Building taller, sturdier wood buildings the goal of UA research
Civil + Structural Engineer – Nov. 12
University of Alabama (UA) researchers are leading an effort that could lead to the construction of taller and sturdier wood-framed buildings in earthquake-prone areas. Dr. Thang Dao, UA assistant professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering, hopes to combine two methods of constructing tall-wood buildings to yield a new system that could lead to wood-framed buildings reaching eight to 12 stories that withstand earthquakes better than current methods that top out at seven stories. Earthquake damage, with the potential for substantial economic losses, highlights a need to focus on developing earthquake resilient and sustainable buildings, Dao said. “As the result of rapid population growth and urban densification, there is a need for taller buildings that are also sustainable and can perform better than simply ‘adequate’ in moderate to large earthquakes by sustaining only minimal damage,” he said. “Further, it is critical that such buildings have minimal interruption to allow people to remain in their residences and community following an earthquake event.”
Dangerous time of year on the road for young drivers
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Nov. 12
According to a University of Alabama study, over the last 5 years, November 15 has seen more crashes among young drivers than any other day of the year.
WAFF-NBC (Huntsville) – Nov. 12
UA students prepare for Fashion for Life
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Nov. 12
Some University of Alabama students are burning up sewing machines right now. They are preparing to show off a semester’s work of worth to benefit Hospice of West Alabama. The senior apparel design students will showcase their work in Fashion for Life. The models will walk the runway November 22, wearing what students sketched, cut and sewed.
UA Center for Economic Development works to drive tourism to West Alabama
Crimson White – Nov. 12
The University of Alabama Center of Economic Development has partnered with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and Tour West Alabama to boost both domestic and international tourism is the area. Candace Johnson, the project manager for tourism and community development, said her job is to connect existing assets for economic development in the region. Tour West Alabama serves seven counties: Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens and Tuscaloosa. She said that each of these are ARC counties and saw a “natural partnership.” “There are a lot of hidden gems in these counties,” Johnson said. “Our job is to put them together in a marketable package.” Through the partnership, the UACED has produced two publications, the “Visit West Alabama” booklet and the “West Alabama BBQ Trail” brochure. Tour West Alabama will use these at the Travel South International Showcase. Johnson said that at the showcase, they get to sit down one-on-one with 30 tourism operators and present their itineraries.
Missouri controversy highlights academia’s free speech struggle
USA Today – Nov. 12
As college administrators across the country move to crack down on hate speech on campus, First Amendment advocates say that universities are becoming increasingly squeamish about exposing students to ideas that they may find offensive or collide with their world view. In a nationwide poll published by the William F. Buckley, Jr. Program at Yale University last month, 50% of students said they often felt intimidated to offer views that differ from their classmates or professors … Universities plainly have a legitimate interest in maintaining an environment where it protects its core missions of teaching, learning and research, said Ron Krotoszynski, Jr., professor of law at the University of Alabama. But at the same time, universities can’t pursue maintaining that environment without regard to First Amendment rights, he said. “The Yale situation seems distinguishable, because reasonable people can disagree about the meaning of a Halloween costume,” Krotoszynski said. “Also, I’m not sure telling undergraduates that life is going to present them with people and ideas that make them uncomfortable is in itself self-evidently racist.”
Mother of girl ‘beaten to death by an eight-year-old’ denies leaving the children alone to go to a nightclub
Daily Mail (U.K.) – Nov. 12
The Alabama mother of a baby girl ‘beaten to death by an eight-year-old boy while she was out at a nightclub’ has denied leaving the children alone. Katerra Lewis, 26, was charged with manslaughter after police say the boy killed one-year-old Kelci Lewis when she wouldn’t stop crying on October 11 – while their mothers were gone. The boy, who was allegedly left to watch over five younger children, then placed the baby back in her crib as if she was sleeping. He has since been charged with murder. Lewis’ attorney has now spoken out saying his client disputes the allegations that she left the children home alone … Legal experts say the case will be challenging on several fronts because of the boy’s age. University of Alabama associate law professor Jenny Carroll said in many jurisdictions, children under the age of 10 or 12 are presumed not to have the capacity to form criminal intent and have difficulty understanding court proceedings. ‘We recognize that children don’t have the same thought processes and don’t have fully developed decision-making processes at that age,’ said Carroll, who has represented juvenile offenders.’
Salt Lake Tribune (Utah) – Nov. 12
The Guardian (U.K.) – Nov. 12
New Haven Register (Conn.) – Nov. 12
The Star (Toronto, Canada) – Nov. 12
UA Department of Theatre and Dance to perform “Young Frankenstein: The Musical”
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 12
A comedy classic from the big screen is coming to a theatre near you. The University of Alabama Department of Theatre and Dance’s production of Young Frankenstein: The Musical starts next week. If you’re familiar with Mel Brooks comedy classic for the big screen, you will not be disappointed with the stage adaptation.
Cuban Printmaking makes big impression
Crimson White – Nov. 12
Lonely figures in stark black and white dwell on existence. One is trapped in a wooden prison, being watched by an immense, muscular overlord. Another reclines with a flag between her feet. A third sits in a pyramid of branches, looking into the distance. These works are woodcut prints from Cuban artist Aliosky García, and they’re part of a new exhibit at The University of Alabama, “Entrelazado.” García’s prints, as well as those of several other Cuban artists, are available to view in Sella-Granata Art Gallery in Woods Hall. “One theme in his work is human isolation and the human condition, what it is like to be an individual,” said Sarah Marshall, an associate professor of art at the University. “It’s a very poetic take on the figure.”
Bless this mess: UA students learn to cook
Crimson White – Nov. 12
The University of Alabama is filled with different concentrations for students to work toward, be it engineering, nursing or even business, but the lack of a culinary program is disheartening to some. In the College of Human Environmental Sciences, professors are trying to turn this around with food preparation courses, some of which are openly offered to all students at the University. Lori Leavelle, a registered dietitian, teaches NHM 250, a basic food preparation course designed to teach students the fundamentals of cooking through a lecture class. Though the class is offered to any student interested, the course is required for those in the restaurant, food and beverage, hotel lodging and management concentrations to give them essential knowledge of food safety and basic preparation. In the lectures, Leavelle discusses recipes, various forms of cooking styles and more. “We talk about all aspects of food,” Leavelle said. “We get the basic essentials for measuring and standardized recipes, and we execute them because every week students are going to a lab. … We have a variety of things they’re going to choose and a variety of cooking methods.”