Initiative Tracker

High School SGA Series

The High School SGA Series aims to connect local high schools with the UA Student Government Association through on-campus visits. By incorporating these visits into tour days or school-planned trips, SGA will offer a firsthand look at student leadership and involvement at the collegiate level. The initiative will explore partnerships with other campus organizations to showcase a well-rounded student experience. This effort plans to strengthen community ties, inspire rising leaders, and highlight opportunities available at the University.

Status Update: SGA’s Executive members have been in contact with OTIDE – The Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Technology – to learn more about their program, Leaders to Legends. These initial meetings have also opened doors for SGA to have conversations on how they can be of support to UA Early College (UAEC).

Crimson Holiday Market

SGA plans to launch an annual Crimson Holiday Market to provide students and local entrepreneurs with a space to sell their products on campus. The market will aim to support small businesses, promote local shopping, and encourage innovation among student creators. Through potential collaboration with entrepreneur-focused organizations, participants may gain access to resources, networking, and visibility. 

Status Update: The Student Government Association is partnering with the SUPE Store to expand the Student Vendor Program. A form will soon be launched for student entrepreneurs to express their interest in becoming registered vendors with the SUPE Store. The current timeline anticipates that student vendors will be highlighted at a holiday market before the conclusion of the fall semester, providing an opportunity to showcase their products to the campus community. For any questions regarding becoming a registered vendor, please contact Bernadette Chavira-Trull, bchavira@ua.edu.  

UA System Better Relations Day

UA System Better Relations Day aims to bring together student leaders from UA, UAB, and UAH to promote collaboration and connection across the UA System. The event will provide space for networking, idea-sharing, and discussion on shared student concerns. This initiative will work to foster long-term partnerships and improve the student experience system wide.

Status Update: After discussions with UA administrators, the Student Government Association anticipates that the UA System Better Relations Day will be hosted in conjunction with an upcoming Board of Trustees meeting. This setting will not only allow student leaders to collaborate with their peers from other campuses but also provide exposure to their respective university administrators and an opportunity to engage in the meeting itself. SGA is enthusiastic about the potential of this opportunity and expects to share further updates in the October edition of the Initiative Tracker. 

Lighting the Way Campus Safety Initiative

Lighting the Way, a campus safety initiative, will aim to improve safety around campus by working with the City of Tuscaloosa and UAPD to explore improved lighting and Blue Light emergency stations in high-traffic areas. The goal is to increase visibility, reduce safety risks, and ensure students have direct access to emergency support when needed.

Bama Pulse Integration & Service Recognition Initiative

SGA will collaborate with OIT to explore integrating Bama Pulse into myBama, aiming to make service tracking easier for students. This initiative will also seek support from the Provost’s Office to evaluate the possibility of adding verified service hours to student transcripts, helping students showcase their involvement to graduate programs and employers. 

Status Update:
BamaPulse has been integrated into the myBama home page. The link can be found on the Student page underneath Student Life. SGA is still exploring ways to increase recognition of service hours completed.

Beat The Heat

This initiative will advocate for the placement of large, free water dispensers in Bryant-Denny Stadium and evaluate the relocation of existing stations to higher traffic areas. The goal is to reduce the risk of dehydration during hot game days and promote student well-being.

Status Update: SGA is proud to announce the new locations of water stations in Bryant Denny Stadium for the 2025 football season! Stay tuned to the SGA Instagram (@uasga) for announcements in the fall regarding new water and charging stations.

Coleman Coliseum Student Seating Expansion

SGA plans to work with Alabama Athletics to explore expanding student seating in Coleman Coliseum from baseline to baseline. This initiative aims to boost game-day energy and increase student access to high-demand basketball games, improving the overall fan experience.

Law School Clinic Visibility

The Law School Clinic Visibility initiative aims to spotlight the impactful work being done through UA’s Law School Clinics. These clinics provide approximately 15,000 hours of free legal aid annually to individuals and communities in need. By highlighting this service, the initiative will seek to elevate awareness of the clinics’ value, both as a public resource and a training ground for future legal professionals. SGA will explore ways to share clinic successes and increase student understanding of the clinics’ role on campus and beyond. This effort plans to strengthen support for experiential learning while promoting the University’s broader commitment to service.

Status Update: SGA will be filming an informational video highlighting the Law School Clinics as part of a new social media series, Legends in the Loop. The video will be posted to SGA social media accounts in October. For more information about the Law School Clinics, visit the law school website here!

First Generation Communities within Each College

SGA plans to collaborate with academic colleges to establish First-Generation Student Communities. These groups will aim to offer mentorship, peer support, and networking opportunities to help first-gen students succeed personally and professionally.

Centralizing Research Opportunities

This initiative will explore the creation of a searchable online database for research opportunities. The database will aim to include faculty projects, funding options, and summer programs, helping students find academic and professional development pathways.

Legends Punch Card

SGA plans to introduce a punch card reward system for students who make the President’s and/or Dean’s List. In partnership with local businesses, the program will aim to offer exclusive discounts or freebies, recognizing academic success and promoting local engagement.

Status Update: After outreach to the local business community, SGA secured more than 25 discounts for the Legends Punch Card. Printing is underway, and once cards arrive, SGA will begin outreach to students who earned a place on the President’s or Dean’s List in Spring 2025 to pick up their punch card from the SGA office. 

Executive Cabinet Meet & Greet Series

SGA will launch a recurring event series where students can meet and speak directly with members of the Executive Cabinet. These meet and greets aim to open lines of communication, build trust, and encourage student feedback.

Update: SGA is aiming to host its first Executive Cabinet Meet & Greet in the Fall! If you need to schedule a meeting with an executive council member, please reach out to them via email or attend during their regularly scheduled office hours which can be found under the Executive Branch page on this site.