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MONDAY, OCT. 15 – SUNDAY, OCT. 21, 2012

BEST BETS

UH-OH, ENERGY SUPPLY PROBLEM 2.0 – Just as supply, access and environmental issues surrounding oil led to searches for alternatives to traditional energy efforts, similar issues surrounding naturally-magnetic materials are causing concerns about sustaining electric energy. A consortium of international research organizations selected the director of a UA research center to lead a collaborative effort to find an alternative source to these magnetic materials, which are known as rare-earth materials. Dr. Takao Suzuki, director of UA’s Center for Materials for Information Technology, or MINT, will lead the approximate $1.6 million effort that involves 13 other UA researchers along with scientists in Germany, Japan and elsewhere in the U.S. The Department of Energy earlier estimated that usage of electric vehicles and wind farms could create a shortage of these materials as early as 2015. Watch for a news release or contact Chris Bryant in media relations, 205/348-8323 or cbryant@ur.ua.edu for more information. Contact Dr. Suzuki directly at 205/348-2508 or mailto:takaosuzuki@mint.ua.edu.  

UA PRESIDENT TO SPEAK TO FACULTY AND STAFF OCT. 17 – UA President Guy Bailey will speak at the University’s fall faculty/staff meeting Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 1:30 p.m. in the Rast Room of the Bryant Conference Center. Recipients of the Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award and the Sam S. May Award will also be recognized during the meeting. Contact: Cathy Andreen, director of media relations, 205/348-8322, candreen@ur.ua.edu

MCNAIR SCHOLARS – The UA McNair Program will host its Scholars Research Conference on Thursday, Oct. 18, at 5:30 p.m. in Lloyd Hall. The McNair Program helps prepare first-generation college students in financial need and those from groups historically underrepresented in graduate school to pursue graduate study. The 12 scholars who will make presentations represent five different UA colleges and topics spanning natural and social sciences as well as the humanities. Dr. Nancy Campbell, McNair Scholars Program, 205/348-0580, nancy.campbell@ua.edu, can provide details and the conference schedule can be found at http://graduate.ua.edu/mcnair/

HOMECOMING KICKS OFF HONORING ‘TIMELESS TRADITIONS’ – UA will welcome students, parents, alumni and visitors to campus during Homecoming Week 2012 Sunday, Oct. 21-Saturday, Oct. 27. This year’s theme is “Timeless Traditions.” Opening the week will be the annual Roll Tide Run on Sunday, Oct. 21, at 1 p.m. The highlight of the week will be the UA football game against Mississippi State on Saturday, Oct. 27. Go online to www.homecoming.ua.edu for a complete list of events; contact is Linda Hill in media relations, lhill@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-8325. 

CURRENT COMMENT

DECLINING BIRTH RATES – Dr. Jeffrey P. Richetto, UA associate professor of geography, comments on a recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report about the declining rate of births in the United States: “At the moment, the United States’ birth rate is its lowest in the last 25 years. Although not universal across all minority groups, this overall downward trend has been the result of several socio-economic, demographic and institutional variables. In particular, overarching technological advancements in America’s industrial economy and the concomitant rise in standard of living and opportunities increasingly have attracted women into the workplace. In addition, the escalation in the cost of living (food, housing, education and health care) has made it more costly to raise children and, in fact, has made it more compelling that women enter the workplace and delay the age of starting a family. Also, teen pregnancies (adding to the birth rate) have been controlled more effectively by legislation that empowers the teen to abort the pregnancy. Moreover, with the exception of the early-to-mid-1990s, the U.S. economy has struggled with inflation and sluggish growth and, since 2007, especially high rates of unemployment, dramatic changes in America’s healthcare system, and global uncertainty have not only made businesses in America rethink their position and outlook but also families to consider more cautiously the number of children they are capable to provide for.” Contact Richetto at richetto@bama.ua.edu or 205/348-1530.

POLITICAL WISDOM – As the presidential campaigns roll toward Nov. 6, UA professors are available to add their insights and expertise to stories about politics. Follow this link to a list of potential sources on the political campaign. Contact: Richard LeComte, media relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782.

EVENTS

AWARD-WINNING SCIENCE FICTION AUTHOR – The UA Honors College will sponsor a book signing by noted science fiction writer Andy Duncan featuring his second collection of fiction “The Pottawatomie Giant and Other Stories” Tuesday, Oct. 16, from 6-8 p.m. in 205 Gorgas. Duncan has won two World Fantasy Awards and his works have appeared in international publications and year’s-best volumes. The event is open to the public. For more information, contact Tonya Nelson in the UA Honors College, 205/348-5557, tonya.nelson@ua.edu.

SONIC FRONTIERS – The Ullman/Swell 4 featuring German musician Gebhard Ullman (reeds) and New York-based musicians Steve Swell (trombone), Barry Altschul (drums) and Hill Greene (bass) will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the Recital Hall in UA’s Moody Music Building. The concert, part of the Sonic Frontiers series, is free and open to the public. Both Ullman and Swell compose for the group, which explores a wide range of jazz ranging from traditional to experimental. For more information, call 205/348-9928 or go to http://creativecampus.ua.edu/project/sonic-frontiers.

SIDE MAN – UA’s department of theatre and dance presents “Side Man” by Warren Leight at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15 through Saturday, Oct. 20, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, at the Marian Gallaway Theatre. The play looks at the son of a jazz trumpet player and an alcoholic mother. Tickets are $18 for adults; $15 for faculty, staff and senior citizens; and $12 for students and children. For more information and tickets, go to http://theatre.ua.edu/.

FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE LAUNCHES OUT 2 LUNCH PROGRAM – The First Year Experience Office and Bama Dining have partnered this semester to launch Out 2 Lunch, a program designed to provide first-year students with an opportunity to engage in dialogue with University faculty and staff outside the classroom. To participate, each freshman or transfer student may invite one faculty or staff member to join them for a meal at any Bama Dining location. For more information, visit www.fye.ua.edu or contact the Office of First Year Experience at fye@ua.edu or 205/348-8404.