President Bell Announces Four Pillars of UA’s New Strategic Plan

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — President Stuart R. Bell announced the four pillars of The University of Alabama’s new strategic plan at a meeting with faculty and staff this afternoon. The bi-annual meeting provided Bell with the opportunity to update the campus community on the strategic planning initiative that has been underway since December.

“The University’s mission and vision have not changed,” said Bell. “These will remain the same in all our endeavors, but how we achieve that mission and vision does change and is captured through the goals of our faculty, students and university community. These will move us in the direction of where we aspire to be.”

Bell described the goals of the new strategic plan as four pillars:

  • To provide a premier undergraduate and graduate education that offers a global perspective and is characterized by outstanding teaching, high-quality scholarship and distinctive curricular and co-curricular programs.
  • To increase the University’s productivity and innovation in research, scholarship and creative activities that impact socio-economic development.
  • To enrich the learning and work environment by providing an accepting, inclusive community that attracts and supports a diverse faculty, staff and student body.
  • To provide opportunities and resources that promote work-life balance and enhance the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty and staff.

Bell noted the University sought input on the plan from students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, retirees and community members.

“This is everyone’s plan,” he said. “We are all the University, and we are grateful for the valuable ideas and insights that all of these groups and individuals provided to us.”

Bell said the Strategic Planning Council will now center its work on discussing the objectives of each pillar, with an expected full roll-out of the plan coming this fall.

“We have much more work to do in the coming months,” he said, “but we are well on our way.”

Contact

Chris Bryant, UA media relations, 205/348-8323, cbryant@ur.ua.edu