University student from Opelika creates education program, mentor role in Tuscaloosa
Opelika News – Feb. 22
It’s not uncommon to see University of Alabama senior Undre Phillips walking around campus followed by a gaggle of chatty middle-schoolers. The secondary education and social science major regularly helps introduce young people to the university as a part of Kick Start College, a program the Opelika native and Opelika High School graduate helped develop as a member of Freshman Forum during his first year on campus. The program introduces eighth-grade students in Alabama public schools to the college student experience at the Capstone. Students participate in a campus tour and receive information about the university’s academic and financial aid opportunities during their visit.
Health benefits from connecting children with nature
Medical Xpress- Feb. 23
Spending time in nature improves mood, reduces stress and promotes better physical health. Despite the countless benefits, it has become increasingly difficult to separate ourselves from our busy schedules, electronic devices and creature comforts to spend time outside … The University of Alabama’s Dr. Caroline Boxmeyer offers some ideas that may help … Visit favorite local nature spots: The UA Quad, Marr’s Spring, the Park at Manderson Landing/Riverwalk and the former Bryce property all offer beautiful nature scenery right on campus. Other inspiring places nearby include: the UA Arboretum, Moundville Archeological Park, Munny Sokol and other PARA parks, Lake Lurleen State Park, Hurricane Creek and Lake Tuscaloosa. Or, simply step outside and notice the natural beauty around you.
As the cost of police misconduct grows, so do taxes
Boston Globe – Feb. 23
The costs of police confrontations with citizens are mounting in US cities, forcing many to spend millions more on training and some to seek tax increases to pay for federally mandated reforms in departments that used excessive force. New Orleans voters in April will consider raising property taxes to pay the costs of a 2010 consent decree, one of 16 enforced by the Justice Department in the past six years. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson on Feb. 1 proposed a half- percentage point increase in the local income tax to improve policing, after a 2015 decree that will cost $10.6 million this year and a projected $7.1 million in each of the next four years, city documents show … “There’s never been a concerted national effort to really spend a lot of money to address police misconduct,” said Stephen Rushin, a professor at the University of Alabama School of Law who studies consent decrees. “We’re finally coming to the recognition that correcting police misconduct is an expensive proposition.”
The end of the era of white history
Nashville Scene – Feb. 23
Monday Morning, Senator Bob Corker was at Belmont University talking about ending modern slavery. Just let that sink in. He stood at Belmont, BELMONT, and went on about the scourge of slavery. I wonder what that looks like to people who hold slaves now? … I spent Sunday pointing at houses associated with Isaac Franklin and his family so that Josh Rothman, a historian from the University of Alabama who’s writing a book on Franklin, could get a sense of the landscape of Franklin’s life in Tennessee. I was pleased to meet him, since, when I was working on my story about Isaac Franklin, everyone kept telling me I should track down “that guy who’s writing a book on Franklin,” but no one seemed to know who “that guy” was. Turns out, it’s Rothman! And I think he enjoyed talking to someone who knew who Isaac Franklin was and why he’s worth learning about.
Rhythm and Sole: Stepping to the beat
Crimson White – Feb. 23
Almost every day, Gabrielle Holley spends at least an hour practicing. Between homework, a 20-hour schedule and sorority responsibilities, Holley barely has enough time to maintain her rigorous schedule. A huge part of her routine revolves around one thing: perfecting her step … Stepping is rhythmic dance that is structured and controlled. During step, the body is used as an instrument to create sound through footsteps, claps and words. Being a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Theta Sigma Chapter, she is able to share the bond of stepping with her sisters. AKA was the first greek-lettered organization established in the United States for black women and part of its purpose was to support women with similar ideals for mutual uplifting and display of talents and strengths.
New Miss University of Alabama crowned
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Feb. 22
Look out, world, a new Miss University of Alabama has been crowned. Page Weinstein was crowned Miss University of Alabama 2016 this weekend. She is a freshman from Pennsylvania. Her platform is celebrate our differences, which focuses on bringing attention to anti-bullying.