UA pilots textbook rental program for 3 classes
Tuscaloosa News – Sept. 9
The University of Alabama’s Supply Store is piloting a new textbook rental program for three classes to help cut the cost of textbooks for students… The rental program was established with the support of the Student Government Association and textbook committee. It also fits within the outline of the 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act, which aims to increase student financial aid and minimize tuition and cost increases in higher education. Textbook prices are addressed in the bill. ‘We are just piloting the program now,’ Andreen said. ‘But we do plan to expand the program to additional courses in the spring semester.’…
University of Alabama researcher’s formula extends growing season
Birmingham News – Sept. 5
Gardeners all over the country will have a longer growing season this year thanks to research done at the University of Alabama. And UA could profit from all of the extra tomatoes, squash and zucchini. A liquid spray that raises the freezing temperature of plants and was developed by a scientist and administrator at the University of Alabama is expected to arrive on garden store shelves nationwide within several weeks. David Francko, dean of UA’s graduate school and a professor of biological sciences, was the lead developer for FreezePruf, which pulls water out of plants’ cells, making them stand up better to a freeze. The spray, which is being distributed nationally by Liquid Fence Co., also helps boost plants’ inherent anti-freeze capability, and makes ice crystals that form in plant tissue less damaging. Francko, who also is UA’s assistant vice president for academic affairs, said an application of the spray is good for more than a month, and raises the temperature at which a plant freezes as much as 9.4 degrees Fahrenheit. “It’s like moving your landscape about 200 miles farther south, so it’s highly significant,” he said.
Note: The Birmingham News published a correction to this story on Sept. 9: Corrections and Clarifications
Asian Studies minor gets revamped
Crimson White – Sept. 9
After several years of inactivity, the College of Arts and Sciences has reinstated the Asian studies minor into its curriculum. Steven Ramey, director of the minor program and assistant professor of religious studies, said student interest in China and other Asian cultures prompted the return of the program after a six-to-seven-year hiatus…
Program helps students work on degree
Crimson White – Sept. 9
DegreeWorks has been a consistent topic of discussion among some faculty, staff and students, but its main goal is to ease academic advising. Provost Judy Bonner said DegreeWorks gives students more true-advising times. “They will have more time to talk about the student’s future and issues that are unique to the individual student,” Bonner said. With DegreeWorks, students can plan their academic schedule and keep up with how many hours they have and need for different courses. Despite this new program, UA registrar Michael George, said advising would not be eliminated altogether, and it would only be enhanced with the new technology… The SGA is planning a big promotion at the beginning of October, which will include DegreeWorks bookmarks being placed in bags at the SUPe Store, Off Campus Bookstore, College Store, Letters and The Trunk…From Oct. 12-15, the SGA will promote DegreeWorks, along with “Finish-in-Four,” a program designed to help students graduate in four years, through Twitter, Facebook and chalking pavement around the Quad…
Stimulus funding drives research projects
Crimson White – Sept. 9
…By applying for grants, departments on campus have been awarded just over $2 million to further the research in their fields. Vice President for Research Joe Benson said this money is the result of hard work and dedication in research projects. “It’s important to point out that these are competitive awards,” Benson said. “We’re not just given these awards. This is based on the quality of research that we do here at the University.”…According to the UA stimulus funding Web site, only $22,206 of the allotted funds had been spent by July 31. With that specific money, the Web site shows one job has been retained here on campus. However, that explanation may be slightly misleading, Benson said. While the money may be used for other means, the job retention column is a measurable way of seeing the impact the money is having. “The money isn’t intended specifically to retain jobs,” Benson said. “Jobs that are created or obtained using the money are indicated on the Web site. The money may be used primarily for supplies but not necessarily the salary of an individual.”…Cindy Hope, assistant vice president for research, said it might take some time before the individual departments have full access to funding. Each grant has a different start date, so it could take some time before others can see the full effects of the funding. “It’s too early to know about the direct job impact at the University,” Hope said. “There will be a pretty widespread impact that will trickle down in many different ways.”…
Delta regional authority challenges UA
Crimson White – Sept. 9
The Delta Regional Authority, in a partnership with the UA College of Continuing Studies, launched the Delta Leadership Institute’s leadership development program Tuesday at the Bryant Conference Center…Tom Wingenter, program director for the Delta Leadership Institute, as well as associate dean for administration at the College of Continuing Studies, said the University first became involved with the program after the Delta Regional Authority awarded a grant to the University’s College of Continuing Studies to develop and present the Delta Leadership Institute to the campus. “DLI is designed to help existing community leaders expand their work and point of view to a regional level and facilitate problem solving at a distance,” Wingenter said…According to a press release from the College of Continuing Studies, UA faculty members bring nationally recognized presenters and experts in the Delta region to the University every year to present seminars and workshops, helping students work in teams and solve problems faced by regional leaders…
Our View: Broadcast, new PR helps UA
Crimson White – Sept. 9
…As the University seeks to improve the academic caliber of the institution, it needs students from all walks of life. National exposure, through athletics or other means, is one way to attract high-quality students from every corner of America to the Capstone….The University timed its new public relations effort, “Touching Lives,” to coincide with the advent of football season and the ABC telecast…While we have not seen every component of the “Touching Lives” program, we have been impressed so far. The commercials are unusual for a public university but classy, which is characteristic of the University. The Web site is crisp but layered with multimedia features that will captivate visitors. The motto makes sense and tells people what the University is all about: touching and changing lives. The University is poised to significantly improve its stature over the next decade. To be successful, Alabama must continue to put its brand in front of prospective students at every opportunity. Participation in events like the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game and engaging in public relations blitzes that truly showcase all that is the University of Alabama will help the institution to reach new heights.
Alabama fields established club cricket team
Crimson White – Sept. 9
…In previous seasons the Crimson Cricket Club has played other well-known cricket teams such as Vanderbilt University, Mississippi State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. This season, it will be facing off against Auburn and Tennessee along with a few other nearby schools. The team expects good things from the upcoming season, claiming that the newer players show a lot of potential.