BEST BETS
UA TO DEMOLISH TUTWILER HALL — The University of Alabama will implode the old Tutwiler Hall Monday, July 4, at 7 a.m. Because of the location of the building and large safety area, the visibility of the implosion will be greatly limited. Those wishing to view the implosion are encouraged to watch UA’s livestream. For more information, contact Shane Dorrill, UA Strategic Communications, at shane.dorrill@ua.edu.
UA PROGRAMS PREPARE RURAL ALABAMA STUDENTS FOR HEALTH CAREERS — High school students from rural Alabama communities are participating in programs this summer at The University of Alabama where they are learning about the need rural communities have for more doctors and other health care professionals. Through the Minority Rural Health Scholars Program and the Rural Health Scholars Program, both part of the UA College of Community Health Sciences, 34 students are spending five weeks on the UA campus taking college courses for credit, shadowing physicians and learning how to prepare to enter health professions education and training. For more information, contact Leslie Zganjar, UA College of Community Health Sciences, at lzganjar@ua.edu.
UA TO HOLD SUMMER COMMENCEMENT — The University of Alabama will hold a summer commencement ceremony Saturday, Aug. 6, at 9 a.m. at Coleman Coliseum. Around 1,000 degree candidates from all colleges and schools are expected to be in attendance. For more information, contact Shane Dorrill, UA Strategic Communications, at shane.dorrill@ua.edu.
DEAN’S LIST STUDENTS NAMED FOR UA SPRING 2022 TERM — A total of 11,224 students enrolled during Spring Semester 2022 were named to the dean’s list with an academic record of 3.5 (or higher) or the president’s list with an academic record of 4.0 (all A’s).
UA EARLY COLLEGE STUDENTS NAMED TO SPRING 2022 DIRECTOR’S LIST — More than 400 students enrolled in UA Early College during Spring Semester 2022 were named to the director’s list with an academic record of 3.6 (or higher). UA Early College allows high school students to get a head start on their college courses. High school sophomores, juniors and seniors enrolled in UA Early College can choose from more than 80 different online and on-campus courses and earn up to 30 hours of college credit.
CURRENT COMMENT
HIGH TEMPERATURES CAN QUICKLY CAUSE DEHYDRATION — Dehydration, the loss of fluid from the body, is impacted by activity intensity relative to temperature, humidity, wind speed, and direct or indirect sunlight,” said Dr. Jeri Zemke, assistant professor with the UA College of Human Environmental Sciences. “Additionally, if an individual begins their activity in a partially dehydrated state, it will take less time for their body to begin displaying physical impairments brought on by dehydration. Some of those symptoms include headache, muscle cramping, nausea/vomiting, general weakness and dizziness. Treatment includes moving the person to a shaded or air-conditioned area, providing fluids, removal of excessive clothing, and cooling with fans, ice towels or ice bags. Dehydration may be prevented by beginning exercise in a hydrated state, performing activities during cooler hours of the day or in the shade, having access to unlimited fluid intake and frequent breaks in the shade. An easy way to access your hydration status is to monitor the color of your urine. Urine the color of lemonade, or lighter, indicates you are in a hydrated state, while urine darker than lemonade suggests you are either dehydrated, or moving toward a dehydrated state. Also, thirst is a very poor indicator of dehydration. If you wait until you are thirsty to drink fluids, you are probably already dehydrated.” To schedule an interview, contact Zemke at jzemke@ches.ua.edu.
ECONOMY STILL HAS MOMENTUM AS SLOWDOWN LOOMS — At some points, higher interest rates combined with price inflation and high personal and corporate debt will take a toll on consumer and business spending, bringing an economic slowdown, said Ahmad Ijaz, economist and executive director of the UA Center for Business and Economic Research. “There is still a lot of momentum in the economy, but we will definitely start seeing a slowdown maybe in the second half or early next year,” Ijaz said. A clearer picture will be available once second quarter economic data is received near the end of July, he said. To schedule an interview, contact Ijaz at aijaz@cba.ua.edu.
WHAT’S NEXT AFTER SUPREME COURT DECISION? — After the Supreme Court’s decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, which overturned Roe v. Wade, states are now able to make their own laws governing abortion. “The decision removes abortion as a federally protected constitutional right,” said Dr. Allen Linken, associate professor of political science. “This doesn’t make abortion legal or illegal, per se, but removes a layer that was stopping states from managing that right. Now that the right is no longer protected at the federal level, it makes it a state-by-state determination using state constitutions and state laws.” Linken says that the majority opinion in the Dobbs case suggests that other rights under the umbrella of the right to privacy may be revisited, potentially including the right to use contraceptives, the right to engage in personal sexual choices, and the right to same-sex marriage. “How the Court views the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment in the next few years as cases arise will be important to understand the personal freedoms afforded to individuals,” he said. To schedule an interview, contact Linken at aelinken@ua.edu.
EVENTS
MOUNDVILLE HOSTS SATURDAY IN THE PARK — The UA Moundville Archaeological Park will host Saturday in the Park, a series of demonstrations and presentations related to Native Americans, archaeology, natural history, sustainable gardening and more, throughout the summer. The July 9 event will feature hoop dancing and native drumming with Lyndon Alec and Dan Isaac. Saturday in the Park activities are free with paid admission to the park. For more information, contact Lindsey Gordon, UA Moundville Archaeological Park, at fgordon@aalan.ua.edu.
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The University of Alabama strives to remain neutral on public policy issues. Strategic Communications may facilitate interviews or share opinions expressed by faculty, staff, students, or other individuals regarding policy matters. However, those opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the University or its leadership, and do not constitute a statement on behalf of the University unless explicitly designated.