When stress hits, we fall into ‘coping combos’
MSNBC.com – June 25
… Beverly Thorn, a health psychologist and stress expert at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, says that while there aren’t any statistics on the most common “coping combos,” our sundry stress responses are partly cognitive, partly emotional and partly biological. “We all learn coping mechanisms at an early age,” she says. “We learn to cope well or poorly by observing what our caretakers do. If your parents are drinking alcohol every night to the point of inebriation to manage their stress, you’re much more likely to do the same thing. If you see a parent climb into bed and pull the covers over their head when things get tough, that’s more likely to be a coping mechanism that you’ll develop later in life.”…Thorn says we also have biological predispositions may also cause us to act certain ways when we’re under the gun. “Everybody’s biology is a bit different,” she says. “I might respond to stress by getting more acid production in my stomach which will make me want to not eat at all or make me want to eat comfort foods that will absorb the acid.”…
University purchases degree-planning software
Crimson White – June 26
…The Office of the Provost is in the process of purchasing a degree-planning program called DegreeWorks, with the expressed intention of making comprehensive planning available to all students at the click of a button…”With DegreeWorks, students will know at all times how the courses they have taken satisfy graduation requirements and which courses are left to complete,” Provost Judy Bonner said. “DegreeWorks also facilitates the formulation of an academic degree plan that shows which courses should be taken each semester until all degree requirements have been completed. “Every student will have a semester by semester degree plan. Both students and advisors will be able to see if the student is on track for completing degree requirements.”…
UA locks down plans for nursing building
Crimson White – June 26
The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved last week elements of a number of new University construction projects, including the new home for the Capstone College of Nursing…The board also approved three other construction items, including the renovation and expansion of Jones Archaeological Museum in Moundville, the demolition of Denny Court apartments and the initiation of the construction of a new house for Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity…
University of Alabama Insurance Professor Receives Bickley Award
The Insurance Journal – June 26
William H. Rabel, professor of insurance & financial services at The University of Alabama, won the 2008 John Bickley Innovation and Creativity Award. Rabel led a team of professors that developed the new actuarial science program at the university. A cooperative venture between the mathematics department and the business school, the program is designed to attract gifted students with a quantitative bent to The University of Alabama. Initially Rabel will be responsible for administering and marketing the new program. Established by John S. Bickley, emeritus professor of insurance, the award recognizes a faculty member in the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration who has created an idea to enhance the image of the college in the eyes of the education world. The award is given to a faculty member for instituting creative study courses and for initiatives beneficial to students.