MONDAY, FEB. 5 – SUNDAY, FEB. 11
BEST BETS
BLACK HISTORY MONTH – UA’s celebration of African-American heritage includes campus tours, lectures and a film series. Coming up: a lecture titled “The Refugee Camp: Quarantining and Disciplining Black Bodies and Black Freedom in the Civil War: A Diversity Lecture” with Dr. Thaviola Glymph at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, Gorgas Library, room 205. For more information on events throughout the month, click here. For assistance, contact Richard LeComte, communications, richard.lecome@ua.edu, 205-348-3782.
LAW PROFESSORS’ NEW BOOK ANALYZES FIRST AMENDMENT– Richard Delgado, the John J. Sparkman Chair of Law, and Jean Stefancic, Professor and Clement Research Affiliate, have released a new edition of their book about free speech and protecting people’s right to express toxic ideas. “Must We Defend Nazis?: Why the First Amendment Should Not Protect Hate Speech and White Supremacy,” published by New York University Press, articulates reasons to limit First Amendment protections in cases of hate speech. The authors instead call for a system of free speech that considers the harms that hate speech inflicts on those who are disempowered and marginalized. For more information, contact Monique Fields, UA Law, manager of communications, 205/348-5195, mfields@law.ua.edu or contact Delgado directly at 205/348-2753 or rdelgado@law.ua.edu.
UA VESSEL STICKERS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT STATE — The state of Alabama is offering UA collegiate vessel stickers to boat owners. Proceeds from the purchase will be used to fund scholarships at UA. For assistance, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-8325 or bryant.welbourne@ua.edu
STUDENTS PROVIDE FREE TAX PREP SERVICES FOR AREA FAMILIES – Free tax preparation services for working families are available at the McDonald Hughes Community Center and the Tuscaloosa Public Library (main branch), according to UA’s Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility. Services are available to working families making up to $54,000 a year with children in the home or $20,000 a year without children. Students provide the services. Alabama residents may phone 1-888-99-TAX-AL for an appointment. For more information, contact, Megan Bailey, the center’s curriculum development director, megan.bailey@ua.edu, 205-348-1691, or Lindsey Thomas, assistant director, lmthomas@ua.edu or 205-348-6491. For help, contact UA communications, 205/348-5320 or the center’s Jessica Lovett, research project coordinator, 205-348-6495.
MAKING NEWS
WATCHING THE OLYMPICS FOR TRENDS – UA’s Dr. Andrew Billings and colleagues will monitor coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics for several trends, including the use of mobile devices to watch the games and the gender gap in primetime coverage. Billings is part of a grant from the International Olympic Committee to study mobile and second-screen media use for the Games and co-authored a book that found women athletes received a greater percentage of primetime broadcast television coverage during the 2014 Sochi Games than in any previous Winter Olympic broadcast. Contact Billings at 205-345-8658 or acbillings@ua.edu or Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-4328 or adam.jones@ua.edu.
‘COMPROMISE OF SELF-CARE’ AMONG LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS CAN WORSEN FLU – Dr. Nicole Ruggiano, UA associate professor of social work, says an issue for the homeless and low-income individuals during flu season is the inability to self-care. “Without clean water, appropriate food, adequate resting space – and the complication of mental health problems among the homeless – they are less likely to be able to get the rest and care they need to recover and have higher risk of developing more complicated conditions,” Ruggiano said. Ruggiano is available to discuss health-care disparities and their implications during flu season. Contact her at 205-348-4654 or nruggiano@ua.edu. For assistance, contact David Miller, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-0825 or david.c.miller@ua.edu.
ARE BITCOIN AND CRYPTOCURRENCIES HERE TO STAY OR A FAD? – It’s been several years since Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies became an available and somewhat trusted source of alternate currency. But, for many, there remain lots of questions about the enigmatic currency. What, exactly, is it? Will it become the universal currency of the future? Why is it here? Are investments in it wise? Will it ever have a steady value? Dr. James Cover, an economics professor in the Culverhouse College of Commerce, is willing to tackle those questions and more about Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Contact him at jcover@culverhouse.ua.edu or 205-348-8977. For assistance, contact Jamon Smith, 205-348-4956 or jamon.smith@ua.edu.
NEED A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON ANOTHER TOPIC? – See recently revised expert directory here.
EVENTS
‘MUSIC & MEMORIES’ PARTNERS WITH CAPSTONE VILLAGE – The UA chapter of Music & Memories, a group that aims to treat elderly dementia patients through music, will announce Capstone Village as its first certified partner in the Tuscaloosa area at a ceremony Friday, Feb. 9 at 1:30 p.m. in the Capstone Village library. Leaders from Music & Memories and Capstone Village will be available to discuss funding and the donation of customizable iPods to residents. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-0825 or david.c.miller@ua.edu.
MEDICAL FORUM — Drs. Jon Gavras and Matthew Might, medical specialists, will be keynote speakers for the 16th annual Susan and Gaylon McCollough Medical Scholars Forum Feb. 9–10 in the Shelby Hall rotunda. The forum, designed to prepare students pursuing medical and health science professions, is sponsored by Prime Therapeutics and begins with one of three keynote lectures. Gavras, senior vice president and chief medical officer of Prime Therapeutics, will present “An Incredible Time to Be in Medicine: The Accelerating Prominence and Promise of Pharmaceutical Treatments” following the forum’s welcoming remarks, which begin at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9. For more information about the forum, contact Marian Denham at 205-348-5902 or Courtney Corbridge, cacorbridge@ua.edu.
LOOKING AHEAD
FAMILY NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM – The eighth annual Family Night at the Museum will take place Feb. 17 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on all three floors of Smith Hall and the first floor of Lloyd Hall on the UA campus. Admission is free, and students, faculty, staff and members of the West Alabama community are welcome. This year’s theme will be “Ocean Explorers,” and the event will include children’s activities developed by more than 20 UA graduate departments. Families will also be able to enjoy free food and have a chance to win door prizes. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-8325 or bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.