ANNOUNCEMENT
Due to the need for social distancing, UA is operating under limited business operations, which includes remote work assignments. While employees in the department of communications are working remotely, they are available to assist members of the media. Reporters are encouraged to contact the sources below or to use our experts directory to find contact information for other subject matter experts.
BEST BETS
TUITION TO REMAIN LEVEL FOR UA STUDENTS – Tuition for both in- and out-of-state students at The University of Alabama will remain the same for the upcoming academic year. It is the fourth consecutive academic year undergraduate tuition will remain steady for students who are residents of Alabama. An in-state freshman who entered UA in Fall 2017 and is graduating next Spring will have paid the same tuition rate every semester of their entire undergraduate education. For more, contact Deidre Stalnaker at deidre.stalnaker@ua.edu.
UA’s MODEL UN TEAM AMONG THE BEST – UA’s Model UN team ranked on Best Delegate’s list of the Top 25 Collegiate Model UN teams in the World Division for the first time. UA ranked No. 25 for strong performances throughout the 2019-20 academic year. UA’s Model UN team is comprised of 42 students. Unlike most top-performing universities that train one group of students within its team to compete at conferences, UA’s team encourages all of its members to compete and gain experience. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
STARGAZING THROUGH CYBERSPACE – Dr. Bill Keel, UA astronomy professor, set up the UA Observatory for digital stargazing while the facility is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The public can now use electronic devices to see what UA’s telescope views at any time. To schedule an interview, contact Jamon Smith at jamon.smith@ua.edu.
UA PARTNERS TO PROVIDE COVID-19 TESTING IN CHOCTAW COUNTY – UA’s Office for Research and Economic Development and University Medical Center are collaborating with Alabama Power, the Rural Alabama Prevention Center and Go2 Foundation for Lung Cancer to provide COVID-19 screenings in Lisman June 9. Screenings will take place at Lisman Town Hall from 9 a.m. to noon, or as long as supplies last. Attempts will be made to screen all who come, but only those meeting Alabama Department of Public Health guidelines will be tested for COVID-19. Participants don’t need health insurance to be screened. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
MILLIONS OF CICADAS EMERGING AFTER NEARLY 20 YEARS – After 17 years, millions of red-eyed periodical cicadas are emerging from the ground to swarm the East Coast. Dr. John Abbott, director of museum research and collections at UA, is available to discuss details of the cicada swarms. To schedule an interview, contact Jamon Smith at jamon.smith@ua.edu.
UA EXPERTS AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS ISSUES AMID CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC – Faculty at UA are available to discuss aspects of the coronavirus pandemic including topics related to health care, education and the economy. This list will be updated, so check back often for new sources. For assistance with reaching any of these sources or for topics not highlighted, contact Shane Dorrill at shane.dorrill@ua.edu.
NEED A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON TOPICS MAKING NEWS? – See our frequently updated experts directory here.
VISIT THE UA NEWS CENTER FOR STORY IDEAS.