[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6202647,"mediaKeyId","3785978-9f0b8695f0ea999a01ae4c812873f8b4","parentId",3785978,"title","Board approves new graduate programs, appointments and administrative changes across UA, UAB and UAH","audioSeconds",425,"startMs",194000,"endMs",619000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3785978-9f0b8695f0ea999a01ae4c812873f8b4&start=194&end=619","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3785978-9f0b8695f0ea999a01ae4c812873f8b4/thumbnail_194000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6202647/Alabama/Board-approves-new-graduate-programs-appointments-and-administrative-changes-across-UA-UAB-and-UAH","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202647-9072d01add38b7e16f92f297d97ad4cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770540014&Signature=WwJHRieiCZlLUcimeRyllbGe9zOkYR5RhbJ6vzA9XNHG-rJt7wT1vlpy1C8w0FStko0Ty2yo~8w7FoPTuo-EYmO8OV2sN7zRm3RQxQL9hd4qwkIq9P1RO4Y10uLBCsVoop3TaO6747bBszxUBssTNWBogI6Gbkp65lUqZubYD-OMlyNdR8DzFzs8kq7rX43o4hshO~6odVIKM2fFzugbbrAuQGdFCCV-yaE5g54tH1HE7OHPBQUeObTO0mycFQW~rJIytWMOrGnewR8uzuw9Kh4Uw3IZuREszGaOIdhxk28pBZWtBM4boh1RmlhjAQJdTl5b17QEUwP3bEURtGgG5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","University of Alabama System","date","2025-06-12T17:38:32.237Z","article","The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees on June 6 approved a package of academic individual and administrative actions across the system's campuses, including final approvals, program renewals, administrative restructurings and faculty appointments.

For UA (University of Alabama), trustees granted final approval for the proposed Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering, a program the committee initially approved on Feb. 7. The board also heard a presentation seeking approval for a proposed Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence; Provost James Dalton described the program as technical and intended to prepare graduates for careers such as AI developer, data scientist and machine-learning engineer. Trustees approved the UA individual action items by voice vote.

UA additionally requested renewal to participate in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for the College of Human Environmental Sciences children's program; system presenters said the USDA Food and Nutrition Service requires board approval for participation. Trustees approved the renewal.

UA administrative items approved included a requested closure of the Alabama Cyber Institute (ACI) effective Sept. 30, 2025, which the university described as part of a two-phase plan tied to a forthcoming proposal to establish a High Performance Computing and Data Center. UA also presented multiple endowed chair and professorship appointments, including a Roberta M. and John L. Rhodes endowed chair in human nutrition and two Shelby distinguished professor designations; the materials cited start dates (Aug. 16, 2025) and term lengths for some appointments.

At UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham), trustees approved final approval of the Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical and Health Informatics (previously approved by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education at its March 2025 meeting) and two new program proposals: a Master of Science in Higher Education with an Intercollegiate Athletic Administration track (including esports) and a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology. UAB presenters said the exercise-physiology program change was driven in part by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security decision adding the field to the STEM-designated degree list; the university said it must establish a distinct program to secure the STEM designation.

UAB administrative items approved included degree name changes (for example, renaming a Bachelor of Science in Biobehavioral Nutrition and Wellness to Nutrition Sciences), the establishment of an endowed professorship in reproductive health research, and creation of a comprehensive Healthy Living Research Center; trustees recommended and approved the items by voice vote.

At UAH (University of Alabama in Huntsville), trustees approved a 24-credit post-master's certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). The presenters said the board rule (board rule 502) requires board approval for new for-credit graduate certificate programs of 18 credit hours or more. Trustees also approved the formal establishment of a Department of Engineering Technology in the College of Science and related faculty appointments; materials noted plans to add faculty in fall 2025 and readiness for ABET review in fall 2025.

Presenters for these items included Dr. Tanjanita Johnson, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs; Dr. James Dalton, UA Executive Vice President and Provost; and Dr. Janet Woodruff Gordon, UAB Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. Committee presenters repeatedly stated the items had been reviewed by campus and system officials and by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education where required. Trustees approved the collection of academic action items by voice votes recorded in the meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Trustees Meeting - June 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees approved multiple academic program actions including final and proposed degree approvals, a program renewal for federal child nutrition reimbursement, closure of the Alabama Cyber Institute, and new faculty appointments and endowed positions.","taxTitle","University of Alabama System, School Districts, Alabama","taxId",79433,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6202652,"PwC reports clean OMB uniform-guidance results; trustees reappoint firm and approve internal audit charter",536,2328000,2864000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3785978-9f0b8695f0ea999a01ae4c812873f8b4&start=2328&end=2864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3785978-9f0b8695f0ea999a01ae4c812873f8b4/thumbnail_2328000.jpg","/articles/6202652/Alabama/PwC-reports-clean-OMB-uniform-guidance-results-trustees-reappoint-firm-and-approve-internal-audit-charter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202652-dafb3f48c12a326e31a10f2e1ac45118/orig.mp4?Expires=1770540014&Signature=BhTFADPIUP7sKW15FR7RG6gzuxV-80w-H2ML7HjuuVmdeC5XEzxgR5KD0onJ5pGPo2h9xPhMAw61u9Gcfxxhd6E8fSMdk3D~qUKgCiZuXRFnGnEg6gwQrpAQSDLp0NSsg4WGUbZ7joHA8CIGB96qOXxKa79u055zPvE0SwrIRWiFKE6VHEsDOtE1mBD-xe0r1Gu1g6Vm83FTo3e6AaPzOx9~vNrlsBZPwUN1S2KDtxsEpE7T2qut7nEmYJxcykhPO0sk8K-f8oaGQUaaidTMW-rXqUMFyWmGgH9vl~j4p3dvsRq-QL9Lx2ZQJokRwCLtSKLqp0-U3wXLuCwkgpUWZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","PricewaterhouseCoopers on June 6 reported the results of the fiscal year 2024 OMB uniform-guidance audits to the University of Alabama System audit, risk and compliance committee and presented the proposed audit plan and fees for fiscal 2025.

Drew Wagner, lead engagement partner for PwC in Birmingham, told the committee the firm issued unmodified opinions on compliance for the campuses and reported no compliance findings at UA or UAB; PwC reported one administrative procurement finding at UAH that the firm described as \"benign\" and not indicative of material noncompliance or control weakness. Wagner stated the research-and-development cluster was in scope across the campuses this year and emphasized the work required to test federal research expenditures.

Wagner disclosed the total federally funded expenditures cited in the presentation: approximately $516,000,000 at UA, $751,000,000 at UAB and $142,000,000 at UAH. He also presented the proposed 2025 audit fees and said PwC proposed a 2.75% fee increase for 2025, following prior increases of 5% in 2022–23 and 3% in 2024.

Trustees discussed PwC's nascent use of generative AI in audit work; in response to a trustee question, Wagner said current AI uses are limited to minimal tasks such as accounting research and that the firm expects AI may create efficiencies over time but was not yet a material driver of fee reductions.

The audit, risk and compliance committee forwarded two resolutions for board action. The full board approved a resolution appointing PricewaterhouseCoopers as independent external auditors for fiscal year 2025 and approved an updated Office of Internal Audit Charter that the chief audit officer said aligns with the Institute of Internal Auditors' updated standards issued in January 2024.

The board approved both resolutions by voice vote during the June 6 meeting.","PricewaterhouseCoopers reported no compliance findings at UA and UAB and one administrative finding at UAH in fiscal 2024 uniform-guidance audits; the board approved PwC's 2025 appointment and the Office of Internal Audit Charter.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6202657,"University of Alabama accepts $35 million gift; renames College of Arts and Sciences",229,4898000,5127000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3785978-9f0b8695f0ea999a01ae4c812873f8b4&start=4898&end=5127","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3785978-9f0b8695f0ea999a01ae4c812873f8b4/thumbnail_4898000.jpg","/articles/6202657/Alabama/University-of-Alabama-accepts-35-million-gift-renames-College-of-Arts-and-Sciences","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202657-8c474aec7d6b08af7cbd725937d81c02/orig.mp4?Expires=1770540014&Signature=L525Dxzg~yemglSxu6CKOI1Szo7vaLn1OriHBX5bXCkeeRvYgvwtMyQ3uPLv~SSlQrDyzFK3I53WtEruASwLhef7XWaWtGCl28ce0zBL~f2q3nK-qktcgypS0ciUv7RGJnTpYluQolSgj0aFp~cBMazNVmplpnSxxO-XUnwGaHkgek1ZP41Hn~fKI~8TiMPYmdT04FTKcfYAHK4581LCYL7~TCQkrJ7Di44FEoqO5HDctukuYb2iy1tmsselxkjg72nhhsySzcIA-YTBILdCyWC2G2gM1ShmW2302fjE-AMTO6mKH9kTvPTE7OLwdrruJCuTpZNaDzgDxB2qt6uNrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The University of Alabama Board of Trustees on June 6 accepted a $35,000,000 gift commitment from alumnus Frank Barefield and approved naming the College of Arts and Sciences the J. Frank Barefield Jr. College of Arts and Sciences.

The gift is a fully discretionary endowment that university leaders said will support the college’s programs and students. President Stuart R. Bell presented the resolution, asking the board for “favorable consideration” before the board voted to approve the naming.

The college serves more than 9,000 students across about 80 majors, minors and concentrations; university materials presented at the meeting said the unit awards more credit hours than any other academic unit on campus. The university described Barefield as an alumnus and longtime donor whose past gifts have supported facets of the University of Alabama system.

Trustees voted to approve the naming by voice vote; there was no recorded roll-call tally in the meeting transcript. The board chair called for the ayes and declared the item approved.

President Bell introduced Mr. Barefield’s contribution during the academic affairs portion of the agenda and noted that Barefield and his wife were present in the meeting room when the board considered the resolution. The board did not discuss specific spending plans for the gift during the public portion of the meeting.","The Board of Trustees approved a $35 million fully discretionary gift from alumnus Frank Barefield and voted to name the College of Arts and Sciences in his honor.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves new graduate programs, appointments and administrative changes across UA, UAB and UAH

PwC reports clean OMB uniform-guidance results; trustees reappoint firm and approve internal audit charter

University of Alabama accepts $35 million gift; renames College of Arts and Sciences