Community farm started by New College
Crimson White – Oct. 3
…“Organic Farming” is taught by Joe Brown, a New College and biological sciences professor, and is a part of the New College Organic Farming Program. The class is currently surveying various spots for the farm. “This garden that we’re planning is hopefully going to be the new centerpiece of the New College Farm Program,” Brown said. “We think it could play a vital role in the curriculum of New College and also the research and service mission of New College.”…Certain portions of the yield could also be set aside to give to a local food kitchen or other charity. Also, the group would like the farm to be a performance space and a showcase for UA art, such as sculptures and benches…
Gas prices don’t stop UA tailgaters
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 3
…Despite the high cost to reserve tailgating spaces on campus, the reserved tailgating spaces on the Quad and RV parking locations on campus sold out quickly for the 2008 season. The cost for a season pass at one of the public RV parking lots on campus costs $626, while the cost to reserve a tailgating space on campus that includes a vehicle pass, electricity and a tent, is $729. According to Gina Johnson, associate vice president of auxiliary services…the turnout has been phenomenal. Johnson said that based on the number of people on campus, the only decline they’ve seen so far is in the number of RVers. Johnson said that as gas prices gradually go back down, they are preparing for an even larger crowd for Saturday’s SEC game against Kentucky. “We have such a loyal fan base. In the current state of gas prices, I’d be surprised if we saw any change in the number of people coming to celebrate. We hope people will find a way,” she said…
E-Day
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Oct. 2
The University of Alabama College of Engineering opened its doors to hundreds of high school student today. The department celebrated E-Day. High schoolers and their parents saw what the University has to offer when it comes to engineering.
UA Students Weigh In on V.P. Debate
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Oct. 2
…VP talk is hot on the Bama campus…these college republicans and democrats are really debating what the debate should be…
Lanoue Discusses V.P. Debate
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Oct. 2
…Dr. David Lanoe says, “She has taken enormously bad publicity over the last several days…she must appear to really know what she’s talking about and that her opponent must watch what he says. He can’t be a bully…
Shelby, Sessions call financial plan flawed
Gadsden Times – Oct. 3
…University of Alabama finance professor Robert Brooks said Thursday that investors had several days to understand the bailout’s implications. “It’s starting to register now that this will affect pretty much the whole aspect of economic life in the United States, with the equity market taking the first loss,” Brooks said. Brooks said investors fear regulation that can “kill the golden egg.” “The market hates uncertainty, and at the moment we live in times of great uncertainty, and equity holders suffer (first),” he said…
Florence Times-Daily – Oct. 3
Mortgage loans may get harder to find
Montgomery Advertiser – Oct. 3
…Finance professor Leonard Zumpano isn’t willing to predict how hard it will be to qualify for a mortgage in a few months. It all depends on the ability of mortgage originators to sell the loans to investors. “It is difficult to sell these mortgages,” said Zumpano, who teaches at the University of Alabama. “Being able to sell mortgages is vital.”…
Ala. schools use all $440M from ‘rainy day’ fund
Forbes.com – Oct. 3
…University of Alabama finance professor Robert Brooks said with the volatile stock market it’s a difficult time for state governments to depend on capital gains and similar revenue. “Governments that have strong reserves are going to weather this crisis better than others,” Brooks said. He said the state’s education budget problems also shows what happens when government relies heavily on sales taxes. “Sales taxes are very sensitive to economic conditions,” said Brooks…
MSN.com – Oct. 3
Crisis may hit UA students
Crimson White – Oct. 3
…What students may not be aware of, however, is that there are fewer job opportunities now than there were a month ago, said Robert Brooks, professor of financial management. In addition, he said, it is extremely hard to get loans now for recent graduates with almost no credit. “This crisis will directly affect them somehow,” he said. “Students and recent graduates could very well find themselves not having the level of support they thought they had.” The crisis, which began a few years ago, started when banks started easing their regulations for people who wanted to buy homes. This allowed people with poor credit to buy houses they could not afford, said Gary Hoover, associate professor of economics…