(Gallery) University of Alabama students return to campus for fall classes
Al.com – Aug. 21
Classes began today at the University of Alabama, and the campus is buzzing with activity as students, faculty and staff begin their fall semester routines. A University spokeswoman said enrollment numbers and demographics won’t be available for several weeks but if last week’s largest-ever sorority recruitment is any indicator, this year’s freshman class size will top the last, a regular trend at the University. More than 33,000 undergraduate, professional and graduate students attended the University last fall, which was a 5.8 percent increase over 2011 enrollment.
Classes start at UA; businesses feel impact
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 22
The University of Alabama was packed today with new and returning students. It was the first day of class for the 2013-2014 school year. Last year, UA reached a record high of 33,602 students. No word yet on enrollment numbers for this year. Students are back for classes and businesses are gearing up to meet those high demands.
Double standard seen in white man’s killing
Washington Times – Aug. 22
Five days after an Australian college student was gunned down by a trio of “bored” Oklahoma teens, the political and social reverberations continue to build across the nation and abroad. While there’s been disgust and disbelief at the senseless death of Christopher Lane — who was studying in the U.S. on a baseball scholarship and visiting his girlfriend in Duncan, Okla., when he was shot while jogging on Friday — some former lawmakers and pundits say there’s a clear double standard in how President Obama and other political leaders, leading civil rights activists and the media have reacted to the case…“In the Trayvon Martin case, the key difference is that it took a very long time for George Zimmerman to be arrested and charged. Whereas in this case, these boys have been arrested and charged, and I think they’re going to pay dearly for what they did,” said Montre Carodine, a professor at the University of Alabama School of Law and a specialist in race relations. “I also hope it’s clear to people that there are so many people in the black community who are outraged by [the Oklahoma shooting]. … People in the black community should be outraged.”
Brand serves as ambassador for UA Early College
Madison County Record – Aug. 22
While at James Clemens High School, Chad Brand is earning college credit and promoting his choice for a four-year university. Brand is serving as an ambassador for the University of Alabama’s Early College program. He is among more than 1,000 enrolled students across the United States. High school students can earn up to a full year of college credit. “UA Early College is designed to accommodate high school students’ busy schedules,” program director Dr. Cheree Causey said. “Our online classes are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” Numerous students chose the “summer residential experience this year, living on campus, making new friends and earning six credit hours,” Causey said. Brand chose to enroll online and in the residential program. “Early College has been a great experience for me,” Brand said. “In addition to living on campus during the summer, the program offers more classes and opportunities that aren’t available by taking advanced placement classes.” Participants who complete 17-plus Early College credit hours with a 2.5 or better grade point average are eligible for admission to UA without submitting an ACT score. They also receive priority assignments for housing. A partial scholarship will reduce tuition.
SGA prepares new programs for upcoming year
Crimson White – Aug. 22
Students at The University of Alabama are busy adjusting to a new fall semester, but executives in the Student Government Association have been preparing throughout the summer for the upcoming year. Hamilton Bloom, vice president of student Affairs, said his office is introducing initiatives for students ranging from international outreach to environmental awareness. These new initiatives will include mentoring programs and a new recycling program, RecycleBama. “The initiative that I am most passionate about instituting is a buddy program for students in the English Language Institute. We are trying to create a program that provides these students with American buddies to help them out on campus. Even though we live in Tuscaloosa, Ala., we are in a worldwide community, and our specific campus community should do everything we can to embrace that,” Bloom said. Since Student Affairs “can reach into any facet of campus life,” Bloom said his office has to transcend the endless possibilities and pursue well-developed programs.
University transit system provides efficient service
Crimson White – Aug. 22
University of Alabama students new to campus might be intimidated by the travelling coded dots on TransLoc’s transit system app, but the restless icons could just be a student’s best chance when it come to making it to class. Ralph Clayton, director of transit services, said the system has undergone changes both major and minor to better accommodate students this year. “There have been renovations at the transit hub to improve bus flow and efficiency of service,” Clayton said. “An additional bus lane was created so that buses should flow quicker in and out of the bus hub.” Clayton also said additions include a new bus shelter and dedicated bus lane built for apartment routes to stage, pick-up and drop-off, and the addition of an off-campus route to the Lofts at City Center. On-campus routes remain the same as last year, including Gold, Green, Blue, Crimson, Crimson Express and Blue Express. Clayton said they have been working with student focus groups to improve the Downtown and 348Express bus routes. Those recommendations will be implemented some time in the fall semester.
UA professors band together
Crimson White – Aug. 22
As many professors welcome new students to campus, some will be doing so with a few classic rock favorites. PhD’Licious, a band comprised of University of Alabama professors, will be playing at Rollin’ on the River, an event to welcome new Honors College students. PhD’Licious is a classic rock cover band comprised solely of UA professors and alumni. The band’s three original members include Alan Lane of the department of chemical and biological engineering, Norm Baldwin of the department of political science, and Kevin Whitaker, associate dean of the College of Engineering. The band was born out of the members’ desire to return to music after years of focusing on academia. “We were talking about our younger rock ‘n’ roll days. We all went off to grad school. Got some Ph.D.s and jobs that pay. Now we’re turning gray, and we miss that music. So we put a band together, and we hit the street,” Lane said.
SGA to hold large yard sale for students and faculty
Crimson White – Aug. 22
The Student Government Association in conjunction with The Crimson White will be hosting the first UA Yard Sale in the parking lot of Canterbury Chapel on Saturday from 10 a.m until 2 p.m. The yard sale is open to all students, faculty and community members to sell their goods. All students and members of the community are welcome to come and browse the sale for a range of items from housewares to textbooks. Any students who wish to be vendors can contact Dani Beach at dmbeach@crimson.ua.edu for more information. The vendor fee for students is $10, while community members can be vendors for $20. Tables will be provided. SLPro hours will also be offered to all those who volunteer at the event. All proceeds will be donated to the SGA Scholarship Fund.