A Message from the President 8-3-20

• August 3rd, 2020
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

It was a special weekend in Tuscaloosa, with families and our campus sending off our most recent graduates. Everyone attending honored our graduates, meeting all of our health and safety protocols to ensure a safe and successful graduation. As always, I am so very proud of our graduates for all they have accomplished during their time at the Capstone.

Now, the long-awaited fall semester is upon us, bringing a familiar sense of excitement and promise that is matched by unique and unprecedented challenges. As we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue implementing our proactive plans for a safe return to campus, which will help protect you, the University and our community. Compliance with all requirementsis essential to our ability to complete the fall semester on campus.

Last week the Vice President of Student Life, Dr. Myron Pope, shared important rules and expectations directly with our students. The detailed plans he imparted will affect all aspects of campus life, including social events. There are limits to the size of gatherings, and new protocols in the classroom, outdoor spaces and residential housing. Testing requirements, training procedures and other important safety measures were also included in Dr. Pope’s message. Please review it carefully.

We are fortunate that our UA System is providing full support to enable the safe return to campus. Each of us has a personal responsibility, as well. We must not and cannot be cavalier in our approach to the virus. Avoiding crowds both on and off campus is crucial to our success in controlling the spread of COVID-19 and being able to successfully complete the semester as planned.

Students, as members of The University of Alabama’s academic community, you pledge to abide by our code of conduct. That means observing rules that benefit classmates, the community and our University. Your behavior at any location (on or off campus) is a reflection of your character and qualification to be a member of the UA student body. We are all responsible for how our actions affect the safety and security of others. Please take our directives seriously. I trust you will do your part to follow the established guidelines and represent our University well.

As the fall semester approaches, I am mindful there are many unknowns. One thing remains constant — we all love The University of Alabama, and we are all part of one campus family. I implore you to remain Tide Together and to abide by the policies and guidelines created to protect the health and well-being of our family. I look forward to seeing you again on campus very soon.

Stuart R. Bell

President

A Message from the President: Plan for Return to Full Operations

• June 15th, 2020
• in Messages from the President

Dear Faculty and Staff:

Since March, we have faced extraordinary challenges that have tested our adaptability, our spirit and our resolve as a community. I am so proud of how the resilience, determination and character of our UA family have shown through.

COVID-19 affected how we ended the spring semester and decisions for our summer sessions. As we learn more from healthcare professionals in our System and other experts, we continue to plan for fall with a proactive approach to keeping our people healthy and safe while recapturing campus activities that are important to our students, faculty and staff. Campus has not been the same without you, and it will be wonderful to have everyone back together.

Through the extensive efforts of Chancellor St. John, the University of Alabama System Task Force, the President’s Advisory Committee and with the Board of Trustees’ support, we are pleased to share a draft of our Plan for a Return to Full Operations. The plan will guide our path through the summer and during our on-campus fall semester, which will begin August 19.

Our mission of transforming lives through teaching, research and service drives our plan, but we also recognize the necessity for preparation and training, reasonable accommodations, testing, tracking and managing those who may become affected by the virus. As part of the plan, we must all focus on doing our part to safeguard the vulnerable members of our campus community. Our timeline is for a phased return to full operations, a “new normal,” this fall.

Pease carefully review the plan. The UA plan is governed by the System’s Comprehensive Health and Safety Plan released last week. We will continue to post changes and updates to healthinfo.ua.edu/returnplan as they are made available.

As we move forward, I want to thank our faculty, staff, students and supporters for all that you continue to do for our great university. We are a community, united in purpose and committed to our mission. As we continue the summer sessions Still Tide Together, I look forward to seeing you on campus this fall.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell

President

UA community response to recent tragedies

• May 31st, 2020
• in Messages from the President

Dear UA Community:

Today my heart is heavy as I reflect on recent tragedies, deaths and incidents of racialized violence across our country. The death of George Floyd is just the latest example of the challenges that our nation faces and a somber reminder of the disproportionate impact such actions have on so many members of our community.

At The University of Alabama our core principles include fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect for every member of our community, whether we are together in Tuscaloosa or engaging virtually throughout the world. Bias, violence and acts of hate contradict those values. As a community, we must remain united in our resolve to address such injustices in meaningful ways. Our University, preparing some of the brightest minds in the country for leadership in an increasingly diverse and global society, must be a beacon of hope, equality and inclusivity.

Please remember there are a variety of campus resources available to support you, including the Employee Assistance Program, Student Care and Well-Being, the University’s Counseling Center, the UA Title IX Office and the University of Alabama Police Department. In addition, in the coming days and months, our Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will be continuing its series “Come Sit at My Table,” an opportunity to share and learn about a number of issues related to diversity.

As president, I pledge to continue promoting a safe and respectful environment for every member of our campus community, and to support those who are particular targets of hate and racism. At UA, we will continue to do more and be better because of the efforts and kindness of our incredible students, faculty and staff. Remember, we are Still Tide Together.

Stuart R. Bell

President

A Message from the President: Memorial Day Update

• May 22nd, 2020
• in Messages from the President

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students:

As we head into the Memorial Day weekend, I want to update everyone on the status of the University’s ongoing efforts related to COVID-19. To begin, my appreciation for and pride in the hundreds of faculty and staff here on our campus who are working around the clock to address all aspects of this global pandemic cannot be overstated. And, as I have mentioned in earlier messages, many of our students, through their various outreach programs, have been helping communities across America as well as here in Tuscaloosa. My thanks to each of you for your work.

In line with Chancellor Finis St. John’s creation of the UA System Task Force and to further the implementation of his cornerstone objectives, I formed the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Return to Full Operations this past April. This group is now finalizing a comprehensive set of plans to prepare a safe, healthy campus environment for Fall 2020.  The committee and its multiple working groups are coordinating their efforts, tapping into the world-class expertise we have on our campus and within our System as well as guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). The goal is to formulate robust, nimble strategies to address all the important aspects of preparing our campus for a return to full operations. As always, the health and safety of our students and employees are paramount in our decision making to return to a fully engaged campus.

The committee is analyzing dozens of elements of returning to in-person instruction and regular business operations, including academic quality, campus life, research, athletics, health and safety, HR issues, and more. We are exploring the most effective ways to implement a number of protocols that will promote the health, safety, success and privacy of each individual member of the campus community. These will include enhanced cleanings, the appropriate use of protective equipment, and potential modification of traditional classroom settings, among others. In addition, with guidance from ADPH and the UA System Task Force, we are planning to implement COVID-19 testing and symptom-tracking protocols. The effectiveness of our plans will be enhanced through the campus community’s use of a COVID-19 contact-tracing tool that the UA System Task Force is developing in partnership with Apple, Google, and ADPH. This voluntary, opt-in tracing tool will allow us to harness technology—without sacrificing the privacy of the individuals who use it—to slow the spread of COVID-19 so that we can all be safer together.

Now, more than ever before, The University of Alabama is truly Tide Together by strength, determination, and a desire to protect all members of our campus community. We will continue to update you as these plans evolve and solidify, but, for the latest updates, please visit the healthinfo.ua.edu website.

Stuart R. Bell

President

A Message from the President: Year in Review 2019- 2020

• May 11th, 2020
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

This week, I invite you to look back over the past year at The University of Alabama and the remarkable achievements of our community during the 2019-2020 academic year. We began our journey with the fall semester, welcoming over 38,000 students with legendary potential and the corresponding drive to initiate change, defy limitations and empower others. We celebrated the contributions and success of our alumni and friends, were inspired by the prominent work of our students, faculty and staff, and rallied together to overcome unique challenges. We adapted to change and united in extraordinary ways, demonstrating the true substance of our character as a University.

To view the Year In Review video click the image above or visit UA’s YouTube page.

Through it all, we remained devoted to our mission of transforming lives through the highest caliber of teaching, advanced research and service to others. As we reflect on and celebrate the accomplishments of the past year, we also look ahead with confidence to our boundless future. UA is stronger and more resilient than ever before. We are a community of champions, and I am honored to serve as your president.

Stuart R. Bell

President

Congratulations to the spring Class of 2020

• May 4th, 2020
• in Messages from the President

Congratulations to the spring Class of 2020! Last week, we honored and recognized the accomplishments of our 6,326 spring graduates who have been invited to participate in UA commencement ceremonies later in the summer. I look forward to celebrating that milestone moment with them in person. As our graduates continue to celebrate with their families and friends this week, our UA community takes great pride in their success. When they enrolled at Alabama, they were among the best in the nation, and they stayed that course. I sent them each a special message of congratulations, recognizing that as UA graduates and future legends, they are now embarking on new paths to change the world.

Spring Class of 2020 graduate Anne Dillon Loflin is leaving UA with an experience in arts advocacy and arts education that changed her life. The dance program Loflin began for students in UA’s CrossingPoints, including her cousin, the late Walt Gary, will continue under the direction of UA students who share Loflin’s love for artistic expression as a means of developing community. With the end of the spring semester, many UA students remain actively engaged in service efforts. Sophomore Abigail Gunter, who became passionate about helping feed the hungry through the Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive, is serving free meals to students in the Tuscaloosa City Schools. Newly elected SGA president Demarcus Joiner is collaborating with Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and 15 other SGA presidents in public institutions across the state to promote blood donation efforts. Now more than ever, UA students are demonstrating the resiliency and innovation that have been a staple of our institution for many years.

In a continued spirit of fellowship and support for the University and its alumni, students, parents and friends, the UA National Alumni Association recently made a $50,000 contribution to the Tide Together Student Support Fund. The fund is a lifeline for many UA students who need extra assistance, and we remain grateful for the support from those who can contribute.

Finally, Alabama fans are very proud of the nine former Crimson Tide football players recently selected in the 2020 NFL draft, including four in the first round. From student-athlete accolades to nationally recognized academic programs, cutting-edge research and community engagement, The University of Alabama boldly produces champions and change-makers.

As we turn our attention to the upcoming summer sessions, we are actively planning for in-person instruction this fall. I have appointed a campuswide task force, which will work with faculty and staff and in concert with the UA System, to implement safety and health initiatives in preparation for the return of our campus community. We continue to fulfill our mission at the highest level, recruit great young people to our campus and provide an education and experience second to none. We will meet the challenges and put into action the plans that will get us to where we need to be. I am eager to see you all soon, and it remains my honor to serve as your president.

Congratulations again, spring Class of 2020. You are one of the most gifted classes we have ever seen, and we could not be more proud of you.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell

President

A Message from the President – Final Week of Spring 2020

• April 27th, 2020
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

Today we are beginning the final week of the spring semester. Students, I know you have been diligently preparing for your exams this week. Your professors continue to compliment the quality of the work you are doing. Each class you complete takes you one step closer to accomplishing your goals, and with every bit of new knowledge and each valuable experience, you increase your legendary potential. Finish strong and be confident in what you have learned this semester. We are very proud of you!

Over the past few weeks, many students have continued to make impactful societal and academic contributions. Students in UA’s opera theatre program have delighted the elderly and those self-isolating at home by singing uniquely tailored songs through videoconferencing and phone calls. We are grateful for Dr. Paul Houghtaling, professor of opera, and all students involved for bringing special musical concerts and joy to homes within our communities. Senior Alexus Cumbie, an Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award winner, was recently featured in the Sullivan Foundation magazine in the article “The Beloved Community – Alexus Cumbie’s Poetry, Policy and Passion for Changemaking.” Cumbie was recognized for the contributions she has made and the honors she has received during her four years at the Capstone. She was also one of 50 college students who interned with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, D.C. last fall with the help of a stipend through UA’s Career Center.

I want to congratulate Dr. Sharony Green, UA associate professor of history, for being awarded the2020 PEN/Jean Stein Grant for Literary Oral History for her nonfiction literary work, “The Baa Haas.” Dr. Green has conducted extensive research since 2013 for the project, and we are proud of her well-deserved recognition. UA’s ACCESS Support Center, in collaboration with the Alabama State Department of Education, continues to offer free online courses for grades 7-12 throughout the state of Alabama for educators and students seeking high-quality instruction while learning at home. The Office for Undergraduate Research remains very productive as well. Its premier undergraduate research event, the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Conference, was recently held virtually. More than 250 students participated, and student projects and presentations are still available for viewing. Undergraduate Research also extended its recruitment of students for fall 2020’s Emerging Scholars Program to the virtual realm and is just one of the many UA research programs incoming students can join.

Finally, today we are commemorating the nine-year anniversary of the tornadoes that struck Tuscaloosa and the surrounding region. We faced another unparalleled time in our community’s history in 2011, but we rallied together to help with recovery, to mourn and to rebuild. I hope you will pause today to honor the 53 lives lost in the storm, including six UA students and one UA employee. On campus today at 5:13 p.m., Denny Chimes will ring 53 times in their honor. Throughout the day, you can also positively impact others in a variety of ways, such as thanking first responders, supporting the local economy or donating blood. Our UA community remains resilient and ready to lend a hand to help those in need.

Again, I wish everyone the best this week. As we prepare to transition to the summer sessions, The University of Alabama remains committed to the success of our students, faculty and staff. I look forward to welcoming everyone back home to campus in the future, and I am honored to serve as your president.

Stuart R. Bell

President

Message from the President 4/20

• April 20th, 2020
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

The past month has been a unique experience for our campus community. We have faced individual challenges and difficulties, but the foundation of The University of Alabama is strong, and our mission of transforming lives through teaching, research and service has not wavered. We are in this together, and our foremost priority remains the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff.

Last night, UAPD, Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue and UA facilities crews worked tirelessly to contain a fire in the third-floor sections of the south wing of the Moody Music Building. We are thankful for the quick response and efforts of our first responders. Director of Bands Ken Ozzello and School of Music Director Charles “Skip” Snead were also on-site alongside Mayor Walt Maddox and me throughout the evening. While the cause of the blaze and the extent of the damage is still unknown, what matters most is that no one was injured.

Even as national events unfold, our students continue to do their part in communities around the globe. UA senior John Glidden III returned to his hometown of Closter, New Jersey, where he is volunteering as an EMT at both a virus testing site and a non-profit ambulance service. While he’s finishing his final few weeks of classes and preparing for his future career at Lockheed Martin as an aerospace engineer, John is also giving back to those in need. He is a great example of how one person can contribute, even in a time of adversity. Other UA students in a group calledUASpace are now working to inspire the next generation of students to pursue STEM fields. UASpace members created math and science lessons for Alabama public school students that help bring virtual space-centered instruction to rural areas of the state for students learning at home. These students exemplify the actions of thousands of UA students who are actively helping those in need.

Even with social distancing measures in place, UA’s Career Center continues to find innovative ways to support our students and their professional goals. Now more than ever, students can stay connected through Handshake, UA’s online recruiting system where employers can link with students to do virtual events, career fairs and interviews. Companies in the state and across the nation continue to recognize the value of a degree from Alabama, and we will continue to offer resources to aid our students’ internship placements and job searches.

The University of Alabama’s Writing Center and Capstone Center for Student Success have also made the transition to online services. Tutors at the Writing Center are available to provide personalized writing assistance, while the Capstone Center for Student Success is offering free online tutoring, academic coaching and skills sessions through Zoom. I encourage our students to utilize these valuable resources as the semester draws to a close.

We remain hopeful of the possibility of returning to on-site instruction later in the summer. Recently we announced that all summer courses with a class start date before June 22 will be taught in an online or remote format, which includes Interim, summer 1 and full summer term sessions. Even though we would like to see our students back on campus sooner, we are confident in the quality of our online programs, which offer students appealing multimedia content and easy access to their instructors and peers.

Prospective and admitted new students are still visiting Tuscaloosa, just in a different, virtual way. Our essential research efforts continue to move forward, and we continue to deliver superior coursework. We invited our Spring 2020 graduating class to join the summer commencement program. We also continue to provide students with the opportunity to accessshort-term financial help with housing, technology, travel and other necessities.

We remain strong. We remain determined. We remain a community.

Thank you for the courage and compassion you continue to demonstrate. You make me proud, and I am honored to serve as your president.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell

President

Message from the President April 13, 2020

• April 13th, 2020
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

It is hard to believe there are only three weeks remaining in the spring semester. I miss seeing our students on campus. I know the current circumstances in our nation do not define us as a University, but they do give us an opportunity to grow in thankfulness and grace and to rally together for the good of those around us.

I have never been prouder to lead this institution, as we witness the kindness and resiliency of our people. UA students continue to find ways to be compassionately involved in relief efforts. Students have been shopping for seniors through a free grocery delivery service in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham called Leave it To Us, a non-profit organization begun in Chicago during spring break by UA junior Michael Arundel. UA freshman Nathan Eads is managing a student group in Atlanta making 3D printed face shields for health care workers funded through a gofundme.com account created to raise revenue for the cause. UA junior Matthew Roy, who plans to attend medical school next year, is volunteering at the Ross Bridge Medical Center test site in Hoover with a small group of others, contacting patients through telemedicine and assisting with test sampling. These stories are just a small sample of the many ways our students are responding to the needs of others during this unique time, and I will be sharing more examples in the coming weeks.

We also continue to observe special ceremonies traditionally held on campus. Our UA community cherishes the recognition of the achievements of our graduating class at commencement. Although our plans must be contingent on how our summer health outlook progresses, we are moving forward to provide the spring Class of 2020 with the same opportunity to celebrate. Students who were approved to graduate in May are invited to be part of the summer commencement programs on Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1. We will be sending out more information in the coming weeks and hope all spring graduates will be able to join us. Last Friday, we also held a live virtual Tapping on the Mound ceremony to induct new members in University honor groups and to recognize various recipients of student and faculty awards.

Even in the midst of current events, I encourage all our students to complete a 2020 Alabama census form, which is also available online. The census is vital to determining funding to the state for important health care, education, housing and infrastructure development programs. Congratulations are also in order for UA student Hannah Slater, a Randall Research Scholar studying chemical engineering and chemistry and the 57th UA recipient of the prestigious Goldwater scholarship. The UA campus community is also invited to attend video presentations by the five finalists for the position of UA executive vice president and provost, beginning April 13 and continuing through April 28. The presentations will be recorded and posted on the provost search website, and you can send questions for the candidates in advance to Dr. Russ Mumper, chair of the search committee, at mumper@ua.edu.

Finally, I again want to recognize our esteemed faculty for their ongoing success in providing meaningful and thought-provoking content for their courses and for supporting their students to success. UA’s Center for Instructional Technology, led by Dr. Ivon Foster-McGowan and Dr. Rachel Thompson, is providing essential support to all UA faculty, instructors, staff, graduate students and undergraduate students needing assistance with instructional technology and technology accessibility, and we’re grateful for their expertise.

As the semester continues, I encourage you to remain committed to your goals and to finish with the resolve with which you began. You are our champions, and I am honored to be your president.

Stuart R. Bell

President

Message from The President – Spring Commencement

• April 10th, 2020
• in Messages from the President

Dear Spring 2020 Graduating Class,

The recent change to remote learning and the challenges we are all facing during this unprecedented time for our nation and our University have greatly affected us all. I know those planning to graduate this spring were looking forward to our traditional commencement activities.

Commencement is a milestone marking the end of one valuable journey while forging the beginning of a new, promising path.   It is a special time for you, your family and our faculty, and I want you to have the opportunity to walk across the stage in celebration of your success.

Although our plans must be contingent on how our summer health outlook progresses, we are moving forward to include our spring graduates in our summer commencement events scheduled for Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1.  Please consider this special invitation to join those ceremonies.  We will be providing more details in the coming weeks on how to register and the date and times for each ceremony.

We will also be recognizing the achievements of our spring 2020 graduating class in May through online and social media outlets to highlight our shared pride in you. No matter where you are as you finish the semester, you are an important and special part of our UA family. As you finish the semester strong, know we are right here cheering you on. I look forward to congratulating you on stage very soon. I am very proud of the many ways you have excelled in your time with us and will continue to excel.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell

President