https://www.ua.edu/strategicplan/input
I hope everyone who cares about UA and their childrens’ success at UA will consider sharing your thoughts at the above link. It is very easy to do. This is your chance to be heard! We have so many smart folks here. Let UA know your thoughts about its future.
Done. Said that UA should strive to become part of the American Association of Universities.
Thanks CyclonesGrad! I said that UA should focus on growing its research/grad programs, rather than the undergrad program. I also said that UA should increase selectivity for its undergrad admissions.
I too suggested that UA make it an institutional priority to be admitted to the AAU (Association of American Universities). Won’t happen overnight (or even in the next decade), but it would demonstrate their commitment to becoming a world-class research institution.
Done! I suggested dumping Football and having Saban coach the men’s Tennis team…I mean really people! UA needs to focus on ACADEMICS and not evil, smelly, sports!! [-O< [-O< [-O<
@Gator88NE Are you referring to the AAU above? Do you know what that is? Far from Athletics!
I’m referring to the smack down we (UF) had to experience in the SEC title game…it’s really clarified for me that UA (University of Alabama) needs to focus on academics and to give this sports thing a pass… 
No worries. Florida has great athletics and I am saying this as I live in the heart of B1G country (Chicago). We have an ex-Gator here, maybe you heard of him: Joakim Noah? 
I’m familiar with AAU, when we expanded the SEC by two teams, one of the main selling points for TAMU and UM was their membership in AAU. If we want to increase the number of AAU schools in the SEC, we’ll need more support from current members…as you have to be voted in. Membership is by invitation-only and no application process exists.
Interesting side note, Georgia Tech only became a member in 2010, while TAMU become a member in 2001. It’s a tough club to break into…
By the way, a rather good article on AAU membership, done by the folks at UGA.
AAU is a VERY tough club to break into!
Stuart Bell, the new president of UA, spent 10 years as dean of engineering at the University of Kansas, which has been an AAU member since 1909. Maybe his connections there will help!
http://www.aau.edu/about/default.aspx?id=16710
Thanks for that article, @Gator88NE. Very interesting! Much more of an “old boys’ club” than I’d realized. Is the Red & Black UGA’s student paper? That’s some impressive reporting for a college student.
Interesting AAU/SEC story…
At the AAU meetings, the Presidents sit in alphabetical order. Back when the SEC first started to think about expanding, R Bowen Loften was the TAMU President, and he sat next to Bernie Machen, the then UF President. They developed a personal relationship, which lead to them discussing the possibility of TAMU moving to the SEC (when UT-Austin started to make noise about moving to the then Pac 10). When TAMU did make the announcement, in College Station, the SEC president’s representative at the announcement was Bernie Machen…
Thank you for posting this!
^^neat story @Gator88NE.