BEST BETS
NEW DIRECTOR TO OVERSEE WATER RESEARCH — An innovator and proven leader at the forefront of weather- and water-related data science with extensive experience in federal programs has been named the new executive director of the Alabama Water Institute. Matthew Womble joined The University of Alabama earlier this month to lead AWI in fulfilling UA’s commitment to be a premier research and education institution around water-related issues. He is charged with steering AWI to become a world-class interdisciplinary water research institute that develops pathbreaking, holistic and environmentally friendly solutions to ensure people and ecological systems have access to clean water and are resilient to extreme weather events. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu.
UA, SHELTON STATE STRENGTHEN TIES WITH NEW AGREEMENT — UA and Shelton State Community College have signed a transfer agreement to create a seamless pathway to earning a bachelor’s degree from the Capstone for Shelton State students. According to the terms of the agreement, Shelton State students with a minimum 2.0 grade point average and 24 transferable credit hours are guaranteed a seamless transfer process to UA. Both institutions will provide designated admissions counselors to identify eligible students, facilitate a smooth transfer to UA and maximize students’ transferable coursework. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
NEW COMPUTING CENTER EXPANDS INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES — A new high-performance computing center at The University of Alabama will enhance innovation and discovery while enriching student experiences that ready them to meet the challenges of tomorrow. The UA System Board of Trustees recently provided Stage 1 approval for construction of the High Performance Computing and Data Center on the eastern edge of campus. It allows the campus to host a large, connected computing system that will be the fastest in the state and on par with peer research institutions. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
UA PROFESSOR ADDRESSES UAW STRIKE — “Historic and unprecedented have been overused in recent years, but they are perfect descriptions of the actions by the United Auto Workers. With a history going back almost 90 years, unionized autoworkers have never walked out at all major U.S. car makers at the same time,” said Michael Innis-Jimenez, a professor in the department of American studies at UA. “The way UAW is approaching the strike is unusual and will hurt some workers more than others. By starting with only three plants, they will be able to support striking workers but send a signal to negotiators that this is only the beginning. Having a strategy of escalation will put more pressure on the companies to settle this before all plants are shut down.” To schedule an interview, contact Innis-Jimenez at ij@ua.edu.
WOMEN TAKE ON INVISIBLE FAMILY LOAD — While there are noticeable tasks of running a household like cleaning, doing laundry and cooking, researchers at UA have investigated another area identified as the invisible family load. The invisible family load includes the managerial, cognitive and emotional tasks involved in keeping a family running such as scheduling play dates and staying on top of school updates. According to the research, women shoulder the lion’s share of the invisible family load in addition to most of the housework and childcare. The data found that the emotional labor of presiding over a home can be psychologically draining, with significant negative effects on things like family-to-work conflict, sleep problems, family and job exhaustion, and lower life and family satisfaction. To schedule an interview, contact Dr. Maura Mills at mjmills@culverhouse.ua.edu.
EVENTS
PUBLIC NIGHTS WITH UA ASTRONOMY GROUP — The Astronomy Group within the department of physics and astronomy will hold Public Nights Sept. 20. This month’s event includes a talk titled, “Angular Momentum: Shaping the Universe,” by Jacob Morgan in 227 Gallalee Hall at 7 p.m. Following the talk, observing the moon, Saturn and double stars from the Gallalee Hall rooftop observatory with Dr. Ron Buta will start at 7:30 p.m. Admission to Public Nights is free. Events may be cancelled in case of bad weather/cloudy conditions.
WINDS & FILM: A MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENCE — The UA Wind Ensemble will host a wind a multimedia experience Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the BAMA Theatre. General admission tickets are $10.
TUSCALOOSA OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALK — Student’s Tide Against Suicide will host the Tuscaloosa Out of the Darkness Walk Sept. 24. The walk is a journey of remembrance, hope and support. The goal is to unite communities and provide an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected lives and the lives of those we love and care about. Check-in will start at 5 p.m. in the plaza of the UA Student Center and the walk will begin at 6 p.m.
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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.