College Clips
Published Oct. 16, 2007
USC professor warns that cults target students
The list of problems plaguing college campuses is extensive, including illegal drugs, alcohol abuse and sexual assault. But experts have said there's a lesser-known, but equally present, danger: cults.
"Cults are known to recruit on college campuses," said Doni Whitsett, a professor in the University of Southern California School of Social Work. "Students are invited to a dinner, a retreat, a special lecture, and they may not know who's sponsoring it."
Although cults are prohibited from recruiting on many college campuses, Whitsett said these groups could be present at USC because their actions on campus do not violate university rules.
"They will meet criteria for a booth on campus, but it can be a gateway," she said. "There's no control over what happens off campus."
— The Daily Trojan
(University of Southern California)
University of Iowa professor says
Americans wedded to computers
According to a new survey conducted by SupportSoft, Inc., computers are causing more emotional problems for Americans than they did three years ago, and 64 percent of users said they spend more time with their computers than with their romantic partners.
"I don't think it's surprising because more and more, work, leisure and communication are done on the computer," University of Iowa associate provost Lisa Troyer said.
Another possible cause, Troyer said, is that many people spend more time at work than they do with their romantic partners, and that work is often centered on computers.
Results of the survey also showed that a dead computer can elicit strong emotions — 19 percent said they wanted to throw it out a window, 9 percent said they felt stranded and alone and 11 percent said they used strong language about the computer, but 32 percent said they just brushed it off.
— The Daily Iowan
(University of Iowa)
Illinois State University-area experts
put food myths to rest
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Carrots are good for the eyes. Fish is brain food. Widespread health myths such as these can skew even the most educated mind when it comes to eating right.
A few of these myths have been proven true while others have been proven false.
"Carrots are good for eyes because they are a good source of vitamin A," registered dietitian Kim McClintic said.
But McClintic made it clear that not eating carrots will not negatively affect one's health.
"If you don't eat carrots, you're not going to go blind," she said.
Another popular myth claims that spicy food causes ulcers. Health professionals have found this to be inaccurate.
"It doesn't cause an ulcer," McClintic said. "If I have an ulcer, it can aggravate it and make it worse."
McClintic compared the concept to another situation to make it easier to understand.
"Sugar doesn't cause diabetes," McClintic said. "Sugar becomes an issue if you have it."
— The Daily Vidette
(Illinois State University)