The University of Alabama Top Questions

I am truly blessed to be attending the University of Alabama. Every day, as I walk across the Quad, I take a moment to look around and take in everything, realizing I only have a few years as a student here. As a member of the College of Arts & Sciences, I have a plethora of academic opportunities and course options to explore. The organization of the Arts portion and the Sciences portion is executed exceptionally well, allowing for all students in the college to receive a thorough and exceptional education, both academically and socially.

UA's administration desperately needs work. The overall consensus view of our university president who shall remain nameless is that he's a wackjob. He wants to get 25,000 undergraduate students by 2011 so he has lowered admissions standards, which hurts the value of alumni degrees. But despite this surge of new freshman every year, tuition continues to rise unchecked. Also, there is not enough housing to accommodate the people who already go here and since freshman are now required to live on campus, there is strong pressure on upperclassmen to move off campus, which is unfair because we deserve to live here just as much as anyone else. The campus is beautiful and there is no feeling like waking up on a Saturday morning in the fall and smelling ribs barbecuing from all the way across campus, getting up and going to the stadium and feeling like you are at home, with 90,000 of your closest friends. The Crimson Tide makes everything worth it...and the university cafeteria food is actually pretty good.

School pride here in Tuscaloosa seems to be over flowing. Athletics are more than a past time here, they consume not only the university but the town as a whole. Fun is always around the corner, in fact you have to try to have a bad time. People often have a joke about Alabama when they find out that you attend UA, but if they ever come visit they will fall in love with UA 99{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time.

Tuscaloosa is such a college town. I could not imagine spending my college years anywhere else. People flock to campus on football gameday weekends, which are some of the best weekends of my life. The atmosphere on the Quad is so much fun, with everyone tailgating, the school spirit is contagious! We all have a lot of school pride especially now that we have Nick Saban for a coach and we have the number 1 recruiting class in the nation! Since I grew up in Alabama, I could never go to a school where there was no school spirit for a football team. I did not plan on going to Alabama my whole life as you would expect. I did not decide that I liked the school until I visited in my Junior year of high school and was eventually convinced that it is the most beautiful, and fun campus I could wish to attend.

Tuscaloosa is definitely a college town; there are a lot of places to eat but not enough to do sometimes. The student government is pretty much Greek dominated but nothing is too harsh. It's absolutely beautiful in the spring and summer but it's also pretty humid and hot. The parking is pretty average and tuition and fees will make you pay a lot of money. Yet there are a lot of opportunities to get involved that the University pays for. Off campus housing is pricey and there are places to avoid.

UA really is an awesome. I'm in my first semester here and I absolutely love it. The people here are so friendly and making new friends is not a problem. The only thing that I'd change would be adding more stop signs and traffic lights in the more dangerous areas around campus. There's places where I'm terrified to cross the street but do it anyway. School pride is everywhere. Also people are always hanging out on the Quad and it's simply awesome.

If I could make a major change at UA, I would do the impossible and break up the greek system to be less elitist, less political, and more approachable. From an outsider's point of view, one would never know that Greeks make up about 28{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the student population here at UA, because they have the appearance and presence of being the majority, since they seem to dominate all leadership positions on campus. The greek system here at UA is segregated and corrupt. Independents on campus rightfully feel that they have little influence over what happens on campus because the Machine has dominated campus politics for so long, it seems that even showing up to vote is a wasted effort, hence the less than 20{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} voter turnout for campus elections. Granted the greek system is a great way to socialize, serve the community, and collaborate with groups of like-minded, smart men and women, but its manifestation on campus has been so pervasive and evolved so corruptly that it is more of a burden than a blessing at this point.

UA is a really big school. There are aver 25,000 students, so at first its pretty daunting, because you don't see all the same people all the time like in high school. Football and school spirit is important to a lot of the students on campus. People go crazy during the fall for the games and tailgaters permeate the city. Tuscaloosa is a pretty small town, but there are plenty of places to eat, grocery stores, and bars.

Tons of school pride. Nothing inaccessable for anyone. Great social scene. Greek Life, if that's what you're in to. Amazing athletics Roll Tide!!!

UA is a fantastic place to go to school. Tuscaloosa has enough to meet any college student's needs, and Birmingham is only 45 minutes away for concerts, good shopping, and nice restaurants. The campus is gorgeous, and although the enrollment is bigger than some nearby towns, I have never felt overwhelmed or crowded on campus. No one can have enough school spirit during football season, and about half the student body can be seen wearing some type of school logo on a daily basis. The Administration is really making efforts to improve the University's reputation academically, as most people think of UA just in terms of football and partying. The Honors College has a minimum ACT score of 28 and makes up about 20{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the student body. Although the University is not normally thought of as an academic powerhouse, it definitely is. UA students regularly win numerous awards like the USA Today scholar award and Hollings Scholars.

The atmosphere on campus is great, I love it. The grounds are in impeccable shape year round. The buildings display architectural heritage and variety. UA is a college that had a city built around it, so it is its own entity. 150,000 population in Tuscaloosa county. The administration is pushing hard to make the University a top ten institution, and in effect are taking out the local bars and hangouts to decrease distractions. Now the students will have to drive a few miles if they want to go drink, which they will do. Yet another great plan from the administration. NOT! Parking is a hot topic as well. They pushed all of the student parking to the edge of campus, and there is now an ineffective bus system being used.

It was just right when I moved here. They're trying to make it to big. Oh, and university blvd needs to be repaived.

I think ALabama is getting too large. Housing is becoming a problem along with parking. But I love ALabama. There is a lot of school pride especially during football season! The best thing I have done at Alabama is join a sorority. It doesn't matter if you join one or not, you will still meet new people, but I have made the best friends ever.

Just the right size. I wouldn't change anything about it, except that the crime near campus seems to be going up. However, the administration and the school police department are working on this. It's a great college town and there is a lot of school pride, especially during football season.

Best thing: ME!!!!! I'd change the amount of tuition; shit's too damn high! I think it's too big at times I get no specific reaction, most of the time, they're just happy I'm in college I spend most of my time either in Gorgas, the CTL, or my dorm Basically a college town..I mean, with 3 institutions, how can it not be n/a on the admin. Biggest controversy: that football player robbing the people 4 $26 It's a nice amount of school pride Nothing's really unusual to me about UA

The absolute best thing about Alabama is Alabama football! The energy of the campus is phenomenal and being in the stadium with 96,000 other Crimson Tide fans is life changing! If I could change anything about the University I would do away with the Greek organizations. They provide a segregation between blacks and whites, upper class whites and lower class whites, as well as many in-state and out-of-state students. Many people join to meet new people which end up being the new people they spend the rest of their collegiate careers with. The Greek system is the beginning of the tensions that arise on campus. They receive special privileges. They are isolationists and if you can't beat them, most people just join them out of desperation. The school itself is tidy in size. By that I mean, you will know a lot of people just from commonalities, such as being at the Recreation Center at the same time, or being in the cafeteria around the same time, etc. So you will recognize faces and get an occasional hello. The interesting thing is wherever you go people always assume the University of Alabama is in Birmingham. Too often I have to clarify that the University of Alabama is in Tuscaloosa, and is not UAB, or Alabama State. Others who are familiar with the school though, instantly strike up a conversation about football, which is good that you can relate in some aspect, but begin to wish that there was more to Alabama than football. I spend most of my time at the Rec which is the greatest way to meet and interact with people. Often times, you are competing against people so often you develop a respect for one another. Other times, people in there see how committed you are to your workout program and ask questions or help. I love being in the Rec sometimes just to people watch. Or in my case girl watch. Tuscaloosa is the definition of a college town. There are two malls that are both one story and a Wal Mart. Other than that, you may have to travel to Northport which is two minutes away, or to Birmingham, a more healthy commute of about 45 minutes. The University of Alabama's administration is absolutely useless! Often times, I have sought an answer to a problem and have been sent to three different people only to be told to call back tomorrow. It is so frustrading dealing with people in the offices here, and it seems at times that some of the administrators simply don't want to help you, are distracted by something more important, or just don't care about your problem. The biggest recent controversy on campus is the idea of "a machine", a political regime organized by the Greek system to hold power in the Student Government Association. It is only a theory. The actual existence of this Machine has not been confirmed but there are conspiracy theories that the reason the past 50 or so SGA presidents have been members of predominately white Greek letter fraternities is mindboggling. This is backed by shady polling activities, intimidation methods of minority candidates, and unusual backing out of other candidates that may have a viable chance of winning to allow a lesser qualified candidate to take the position. There are a lot of questions surrounding whether "A Machine" exists to keep the power in place but nothing has solidified. UA is bountiful with school pride. Hate does not even describe what is felt about that other school in Alabama often referred to as the Cow College. UA used to have a real prevalent squirrel army in the summer and fall semesters, but they have declined in recent history. One experience I'll always remember is the day Coach Saban was announced as the new head coach at the basketball game. The place erupted so much so that they had to delay the game from all the people who stormed the court. The most frequent complaints at the school are the lack of parking and the even greater parking fines, the school store charging horrendous prices for books and giving nearly nothing back in return for them, and lighting in some places of the university.

UA is a great college. Tuscaloosa is definately a college town. The whole city revolves around the college. Everyone that goes to UA and everyone that has graduated take a lot of pride in their school. The quad is a nice play to go on campus. People go there to play football, walk, jog, or study. One of the most frequent complaints is parking, but this year, UA got a trolley system. I'm not sure how that is working out, though, because I graduated in May.

What's the best thing about UA? The campus layout Name one thing you'd change. Add a year 'round 24 hour library (or make the main library 24 hours year 'round) Is your school too large, too small, or just right? Just Right. Not as large as Ohio State or Michigan, but big enough to maintain diversity. How do people react when you tell them you go to UA? They ask about the football team Where do you spend most of your time on campus? At the CTL (Center for Teaching and Learning) College town, or "what college town?" College town. What's your opinion of UA's administration? Like President Witt, but question the efficient handling of funds (on a minor level). What was the biggest recent controversy on campus? Coach Saban getting 4 million a year, but since the football team is such an important marketing tool (e.g. UA commercials played across the nation on network TV when the team is good enough to warrant CBS, ESPN, etc. to show our games) for the university, it's really important that we have a team that plays on a high level. How else are we going to catch the attention of prospective students from California, Washington, Montana, Hawaii, etc.? Is there a lot of school pride? Yes Is there anything unusual about UA? Though the South is know as a fairly conservative (political wise), the UA is amazingly liberal among students and staff. What's one experience you'll always remember? Running through the halls screaming "roll tide" in a make-shift superman outfit (and yes I wore tidy whities outside my tights) my Freshman year in Paty Hall. What are the most frequent student complaints? Limited parking

For me, the best thing about UA is that I have met so many people from a lot of different places. I have definitely learned to appreciate the fact that I am getting a chance to see what type of people I may be working with on a daily bases. If you don't like to be surrounded by a lot of people all the time then UA is not the place for you. The enrollment is increasing every year and I don't think it is slowing down anytime soon. But the very good thing about the school is that the buildings are not that far apart from each other. Your freshmen year you may find yourself trucking from Ten Hoor to Shelby Hall in ten minutes, BAD IDEA, but for the most part once you get in your major you really won't have that big of a problem. For me this was a big deal, because where I am from most people don't attend big universities like UA. So for me it has always been a positive response. At work, lol, I work on campus. But a lot of people chill on the quad or at the Ferguson Center where the food court is. But it really depends on the person. Tuscaloosa is definitely a college town. If you come here during the summer, there is nobody here and you are always bored because fun events are centered around it. Depends on what you are talking about. In my opinion, UA have made some dumb decisions about how they have spent their money in the past year, but they have made some good ones also. Particular the Crimson Ride, transit system, has made it a lot easier for students to study late and night and have rides back to their dorms and feel safe. Gay rights. In the fall there was a lot of talk about whether or not gay rights should be added to our constitution since we were one of the only schools in the Southeast not to have it. The administration added them at the end of Fall '07 or the beginning of Spring '08. YESSSSSS...I don't know of too many places that top UA pride. It is amazing "Roll Tide" is used in place of "Hello" sometimes. Unusual, I don't know. This is the only school I know so I really can't answer that question. It would have to be my first UA football game my freshman year marching in the band. The crowd noise as I was marching in the band is the best feeling in the world as they await to hear "Yea, Alabama" for the first time in Bryany-Denny each season. It was amazing. Most complaints are about money. UA have taken a lot of "give ins" away the past couple of years but those complaints only come from upperclassmen since they are the only ones to have them.