Mngt 408: Collective Bargaining and Industrial Relations

The UAW has ratified its collective bargaining agreement with Chrysler, although by a smaller-than-expected margin. Bargaining now focuses on Ford.

Campus Life

So Shield Et Cetera editor Jon Webb believes the new quad fountain is "stupid" and "a waste of money." I disagree; I think the fountain in particular and the quad project in general significantly improves the aesthetic appeal of campus. Webb apparently believes that instead of the quad project the University should be addressing other needs, a lack of "ample parking, decent food selection or any kind of legitimate student health care plan." Perhaps Webb would rather the quad have been paved over so as to provide more ample parking -- then campus would have all the aesthetic appeal of the Eastland Mall parking lot. But at least one wouldn't have to walk a whole ten minutes from one's vehicle to class... Re: food selection, yes, more choices would be nice and we'll have them with the library renovation. As far as a student health care plan, what makes the current services less than legitimate?

Hons 101: Beyond Feelings

Here's another story on the 'sagging pants' issue, which we discussed earlier this semester. And here's a commentary.

Campus Life

Is anyone proofreading items for publication in the Shield? From last week's issue, the Perspectives & Viewpoints column by Shield staff member Seth Grundhoefer, "McDonald doesn't stop the party": "since" rather than "sense," "vigilantly" rather than "vigilante," "boast" rather than "boost," and "setting" rather than "sitting." C'mon guys, if you want us to take the Shield seriously (you do, don't you?) at least proofread what is being printed. And kudos to Grundhoefer for his rant about law enforcement -- after all, why should we bother to enforce any law that Seth and his buddies disagree with? Darn it all, police officers have the nerve to monitor the roadways for traffic violations, and Excise monitors places students drink for alcohol violations. What will they think of next?

Mngt 408: Collective Bargaining and Industrial Relations

The tentative agreement between Chrysler and the UAW may be in jeopardy; union members at several large plants have voted against the agreement, and contract ratification votes continue.

Hons 101: Beyond Feelings

Dani Palmer, Shield staff member, authored a Perspectives & Viewpoints column in the October 11 issue, "Jena 6: proof some things never change." Palmer concludes that we as a society have not "matured enough to learn to work together and not hate others based on skin color," that we haven't learned from our past mistakes, and that we never will. Do you agree?

Mngt 408: Collective Bargaining and Industrial Relations: Comparative Labor Relations

The Gdansk shipyard in Poland is being sold to a Ukrainian company. This shipyard was the site of a historic strike in 1980 that changed the course of Polish history.

Hons 101: The Environment

Despite a tradition of minimalism, Japanese household CO2 emissions are up 40 percent since 1990, an increase attributed to rising consumerism. What can a household do to be 'green'?

Mngt 408: Collective Barganing and Industrial Relations

Having reached agreements with General Motors and Chrysler, the UAW now turns its attention to negotiations with Ford.

Mngt 408: Collective Bargaining and Industrial Relations

Strikes have become less frequent and of shorter duration in the United States. At one time, strikes were a powerful weapon for organized labor. Younger workers have mixed feelings about strikes. Regarding comparative labor relations, textile workers in Egypt have recently struck and won significant concessions from the Egyptian government.

Hons 101: The Environment

Climate change has become a global and diplomatic issue; former Vice President Al Gore has won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work, along with the United Nations Panel on Climate Change. Critics argue that Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" contains errors, inaccuracies, and misrepresentations; see The Washington Post's "Fact-Checker" for background and links.

Mngt 408: Collective Bargaining and Industrial Relations

The UAW has reached a tentative agreement with Chrysler and has ratified the contract reached with GM.

Mngt 408: Collective Bargaining and Industrial Relations

UAW members at Chrysler have begun walking off the job following the passing of the strike deadline at 11 a.m. ET today, given that no agreement has yet been reached...

Campus Life

Who wrote that page one headline in last Thursday's Shield? "U.S. Senate passes amendment to approve invading Iranian forces." The headline makes it sound as if the Senate approves of Iranian forces invading someone or something, which is not quite what the resolution in fact approved...

Hons 101: Americans' Role in the World

A student at the University of Southern California who has lived in Myanmar reflects upon whether she'd have the courage if she were there now to smuggle news to the outside world.

Hons 101: Beyond Feelings: The Basic Problem: "Mine Is Better"

Americans tend to give themselves overly positive self-appraisals of their accomplishments and abilities.

Hons 101: Americans' Role in the World

American evangelical Christians are increasingly vocal in their support of Israel; many Jews in Israel, however, are concerned about Christian evangelizing.

Hons 101: Beyond Feelings: What Does It Mean To Know?

Much of what we know of the Revolutionary War comes not just from diaries and letters of the period, but also artwork.

Hons 101: Americans' Role in the World

Women are playing an increasing role in U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hons 101: The Environment

To begin our deliberation re: the environment, which will lead to the Honors Program Issues for the 21st Century Forum (Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 7-830p, UC 201-202), please consider the "A Difference of Opinion" at pp. 51-52 of Beyond Feelings. (1) Read the passage re: Is the threat of global warming real or imaginary? (2) Use the Rice Library and/or the Internet and find what knowledgeable people have said about the issue. For the purpose of this assignment it will be difficult to cover the entire range of views; identify at least two knowledgeable sources with differing views. (3) Assess the strengths and weaknesses of each. (4) Based on this critical assessment, develop your own view and explanation as to why that view is reasonable. (5) Post your assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of others' views and explanation of your view as a comment. Be reminded of the basic activities of critical thinking: investigation, interpretation, and judgment. We start the critical thinking process with inquiry -- what knowledge would we need in order to reach an informed opinion?

Hons 101: Americans' Role in the World

President Bush announced additional sanctions against Myanmar's military junta in his speech at the United Nations last week. The president called on U.N. members to support nascent democracies and to oppose autocratic and tyrannical governments. Troops in Myanmar opened fire on anti-government protesters, resulting in at least ten fatalities. Here's an assessment of recent developments. Here's some background on Myanmar's recent history. Here's a discussion of the value of sanctions. Some experts believe engagement is the preferred course of action.

Mngt 408: Collective Bargaining and Industrial Relations

The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) reports that the UAW's core strategy for protecting jobs has changed. The Journal examines whether U.S. unions are still a political power. The Journal also editorializes re: the UAW's "new awareness of global competition." Here's analysis from the PBS Newshour. Here's analysis from the Detroit Free Press.