UA program helps students affected by autism
Associated Press – June 11
As the number of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder continues to increase nationwide, a University of Alabama initiative to meet the needs of students affected by the disorder is growing as well. In March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 1 in 88 children in the United States has been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder. When the fall semester begins in August, UA’s Autism Spectrum Disorders College Transition and Support Program will assist 18 students who have an autism spectrum disorder. UA’s program is one of fewer than 10 similar programs nationwide, said Sarah Ryan, director of UA-ACTS. Ryan said the program acts as a “safety net” for students as they meet challenges that are enough of a burden without also having to cope with disorders like autism, Asperger’s syndrome and pervasive development disorder. “I think, for me, the most notable part about this is that the national trends with autism have indicated that this is going to continue to be a growing need,” Ryan said. “We are one of the few programs in the country that are meeting that need.”
UA student group to hold memorial for Nicholas Katzenbach
Al.com – June 9
A University of Alabama student residence group will hold a memorial event on Monday for Nicholas Katzenbach, who as U.S. deputy attorney general famously confronted Gov. George Wallace at Foster Auditorium in 1963. Katzenbach, who faced off with Wallace at the front of the auditorium when the university integrated with the registration of Vivian Malone and James Hood on June 11, 1963, died on May 8 at the age of 90. Mallet Assembly, a student honors residence program, planned the event for Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Malone-Hood Plaza next to Foster Auditorium. The Mallet Assembly program was established in 1961 by John Blackburn, a UA administrator who contributed to the peaceful integration of the university in the early 60s as dean of men. “As current president of Mallet Assembly, it is important for me personally that this event is sponsored and supported by Mallet,” UA student and Mallet president Marina Roberts said, according to a UA news release. “We were founded in the sixties by Dr. John Blackburn to facilitate the integration of the University, so this memorial means a great deal to the Assembly and its members.”
Growers say ‘perception’ of immigration law changes Alabama produce farming
Dothan Eagle – June 11
Gary Gulledge believes there are a couple different reasons why his produce harvest is better this year than in years past. But there’s one reason why the produce farmer said his best year may also be his worst in the 17 years he’s farmed full-time. Despite a healthy crop – some of which needed picking last week – Gulledge said about 30 percent will go to waste as a result of fewer migrant workers seeking a job…“According to a January cost-benefit analysis by University of Alabama Professor Samuel Addy of the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, the state stood to lose an estimated 40,000 to 80,000 unauthorized immigrant workers who each earned $15,000 to $35,000 a year in agriculture, construction, accommodation and food services and drinking places. That number would result in between $1.2 billion to $5.8 billion in state earnings. Addy’s study found that those numbers would result in between a $56.7 million and $264.5 million loss of state income and sales tax collections and a $93.1 million loss in local sales tax collections. The perception of the state could curb interest of foreign companies to locate to the state, according to Addy’s research.