ALPHA PHI OMEGA

Alpha Phi Omega, a national, co-ed, service fraternity founded in 1925, sets the standard for college campus-based volunteerism.  The purpose of this fraternity is to assemble college students in a national service fraternity in the fellowship of these principles; to develop leadership, to promote friendship and to provide service to humanity; and to further freedom that is our national, educational, and intellectual heritage. The Alpha Delta Pi Chapter on UWA’s campus, chartered in the fall of 1996, is made of a diverse group of UWA students, including members of social Greek fraternities and sororities, academic honor societies, and other campus-based organizations.

UWA AMBASSADORS

The UWA Ambassadors are the official student public relations representatives for The University of West Alabama, serving as hosts and hostesses at important University events, participating as tour guides for the campus and representing the University at special community functions. Overall, the Ambassadors promote pride and communicate an increased understanding of the University. Additional information about this organization may be obtained from Dianne Colquitt, 303 Webb Hall, 652-3578.

The UWA BAND AND AUXILIARIES

The UWA Band is an organization open to all interested students who play an instrument, regardless of major. The UWA Band plays for home football and basketball games, campus activities, and two concerts each year, and performs a variety of types and styles of music from jazz charts, marching band arrangements, pep band arrangements, and concert band literature.

Students can participate for credit as an elective or for non-credit. Band scholarships are available by audition for qualified performers. Some school owned instruments are available for students who no longer own their own instrument or for specialized instruments which individuals do not usually own.

During the fall, there is a color guard that performs with the marching band. The guard has focused on work with flags. A featured twirler is used with the band as well. Students with ability or interest in these areas should contact the band director.

Full band meets Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. in #26 Pruitt Hall. New Members are welcome. We would love to find a way to get you involved. For more information contact Mr. Glenn Smith, Pruitt Hall, Room 21, 205-652-3598.

BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION (BSA)

The Black Student Association (BSA) is a non-profit, social, pro-active and diverse organization that encourages student unity and pluralism among faculty, administration and the student body as a whole. It provides students with an opportunity to make an impact and positive change in every possible way. The BSA conducts community service projects, offers leadership roles within the association, and facilitates the improvement of black culture on campus.

CHEERLEADERS/MASCOT

The UWA cheerleader/mascot program contributes to the development of school spirit by cheering at athletic events and supporting other school activities. A clinic and try-outs are held during spring semester for varsity tryouts. Cheerleaders selected during the spring will cheer the following year. Scholarships are available. For more information, contact Ms. Audrey Crawford, Cheerleader Advisor, Webb Hall 303, 652-3566.

CAMPUS ACTIVITIES BOARD (CAB)

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is the major entertainment programming body at The University of West Alabama. It is a volunteer organization made up of students just like you! These student volunteers promote and produce a significant number of campus events throughout the academic year.  Membership is open to any UWA student. As a member of CAB you will be heavily involved in planning and participating in exciting programs while meeting other students! In addition, CAB has the perfect mix of teamwork and individual growth. Getting involved with CAB can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your college career.  

As current members can tell you, working with CAB is a great way to enhance skills such as marketing, communication, public relations, management, contracting and negotiating and budgeting - skills that will make you more marketable in the future during a job search! You can join a committee or develop your leadership ability by becoming a CAB director. Campus Activities Board members can expand and strengthen their leadership skills.  The best part of the Campus Activities Board is that it’s FLEXIBLE. We work around your schedule! Devote as much or as little time as you have. 

Getting involved with the Campus Activities Board is simple. You can attend weekly CAB meetings and committee meetings, or stop by our office in the basement of the Student Union Building. We encourage all students to join a committee and to attend our events and activities throughout the year. We hope that you will consider being part of the Campus Activities Board!  For more information, contact Jason Gardner, Director of Student Activities, at 652-3624.

CONCERT CHOIR

The UWA Concert Choir presents two concerts each year and is open to all interested students regardless of major. The UWA Singers is a small select ensemble within the choir, chosen by audition. The UWA Singers perform different musical styles such as pop, Broadway, T.V. theme songs, and rock music. The group also incorporates choreography, props, and costumes in their performances. The UWA Singers appear in concert with the Concert Choir and perform at additional events throughout the year. Both groups take performing tours as funds allow. A limited number of choir scholarships are available by audition for qualified participants.

FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES (FCA)

FCA is an organization composed of student-athletes and students with an interest in athletics.  This organization is used for accountability and the outreach of the Gospel.  FCA is a national organization on campuses across the United States.  The mission statement is:  “To present to athletes and coaches, and all whom they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the Church.”  UWA FCA meets in the Baseball clubhouse on Monday nights at 8:15.  The President is Brett Gilliland and faculty sponsor is Coach Gary Rundles.

INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

The University, as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, competes in the Gulf South Conference in varsity athletics for men in football, basketball, baseball, tennis and cross country. UWA sponsors a program of varsity athletics for women in volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis and cross country. In addition, the University sponsors Intercollegiate Rodeo, a coed sport, under the sanction of the NIRA.

Most varsity sports play and practice during the traditional school year. In addition, many UWA teams play nationally ranked teams in all sports, providing UWA fans and students with top-notch competition.

Whether you spend an autumn Saturday cheering in Tiger Stadium, whopping it up in Pruitt Hall on a chilly winter night, or relaxing on the hill on a spring afternoon or evening at Tartt Field-you will be entertained by the Tigers and the thrilling way they participate in all sports. They all play for you-and they all need your support. For more information contact E. J. Brophy, Athletic Director, at 652-3784

Policy Notice: No outside drinks, beverages, or cups will be allowed in Pruitt Hall Gymnasium or Tiger Stadium for any Athletic events.

INTERFAITH COUNCIL

The Interfaith Council is composed of representatives from the University, campus student ministries and local churches. Its threefold purpose is to foster friendly relations among various religious groups, to coordinate community-wide functions of a religious nature and to initiate and sponsor various types of religious activities on the university campus. For more information, contact Rev. Cherie Meadows, Wesley Foundation, 652-6400.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION

Organized for the purpose of promoting the establishment of a global village on campus, exchanging cultural values and ideas with American students, and serving as a support group for all internationals attending UWA. For more information, contact Ms. Mary Pagliero, Wallace Hall 107, 652-3765.

LEADING EDGE INSTITUTE (LEI)

UWA MATHEMATICS CLUB

The UWA Mathematics Club is an organization for those individuals who are interested in mathematics and its applications. When the Mathematical Association of America asked colleges and universities world-wide to form student chapters, The University of West Alabama Mathematics Club was one of the first in the nation to respond, forming a Charter Chapter in 1990. This Student Chapter of the MAA still forms the backbone of The University of West Alabama Mathematics Club with most officers also being members of the Student Chapter.

Activities of the UWA Math Club include regular meetings every two weeks during the fall and spring semesters, socials, charity drives, helping other campus organizations with worthwhile projects, fund raising events, investing money to be used for future mathematics scholarships, contributing to the Killebrew Scholarship, inviting speakers to campus, traveling to other universities for presentations of student and faculty papers, hosting such events, and helping, both financially and physically, with the Annual UWA High School Mathematics Tournament.

THE MISS UWA PAGEANT

The Miss University of West Alabama pageant is affiliated with the Miss Alabama Pageant, Inc., as an official Miss America preliminary. The Miss UWA Pageant is held during Spring Semester of each year. Scholarships are available for finalists. For more information, contact Mr. Jason Gardner at 652-3624.

UWA PALS CLEAN CAMPUS PROGRAM

The UWA Clean Campus Program is a portion of the statewide Alabama PALS (People Against A Littered State) Program.  PALS is a non-profit anti-litter organization that promotes and monitors a number of anti-litter programs, such as Adopt-A-Mile, Adopt-A-Stream, Adopt-An-Area, the Clean Campus Program, the Alabama Coastal Cleanup, and Don’t Drop It On Alabama Spring Cleanup.  These programs utilize thousands of volunteers each year to keep Alabama clean. 

The UWA Clean Campus Program is very active.  Plans for this year include continuing to clean the areas the Clean Campus Program has adopted.  These areas include a section of Ponkabia Creek, the duck pond, highway marker #15 to #16 on highway 28, and downtown Livingston..  The Clean Campus Program will also continue to promote All Campus Cleanups, the Don’t Drop It On Alabama Spring Cleanup during Earth Week, and recycling by sponsoring contests such as the Mountain of Cans again this year. 

The organization also involves itself with the beautification of the campus by planting trees and shrubs.  The UWA Clean Campus Program plans to continue these valuable programs as well as add a few new ones.  Through the programs efforts, they hope to raise awareness of how important the environment is to our campus and community.

For more information about the program, contact Kaley Hayden at haydenk@uwa.edu or Sam Ledbetter at 499-2289.

INTRAMURAL AND RECREATIONAL SPORTS

The Intramural and Recreational Sports Office provides a variety of extra-curricular activities and athletic events for UWA students.

The Intramural program provides organized recreational activities for both men and women. Regardless of your level of skill or ability, you can experience the thrill of athletic competition, vigorous exercise, companionship, and just plain fun! Over half of the student body participates in the intramural program, so don’t get left out. The following intramural activities are offered at UWA: flag football, basketball, volleyball, softball, ping pong, tennis, golf, eight-ball, bowling, and many others.

For more information, contact Mr. Robert Becker, Director of Intramural and Recreational Sports, at 652-3693.

RELIGIOUS LIFE

The University is independent and non-sectarian regarding religious beliefs and practices. If you would like to actively continue your religious affiliations in spiritual growth, there are several options offered you by the University. For more information regarding the religious organizations active on UWA’s campus please refer to the "Information at a Glance" section of this handbook.

SPORTS MEDICINE CLUB

The Sports Medicine Club is a student organization that sponsors activities designed to stimulate interest, scholarly attainment, and investigation in the field of sports medicine and to promote the dissemination of information among students.

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS

If you enjoy being a part of a team which works to publish quality artistic and memorable literature, UWA has two student produced publications for you: The Life (weekly student newspaper) and The Paragon (yearbook). If you wish to become a part of the staff, contact the advisor of the publication you are interested in.  In addition to these two publications, UWA publishes The Sucarnochee Review.  The Sucarnochee Review is a  creative-writing and art journal published by the UWA Department of Languages and Literature.  Students serve as the staff members for the journal under a faculty advisor and faculty advisory board. Students are also encouraged to submit work to the journal for consideration.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

There will be times in your college career when you see the need for change or when you wish to speak your mind about certain policies affecting students. The principal avenue for your participation in University government is through the Student Government (SGA). The SGA meets weekly in the SUB Conference Room. Information regarding meeting time may be obtained from the Office of Student Life and Housing.  The SGA maintains an office at the Student Union Building, top floor, Room #207, 652-3400, extension #3203.

Freshman senator elections will be held in the fall. The remaining senator and officer elections are conducted during the spring semester. If you are interested in running for office, please ask any SGA member or the Director of Student Life and Housing for campaign information.  

STUDENTS IN FREE ENTERPRISE (SIFE)

Students in Free Enterprise is a non-profit organization which formulates and implements free-market educational programs on school campuses, in surrounding communities, and statewide. This organization consists of graduate and undergraduate students from all academic disciplines. The aim of this group is to educate students and the general public about current business and economic issues and the free enterprise system. For more information, contact Howell Sheffield, Wallace Hall, Room 202-A, 652-3473.

SUMTER COUNTY FINE ARTS COUNCIL (SCFAC)

The Sumter County Fine Arts Council, in cooperation with the University, each year presents a variety of performances featuring nationally prominent artists and productions.  There is no charge for UWA students (with a current student I.D.) to attend these events.

UNIVERSITY THEATRE

UWA Theatre presents two full-length plays each year and is open to all students with an interest in acting, scenery, lighting, makeup, etc. Full-time students may earn academic credit for effective participation in UWA Theatre as well as qualify for membership in Alpha Psi Omega, National Dramatics Honor Fraternity.

UWA Theatre productions have included: A RAISIN IN THE SUN, OKLAHOMA!, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, ANTIGONE, DRACULA, VANITIES, AGNES OF GOD, ODD COUPLE, EXTREMITIES, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, THE ELEPHANT MAN, HARVEY, ZOOMAN AND THE SIGN, MIRACLE WORKER, CRIMES OF THE HEART, and AFTER THE RAIN.