Hall to push rules for tax preparers
Huntsville Times – Jan. 30
With help from a University of Alabama center and college students from across the state, Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, will co-sponsor a bill to regulate “fly-by-night” commercial tax preparers. The announcement of the legislation was made Thursday on the steps of the state Capitol by Stephen Black, director of UA’s Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility… Black said one of the projects of the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility is Impact Alabama, a student service organization that worked with the IRS to train college students to prepare tax returns for low-income, working families for free. Hundreds of students from 10 Alabama colleges and universities participated in the project. “We heard a lot of anecdotal stories about commercial tax preparers making serious mistakes, and even things more serious like even willful problems,” he said. Out of 13 cases in an undercover operation with the students, there were 11 cases of willful fraud by some tax preparers using predatory practices, Black said. “Partly as a result of this investigation, we have built a bit of a coalition of legislators, a good number of Republicans and Democrats,” he said. “We should put forward a bill that will provide for the first time in the history of Alabama some form of an oversight over this commercial tax preparation industry.”
Birmingham News – Jan. 30
FOX6 (Birmingham) – Jan. 30
Black art collection aims to educate
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 30
…Amalia Amaki, a professor of art history at the University of Alabama, has worked with Jones for a number of years. She assisted Jones with his first donation to the University of Delaware and came to the University of Alabama to help direct his most recent donation. Amaki has orchestrated a series of lectures and exhibits that features a number of contemporary artists whose works are included in the Jones collection. Amaki said she wants to expose her students to the artists and styles in the collection. “We want to leave it open to faculty and students. We want to validate what they’ve been learning. We want to introduce students to someone who is modern, contemporary and avant garde,” Jones said…
Former UA president to deliver lecture
Crimson White – Jan. 30
David Mathews, a former president of the University of Alabama, will be delivering a lecture this morning at 11 under the rotunda on the third floor of Carmichael Hall…Since 1981, Mathews has been president and chief executive officer of the Kettering Foundation, a non-profit research organization that, according to its Web site, “works on strategies to strengthen democracy.”…The lecture is sponsored by the College of Education and the Education Policy Center. Mathews’ lecture will be entitled “Tough Times, Tough Challenges: The Role of Universities in Civic Engagement” and is expected to address the responsibilities institutions of higher learning have to initiate change in greater society…
Alternative funeral arrangements
NBC13 (Birmingham) – Jan. 29
…Dr. David Shankman, professor of Environmental Science at the University of Alabama says, “Cremation means you don’t have the addition of new cemeteries or the expansion of existing cemeteries so purely from land use purposes or making land available for other purposes, cremation does serve a purpose.”…Dr. Shankman says in the U.S. there is little worry of running out of burial space and people opting for cremation to help the environment are making a miniscule impact. But the people who feel strongly about say every little bit helps.
Blackburn fellows leave for Anniston
Crimson White – Jan. 30
Forty fellows of the Blackburn Institute, along with some of its alumni, are leaving today for the Institute’s third travel experience of the 2008-2009 school year. Each academic year, Blackburn fellows travel to one urban area in Alabama, as well as a rural town and a local site. This weekend’s excursion is to Anniston, following trips to Moundville and Camden. This trip, the Burt Jones Urban Travel Experience will give students the opportunity to completely immerse themselves in the city of Anniston for two days while also meeting with local political and business leaders. In the past, fellows have traveled to Dothan and Huntsville…
UA students urged to study global warming
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 30
…“It’s my generation who’s caused this and it’s up to you guys to fix it,” Kerry Emanuel said during a lecture at the University of Alabama’s biology building. “But what I want to say to you tonight is that besides the practical problem, it’s a terrific intellectual challenge. It’s got all kinds of growth for research in it and it’s a very under populated field.”…
Professor reflects on time at University
Crimson White – Jan. 29
Dwight Eddins taught English and American literature at the University from 1966 to 2006. He was a Rhodes Scholar who studied in Oxford, and has published books, essays and poems, including a collaboration with UA art professor Alvin Sella, “Of Desire and the Circles of Hell.” Eddins currently teaches University Honors Program courses on modern poetry and Friedrich Nietzsche, a philosopher from whom Eddins says he draws upon when it comes time to give advice for students: “Build your houses on Vesuvius” – a call to live dangerously…
UA Church Music Conference kicks off today
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 30
The University of Alabama School of Music will host its sixth annual Church Music Conference beginning today. This year, the concert will celebrate the 200th anniversary of German composer Felix Mendelssohn…
Glass recycling drive held today
Crimson White – Jan. 30
With the growing concern over the fragility of the environment and the widespread calling for more recycling and resourcefulness, the UA Environmental Council will host a glass recycling drive today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the upper parking lot of the Student Recreation Center on 5th Avenue…The event is hosted by both the University and the UA Environmental Council…