Headlines from the Ivory Tower

Notre Dame University, one of the most prominent Catholic universities in the United States, recently invited President Obama to speak at its 2009 commencement ceremonies; an act that has drawn protest from Catholics across the nation. Opposition has come from Notre Dame students and city Archbishops, focusing on the differences between Obama’s policies and Catholic doctrine regarding abortion. “[Obama] has unfortunately taken a position very much at odds with the Church,” said Archbishop of Milwaukee Timothy Dolan.

According to a joint study by the University of Rochester and Tel Aviv University, playing video games may improve some aspects of eyesight. The researchers found that playing “action video games”, such as those where the player takes the perspective of a soldier in a combat situation, might improve the perception of contrast by 60 percent or more. Such an improvement was not observed after playing games that placed less emphasis on processing visual information and quick reactions.

More than 30 protestors have set up a shantytown in Columbia, South Carolina, protesting Governor Mark Sanford’s refusal of $700 million in federal stimulus money allocated for education and public works projects. Sanford had requested an exception allowing a portion of the stimulus to be used to pay down the state’s debt. While Sanford cited a need to avoid future liabilities, residents appeared more concerned with potential program cuts and increases in class size caused by the shortage of funds.

Students at San Jose State University are currently designing a small satellite called ReadySat Go that will become part of the communications network orbiting the earth. Roughly the size of a Kleenex box, satellites such as this one can be sent into space attached to larger satellites, significantly decreasing costs. These small satellites function as space-borne answering machines, receiving messages while above one region, and sending them down when their orbit takes them over the target area.

The decision to legalize same sex marriages in Iowa will increase state revenue by $5.3 million per year, according to a report by the pro-same-sex marriage Williams Institute. The report projected that sales tax from weddings will bring in over $2.5 million, and that the reduced number of same-sex couples eligible for public benefit programs will save the state nearly $2.8 million.