📰 BEST BETS
Time Running Out to Fight Food Insecurity
The 2024 Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive benefiting the West Alabama Food Bank will come to a close Nov. 21. For a list of donation barrel locations around campus and Tuscaloosa, and instructions to donate monetarily, visit the Beat Auburn Beat Hunger website.
Why This Matters: According to Feeding America, one in six people, including one in four children, struggle with food insecurity in Alabama.
Don’t Let Shorter Days Get You Down
The recent time change can play a major role in one’s mood with less sunlight interrupting sleep schedules and daily routines.
Why This Matters: “The effects of losing an hour in the day are more than just seeing less sunlight,” said Dr. John Burkhardt, associate professor with the department of psychiatry and behavioral medicine. “It is linked to adverse health effects such as increased stress, lower cognitive functioning, heart attack and stroke. It can disrupt an individual’s circadian rhythms, altering their sleep/wake cycle causing sleep debt, and hormone level changes.”
To schedule an interview, contact Burkhardt at jeburkhardt@ua.edu.
Information Technology Leadership
Mike Shelton has been named the next vice provost and chief information officer at The University of Alabama and will begin his tenure Dec. 1.
Why This Matters: As the vice provost and chief information officer, Shelton will provide visionary and operational leadership to enable a forward-thinking, enterprise-focused IT organization that champions the strategic use of technology to further UA’s mission.
For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
Iron Bowl Meets Citizen Science
Fans of The University of Alabama and Auburn University can compete in the realm of citizen science through the annual Marble Bowl by submitting observations of wild plants, animals and fungi to one of two projects on the iNaturalist platform.
Why This Matters: Alabama is blessed with incredible biodiversity — amongst the highest in the nation. Unfortunately, there are also many endangered species and a high extinction rate. With these facts in mind, the increased need for documenting biodiversity around the state is more clear.
For more information, contact Rebecca Johnson at rljohnson8@ua.edu.
📅 EVENTS
Nov. 11-15, 17; Marian Gallaway Theatre
Brothers Bound: Four Positive Powers Gained in Vietnam
Nov. 14; Autherine Lucy Hall Room 118
River Pitch Business Idea Competition
Nov. 19; Tuscaloosa River Market
Nov. 21; The EDGE
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.