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UMBC political science professor Thomas Schaller’s latest Baltimore Sun column offers a primer on corporate tax policy. Although the top nominal corporate tax rate in the U.S. is 35%, the Wall Street Journal reports the average, effective corporate tax rate for FY 2011 was 12.1%. “So we are not taxing our corporations to death,” Schaller argues, “Nor are we funding our government on the back of corporations.”

Schaller writes, “To their credit, several of the Republican presidential candidates and President Obama advocate lowering the nominal rate in exchange for eliminating various tax loopholes and exemptions.” This suggests an opportunity for bipartisan compromise, Schaller continues, until we consider the influence of politically powerful companies and trade associations lobbying for lower effective tax rates.

The Interdisciplinary Studies Program and Council of Majors present the 2012 Petrovich Lecture and Film Screening with director Richard Chisolm ’82, interdisciplinary studies.  Chisolm will discuss the interdisciplinary mission of his film company Recipe for Change Films and his latest film, Cafeteria Man.

The movie concentrates on Chef Tony Geraci’s efforts as food director of the Baltimore City Public School system to educate school kids about nutrition, food preparation and locally sourced organic food, as well as his efforts to reform the food purchasing system.

The lecture, discussion and screening will take place on February 22 at 7 p.m. in the Skylight Room. There will be a small reception following the lecture.

A Scrabble competition at UMBC on Saturday, February 4, featured students from surrounding schools and adult scrabble enthusiasts.

Linda Oliva, an assistant professor of education and competitive Scrabble player, helped to organize the competition.  She has worked with schools, including Arbutus Middle School, to develop Scrabble clubs where students can learn the game. “Kids really love this game. It’s a game where you can become a lot better very quickly. And they enjoy learning new words and making great plays,” she said.

The story, “Scrabble helps students sharpen their skills,” appeared in the Catonsville Times on February 6.

Weekly Movies! (and some Big Screen Bus Trips!) Movie tickets are on sale at the CIC, but also free on Saturdays!

This week’s movie is 50/50.

The New York Times Economix blog today explored the possible impact of the Giants’ Super Bowl victory on the New York economy, referencing a study coauthored by UMBC economics professor Dennis Coates. Reporter Catherine Rampell calls Coates’ study, “The Economic Impact of Postseason Play in Professional Sports,” the “godfather” of this area of research. Curious about the results? Check out the story.

PROMISE is hosting Barrett Whitener, public speaking expert, on Wednesday, Feb. 15.  Mr. Whitener will be presenting a lunch seminar on UMBC’s campus, but those who are unable to come may join us via the web. This year, we are attempting to provide more professional development opportunities for a greater number of participants through use of online technology.  Our PROMISE alliance of UMBC, UMB, and UM College Park may soon increase to include all universities that serve graduate students within the University System of Maryland. As part of our PROMISE Pathways grant from the National Science Foundation, we are investigating new options for training and community building.  Therefore, we are presenting the seminar and simulcasting a webinar.  The webinar will be an online version of the seminar.  Participants who join us online will be able to see the slides and hear the speaker.  Participants who come to the “live” seminar will have a chance to interact with Mr. Whitener in person. Both the seminar and the webinar are free. To attend the seminar in person on UMBC’s campus (lunch is included at no extra cost), login to MyUMBC and click “I can attend”.  Students who aren’t from UMBC may also attend; we ask that you RSVP as a comment on our PROMISE Success Seminars website post for this program. If you cannot attend in person, you may join the webinar via your computer from any location. Anyone, from any location, may join us!  Register for the webinar here.

The focus of this seminar will be “How to prepare oral and poster presentations.” 

PROMISE is hosting Barrett Whitener, public speaking expert, on Wednesday, Feb. 15.  Mr. Whitener will be presenting a lunch seminar on UMBC’s campus, but those who are unable to come may join us via the web. This year, we are attempting to provide more professional development opportunities for a greater number of participants through use of online technology.  Our PROMISE alliance of UMBC, UMB, and UM College Park may soon increase to include all universities that serve graduate students within the University System of Maryland. As part of our PROMISE Pathways grant from the National Science Foundation, we are investigating new options for training and community building.  Therefore, we are presenting the seminar and simulcasting a webinar.  The webinar will be an online version of the seminar.  Participants who join us online will be able to see the slides and hear the speaker.  Participants who come to the “live” seminar will have a chance to interact with Mr. Whitener in person. Both the seminar and the webinar are free. To attend the seminar in person on UMBC’s campus (lunch is included at no extra cost), login to MyUMBC and click “I can attend”.  Students who aren’t from UMBC may also attend; we ask that you RSVP as a comment on our PROMISE Success Seminars website post for this program. If you cannot attend in person, you may join the webinar via your computer from any location. Anyone, from any location, may join us!  Register for the webinar here.

The focus of this seminar will be “How to prepare oral and poster presentations.”