Opinion: Honors Program offers more than nice digs
Huntsville Times – Feb. 2
Since I wrote my last article for the HT page concerning housing at the University of Alabama, I have reached a decision. I was accepted into the University Honors Program and, therefore, have the opportunity to live in the Honors dorms…But the honors program offers so much more than just nice dorms…Alabama’s honors program offers exclusive classes with sizes ranging from 15 to 20 students, which in a college-level program is very, very nice. I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in classes where the professor will know me by my first name. Dr. Robert Halli, the dean of the Honors College, even made a personal visit to Sparkman High School and called several prospective UA freshman, including myself, out of class to discuss the program in detail…I got interested in the honors program simply because of the nice dorms. But after attending receptions and tours and hearing about all the program has to offer, I am definitely looking forward to challenging myself on a daily basis.
Residence halls compete to lower energy
Crimson White – Feb. 2
The Energy Conservation Campaign wrapped up its first month and is getting ready for its second in February. Residence halls will soon be recording their energy consumption for the month of January in the energy conservation posters that have been placed in each dorm. Justin Trott, a junior in New College and the creator of the energy conservation campaign, is coordinating the campaign…Trott said Blount, Lakeside West, Riverside East, Parham, Harris, Bryce Lawn, Byrd, Friedman and Parker Adams are the set of dorms that will be competing for the Nintendo Wii or Xbox 360 that will be given to the dorm that has the most impressive energy consumption reduction…
Opinion: Alabama needs a law to regulate tax preparers (By Stephen Black)
Huntsville Times – Feb. 1
…Over the last six months, University of Alabama students working with the UA Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility conducted research and helped draft needed reforms. College students from more than 10 campuses statewide were organized to raise awareness and gain support from the Legislature and governor to pass these needed reforms. Under the leadership of Sen. Quinton Ross, D-Montgomery, Rep. Tammy Irons, D-Lauderdale, and a bipartisan coalition of legislators, the Alabama Taxpayer Protection and Assistance Act will be filed in both chambers this week. The act would require individual tax preparers to pass a proficiency exam, obtain a license and fulfill a continuing education requirement (excluding CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and lawyers already required to obtain licenses.)…Stephen Foster Black is the director of the University of Alabama Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility, and president/founder of Impact Alabama.
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 1
Leader touts universities’ civic role
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 31
During his time as president of the University of Alabama from 1969 to 1980, David Mathews oversaw the school during a period of civil unrest. He played an active role in the integration of the university. He also established the University of Alabama’s Division of Rural Affairs and worked to expand opportunities for minorities for UA faculty and staff. Mathews returned to the school on Friday, this time during a period of economic unrest, to talk about universities’ role in civic engagement…Steve Katsinas, director of the Education Policy Center, said the presentation was successful in forcing faculty members to think outside of academia. “I think his presentation was well received because what we know is scientifically based,” he said. “It’s a challenge to step out of academics in the community. We want to help, and we hope to listen better.” Mathews’ lecture, sponsored by UA’s College of Education and the Education Policy Center, is part of an ongoing education lecture series. David Bronner, CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, will give the next lecture at 7 p.m. April 2.
Crimson White – Feb. 2
Hyundai weighs its advertising strategy
Montgomery Advertiser – Feb. 1
…Lance Kinney, an advertising professor at the University of Alabama who concentrates on sports advertising, said Hyundai’s decision on what to present during the game was one many companies would like to have…Kinney said any speculation and publicity created by the switch only magnifies the advertising campaigns. “They are getting the benefits of the conversation and the discussion,” Kinney said. If the ads are memorable — for their content or for their production quality — that conversation and discussion will continue after the game, he said…
Alabama U.S. Rep. Artur Davis set to launch run for governor
Birmingham News – Feb. 2
Rep. Artur Davis on Friday will declare his intention to seek the governorship of Alabama, sources close to the congressman confirm…William H. Stewart, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Alabama, said recent polls show a majority of Alabamians say they’re ready to vote for a black for governor. But Stewart points out that five of the last six races for governor were won by Republicans. “Alabama is a conservative state, and the Republican Party is the conservative party, so any Democrat will have an uphill battle. But if that Democrat is black in a state with our racial history, well, you have to believe that battle is a little harder,” said Stewart…
Commercial Appeal
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 1
When Professor Kristy Ellis Reynolds asked her University of Alabama introductory marketing class on Thursday if they planned to watch the Super Bowl, about 90 percent of the more than 200 students in the lecture hall raised their hands…the students will be watching more than just the game. They also will tune in for the Super Bowl commercials to glean valuable lessons they might use in future careers…Advertisers will debut commercials that they hope will keep their names, products and services in consumers’ minds long after today’s gridiron glories are forgotten. “You will see a lot of advertising campaign kickoffs from companies like General Electric, Coca-Cola, Denny’s and Anheuser-Busch,” Reynolds said…
Math reforms add up for Alabama students, parents
Birmingham News – Feb. 2
…AMSTI schools have outmatched comparable non-AMSTI schools on state tests, often dramatically. University of Alabama evaluators, studying 2007 test data, found that up to 14.5 percent more students at AMSTI schools scored at or above proficiency in math…
Education Briefs
Birmingham News – Feb. 1
The University of Alabama is throwing a birthday party for Charles Darwin. The Rodgers Library for Science and Engineering will present a program to commemorate Darwin’s 200th birthday and the 150th anniversary of the publication of “On the Origin of Species.” The event at the library, at 2 p.m., Feb. 12, is open to the public. Daniel Graf of UA’s department of biological sciences will present a short speech about Darwin…
UA celebrates composer’s birthday
Crimson White – Feb. 2
University Libraries will celebrate German composer, pianist and conductor Felix Mendelssohn’s 200th birthday Tuesday…The celebration will take place on the second floor of Gorgas Library in the J. Wray and Joan Billingsley Pearce Foyer from 2 to 4 p.m. It is free and open to the public, and includes a birthday cake from Edelweiss Bakery. It features performances by faculty and staff from both the School of Music and the department of theatre and dance…
We Are UA Day’ set for March 2
Crimson White – Feb. 2
The SGA wants student groups of all ethnicities, religions and political ideologies to take part in the first annual “We Are UA Day” on March 2. ”We’re trying to bring the student body a different approach to diversity,” said Caroline James, assistant director of diversity for the SGA. “We realize that the University is one of the most diverse in the nation, but many students feel like we have some of the poorest interactions with diversity.” Each participating group will have a table at the Ferguson Plaza and are encouraged to hand out items, such as pens or buttons, as mementos to their places in the diversity of the University. The SGA will provide handbags so students can collect items from each table…
Students visit D.C. to lobby for environment
Crimson White – Feb. 2
At the end of February at least eight UA students will be making their way to Washington D.C. for an event called Power Shift 2009. From Feb. 27 to March 2, more than 10,000 young people from across the nation will be gathering at Capitol Hill together in a movement to put pressure on elected officials…
Bankhead presents Claudia Rankine
Crimson White – Feb. 2
Nationally respected poet Claudia Rankine will present selections from her poems and her new video essays Feb. 5 at the Bama Theatre. The one-hour presentation, part of the English department’s Bankhead Visiting Writers Series, is free to the public and begins at 7:30 p.m…