UA in the News: February 7-9, 2009

Study links environmental risk factor with Parkinson’s
Birmingham News – Feb. 9

A study of Alabama welders in 2005 confirmed what scientists have known for decades: Sufficient exposure to manganese, a metal often found in welding fumes, can cause the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease – tremors, loss of movement, stiffness and imbalance…The study, and others like it, raised more questions than answers. Why were the rates so high? What was there about manganese that triggered this response? Why didn’t all welders contract Parkinson’s disease? Last week, a research team may have provided some answers. Guy Caldwell, a prominent Parkinson’s scientist at the University of Alabama and member of the research team, said the new study marks the first time that the genetic link between an environmental risk factor and Parkinson’s disease has been fleshed out….

UA students challenge tax preparers
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 9

In only its third year, Impact Alabama will help 4,000 people and families file their 2008 tax returns for free. The student initiative founded at the University of Alabama includes a program to help people of low and moderate income prepare their income taxes, and has spread to 12 campuses across the state with some 400 students aiding in tax filings.
Now, the core group at the university has taken another step. They prepared legislation introduced in the 2009 session of the Alabama Legislature that would require testing and licensing of commercial tax preparers. The bipartisan bill, introduced in the House and Senate by both Democrats and Republicans, came after some of the students did a under cover work that found many commercial tax preparation services, some of them seasonal operations, charging too much and possibly even preparing false forms…Impact Alabama is one of the initiatives of Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility at the UA. Founded by director Stephen Black, Impact Alabama is a nonprofit organization that gets student involved in social issues. “We have a direct relationship with the IRS and are certified by them as a volunteer program,” Black said. “We have agents review all the forms we prepare for filing and have actually become the biggest Earned Income Tax Credit tax preparation initiative in the state…

Davis hopes to be first black to lead Alabama
Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Feb. 7 (Associated Press)

U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, an early supporter of Barack Obama, announced his Democratic candidacy for governor Friday in a bid to become the first African-American to win Alabama’s top office…Davis is the first serious black candidate to seek the office, said William Stewart, a longtime political scientist at the University of Alabama. “There is no precedent for what Congressman Davis is doing,” said Stewart… “I guess bottom line under the right circumstances Artur Davis could win and the right circumstances have to begin with Democrats having a good year in Washington,” said David Lanoue, University of Alabama political science professor.
Florence Times-Daily – Feb. 7

A new direction
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 8

…When the economy is down and jobs disappear, graduate school enrollment rises. At least that’s what usually happens as graduating college seniors or people worried about losing their jobs choose to further their education rather than face a shrinking job market.
Whether that trend happens in 2009 is anyone’s guess. “This recession might be different from anything we have experienced before,” said David Francko, dean of UA’s Graduate School. “I was at a meeting of the Council of Graduate Schools in December, and it came out there that the number of students taking the Graduate Record Examination [a requirement for admission to a graduate school] had gone down in the fall. “That generated a lot of talk, and we asked ourselves ‘Are the number of people going to graduate school going down?’…Over the last three years, UA has set new records in its overall student enrollment. Its graduate student enrollment also has risen steadily and actually doubled in the last 10 years. Francko said graduate enrollment will be up in the next school year, but the percentage of growth might not be as great as in the past…Chris Starnes, 23, is finishing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Alabama. He’s also running his own business — Houndstooth Hut, which he started two years ago to sell houndstooth-patterned novelties to area retailers and Bama fans…“He’s one of the best young entrepreneurs I know,” said Louis Marino, an associate professor of management at UA who teaches entrepreneurship…In good times, entrepreneurs will pursue a high-growth venture. In tough times, people often become entrepreneurs because they may need to work to survive, Marino said. During recessions, the entrepreneurial spirit kicks in, said Craig Armstrong, an assistant professor who also teaches entrepreneur studies at UA, “When the economy slows and when things get bad, you are going to see more who are willing to start their own business,” he said…

Chuck D comes to UA
Crimson White – Feb. 8

Chuck D, the former leader and co-founder of the 1980s rap group Public Enemy will be coming to campus to speak to students Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. sponsored by University Programs in coordination with the Residential Housing Association, Chuck D will be coming to speak about hip-hop, society and demographics and the presidential election. The message he conveys not only pinpoints and discusses the impact of hip-hop, but he also talks about the country in general, the state that we’re in and the impact of a diverse community as a whole,” said Chad Clark, the Campus Programs advisor. chuck D’s speech will be taking place during Black History Month and marks the second time Chuck D has come to campus…

Alabama Center for Real Estate director receives award
Crimson White – Feb. 8

Grayson Glaze, executive director of the Alabama Center for Real Estate has recently earned the designation of Certified Commercial Investment Member, one of the most highly respected titles in the real estate industry. The CCIM curriculum focuses on skill sets that are necessary in commercial investment real estate…