Student Life

Department website: https://sa.ua.edu/

Division of Student Life

The Division of Student Life empowers and supports students in maximizing their UA learning experiences. By providing intentional programs and support services and by positioning them as stakeholders in their learning, Student Life prepares UA students to be the next generation of leaders, lifelong learners, and active citizens. 

Student Life offers resources and support to care for the whole-person wellness of every student, and they foster diverse and inclusive communities where every student can find a sense of belonging. Finally, they empower and develop students through cocurricular learning opportunities that complement their academic coursework. To encourage students to explore their passions and develop their skills, Student Life’s outside-the-classroom learning opportunities are focused on five key areas: global and intercultural learning, leadership development, holistic development, experiential learning, and community service and engagement.

Blackburn Institute

The Blackburn Institute is a leadership development and civic engagement program specifically focused on improving the state of Alabama. Through its work with students, alumni (Fellows), and advisory board members, the institute develops a network of leaders who have a clear understanding of the state’s challenges. Selected students participate in a one-year curriculum of activities and events, after which they continue their involvement for their remaining time at the Capstone. Upon graduation, participants earn recognition as Blackburn Fellows and begin their work through professional and civic involvement in their home communities and throughout the state, both individually and through the Fellows Involvement Network (FIN). Supported by an advisory board of established leaders committed to the state of Alabama, the Blackburn Institute promotes change through an intergenerational network that learns from the past, takes action in the present, and plans for the future. The Blackburn Institute is located in 2400 UA Student Center. For more information, call 205-348-3277 or visit blackburninstitute.sl.ua.edu.

Career Center

The Career Center partners with students as they explore possibilities, develop skills, and connect with opportunities related to their professional endeavors. Career consultants are available to help students select a major, plan a career, develop job-search strategies, and more. The Career Center also hosts several career fairs, on-campus interview days, career-development workshops, and other special events throughout each academic year. Through Handshake, an online recruiting system, the Career Center connects students to thousands of job and internship opportunities. Students can log on through ua.joinhandshake.com.

In addition to the main Career Center, which is located at 3400 UA Student Center, the Career Center operates satellite offices for Engineering (2004 H.M. Comer Hall), Business (249 Bidgood Hall), and Communication and Information Sciences (103 Reese Phifer Hall). The Engineering Career Development Center also operates Cooperative Education (Co-Op), a dynamic academic program that offers students opportunities for professional experience before graduation.

Students are encouraged to start visiting the Career Center during their first semester at the University to begin exploring academic majors and career options, and become familiar with the Career Center and all it has to offer. To learn more, visit career.sl.ua.edu or call the main office at 205-348-5848. Career Center offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Counseling Center helps students achieve academic success and personal growth through quality counseling, as well as psychological and consultative services. By providing short-term emotional health care services, the Counseling Center serves as a screening, intake, and referral resource. The Counseling Center can assist students in identifying needs and locating an appropriate resource if more help is needed. Among the services provided are individual, couple, and group counseling; substance abuse counseling; crisis intervention; and medication referral services. The Counseling Center is located in 3000 South Lawn Office Building (1101 Jackson Ave.). For information and assistance, call 205-348-3863 or visit counseling.sl.ua.edu.

The Office of the Dean of Students is a starting place for students who have questions or concerns about their experience at the University. The office works with other offices in Student Life and Academic Affairs to engage and support students during their experience at the Capstone. The mission of the Dean of Students office is to maximize each UA student's learning experience by fostering personal development through opportunities for participation, involvement, and engagement. The Division of Student Life provides educational experiences outside the classroom that serve to develop students personally, socially, and spiritually, helping them become responsible citizens of the world. Programs within the Dean of Students office include: the Believe UA mentorship program, campus ministries, National Student Exchange, Off-Campus Resources, and the On-Call Dean program. Departments reporting to the Dean of Students include Student Care and Well-Being, Student Conduct, and Veteran and Military Affairs. The Dean of Students office is located in 230 UA Student Center. For more information about programs and services, call 205-348-3326; visit dos.ua.edu, or visit any of the reporting departments listed below.

National Student Exchange Program 

The National Student Exchange (NSE) is an undergraduate study-away program much like study abroad. Rather than crossing oceans, NSE students cross state, regional, provincial, and cultural borders. Through this program, students take a semester or academic year to attend another fully accredited participating institution while making progress toward their University of Alabama degree. The NSE is comprised of nearly 200 colleges and universities throughout the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

By participating in the program, students can broaden their personal and educational experiences, explore and appreciate new cultures, take courses not offered at The University of Alabama, learn from different professors, explore new areas of study, and break out of their comfort zones.

The National Student Exchange program is an entity of the Dean of Students office. For more information about the programs, call 205-348-3326 or visit nse.ua.edu.

Fraternity and Sorority Life

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (OFSL) is dedicated to the growth and success of the Greek community at UA and to the individual development of sorority and fraternity members. OFSL advises and provides guidance to the fraternities and sororities associated with the four Greek governing councils: the Alabama Panhellenic Association (APA), the Alabama National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), the Alabama Interfraternity Council (IFC), and the Alabama United Greek Council (UGC). For more information, call 205-348-2693 or visit ofsl.sl.ua.edu.

Health Promotion and Wellness 

Prevention and health promotion services are provided by the department of health promotion and wellness. This department is staffed by three professional health educators and a registered dietitian providing wellness education, interactive and engaging activities to promote healthy living and lifestyle choices. An award-winning group of peer educators trained by the health educators, called Project Health, provide over 50,000 direct encounters with students every year on topics critical to college health. Learn more at projecthealth.sl.ua.edu.

Housing and Residential Communities

Housing and Residential Communities provides safe, secure housing for undergraduate and graduate students, supporting their academic success. Campus housing provides leadership opportunities and avenues for campus involvement and engagement. For more information about campus housing, call 205-348-6676 or visit housing.sl.ua.edu.

Parent & Family Programs

Parent & Family Programs educates, engages, and guides parents and family members of The University of Alabama students with the goal of supporting successful student transition, retention, and persistence to graduation. Through a variety of communication (newsletters, webinars, and social media), family members of students can find the answers to questions and learn how to best support their student's education and outside-of-the-classroom experiences. For more information about Parent & Family Programs, including Family Weekend in the fall, call 800-392-2777 or visit parents.sl.ua.edu.

Student Care and Well-Being

The Student Care and Well-Being (SCWB) office was established to provide assistance and case management for students in crisis and outreach to parents and families. The staff in this area coordinate a range of services to assist students with issues and concerns that may interfere with their academic success.

The details about the programs and services for Student Care and Well-Being offers can be found at bamacares.sl.ua.edu. If you have questions about services available, please feel free to contact the office via email at bamacares@ua.edu or by phone at 205-348-2461.

In case of emergency, evenings after 5 p.m., weekends, and holidays please contact the University Police Department at 205-348-5454.

Student Conduct

Student Conduct seeks to develop students in a manner that provides a foundation for success, a commitment to responsible citizenship and a desire to make positive lifestyle choices based on the Capstone Creed values of fairness, honesty, accountability, integrity, and respect. Student Conduct is responsible for the administration and operation of the Code of Student Conduct, serving as the main campus entity to work with students to resolve non-academic misconduct matters. The Office of Student Conduct is located in 173 Burke East Hall. For more information about programs and services, call 205-348-8234 or visit studentconduct.sl.ua.edu.

Student Government Association

Established in 1915, the Student Government Association (SGA) is composed of three governing branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Students from all corners of campus are encouraged to participate in student government to enhance their experience at the Capstone. Freshmen can apply for First Year Council in the fall semester, while all students can run for Senate elections, apply to be on the Judicial Board, or join numerous cabinets and committees under the Executive Branch. In living out its motto of “Students serving students,” the SGA strives to represent every member of campus, while leading numerous initiatives, such as raising awareness for sexual assault survivors, combating food insecurity, and promoting academic integrity. The SGA office is located in 2617 UA Student Center. For more information about SGA initiatives or how to get involved, call 205-348-2742 or visit sga.sl.ua.edu.

Student Involvement 

The mission of Student Involvement is to provide opportunities for each UA student to achieve personal excellence by encouraging open exploration and engagement with the campus learning environment and by fostering individual growth and development.  Student Involvement recognizes that UA students come from many different backgrounds and have interests and passions that are as unique and exciting as they are. Whether those interests and goals are intellectual, social, recreational, cultural, multicultural, or spiritual in nature, there is a place and a community for every student at The University of Alabama. While the term ‘involvement’ may mean different things to different students, the key to getting involved is making connections.  Student Involvement is located in 3610 UA Student Center, and they can help spark those connections. To find out more about the many ways to get involved on campus, visit studentinvolvement.sl.ua.edu or call 205-348-6114.

Student Media prepares UA students for any career in a hands-on, real-life learning environment. Student Media offers personal and professional skill-building opportunities through The Crimson White, a print and an online newspaper; WVUA, a non-commercial radio station at 90.7 FM; Alice, a lifestyle magazine for young women; Marr's Field Journal, an undergraduate literary/art journal; Bama Life, a direct delivery student newsletter; Black Warrior Review, a graduate-level national literary journal; Southern Historian, a graduate-level research journal; a Digital Media unit that develops digital and video content; and positions in marketing, public relations, and ad sales. For more information, visit studentmedia.sa.ua.edu or call 205-348-7257.

University Recreation provides exceptional facilities, services, and programs for the University community that strengthen well-being, learning, and personal growth. Areas include intramural sports, sport clubs, outdoor recreation, personal training, fitness testing and consultations, group exercise classes, non-credit instructional classes, aquatic services, and open recreation. Facilities available include the ultramodern, award-winning Student Recreation Center, University Aquatic Center, the Robert E. Witt Student Activity Center (Witt Center), outdoor fields complex, outdoor pool complex, and tennis courts. For more information on these facilities and programs, call 205-348-3994 or visit urec.sl.ua.edu.

Veteran and Military Affairs

Veteran and Military Affairs (VMA) provides, facilitates, and coordinates programs and services to meet the special needs of veterans, service members, dependents, and survivors in order to ease their transition to college life and fulfill their educational goals. VMA staff members assist students in all aspects of Federal and State GI Bill certification and processing, as well as all processing for the Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (ANGEAP). VMA is located in 3000 Houser Hall. For more information, call 205-348-0983 or visit vets.sl.ua.edu.

Women and Gender Resource Center

The mission of the Women and Gender Resource Center (WGRC) is to address gender inequity and foster a community that values social justice, safety, leadership, mentoring, education, multiculturalism, partnership, and research. The center provides students and members of the UA community with free and confidential counseling and advocacy services to address issues of interpersonal violence, such as dating/domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, rape, childhood abuse, or stalking. There are opportunities to get involved with the WGRC through ongoing leadership and mentoring programs, such as the Young Women Leaders Program (YWLP); the Young Men’s Leadership Program; the WGRC Student Leadership Council; the WGRC Ambassadors; the Safe Sisters Peer Education Program; and many more. Additionally, there are opportunities to be engaged through general volunteering or internship placements, or participation in special events and programming, such as the Delta Initiative Women in STEM living-learning community, book clubs, support groups, and cultural heritage and other awareness event programming activities, among others. The WGRC is located in 2000 South Lawn Office Building and is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The on-call advocate, accessed via the UAPD main number (205-348-5454), is available after hours, on weekends, and during school holidays to provide crisis response. For additional information about programs and services, contact the WGRC at 205-348-5040 or visit wgrc.sl.ua.edu.

Activities of Expression on Campus

At The University of Alabama, freedom of expression and assembly is vital to the pursuit of knowledge. Such freedom comes with a responsibility to welcome and promote this freedom for all, even in disagreement, opposition, or even offense. An essential part of the University’s mission is to foster the ability of the campus community to engage in debate and deliberation in a productive and responsible manner on campus. While the University has a significant interest in protecting the education experience of its students, in ensuring health, safety and order on its campus, in regulating competing uses of its facilities and grounds, and other significant interests, there are numerous opportunities for activities of expression on campus.  More information on such opportunities can be found in the Facilities and Grounds Use Policy. The University’s Grounds Use website contains additional information on the University’s commitment to free and open inquiry and expression for the campus community.