BEST BETS
FEDERAL AWARD TO HELP UA ELECTRIFY CRIMSON RIDE — With nearly $8 million in federal transit funds, The University of Alabama will replace a quarter of its transit system buses with electric buses, reducing emissions and further positioning UA and the region as a hub for the electric vehicle ecosystem. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu.
UA VITAL TEAM TO HOST CONFERENCE ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH — The University of Alabama will hold a conference on emerging trends in behavioral health Aug. 25-26 at the Bryant Conference Center. Jointly hosted by the VitAL initiative in the UA School of Social Work and the Alabama Department of Mental Health, the conference includes in-person and virtual options for attendees and will focus on the connection between behaviors and their impact on individuals. Strategies for engagement and treatment will also be discussed. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
BUSINESSES ADOPTING FOUR-DAY WORK WEEK CAN SEE IMMEDIATE BENEFITS — While four-day work weeks are not a new concept, businesses are seeing the benefits work both ways, said Dr. Maura Mills, associate professor in the Culverhouse College of Business. “Companies can benefit from reduced overhead costs, lower turnover and even the improved productivity that results from employees working more efficiently,” she said. “Workers, meanwhile, stand to benefit from improved well-being and more time available for their nonwork commitments. Ultimately, when employees feel as though their company respects and values their time, everyone benefits.” To schedule an interview, contact Mills at mjmills@cba.ua.edu.
FDA RULING ON OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING AIDS A POSITIVE FOR RURAL ALABAMIANS — The new FDA rule allowing over-the-counter hearing aids will increase access to the devices for those living in rural areas suffering from hearing loss, said Dr. Marcia Hay-McCutcheon, professor of communicative disorders. She currently leads a more than $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health related to OTC hearing aids that addresses accessibility and affordability of hearing health care in rural communities. “The issue with traditional hearing aids is that they are expensive and, for the most part, only available to people who live in urban areas. For those on a fixed income or who live in rural communities, traditional hearing aids have largely not been available,” she said. “With this new FDA ruling for over-the-counter hearing aids, people with limited income living in small towns will now have more options for hearing health care.” To schedule an interview, contact Dr. Hay-McCutcheon at marcia.hay-mccutcheon@ua.edu.
EVENTS
SEAN OF THE SOUTH TO SPEAK AT OLLI DAY — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at The University of Alabama will host OLLI Day, featuring author Sean Dietrich, better known as Sean of the South, Monday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bryant Conference Center on the UA campus. The event, which includes lunch, a one-year membership to OLLI and a chance to meet Dietrich, is $50 for the public and free for 2022-2023 OLLI members. To register for OLLI Day, visit the OLLI website. For more information, contact Ashley Chambers, director of OLLI, at ashley.chambers@ua.edu.
UA VEHICLE AUCTION — Looking for a used vehicle? The University of Alabama has a variety of used vehicles available for sale through an online auction. The public may bid on vehicles through Fleet Management’s used vehicle auction site.
NEED A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON TOPICS MAKING NEWS? — See our frequently updated experts directory here.
VISIT THE UA NEWS CENTER FOR STORY IDEAS.
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.