Huntsville expected to help lead state’s economy
Huntsville Times – March 3
The state’s economy is expected to improve this year, buoyed by manufacturing, according to a report from the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research. Economists at the center predict real GDP to grow 3.4 percent – better than forecasted U.S. economic growth of just over 3 percent. “Things are looking up,” said Dr. Sam Addy, the center’s director. “Productivity is up; manufacturing is up. But it’s slow on the jobs side.” Addy also added a caveat: “Just because we’ve come back from the brink, it doesn’t mean we’re OK yet.”
University of Alabama researchers expect state economy to gain momentum
Birmingham News – March 3
The University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research expects the state’s economy to pick up steam in 2011, with the state’s economic output expanding by 3.4 percent. That’s better than the forecast U.S. economic growth of slightly more than 3 percent this year, the center said in a report. Alabama’s automotive industry, health care services, and military base realignment-related development should be key segments in the rebound, the report says. Big increases in exports, boosted by the recovery in automotive production, are making a significant contribution to Alabama’s economic growth, it says. “Business sentiment for first quarter 2011, measured by the center’s Alabama Business Confidence Index survey, is in line with our forecast of an improving economy and a stronger Alabama rebound,” report authors Ahmad Ijaz and Sam Addy wrote. “However, despite improving sales and profits, capital spending and hiring by Alabama firms are only expected to rise modestly.” …
Expansion a growing problem?
Crimson White – March 3
After meeting his goal of increasing Alabama’s enrollment to 28,000 students in 2009 — four years ahead of schedule — President Robert Witt said it was possible that the school would finish ahead of schedule again after his most recent plan to increase enrollment. Last November, Witt announced his hopes of increasing the University’s enrollment to 35,000 students by the year 2020. “I think it’s possible to achieve that goal in less than 10 years,” Witt said. Witt said he felt the amount of additional growth could be accomplished without in any way compromising quality. “In fact, I anticipate that quality will continue to go up over that period of time,” he said. “I felt that that number of additional students could be accommodated in a manner that, thanks to the efforts of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs to maintain the positive aspects of the environment here, we could grow to 35,000 without compromising the quality of the Alabama experience.”…
Minimester enrollment increases
Crimson White – March 3
…The minimester, an initiative the Student Government Association started in 2009 under the Steven Oliver administration, gives students an opportunity to enroll in additional courses subsequent to the initial deadline in January. “The basis behind starting and maintaining the initiative is simple: to enable students to have as many resources as possible to graduate in four years,” said SGA Vice President of Academic Affairs Aaron Zucker…Five hundred students are currently enrolled in the Spring II semester, Zucker said. Last spring, 150 students were enrolled in Spring II classes…
Elections Board ready for this year’s campaign
Crimson White – March 3
Members of the elections board are appointed each fall, and this year, the board made changes to the Student Government Association campaign process for this year’s elections, such as the rules prohibiting chalking and stickers. “The elections board for the 2010-2011 academic year is comprised of five students, one voting faculty member and three supporting staff members,” said Amelia Haas, elections board member and president of the Academic Honors Council. “Four of these students are appointed by the Vice Provost, one is selected by the SGA President, and one is the current president of the Academic Honor Council…Kelli Knox-Hall and Carl Bacon are co-conveners of the board. All three are staff members that do not cast votes in elections board decisions. “Our main challenge was also coordinating the SGA constitutional referendum vote and then updating our manual and deadlines based on the outcome of that election,” Kelli Knox-Hall, co-convener of the board said…