Speaker on "Obama Effect"

Ray Friedman, Brownlee O. Currey professor of management of the Owen Graduate School of Management, will speak on "The Obama Effect" on Friday. Friedman's research shows the positive relationship between key successes in Obama's campaign and high test-taking performances by black students.

"Our results document compelling evidence of the power that real world, in-group role models like Obama can have on members of their racial or ethnic community," Friedman said.

Friedman's research looked at the effect of Obama's success on racial stereotypes.

"Obama as a role model did not have an immediate impact on black Americans' concerns about such stereotypes," Friedman said. "However, our findings give us reason to believe that the influence of extraordinarily successful role models like Obama will help to drive improved performance and, over the longer term, to dispel negative stereotypes about African-Americans, bringing us closer to a ǃÚpost-racial' world."

Friedman will speak at noon on Jan. 30 in Owen's Averbuch Auditorium.

Source: Vanderbilt News Service

Severe winter weather

Vanderbilt appears to be prepared if a winter emergency strikes.

Plunging temperatures and winter damage have relentlessly hit the country. Although Nashville has avoided much of the most severe weather, there have already been several record lows and there are still two months of winter to come.

"Our primary emphasis is to maintain our walkways and primary driving routes to the safest possible conditions," according to Vanderbilt Plant Operations.

The grounds shop has several trucks and tractors that effectively remove snowfall typical of this region. They also maintain calcium chloride pellets to melt ice if necessary. The safety of Vanderbilt students is an important responsibility, and Plant Operations ensures that "every possible effort is made to remove all snow and ice from campus walkways prior to the start of classes and to keep them clear for the rest of the day."

Students are advised to contact Plant Operations at 615-322-2621 if they are concerned about snow or ice.

Source: Vanderbilt University Plant Operations and Emergency Preparedness and Planning