UA First Questions & Resources

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The University of Alabama has a wealth of resources available to students. Below you will find a list of some of the most used terms, resources and departments/resources across UA. 

UA First Glossary of Need-to-Know Things & Websites

• CWID (Campus-Wide Identification Number) This is the 8-digit number that is unique to each student. It is used for any identification purposes across campus and should be memorized as soon as possible. 
• myBama This is one of the most important tools in your college career at UA. It is where you go to do everything concerning academics, financial aid, health center records, Career Center support, etc. 
  • myBama has links to almost every resource available to you on campus; it is strongly encouraged that you spent time looking through myBama as you prepare to start classes at UA. 
  • The Student tab is especially helpful and includes links that allow you to create your schedule, add and drop classes, access your student bill, check your recorded grades, request official documents, like your transcript, and more. 

• Mail Stop Code (MSC): Every student actively enrolled and taking classes at UA is automatically assigned a unique 6-digit mailstop code (MSC#). This mailstop code (MSC#); which allows Campus Mail to match the mail piece to the right student. 
• Registration The time period each semester when each student is allowed to build their schedule for the next semester. Registration time slots are determined based upon the University’s Priority Registration Policy. Students can access the Registration tab on myBama, which will allow them to add and drop classes. Schedule Builder is a tool that allows students to build and register for the optimal class schedule based on course preferences and setting aside time for breaks during the week. This is not the only way to create your schedule and requires some expertise to use effectively. https://registrar.ua.edu/student-services/registration/ 
• Student Health Center (SHC) has a variety of health services including medical care for scheduled appointments and urgent care, women’s health, psychiatry, allergy shots and immunizations, an in-house pharmacy, billing and insurance, medical records and health education. https://cchs.ua.edu/shc/ 
• DegreeWorks  a Web-based tool for students to monitor their academic progress toward degree completion. DegreeWorks is used in all academic advising appointments and is a valuable took in helping you track your academic progress. https://registrar.ua.edu/student-services/degree-works/ 
• Crimson Ride UA’s bus services for students. This service is free and multiple routes run throughout the day and into the evening. Buses run throughout campus, as well as to and from several off-campus apartment complexes. https://crimsonride.ua.edu/ 
  • Passiogo: a web-based or app service that allows you to view the buses in “real-time” as they travel on the routes around campus. https://ua.passiogo.com/ 
• Academic Advising/Student Services Every academic college has a student services office where academic advising takes place. Advising refers to the evaluation and selection of academic courses based on your major or career interests. Advisors can also help you explore different major and minor options, as well as serve as a point of contact for all resources within your specific college. Advising works differently in each college so make sure you understand when and how to book advising appointments because you cannot register for classes without them. 
• UAWhatsUP (University Programs) A student life department with a dedicated team who plan, promote, and execute over 150 events per year. https://up.sa.ua.edu/ 
• Bama Dining Bama Dining refers to all dining and meal options on campus. https://bamadining.ua.edu/ 
  • All students enrolled in 9 or more credit hours on campus will participate in the Dining Dollars program. $350 is automatically applied to the student account. Dining Dollars can be used at Bama Dining locations, most on-campus vending machines, several food trucks on campus, and many restaurants in the Tuscaloosa community near campus. $350 equals about $20.59 per week or $2.94 per day. 
  • All students can also participate in a meal plan option if they would like. First year students are automatically enrolled in a meal plan. 
• Bama Cash an option to preload funds to an online account that students can access with a tap of their ACT card at over 100 on- and off- campus locations. This allows students to make purchases at participating dining locations, grocery stores, gas stations, bookstores, pizza delivery, vending machines, printing services, residence hall laundry facilities, mail services, beauty salons coffee shops, and more. https://actcard.ua.edu/bama-cash-page/ 
• FERPAThe Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy and confidentiality of personally identifiable information contained within student education records. FERPA requires that students select on myBama who is allowed to have access to their educational records. 
• UAPD The University of Alabama Police Department (205) 348-5454 (24/7) UAPD’s mission is to partner with the University Community to sustain an environment that promotes the educational, cultural, and economic development by providing unwavering commitment to safety and protection. https://police.ua.edu/ 
• Tuscaloosa PD Tuscaloosa Police Department (205) 349-2121 
• Office Hours Each University faculty member is required to offer office hours, which is time outside of class that students can meet with professors and teaching assistants to discuss the material being presented in class or other related interests. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize office hours. 
• UA Catalog The catalog of all courses available each school year as well as all the programs available for students on campus. It has a search engine so all you need to do is type a word and it’ll give you all affiliated courses and programs. https://catalog.ua.edu

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Student Support Centers and Departments on Campus

COUNSELING CENTER: The Counseling Center helps students achieve academic success and personal growth through brief counseling and psychological services, outreach, and consultative services, and the training of mental health professionals. If you need immediate assistance, go to 3000 South Lawn Office Building (1101 Jackson Ave), call 205-348-3863, or call UAPD 205-348-5454 to speak with an on-call counselor when the center is closed. You may also text BAMA to 741-741 to reach a trained volunteer. 

STUDENT CARE AND WELL-BEING: This office was established to provide assistance and case management for students in crisis. The staff coordinates a range of services to assist students with issues and concerns that may interfere with their academic success (for example, food, financial, and technological assistance). If you are concerned about yourself or know someone in crisis and need of resources, contact the staff by email at bamacares@ua.edu or by phone at 205-348-2461. 

CAPSTONE CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS: Academic support in the Capstone Center for Student Success provides tutoring, supplemental instruction, and other related services to students. These services include large and small group sessions, review sessions, and walk-in help. Students can also meet with academic coaches, who help students identify and combat obstacles to success, create goals, and flourish as a student. Call for further information at 205-348-8303 or click here to book an appointment. 

UNIVERSITY WRITING CENTER: The writing center is open to all members of the UA community. It can help you build confidence, revise your work, and develop the skills necessary for long-term improvement. You can bring your draft at any stage in the process and get help with brainstorming, understanding the assignment, researching a topic, drafting, revising, working with resources, or improving your grammar and style. The Writing Center provides free one-on-one consultations for UA students in all disciplines. It is located at 322 Lloyd Hall and available Monday-Friday. https://writingcenter.ua.edu/ 

THE CAREER CENTER AT THE STUDENT CENTER: The Career Center partners with students as they explore possibilities, develop skills, and connect with opportunities related to their professional goals. Students can seek guidance selecting a major, planning a career, developing job-search strategies, and more. The staff speaks to classes and student organizations about career preparation, professional school planning, and services offered, and career consultants can help assess how personal factors influence career choices. The Career Center hosts several career fairs and utilizes Handshake, a job and internship platform, to connect students, alumni, and employers. It also facilitates on-campus interviewing and information sessions for employers interested in recruiting at the Capstone. https://career.sa.ua.edu/ 

CRIMSON CAREER CLOSET: Located next to the Main Career Center in 3400 Student Center, the Closet houses professional clothing that students can borrow at no cost for interviews and other job-related purposes. Students may borrow items such as button-down shirts, blouses, blazers, pants, skirts, ties, and suits. Appointments can be made through Handshake or at 205-348-5578. 

TITLE IX OFFICE: The Title IX Office works with University Administration, departments, students, faculty, staff, campus police, and other support services to ensure that University policies and programs foster a campus community free of illegal gender discrimination and sexual violence. Accommodations may be provided to all individuals involved in a Title IX Investigation, including medical services, counseling services, academic support, housing support, protective orders, safety planning, employment assistance, and filing of Student Conduct complaints. Additionally, the Title IX Office will assist complainants in notifying UAPD or local law enforcement if requested. https://titleix.ua.edu 

WOMEN AND GENDER RESOURCES: The WGRC offers a variety of services to women, victims of domestic/sexual violence, and victims impacted by abused. The WGRC provides free, confidential, and voluntary counseling and advocacy services to members of The University of Alabama community who are victims/survivors of interpersonal violence. They also offer programs designed to promote social justice and address gender disparities. https://wgrc.sa.ua.edu/ 

OFFICE OF DISABILITY SERVICES DISABILITY RESOURCES: The central contact point for UA students with academic disabilities. ODS works with faculty and other members of the University community to provide individualized academic accommodations while promoting student responsibility and self-advocacy. 

MTLC: The Mathematics Technology Learning Center (MTLC) at The University of Alabama is a program that assists students in the active learning of mathematics. This is accomplished through a computer lab/tutoring center open over 40 hours per week for one-on-one tutoring and using technology to allow students to work at their own pace, receive instant feedback as they learn mathematics by doing mathematics, learn from a variety of formats, and receive encouragement from their instructors regarding course progress. https://mtlc.ua.edu/ 

ENGENUITY: The College of Engineering offers tutoring for all undergraduate students through the ENGenuity Lab. The ENGenuity Lab is open Monday through Thursday from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm in Hardaway 252. https://students.eng.ua.edu/resources/tutoring/