MONDAY, APRIL 9 – SUNDAY, APRIL 15
RESEARCH
STUDY SHOWS EFFECT OF WAITING PERIODS FOR GUN SALES ON SUICIDES — Research authored by Fredrick Vars, professor of law in UA’s School of Law (along with Griffin Edwards and Joshua J. Robinson of UAB, and Erik Nesson of Ball State University), found that a purchase delay reduces firearm‐related suicides by between 2 and 5 percent. Purchase delays are not associated with statistically significant changes in homicide rates. The study, “Looking Down the Barrel of a Loaded Gun: The Effect of Mandatory Handgun Purchase Delays on Homicide and Suicide,” published in March in The Economic Journal. For more information, contact Monique Fields, manager of communications in the law school, 205-348-5195 or mfields@law.ua.edu, or contact Vars directly, 773-331-6605 or fvars@law.ua.edu.
BEST BETS
NURSING PROFESSOR RECEIVES BURNUM AWARD – Dr. Marietta Stanton, a professor in UA’s Capstone College of Nursing, is the recipient of the 2017-18 Burnum Distinguished Faculty Award, one of the highest honors bestowed on professors at UA. Stanton has more than 40 years of experience conducting training and research projects in civilian and military health care systems. She will be recognized as the Burnum Distinguished Faculty Award recipient during an April 9 ceremony at 4:30 p.m. in room 1012 of the Capstone College of Nursing. The ceremony is open to the public. For more information, contact Rosemary Russell, UA Capstone College of Nursing, at 205-348-7429 or rurussell@ua.edu, or contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-8325 or bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
INAUGURAL BAMA BLITZ ONLINE FUNDRAISING EVENT – UA will host the inaugural Bama Blitz, an inspiring online fundraising event for alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends to come together and support the University. Beginning at noon April 11 and ending at 8:31 p.m. April 12, Bama Blitz will celebrate UA’s founding year, 1831, with one day, eight hours and 31 minutes of giving. Using the power of social media and crowdfunding, donors can give back and pay forward in support of their favorite cause, college or program. For more information, contact Mary Lawhorn, 205-348-8321 or mlawhorn@advance.ua.edu. For assistance, contact UA communications, 205-348-5320.
MAKING NEWS
EARTHQUAKES STEADILY INCREASING – On Feb. 26, Papua New Guinea experienced a 7.5 magnitude earthquake from which it is still recovering. Since then, the country has experienced multiple earthquakes, including another major earthquake – a 6.9 – March 29. In the past two decades, mid-level (5.0-6.0) to large-level (above 6.0) earthquakes have dramatically and steadily increased worldwide, and, in 2018, that trend is estimated to continue. What is going on? Why are mid and large-level earthquakes increasing? Dr. Ibrahim Cemen, a UA professor of geology, is available for comment. For assistance, contact Jamon Smith, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-4956 or jamon.smith@ua.edu, or contact Cemen directly at 205-348-8019 or icemen@ua.edu.
TRUMP PASSES BUDGET THAT FUNDS PLANNED PARENTHOOD – President Donald Trump signed a $1.3 trillion budget that includes $51 million in funding for Planned Parenthood, an agency Trump promised he would defund in 2016. Why would a president who claims to be pro-life fund a pro-choice organization that he specifically said he wouldn’t fund? Dr. Stephen Borrelli, a UA political science professor specializing in American politics, is available to the media to offer his expertise on the subject. For more information, contact Jamon Smith, UA Strategic Communications, at jamon.smith@ua.edu or 205-348-4956, or contact Borrelli directly at 205-292-3264 or sborrell@bama.ua.edu.
TRUMP EXPELS RUSSIAN DIPLOMATS — President Donald Trump has kicked out 60 Russian diplomats in response to Russia’s alleged poisoning of an ex-spy in Britain. This is the strongest action the Trump administration has taken against Russia. The U.S. joins more than two-dozen other Western countries in doing so, which is the most Russian diplomats expelled from Western countries since the Cold War. Russia has since replied in kind. What does this potentially mean for the U.S.? Dr. Richard Fording, a UA political science professor specializing in public policy, is available to the media to offer commentary. For more information, contact Jamon Smith, UA Strategic Communications, at jamon.smith@ua.edu or 205-348-4956, or contact Fording directly at rcfording@as.ua.edu or 205-348-5528.
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EVENTS
GENDER INEQUALITY AFTER 55 YEARS OF THE EQUAL PAY ACT – Lawyers and legal experts will discuss the Equal Pay Act of 1963 during a symposium at the UA School of Law beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, April 13, in the Bedsole Moot Court Room. More than half a century has passed since the enactment of the Act, and the gender wage gap continues to be a stark reality for many – particularly for women of color and transgender people. For more information, contact Monique Fields, manager of communications in the law school, 205-348-5195 or mfields@law.ua.edu.
UA TO HOST HACKATHON — Hackers, innovators and creators from across the Southeast will come together to compete in the second annual CrimsonHacks hackathon. This year’s competition is April 14-15 in the Ferguson Center Ballroom. CrimsonHacks is a 24-hour, around the clock, hacking marathon where students use coding skills to build something new like a game, an application or a robot. Organizers expect around 200 college students from 20 schools with skills ranging from beginner to advanced. Each project will be demonstrated, and judges will determine the winners of each prize category. The opening ceremony begins at 10:15 a.m. April 14 with the competition beginning at 1 p.m. that day and ending at 1 p.m. the following day. The closing ceremony will be at 2:30 p.m. April 15. For more information, contact Alana Norris, engineering communications, 205-348-6444 or anorris@eng.ua.edu.