Since the mass shooting in Aurora, CO, the media have focused particularly on two issues: the ease with which the perpetrator acquired an assault rifle and the possibility that he is mentally ill, issues that are peripheral to America's gun violence problem, explained Jerry Ratcliffe, chair of criminal justice at Temple, in an opinion piece. “Reducing the opportunity to commit crime by increasing the effort it takes has repeatedly been shown to prevent crime. This is not rocket science; it's crime science,” he said.

The Temple University Board of Trustees has approved Neil Theobald as the school's 10th president. Theobald was most recently senior vice president and chief financial officer at Indiana University. Trustees Chairman Patrick O'Connor said Theobald, an expert in education finance, possesses the experience, vision and proven track record to lead Temple.

A group of African-Americans at Martha’s Vineyard called the "Polar Bears" are finding ways to age well. Each morning they pray and swim together. Temple sociologist Donna-Marie Peters studied the group to learn more about the cultural approaches to wellness. "Yes, we are as a population overweight, but you have to have a nuanced understanding of black life..." she said. "We might not be skinny, but a lot of us are very health conscious, especially as we age."