Archives: News

A Message from The President – June 14, 2023

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

The University of Alabama will appoint Dr. Steven Hood vice president for the Division of Student Life, pending approval of his compensation by The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees. Hood has more than 20 years of experience in student affairs, with more than a decade at UA. 

After earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of West Alabama, Hood began his professional higher education career at Samford University where he served as a residence life area coordinator while earning his master’s degree in public administration from Troy University. 

While pursuing his Doctor of Education in learning and leadership from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Hood served as director of Housing and Residence Life and assistant vice chancellor for Student Housing. 

Shortly after completing his doctorate, he joined UA as executive director of Housing and Residential Communities in 2011. In his time at UA, he has served in various roles providing direct leadership and oversight to every functional area of the Division of Student Life at some point. 

As the vice president for Student Life, Hood will provide strategic leadership to enhance and improve the support, community and learning opportunities available to UA students.

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from The President – June 13, 2023

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

One of our Strategic Plan goals is to enrich our learning and working environment with an accepting, inclusive community. Each semester, I affirm the University’s pledge to promote and preserve a safe, respectful campus. We remain committed to preventing and addressing all prohibited discrimination and sexual misconduct on our campus. 

The Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Policy details what is considered prohibited conduct, how to report, available supportive measures, and the University’s prevention, education and awareness efforts. Students, employees and visitors are encouraged to report harassment or discrimination, sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, stalking, sexual exploitation or other sexual misconduct concerns. 

The Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Pograms in 2418 Capital Hall collaborates with administration, departments, faculty and staff to provide comprehensive resources to students and employees. For information about the office’s services or to report sexual misconduct, contact UA Title IX Coordinator Jessica Humber at 205-348-5496 or titleix@ua.edu.

The dedicated sworn, state-commissioned police officers of The University of Alabama Police Department provide a comprehensive array of services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A criminal report can be filed with UAPD by phone (205-348-5454) or at their headquarters (1110 Jackson Ave.). In an on-campus emergency, use a clearly marked bright blue emergency phone for a direct line to UAPD.

The Women and Gender Resource Center provides victim advocacy and counseling services for all University community members who are survivors of interpersonal violence, as well as family and friends impacted by the abuse. On-call advocates are available at 205-348-5040 for crisis intervention and support 24 hours a day. After hours, including weekends and holidays, reach the advocate through UAPD at 205-348-5454.

The UAct Program centrally locates information on reporting sexual misconduct and other concerns. The Sexual Assault and Misconduct Services website summarizes our confidential reporting and counseling options. 

Other confidential services include the Counseling Center, with counseling and outreach programs for students, and the Capstone Family Therapy Clinic, offering psychotherapy for individuals, couples and families. The Employee Assistance Program assists eligible employees and family members in resolving a variety of work-related and personal concerns. The Tuscaloosa Safe Center, a 24/7 sexual assault crisis center, provides free, compassionate, patient-centered services.

We share a responsibility to create and maintain a culture of safety and respect. I encourage you to continue supporting our ongoing effort to combat and prevent sexual misconduct by familiarizing yourself with these important resources. 

Stuart R. Bell
President

The Year’s Legendary Moments

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff, 

Over the past year we witnessed bold accomplishments that portray the resilient spirit and renowned standard of excellence long associated with the Capstone. 

I invite you to take a look back at some of our legendary moments, which are gauges for further influence, farther reach and future success. 

Together, we are advancing the Flagship to even greater heights. 

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell 
President

A Message from Dr. Stuart R. Bell

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Finals week begins today, and our community is bustling with activities as we wrap up the spring semester. 

Students, I wish you all the best as you apply the knowledge and skills learned in your coursework to your exams. We all value the expertise and opportunities provided by our esteemed UA faculty, and we are proud of your many achievements. 

Congratulations to the Manderson MBA Case Team for the strong culmination of this year’s competitions. Team members traveled to eight events in six states, earning three first-place wins and more than $39,000 in prize money.

Please help me welcome Dr. Tiffany Sippial, who has been named the next dean of our Honors College. Dr. Sippial will begin July 5, and we look forward to her contributions and leadership.

With the close of our sixth annual Bama Blitz, I greatly appreciate our faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends for consistently supporting our mission by generously donating to projects that amplify the Alabama experience. Over $2 million was raised from nearly 1,500 donors during the campaign.

Finally, congratulations to our graduates who will be honored at commencement this weekend. The Spring Class of 2023 features students from all 50 states and includes 651 first-generation students. From this class’s 16-year-old youngest graduate to a proud 77-year-old, there are no limits when we’re focused on success and readied for the future at The University of Alabama.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – April 18, 2023

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Stellar achievements from our legendary students abound at the Capstone!

We also commend our faculty and staff for their notable achievements:

  • As we continue to focus on updating the general education curriculum at the University, Dr. Erik Peterson has been named associate provost for general education and will help identify future opportunities for student success.
  • Eight UA faculty will be honored tomorrow at the annual Faculty Research Day for their contributions to research, scholarship and creative endeavors.
  • Our newest Everyday Champion, Cyndi Elliott, is unwavering in the compassionate support she provides at the Women and Gender Resource Center

Today marks the beginning of the University’s annual Bama Blitz. Every gift, regardless of the amount, counts toward our goal of providing impactful projects and initiatives. Thank you in advance for your generosity. 

Faculty and staff, I look forward to seeing you at Spring Campus Assembly in the North Zone tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.

A-Day is scheduled for this Saturday, and I hope you will come out to Bryant-Denny Stadium and cheer on the Crimson Tide in their last practice of spring training. 

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell

President

A Message from the President – March 21, 2023

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff, 

It’s great to be back for the second half of the spring semester at the Capstone. The weeks ahead promise plenty of opportunities to learn, serve and excel. While you were away, our community continued to garner legendary success. 

Congratulations to the many student-athletes, coaches and staff who represented UA in both regional and national arenas: 

  • Alabama gymnastics tied their second-best score of the season and earned second place at the 2023 SEC Championships. Freshman gymnast Gabby Gladieux secured the SEC title on the vault. The Crimson Tide will next compete in the NCAA Regional Championships March 30-April 2. 
  • The Alabama women’s basketball team made its second NCAA appearance in three years. We are proud of the grit and growth they showed and applaud their season. 
  • At the 2023 Women’s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, the Crimson Tide earned their third-consecutive top-15 finish, with Kensey McMahon clinching NCAA titles in the 500 and 1,650 freestyles. 
  • The Alabama men’s basketball team heads to the Sweet 16 on Friday. It is the second appearance in the past three years and ninth Sweet 16 match up in UA program history. 
  • The University of Alabama Adapted Athletics program celebrates two more national championships after both the women’s and men’s wheelchair basketball teams swept the competition. It was the fourth straight national championship and ninth national title overall for the Alabama women’s wheelchair basketball team. In their title fight, the Alabama men’s wheelchair basketball team entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed and deftly secured the victory. We commend our newest champions.

Faculty and staff, please mark your calendars for spring Campus Assembly, which includes my state-of-the-University address. The assembly will be held in a new location at the North Zone in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Wednesday, April 19. Watch your email for more details. 

Roll Tide! 

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – March 7, 2023

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

At The University of Alabama, excellence is more than a pursuit; it is our standard. Recently, six students and three faculty members were recognized with Premier Awards, the highest honors bestowed at the Capstone. Congratulations to Elizabeth Prophet, Dr. Adam Brooks, Kennedy Carter, Dr. Jeff Gray, Mae Farmer, Abigail Foes, Izzy Boyd, Jacob Camden and Dr. Robert Brooks for exemplifying UA’s principles of scholarship, service, leadership and character.

Congratulations also to the Crimson Tide men’s basketball team for securing the 2023 SEC regular season title, remaining undefeated in Coleman Coliseum and earning a perfect 15-0 record there.As the weather warms up, Alabama baseball and softball are now in full swing. The Tide baseball team boasts a perfect 12-0 record while Alabama softball improved to 17-3 with stellar pitching performances from Jaala Torrence and Montana Fouts over the weekend. Commendations are also due to women’s basketball players Brittany Davis and Hannah Barber who captured First Team All-SEC Honors and the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, respectively. We also celebrate the 12 student-athletes awarded Indoor Track and Field All-SEC honors and Alabama men’s golfer Nick Dunlap, who was recently named SEC Freshman of the Week.

If you will be staying in town during spring break or are looking for fun educational activities to enjoy with friends or family this month, plenty are planned on campus and around town. One treasured UA must-see is the Paul R. Jones Museum, which contains one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of 20th century African American art in the world.

Enjoy your time off to rest and recharge so you can return with momentum for the remainder of the semester.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – February 21, 2023

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

For the sixth time in eight years, The University of Alabama has been distinguished as a Top Producing Institution for Fulbright U.S. Student Awards, further enhancing our reputation for excellence and attracting impressive students.

Congratulations to UA junior Lilly Saub who was recently selected as one of only 47 undergraduates in the nation to earn the competitive Brooke Owens Fellowship. Communitywide, UA students continue to demonstrate a heart for service and support of Children’s of Alabama through the student-run Dance Marathon. This year’s BAMAthon resulted in proceeds of just over $200,000, which will make a lasting impact on the lives of many children and their families.

We continue to foster networking and support for the whole campus community through the recent launch of The University of Alabama Asian American and Pacific Islander Association. And as our work begins in earnest to update the general education core curriculum, Dr. Chapman Greer has been appointed associate provost for general education to provide strategic leadership to those efforts.

Preparations for spring commencement are already underway, with eight ceremonies scheduled for May 5-7 in Coleman Coliseum. As we continue to cheer on future graduates and all our favorite teams, we commend our 85 student-athletes named to the 2022 Fall Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll. At UA, we not only set the national bar in athletics, but we equip all our students for professional success and legendary impact.

Students, mark your calendars for SGA general elections Feb. 28 to vote for executive council and senators for each college or school.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – February 7, 2023

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

I am pleased to share two bold new initiatives made possible thanks to our friend and UA alum, the newly retired U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, which were approved last week by The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees. First, the $100 million Shelby Endowment for Distinguished Faculty will strengthen the University’s recently updated strategic plan by investing in the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty in STEM disciplines, building on our renowned academic programs and innovative research.

In addition, the newly created Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership will prepare students interested in public service to cultivate, apply and assess policy solutions for some of humanity’s biggest challenges. We are thankful for the longstanding and ongoing support of Senator Shelby and his wife, former UA professor Dr. Annette Shelby, of our mission, students and faculty.

Congratulations to the 12,791 students named to the dean’s or president’s list for the fall 2022 term. Our students continue to distinguish themselves academically, and I am proud of the prominent scholarship you consistently achieve.

UA community, I encourage you to participate in The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development’s 17th annual Books for the Black Belt campaign that continues through Feb. 24. Our goal is to provide educational resources for every child in the Black Belt counties, over 30,000 books. Public outreach — especially that which prepares and inspires children and young adults — is vital to supporting our next generation of legends.

Finally, we are excited to witness the recent success of our winter sports programs. Fresh off two conference wins last week, including the largest SEC win in program history, the Alabama men’s basketball team continues to climb in the national rankings. Our women’s basketball team earned another tough road victory on Saturday to improve to 17-6 on the season. And our women’s gymnastics team defeated Auburn in thrilling fashion in front of a sold-out Coleman Coliseum crowd Friday night. Our programs’ distinction and the success we are witnessing have been fostered by the leadership of Coach Nate Oats, Coach Kristy Curry and Coach Ashley Johnston. We appreciate the investment they make in our student-athletes as they pursue excellence in the classroom and in the competitive arena.

It is my ongoing honor to serve as your president.

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – January, 19 2023

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Each semester, I reaffirm The University of Alabama pledge to promote and preserve a safe, respectful environment by encouraging the prevention and reporting of sexual misconduct. The University provides numerous resources, support and reporting options. Please review this information and help spread the word.

Students, employees and campus visitors are encouraged to report any type of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct. The Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Policy provides detailed information about what is considered prohibited conduct, how to report it and available resources for those affected.

The UAct program lists information about reporting sexual misconduct, including to the University of Alabama Police Department at 205-348-5454 or 1110 Jackson Avenue. Reports may also be made to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Programs, where staff investigate reports of sexual misconduct and assist with supportive and educational measures such as counseling, safety planning, academic support, training, prevention, bystander intervention and conflict resolution. The University Title IX contact, Coordinator Jessica Humber, can be reached by phone at 205-348-5496 or by email at titleix@ua.edu.

Confidential reporting and counseling options are available, including through the Women and Gender Resource Center, which provides victim advocacy and counseling services for survivors and impacted family and friends. The WGRC can be reached at 205-348-5040. On-call advocates are available 24 hours a day by contacting UAPD at 205-348-5454.

The Counseling Center offers counseling and outreach for students. The Capstone Family Therapy Clinic provides psychotherapy for individuals, couples and families affiliated with UA and beyond. The Employee Assistance Programprovides eligible employees and family members with resources for resolving a variety of work-related and personal concerns. And the Tuscaloosa Safe Center is a 24/7 sexual assault crisis center that provides a free, compassionate, patient-centered environment for sexual assault forensic examinations.

A summary of these valuable services is available on the Sexual Assault and Misconduct Services website. The University prohibits retaliation against those who report harassment, discrimination and/or sexual misconduct.

Thank you for helping combat and prevent sexual misconduct and for sharing this information about UA resources and support.

Stuart R. Bell

President