With out-of-state student enrollment on the rise, a new student organization was recently formed with the goal of helping new out-of-state students to acclimate themselves to life here at The University of Alabama. The “49” plans to organize several initiatives to help streamline the adjustment of out-of-state students to life at the Capstone.

“The ‘49’ was formed in October 2011 as a student organization designed to reduce the number of out-of-state students that choose to leave the University after failing to fully adjust to life on campus,” Douglas Fair, a founding member of the group, said. “Our mission is to help out-of-state students become acclimated to life on campus through community involvement and social events throughout the school year.”

The programs and initiatives to be put into motion by The “49” will be drafted and approved by an independent planning committee referred to as The Assembly. Comprised of two students from each state represented at the University, The Assembly will meet twice a month in order to brainstorm and vote on new ideas. Each state is currently represented within The Assembly with the exception of Maine and Utah.

“I decided to jump on board with my friend from high school, Douglas Fair, when he told me he wanted to form a group specifically for out-of-state students,” Elizabeth Cady, another founding member of The “49” and one of the representative members of The Assembly said. “I went through rush and pledged Pi Beta Phi, which I hold dear to my heart. However, I wanted to be identified by the University by more than just my greek letters.”

The organization plans to focus on proposals that will benefit out-of-state students and help to make them more involved on campus through social and community engagement events throughout the semester. The “49” will also be partnering with the Community Service Center and the Veterans Affairs Center for upcoming service opportunities. One such proposal is a plan to match out-of-state freshman students with students from their home states to help with adjusting to collegiate life during the fall semester.

Known as the foUndAtion, the program is a new mentoring initiative designed by members of The “49” as a way for older out-of-state students to introduce younger out-of-state students to life at the Capstone. Mentors will take their assigned “mentees” to various events on campus and provide them with advice on class selection and general involvement on campus.

“The foundation is unique to this campus with no group in the Southeastern region quite like The ‘49,’” Cady said. “It is a student-based mentoring program solely focused on making sure that our out-of-state freshmen get acclimated and feel comfortable here in Tuscaloosa. It is our hope that this project helps to drastically decrease the number of students who decide to transfer after freshman year.”

Students with additional questions or who are interested in becoming involved with The “49” can join on Facebook at “The 49 Student Organization” or can email the organization at [email protected].