UA rises in college rankings
Tuscaloosa News – Aug. 22
The University of Alabama marked its best showing in the annual college rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report. Ranked 83rd out of public and private research universities, the spot is three places higher than its previous high in 2004. However, when considering only public schools, UA places 37th, two better than the 2004 showing. ‘The rankings reflect our continued efforts to grow with quality,’ said UA President Robert Witt in a statement. ‘We are pleased to welcome another record freshman class this year, our strong faculty continue to change lives with their dedication to teaching, research and service and our students and alumni continue to have a positive impact on the communities we serve.’…UA further distanced itself from Auburn University in the rankings. Auburn remained 96th among all colleges and 45th among public universities…
U.S.News and World Report – Aug. 22
Mobile Register – Aug. 22
U.S. News Rankings Forum
U.S. News and World Report.com – Aug. 22
University of Alabama: We are from California so we are used to the wonderful UC system in that state. Therefore, we expect high standards from a college. When our Valedictorian and National Merit Scholar son was looking at colleges, we knew that he could go almost anywhere, but he chose the University of Alabama. He is now a junior and doing wonderfully. The Honors College is impressive…The Campus is BEAUTIFUL. The President is in the midst of implementing a well-thought-out 10-year controlled-growth plan which includes increasing enrollment while building the necessary infrastructure…This school is economical for both in-state and out-of-state students. Merit Scholarships are available for both…all National Merit Scholars are given scholarships for free tuition and housing, a laptop, plus some other benefits. The residence halls are awesome…Each honors student has his own private room, but shares two bathrooms and a living room/kitchenette with 3 others. Therefore, each “suite” is like a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment for 4 people. We would strongly recommend UA to anyone. It literally “has it all.”…
UA professors turn to technology to save students money
Tuscaloosa News – Aug. 22
…George Daniels, another assistant professor of journalism, said the College of Communications has formed a committee to recommend ways to control costs. In his class, ‘The Mechanics of Media Writing,’…(Wilson) Lowrey produced content for a textbook and worked with a publisher to make it available online…In addition to creating an online textbook, Lowrey also developed a Web site for his editing course with information about the course, links to various grammar sites and recommended
publications. Homework assignments and class notes are also accessible through the site for download…Erica-Pribanic Smith, a UA journalism instructor and Ph.D. candidate, said she’s found books that are available as PDFs that students can legally download for free or at a minimal cost…Cathy Andreen, director of media relations at UA, said the school estimates students spend an average of $500 on books each semester. The College Board reported that for the 2007-08 academic year, students spent between $805 to $1,220 depending on the institution. ‘Prices are an issue everywhere. And there are a lot of different scenarios here. Some departments require bundles with specific materials. Others don’t but the supply store is very sensitive to students’ needs, and they offer student options whenever available,’ Andreen said…On the first day of his ‘Physics for Scientists and Engineers’ course, UA physics professor James Harrell, tells his students they can buy their textbooks new or used. ‘The students have two options. If they buy the new textbook, it’s around $130 for the book and access code. But it’s still cheaper to buy the used book. And the access code for online homework in physics is $25.’ Harrell added that he and his colleagues try to keep the costs of classes to a minimum, since students are often hit with so many fees. ‘We think quite a bit about the costs,’ he said.
Greeks welcome Alpha Phi
Crimson White – Aug. 22 (print only)
Alpha Phi sorority is the new sorority on the UA campus…
UA creates football ticket pool
Crimson White – Aug. 22 (print only)
…the SGA and ACTion Card offices developed the My Tickets program, a revolutionary first-in-the-national program…the built-in virtual ticket pool that lets students who do not have tickets pick open seats even a few hours before a game…
Board Builder Workshop planned for Saturday
Birmingham News – Aug. 22
The Blackburn Institute of The University of Alabama wants to help train the growing number of young adults who are serving or want to serve on boards and agencies. A Board Builder Workshop is being offered on Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m., at WorkPlay in Birmingham, followed by a networking reception. Registration for the free event is open until 5 p.m. today…
Education briefs
Birmingham News – Aug. 22
Alabama Alumni Magazine has received four national awards in recognition of work in its 2007 issues. The University of Alabama magazine received a gold 2008 Hermes Creative Award for the spring issue, “Journeys of Discovery.” The summer issue, “Food for Thought,” received the 2008 APEX Award of Excellence and a gold 2008 Millennium Award. The winter issue, “A Healing Touch,” was honored with a bronze award for Best All Around Alumni Publication in the 2008 Magnum Opus Awards… — A record number of freshmen in the University of Alabama Honors College recently participated in the community service project, Alabama Action, benefiting west Alabama elementary students and their schools. There were 106 freshmen, along with 24 student leaders and 10 volunteer student mentors, participating in the event. Students were paired with a fifth-grade “buddy” at Maxwell Elementary and Flatwoods Elementary. Students also participated in service projects at the schools, including creating an outdoor classroom, updating the library and building cafeteria stage areas…