Campus CrossWalk Magazine: 2007 Summer Issue -- Trends: News You Can Use

Michigan State University (MSU) students are now allowed their “freedom of conscience” due to a ruling by the controversial Student Accountability in Community (SAC) program. SAC forced students at MSU whose speech or behavior was deemed unacceptable to “undergo ideological reeducation, or face effective expulsion.” Because of public pressure and the efforts by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), program ended in late spring of 2007. (www.thefire.org, 5/3/07)
“Unborn babies face emotional stress during pregnancy,” according to new studies by doctors in England. The British Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released the results of the study on May 31, 2007 which says “unborn babies as early as 17 weeks into pregnancy suffer from stress as the mother faces emotional stress.” The amniotic fluid “is a good indicator of what’s happening because it’s mostly produced by the baby during the pregnancy and the link grows stronger as the pregnancy advances,” the physicians said. (news2@LifeNews.com, 6/3/07)
A Washington Times quote says “cable companies have greatly contributed to lowering the standards of decency in television programming and have increased their rates an average of 90 percent over the last 10 years,” according to Free Congress Foundation Chairman Paul M. Weyrich. (ptcealerts@parentstv.org, 5/25/07)
There once was a time when men in college outnumbered women 2-to-1, but, not anymore! According to the American Council on Education, women make up 58 percent of college and university students through 2006. “Experts say gender roles that discourage men from seeking help with problems and encourage drinking as a sign of masculinity are among the reasons for the decline. Today, with growing recognition, men’s lives are also affected by sex roles. Some academic programs are dropping the “women’s studies” label and renaming themselves “gender studies.” In a national study last year by the American College Health Association, 19 percent of men said they used alcohol 10 to 29 days out of the past 30, compared with 13 percent of women.” The California Postsecondary Education Commission looks at higher education trends and says “California already has too few college graduates to meet the demand from employers, requiring the state to import educated workers from other states and even other countries.” (Orange County Register, 6/3/07)
Unedited profanities any time of the day on television could be the result of a 2-1 decision by a U.S. appeals court in New York City, June 4, 2007, according to the Parents Television Council. Just over a year ago, the House by a 10-1 margin and the Senate unanimously authorized the FCC to increase indecency fines ten-fold. The FCC ruled that the use of “F-word” and “S-word” during primetime television broadcasts of the 2002 and 2003 Billboard Music Awards violated the broadcast indecency law. Many broadcasters, like Fox Network, filed suit in federal court to overturn the Congressional ruling, thus the appeals court decision in June. (ptcealerts@parentstv.org, 6/5/07)
Want an athletic scholarship to college? Your best chance is in lacrosse! Data reveals there is one college or university player for every eight high school players according to studies from the National Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the National Federation of State High School Associations. Women’s soccer is one in 12 while men’s and women’s swimming is one in 13. Longest odds for a scholarship is wrestling at one in 37, as men’s basketball is one in 27 and women’s basketball one in 25. (Los Angeles Times, June 13, 2007)
A recent New York Post poll found that “26 percent of young U.S. Muslims say violence is OK.” The nationwide survey is “one of the most exhaustive studies ever conducted of American Muslim attitudes.” Thirteen percent said suicide bombings and other violence against civilians can be justified “in order to defend Islam from its enemies.” Among those Muslims under the age of 30, 13 percent doubled to 26 percent.” (Americanfamilyassociation@afamail.com, 5/31/07)
Men in their 30s make less than their fathers did according to a study by Pew Charitable Trusts based on U.S. Census Bureau data. “Outsourcing and the advancement of women,” are two of the key reasons. “In 2004, the median income for a man in his 30s was $35,000, 12 percent less than that of men in their 30s in 1974, adjusted for inflation.” By contrast, “thirty-something men in 1994 earned 5 percent more than their older counterparts.” Another reason for the low salaries is that among women under 50, 32 percent have four-year college degrees, compared with only 23 percent of the men. (Los Angeles Times, 5/27/07)
Over half of all Americans are living off the federal government, according to a study by economist, Gary Schilling, a Springfield, N.J., consultant and forecaster. In 1950 only 28.3 percent received substantial government funds from anything such as full-time employment to food stamps. However in 2000, 49.4 percent got support while in 2006 52.6 percent are “feeding at the government trough.” Schilling projects 60 percent will receive substantial income from Uncle Sam by 2040. Thomas Jefferson said, “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.” (Orange County Register, 6/3/07)
According to Steve Chapman, columnist for the Chicago Tribune, a recent survey about television watching indicates that among “kids in grades 5 through 8, only 16 percent said their parents never let them see R-rated films.” (Orange County Register, 6/3/07)
A May, 2007, bill passed the House that effectively segregates “hate” into acceptable hate and punishable hate, according to Representative John Campbell (R-CA). Campbell says “if you hate someone because they are wealthy or a military veteran,” that is not a crime under the bill. But, if you hate them because of their “perceived gender or sexual orientation,” that is a crime. Campbell also feels that NAMBLA (the North American Man/Boy Love Association) “would constitute a protected sexual orientation under this bill.” (OC Register, 5/24/07)

Rick Rowland, Sr. D. Min., is the Assistant Swimming Coach at California Baptist University in Riverside and is External College Age/Young Adult Ministry Leader for the Murrieta Church of Christ serving students at Mt. San Jacinto College.