University Singers performing in South Korea
Tuscaloosa News – May 11
Fifty-five members of the University of Alabama’s University Singers and some parents left early this morning South Korea for a concert tour through May 23. John Ratledge, UA professor of music and director of choral activities, will direct the ensemble on the tour. Among the highlights is a performance in the recital hall of the Seoul Arts Center. “It’s the most prestigious venue in South Korea,” Ratledge said. “I’m very proud that the University Singers ensemble has been recognized in such a magnificent way. The hall is magnificent.” The University Singers is the premier vocal ensemble in UA’s School of Music, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. The tour is planned and supported by Interkultur Korea, which contributed more than $67,000, Ratledge said. The students have received $55,000 from the provost, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Music.
Colleges implement different relief strategies
Crimson White – May 11
The University of Alabama has raised more than $1.7 million in a relief fund for University-affiliated victims of the April 27 tornado, said Cathy Andreen, director of media relations. The UA Acts of Kindness Fund is intended to provide support for faculty, staff and students who are victims of a “qualifying emergency,” such as a fire, flood, tornado or medical emergency, according to the fund’s website. “We do not have an estimate of how many students, faculty and staff were affected by the tornado, but clearly it was a substantial number,” Andreen said. Money from the fund may be used to help faculty, staff and students pay for many different kinds of expenses, including mortgage payments, grocery bills and medical bills, Andreen said. The two largest donors to the fund are the UA Athletic Department, which gave $1 million, and the Southeastern Conference, which gave $500,000…In terms of relief efforts for the city, Andreen said the University has provided more than 13,000 meals to emergency responders and shelter occupants; provided housing for about 250 members of power crews, first-responder teams and military personnel; and mobilized UAPD to aid in devastated areas, among a host of other initiatives…
Coleman Coliseum serves as site for tornado victims to receive new ID cards
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – May 10
…storm survivors in West Alabama can get temporary identification at the University of Alabama’s Coleman Coliseum
Alabama tornadoes: Washington fundraiser nets money for tornado victims
Birmingham News – May 11
…Even before the silent and live auctions, the event was closing in on raising more than $350,000 for three tornado relief funds in Alabama: the Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund, the University of Alabama Acts of Kindness Fund and the American Red Cross…
No more proration expected now
Florence Times Daily – May 11
… Sam Addy, director of the Center for Business and Economic Development at the University of Alabama, said economists are just now measuring the impact of the storm. The process will take months, he said. Addy said this week’s announced unemployment claims represent only one-fourth of 1 percent of the state’s workforce. “For state tax revenue, it is not going to be that much of an impact,” he said. But in human terms, Addy said there was a miracle within the storm. “We have a reason to be grateful that in the midst of such destruction, the loss of lives was no higher,” he said.
Volunteer opportunities for Wednesday, May 11
Crimson White – May 11
…On Campus Volunteer Opportunity – Moving & inventorying microfridges: Help is needed to move and inventory microfridges (being donated by the off campus company that supplies them to the University) from New, Parker & Adams Halls that are going to be donated to tornado survivors… — Attention nursing, social work & community health majors: the Alabama Disability Advocacy Network needs volunteers to help answer the disability support hotline for Tuscaloosa… — The UA Counseling Center is offering a tornado support group for students every Wednesday at 7 pm in the Counseling Center. — Faculty, staff and students who suffered hardship following the April 27 tornado are encouraged to apply for financial assistance through the UA Acts of Kindness Fund, an emergency-assistance program for UA employees and students. Please go to http://financialaffairs.ua.edu/benfund/ to find the application…
California For Alabama Preps More Tornado Relief
MyFOX-Los Angeles – May 10
The “California For Alabama” relief organization is getting ready to send a second round of goods to areas devastated by tornadoes in the state of Alabama, thanks to the generosity of donors here in the Los Angeles area. University of Alabama alums organized the group to help people back home in Alabama who lost everything…