Category: Uncategorized

Social Sciences Prof. Tom Whalen comments on N. Korea pardon of American journalists

Radio Shack becomes “The Shack”

Looking to present a fresh face and new image as it focuses more on selling wireless products, Radio Shack is unveiling its new brand this week:  “The Shack” — dropping “Radio” from the brand name.  School of Management Professor C.B. Bhattacharya, a branding expert, says the shift makes sense. “There may be some consumer confusion in the […]

Senate debates Sotomayor bid

With her historic nomination in the balance, the Senate is debating whether to approve Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic justice of the Supreme Court — though the outcome is not in doubt.  School of Law Professor Jack Beermann, an expert on the high court, can discuss the possible legal trajectory of the SCOTUS with […]

Lowering drug prices for Medicare

Deep in the healthcare-reform debate is a discussion of how Congress could lower drug prices for seniors enrolled in Medicare “Part D.”  School of Law Professor Kevin Outterson, an authority on pharmaceutical law, has some provocative ideas.  In a  paper published in Health Affairs, Outterson details an approach to reducing drug prices for seniors by providing medications […]

From Nutrition Professor Joan Salge Blake:

Nutrition professor Joan Salge Blake suggests that sweet treats can be both healthy and satisfying.  In a recent interview with WebMD, Salge Blake said that “Fruit is naturally sweet, abundant this time of year, super nutritious, and everyone loves it.” Salge Blake’s Sweet Treat Tip of the Day: “Take a carton of Yoplait Whips and […]

SEC sues Bank of America

Without admitting guilt, Bank of American paid a $33 million fine after the SEC sued it for lying to investors about the payment of $5.8 billion in bonuses to Merrill Lynch employees after BofA bought Merrill.  School of Law Professor Cornelius Hurley, director of the Morin Center for Banking and Financial law, says it’s an […]

Google CEO quits Apple board

Citing a growing overlap of the two companies businesses, Google CEO Eric Schmidt has resigned from the Apple board of directors.  School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, chair of the Information Systems Department, says the move reflects likely future competition. “It’s about the potential overlap in the future as Apple develops its business models […]

“Clunkers” program revived?

The so-called “Cash for Clunkers” program, aimed at stimulating the auto industry by offering consumers rebates for turning in old cars for more fuel-efficient models, went through its $1 billion in a week.  The House then voted to add $2 billion more to keep the program going.  School of Management Professor Shuba Srinivasan, who has […]

Regulators pressuring banks

Federal regulators reportedly  have ratcheted up significantly the number of “memorandums of understanding” probation notices sent to troubled banks this year.  The notices can force banks to shore up capital reserves or change management.  School of Law Professor Cornelius Hurley, a former counsel to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and now director of the Morin […]

US still fighting Swiss tax secrecy

A federal judge says the U.S. and the Swiss bank UBS has until Friday to settle a lawsuit over the IRS demands for the names of 52,000 of the bank’s American clients suspected of evading taxes.  Professor Daniel Berman, a former deputy international tax counsel to the Treasury Department and international tax-law authority who directs […]