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: On January 23, 2026, SGA and UA Early College are teaming up to host outstanding local high school students for the SGA Connections Summit. This event is designed to help West Alabama’s brightest young leaders explore academics, leadership, and student life at UA. Attendees will visit the Randall Welcome Center, receive tailored Capstone tours based on their academic interests, eat lunch with student leaders, learn about the Honors College, and build relationships with fellow students from across the region.  

To learn more about the SGA Connections Summit, please visit WVUA.  

Additionally, SGA participated in “Session #3 – Serving with Purpose” of the Leaders to Legends program. Leaders to Legends is an innovative leadership development program designed to empower high school juniors in Tuscaloosa County to become changemakers in their schools and communities. A collaboration between The University of Alabama Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education, Leadership Tuscaloosa Alumni Association, The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, Tuscaloosa City Schools and the Tuscaloosa County School System, the program is built on three core pillars: character development, career pathways and community outreach. UA SGA is excited about this opportunity to work with local high school students and can’t wait to see how this partnership will expand in the future!  

These two efforts embody our passion for engaging young people from West Alabama and across the state of Alabama.  

UA System Student Leaders Summit

UA System Student Leaders Summit 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: SGA hosted the first-ever UA System Student Leaders Summit on the UA campus in November 2025. SGA members from UA, UAB, and UAH attended the UA System Board of Trustees November meeting, met with University and System administrators, shared best practices, and discussed areas of potential collaboration. Students were able to meet their counterparts and learn more about one another. 

“We are so excited about the possibilities born out of the summit – new friendships and impactful campus partnerships,” said Lucy Bonhaus. “This past year, I have been able to get to know Saad and Chris, my counterparts from UAB and UAH. It is a great blessing for our entire team to be able to interact with their counterparts, which has never happened before.” 

To learn more, visit news.ua.edu.  

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: SGA is partnering with the UA Student Center to develop opportunities for student artists and entrepreneurs to showcase their creative talents through a student-focused market. Our team is focused on finding avenues to showcase talent without the legal complexities that are placed on regular University vendors. Please stay tuned for continued updates on how we are helping to create economic opportunities for creative students.  

On October 1^st, SGA hosted the Annual Gorgas Library Art Show with Dean Gilstrap and UA Libraries. The event, which drew record attendance, recognized the talents of three seniors from the Department of Art and Art History. To see the pieces, visit the display on the first floor of the Gorgas Library inside the Music and Fine Arts Library (just off Java City Coffee). We are grateful to the artists and their families for their creativity, skill, and participation.  

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.

Status Update: In September, SGA President Lucy Bonhaus met with Mayor Maddox and leadership at the City of Tuscaloosa to discuss the safety of the Strip and areas adjacent to campus. This meeting followed a visit of SGA leaders to the Tuscaloosa City Council on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. We are invested in developing relationships with leaders in public safety to help address our most pressing campus and student safety issues.

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 highlighted the UA Law School Clinic as part of a new social media series, Legends in the Loop. The video was posted to SGA social media accounts in January. To learn more about the legal 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: The University of Alabama SGA has launched the Legends Punch Card, a program rewarding students named to the Spring 2025 Dean’s or President’s List with discounts from 28 local businesses. The initiative, a campaign promise from SGA President Lucy Bonhaus, celebrates academic achievement while strengthening student–community ties. This September, over 900 students came through the SGA office to receive their punch card and participate in the discount program. We are grateful for the high level of interest in the program and are excited to continue efforts to recognize academic excellence.  

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.

Status Update: SGA will host a Meet & Greet in conjunction with the annual State of the School Address on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the UA Student Center Great Hall. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend and connect with members of SGA’s Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches. Light refreshments will be provided, and we look forward to welcoming you. 

Following the Meet & Greet, attendees are invited to the Student Center Theater to hear updates from SGA President Lucy Bonhaus and University administrators. This event will bring together campus leaders for an engaging and informative evening highlighting the state and future of our university.