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
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.
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 16. Screenings will take place at Lisman Town Hall from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 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.
UA THEATRE AND DANCE RELEASES WEEKLY ONLINE PERFORMANCES – UA’s Department of Theatre and Dance will release performances each Monday and Friday through its new Virtual Black Box video series starting June 15. Videos can be found on the department’s YouTube channel – UA Theatre Dance. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
TO KEEP PEACE, LAW ENFORCEMENT NEED PUBLIC SUPPORT – Dr. Luke William Hunt, incoming assistant professor of philosophy at UA and former FBI special agent, specializes in legal and political theory as it relates to policing and is available to discuss law enforcement reform proposals in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. To be legitimate, law enforcement need to police communities within the parameters of public authority. “There is good reason for the police to pursue their role in ways that go beyond a utilitarian focus on security and crime reduction,” Hunt said. “Competing values, principles, and obligations compel the police to seek public justification for their power in order to enhance legitimacy. One practical way to do this is a renewed emphasis on strategies—such as community policing—that foster dignity and community buy-in through public reason.” Hunt can be reached at lukewhunt@gmail.com.
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.
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