ANNOUNCEMENT
Department of communications employees continue to work mostly remotely, but they are readily available to assist members of the media. Reporters are encouraged to contact the sources below, to use our experts directory to find contact information for other subject matter experts and to visit the UA News Center.
BEST BETS
UA FRESHMEN TAKE PART IN RIPPLE EFFECT – Just days before the start of the Fall semester, UA freshmen are serving the Tuscaloosa community through the annual Ripple Effect. Students will be working at six locations throughout the community sorting materials, cleaning, landscaping and completing other outdoor projects from 9 a.m. until noon on Monday, Aug. 17. For a list of locations, or more information contact Shane Dorrill, UA Strategic Communications at shane.dorrill@ua.edu.
UA OPERATIONS READY FOR RETURN OF STUDENTS, EMPLOYEES – UA’s Division of Finance and Operations has spent countless hours preparing to provide the safest environment for students, faculty and staff on campus in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the safeguards include adding more than 300 hand sanitizing stations, hands-free modifications to restroom doors, signage providing information on preventing the spread of COVID-19, and plexiglass shields in front of podiums in classrooms. The media are invited to see some of the campus building modifications on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. at North Lawn Hall, room 1014. Matt Fajack, UA vice president for the Division of FInance and Operations, will be available for interviews. For health and safety reasons, please confirm attendance by contacting Shane Dorrill at shane.dorrill@ua.edu.
UA COLLABORATES TO CELEBRATE OLLI DAY AUG. 20 – UA will join the University of Alabama at Huntsville and Auburn University in celebrating OLLI Day Alabama Aug. 20. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, or OLLI, is a member-directed organization that provides mature adults social, educational, travel and leadership opportunities. To highlight all that OLLI has to offer, Gov. Kay Ivey proclaimed Aug. 20 OLLI Day in the state and a virtual information session will be held that includes samples of OLLI programs, entertainment and opportunities to socialize. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
UMC RESUMES EVENING HOURS FOR URGENT APPOINTMENTS, WALK-INS – University Medical Center in Tuscaloosa has resumed evening hours for in-person walk-in care and urgent appointments. UMC had converted evening hour office visits to telemedicine visits this past spring due to COVID-19. Evening hours are currently on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Established patients who need walk-in care, or those who need to make appointments for urgent care, will be accommodated according to capacity. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
FOR ECONOMY TO SURVIVE, HELP NEEDED FROM D.C. AND CITIZENS – Dr. Sam Addy, associate dean for economic development outreach and senior research economist for the Center for Business and Economic Research in the Culverhouse College of Business is available to offer insight into the effect COVID-19 on the national and state economy. “The help coming from the federal government and the discussion of new aide are not stimulus bills,” Addy said. “They are actions and investment for survival of the economy. If we don’t survive, nothing else matters.” Along with federal aid, people need to do their part in practicing and following public health mandates and guidelines, he said. “We can pass all the policies and bills, but if we the people don’t embrace doing what we can do, as well, it will be a challenging environment.” For more information, contact Dr. Sam Addy at saddy@cba.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.