UA announces record enrollment
Crimson White – Sept. 18
The University announced a record 27,052 students enrolled this fall with the entering freshman class at 5,116 — the largest freshman class in UA history, according to a press release released Tuesday. This is the first time the freshman class enrollment has exceeded 5,000. Cathy Andreen, UA spokeswoman, said the University is on track to achieve its enrollment goal and might achieve it early. “The University has seen a significant increase in enrollment each year since [UA] President [Robert] Witt originally set the goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2013,” Andreen said. “In fact, growth has been so significant that two years ago he moved the target date to 2010. With more than 27,000 students enrolled this year, it’s likely that we will reach 28,000 as soon as 2009.”… This year’s freshman class includes 1,012 students with a high school grade point average of 4.0 or higher and one out of every five freshmen is enrolled in the Honors College, according to the release.
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Sept. 17
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – Sept. 17
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Sept. 17
New minor offers hands-on experience
Crimson White – Sept. 18
…The natural resources management minor is being offered through the College of Arts and Sciences at the suggestion of the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration. The minor allows students to have a traditional degree while having a minor that enables them to be involved with a process of decision-making and an appreciation of natural resources in the history and the economy of Alabama. “This minor gives students who do not necessarily want to earn a degree in forestry or wild life management an opportunity to get the essentials through the minor while also getting a degree in the Arts and Sciences,” said J. Barry Mason, dean of C&BA. Robert Olin, dean of A&S, said the minor, if paired with any number of majors, will prepare students for careers that are aimed toward caring for and protecting land and water sources…
UA to Work With Tuscaloosa on Energy Project
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Sept. 17
The city of Tuscaloosa is getting nearly $200,000 from an alternative energy grant from Gov. Bob Riley…the city will work with the University of Alabama on the project, which officials estimate will save $78,000 in energy costs annually.
Memorial to honor crash victims
Crimson White – Sept. 18
The SGA and the Office of the Associate Dean of Students will honor the memory of Virginia Gray Bailey and Rebecca Bettis at 4 p.m. today in front of Denny Chimes. Bailey and Bettis were freshmen at the University, and both had recently pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma before they died in a motor vehicle accident on Aug. 29…A private memorial service for the Bailey and Bettis families, friends and sorority members will be held at the Kappa Kappa Gamma house and a reception will follow. The Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority house held private memorials immediately after the news of the deaths of Bailey and Bettis…
University sees increase in recycling
Crimson White – Sept. 18
…Kendra Key, a junior majoring in political science and the coordinator of the SGA recycling initiative on campus, said, over the last year, recycling on campus has seen a 210 percent increase. Key said to encourage students to continue recycling on campus, the SGA has put fliers in every residence hall and a blue bin for all recyclable items…Key said the SGA now has recycling on game days on the Quad and in Bryant-Denny Stadium. “We are hiring students for the next home game to serve as environmental ambassadors encouraging fans to recycle in the game,” Key said…
University taking steps toward conserving water
Crimson White – Sept. 18
…One way the University has tried to conserve water and the energy needed to heat the water is by eliminating the trays at Lakeside Dining Hall. This is part of the University’s initiative to become a greener campus…“Our main focus is on low-flow toilets,” said Tim Leopard, the assistant vice president for design and construction for the University. “The older toilets have a higher volume per flush. The newer dorms will have a 1.3 liter toilet. And we’re about to replace stadium fixtures.” Leopard also said the University is in the preliminary stages of applying for grants for water retention systems to utilize for irrigation. Leopard said a water retention system would smaller fiscal effect than the low-flow toilets because of the sewer fees that are associated with indoor plumbing…
Crimson Ride Adds New Route
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Sept. 17
The University of Alabama’s Crimson Ride transit system is adding a route to downtown Tuscaloosa in the evenings…
Realtors hoping markets rebound
Florence Times Daily – Sept. 18
…January to July, home sales decreased 22 percent; during the same period in 2007, prices increased a slight 0.4 percent on average and homes stayed on the market 10 percent longer, according to the Alabama Center for Real Estate at the University of Alabama…
Breaking the cultural barrier
Birmingham Business Journal – Sept. 15
…But if professionals are nervous about the daunting task of breaking the language and cultural barriers, it may be a better idea to trade or do business with a closer market, said Brian Davis, director of the International Trade Center at the University of Alabama. “There are solid opportunities for small companies in Canada and Mexico,” he said. “Culture is not a big factor (there). In China, it’s very important, but in other markets, not so much. But it’s always a piece of the puzzle.” Davis said larger international markets come with more regulatory issues, such as tariffs and a longer timeframe for success. But, Davis said, the Alabama trade center is seeing a lot of interest in larger markets like China and India…
Students ‘Meet Tuscaloosa’
Crimson White – Sept. 18
UA students got a chance to meet with Tuscaloosa-area businesses, emergency services and volunteer groups on the Quad as part of Meet Tuscaloosa Wednesday afternoon. The SGA sponsored Meet Tuscaloosa as a way for UA students to become familiar with the local community, said SGA vice president for external affairs Mike Dodson…
Homecoming adds two new contests
Crimson White – Sept. 18
…This year, every academic building surrounding the Quad is eligible for lawn decoration, and a separate award will be given for the best. Also, alongside the traditional Spirit Cup, the Spirit Bowl will be presented to the group containing less than 100 people that exhibits the most school spirit…
Education briefs
Birmingham News – Sept. 18
…Author Barry Hannah will give a reading Sept. 25 at the Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave., as part of the University of Alabama Bankhead Visiting Writers Series. — The University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences is holding its annual Communication Career Fair for students Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the ballroom of Ferguson Center on campus. A sports communication workshop will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and a media sales workshop will be held from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., both in the Ferguson Center Heritage Room.