UA looks to transfers to boost enrollment
Montgomery Advertiser (via Associated Press) – Nov. 2
The president of the University of Alabama says the university will increase its resources and emphasis on recruiting transfer students from Alabama junior and community colleges over the next two years. During the university’s fall meeting earlier this month, President Robert Witt said UA could be enrolling more students if not for Alabama’s economic hardships. Witt says he doesn’t think the economy is likely to improve soon, and many parents will be sending their children to two-year colleges. Alabama Commission on Higher Education’s student database reports show that in the fall of 2008, 6,001 students transferred from two-year to four-year colleges and 6,114 students transferred in fall 2009. Data for fall 2010 is not yet available.
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Nov. 1
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 1
McElroy makes Rhodes Scholar cut
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 2
…McElroy’s application as a Rhodes Scholar candidate has advanced to the district interview stage, and the fifth-year senior will travel to Birmingham on Saturday, Nov. 20, to interview for the honor. Had Alabama not moved the Georgia State game, McElroy may have had to make the choice of one over the other. “I remember (former FSU player) Myron (Rolle) when he went through the interview process, he had to fly and maybe caught the fourth quarter of his game,” McElroy said, “so I’m fortunate to not have to miss any time … It would have been a tough decision, but obviously with the importance of the Rhodes Scholarship … I think obviously, I’m just fortunate I don’t have to make that decision. I’m glad that they moved that game to Thursday, I guess I’ll end it at that.” McElroy has already earned an undergraduate degree in marketing, and is now in graduate school. One of the top academic performers on the team, McElroy’s transcript includes A’s for all but one course in his UA career….
Condoleezza Rice to speak at UA
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – Nov. 1
Alabama native and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is set to speak and sign books at the University of Alabama, also on Thursday. The visit will focus on her new book “Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family.” Set to speak in the Ferguson Center Theater, in the morning then sign copies of her book in the lobby of Foster Auditorium that afternoon.
Experts say governor’s race may not bring out voters
Montgomery Advertiser – Nov. 2
… Bill Stewart, a longtime political observer in the state and a former professor at the University of Alabama, said the race for governor “has been one of the less dramatic races as far as Alabama history is concerned.”…Stewart said many people did not expect either man to win his party’s nomination a year ago, so they don’t have “intense feelings about either one.” Although Alabama has nearly 2.6 million active voters, according to the Alabama Secretary of State’s office, Stewart said he does not expect a record turnout. “People still really don’t know Ron Sparks or Robert Bentley,” Stewart said…
Dr. Michael New says candidates used social media and the Internet to campaign
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 1
…Dr. Michael New at the University of Alabama says both Republicans and Democrats have used social media and the Internet to campaign. New says Republicans typically use it as a newsource outlet to counter what the media says about them, while Democrats typically use it for fundraising because it’s more effect than direct mailing…
UA will have “Election Express” to take students to the polls
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Nov. 1
A special bus will take University of Alabama students to cast their ballots tomorrow. One of the buses on-campus will be the ‘election express. ‘The bus will make round-trips throughout the day from residence halls to UA’s recreation center which is the polling place for students who live on campus.