University of Alabama board of trustees committee approves renovations of Sewell-Thomas Stadium, Ferguson Student Center
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 8
The physical properties committee of the University of Alabama board of trustees on Thursday approved resolutions to renew leases for off-campus housing and advance a series of construction projects, including the renovations of Sewell-Thomas Stadium and the Ferguson Student Center. The agenda items approved by the committee will go before the full board of trustees Friday morning…The renderings for the expansion and renovation of Sewell-Thomas Stadium were among a series of preliminary design approvals by the committee. The project is scheduled to be bid in the spring. Construction is scheduled to begin after the spring 2014 baseball season and be completed in 2015. The committee also signed off on resolutions to approve proposed architectural designs for the new Kappa Kappa Gamma and Phi Mu sorority houses and demolition of the existing Alpha Phi chapter house. The trustees also approved preliminary designs for a south campus parking deck behind the sorority houses on Magnolia Drive.
Researchers: Racial attitudes at University of Alabama area in mainstream
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 7
Researchers who presented a symposium on student perceptions of race relations at the University of Alabama say campus ideas on race mirror regional and national attitudes. “What you see here at the University of Alabama, I don’t think you should see as elevated,” said sociology professor Michael Hughes of Virginia Tech. Hughes was part of a group of six researchers who surveyed 4,451 UA students between January and March to study racial attitudes on campus. The other primary researchers included UA social work professor Celia Lo, UA political science associate professor Utz McKnight, UA graduate student Gabrielle Smith, UA political science department chair Richard Fording and UA research scientist Debra McCallum. The survey pool proportionally reflected the demographics of the campus community. About one in five students on campus participated, McCallum said.
Showtime documentary ‘Against the Tide’ to premiere in Tuscaloosa Friday
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 7
It’s invite-only for the premiere of “Against the Tide,” a 70-minute documentary about the 1970 football game between the Crimson Tide and USC Trojans, and how it helped integrate the University of Alabama athletic fields, but Showtime viewers can pick it up starting next week on the cable channel. Tonight’s premiere, at the Cobb Hollywood 16, will feature some of the film’s interviewees walking the red carpet, including Joe Namath, Scott Hunter, Howell Raines, Percy Jones, U.W. Clemon and Fred Horn, with producer Ross Greenburg and General Manager of Showtime Sports Stephen Espinoza. The documentary looks at speculation that legendary UA Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant” planned the game with USC Coach John McKay as a statement against the defacto segregation of college sports in the south. USC had been integrated back in the ’20s; UA still had not signed a single black football player in 1970.
Outlook for Community Colleges
Inside Higher Ed – Nov. 8
The financial outlook for community colleges is improving, but the two-year college systems in many states remain under significant stress, according to a survey being released today. The study is based on a survey of state directors of community colleges, and is conducted annually by the Education Policy Center of the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. Since the economic downturn started in 2008, community colleges (and the rest of public higher education) have been hit by many rounds of mid-year budget cuts, followed by flat or decreasing budgets, and the new survey suggests that this trend may be changing in many states…Generally, the survey suggests more pressures at rural community colleges, compared to urban or suburban institutions. Stephen G. Katsinas, director of the Education Policy Center, said that in states that rely on state and local support, many have pulled back on state funds. This has led some suburban and urban community colleges to find funds to replace some of the state losses. But that doesn’t happen for all community colleges, he said. “Some urban and wealthy suburban areas can make up the difference, but you can’t raise the funds in rural poor areas,” he said.
CNN to feature University of Alabama music students Friday morning
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 7
The University of Alabama College of Arts and Sciences School of Music’s Fall Spectrum Showcase will be at 7:30 p.m. today in the concert hall of the Moody Music Building, 810 Second Ave on the UA campus. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will feature a wide range of music, from jazz to classical, with an appearance by the Million Dollar Band. The Million Dollar Band will perform favorite cheers and songs associated with football at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Also, several groups from UA’s School of Music will perform live this (Friday) morning on CNN’s morning show between 5:30 and 9 a.m. Members of the jazz combo, the University Opera Theatre, the University Singers and the Million-Dollar Band’s pep band will perform live on the air during the broadcast.
College Gameday sets up shop outside Bryant-Denny Stadium
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Nov. 7
“Being at an atmosphere like this…[it’s] exciting,” UA Freshman, Jesse White, said. “It’s unreal,” UA Sophomore, Ellie Behr, said. “It’s so much fun.” Crimson red has a bit of orange in it this week. The College Gameday crew is in town, the stage is set and football is on everyone’s mind. Saturday, #1 Alabama will take on #10 LSU in Tuscaloosa. “I think it’s going to be amazing,” UA Sophomore, Stephen Powers, said. “It’s going to be great.” University of Alabama students are already soaking in the Gameday experience. “It’s pretty cool knowing I’m going to be a part of it, Saturday,” White said.
Special Olympics to host Alabama-LSU flag football game
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 8
An Alabama-LSU flag football game, hosted by Special Olympics, will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the University of Alabama recreation center, 401 Fifth Ave. E. The teams will be composed of students from UA and LSU, along with Special Olympics athletes from Tuscaloosa and Baton Rouge. “Unified sports provides a unique opportunity for individuals both with and without intellectual disabilities to compete on the same team, strive for the same goals, and build lasting friendships,” said Bob Gobrecht, president of Special Olympics North America. The public is invited. Gov. Robert Bentley and members of the Million Dollar Band are expected to attend.
Author of book about Alabama football history speaks at UA
Fox 6 Live Interview (Birmingham) – Nov. 7
“Rising Tide” chronicles some of the big moments in the history of Alabama football. We talk to Randy Roberts, a professor of history at Purdue University. The book is titled “Rising Tide” and mainly looks at the Bear Bryant years of the 1960s and how it paralleled historic events of that era.
University of Alabama campus foliage November 2013 (gallery)
Al.com — Nov. 8