars.

Election Day 2012: Marylanders will have the chance to vote for or against in state tuition for illegal immigrants as a referendum.

Sometime in a two to three year period:  Steven Speilburg wasn’t very specific about the legistics, but he has confirmed that a Jurassic Park 4 script is in the works.  Keep a look out for more information.

The case of rape stirs many emotions.

The delicacy of the subject often leaves it swept under the rug whether it’s at the workplace, universities, or in the military.

But now more attention is being focused on the issue of sexual violence.

The controversially named Slutwalks do their bit to raise awareness to the subject.

In the US,  The government is instituting new guidelines for colleges and universities on how tackle campus sexual assaults. Vice President Joe Biden gave a speech in April to New Hampshire University students to highlight the move.

Now there is a movement to change the way rape is defined by the FBI. Currently the Bureau uses an eighty-year-old definition in their annual Uniform Crime Report.

Opponents see the need for change

to better reflect the realities of sexual assault and to more accurately count all victims.

Change.org is the ring-leader in bringing this issue to the heads of the FBI with over 95,000 signatures in counting. Let’s hope that they will be heard and the federal government will take a gander and dust off those old books.

The case of rape stirs many emotions.

The delicacy of the subject often leaves it swept under the rug whether it’s at the workplace, universities, or in the military.

But now more attention is being focused on the issue of sexual violence.

The controversially named Slutwalks do their bit to raise awareness to the subject.

In the US,  The government is instituting new guidelines for colleges and universities on how tackle campus sexual assaults. Vice President Joe Biden gave a speech in April to New Hampshire University students to highlight the move.

Now there is a movement to change the way rape is defined by the FBI. Currently the Bureau uses an eighty-year-old definition in their annual Uniform Crime Report.

Opponents see the need for change

to better reflect the realities of sexual assault and to more accurately count all victims.

Change.org is the ring-leader in bringing this issue to the heads of the FBI with over 95,000 signatures in counting. Let’s hope that they will be heard and the federal government will take a gander and dust off those old books.

The UMBC Bookstore is excited to offer students more choices than ever before when it comes to purchasing course materials for their classes.  With the expansion of its  popular textbook rental program, the store now offers over 3 times as many books for rent than last semester.  The recent implementation of a new software application ensures the process of renting is easier and faster, allowing students to sign the Rental Agreement at the cash register pin pad.

When determining what choices to purchase students are encouraged to take into account the potential buyback price at the end of the semester.  For example, if the Western Civilization V.1 textbook below is readopted for the spring semester, the Bookstore would pay about $54 to students at the end of the term for that text.  If the student purchased a used copy for $81, the net cost for using the book the entire semester would only be $27.

HIST 110 Textbook Available in Various Formats.

Ebooks are growing in popularity every year.  The UMBC Bookstore offers hundreds of titles in digital formats which can be downloaded to your computer, viewed online, or on tablet devices like the Apple iPad.  Look for the “ebook” logo on your course materials list and be sure to click on the ‘requirements’ link to check out the terms and details.  Ebooks can be purchased directly from the Bookstore website or by picking up an ebook card in the store.

Look for blue rental tags to find books available to rent.

Whether you prefer used books, rentals, ebooks, new books, or binder versions (looseleaf), the UMBC Bookstore is committed to offering students as many options as possible to meet the needs of UMBC students and the community.

Save $69.25 by purchasing the looseleaf version of the Organic Chemistry book.

The Dissertation House at the University of Maryland College Park is in full swing. Dr. Carter has already given mini-lectures on public speaking and your role with your advisor and Dr. Noah Collins, Staff Psychologist from the Counseling Center discussed balance.  Here is Dr. Carter’s synopsis of Dr. Collins’ talk (reprinted from our online challenge page.)

“Dr. Noah Collins from the Counseling Services Center is here talking about having balance when writing your dissertation. He gave a humorous presentation on his approach to writing his dissertation. He said that he is a morning person. He says if I have to work in the evening, the rewards have to go WAY UP if I am going to work at night. His discussion presented the two sides of self that argue with each other about the way to write your dissertation. One side is the drill-sergeant who wants to focus mainly on working on the dissertation, the other fanciful person who does not really want to work on the dissertation. He said one does not have to win at the expense of the other. When fanciful side wins, the drill-Sargent calls you lazy, wasteful, slacker, etc. When the drill-sergeant side wins, the fanciful side loses and feels depressed and sad. He suggests that when the fanciful side does not want to work, you should negotiate, otherwise the fanciful side will go on strike by shutting down, by playing solitaire, or by depression.”

Tomorrow is the last day for the participants at College Park.  Two of the participants, Nikki and Alexis, have continued to use the tag #TeamGetItDone throughout the week. The students are working hard and their time and effort are having an effect … they are getting it done!

The Dissertation House at the University of Maryland College Park is in full swing. Dr. Carter has already given mini-lectures on public speaking and your role with your advisor and Dr. Noah Collins, Staff Psychologist from the Counseling Center discussed balance.  Here is Dr. Carter’s synopsis of Dr. Collins’ talk (reprinted from our online challenge page.)

“Dr. Noah Collins from the Counseling Services Center is here talking about having balance when writing your dissertation. He gave a humorous presentation on his approach to writing his dissertation. He said that he is a morning person. He says if I have to work in the evening, the rewards have to go WAY UP if I am going to work at night. His discussion presented the two sides of self that argue with each other about the way to write your dissertation. One side is the drill-sergeant who wants to focus mainly on working on the dissertation, the other fanciful person who does not really want to work on the dissertation. He said one does not have to win at the expense of the other. When fanciful side wins, the drill-Sargent calls you lazy, wasteful, slacker, etc. When the drill-sergeant side wins, the fanciful side loses and feels depressed and sad. He suggests that when the fanciful side does not want to work, you should negotiate, otherwise the fanciful side will go on strike by shutting down, by playing solitaire, or by depression.”

Tomorrow is the last day for the participants at College Park.  Two of the participants, Nikki and Alexis, have continued to use the tag #TeamGetItDone throughout the week. The students are working hard and their time and effort are having an effect … they are getting it done!