Capstone e-Letter for March 20, 2019

• March 20th, 2019
• in Capstone e-Letter

Spring Semester Message

• March 6th, 2019
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

Spring break is right around the corner, and I think I can safely assume we’re all ready for some warmer temperatures and sunshine! I wanted to take this opportunity while you are still on campus to share some of the central events and exciting accomplishments of the UA community.

Current freshmen and seniors were sent an important link on Feb. 7 for a National Survey of Student Engagement. Please take a few minutes to leave your legacy by telling us about your experience at the University. Because the survey is only given once every several years, it is a unique opportunity for you to help us continue improving the education we provide in a way that can impact thousands of future UA students. Thank you for your constructive feedback.

Speaking of our impressive student body, recently a Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. School of Law moot court team won a national competition, defeating more than 150 other teams and bringing home UA’s first championship in the event’s history. Remarkably, of the 28 teams who qualified for the finals, the UA team was the only one made up solely of second-year law students. Another notable achievement was the recognition of the University as a top producing institution for Fulbright Scholar students for the third time in four years. UA had 15 alumni and graduate students who received Fulbright student awards. I was also very proud to see UA’s recent ranking for internship placements. The Princeton Review positioned UA No. 1 among schools in the Southeastern Conference and No. 10 in the nation. The University will continue to develop and support students through knowledge, training and networking opportunities that will enhance their future endeavors.

Because the University is committed to its mission of advancing teaching, research and service at the highest level, I hope all faculty and staff will support UA’s faculty and staff giving campaign, We Are UA. Through your participation and generosity, our student body and surrounding community will see the positive impact of philanthropic investment in the Capstone. Thank you for giving to this important campaign.

Congratulations are also extended to Dr. Mercy Mumba, assistant professor in UA’s Capstone College of Nursing for receiving the prestigious Southern Nursing Research Society’s Early Science Investigator Award, given to nurse scientists who are less than five years into a professional career following the completion of a doctoral degree. Dr. Mumba was the youngest PhD graduate in UA’s history, and her research has been presented at many local, regional and international conferences.

Finally, I want to personally invite all faculty and staff to attend the Spring Campus Assembly on Tuesday, April 9. Several members of UA’s faculty and staff will be recognized for their commitment to service and excellence. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to spend some time with other University professionals, network and enjoy refreshments. I hope you will join us.

Susan and I wish you a relaxing and revitalizing spring break. Campus is breathtaking during the second half of the spring semester and should be in bloom when you get back! Enjoy your break, and thank you for your ongoing commitment to the Capstone.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell
President

Lee County

• March 4th, 2019
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

I was devastated to learn of the tornado that hit Lee County and the surrounding area yesterday. At least 23 people were killed in Lee County, including children, and some individuals remain unaccounted for at this time. We are reaching out to our students and those in our community who may have been impacted by the storms to offer them support.

The loss of life, as well as the damage to homes and businesses, has also affected our friends on the Auburn campus, with students and colleagues there experiencing inconceivable loss. We are deeply saddened for those impacted by this terrible tragedy.

Please continue to keep your fellow Alabamians in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with a disaster that we here in Tuscaloosa know all too well. The UA community is caring and compassionate, and we will extend our support during the recovery efforts and beyond.

Stuart R. Bell
President

Capstone e-Letter for February 27, 2019

• February 27th, 2019
• in Capstone e-Letter

Promoting and Maintaining a Safe, Respectful Campus

• February 27th, 2019
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

Each semester I pledge to maintain The University of Alabama’s commitment to promoting and maintaining a safe, respectful campus environment. The well-being and security of every member of the UA community is a priority and, as part of that commitment, we will continue to work to eliminate gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct of any kind on our campus.

With the spring semester underway, I want to, again, share important information about the resources, reporting options and support available to those affected by gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct, including new resources such as the SAFE Center and the new Title IX Office location.

The Title IX Office has recently moved from its space in Burke West. The Title IX Office is now located at 2814 Capital Hall. Please see the Title IX website for detailed directions to the new Capital Hall office. The Title IX Office oversees the University’s efforts to foster a secure campus community free of discrimination based on gender. Reports of sexual misconduct or gender discrimination can be made to the Title IX Office by visiting the new location, emailing (titleix@ua.edu) or calling 205-348-5496. We also encourage reports of sexual misconduct to be made with The University of Alabama Police Department at 205-348-5454. Confidential reporting, counseling and advocacy are also available through the Women and Gender Resource Center(WGRC) and UA Counseling Center. A full list of reporting options is outlined in the Sexual Misconduct Policy and available by visiting UAct. For more information about resources available to those impacted by sexual misconduct, please see the Sexual Assault and Misconduct Services and Support website.

Last November, the Tuscaloosa community gained a vital new resource in the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center. The SAFE Center is centrally located at 1601 University Blvd. East, Suite 150 and can be reached by phone at 205-860-SAFE (7233). The SAFE Center is a 24-hour facility offering the latest advances in providing high-quality care and forensic examinations to those impacted by sexual assault.

In addition, the University provides resources for safety and support. Text “UASAFETY” to 444999 to receive a downloadable Contact Card that provides relevant contact numbers and information related to safety and support resources like UAPD, the Title IX Office and the WGRC. You can also download the UA Safety App, which, among other things, gives immediate access to information in case of an emergency and includes the ability to contact campus law enforcement agencies quickly. The Safety App also features a built-in GPS to provide walking directions to any building location on campus, including the locations of shelters and AED Defibrillators.

Please know that The University of Alabama takes the issue of sexual misconduct very seriously. We will regularly share information about the wide range of resources available to the campus community. I hope you will personally commit to partner with us in an ongoing effort to combat sexual misconduct.

Sincerely,

Stuart R. Bell
President

Capstone e-Letter for February 13, 2019

• February 13th, 2019
• in Capstone e-Letter

Capstone e-Letter for January 16, 2019

• January 16th, 2019
• in Capstone e-Letter

Start of Spring Semester

• January 8th, 2019
• in Messages from the President

Dear Campus Community:

Welcome back! I always enjoy the beginning of a new year and a promising, new semester. Even though last night’s game did not end the way we had hoped, I know our fans, students, alumni, faculty and staff share my pride in our Crimson Tide football team. It was a tough matchup, but our players proved themselves to be some of the finest student-athletes in the league, and we played with dignity and integrity with the entire nation watching. The coaches and coaching staff led with dedication and a tireless devotion to helping our players reach their full potential. There is a reason we are consistently in the running to be the number one team. We had an impressive season and anticipate another exciting year of football in fall 2019.

As you know, December was busy with activities and holiday preparations, but for many students it was also a month that represented the achievement of their educational goals. We awarded some 2,233 degrees during fall commencement on Dec. 15. Some of those recent graduates have left campus for the beginning of a new career. For others, graduation marked the completion of one degree program with another challenging academic goal ahead. Regardless of the path, we are always very proud of all our alumni and eagerly anticipate the legendary influence they will have on their communities and the world.

Another very exciting announcement of UA’s new research ranking came during the holiday break. For the first time in University history, UA achieved Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity status as listed by the Carnegie Classification. This important classification is given exclusively to institutions that grant doctoral degrees and is determined by criteria such as research funding, research staff and the number of doctoral graduates. Not only is this status an impressive accomplishment for the Capstone, it also demonstrates our continued commitment to research and scholarship productivity and innovation.

And, as long as we’re celebrating important events, the recent hiring of Dr. Jamie R. Riley as UA’s assistant vice president and dean of students (effective Feb. 25) is also exciting news. Dr. Riley brings a wealth of student-focused experience and proven leadership ability with him to campus, and we look forward to him beginning his new role as an important student advocate.

Finally, with the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday two weeks away, we are excited to share several events planned to encourage student, faculty and staff involvement in learning and service opportunities. Because the University is committed to the principles and legacy of Dr. King, we invite everyone to participate in the lectures, campus tours and conversations that will take place Jan. 14-30. Several very special scheduled events include the MLK Day of Service (“The Fierce Urgency of Now: A Day On—Not a Day Off!”) on Jan. 21 from 8 a.m. until noon and the annual Realizing the Dream legacy banquet (Jan. 18) and concert (Jan 20). We encourage your participation and recognition of Dr. King’s remarkable impact on our country.

As we begin the spring semester, I look ahead to what we can accomplish. I know our faculty, staff and students will continue to achieve great things; we ALL have legendary potential.  I challenge you to make this year your personal best. I hope you have a memorable spring term, and of course, ROLL TIDE!

Stuart R. Bell
President

Capstone e-Letter for December 14, 2018

• December 14th, 2018
• in Capstone e-Letter

End of Semester Message from President Bell

• December 6th, 2018
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

As the fall semester nears its close and students gear up for exams and a well-deserved break, I want to tell you how proud I am of this University community. I appreciate your hard work, your dedication to education and the way you represent the Capstone. It is our people that make UA such a special place. With less than two weeks until commencement and the beginning of the holiday break, Susan and I wish you and your family a joyful and blessed holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Students, I know you are tirelessly preparing for semester exams. Be diligent, focused and confident in what you have learned this semester. You should be very proud of yourself and your educational accomplishments. You chose to attend a legendary University, and I know you are pursuing the goals you have set for your future. I wish you the best on your exams.

Tonight, Susan, Dr. Grady and I are hosting our traditional late night breakfast for all students at Lakeside Dining Hall. With the recent improvements at Lakeside, the facility is a wonderful gathering place for everyone, and we hope you will join us. The fun begins at 10 p.m., and you should come hungry. There will be plenty of food to enjoy, including chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits and breakfast pizza. The best part is that all the food is free! There will also be a DJ to provide music while you relax and refuel.

And, to everyone in the UA family, I am especially proud of our campus community for helping us not only surpass our United Way campaign goal, but also for making this year’s contributions the largest giving total in UA campaign history. We reached a record-breaking goal of $469,483 for United Way of West Alabama. With approximately 90 cents of every dollar raised being directly distributed to agency and initiative programs, we can take pride in knowing we have invested in a worthy cause that benefits those in need in our community. Thank you for giving so generously.

Faculty and staff, what you do every day adds tremendous value to our University. We have a large campus and it takes us all being committed to a shared vision to achieve our mission. I know our employees care and are personally invested in our students. As a student-centered research university, and with our faculty working alongside our students, we are educating the future leaders of the world.

We are also making some remarkable advancements in the area of research which have far-reaching impact. I’m very proud of the external grants and contracts for research, instruction, fellowships and service that totaled almost $100 million, the highest in UA history. The total includes $62 million in research awards, and it is the highest in the University’s history. Research encourages professional excellence in both faculty and students, and we know UA students are the next generation of specialists and professionals. When our students are engaged in research that requires purposeful progress and critical thinking under the guidance of their professors, they are sharpened and better prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future. We will continue to focus on the power of creative thought through innovation and advanced research at The University of Alabama.

Finally, we are all celebrating the achievements of our highly acclaimed football team for winning the SEC championship against Georgia. The win in Atlanta continues Bama’s SEC Championship legacy, and was the Tide’s 27th SEC title. Enjoy the holidays and then put on your Alabama gear to cheer on the Crimson Tide on Dec. 29 for the Capital One Orange Bowl against Oklahoma. It’s going to be a great game.

Best wishes to you all as you close out the semester. I wish you a safe and happy holiday break.

Roll Tidings!

Stuart R. Bell
President