Communications Dean Tom Fiedler comments on President Obama’s approval rating

Organic Produce Not Better

GM to sell new cars on eBay

gm-logoIn a grand experiment, revived General Motors will let most of its California auto dealers haggle online with customers by selling new vehicles over eBay.  School of Management Dean Louis Lataif, a former Ford executive, says the move is inevitable, but could have some glitches -- like when a car owner is both the buyer and seller (trying to unload their used car), and the fact most buyers want a test drive.

Contact Louis Lataif, 617-353-2668, lelataif@bu.edu

Toshiba quits HD-DVD for Blu-ray

The DVD format war is over, with Toshiba giving up its HD-DVD and switching to industry winner Blu-ray.  School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, chairman of the Information Systems Department, said the switch is a straightforward market decision.

"The winner is decided and consumer electronics devices will be on the winner’s format.  It is better to join sooner rather than later.  The timing is critical as new PCs with Windows7 OS will be shipping soon and Toshiba should support it in a timely fashion."

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

From Nutrition Professor Joan Salge Blake:

lobster1Nutrition professor Joan Salge Blake suggests that lobster is both healthy and currently, cost-effective. She encourages consumers to purchase lobster while the price is reasonable.

Salge Blake's Health Tip of the Day:

"A one pound lobster will serve up only about 3 ounces of meat (perfect portion) for less than 85 calories, only 0.5 grams of fat, and zero grams of heart unhealthy saturated fat. Forget the drawn butter and drizzle fresh squeezed lemon instead... Bon Appetit!"

Woodstock 40 years later

peace-signIt came to mark a generation, and now the 40th anniversary (Aug. 15-17) of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair is a chance to reflect on its lasting impact.  Associate Provost Victor Coelho, a College of Fine Arts music professor and music historian, says Woodstock shaped music history because of the way it brought a diversity of musical genres together.

Contact Victor Coelho, 617-358-0628, blues@bu.edu

New Online Component of Sargent Choice is Launched

sargent Sargent College has introduced a new phase of the unique and innovative nutrition program for students, faculty and staff in order to enhance the Sargent Choice Healthy Dining Program. The program has expanded to include nutrition counseling, interactive nutrition classes, and a new website. The Sargent Choice website links all of the programs together, making it possible for everyone to access personalized nutrition information.

60% of Women Suffering from EDs

According to a recent University of North Carolina study, eating disorders now affect 60% of American women.  New eating disorder categories, like "calorie prisoners" and "career dieters," are becoming evermore prevalent and can be just as serious as traditional eating disorders like bulemia and anorexia.  Nutritionist Joan Salge Blake and talk about the implications of the study's findings.  She can be reached at (978) 443-0172 or salgeblake@comcast.net.

Boston Globe sale update

boston-globe-logoWhile the New York Times has finally confirmed the Boston Globe is for sale, Times executives now say they're in no hurry to sell now that the Globe's finances have improved with big union give-backs.  Meantime, the Globe says it soon will charge money to see its Website, Boston.com, and a third bidder for the Globe itself has emerged.  Journalism Department chairman Professor Lou Ureneck can sort through the moving parts of the Boston Globe drama.

Contact Lou Ureneck, 617-353-4095, lureneck@bu.edu

Remake Fannie & Freddie?

It's reported that an overhaul of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may be in the works.  The Obama administration's plan would be to strip them of billions in troubled loans and build a new structure to support the home-loan market.  Robert Bench, a former deputy Controller of the Currency, now a senior fellow at the School of Law's Morin Center for Banking and Financial Law, thinks a Freddie/Fannie remake is smart.

"For most of their existence, Fannie and Freddie were utilities that served the public well.  If they can return to a 'utility' culture, deploying conservative lending standards for the benefit of the overall mortgage market, they would accelerate reform and repair of retail mortgage conditions."

Contact Robert Bench, 617-353-5428, bobbench@bu.edu