UA’s MBA Orientation Means Lots Of Challenges For Participants

TUSCALOOSA, Al. – Sixty-one college students in gray jerseys will gather on The University of Alabama Quad in Tuscaloosa on Friday, Aug. 18, to practice and develop their skills in making split-second decisions under pressure.

The participants will be first-year Master of Business Administration students at The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration going through Quest on the Quad, part of MBA Orientation Week.

“Quest on the Quad is designed to help the students develop communication skills, learn how to plan as a team and carry out the plan, and solve problems under pressure, all skills they’ll need as they progress through the MBA program,” said Dr. Robert McLeod, executive director of MBA programs.

Quest on the Quad is on day four of the orientation week. Students will begin arriving on Tuesday, Aug. 15. Culverhouse Senior Associate Dean Walt Misiolek will welcome students on Wednesday, Aug. 16, followed by staff and faculty introductions.

Also team assignments will be made Aug. 16 and the students will remain in these teams throughout the first year of the program. Thursday will be used for an accounting session, case analysis training, professional development, and multi media training.

Quest on the Quad comes on Friday.

“We’ll have 61 first year students, six faculty members, 12 second year MBA students and six staff members on the Quad,” said Missy S. Brazil, coordinator of graduate recruiting/admissions for the MBA Program.

“They’ll be involved in a number of problem-solving situations,” Brazil said. “I can’t go into a lot of details because the various problems are designed to make them think on their feet and to be innovative. But I can say that the various problems will create some interesting situations.” The activities, which begin at 8 a.m., will be moved to the Student Recreation Center if it rains.

MBA activities resume on Monday, Aug. 21, and continue through Tuesday with a series of presentations by faculty and staff which includes computer training, accounting, professional development, organizations and activities available, and final expectations, followed by a student-faculty dinner. The MBA student can take an optional whitewater-rafting trip to the Ocoee River Aug. 26.

The first day of classes will be Aug. 23.