BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Three schools at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) - Arts and Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Natural Science and Mathematics - will merge into one College of Arts and Sciences, President Carol Z. Garrison announced today. A fourth, the School of Education, will retain its school identity as a distinct unit, but within the new college.

The announcement comes after the president convened an Academic Realignment Commission to review and assess various options for the organization for six of its schools, engaging the university community in the process. The commission was charged with focusing on enhancing opportunities for innovative multi-disciplinary educational/ research programs and productive partnerships, increasing capacity for strategic investments and maximizing efficiencies.

Garrison pointed to more comprehensive and coherent advising and curricula as benefits of the change, as well as more opportunity for interdisciplinary learning and research as outcomes that will benefit students and faculty at all levels.

"A hallmark of UAB is its interdisciplinary culture," she said. "With this move, we have the opportunity to build on that tradition of excellence in our teaching/learning programs, and to provide 21^st century curricula and learning for our students. And by strengthening multi-disciplinary research and scholarship, we can continue as a leading contributor in solving the complex problems of our day."

Garrison noted that 19 of the nation's top 25 research universities use the college organization and nomenclature for the assembled disciplines in arts, humanities and sciences that form the core of a liberal arts education. While many universities have colleges of arts and sciences, so far as can be determined, UAB will be the first major research university to integrate a school of education within such a college.

The change will take effect Jan. 1, 2010. In the meantime, UAB will begin to search immediately for an interim dean. Provost Eli Capilouto asked faculty to nominate internal or external candidates by Oct. 21.

Capilouto outlined additional benefits of the realignment:

• Enhanced service to students leading to improved retention and graduation rates. 50 percent of UAB undergraduates are enrolled in one of these four schools, but only a small percentage of graduates consistently declare one major throughout their college career. Students will be better served when responsibilities for advising and teaching are housed within one college. Faculty who are on the front line of learning can then plan and work together under common organizational and reward structures to deliver coordinated curricula.
• Broader opportunities for forward-looking strategic investments. Concentrating and strengthening decision making and revenue capacity in a single college will make it possible to better determine and implement strategic investments. Further consolidating support services (e.g., advising, development, class scheduling, human resources, administrative, and fiscal management) will create increasingly nimble, responsive and efficient administrative structures to serve the needs of students and faculty. Other efficiencies can be gained by sharing responsibilities for developing facilities.
• A bold, innovative approach to 21^st century learning and teaching challenges.  UAB has always been a leader in entrepreneurial creativity and spirit. This unique structure brings faculty with expertise in content and pedagogy together to advance learning and research in many sectors, including K-12 and higher education. It further advances UAB's leadership position in teacher education and research with greater potential for commitments from numerous foundations and agencies who are investing in novel approaches to bridging gaps in student learning.

The provost noted that the realignment will not affect students' majors or their progress toward a degree.

Garrison and Capilouto thanked deans, faculty, staff and students for the thoughtful and collegial way they have participated in discussions and feedback during and after the commission's activities.

About UAB

Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center and the state of Alabama's largest employer. UAB has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service to America's communities, and in 2008 ranked nationally as one of the top 5 "Best Places to Work in Academia" in a survey published by The Scientist magazine. For more information, please visit www.uab.edu.