MONDAY, DEC. 1 – SUNDAY, DEC. 7, 2014
BEST BETS
STUDENT BLOGS ABOUT ROLE IN THIS WEEK’S U.N. CLIMATE-CHANGE CONFERENCE – The American Chemical Society selected eight students nationwide, including a UA senior, as representatives to attend the United Nations climate-change conference in Lima, Peru /Dec. 1-12. Catherine King, a Huntsville native studying chemical engineering and chemistry at UA, is attending this week’s conference where representatives from more than 190 nations will gather to forge an international climate change agreement. King’s role will include interviewing world leaders and blogging about the talks she will attend in an attempt to prompt others to take additional interest in climate change. King and her fellow students’ writings are posting at www.studentsonclimatechange.com/. Contact King directly at caking2@crimson.ua.edu or contact Chris Bryant, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8323 or cbryant@ur.ua.edu for assistance.
NEW OPTION ALLOWS UA PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS TO USE FUNDS FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL – University of Alabama students who have been awarded Presidential Scholarships and complete their undergraduate degrees early will now be able to use their remaining scholarship funds for graduate school. Presidential Scholarships provide tuition for a full-time undergraduate student for eight semesters. They are awarded to outstanding first-time freshmen based on ACT or SAT scores and high school GPA. “Many of these highly qualified students come to UA with AP credits or college credits earned while still in high school and are able to complete their undergraduate degrees in less than eight semesters,” said Mary Spiegel, executive director of undergraduate admissions at UA. “Under our new guidelines, these students may use their remaining scholarship semesters if they enroll in graduate school at UA after completing their undergraduate degrees.” Contact: Cathy Andreen, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8322, candreen@ur.ua.edu
WADE NAMED DIRECTOR OF NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY – Veteran economic developer Neal Wade has joined UA’s Research and Economic Development team as director of the new Economic Development Academy. A new addition to the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Wade’s appointment is effective immediately. In an October address to faculty and staff, UA President Judy Bonner outlined the importance of extending the vice president for research’s role to include economic development as a driving force for student, faculty, community and state-wide engagement. For more information or to request an interview with Wade, contact Chris Bryant, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-8323 or cbryant@ur.ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
PROTECT YOUR MONEY WHILE SHOPPING ONLINE – Each year, the FBI estimates the financial cost of cybercrimes to total more than $781 million, impacting millions of people around the world. Recent hacks of debit card transactions and financial information at Home Depot and Target have resulted in more than $200 million in losses. Dr. Diana Dolliver, assistant professor of criminal justice at The University of Alabama, said online shoppers need to be all the more vigilant during the holiday shopping season. “Limit the number of online payments you make, and limit the number of websites that store your credit or debit card information,” Dolliver said. “ … Using open wifi networks gives bad guys an easy way to capture your information during online transactions.” Contact: David Miller, UA media relations, 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu; Dr. Diana Dolliver, assistant professor, Department of Criminal Justice, UA, 205/348-2062 or dldolliver@ua.edu.
UA EXPERT TIPS
UA MATTERS: PLANNING A HOLIDAY PARTY WITHOUT GOING CRAZY – Your husband calls to tell you that his boss has asked him to have the office over to your home next week for the office holiday party. Can you handle it like a pro? The University of Alabama’s Susan Newman, events coordinator for the Culverhouse College of Commerce, says the answer is yes. She offers easy ideas to make your holiday party seamless and stress free in this week’s UA Matters. Contact: UA Media Relations, 205/348-5320
UA MATTERS: IMPORTANCE OF ADEQUATE SLEEP – Catching the appropriate number of z’s each night is important. The University of Alabama’s Dr. Adam Knowlden, assistant professor of health science in the College of Human Environmental Sciences, offers insight into the importance of sleep and a few tips to help you rest well and awaken refreshed in UA Matters. Contact: UA Media Relations, 205/348-5320