SPORTS Hoffman’s return gives Tide a spark in postseason
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Serving the University of Alabama since 1894
BASKETBALL
Grant to get $1.8M per year By Phil Owen Managing Editor
of Understanding between Grant and the University, which was released New Alabama men’s basket- Wednesday night. Grant will receive an annual ball coach Anthony Grant will receive a salary of $1.8 million base salary of $245,000 and an per year for the next seven annual talent fee of $1,555,000, years as well as other perks, according to the Memorandum See GRANT, page 6
Jazz Ensemble presents new Latin sounds By Jessica Cheek Lifestyles Reporter A brand new musical experience will be offered tonight as the school of music presents the University’s first ever LatinCaribbean jazz concert. The concert will feature guest percussionist Luis Benetti, the UA Percussion Ensemble, the UA Jazz Ensemble and guest trumpeter Dr. Ramon Vasquez. This performance is free to everyone and begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Moody Music Building
Concert Hall. The Latin-jazz genre may be new to some audience members, but Chris Kozak, director of UA jazz studies, said he hopes students will come to the performance and grow more acquainted with this style. “The music is rhythmically driven and has its roots in dance,” he said. “Music is like food — you don’t know if you’ll like it unless you try it.”
See JAZZ, page 7
Ghana program still open By Martha Gravlee Contributing Writer From May 28 to June 12, UA students will be exploring the West African country of Ghana. The University’s Alabama in Ghana program is in its sixth year, having started in the summer of 2003. Alabama in Ghana is led by Seth Appiah-Opoku, a
See GHANA, page 2
UA weather
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Vol. 115, Issue 113
Benson named VP of research By Jessie Gable Staff Reporter Joe Benson was recently named as the University’s new vice president for research and vice provost at the University. Benson has worked at the University for 31 years teaching geological sciences and holding other positions throughout the University. Before being permanently hired, Benson served as the interim vice president for a year and a half. “I was invited to serve as the interim vice president,” Benson said. “And after working there,
I had a much greater interest in the position and applied.” Judy Bonner, executive vice president and provost at the University, said it was his performance as an interim vice president that made him one of three candidates for the permanent position. “Dr. Benson has demonstrated during his interim appointment that he is a highly effective administrator and valued colleague,” Bonner said. Benson’s new position will require him to work with faculty members to get external funding for faculty, staff and
student research. Last year UA faculty members submitted more than 625 proposals for review, Benson said. It will be his job to review these proposals and help the researchers get the necessary funding for their projects. “One of the goals is to provide an environment to support the faculty,” Benson said. “We want to enhance, reward and support faculty for seeking external funding. Our office has an area for sponsored program, but want to create an environment
Joe Benson
See VP, page 2
SOFTBALL: ALABAMA VS. SAMFORD RECAP (’09)
No. 4 Tide stomps Samford 11-1 By Will Barry Senior Sports Reporter The No. 4/4 Alabama softball team improved their overall record to 32-6 on the season (10-4 SEC) and make up a game lost to inclement weather earlier in the season last night as they run-ruled the Samford Bulldogs 11-1. “I think we’re doing a better job of finishing people because we’ve had a couple run-rules lately,” head coach Patrick Murphy said. “Hopefully when everybody gets together and we got what we consider the strongest nine out there that will happen more often.” The Bulldogs got on the board early in the top of the first inning as sophomore Aaren Fisher hit a solo homerun off freshman pitcher Amanda Locke to left centerfield giving Samford the 1-0 lead. “One thing that [associate head coach] Aly [Habetz] likes to talk about is, ‘don’t get frustrated, get determined,’” Locke said. “The only thing that I thought about when that girl hit a homerun is, ‘I’m not going to get frustrated about this, I’m going to get determined. I’m going to get the next girl out.’” The Tide would answer back in the bottom of the first inning as freshman Cassandra ReillyBoccia hit a two-run double to right centerfield scoring freshman Jennifer Fenton and senior Kelley Montalvo giving the Tide a 2-1 lead. The Tide turned the bottom of the third inning into batting practice as Reilly-Boccia started what would be a fiverun inning for Alabama with a two-run single — advancing to second base on an error throw — to right field, scoring Fenton and senior Brittany Rogers giving Alabama a 4-1 lead. Sophomore Whitney Larsen
CW | Jerrod Seaton Senior outfielder Brittany Rogers attempts to lay down a bunt Wednesday night in the Tideʼs win against Samford. The win brought the teamʼs season record to 32-6. would make it 5-1 as she drove in a run on a fielder’s choice, scoring Reilly-Boccia from third base. The Tide then scored on a double-steal with Larsen beating the throw to second base as Locke scored from third base
and gave the Tide a 6-1 lead. Samford replaced junior Amanda Barrs with sophomore Kayla Burris with one out in the inning. Barrs gave up seven runs on five hits while walking three batters and striking out three
in two and one-thirds innings pitched. Sophomore Cat Dozier was not fazed by the pitching change as she hit a RBI-single down the third base line, scoring
See SOFTBALL, page 6
Shaky outlook for summer jobs By Drew Taylor Senior Staff Reporter Students who are looking for summer employment may have a difficult time in the process. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Alabama’s unemployment rate rose to 8.4 percent in February while the national unemployment rate rose from 8.1 to 8.5 percent. Jim Henry, labor market information director for the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations, said although the state had a higher unemployment rate than the national average at one point, Alabama has fared far better than its surrounding states, such as Tennessee and Mississippi, who both have a 9.1 percent
unemployment rate. Henry said the answer to this is in Alabama’s auto industries that have resorted to cutting hours as opposed to massive layoffs. “One thing that has helped us out is that we’ve changed our industrial base a little bit,” Henry said. Other industries, such as textile mills, which served as major industrial revenue in the state at one point, have not done well in other states, such as North and South Carolina, who maintain a 10.7 and an 11 percent unemployment rate. With this specific industry, many mills have been closed down in the wake of the current economic recession. Jerry Paschal, executive director of the UA Career Center, said with the current economy, the jobs that are hurting the worst in term of hiring are those in hospitality and retail. “A lot of businesses have even cut back on their own internship programs,”
Paschal said. In light of this, Paschal said it is important for students to be aggressive in their hunt for jobs, keeping in mind that they may have to work in either low-paying jobs or jobs outside of their field of concentration. “The important thing is gaining experience,” Paschal said. “It’s important to have a job that will not only build their resumes but help them gain valuable work experience.” Craig Williams, general manager for the Buffalo Phil’s restaurant, said, like many businesses in Tuscaloosa, the economy is not as dire as in other states, but everyone can still feel the strain of the economy on their own businesses, whether it be through increased sales tax, increased cost on shipping or the increase in minimum wage from $6.55 to $7.25 per hour starting
See JOBS, page 2