Newswise — Ball State University experts are available to provide information and background on a variety of issues. Story ideas include:
APARTMENT COMPLEXES USING HALLOWEEN TO RETAIN TENANTS: Promoting Halloween as a fun and safe holiday at large residential complexes is one way to keep apartments filled with happy tenants. Residents are more likely to extend their leases if they feel comfortable in their surroundings, says Carla Earhart, director of Ball State's residential management program. This can be accomplished by hosting costume parties and "haunted" apartments during the Halloween season.
BE CHOOSY WHEN SELECTING AN ENERGY BAR: Americans spend an estimated $1.25 billion annually to purchase energy bars, but such items may provide no more boost than bagels, says David Pearson, director of Ball State's Strength Research Laboratory. His study of cyclists found that those who used energy bars for breakfast had no advantage over those who ate bagels.
MAKE WORKPLACE FUN TO KEEP EMPLOYEES FROM LEAVING: A recent survey indicated that many employees may change jobs when the economy improves, but businesses should take steps now to keep their best workers, says Lynne Richardson, dean of the College of Business. She suggests offering flexible schedules, recognizing good work by giving the employee either time off or a gift, asking employees their opinions on how to improve operations, and making the workplace so fun and positive that people will not want to leave.
EMPLOYERS PREFER TO RECEIVE RESUMES ELECTRONICALLY: Employers prefer to receive resumes from job candidates electronically because technology makes the hiring process more efficient, says Joseph Goodwin, assistant director of Ball State's Career Center. While high-tech resumes can be Web-based, on CD-ROM with hyperlinks or sent in an e-mail, candidates still must provide information that is free of errors.
NEW BOOK EXAMINES LIFE OF ACTRESS CAROL LOMBARD: During the 1930s, fans laughed at the antics of Carole Lombard, a Fort Wayne native, in several screwball comedies. Telecommunications professor Wes Gehring continues his examination of film comedy in his new book "Carole Lombard: The Hoosier Tornado." The book looks at her life from her early days in silent films to her death in a 1942 plane crash following a successful rally to sell war bonds in Indianapolis. The book is the inaugural volume in the Indiana Biography Series sponsored by the Historical Society Press.
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