A Message from the President – July 26, 2021

• July 26th, 2021
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Last week, The University of Alabama System released an update to the System’s Comprehensive Health and Safety Plan, including important policies for the upcoming fall semester. Please review UA’s Fall 2021 Plan for Operations carefully and adhere to the guidelines in place to help protect our UA community.

I strongly encourage all students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated as soon as possible to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We must do all we can to stay healthy, care for others and ensure that a robust Alabama experience is possible for everyone this fall. All students who upload proof of vaccination will receive a reward in the form of Bama Cash as a thank you for doing their part to protect themselves and our community.

As we continue to anticipate the fall semester, the summer term at UA is drawing to a close. We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our graduates with friends, family and our UA community at summer commencement this weekend. Over 1,400 talented men and women are poised to take their next steps as distinguished UA alumni and leaders in their respective career fields and communities.

UA’s championship status continues to command prestigious national recognition. Congratulations to the Alabama Astrobotics team for recently winning NASA’s Robotic Mining Competition. The victory marks the seventh time in nine years the team has clinched the title in what was its sixth consecutive win for UA and the College of Engineering. Very impressive!

Beyond the national stage, our athletes are primed for international prestige, with four current student-athletes and 17 alumni representing 13 countries competing in the Tokyo Olympics. Additionally, six current student-athletes are preparing to compete in the Paralympic Games. I know Bama fans everywhere are cheering them on in their respective events, and we will all be watching the results with pride.

Finally, I hope you are continuing to enjoy the stories of the Everyday Champions we have been featuring to highlight some of UA’s legendary faculty and staff. Individuals such as Jeanine Brooks work behind the scenes, boldly support our community’s efforts and embody the spirit of the University. I invite you to nominate a champion in your department, division or college, as the efforts and positive impact of one have a strong influence on us all.

I am thankful to each of you for the way you support and represent the Capstone.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – June 29, 2021

• June 29th, 2021
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

The Summer 2 term begins today, and I want to send congratulations for several recent student accomplishments. Our UA community is leading and achieving in remarkable ways.

The UA EcoCAR Mobility Challenge team was recently named the third-year champion of the four-year national auto engineering competition, besting 10 other universities. We commend their success and will keep a close watch on next year’s final round of the competition. And our Model UN team showcased their talents in leadership and public speaking in the 2020-2021 North American College Model U.N. World Division, moving up 10 spots in the rankings and claiming UA’s first delegation award at a ranked conference.

An impressive 11,813 full-time undergraduate students were named to the Dean’s List or President’s List for Spring 2021, an indicator of their notable academic endeavors. And soon we will recognize over 1,000 student candidates at UA’s two summer commencement ceremonies on July 31 at Coleman Coliseum.

Talented students like these are cultivated by our esteemed faculty. During the past academic year, four UA professors received early-career national recognition for leading-edge research through the National Science Foundation. Dr. Chris Crawford, Dr. Adam Hauser, Dr. Jason Pienaar and Dr. Aijun Song were the recipients of CAREER Awards, one of the nation’s most prestigious recognitions of top-performing young scientists. Their research advances knowledge and enhances lab instruction, but their work also has outreach potential in local schools and in our community. The Alabama Water Institute also recently selected three UA faculty members as inaugural fellows in the AWI Faculty Fellowship Program. Congratulations to Dr. Lisa Davis, Dr. Leigh Terry and Dr. Milad R. Esfahani for their contributions and support of our next generation of water-research scientists.

We also want to recognize some of the unsung heroes of the Capstone who make a difference every day. Throughout the summer we will be highlighting some of our Everyday Champions who work behind the scenes to support our community with a spirit of pride, determination and ingenuity. We are honored to spotlight these individuals and I hope you will join me in thanking them for their many contributions.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t take one last opportunity to recognize the incredible accomplishments of our student-athletes. To say it has been an impressive year seems understated. An extraordinary 18 of our 21 teams reached the national postseason this year, with football participating in the College Football Playoff and 17 teams competing in NCAA Championship events. From winning the CFP National Championship to cheering on the softball team in the Women’s College World Series to witnessing numerous individual accolades and honors, UA student-athletes dominated the competition. Their collective efforts have culminated in a No. 7 national ranking of the Learfield IMG College Directors’ Cup standings, which includes fall and winter sports. Final rankings will be announced later this week, and we are in a great position for our highest finish in program history.

In academia, research and athletics, we continue to prove we are champions. UA is the catalyst for legendary results, and I am honored to serve as your president.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – June 7, 2021

• June 7th, 2021
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

As the summer sessions continue, I want to take a moment to outline the numerous resources and reporting options available at The University of Alabama for those affected by sexual misconduct and protected class harassment and discrimination. Please take the time to read this important message in its entirety and continue to partner with us in our ongoing efforts to combat and eliminate sexual misconduct.

The UA Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Programs works with University administration, departments, students, faculty, staff, campus police and other support services to ensure that University policies and programs foster a campus community free of discrimination and harassment based on protected classes and sexual misconduct. In addition, the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Programs will assist complainants in notifying UAPD or local law enforcement if requested. For comprehensive information about the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Programs and to report sexual misconduct, please call the University’s Title IX Coordinator, Jessica Humber, at 205-348-5496 or email to jbhumber@ua.edu. The UAPD may also be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days per week by calling 205-348-5454. Further on-campus counseling and support services are available from the UA Student Health Center and Pharmacy, University Medical Center, Safe Zone Resource Center, Women and Gender Resource Center, UAct Program, UA Counseling Center and Employee Assistance Program.

The Tuscaloosa SAFE Center, another valuable resource in the Tuscaloosa community, is located at 1601 University Blvd. East, Suite 150. The Center offers high-quality care in a compassionate, patient-centered environment to anyone 14 years old or older affected by sexual assault and can be reached at 205-860-SAFE (7233). I also recommend you download the UA Safety App, which provides students and employees with immediate access to information in case of an emergency, including the ability to quickly contact campus and area law enforcement agencies.

I encourage you to review UA’s Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Policy, which describes in detail how the University may take action and assist affected individuals involved in a sexual misconduct report. Individuals found in violation of this policy will be subject to corrective action, including potential termination from employment or expulsion from the University. Supportive measures to aid victims may include medical treatment, counseling services, academic support, housing support, no contact orders, safety planning, employment assistance and filing of student conduct complaints.

Discrimination and harassment based on protected classes, including sex or gender, are prohibited in any educational program or activity, including: athletics, recruitment, admissions, financial aid and scholarships, course offerings and access, counseling, hiring and retention of employees, and benefits and leave. For more information, please read the University’s Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and Affirmative Action Policy and Harassment Policy. For more information regarding the Office of Equal Opportunity and to report protected class discrimination or harassment, please contact the University’s Director of Equal Opportunity, Marques Evans, at 205-348-5855 or evans061@ua.edu.

As president, I pledge to continue regularly sharing information about the resources available to our community members. The University remains devoted to providing an environment free from discrimination or harassment based on protected classes and expects everyone who lives, works, teaches and studies within this community to contribute positively to the environment. Please refrain from any behaviors that threaten the freedom or respect due to every human being. Your support and partnership are key to our success.

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – May 26, 2021

• May 25th, 2021
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Welcome to the start of the summer sessions at the Capstone. We are glad to have many of you on campus. I am delighted to share some of the exciting successes we have witnessed over the past few weeks.

UA’s championship status continues to be validated nationally. Well-deserved congratulations are due to Coach Patrick Murphy and the Alabama softball team for a legendary season. Earlier this month the team won the 2021 SEC Tournament with Montana Fouts and Bailey Hemphill setting the SEC tournament strikeout and UA all-time home run records, respectively. This past weekend, we hosted the NCAA Softball Regionals in Rhoads Stadium as the No. 3 national seed, and our team dominated three games without surrendering a single run. We will host Kentucky for the Super Regional beginning Friday at noon. With results like these, Alabama continues to set the standard.

Student accolades continue with four new Fulbright Awards, including a Fulbright Student Research Award and three Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Awards for the 2021-2022 academic year. We are also pleased to learn last year’s five UA Fulbright Student Award recipients who were unable to travel to their host countries are expected to be able to serve this year as travel restrictions ease. UA students continue to excel in significant academic pursuits locally, nationally and worldwide.

Our students’ achievements are built upon the strong foundation provided by our academic community. Congratulations to Dr. Steven Jones who was named a Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador and will serve a two-year term. He will share his Fulbright experience from his time in Namibia on college campuses and at academic conferences across the United States. In addition, nine members of the UA faculty were recently honored for their research and creative contributions as part of Faculty Research Day, which highlights and celebrates excellence in research, creativity and scholarship. UA’s research growth places us at No. 1 for all 14 universities in the SEC, No. 1 for all research universities in the state of Alabama and No. 9 for all 131 Carnegie-designated R1 universities. Our faculty and students continue to engage in meaningful research projects to creatively solve real-world problems.

Finally, I want to remind every member of our campus community that COVID-19 vaccinations are available to all UA students, faculty and staff at the Student Health Center and University Medical Center. Please carefully consider being vaccinated as we continue to plan for normal, on-campus operations this fall. Please help us protect yourself — and our community—by being vaccinated.

Enjoy the sunshine and warmer temperatures. It’s going to be a great summer at UA!

Roll Tide,

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – May 6, 2021

• May 6th, 2021
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

I invite you to reflect on our Year in Review at the Capstone. I am sure you will agree our combined efforts are nothing short of inspirational. Tide Together, we achieved our highest potential and realized legendary results.

Over the past academic year, our community embodied the character of our University. UA faculty emboldened our efforts to develop impactful leaders and broadened our sphere as an institution at the forefront of education, innovation and research. Our resourceful UA staff bolstered our accomplishments, and our determined UA students boldly pursued their goals, inspired by a visionary view of the future.

It remains my greatest privilege to serve as your president.

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – March 30, 2021

• March 30th, 2021
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

I know you join me in applauding the historic efforts of Coach Nate Oats and our men’s basketball team as they claimed the SEC regular season and tournament championships on their way to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Congratulations, as well, to Coach Kristy Curry and the women’s basketball team for their first appearance in the NCAA tournament in over two decades. We also celebrate Coach Dana Duckworth and the gymnastics team for winning another SEC Championship; they will host the 2021 NCAA Gymnastics Regional this weekend in Coleman Coliseum. And, UA runner Mercy Chelangat claimed an individual NCAA Cross Country Championship with the best individual finish in school history. Results like these leave no room for doubt; our student-athletes rank among the elite in the nation.

As our academic achievements attest, our success extends well beyond the athletic arena. We are very proud of UA’s leadership in transformational education, leading-edge research and inspirational service. The School of Law was recently ranked No. 25 on the list of best law graduate schools in the nation and ninth among public law schools for 2022 by U.S. News and World Report. Special recognition is also due for UA senior Kathleen McManus for being named PRWeek’s 2021 Outstanding Student; she credits faculty mentoring within UA’s Department of Advertising and Public Relations for much of her success. In addition, please join me in honoring the three UA students who received a Critical Language Scholarship to study overseas this summer, furthering their opportunities to contribute to the U.S. economy and to issues of national security.

As we move into April, proud UA students and alumni will be receiving their class rings through a special ring ceremony, an important tradition for conveying the Capstone spirit. From athletic triumphs to academic success, The University of Alabama remains the place Where Legends Are Made.

Finally, we continue to see low COVID-positive numbers and increasing vaccination rates, supporting our plan to return to normal operations for the Fall 2021 Semester. Thank you for your continued vigilance in our ongoing efforts to protect our campus community.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – March 16, 2021

• March 16th, 2021
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

I hope our students were able to take advantage of yesterday’s wellness/study day to recharge and prepare for the stretch run of the spring semester.

This past weekend many of our student-athletes were busy competing for and winning championships on the national stage. Our Adapted Athletics programs were honored to host the Wheelchair Basketball National Championships Saturday in Stran-Hardin Arena, where the women’s team registered its seventh national title since 2009. Our men’s basketball team topped a record-breaking regular season with an electrifying SEC Tournament title Sunday in Nashville. Both the men’s and women’s teams have advanced to the NCAA Tournament with the men matching a program-best No. 2 seed while the women earned a spot in the Big Dance for the first time since 1999. The Crimson Tide men will face Iona College Saturday at 2 p.m. and the Alabama women take on North Carolina Monday at 11 a.m.

We are proud of all our champions and the way they represent UA both inside and outside of the competitive arena.

Today, we are excited to announce plans for our spring commencement ceremonies. Building on the success of our fall and winter commencements, we will host nine ceremonies April 30-May 2 at Coleman Coliseum with our previously established health and safety protocols and best practices.

Congratulations are in order for Dr. David L. Albright, who was recently recognized as a Distinguished Research Professor by The University of Alabama Board of Trustees. Dr. Albright is internationally recognized for his scholarly work regarding military social work and is regarded as a thought leader in the area of veteran health and well-being. He joins a select list of UA faculty honored with this special appointment.

Finally, I’d like to congratulate and welcome our new Student Government Association executives led by incoming President Jill Fields. We look forward to working with you and the positive impact you will make on the Capstone.

We have made tremendous progress this spring and I remain grateful for your collective efforts to advance our mission and remain Tide Together.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – March 8, 2021

• March 8th, 2021
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

Last week, The University of Alabama System announced plans for a return to traditional in-person instruction without classroom capacity restrictions for the Fall 2021 Semester. As we plan for the fall, we will continue to work with the UA System Health and Safety Task Force and monitor recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Alabama Department of Public Health to ensure the well-being of our entire UA community. And, while we currently have a record low number of COVID-positive students, faculty and staff, continuing to follow recommended safety measures is essential for our ongoing progress.

In the persistent pursuit of academic excellence, our high achieving students, faculty and staff continue to excel academically and break boundaries. For the fifth time in the past six years, UA has been recognized as a Top Producing Institution for Fulbright U.S. Student Awards, widely considered one of the most prestigious international scholarships. We are immensely proud of the 17 students in the 2020-2021 cohort. In addition, the Capstone’s highest honors, the Premier Awards, were recently awarded to nine students, faculty and staff who personify UA’s character to the highest degree. Finally, The University of Alabama Dance Marathon announced its impressive fundraising total of $303,126 for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham. Our people continue to learn, teach and serve with integrity.

Our momentum continues on the hardwood as congratulations are due to Alabama Crimson Tide Men’s Basketball Coach Nate Oats and our talented student-athletes for securing UA’s first regular season SEC championship since 2002. Coach Kristy Curry and our women’s basketball team have also enjoyed a fine season and are well-positioned for a berth in the NCAA Tournament. We are immensely proud of both teams and look forward to cheering them on throughout March Madness.

March also brings the celebration of Women’s History Month. In recognition of the many outstanding achievements of women throughout history, I encourage you to learn more about those who played important roles at our institution and others who continue to inspire future generations as trailblazers. Many of today’s impactful innovators, artists and journalists, and other professionals, are UA alumnae who have made tremendous contributions to society. We are proud to honor all women, especially those who have made lasting contributions to our University, state, nation and beyond.

Finally, students — as you continue to prioritize your academic focus this semester, don’t forget Monday, March 15, is a non-instructional wellness and study day. It’s important to set aside time to rest and reflect so you can recharge and finish the semester strong.

I remain thankful for the resiliency, dedication and determination of our UA community. You are our change makers and the dream builders of a better future. Thank you for how you represent this University and its values.

Tide Together,

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – March 2, 2021

• March 2nd, 2021
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

One of the most important values at The University of Alabama is the belief in the inherent dignity of every member of our community. Each semester, I reaffirm our pledge to promote and preserve a safe, respectful campus environment. We remain steadfastly committed to preventing sexual misconduct and any egregious behavior that threatens the freedom or respect due to every human being.

To that end, the University provides numerous resources, support and reporting options for victims of sexual assault, sexual misconduct, relationship violence, gender discrimination and harassment of any kind. We will continue to support survivors and to investigate complaints in an appropriate, unbiased manner that respects due process.

I encourage each of you to review the information and links provided in this message to be informed about the resources available to assist the members of our community, as well as providing contact information for reporting incidents. Please take the time to review UA’s Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Policy, which was updated in August 2020. I also encourage you to visit the UAct website, which was created as part of UA’s commitment to raise awareness and promote the prevention of sexual violence. For comprehensive Title IX information and to report sexual misconduct, please call the University’s Title IX Coordinator, Jessica Humber, at 205-348-0582 or email her office directly at titleix@ua.edu. To report misconduct, the UAPD may also be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days per week by calling 205-348-5454. Please also note that in the case of an on-campus emergency, bright blue emergency phones are available and are clearly marked. Each is a direct line to the UAPD Communications Center, and no dialing is necessary.

Additional support includes the Women and Gender Resource Center (WGRC), which provides free, confidential counseling and advocates who are on call around the clock, including weekends and holidays. Additional counseling services are available to students at the Counseling Center and to employees through the Employee Assistance Program. Another important agency is the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center, which provides free health care, advocacy and compassionate counseling services to victims of sexual assault.

The UA Student Health Center and the UA Safe Zone Resource Center provide other vital support. The UA Safety App is a valuable tool that can provide immediate access to information during an emergency, including the ability to contact campus and law enforcement agencies. All of the resources at the Capstone are available to serve members of our community and guarantee everyone has the tools and support needed.

The University of Alabama takes the issue of sexual assault and any type of misconduct very seriously. We have a shared responsibility to create and maintain a culture of safety and respect. Please remain Tide Together, review the information presented here carefully and partner with us in our ongoing pursuit of dignity and well-being for all.

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – February 18, 2021

• February 18th, 2021
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

I hope you enjoyed a safe extended weekend thanks to the winter weather earlier this week.

With an ongoing emphasis on testing and the continuation of our vaccine distribution to faculty and staff, we have seen a steady decline in positive COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. Because of the talented staff at our Student Health Center and University Medical Center, symptomatic and exposure testing continue to run smoothly and remain available for everyone in our UA community.

The Student Health Center’s medical professionals have dedicated long hours to serving our students over the past year, providing a skilled standard of care that has been both indispensable and impressive. I sincerely appreciate the servant leadership of our medical teams and staff.

This week we continue our celebration of Black History Month. Please make time to visit the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion website to review the special programming to showcase African American culture and to support our path forward as an accepting, inclusive community. Join me in honoring the many black students, alumni, faculty and staff who have positively shaped UA’s history and legacy by learning more about their contributions and accomplishments.

Our legendary faculty and alumni contribute to our communities and the world with a pioneering impact on projects beyond the realm of our planet. In 2025, UA engineering researchers, including Dr. Rohan Sood, will partner with Marshall Space Flight Center and NASA to better understand how the sun and solar system function. We also look forward to the results of work led by Dr. Marcia Hay-McCutcheon through a $2.18 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for improving the lives of individuals with hearing loss in underserved, rural Alabama communities. Our revolutionary work as leaders in research, service and teaching continues in earnest and with unrivaled excellence.

Students, as we complete the sixth week of the spring term, I hope you will continue to set and pursue SMART goals to aid your focus on academic success. Learning is a lifelong process, and our dedicated faculty and staff are here to walk beside you on the journey toward a remarkable future.

Stay healthy; stay warm; and stay Tide Together. You make me proud.

Stuart R. Bell
President