Tightening the belt
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 30
The best way for the University of Alabama to weather the current economic storm is to focus on recruitment efforts and continued expansion of the university, UA President Robert Witt said during a fall faculty and staff meeting Wednesday… “We can neither escape nor ignore the economic environment, but we should not allow it to slow our momentum or change our focus,” Witt said…Witt said he expects additional cuts in state funding next year as well, and UA trustees are already discussing more tuition increases to buffer additional cuts next year. There will be no faculty or staff layoffs and there will be no program cuts, Witt added…UA needs to increase its recruitment efforts, focus on bringing more out-of-state students to the university and continue to expand, he added.
“Enrollment growth is an integral part of the answer,” Witt said. The increased revenue generated from out-of-state students since 2002 has provided for significant financial padding, especially during hard economic times, Witt said.
Crimson White – Oct. 30
WVUA, Tuscaloosa – Oct. 29
UA announces homecoming court
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 30
The University of Alabama announced its 2008 homecoming court Wednesday. Those selected were:- Caroline Ball, an applied mathematics major from Glenview, Ill.- Patty Ann Green, a communication studies major from Columbus, Miss.- Caroline Gwaltney, a journalism major from Alexander City.- Phillips Thomas, an international studies major from Anniston.- Maegan Wrenn, an accounting major from Gadsden. The members of the court were the leading vote-getters in the homecoming queen election, which was held Tuesday. The queen will be announced Friday during the homecoming pep rally, which begins at 7 p.m. on the Quad, and will be crowned Saturday during halftime of the football game between Alabama and Arkansas State. This year, 4,627 UA students voted for the homecoming queen, a 10 percent increase in turnout compared with the 2007 election.
WVUA, Tuscaloosa – Oct. 29
WCBI-CBS, Columbus, Miss. – Oct. 29
For GM, the bad news keeps on coming
National Public Radio (Marketplace) – Oct. 29
Jim Cashman is a management professor at the University of Alabama. He’s also been a consultant to companies including GM for about 20 years. Cashman says he wouldn’t be surprised if GM slashes development budgets. Jim Cashman: They have little choice. Cashman says putting development spending in the garage can be an effective way to cut costs, so long as it doesn’t go on too long. Cashman: What is absolutely fundamental to the future of the Big Three and GM being way up in front of that is to build in much more ability to react to customer shifts in demand. Cutbacks, wherever they come, will not include the Chevy Volt, the plug-in car expected in a couple years. GM’s also planning to re-introduce an oldie and what it hopes is a goodie. GM’s Wilkinson says a new Camaro may have the muscle to pull in new buyers…
Alabama donors have contributed more to McCain campaign than to Obama’s
Birmingham News – Oct. 30
…”You would expect your typical Democratic and Republican constituencies went home to their respective candidates, and trial lawyers for Edwards became trial lawyers for Obama, and business people for (former candidate Mitt) Romney became business people for McCain,” said David Lanoue, chairman of the political science department at the University of Alabama…”Alabama voters can give to candidates and maybe have some influence on swing states that matter,” Lanoue said. “That may be a greater incentive for Obama contributors since they mostly recognize that he’ll likely lose in Alabama and their contribution could have more of an impact than their vote.” …
Birmingham-Hoover metro area unemployment rate is seventh-lowest in the U.S.
Birmingham News – Oct. 30
…Birmingham’s economy has done well over the last few years, thanks to its diversified employment base, said Ahmad Ijaz, an economic researcher at the University of Alabama. Yet it, like other cities, will take a hit in coming months “due to a decline in commercial construction, and drop in consumer, business and government-related spending,” he said.
Palin Watch
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – Oct. 29
…a group of students at the University of Alabama is studying how the media is treating Palin versus how it treated Democratic VP candidate Ferraro during her run….
Rick and Bubba Talk to UA Students
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Oct. 29
Two of radio’s most popular voices were in Tuscaloosa today. Rick Burgess and Bill “Bubba” Bussey spoke to a mass communication class at the University of Alabama …