Crimson Engine
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 13
The University of Alabama’s impact on the economy of the Tuscaloosa metropolitan area more than doubled in the past decade, and topped $1 billion in 2006-07, according to estimates by UA researchers. It’s the first time the university’s impact surpassed that benchmark. The Center for Business and Economic Research estimates that UA, its employees, students and campus visitors generated $1.2 billion in the Tuscaloosa metro area in the 2006-2007 academic year…
Educated Guesses
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 14
…For the 27th consecutive year, the University of Alabama issued predictions for 2008. Some seem to follow strong trends — high gas prices, a high priority on drug testing at the Olympics — while others go out on a slight limb: Clinton versus Romney in November…
UA sets A-Day scrimmage for April 12
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 12
The University of Alabama announced Friday that the A-Day football scrimmage that traditionally concludes spring football will be April 12 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Although holding the annual exhibition game a week later would have been ideal for the Crimson Tide, the city had imagined a logistical nightmare, since Tuscaloosa will host a U.S. Olympic triathlon trial on April 19. “In a word, we’re really pleased, and really appreciate the university’s cooperation,” said Mayor Walter Maddox, who met numerous times with university officials and president Dr. Robert Witt since the details of the Olympic trials were announced. “Dr. Witt understood what an important event this is for the community.”…
Fox 6 (Birmingham) — Jan. 11
WKRG (Mobile) — Jan. 11
WAAY (Huntsville) — Jan. 11
Education Briefs
Birmingham News – Jan. 14
On Saturday, seven of the Tuscaloosa area’s most renowned choirs will perform at the 19th Annual “Realizing the Dream” concert. The event, which honors the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall of UA’s Moody Music Building. This year’s concert, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” will feature The Alabama Choir School, Shelton Singers, Stillman College Choir, The University Singers, Citywide Middle School Honor Choir, UA Afro-American Gospel Choir and the University Chorus…
UA professor earns human rights award
Crimson White – Jan. 14
…Micki McElya, assistant professor of American studies, to win a human rights award for her book “Clinging to Mammy: the Faithful Slave in Twentieth-Century America.” “Clinging to Mammy” was among 10 works awarded the 2007 Myers Center Outstanding Book Awards Advancing Human Rights. The Boston-based Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights recognizes books “that extend our understanding of the root causes of bigotry and the range of options we as humans have in constructing alternative ways to share power,” according to a press release…
Second semester survival tips — for parents
USAToday.com blog – Jan. 10
…Jennifer Jones, director of academic retention at the University of Alabama, agrees with the heart-to-heart approach. “A lot of kids are afraid of disappointing their parents,” she says. Parents should make sure their kids know they are loved, she says. And, she says, parents should feel free to contact campus student affairs professionals (not faculty!) if they sense their child is floundering. “When a parent says a university is not helpful, it’s usually because they didn’t get the answer they wanted,” she says. “When I talk to parents I talk about the change they have to make in their approach to parenthood. It’s a shift from needing to (fix problems) to a coach role.”
Proposition They Can Refuse?
InsideHighered.com – Jan. 14
…Yet, Stephen G. Katsinas, director of the Education Policy Center and a professor of higher education administration at the University of Alabama, said that he was not a supporter of the high-tuition, high-aid model: “It flat doesn’t work.” “From a policy perspective, any policy that keeps tuition and fees low to open the door to higher education and to keep the door open wide is a good thing. State legislatures never fully fund student aid, particularly in bad economic times.”…
Countrywide purchase likely to help market
Montgomery Advertiser – Jan. 12
…Leonard Zumpano, a real estate professor at the University of Alabama, agreed that keeping Countrywide afloat probably will have a calming effect on borrowers.
“It is a good thing because the mortgage market is fragile,” he said…
State poll: Clinton, Obama in dead heat
Birmingham News – Jan. 12
…David Lanoue, who chairs the University of Alabama’s political science department, said McCain helped himself in Alabama by winning the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday. According to the center’s polls, McCain’s support rose from 10 percent in mid-December to 25 percent this week, a statistically significant jump. “John McCain’s win in New Hampshire gave him a huge bump in Alabama,” Lanoue said…
UA Student Experiences Violence in Kenya Firsthand
News 8 (Austin, Tex.) — Jan. 13
Paul Guevara visited Kenya during his winter break from the University of Alabama. He arrived just in time for the country’s presidential elections. Violence exploded when the winner turned out to be from a minority tribe…
Mercedes deal started Alabama’s economic boom
Birmingham News – Jan. 13
…”The fact that this is a magnet industry means that it will help transform the economy of this state,” predicted Malcolm Portera, then vice chancellor at the University of Alabama. He later became chancellor…
It’s time to plan for spring break
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 13
…spring break, which, for Tuscaloosa City and County Schools falls the week of March 15-23, and for University of Alabama students, March 14-21…