Posted Jul 17, 2015, 1:10 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Tuscaloosa
Posts: 515
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Then also, new UA president, Stuart Bell, spent his first day meeting the students. Good guy. Ever since being announced the president, I've seen him all over Tuscaloosa and the University. He seems to be very inclined on getting UA more research and marketing the University for more than just collegiate sports.
New University of Alabama president spends first day meeting students
Quote:
New University of Alabama President Stuart Bell has spent his first days on the job meeting with students, faculty and local officials, beginning his presidency with assurances he would be accessible.
“Certainly, first and foremost, I want to be out there and accessible to our faculty and staff,” Bell said Wednesday.
Bell used part of his first official day as president to visit the Fresh Food Co., which was crowded with a lunchtime rush of incoming freshman on campus for orientation. Bell, shadowed by photographers from the university and local media, shook hands with students in the dining hall, as well as posing for photos. Bell said he was using the beginning of this time on campus to connect with students and their aspirations while at Alabama.
“The reason I want to be part of the university is I love young people, and I love the ability to help them aspire and achieve their dreams,” Bell said.
On Wednesday, Bell reiterated commitments that UA would remain a student-
centered institution as well as a resource, both locally and statewide, for research and economic development. A
student-centered world view and emphasis on research were among the priorities sought by the search committee that nominated Bell and among his initial talking points during his appointment by the UA board of trustees last month.
“My concern is to make sure we are doing everything we can to provide the environment on our campus that is going to help us succeed in our mission to help our students succeed,” Bell said.
Bell’s first official day was Wednesday, but he has spent the first days of the week meeting with members of the UA and Tuscaloosa communities. Bell’s meetings included talks with his predecessor, former UA President Judy Bonner, and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox.
Bell said his message was that the university under his leadership would continue to build on UA’s momentum of the last decade and its existing relationships.
“You certainly accomplish an awful lot working with external groups, but the message I want to send is we are not perfect ... There is probably some things we need to be doing better, certainly from UA’s perspective,” Bell said. “We are going to continue to build on the great relationships we have already established but also make sure we are hand-in-glove in terms of our communication to make sure we are addressing the challenges we have in the future.”
Pending review and approval by the UA board of trustees’ compensation committee, Bell will make $625,000 annually in base pay and be eligible for a $105,000 per year as a goals-based performance incentive, according to the offer letter from UA Chancellor Robert Witt.
As president, Bell, like his predecessors, will be required to live at UA’s president’s mansion. The offer also includes a $12,000 per year automobile allowance.
With Bell on campus, UA will resume the search for a permanent provost, which was put on hold by Bonner to allow her replacement to participate in the process. The search will restart soon, Bell said. The interim provost is Kevin Whitaker.
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