2003-2005 - Graduate School - The University of Alabama

216 The University of AlabamaThe Technology Group provides support for faculty, staff, and student e-mail accounts,Web accounts, ftp, and personal network storage. They also support color lasernetwork printing, college-wide wireless computing, and remote access for faculty andstaff. Faculty can also obtain support for Web and presentation de vel op ment, imaging,and video services.Detailed information on the services offered by the Technology Group is available onthe Web at http://technology.cba.ua.edu.RESEARCH AND SERVICE CENTERSCenter for Business and Economic ResearchThe Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) in the Culverhouse Collegeof Commerce and Business Administration serves as the central reservoir within the stateof Alabama for business, economic, and demographic data. Since its creation in 1930,CBER has engaged in research programs to promote economic development withinthe state, while continuously expanding and refi ning its broad base of socioeconomicinformation and statistics from federal, state, local, and private sources.CBER staff responds to queries for specifi c business, economic, or de mo graph icin for ma tion on Alabama, the region, and the nation. Additionally, the results of CBERoriginatedspecial projects and ongoing programs frequently are available to meetinformation needs.The Alabama State Data Center, housed within CBER, provides an important link withthe U.S. Bureau of the Census. The center maintains all census publications for the stateof Alabama and many surrounding states. The center also provides extraction of itemsfrom census computer fi les that would not otherwise be available. Under the Federal-State Cooperative Programs for Local Population Estimation and Projection, CBER workswith the Bureau of the Census to prepare Alabama’s intercensal population estimatesand projections. Through this participation and the historic need for reliable populationestimates and projections, CBER has engaged in population research for more than 30years. This experience, coupled with the rising demand for detailed demographic data,has made CBER a leader in demographic work within the state.As a part of the effort to track the level of economic activity in Alabama, CBER hasdeveloped an annual econometric model of the Alabama economy. The model was constructedand tested in the late 1970s and fi rst exercised in 1980 to produce short- andlong-term forecasts (by industry group) of the economy: gross state product, em ploy ment,personal income, and wages. The model is continuously revised and refi ned to refl ectthe changing structure of the state’s economy. Output from the model is published inthe annual Alabama Economic Outlook.CBER has an active publications program. Published monthly since the 1930s,Alabama Business features analytical and tabular eco nom ic data in a concise format.The Economic Abstract of Alabamacombines in one volume historic and current so cio -eco nom ic data from numerous sources. CBER also pub lish es ASDC News, ResearchNotes, and a retail sales annual update. The center maintains a site on the World WideWeb (cber.cba.ua.edu) that contains news and an nounce ments, as well as articlespresenting and interpreting socioeconomic data. Users can read, print, or downloadcurrent and historic data on Alabama’s population, em ploy ment, income, retail sales,and other economic indicators.William R. Bennett Alabama International Trade CenterThe William R. Bennett Alabama International Trade Center (AITC) is a nonprofi torganization dedicated to the development of international business activity. The tradecenter actively seeks international opportunities to assist fi rms and public agencies insuccessfully concluding business agreements and international projects. Since its creationin 1979, under the auspices of the College of Commerce and Business Administration,AITC has served more than 4,500 fi rms in a variety of international marketing areas,including international market research, strategic planning, and con sult ing.Internships are available at AITC for students with experience or academic trainingin international business.