The University of Alabama is huge – not only in size, but in population. With over 36,000 students and counting, the number of students on campus is only getting larger. Size and the nature of the institution necessitate a large bureaucracy, filled with more positions and posts than most typical students can keep track of.

So what exactly are these positions, and who fills them? While the University has a countless number of officials that make its day-to-day operations possible, the following are some of the most important posts that students should be familiar with.

Board of Trustees

In order to understand the bureaucracy at the University, it is important to first understand The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees. The Board is a group of 15 elected and two ex-officio members who “ensure the effective leadership, management and control over the activities” of the University, The University of Alabama at Birmingham and The University of Alabama in Huntsville. They are responsible for determining the president for each university, as well as the price of tuition and parking decal prices. 

The University of Alabama System currently has 17 members on its Board of Trustees, including Gov. Robert Bentley.

President, Vice Presidents, and Provosts

Overseeing operations at the University specifically is President Stuart R. Bell. Bell was named president of the University in June of last year after serving as executive vice president and provost at Louisiana State University (LSU). 

Under the president are the offices of Academic Affairs, Community Affairs, Financial Affairs, Research and Economic Development, Student Affairs, University Advancement and Strategic Communications.

The Office of Academic Affairs is overseen by Interim Provost Kevin Whitaker. A provost is the senior academic administrator in a given department. According to their website, Academic Affairs provides institutional research and budgeting for the various colleges across campus, in order to further academic excellence.

The Office of Community Affairs is run by Samory Pruitt, who has served as vice president of the division since its creation in 2004. Community Affairs exists to “form partnerships in the solution of community problems at the local, state, national and international level,” according to their website. 

Lynda Gilbert currently oversees the Office of Financial Affairs. This division is responsible for the University’s financial affairs, specifically investment management, budgeting, financial accounting, financial reporting and human resources. The office also oversees the auxiliary services, business services, land management, maintenance, construction, risk management and public safety areas.

The Office of Research and Economic Development is controlled by Vice President Carl Pinkert. This division sponsors scholarships and research, and has control over organizations like the Alabama International Trade Center.

David Grady currently serves as the vice president of Student Affairs. This division’s task is to provide programs that will maximize student learning and provide a variety of leadership opportunities for students to explore their passions. Student Affairs oversees the Student Government Association (SGA), University Programs and University Recreation.

The offices of University Advancement and Strategic Communications have similar goals. University Advancement develops support for the University and oversees alumni affairs. Similarly, Strategic Communications works to promote the University worldwide and oversees the various offices of communications and media relations.

Deans

In addition, the University is home to 13 colleges and schools that are run by a dean. These deans are tasked with overseeing the operations of their respective college or school.

Likewise, the Dean of Students operates under the Division of Student Affairs and oversees various student programs on campus including Veteran’s and Military Affairs, Office of Student Involvement and Greek Affairs.

For further information on the University’s administration and the various organizations within, visit https://www.ua.edu/about/administration.