UA to launch iPhone app
Crimson White – April 28
Staying updated about campus affairs and getting involved with UA events will soon be easier for University students, thanks to a new smart phone application. The University inked a deal with Blackboard Mobile—which is owned by the same company that runs eLearning—to engineer an application for iPhones as well as the Droid, Nexus and Blackberry cell phones…The overlap Blackboard provides, paired with the application’s anticipated capabilities, will allow students to coordinate on-campus events from the palms of their hands, said one of the idea’s chief proponents, SGA Senator David Wilson. “The base product will have a directory [for both students and faculty], athletics in the news, sports scores and sports schedules,” he said. “The app will have an interactive map of the campus where you can type in the name of a building, and it will show you exactly where it is.”… “What [the University is] working on developing in the future is having a whole system of things that will go through the app,” Wilson said. “We want to make it where, for example, a professor can notify an entire class that class is canceled via the app, just by clicking two buttons on the computer.”…
Documenting Justice packs Bama Theatre
Crimson White – April 28
A full house gathered under the starry skies in the Bama Theatre Tuesday night for the fourth annual Documenting Justice film screening. The show was presented by the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility and the Department of Telecommunication and Film at the University of Alabama. The event featured five short films directed and shot by students of Documenting Justice, a yearlong class at the University. The goal of the class is to teach students of any major or background to create films and learn to tell a story through exploring different social and ethical issues in Alabama. “It’s remarkable what these students have done,” said Andy Grace, co-teacher of the class. “Telecommunications at UA is changing in a lot of ways. I would recommend any student interested in film to come to TCF—you will be wowed.”…
Queen City bath house lends itself to museum space
Tuscaloosa News – April 28
…Blasingame and Lewis shared details about the city’s partnership with the University of Alabama to run the new attraction and shared the museum’s layout plan. Lewis said the city is entering into an ongoing agreement with the university that places artifact curation and storage along with museum management in UA’s hands. The agreement will call for one paid employee overseen by UA and will be renewed on an annual basis. The process to hire the employee should begin and see completion during the months of May and June, Lewis said. “The university has a very impressive lineup of other museums,” Lewis said. “The new museum will get very good publicity and marketing just by its association with the other university museums.”…
Kohl talks technology in education for Last Lecture
Crimson White – April 28
Students and faculty gathered in Alston Hall Monday night to hear Lawrence Kohl, who won this year’s Last Lecture, give his speech… “What makes Last Lecture unique is it is completely chosen by students,” she said. Kohl, an assistant professor of history, titled his lecture “Education in the Age of Science: A Critique.”…
Corolla returns in softcover format
Crimson White – April 28
…Last year, the Media Planning Board met to discuss the future of the Corolla. After weeks of debate, the group decided to keep the yearbook but make significant changes…In order to cut costs, the current staff is putting together a soft cover book that has more of a thick magazine or paperback textbook feel…The change in cover material not only cut the cost in production, but also in the price for the student body. The book dropped from $80 to $30 in price…
Alabama professor says Tim James’ ‘English only’ driver exams could cost state money
Los Angeles Times – April 28
…What about the money angle? University of Alabama professor David Lanoue told the Ticket that it would probably end up costing the state money. “It seems almost certain that any money saved by not administering multi-language tests would be more than offset by the legal fees the state would incur when the law was challenged in court,” Lanoue said…But will the spot be good business for him? “He has been trailing in the polls, and is probably hoping that this issue can help separate him from the pack and make him a favorite among the ‘tea party’ types,” Lanoue said.
Concrete canoe team gives iPad for donations
Crimson White – April 28
Aabama may have another victory to boast about as the UA American Society of Civil Engineers concrete canoe team has qualified to participate in the National Concrete Canoe Competition in California. The team of 150 members will be accepting monetary donations at the promenade outside of B.B. Comer from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, Thursday and until noon Friday. Those who donate have the chance to win an iPad…
Alabama International Justice Mission raises human trafficking awareness
Crimson White – April 28
…Darby Hess and Christy Adamson have a passion for changing that attitude for the students here. Hess, a freshman majoring in communication studies, started a chapter of the International Justice Mission at the University. According to their website, International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. Adamson, a junior and co-founder of the IJM chapter here, says ignorance and apathy play an enormous role in continuing the cycle of injustice and oppression. “Alabama IJM seeks to raise awareness and ignite students with a passion for justice by providing a way for students to take ownership in this global issue,” Adamson said…The new chapter will have a kick off event this Thursday night at 6 p.m. at Maxwell Hall. The event will be an introduction to the issue of human trafficking and the mission of IJM…
Sigma Chi tradition raises thousands
Crimson White – April 28
Through their annual philanthropic event Derby Days, Sigma Chi raised about $34,000 to donate to Children’s Hospital of Alabama and the Birmingham Chapter of Catholic Charities, Sigma Chi president David Beasley said…In 2009, Sigma Chi raised $32,000 for the Children’s Hospital of Alabama, which is part of the Children’s Network. The organization’s 2009 donation is the largest single donation ever given to charity by an Alabama greek organization, said Taylor Ashy, 2010 Derby Days Chair…
Textbook donations offer AIDS relief
Crimson White – April 28
The global battle against AIDS in Africa will take a local turn next week when UA students launch a book drive to provide relief to the AIDS-ravaged country of Kenya. Care for AIDS will conduct a textbook drive May 4-7 outside of Reese Phifer Hall to raise money for Kenyan AIDS victims. Students are encouraged to donate their books between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. In the event of rain, the drive will be held in the foyer of Reese Phifer. The University Supply Store partnered with Care for AIDS, giving the value of the donated books directly to Care for AIDS relief centers. Books the SUPe Store doesn’t purchase will be shipped to various book retailers working with Cure for AIDS, and then they will be sold online…