Meet Us at the Deck!
We will hold our annual “Meet Us at the Deck!” event on Thursday, October 26, from 9 am to 11 am. Come by the Campus Drive Parking Deck to:
• Renew your parking permit and pick up your new hangtag.
• Obtain your new Action Card, if needed. UA retired the old, swipe-only Action Cards in July 2021. If you haven’t replaced yours already, you’ll need one to use the on-campus libraries and recreation centers.
• Pay your TUARA dues. Our fiscal year runs from Oct. 1-Sept. 30, so it’s time to renew now!
• Donate to Beat Auburn Beat Hunger. We’re especially requesting peanut butter, or any non-perishable, ready-to-eat protein source, but other canned goods and cash gifts are also welcome.
• Visit with your friends and colleagues over coffee and donuts.
The Campus Drive Parking Deck is located at 451 Campus Drive East, just east of Hackberry Lane. Instructions about parking and access to the deck will be provided closer to the date.
Renew Your Membership Today
TUARA’s membership year runs from October 1-September 30. If you can’t make it to the “Meet Us at the Deck” event on Oct. 26, please renew your membership for 2023 by printing the membership form and sending it with your $25 annual membership dues to Box 861493, Tuscaloosa, AL 35486-0013. If you prefer, you can pay your dues by PayPal or credit card by clicking here. Click on “Check out as guest” to pay by credit card. Invite retired friends and colleagues to join as well!
Save the Date!
We will have an in-person presentation by representatives from PEEHIP and United Health Care on Wednesday, November 8, at 10 am (location TBA). Mark your calendar now and watch for more information to come!
TUARA Awards Witt Scholarships for Fall 2023
TUARA has awarded the Robert E. Witt First-Generation Scholarships for the fall semester to UA students Ahmed Alshariki of Homewood, Alabama, Timothy Dial of Somerville, Alabama, and Asya Wright of Phenix City, Alabama. Alshariki is majoring in criminology and criminal justice and hopes to become an intelligence officer with the US Air Force. Dial is studying creative media and sports management and hopes to win an Academy Award or work with ESPN. Wright is studying psychology and plans to become a pediatric psychologist so she can advocate for mental health in the African American community. The TUARA Executive Board recently approved raising the scholarship amount to $1,000. Each recipient must be enrolled full-time at UA, a resident of Alabama, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, be the first member of their family to attend college and have demonstrated financial need; preference is given to sophomores. The scholarships are funded by TUARA members’ donations and dues. To contribute to the fund, please make your check payable to The University of Alabama with “Robert E. Witt Scholarship” in the memo line. Mail your donation to TUARA, Box 861493, Tuscaloosa, AL 35486-0013. You will receive a tax-deductible statement from the University.
Support United Way
TUARA members will soon receive a letter inviting them to donate to United Way as part of The University of Alabama’s campaign. You will be asked to return your completed donation card and your donation by U.S. mail in time to be received by Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Last year, TUARA members donated over $24,000 to the United Way campaign. Contributions are distributed to service organizations throughout the community.
Volunteer to Serve TUARA
The TUARA Executive Board position of Vice President for Programs and Arrangements is currently vacant. If you are interested in serving in that position, please contact TUARA President Kevin Whitaker at tuara.ua@gmail.com. We would particularly like to have someone in the position beginning in January 2024.
Connect with TUARA
Follow TUARA on Facebook at facebook.com/tuara.ua.
Volunteer Hours
Whether you volunteer weekly or just occasionally, please report your volunteer hours to TUARA. We share reported hours with AERA. AERA, in turn, uses retirees’ volunteer hours statewide to demonstrate the value that retirees bring to Alabama’s economy and quality of life. It’s easy! Just email your hours, broken down by the categories in the chart below, to tuara.ua@gmail.com. Please report any previously unreported hours from January 1, 2023 through the present.
Service hours should include activities in Alabama for which you have not received financial reimbursement. Hours should also not include 1) Sunday school and church attendance, 2) Caring for family members, and 3) Participation in AERA activities on state committees or the Board of Directors. You may include hours spent on TUARA activities, except for attending board meetings.
| Categories | Examples | # of Service Hours |
| Arts | Children’s Hands-On Museum, theater, opera, arts | |
| Church | Church related service projects (not attendance for worship services) | |
| Civic | Organizational projects, civic and special interest | |
| Health | Bloodmobile, clinics, nursing home, nutrition, home care | |
| Education | Mentoring, literacy projects | |
| Transportation | Shopping, errands, escort services | |
| RSVP/Volunteer Programs | Shut-Ins, telephone, etc. | |
| Youth Work | Big Brothers Big Sisters, work related to youth programs | |
| TUARA | TUARA volunteer activities, administrative work, communications, etc. | |
| Other (specify) | ||
| Total Hours |
TUARA
• Advocates for retiree benefits on campus and in Montgomery
• Promotes retirees’ volunteer service
• Awards the Robert E. Witt First-Generation Scholarship
• Provides networking and fun with colleagues and friends
Annual membership is only $25! Visit www.tuara.ua.edu for more information.