Bloc seating decisions ARDT dance concert Vols overcome Tide need better criteria coming Tuesday in fourth quarter OPINIONS, Page 4 ENTERTAINMENT, Page 6 SPORTS, Page 8 Monday, October 23, 2006 Serving the University of Alabama since 1894 Vol. 113, Issue 43 Hours don’t equal credits Major changes five hours of her week is spent campus have lab/lecture class- said. “It starts to feel so much Officials say departments in Journalism 315. es, ranging from required hours longer only because you just decide how to award But each of these lecture in research labs for beginning want to get out of the class. and lab classes is only worth biology and chemistry classes “You’ll be looking outside to affect MCAT credit hours three credit hours. to much longer class times for at the grass and the sun and Amy Jensen, a freshman journalism labs. the trees and just want to is comfortable with a BY AMANDA PETERSON Test three hours shorter, majoring in biological scienc- Some students said they leave already.” computer, but you still have Senior Staff Reporter es, spends five hours in her think they are slighted because Many of the science class- to become computerized to think critically for five and ■ [email protected] Chemistry 117 class between they don’t receive more credit es have some type of a lab a half hours,” Fidler said. the lab, lecture and enrich- for the extended lab classes. attached, so when Brandon BY ELLEN BURKE “Many students said they’ve Ashley Vice, a sophomore ment requirements. “I guess I can understand Smith, a junior majoring in Assistant Student Life Editor never taken a test of this majoring in journalism, But her classes are only why it’s only four hours, but civil engineering, fulfilled his ■ [email protected] magnitude on a computer spends five hours a week in her worth four credit hours. part of me wishes … [the class- before.” Journalism 312 class. Another Several departments on es counted for] more,” Jensen See HOURS, Page 2 Students who will take the The increased number of Medical College Admissions test dates will make it easier Test in 2007 can say goodbye to find a date that fits into a to the old pencil and paper student’s schedule, said Vidu style of the test — in January, Yarlagadda, a junior major- it will become entirely com- ing in biochemistry, though puter-based. it might not mean students The Association of can take it more times. American Medical Colleges “Generally, you’re not sup- decided to change the MCAT posed to take the MCAT more because many tests, such as than three times, though,” he the GRE and GMAT, are now said. on computers and to ensure Despite the increased that each test taker goes number of test dates, Russell through the same experience Allinder said he would still without human errors, said take the MCAT, in April as Matt Fidler, MCAT program he originally planned. The manager at Kaplan Test Prep junior majoring in biology and Admissions. said he has already started The computer-based test to study for the test, so the will allow test takers to high- extra dates will probably not light information in passages affect him. and cross out answers they Students will have to take think are incorrect, and it the MCAT at sites designat- will include a review feature, ed by Thomson Prometric, which shows if questions a computer-based testing have been left unanswered, company. The sites will be he said. located in different cities In addition to the new throughout each state, and computer-based format, students will not be able to Fidler said students could take the test at hotels or expect changes in the num- other locations with large ber of tests offered through- rooms, which was done in out the year, locations of the the past, Fidler said. test and length of the test. “Now everyone will be Currently, the MCAT is fighting for those 20 seats,” offered two times per year, he said. and Fidler said between 50 Allinder said he plans to and 100 people can take the take the MCAT in his home- test at one location. town of Birmingham, but the Fidler said that in January 20 allotted test spaces have the test will be offered 22 him worried. times throughout the year, “The 20 spaces per location will make it tough for people but only 20 students will be to schedule the test at the able take the test per loca- place they want on the date tion. The length will decrease they want,” Allinder said. by three hours to five and a About 70,000 tests were half hours, will have fewer given this year. Alabama has questions and will have its test locations in Birmingham, scores available to students Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile in one month rather than and Montgomery, Fidler CW/ Leslie Roop two. said. Lonnie Holley, an artist from Harpersville, holds his sandstone sculpture as he talks with the crowd about the power of words and actions at the The faster test scores will It’s important for students Kentuck Festival for the Arts. Kentuck Festival of the Arts was held Saturday and Sunday in downtown Northport. The festival brings art and the com- help students, especially to schedule their test date munity together and draws art collectors from around the world. those who take the MCAT in well in advance because of April, have a complete appli- the decreased number of cation in time for June, which spots per test, he said. is when medical schools first Yarlagadda said he will allow applications to be sub- schedule a date for his MCAT for mitted, Fidler said. early. Students should know “If you’ve got an 8 a.m. while the test is computer- exam and you have to drive Festival based, it won’t simply be a far, it could turn out to be a the point-and-click test, he said. Arts “We know everyone See MCAT, Page 2 ■ ELECTION 2006 Zipped up Student groups motivate students to vote SGA President Justice Smyth Voter Registration Committee. Deadline for registering On the web said. The VOTES Coalition was also to vote is Friday “Our main objective is to get on hand to help students reg- www people interested in voting,” ister. BY CHARITY SCOTT sos.state.al.us/election Smyth said. “Obviously, we’re The SGA, College Democrats Senior Staff Reporter a nonpartisan organization and College Republicans have ■ [email protected] registration, SGA and the so we’re not going to endorse been the impetus behind the Voices of the Educated Student any candidate, but we do want recent campus appearances of After they brought major Coalition will have tables and people to vote.” many of the candidates in the candidates from the upcom- booths around campus to SGA members handed Nov. 7 election. ing state elections to campus give students a last chance to out voter registration cards “It’s the only way to get stu- this semester, student orga- register. Spencer Wyatt, chair- at freshman residence halls, dents to meet the candidate nizations such as the SGA, man of the VOTES Coalition, Smyth said. During the SGA- and shake their hand and get College Democrats and College said the group’s voter regis- sponsored Political Awareness to know them as a person,” Republicans are running a tration table would be in the Day, students heard candidates said Nicholas D. Rose, presi- CW/ Leslie Roop last-minute effort to register Ferguson Center during the from both parties talk about dent of College Democrats. Jane Randall Jackson, a junior majoring in art history, looks at the piece students to vote on Nov. 7. latter part of this week. The their positions on issues, and Students can register to vote “Snow White into Midnight” by artist Jil Weinstock. Weinstock’s show, In anticipation of the SGA will also have booths set they were able to register to Waistline, is currently on exhibit in the Sarah Moody Gallery of Art. Friday deadline for voter up around campus this week, vote at a booth run by the SGA See VOTING, Page 2 ■ ■ ■ The Crimson White Box 870170 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Newsroom — 348-6144 Fax — 348-4116 Advertising — 348-7845 www.cw.ua.edu ■ Classifieds — 348-7355 ■ Letters, op-eds — [email protected] ■ Press releases, announcements — [email protected] online 2 Monday, October 23, 2006 ■ NEWS CAMPUS INTobrief submit a brief, e-mail [email protected] ANNOUNCEMENTS Habitat for Humanity volunteers needed The UA chapter of Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers to help build a storage shed this week that will be delivered to Tuscaloosa Habitat for Humanity for use in their building program. Students can register to volunteer by contacting Erica Rice at [email protected]. Building times are available today through Thursday. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to help. The shed will be constructed in front of Hardaway Hall and will be a part of the Homecoming parade. fewer questions now.” MCAT is given on Jan. 27. on Oct. 29 in ten Hoor Hall at To join the UA Habitat for Humanity chapter, contact MCAT The MCAT consists of ques- Students can first register 3 p.m. Elyse Bryant at [email protected]. Continued from Page 1 tions in topics such as physics, for the January tests on Nov. Students should check general chemistry, biology and 15. Kaplan’s Web site for the spe- organic chemistry and has two Fidler said he recommends cific room and additional long day,” Fidler said.