348-RIDE

Have you ever been stuck without a ride at some point in the night and you really need to get home? There is a great service here on campus that is helping students solve this problem. 348-RIDE (7433) is a free taxi service here at the university that helps students get to and from various places on and around campus. However, the taxis will only go as far as Greensboro Avenue, 15th Street, Helen Keller Boulevard, Jack Warner Parkway to the North, and anywhere in between.[1] Timing of the arrival of the vans, how clean the vans are, and the friendliness of the drivers are some key successes and faults of 348-RIDE

Many students here at the University of Alabama count on 348-RIDE nearly every night. As a result, it may take awhile for a van to come and pick up a person. If one is looking for a quick ride then 348-RIDE is not the way to go. From personal experience, I have waited on the service from a broad range of at the least fifteen minutes and at the most forty-five minutes. However, when they do pick you up they are pretty good about getting you to where you need to go without causing you any confusion. Depending on how far you are off campus also has a major effect on the timing of the van’s arrival.

Students who travel in these 348-RIDE vans would probably think that they would be a little unclean, because the purpose that they serve for many students is to transport them because they are intoxicated. However, these vans are quite nice and very comfortable to ride in. In any given van one could find clean cloth seats, a decent smelling air freshener, and an air conditioner that works fairly well. There is usually none or hardly any trash in the van’s seats or in the floorboards. The service does very well in the upkeep and cleanliness of their vehicles.

The folks who drive these vans usually seem to be extremely friendly. From my personal experience they have always been willing to help you in any way possible and can carry on a friendly conversation. As an avid passenger of 348-RIDE I like to sit in the front, where the driver never complains about what radio station I turn it on. The drivers will also make extra stops along the way to pick up your friends if you want them to. When they reach your destination, they tell you to be safe and to call back if you need a ride home.

Overall, 348-RIDE serves its purpose fairly well. If a student needs a safe ride to and or from their residence then these are the people to call. Sometimes it takes the taxi a little while to get there, so calling at least thirty minutes ahead of time is a good idea. The clean vehicles and the friendly service definitely make up for the waiting time. If you ever need a ride between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., then do not hesitate to call 348-RIDE.

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[1] (Alabama Auxiliary Services, par.1)

What about Wintzel's?

In Tuscaloosa social atmosphere is much more than just parties and football games, it’s also about good food. Being as close to the gulf as we are good seafood is sure to be found. A perfect example is Wintzel’s Oyster House, a restaurant that can be found just across the Black Warrior River in Northport. With an impeccable view of the river and sought after fresh gulf seafood cuisine, no wonder it is a Tuscaloosa mainstay. Although it’s very well known around town, is it actually all it’s cracked up to be? One trip with a group of my sorority sisters to Wintzel’s was enough of an experience to form my opinion.
We all filed into the expansive parking lot around 7 pm on a Friday night. There were fifteen of us for dinner and we had no reservations. Our estimated wait time was roughly thirty minutes but to our delight and surprise we only waited fifteen. The staff at Wintzel’s quickly cleared our tables. As we waited to be seated I took particular notice to the cleanliness and spaciousness of the reception area. We all enjoyed the large fish tank in front of the waiting area as well as watching the upbeat interaction between younger children and their families. Everyone at the host stand was extremely friendly, especially our hostess who seated all fifteen of us gracefully and swiftly.
After an unexpectedly short wait to be seated we were not waited on by our server for at least another ten or fifteen minutes. We all became very impatient and aggravated as the wait to get our drink order equaled our wait to be seated. By the time our waitress came to take our drink orders we were prepared to give our entrée orders as well, which she found frustrating and made it very apparent. Our drinks also took too long coming out considering we all ordered water except for one person. After our drinks were finally delivered our oyster appetizers were delivered shortly thereafter, and they were positively divine. After the appetizers we were brought bread and butter, which in my opinion, was awkward timing.
Once our waitress returned to finalize our dinner orders she continued to be rather ill. She was very snippish, lost attentiveness, and was entirely unprofessional. However, once our meals did come, which took another thirty minutes, it was all worth it. Everyone devoured their food and no one had any complaints. I had grouper while the girl on my left had salmon and the girl on my right had shrimp, a bit of a sampler took place. I personally enjoyed every bite of food I tried.
One major issue of our experience was no one working in the restaurant was curious to see if we were enjoying our food or if we needed anything. My friend Erica went the entire meal without ketchup for her fries. To say the wait service was poor would be an understatement; we seemed to be a nuisance rather than customers.
Our checks were quickly processed and delivered; making it quite clear they were more than ready to move us in and out as fast as possible. Over all, the atmosphere was great though; the river view and relaxed mood made me feel like I was at the beach. For the majority of the time we enjoyed ourselves. We were pleased with the cleanliness and terrific food but the service can be greatly improved. I would definitely dine at Wintzel’s again, except, perhaps next time with a smaller group.

Tutwiler vs. Ridgecrest South The Showdown

Tutwiler vs. Ridgecrest South

The Showdown

Many incoming college freshman entering into a new environment consider their place of dwelling extremely important. With the many dormitory choices at the University of Alabama, students are faced with the difficult decision of deciding where they will live for their first year of college. While searching for the perfect dorm, many will take into consideration security, comfort, cleanliness, location, and age of the dorm. While many prefer Ridgecrest because it is brand new and has plenty of living space, others prefer Tutwiler for its security and fantastic location.
All of the Ridgecrest dorms have received a good reputation, mainly because so few students have previously lived there not to mention the brand new Ridgecrest South. The floor layout consists of spacious living room with a kitchen, including a regular sized refrigerator and four separate bedrooms. Allowing each of the residents to have their own private living space is great for privacy, and studies have shown increases in the quality of studying accomplished. If there happens to be conflict of personalities with a roommate, there should not be a problem because of the smaller amount of interaction with the suitemates as compared to roommates in an old-fashioned dorm.
Ridgecrest dormitories have many advantages compared to other residences on campus. In the Ridgecrest dorms, there are plenty of areas to study throughout the dorm and being a coed it is easy for students to mingle with their male or female friends. The elevators are always working and students hardly ever have to wait longer than a couple of minutes. Under Ridgecrest South dormitory, there are three levels for parking, which makes this dorm one of the only places on the UA campus where parking is not a problem. A lower level parking deck also means that one’s car is always close and free from weather damage.
While there are so many good effects about the Ridgecrest dorms, some students find a few problems with protection and location. The security at the Ridgecrest dorms is not very aggressive. Once someone is able to open the front door, everything in the dorm is accessible to him or her. The only positive to this issue would be that it makes it easier for friends to visit. In addition, many Arts and Sciences majors complain the Ridgecrest dorms are too far away from their classes. When it is raining, excessively hot or cold, or someone is simply running late, the 15 to 20 minute walk to class can be a problem for many students.
On the contrary, Tutwiler was erected originally in 1914, and is not only quite different from the newer Ridgecrest dorms, but from any other dorm on campus. While many have a problem with the age of Tutwiler and would prefer a newer building, most girls appreciate the location and safety. One of the most widely known characteristics of Tutwiler is the heightened security measures taken to protect its female residents, when it comes to security, visiting Tutwiler is about as tough as trying to enter Fort Knox. Tutwiler is the only dorm on campus that requires male visitors to leave their license at the front desk to go up the elevator. As if the insane security was not enough of a problem, many times only half of the elevators are operating; and when there are fourteen flours in the building, this can become a major inconvenience.
Tutwiler is sub-par compared to other dorms on campus when it comes to parking and room space. Many residents comment that there is a lack of parking space at Tutwiler, and that those few spaces are not under cover like the Ridgecrest parking deck. Residents even have to move their cars before every home football game, even though they pay hundreds of dollars to park there. The rooms in Tutwiler are significantly small, and much dirtier, than Ridgecrest rooms; and two students live in each room! The small living area not only brings down the comfort level, but the paper-thin walls make it difficult to get quality studying done. Unlike at Ridgecrest where two people share one private bathroom, Tutwiler residents must share a bathroom with all the girls on their floor that’s over twenty girls! This is a major inconvenience, especially on a game day where every girl is getting ready for the football game.
Even though it may be old and crowded, there are definitely some advantages to living in Tutwiler. One advantage for residents is that the MTLC is attached to the dormitory. While most other students have to walk across campus to get to the math lab, the Tutwiler residents do not even have to step outside their building. Another appealing quality of Tutwiler is its location, Tutwiler is a short walk to the quad, and is conveniently located on Paul Bryant Drive across from the football stadium. Walking to class doesn’t take very long and Tutwiler is also positioned right behind Sorority Row, which makes it very convenient for many incoming freshman who join a sorority.
While Ridgecrest may be new, spacious, and have a parking deck underneath, Tutwiler has great security, location, and even has the main math lab for the University attached. Many parents would like to know there are girls safe in a dorm like Tutwiler, but most incoming freshmen would rather live in a dorm that is new, clean, and has plenty of living space, which can all be conveniently found in the Ridgecrest dorms. Clearly, the marginal benefit of living in the Ridgecrest dorms is much higher than living in Tutwiler. For a young person moving into a strange environment, having a comfortable place to sleep and study is extremely important. Ridgecrest offers every living advantage an incoming student could ask for, while Tutwiler is left in the dust with its out dated rooms and tainted living conditions.

Student Ticket Service

Football at the University of Alabama is a big deal. People come from all over the country just to tailgate on the Quad. They enjoy freshly grilled burgers and ice cold beer as they sit out under tents in the crisp autumn air. There is no better feeling than being surrounded by ninety-three thousand people at Bryant-Denny stadium, all passionately united in cheering on the Crimson Tide. Of these ninety three thousand seats in Bryant-Denny stadium, only fifteen thousand are allotted to students. It is the job of the Student Ticket Service to set up an organized method to distribute these tickets. While the Student Ticket Service does allow students to conveniently purchase tickets online and at low prices, it still experiences multiple shortcomings.

The Student Ticket Service offers ticket packages that are very affordable for students. Packets that include the entire season are available for less than fifty dollars. However, because there are nearly thirty thousand enrolled students and only fifteen thousand student seats, many students are left to buy from other sources at highly inflated prices.
So what is the problem with college students making some extra money off their football tickets? Due to limited seating, only a portion of the student body is able to purchase tickets before they run out. This ratio of seats to students leaves a massive number of kids without the full, firsthand experience of college football. Those that are unable to get tickets online or pay for the inflated ticket prices have no way of getting into a football game.

The accessibility of the Student Ticket Services is made easy through a simple online process. A student must first go online and register a form of payment before tickets go on sale to speed up the process when the morning sales begin. The directions take you step by step through the process. The directions include information on how to handle certain situations such as what to do if you no longer want the ticket, or what to do if you are unable to go to the game on the day of the game. It also includes the Ticket Service Number for anything that cannot be handled online. Tickets normally become available between seven and eight in the morning, and they are quickly sold out within the hour, if not sooner. The students must be on the website, pass through the virtual waiting room, and then use their identification information to have the package sent to their Action Card (student ID) account.

This type of online system can be very convenient for students. Since many students are without the transportation and free time to get somewhere and stand in line for hours on end, having a simple online transaction makes it easy to purchase from anywhere there is an internet connection. Tickets are sold on a first come first serve basis, and all have an equal opportunity to make a purchase. Because of the early time of the sale, students can get the task taken care of first thing in the morning, before class or work. On the other hand, since one is unable to see the “line” of people ahead, one may wait for quite some time without success. In the spring of 2009, I was online for two hours, but could not get through the virtual waiting room before tickets sold out. Also, the Student Ticket Service has no method of offering seniors seniority over the juniors and sophomores. This results in some seniors not being able to spend their last year going to home football games, while some sophomores are going to all of the games. Another disadvantage is that having the sale of tickets start so early presents the obstacle of waking up on time. Most college students are not up by seven o’clock if they do not have an early class, and many find it somewhat difficult to rise with the sun. There have been dozens of incidents where students have slept through ticket sales for one reason or another.

The Student Ticket Service selling student football tickets at the University of Alabama online makes for a convenient alternative to a ticket booth. However, selling tickets in this way often creates problems such as the inability to access the website and the unfair issuing of tickets without regard to class rank. The bottom line is, even after pre-registering your payment method, waking up on time, successfully accessing the website, and waiting patiently in a virtual room, luck is still the determining factor in who will get tickets and who will not. Good luck next year!

Where Special Kids Shine

Many parents in the Tuscaloosa area rely on The Rise School for a healthy and safe learning environment for their children with disabilities. Although the school is widely known around town by those who are involved in the Rise School community, there are still many who don’t know what this program is, how it benefits the community, or how they can get involved.

The Rise School offers education to a variety of children with different disorders, such as Down syndrome and Autism. The mission of the school is to provide a nurturing environment for developmentally delayed children so they can learn and grow. The school also prepares these special needs students for the educational environments they will face in the future.

The Rise School, founded in October 1974, is one of the first early intervention programs to be federally funded. The program is designed to serve young children with physical, and mental disabilities from birth to the age of five. Originally located in a house on campus, it housed six children with two teachers. Due to an increase in federal funding, The University of Alabama has had the opportunity to expand it. The program now includes twenty-five students and teachers, as well as twenty-five speech, physical, and occupational therapists. In 1986, the school’s priorities were not only focused on service, but also teaching and research.   

Many University of Alabama students recognize anything related to football, so the name “Gene Stallings” should sound familiar. Gene Stallings was a famous coach of the nineties, and was a fundamental part of the1992 National Championship. However, most people are unaware of the impact he had on the Rise School in Tuscaloosa. Gene Stallings had a particularly special bond with the program because his own son had Down syndrome. The school, with the help of Gene Stallings, expanded, and The Stalling Center was built on his behalf. Today, the school is still located in the Stallings Center, along with many other additional rooms for musical, occupational, and physical therapy.      

The University of Alabama community should be aware of this program because it has benefited the lives of many children and can also aid students in their research and training. Furthermore, it helps faculty to integrate real-life observations into class learning. Many career fields such as musical therapy, human development, psychology, and communicative disorders use the Rise School to further their knowledge about individuals with disabilities, and to get hands-on experience. To get more information on this topic, I interviewed a student majoring in Communicative Disorders, who is hoping to become a Speech-Language Pathologist in the future. Allie told me that it is highly recommended, for those in her major, to spend time observing and volunteering at the Rise School, and that there are many different ways to get involved. She explained that volunteering there gave her additional knowledge that she could not have learned in an ordinary classroom. This is because when working with developmentally delayed children, it is imperative that students work hands-on with them and get a feel for their daily schedule.       

The Rise School is very helpful to the city of Tuscaloosa. It provides an education for delayed children, and enables them to become somewhat independent. The children are able to be in a safe environment where they can be motivated to learn by therapists that specialize in working with their specific diagnosis. It also allows students and faculty to observe and research at this institution. It is a great way to get the students involved on campus with volunteering, and to get a first hand experience. The school is also an advantage to the faculty because they can stimulate further learning outside of the ordinary classroom. Overall, The Rise School is a positive and effective place for the Tuscaloosa community because it is beneficial to people who are personally affected by a disability, as well as those who take an interest in teaching and helping the disabled. 

History of Smith Hall

If you’re a student at the University of Alabama there is a good chance that you’ve been either in or around Smith Hall. Although, the question is do you know the intriguing past of this historic building? The history of Smith Hall carries direct roots and possessions of the rich southern culture of the University of Alabama; which can be found in the “Encyclopedia of Alabama” by John C. Hall. There is a terrific and interesting history of the University of Alabama’s Natural Museum and its three great contributors including the man it is named after.

Before the establishment of the University of Alabama in 1831, William McMillan, a state librarian began collecting books to establish a natural history cabinet for the state. McMillan lobbied the state board of trusties for the position as state librarian, even though the state did not, at the time, possess a library of note, and proposed the creation of a natural history collection. Eventually his persistence and force of personality changed the minds of the board and McMillan was granted the title. After being granted his title McMillan began corresponding with scientists and professors all over the world and within a few years managed to established a respectable collection of rocks, minerals, fossils, bones, and mounted animals. The original home of this collection is unclear but is thought to have been the rotunda beside the Gorgas Library. After only a few years McMillan left his post at the University, but his collection remained.

A few years after McMillan’s abdication of his position Michael Tuomey became one of the University’s first professors in geology, mineralogy, and agricultural chemistry. Because of his training in engineering and practical geology, Tuomey was formally appointed as the first state geologist in 1848. As a University professor Tuomey had access to McMillan's original collection, which was contributed to the establishment of both the University and the Geologic Survey of Alabama's (GSA) collection. In 1857 Tuomey died, and due to the growing crisis between the north, south and the onset of the Civil War, his position was not replaced immediately. In April of 1865, most of the University, and subsequently the accumulated collections of McMillan and Tuomey were burned to the ground by Union troops.

In the summer of the following year Eugene Allen Smith, a student preparing to go abroad to Europe for his graduate studies, passed through Tuscaloosa and saved specimens of the collection that had not been destroyed in the fires of war. In 1871, Smith was appointed professor of agricultural chemistry and mineralogy at the University. Although Smith’s job at UA was to survey the natural resources of the state, he soon petitioned the state of Alabama to be appointed state geologist. After his appointment he immediately began to rebuild the University’s collection for his research and the public interest. During the 1880‘s his collection was displayed in several different locations including the basement of Woods Hall and Garland Hall. Around 1884 Smith began looking at architectural designs for the museum that would eventually become Smith Hall. These designs became a reality in 1910 and were dedicated as such in his honor by the University of Alabama trustees.

Of all the buildings on the campus of the University of Alabama, Smith Hall has one of the most fascinating histories to tell and see. So the next time your waiting for your bus, or just wandering around the quad, take some time to step inside Smith Hall and bask in the depth of its geological southern tradition.

Gospel Choir

Do you like to sing? Do you enjoy meeting and associating with fellow UA students? Do you love to perform for other people? Maybe you need to engage in an activity to help express your personal love of God and want to share your feelings with other people. Well, look no further than the University of Alabama’s own Afro American Gospel Choir, where you are more than welcome to raise your voice and praise in the spirit.
The Afro-American Gospel choir has been around for nearly 40 years now. They have performed at churches, religious organizations, social and political events, University functions and many other venues in Tuscaloosa and throughout the state of Alabama. They have recorded three albums, participated in countless festivals, and have come away with several awards. What was initially conceived as a twelve member group for a one time talent show performance in 1971 has turned into one the most ambitious Gospel choirs in the state of Alabama.
Contrary to the organization’s name, the Afro American Gospel choir is open to students of all racial ethnicities and backgrounds. High vocal qualities and musical knowledge are also not entirely a must. However, members are expected to give their all at rehearsals and performances. After all, you’re singing for the lord, so “half steppin” as director Jesmond Fair puts it, is in no shape or form tolerated. Rehearsals are every Thursday at the theater in the Ferguson center usually from 7pm to about 10pm with sectionals as needed. Most rehearsals and performances are not mandatory so if you have an overwhelming schedule and cannot participate very often, then they’ll completely understand. Academics, as with other organizations on campus, come before everything else.
Recently I participated in a rehearsal and the atmosphere was upbeat and very positive. Everyone was friendly and openhearted. And as one could imagine, the Holy Spirit was present even when we were not singing. They appeared to show great concern and empathy for fellow members and as always we prayed before being dismissed for the evening. It was a wonderful experience that I look forward to take part of as soon as possible.
So, now that I have informed you about the Afro American Gospel Choir, I hope you will keep them in mind. Even if it’s not your thing, you can still keep an eye out for an upcoming performance. And you are more than welcome to join in or sit in on a rehearsal if you ever get the chance. Just remember to come ready to give your best effort and be as joyous as possible.

University Students Strip Down

When thinking about the University of Alabama, what comes to mind? Football or maybe long standing traditions here at the Capstone. One thing I quickly found is not many students on campus are familiar with the University's theatre department. The theatre department offers various programs of study leading to the Bachelor's degree in theatre. The program areas include acting, musical theatre, theatre management and administration, scene design and technical production, and custume design and production. I thought that maybe just talking about the theatre department is one thing, but telling about one of their upcoming productions will give you a better view of what this program is about. To be honest, the only reason I am familiar with the theatre department is because of my roommate, Caroline. Caroline is a theatre major and also attends the university for music. One thing that has her excited about the theatre department is the upcoming fall play "Hair." "Hair" is a play written forty-one years ago that is set in the 1960's. According to Caroline, the play is essentially about "hippie-life dealing with the threat of the Vietnam." The students involved in the play are so passionate about the production this year, that they are begging students to be attend this big production affair. The play is set to show October 26 to November 1 at the Allen Bales Theatre on campus. There is another reason why the actors/actresses are excited about this production. The students involved get to make UA history and break controversial boundaries. The students will perform a completely nude scene. According to WVUA-TV, "the University of Alabama Theatre students were fighting for the right to have a nude scene "Hair." After fighting for their right, the University finally granted permission about two weeks ago. WVUA-TV explains that "the nude scene is traditionally set at a protest against the Vietnam War, where protesters undress to show the beauty of the human body." The students very excited to be able to do the play as it once was performed in 1992. The play will be very powerful and a cool experience to watch first hand as the student actors/actresses make history. I have never been to a play performed by the university theatre students, but since my roommate has such a huge role and the play is going to be historical, I am going to purchase a ticket and go to at least one of the nights, if not multiple. If anyone is interested in seeing this controversial and famous play, you better hurry and get your ticket soon because they are almost sold out!

Swine Flu: Preventable or Not?

An international outbreak of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, has already impacted the Tuscaloosa community. Take a trip to the Student Health Center, and you will likely find many students sitting in the waiting room wearing masks over their mouths in efforts to prevent contamination. You can take a look around any given public building and count the excessive number of hand sanitizer bottles. Both the masks and the sanitizing gels are in place to prevent the spread of this dreaded virus. This particular strain of influenza, equally as powerful as the common flu but twice as contagious, leaves many students asking themselves not, “Will I catch this N1H1 virus?” but rather “When is it my turn to fall victim to this porky plague?” Is this microscopic monster unstoppable? Can a solution be found within an organization at the University of Alabama? The answer to swine flu prevention just might be coming to the university through the Homegrown Alabama Organization.
While there is no proven method of becoming immune to the swine flu, there are some foods that will help protect your body from germs and prevent infection. Maintaining a strong and healthy immune system, when others around you are constantly getting sick, is the key to increasing your chances of staying healthy. The best way to develop a healthy immune system is a nutritionally balanced diet (Reynolds). Homegrown Alabama is a student organization that brings local farmers to the university in what is called the Farmer’s Market. Foods with both the protein and vitamins needed to support a healthy immune system can be found at the market. Students have no need to leave campus in order to eat nutritional foods due to the close location of the business at Canterbury Chapel on 5th Avenue right off University Boulevard. The market is open Thursday afternoon from 3:00-6:00 PM (Thomas). This union between college kids and local produce farmers allows every student the chance to get the nutrients that are needed from home grown foods to create a diet that will aid in preventing sickness and spreading infections.
The Farmer’s Market provides foods enriched in protein, vitamin-C, vitamin A, zinc, and iron (Thomas). Protein is a big part of a healthy diet. Eating foods rich in protein such as pork, beef, chicken, eggs, fish, nuts, and soy-based products help to build a barrier against viral diseases like the swine flu. It is recommended that you eat a minimum of three servings per day of protein to help prevent illness. Another important factor of this nutritionally balanced diet is vitamin enriched food. Foods with vitamin-C like spinach berries, oranges, grapefruits, and peas have anti-viral properties which help in mobilizing bug-eating macrophonage cells. Foods with vitamin A such as carrots, pumpkins, apricots, and mangoes help to make the respiratory membranes strong. Foods with zinc like beef, eggs, and seafood help in forming antibodies that fight infections such as the swine flu. Foods with iron such as apples, spinach, and other greens are also good for fighting infection (Reynolds).
As college students, you make decisions at least two or three times a day as to what you are going to eat. When your stomach starts to growl, stop for a second and remember that making good choices about what goes into your mouth could prevent you from catching the swine flu. Thanks to the Homegrown Alabama, there is a place students can go on campus to get what they need to help make those good choices easier.


Works Cited
Reynolds, Robert. “Healthy Foods That Help Avoid Swine Flu.” Home Remedies. 8 August 2009. Natural Remedies. 15 September 2009.
Thomas, Leah. “Homegrown Alabama Framer’s Market.” Local Harvest. 1 July 2009. Local Harvest Inc. 15 September 2009.

Bigger and Better in Bryant-Denny

If you’re a newcomer to the UA campus, there’s no doubt that you have passed Bryant-Denny Stadium and for a brief moment stood in awe of the colossal structure. With its four spiral-staircases, sky-high bleachers, and Walk of Champions entrance, it can be quite an imposing sight. The question that I always find myself wondering is how Bryant-Denny Stadium has changed and evolved over the years. Upon further research, the Crimson Tide did not have an official stadium in which to play their games until 1929. The Quad and Denny Field, which used to stand where Parker-Adams Hall is today, was where the team played all of their games. On September 28^th, 1929, Alabama played for the first time ever in their own stadium, back then known as Denny Stadium, defeating Mississippi College in front of a sellout crowd of twelve thousand people. As both the university and Tuscaloosa grew in size, so did Denny Stadium. The stadium’s first expansion came in 1937 when six thousand seats were added to the east side of the stadium. In 1950 another six thousand seats were added to the east side. This brought the total number of seats to twenty-five thousand. It was not until 1961 that the next major expansion of the stadium would take place. During that year, Coach Bryant ordered six thousands seats to be added to each grandstand, the addition of a VIP section, and new fiberglass seat covers for the wooden bleachers. Not long after, in 1966, another expansion replaced the wooden bleachers on the north and south end zones with steel and concrete bringing the total capacity of the stadium to sixty thousand seats.

Jumping ahead to 1986, the stadium, now named Bryant-Denny, underwent yet another major expansion. This expansion involved adding an upper deck, two spiral tunnels, a new press box, and new lights for the roof. The new upper deck added another twelve thousand seats, which brought the capacity to seventy-two thousand seats. In 1998, a new upper deck and two spiral ramps where added to the east side. Private skyboxes were also added for the first time ever. The expansion brought the total capacity of the stadium to eighty-two thousand seats. The most recent expansion, completed in 2006, brought the stadium to ninety-two thousand seats and gave us the new Walk of Champions at the north end zone and a new upper deck. The current expansion, scheduled for completion for the 2010 season, will add a new upper deck to the south end zone. The stadium presently holds ninety-two thousand but with the school still expanding and the stadium still selling out, we could always see another expansion in the works.

Campus Traffic

            Everyone in that lives in the Tuscaloosa area should agree that there is a problem with campus traffic, unless of course they do not have to drive through or around campus in the afternoon they are probably not affected. I know that I for one am affected by this traffic and it is a problem here at the University of Alabama. The traffic is not over the entire campus just in most of the general areas, University Drive, Hackberry Lane and Campus Drive. I am not saying that those are the only areas with terrible traffic, but three of the worst areas.

            On most college campuses it intended for the students to walk to class. Here at the University of Alabama there are walkers, bikers, crimson-riders, and drivers. It seems like we accommodate everyone on this campus and everyway to get to class. The only problem with that is when you try to accommodate to everyone sometimes it doesn’t always work. In our case we try to make it work even though there are ways it could work so much better. When the walkers or bikers are trying to go to class I know that they normally have to give themselves a few extra minutes than they would normally need because there will be several points where they will have to stand and wait on the cars or buses to pass to be able to walk. Likewise with the drivers and crimson-riders, they have to give themselves quite a few extra minutes because they have to wait on the students to cross at the crosswalks or for the drivers sake, they have to make it to there parking spot and then walk the rest of the way to class.

            I love the fact that our campus is so willing to accommodate to everyone’s different needs, but sometimes I feel like there is a different or more effective way to do so. They should consider that the students have to walk around the flowing traffic that is all throughout our campus. It puts the students/faculty/staff at risk for being hit by a car as well as a risk for a driver to hit one of them.

            I myself have been in both positions. Last year as a freshman I lived on campus and had to walk everywhere on campus, and the only thing that would make me late to class is if I did not give myself enough time to walk to the class and wait on the traffic that was flowing around me. This year I live off campus. I not only have to give myself plenty of time because I live two miles away, I also have to consider that I should try not to go down University, Hackberry, or Campus, and then that I have to park my car fairly far away and then walk to my class and still spare a few minutes waiting to walk because of the traffic.

            I feel like this is a serious issue with many of us. Whether it is a student, teacher, faculty member, or just someone who lives in this area in Tuscaloosa. Traffic affects all of us and we should consider different ways to fix this problem.

Parking Spots, Rates, and Permits

Every year, I dread telling my parents I need a few hundred dollars to pay for a parking permit. This permit makes me park in a spot that is hard to get to and far away from my classes. The parking passes for the University of Alabama continuously increase in price every year. Will we ever find a price that remains constant from year to year? Why are these parking passes so expensive anyway? After all the money parents and students pay to the school, you would think a parking spot would be guaranteed, or at least affordable.
I interviewed many students who commute to and from campus. I found that the majority of them agree it is pertinent to be able to park on campus, especially considering the fact that after freshman year most students are encouraged to move off campus. Students and faculty, who commute and park on campus, pay at least one hundred and sixty five dollars per year. This price gives you the ability to park in one designated parking zone. While this method sounds logical and fair, the parking permit does not always guarantee that there will be a parking spot available in your restricted area. This issue causes great frustration to students who are trying to get to class on time, but cannot because there is no place for them to park their car. You would think that if the University was allowed to charge these outrageous prices, they could at least promise that you would always have a spot. When I first paid the parking fee last year, the thought that I might not get a spot everyday never crossed my mind.
Although this parking conflict may not affect the lives of all students, especially those who live on campus, the University still needs a plan for transportation. Unfortunately, the Crimson Bus system is as unreliable as the parking passes. Students who miss the bus by minutes may be stuck waiting too long for another bus to come, causing them to be late for class. For those students who actually catch the bus on time still run the risk of being late to class because of the many stops on each route. The numerous bus stops and traffic cause students to think that the only way they will get to class on time is to drive their own cars. Although driving your car seems like an easy alternative, it can result in not being able to find a spot in your designated zone; therefore, resulting in a ticket.
Parking tickets are issued to cars parked in areas where their passes do not permit. After talking to many people, the majority of them said that they bought the least expensive pass. This means that they are allowed to park in the least amount of spots. This leaves students scrambling for spots and even parking in places that will result in a fine. The fines range anywhere from fifty dollars to two hundred and fifty dollars. With the combination of the money from parking violations and the parking passes, you would think that the University would make a very large profit. We called the parking services office to ask how much the University made per year. We were shocked to hear that there is no profit made off of charging these insanely high prices. All the funds earned from anything traffic related on campus are used for projects such as paving campus roads and parking lots. Additionally, the money is used to pay the debt of Ten-Hoor Hall and Ferguson Center parking decks, which are on a thirty-year payment plan. Also, the soccer parking lot and South Ridgecrest intermodal deck have five-year payment plans. The University is bonded to these payment plans for 1,382,507 dollars per year. The campus also has additional road services that need funding, such as the campus wide signing project where they plan to replace all traffic signs on campus. They are also trying to increase parking lot security, which adds up to 1.3 million dollars. Now we know that without the expensive permits and parking fines our campus would actually be in debt. In essence, we are helping to expand our campus and help it become safer and more convenient for future commuters.

Game Day Parking

Any Student at the University of Alabama knows that parking on Game Day is a hassle, to say the least. The mere number of people on campus on game day is a feat within its self. However the parking situation needs to change. There are limited options for students to park on game day. In addition the options available for parking on game day are not the same as regular parking for classes. What student parking is displaced by game days and what parking options are there are available for both displaced on campus students and off campus commuting students?
Both students living on and off campus are inconvenienced by game day parking regulations. For the on campus residents of Tutwiler Hall they required to move their cars by Friday afternoon to allow RVs to park in the Tutwiler parking lot. A new rule this year is that Colonial Drive, also known as Sorority Row, must be cleared by Friday afternoon as well (Parking Info 8). Since both of these residents are zone for Orange parking, this is going to make finding a parking spot close to impossible for the residence that live in Tutwiler and on Sorority Row. Thus, all of these displaced parkers will now be fighting for the same small number of parking spots available.
Parking is also a complex task for students who choose to live off campus. If off campus students want to park on campus on game day it is going to cost them. One option available for off campus students is parking at the soccer fields; however, they will need to purchase an addition parking pass costing $111.00 on top of their regular commuter parking pass (Parking Info 3). Let’s face it, how many college students can afford that? Besides the soccer fields are not even close to the stadium, so if students are planning on parking here they need to leave early to try to catch the shuttle. There is always the option of parking in a stranger’s front yard. This option will get commuters closest to the stadium, but this too is expensive. Most people are going to charge twenty to thirty dollars to park in their front yard and commuters could be parking in an unsafe area. Another option is to park at the University Mall and pay $10 and then take a shuttle onto campus, but what are commuters to do after the game when the shuttle stops running (Parking Info 15)?
This year, more so than ever, students are being inconvenienced on game days. The student body should be the administrations main concern. Without us, there would be no football, baseball, soccer, or tennis games. We deserve to be able to buy one parking pass that is always valid and we should not have to leave our houses hours early to try to hunt down an empty front yard to park in. The student body should demand more attention on game days. The tradition of excellence that exists at The University of Alabama is remarkable and something that everyone should get to experience, not just the lucky few that can find a parking spot. Reform is needed. Students should not be ignored and we should accept nothing but the best from this outstanding University.

Taking Advantage: Outrageous On-campus Housing Rates

It’s no big secret that this nation’s economy is in a really bad place. As prices increase people become increasingly weary of not getting exactly what they pay. People of all ages are having to make decisions on how to spend their finances, and need to make sure they are getting the best value for their money. This is especially true for the average family with college age children. If you are an out of state student, you will be paying $19,200 just on tuition. That means on every other amenity at University of Alabama you are required to buy (meal plan, housing, parking) you want to make sure that you are getting what you pay for.
At the University, housing is one of the biggest issues for students living on campus. For most freshmen as well as out of state students without a form of transportation, on campus housing is there only viable option. So what are your choices when it comes to on-campus housing? Riverside, Ridgecrest, and Lakeside are the newest housing communities on campus. All of which have single bedrooms for their residents, kitchen’s with efficiency, living room, two bathrooms and two vanities. They have a laundry room on every other floor of the four story building. These are the nicest options for those living on campus who aren’t athletes.
The polar opposite of these nice dormitories is Rose towers. Rose is a 13 story, 40+ year old building. It, in a word, is disgusting. Rooms tend to have rust, allergen, and mold issues. There are stains, holes in the wall, and exposed pipes. There is a major bug problem, cockroaches and silverfish infest the rooms. While living there, residents are instructed to keep the air conditioning at 67 or below to keep humidity in the rooms down and to help prevent mold growth. Air conditioning units have dust piled up on the vents and are constantly blowing out allergens. The bathrooms have mold on the shower curtain, the sink looks like its falling off the wall, and the medicine cabinet is a tetanus shot waiting to happen. There is one laundry room for the entire 13 story building.
When it comes to price, there is a lot to argue about. For instance Rose Towers is $2,850 a semester for a single room, a single occupancy bedroom with two other dorm mates. This includes a bed, desk, closet, and the number of problems that come with the room. A single room in Ridgecrest is $3,475, a single occupancy room with three other roommates. This includes a bed, dresser, closet with extra shelving and hanger room, desk with extra surface and drawer space, and a cable box, along with all the other updated features that come with a dorm just three years old. This difference in price is only $625 and as a student who transferred from Rose to Riverside I can tell you that what you gain in terms cleanliness, amenities, sanitary conditions, and peace of mind is way more than $625.
I feel that the amount of money a student living in Rose Towers is forced to pay is ridiculously overpriced. That building should be torn down, it is filthy and decrepit. It is entirely inadequate to supply such horrible housing for such an outrageous price. It seems though that the school is taking advantage of the average University of Alabama family by making freshman live on campus and therefore forcing them to pay these outrageous prices. It would be cheaper and nicer in most cases to rent an apartment off campus. For many, however, that isn’t an option. The school needs to be more cognizant of this and make it so students and families actually get what they pay for.

What Happened to Lakeside Diner?

When students left for summer break, they did not know that they would be saying goodbye to one of the most popular and successful restaurants on campus. Lakeside Diner was a hot dining spot that took meal plans as well as stayed open until 3:00 am. Things could not get any better than that. What other place on campus served chicken tenders at three in the morning? When students returned to school this fall, they were surprised to see that Lakeside Diner was replaced with Maea. Maea is an upscale restaurant with a menu that includes foods such as yellow-fin tuna and chicken nachos. This new restaurant is a sit-down place where the customers are served by waiters/waitresses dressed in black pants, white shirts, black ties, and black shoes. If you ask me, Maea is just too upscale, especially for college students. I do not know too many students who actually crave yellow-fin tuna. So, what happened to Lakeside Diner you ask? Last year, Bama Dining sent out a survey and based upon the results, they discovered that the student body wanted a classy, sit-down restaurant. Now I'm not sure when they did the survey but I personally didn't get a chance to take the survey. I'm sure when the student body said they wanted a classy, sit- down restaurant, they did not mean they wanted to get rid of Lakeside Diner. It does not seem fair that the students have to sacrifice one of our favorite places to eat, just to include another restaurant. If the individuals who are in charge of Bama Dining wanted to satisfy the student’s desire to have a classy, sit-down restaurant, why not replace another place, like Doster’s Café with Maea? It was also said that with the new dormitories opening up directly behind Lakeside, the diner would not have been able to keep up with the capacity of new students. If Lakeside Diner would not be able to keep a larger capacity, why could it not be moved to the larger cafeteria part of Lakeside? Even though Lakeside Diner did not serve the healthiest food, it was still very popular because college students enjoy foods such as cheeseburgers and chicken tenders. Another reason why Lakeside could have been replaced could be that the cooks and workers probably became tired of dealing with the many intoxicated people that came through. Even though some people caused small disturbances, it was not anything too serious, nor did it happen every day. Lakeside Diner was a place students could mingle and enjoy cheap food early in the morning. Lakeside Diner will always be remembered for their patty melts, cheeseburgers, and let’s not forget their exceptional chicken tenders. Hopefully in the near future the Bama Dining staff could take some of our suggestions and bring a late night diner back on campus.

Bryce Hospital: Ghostly or Gullible?

For decades, the old Bryce Hospital property has remained a mystery to the people of the Tuscaloosa area. If you were to ask any one of the various people in this city about the old hospital, you would receive a wide variety of answers. The responses would range from outlandish tales of late night visits to the site and close calls with the ghosts of the mentally ill, to skeptical complaints of vandalism and disruptions. No matter how convincing some of these tales may be, it is still just hearsay, not proof. What is the real truth behind the old hospital? Is it haunted by spirits of the dead, or is it just an old creepy building?
To find the answer to these questions you must first look at the facts of history. In 1859, Bryce Hospital was established as the Alabama Insane Hospital. The majority of the patients there suffered from severe mental health problems. For over a century, Bryce Hospital held a high reputation for its dedication to the scientific treatment of its patients. Unfortunately, when patient numbers increased and budgets were cut, the standards of treatment began to decrease significantly. In 1970, the court case Wyatt v. Stickney, was conducted on the topic of “questionable treatment” performed on patients at the hospital. It was not until thirty three years later that the case finally ended with the establishment of minimum standard requirements for all mental health institutions to enforce.
Whatever may or may not have been done to Bryce Hospital patients after budget cuts remains a mystery to this day. This could be what leads so many Tuscaloosa residents to believe that the property is haunted. The history contains no information about the many haunting events reported by many, both on the internet and all over the University of Alabama campus. I decided that the best way to uncover the truth would be to gain first-hand experience and make a trip to the hospital myself. However, if I wanted to see supernatural activity in its prime, I would have to go at night.
The actual experience of visiting the property of the original Bryce Hospital was not at all as I imagined. After the ten minute drive off campus, I had arrived at the location at which my journey would begin. In order to get to the hospital, I first had to walk through a heavily wooded area surrounded by a deserted church with a pink glowing heart in the steeple and a large factory groaning with the sounds of the night shift. This alone set an eerie mood over the place. As I traveled deeper into the woods, I encountered an old abandoned shed that seemed to have become part of the woods as tree had grown up through the floor, and vines of ivy had painted the walls in shades of green. I began to wonder if these woods would overtake all that entered. What was going to save me if the hospital really was haunted by ghosts? Pondering on my fears, I traveled a bit further. I finally stood before two large smoke stacks atop an overgrown building with distinct nineteenth century architecture that is present in so many old southern ghost stories. Darkness covered everything impairing my vision until it was almost impossible for me to view my surroundings. I could barely make out the scattered graffiti imprinted upon the walls. For he first time, I truly understood the term “eerie.” Though I never experienced anything supernatural, something about that place seemed not of this world.
Today, Bryce Hospital serves as a historical landmark being one of the first mental health institutions in Alabama. The property’s interesting history has provoked many questions and tales concerning whether or not it is haunted by its past inhabitants. Whether these tales are true stories of ghostly encounters or simply used as a scare tactic to frighten Tuscaloosa residents, we may never know.