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History

The University of Alabama, the state of Alabama’s oldest public university, is a senior comprehensive doctoral-level institution. The University was established by constitutional provision under statutory mandates and authorizations. Its mission is to advance the intellectual and social condition of the people of the state through quality programs of teaching, research and service.

In 1818, the federal government authorized the Alabama Territory to set aside a township for the establishment of a “seminary of learning.” President Monroe signed the enabling act for statehood on March 2, 1819, and Alabama was officially admitted to the Union on Dec. 14, 1819, and a second township was added to the grant. On Dec. 18, 1820, the seminary was established officially and named “The University of the State of Alabama.” Tuscaloosa, then the state’s capital, was chosen as the University’s home in 1827. On April 18, 1831, under the leadership of the first University president, Alva Woods, inaugural ceremonies were held and the University opened. By May 28, 52 students had enrolled. The campus consisted of seven buildings: two faculty houses, two dormitories, the laboratory, the hotel (now Gorgas House) and the Rotunda.

In 1838, The University of Alabama became the first in the state to offer engineering classes. It was one of the first five in the nation to do so and one of the few to have maintained accreditation continuously since national accreditation began in 1936.

In 1865, during the Civil War, Union troops spared only seven buildings on the UA campus. Of the principal buildings remaining today, the President’s Mansion and its outbuildings still serve as the president’s on-campus residence. During the Reconstruction Era, a reorganized University opened again to students in 1871.

At the University’s diamond jubilee celebration in 1906, President John William Abercrombie presented to the board of trustees his plans for the Greater University fundraising campaign, thus ensuring that the state legislature would no longer be the primary source for financing the University’s growth.

In 1912, Dr. George H. Denny became University president; at that time the campus consisted of 652 students and nine principal buildings. His tenure began an era of unprecedented physical and enrollment growth. When he retired in 1936, there were more than 5,000 students and 23 major buildings, which form the core of the modern campus.

The most well-known campus landmark, Denny Chimes, was dedicated in 1929 and named in honor of President Denny.

Now home to over 38,000 diverse students, faculty and staff members in 12 colleges and schools led by deans and under the leadership of President Stuart R. Bell, The University of Alabama is flourishing and experiencing increased interest from across the nation and around the globe each year. UA offers 70 undergraduate programs through 12 colleges and schools.

The colleges and schools and their original dates of establishment as separate units are as follows:

The University of Alabama is one of three campuses in The University of Alabama System, all of which are governed by The University of Alabama Board of Trustees.

Established in 1969, The University of Alabama System includes The University of Alabama (located in Tuscaloosa), The University of Alabama at Birmingham and The University of Alabama in Huntsville. The System is governed by a self-nominating board of 15 elected and two ex-officio members.

The constitution of the State of Alabama provides that the board is composed of three members from the congressional district in which the Tuscaloosa campus is located and two members from each of the other six congressional districts. The governor and the state superintendent of education are ex-officio members of the board. Those members who are not ex-officio are elected by the board, subject to confirmation by the state senate, and may serve up to three consecutive, full six-year terms.

The purpose of the board of trustees is to ensure the effective leadership, management and control over the activities of the three doctoral research universities in The University of Alabama System. This structure provides for a definitive, orderly form of governance, and secures and continues responsive, progressive and superior institutions of higher education.

The primary function of the board is to determine the major policies of the system. These include reviewing existing policies; defining the mission, role and scope of each campus; and assuming ultimate responsibility to the public and political bodies of Alabama. Rules, policies and procedures are promulgated to ensure that, through The University of Alabama System Office, the necessary flow of information for such accountability takes place.