News, information and research from Boston University
May 26, 2009 at 9:23 am
President Obama has nominated Sonia Sotomayor to succeed David Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court. If confirmed by the Senate, she would be the first Hispanic and third woman in history on the high court. School of Law Professor Jack Beermann, a Supreme Court authority, can comment.
Contact Jack Beermann, 617-353-2577, beermann@bu.edu
May 26, 2009 at 9:17 am
California's Supreme Court today upheld last November's state's Proposition 8 decision by voters that overturned the high court's earlier ruling legalizing same-sex marriages. School of Law Professor Linda McClain, an authority on family law and policy, can comment on the legal ramifications of today's decision.
"Perhaps this, in combination with the economic problems California faces, may spur a sober second look at how Californians regard their Constitution and what should be required in order to amend it."
Contact Linda McClain, 617-358-4635, lmcclain@bu.edu
May 22, 2009 at 11:43 am
Organizaton of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members meeting in Vienna next week face a dilemma. If they vote to force oil prices up through production cuts, they risk slowing the global economic recovery. But if they don't cut supply, reserves will overflow worldwide. Mark T. Williams, an energy risk management expert who teaches finance at the School of Management, can comment on the high-stakes OPEC meeting.
Contact Mark T. Williams, 617-358-2789, williams@bu.edu
May 22, 2009 at 10:48 am
With the collapse of Miami-based BankUnited on the heels of failures by IndyMac and Washington Mutual, the federal Office of Thrift Supervision is coming under increased scrutiny for failing to appropriately oversee the nation's thifts. School of Law Professor Cornelius Hurley, director of the Morin Center for Banking and Financial Law, says the OTS is a likely target for elimination if Congress decides to overhaul the web of financial regulatory agencies.
Contact Cornelius Hurley, 617-353-5427, ckhurley@bu.edu
May 22, 2009 at 10:27 am
Speculation is rampant that the U.S. government will force General Moters into bankruptcy as early as next week. This comes as the Obama administration plans to lift Chrysler out of bankruptcy, also as soon as next week. School of Management Dean Louis Lataif, a former Ford senior executive, can offer a big-picture perspective on the auto industry's woes.
Contact Louis Lataif, 617-353-2668, lelataif@bu.edu
May 22, 2009 at 9:53 am
President Obama and former Vice President Chaney's back-to-back speeches on national security highlight the contentious nature of post-9/11, post-Bush national security law. School of Law lecturer Philip O'Neill, Jr., who teaches national security law and is the author of "National Security and the Legal Process," can put the debate in context.
Contact Philip O'Neill, Jr., 617-951-2253, poneill@eapdlaw.com
May 21, 2009 at 9:00 am
Trying to build public support for candidate Obama's pledge to overhaul U.S. immigration law, the Obama administration so far has maintained most Bush administration enforcement policies to keep the borders secure before the debate begins in Congress over changing the laws. The only formal change was to limit controversial raids at workplaces. School of Law Professor Susan Akram, a specialist in immigration law, can put it all into context.
Contact Susan Akram, 617-358-3060, smakram@bu.edu
May 21, 2009 at 6:00 am
The Institute for Athletic Coach Education (IACE) in the School of Education is hosting a 1-day conference for coaches, directors, and and leaders of youth sport at the Agganis Arena from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM. Participants will meet coaching researchers, educators, and master coaches who will share insights and lessons from their experience. Featured speakers include 2-time NCAA Coach of the Year Jack Parker and Director of the IACE John McCarthy. Please email coaching@bu.edu with questions.
May 20, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Under pressure since admitting paying out milions in bonuses after receiving billions in federal bailout money, insurance giant AIG says it will reconfigure its board to include six new independent directors. School of Management Professor James Post, an authority on corporate governance and business ethics, says the AIG effort is not a surprise because "the current governance failed."
Contact James Post, 617-353-4162, jepost@bu.edu
