MONDAY, FEB. 17 – SUNDAY, FEB. 23, 2014
BEST BETS
UA EXPERT: MEN RECEIVE MORE COVERAGE THAN WOMEN IN SOCHI OLYMPICS, BUT GAP NOT AS WIDE AS IN PAST WINTER GAMES – Through nine nights of NBC’s Sochi Olympic broadcast, men athletes have again received the bulk of the primetime coverage, but not by as large a margin as in past years. Dr. Andrew Billings, Ronald Reagan Chair of Broadcasting at The University of Alabama, along with a research team consisting of Dr. James Angelini (University of Delaware), Prof. Paul MacArthur (Utica College), and Dr. Lauren Smith (Auburn University) are charting the clock-time of the Olympic telecast. Thus far, men athletes have received 47.6% of NBC’s primetime coverage, women athletes have received 37.6% of the coverage, and pairs events have received the remaining 14.8%. The researchers indicate the gap has always been wider in the Winter Games than in the Summer Games, yet this gap is closer to equity than ever before. When considering that men’s figure skating has already occurred, while ladies figure skating will take place in the second week, that gap is likely to move closer to gender equity. “The flag trumps all,” says Billings, “The U.S. women have won slightly more medals than the U.S. men thus far, and NBC is likely following the medals by giving women increased coverage in comparison to previous Olympics.” Such a trend was found by the researchers in the 2012 London Summer Olympics, where women received the majority of the coverage for the first time since the studies began with the 1994 Winter Games. Once women’s figure skating is shown, will the women athletes reach equity with their men counterparts? The researchers simply say: stay tuned. Contact: Dr. Andrew C. Billings, 205-239-2337, acbillings@ua.edu
HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICS STUDENTS TO COMPETE FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, BRAGGING RIGHTS – UA’s high-school physics contest, now in its 38th year, is set for Feb. 18. The event, sponsored by the department of physics and astronomy, typically attracts hundreds of students from multiple states who compete for both scholarships and bragging rights. In addition to both individual and team physics competitions, the event also includes a program for teachers, an open house on research in physics, a physics show and informal opportunities to experience campus life at UA. Registration begins at 8 a.m. in the Bryant Conference Center with the written exam starting at 9 a.m. in the conference center’s Sellers Auditorium. The day also includes a physics show beginning at 2:15 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Theater and concludes with a 3 p.m. awards ceremony. For a complete schedule, contest rules and more information, click here. For more information, contact Dr. William Keel, professor of astronomy, 205/348-1641, wkeel@bama.ua.edu. For assistance, contact Chris Bryant, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8323, cjbryant@ur.ua.edu.
WINTER STORM INCREASED CHANCE FOR DEADLY CRASHES IN RURAL AREAS – Not surprisingly, vehicle crashes increased during the winter storm the last week of January in Alabama, but the iced roads shifted the risk of fatal crashes to rural roads away from the clogged roadways in the state’s urban metro areas, according to an analysis of crash data by researchers at The University of Alabama. Watch UA News for more details, or contact Adam Jones, UA Media Relations, acjones12@eng.ua.edu or 205/348-6444 or Rhonda Stricklin at the Center for Advanced Public Safety at rstricklin@cs.ua.edu or 205/348-0991.
UA ADDS ARCHITECTURAL, ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING DEGREES – The University of Alabama College of Engineering will offer new degrees in architectural engineering and environmental engineering, beginning this fall, to meet the growing opportunities for engineers with those specialties. See this news release for more details, or contact Adam Jones, UA Media Relations, acjones12@eng.ua.edu or 205/348-6444.
UA PROFESSOR STUDIES EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLIC ‘CUES’ – Feeling the effects of drinking alcohol without drinking? One may not notice it, but the brain and body can experience the same myopic effect – narrowing of attention – of alcohol consumption by simply seeing a photograph of an alcoholic beverage. Dr. Phillip Gable, social psychologist at The University of Alabama, recently completed a study in which electroencephalography (EEG), a recording of the brain’s [spontaneous] electrical activity over a short period of time, was used to measure the processes in the urges to drink in 42 students. Gable said the study is built on other works showing that alcohol cues change the way we think about ourselves, like feeling more attractive or dominant. But Gable’s recent findings illustrate that even the idea of alcohol may change the way we see the world around us. “When people have a strong desire to drink, they tend to focus on the goal to drink (alcohol cues), possibly to the detriment of negative consequences associated with drinking … Over time, the cue itself may change our perception of the world around us,” Gable said. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
UA EXPERT ON CLIMATE CHANGE – Climate change is real, and we ignore it at our peril. The University of Alabama’s Dr. Matthew Therrell points out that the issue around climate change goes deeper than “global warming” or “global cooling” and that failing to recognize the seriousness of real climate change can ultimately be dangerous. Contact: Bobby Mathews, UA Media Relations, 205/348-4956 or bwmathews1@ur.ua.edu
UA EXPERT TIPS
UA MATTERS: SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATING SCHOOL SCIENCE FAIRS — Science fair projects can be rewarding, challenging and, sometimes, even a bit stressful for young students and their parents. The University of Alabama’s Julie Covin, a physics specialist with the Science in Motion program, offers a few tips that just might help your student bring home the blue-ribbon prize, http://uanews.ua.edu/2014/02/ua-matters-successfully-navigating-school-science-fairs/. Contact: UA Media Relations, 205/348-5320
UA’S HEALTH CORNER PROVIDES PRACTICAL HEALTH TIPS – Dr. James Robinson discusses types of exercise, and the current recommendations for how long and how hard someone should exercise in the latest video in UA’s Health Corner, https://vimeo.com/86442789. The video series addresses health topics and provides practical advice and guidance from UA’s expert sources and physicians in the College of Community Health Sciences. A new video topic posts every Wednesday morning. Contact: UA Media Relations, 205/348-5320.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH EVENTS
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH EVENTS – UA’s Crossroads Community Center invites the UA campus and community to participate in African-American History Month events throughout February. This year’s campus celebration promotes recognition of the contributions of African-American culture to area communities and the nation. It will highlight moments in African-American history and the ongoing impact of the African-American experience. Events include tours celebrating the civil rights history of UA as well as lectures, exhibits and events. Go to http://uanews.ua.edu/2014/02/ua-celebrates-2014-african-american-history-month-with-tours-events/ for a list of upcoming events. Contact: Richard LeComte, UA Media Relations, 205/348-3782, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu.
NOTED FEMALE CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS TO SPEAK AT UA — The first black woman to earn a law degree at The University of Mississippi will be one of two guest speakers at the UA School of Social Work’s Dr. Ethel H. Hall African-American Heritage Month Colloquium at noon, Feb. 17. The event will feature Constance Slaughter-Harvey, attorney, and founder and president of the Legacy Foundation and Community Empowerment Foundation, Inc. in Forest, Miss., and Theresa Burroughs, founder of the Safe House Black History Museum in Greensboro. The event will be held in Room 223 in Little Hall and is free and open to the public. Audience members are invited to join in informal dialogue and discussion with the speakers at 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.
EVENTS
WRITER WARREN ST. JOHN WILL DISCUSS SABAN PROFILE – Warren St. John will discuss the profile of Alabama coach Nick Saban he wrote for September’s issue of GQ magazine at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20, in Reese Phifer room 216. St. John will discuss the broader field of journalism, the mechanics of the Saban piece and then hold a Q&A session. Contact: Chip Brantley, journalism instructor, chip.brantley@ua.edu, 205/348-4692
UA’S MOUNDVILLE CONTINUES ‘SATURDAY IN THE PARK’ SERIES – “Saturday in the Park,” a series of programs running during the warmer months, kicks off Saturday, Feb. 22, with Betsy Irwin, the park’s education coordinator, discussing the world’s oldest cultivated plant — the gourd. She will demonstrate the many different ways that gourds have been used for both utilitarian items, as well as art. Children will have an opportunity to color their own gourd. Moundville Archaeological Park hosts “Saturday in the Park” as a free, weekly, education enrichment opportunity for the community and beyond. No additional fees are charged over the park’s basic admission for any of these events and programs. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 808/640-5912 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu or Moundville Archaeological Park Education Office, 205/371-8732.
UA THEATRE & DANCE PRESENT ALABAMA REPERTORY DANCE THEATRE–Great recipes take time, patience and just the right ingredients. Just as a chef combines ingredients to create something amazing, Sarah Barry, University of Alabama associate professor of dance, has combined dance, original music and sculptures to create “aeolian,” one of the dance pieces featured in the UA department of theatre and dance’s production of Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre, Feb. 18-22 at Morgan Auditorium. Contact Bobby Mathews, UA Media Relations, 205/348-4956 or bwmathews1@ur.ua.edu
FLASH ART EVENT TO BENEFIT RISE – Sally Hines, grandmother of twins who have Down Syndrome and attend UA’s RISE program, will sponsor a fundraiser for Rise, “Rise to the Occasion: Flash Art Fundraiser,” on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Alabama Museum of Natural History in Smith Hall. Six Tuscaloosa artists will create flash art at the event, painting original works while visitors observe. Admission is $40 per person. Art created at the event will be auctioned to the highest bidder. In addition, works of art created by Rise children will be on display for purchase. Contact: Martha Cook, RISE director, 205/348-7931 or Richard LeComte, UA Media Relations, 205/348-3782 or rllecomte@ur.ua.edu
LOOKING AHEAD
UA ALUM, NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR TO LECTURE – University of Alabama alumnus Kathryn Stockett will be on campus Feb. 28 to lecture at Moody Music Hall, detailing the story behind the writing of the New York Times bestselling novel The Help. The event is at 3 p.m., and is free and open to the public. Stockett will sign copies of her novel following her talk. Contact: Bobby Mathews, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-4956 or bwmathews1@ur.ua.edu
UA THEATRE & DANCE PRESENTS ‘PICNIC’–They say youth is wasted on the young. But UA’s department of theatre and dance will examine that cliche’ in a new production–and maybe discover that youth isn’t wasted; it’s merely seen through the dual prism of experience and inexperience. UA theatre and dance presents Picnic in the Galloway Auditorium from Feb. 24 through March 2 at 7:30 p.m. Contact Bobby Mathews, UA Media Relations, 205/348-4956 or bwmathews1@ur.ua.edu
EDWARD K. ALDAG JR. BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION FINAL SET FOR FEB. 27 – UA students seeking to start their own businesses now have an opportunity to turn their ideas into reality and receive startup funding. The Edward K. Aldag Jr. $50,000 Business Plan Competition hosted by the Culverhouse College of Commerce will award three students with the winning business plans with startup funding and in–kind services. The competition includes a preliminary round, mentoring session and live finale Thursday, Feb. 27 at The Edge. Judges will select from the initial pool of applicants to move on to a preliminary round that includes a live pitch. Those proceeding to the final round are required to participate in a 10-minute mentoring session and a 15-minute pitch prior to the live finale. The competition is made possible by Culverhouse alumnus Edward K. Aldag Jr., founder and CEO of Medical Properties Trust, Birmingham, and the Culverhouse College of Commerce. For more information visit http://mycba.ua.edu/businessplan. Contact: Edith Parten, UA media relations, 205/348-8318, eparten@culverhouse.ua.edu