[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":73},"mediaId",6089477,"mediaKeyId","2873951-75b109bbfb96ab8ec3d3fe719a5be55b","parentId",2873951,"title","Trustees approve construction, lease and equipment actions across UA, UAB and UAH","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",8697000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2873951-75b109bbfb96ab8ec3d3fe719a5be55b&start=8697&end=8697","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2873951-75b109bbfb96ab8ec3d3fe719a5be55b/thumbnail_8697000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6089477/Alabama/Trustees-approve-construction-lease-and-equipment-actions-across-UA-UAB-and-UAH","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089477-8960334227ac4a2b5c03c49679c4308a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025177&Signature=R8IQ~uq3a08KTyVnIWFoJeGCrXn0AE5rG29d0ns9ifsC3Yk0etg5PdZQbfeqVrZFR90tPGP~HAyRu~FubLh9Ub8wLgZbEJrWDiohhImErATlw6~ugPLDhRYm38N39D3tk5fVb1jwdZGuO8oSGnu4QihUI3T78wyaL8DoOm9eqz3TRToVWvcRBMauLCEygvKnWbJ1WtbG-uxSytzbQ6vqbogMXtMJs4wDQURZYjsWF~Im-GEfZFKwHb-a5~jrXfdpOugTAt0Gaj934E~pgKuc88UCOZ5XOWN2QGn1ch-wYCNVhJ1whVjInbKZNs-pEv1ZIB56pUmfhD-alB2CWgK3Vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","University of Alabama System","date","2025-04-03T20:46:48Z","article","The Board of Trustees approved a slate of construction, renovation, lease and equipment items for the system’s campuses, voting to approve revised budgets, consultant selections and contract authorizations across UAB, UAH and UA.

The actions address classroom and research facility renovations, athletics and recreation projects, a lease renewal for a medical office building, funding adjustments and an equipment purchase.

Key approved items included a revised scope and budget for UAB’s Education and Engineering Complex renovation; a five‑year extension and revised lease terms for a UAB Health System physician practice in Gardendale; authorization for several UAH capital projects (including a track and field complex, a Bevel Center renovation for a Center for Cybersecurity Research and a fitness center reconfiguration); and multiple UA construction and real estate projects ranging from a basketball training facility to student recreation and accessibility improvements.

UAB: Education & Engineering Complex (EEC)

UAB presented a revised stage 2/3 submittal for selective renovation of the EEC east wing and replacement of the building exterior envelope. The total project budget increased from $17.5 million to $33.5 million to accommodate exterior envelope repairs, a metal panel cladding system, new storefront glazing and a new roof on the eastern wing. The $14 million increase will be funded with increased future bond revenues plus College of Arts and Sciences reserve funds and School of Education reserve funds. The board approved the revised scope and project budget.

UAB Health System: lease amendment, Gardendale office

Trustees authorized an amendment to the lease for the UAB Saint Vincent’s Physician Services practice space at 2217 Decatur Highway in Gardendale. The parties will exercise an option to extend the lease for an additional five‑year term beginning July 1, 2025. The renewal rent for the first year was presented as $24.44 per square foot for roughly 22,492 rentable square feet, with a 3% annual increase and a landlord tenant improvement allowance of $15 per square foot (approximately $337,380) to prepare the space. The resolution authorizes execution of the proposed amendment.

UAH construction items (approved collectively)

- Track and field complex: Approved a stage 3 architectural design and a project budget of $14,210,602 funded with a mix of gifts and university reserve funds. The project will provide an NCAA‑compliant 400‑meter, eight‑lane track and supporting spectator and team infrastructure; the board noted this will be UAH’s first on‑campus track since the sports programs’ inception.

- Center for Cybersecurity Research, Education and Advanced Training (Bevel Center renovation): Trustees approved a revised scope and a budget increase from $24.4 million to $34.4 million to renovate approximately 45,000 square feet of the Bevel Center, address envelope deficiencies and reconfigure facades and windows. The presenters identified a state of Alabama ETF supplemental appropriation as the funding source and listed the top ranked design firm as Freedom Real Estate and Capital.

- University Fitness Center reconfiguration: Approved stage 1/2 planning and authorization to execute an owner‑architect agreement for reconfiguring the natatorium and associated envelope repairs. Total project budget was presented as $1,206,165 funded with F&O plant funds and auxiliary reserves.

UA: multiple construction and real estate approvals

Trustees approved several University of Alabama projects presented by system construction staff, including:

- Coleman Coliseum basketball training and player development facility: package A construction authorization; favorable bids reduced the previously approved budget from about $59.1 million to approximately $54.6 million. Funding sources include university central reserves, Crimson Standard cash and general revenue bond series 2024B.

- Colonial Drive and University Boulevard infrastructure improvements (Package B): approved revised scope and contract authorization; budget reduced slightly from $15 million to $14.8 million and now includes permanent and hydraulic bollard physical‑security measures.

- RISE Center playscape renovations: approved design and budget remaining at $3.0 million funded by gifts and Office of Academic Affairs reserves for accessible playgrounds.

- Student recreation court (Parker Hahn) — new courts/pickleball expansion: approved consultant ranking and design authorization; total budget approximately $1.6 million funded with State ETF appropriation.

- Student Well‑being Hub: approved selection of commissioning firm and continued authorization for the project (approximately $59.9 million) funded with general revenue bonds and central reserves.

- North Engineering Research Center (NERC) basement fit‑out planning: authorized planning and owner‑architect agreement; budget $3,125,000 funded with central reserves.

Real estate and equipment reports

The committee also approved acquisition of a small parcel adjacent to existing UA property on Nineteenth Avenue Northeast (appraised internal market opinion ~ $180,000) and authorized a lease agreement to maintain access and operations for a radio tower on a separate parcel with Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa LLC (initial five‑year term with successive five‑year renewal periods described in board materials). Separately, staff reported an equipment cost increase for a PET‑CT scanner at the Wallace Toomer facility: the previously approved $3.8 million equipment item increased to just over $4.2 million after construction bid results.

Votes at a glance

- UAB EEC revised scope & budget (increase to $33.5M): approved.
- UAB Health System lease amendment (Gardendale): approved (exercise option to extend 5 years beginning July 1, 2025; first‑year rent $24.44/sq ft; tenant improvement allowance $15/sq ft).
- UAH Track & Field Complex (budget $14,210,602): approved.
- UAH Bevel Center cybersecurity renovation (budget increase to $34.4M): approved.
- UAH University Fitness Center reconfiguration (budget $1,206,165): approved.
- Coleman Coliseum training facility (budget reduced to ~$54.6M after bids): approved contract authorization for package A.
- Colonial Drive & University Boulevard package B (budget ~$14.8M): approved.
- RISE Center playscape ($3.0M): approved.
- Parker Hahn court expansion (~$1.6M): approved.
- Student Well‑being Hub (~$59.94M): approved commissioning selection and continued authorizations.
- NERC basement planning ($3,125,000): approved.
- Nineteenth Avenue property acquisition (parcel ~0.25 acre, internal opinion ~$180,000): approved.
- Townsquare Media lease easement/access agreement (~1.26 acres): approved.
- PET‑CT equipment cost increase to ~$4.2M: reported to committee.

What trustees said and next steps

Presenters noted that several budget increases reflect discovered building envelope deficiencies discovered during earlier phases. Various projects will proceed in packages, with construction start dates and funding mixes to be managed by campus finance and facilities teams. The board approved consultant rankings and authorized negotiating agreements where noted; campuses will return with contract awards and implementation details as appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Trustees Meeting - April 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the committee meeting trustees approved multiple construction and real estate resolutions including a major budget increase for UAB’s Education & Engineering Complex renovation, a lease amendment for UAB Health System, UAH construction projects and several University of Alabama capital projects and acquisitions.","taxTitle","University of Alabama System, School Districts, Alabama","taxId",79433,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089482,"UAH president outlines enrollment, research and campus growth plans",287,3529000,3816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2873951-75b109bbfb96ab8ec3d3fe719a5be55b&start=3529&end=3816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2873951-75b109bbfb96ab8ec3d3fe719a5be55b/thumbnail_3529000.jpg","/articles/6089482/Alabama/UAH-president-outlines-enrollment-research-and-campus-growth-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089482-234b20772a31ee168ecba7940f5ea0af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025177&Signature=PeDAP2uw2cjqvEGNd2g4o0VQzAGHcalsT9US1LHhKe71rSJA2TL6qMwEBiKz0LDVuZR~CEq5J~lgoetzIVnR~5U4GeuL3M4oKUJnB6qmmfpCj4OHJYSh6NfyfwJsFgoYgslEhvIfCXnfzYcAPq9J9YDmEnUers5dpmlzlzbDG0zqmLjzP-~nEuQSPqMbwm0yaobiLRRQstRIu7tTxiFPE3DbwBMbZSmuiL09eABWsMkQhNtE3C4SilW1Zf8Y5DHQgp~SwtWB-Kxn8inq~yJ7pX0X4kwoRSrhwnSwo6TSxYRymN7uKa-jR~Syt1~redA~591ukfrA~uvTfjCtQ0Yidw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","University of Alabama in Huntsville President Chuck Carr told trustees and advisory committee members that UAH’s current enrollment is about 8,500 students and summarized recent academic and research accomplishments, athletics successes and campus development plans.

Carr said UAH’s enrollment reflects recent graduations and a refinement of enrollment counts to include students actively seeking graduation; he praised recruitment efforts in Chattanooga, Nashville, Birmingham and Mobile.

The president provided college‑level highlights: music faculty recognition and a Lincoln Center performance; the College of Business hosted a 24‑hour innovation challenge involving investment portfolios and scholarships; the College of Education’s kinesiology students have hands‑on clinical opportunities with local professional teams; the College of Nursing marked its 50th anniversary and reported a two‑year, 100% NCLEX pass rate for recent graduates; and the College of Science and computer science programs support major cybersecurity initiatives.

Campus research and facilities were a prominent theme. Carr highlighted UAH’s Space Hardware Club successes at NASA competitions, the university’s placement in federal research expenditures and the ongoing construction of the Raymond B. Jones Engineering Building, which he said is expected to be ready in fall 2026. He said UAH’s Bevel Center renovation is in final design stages to become the home of the Center for Cybersecurity Research and Education.

Carr said UAH now supports 17 research centers working on projects ranging from space hardware and weather science to national defense applications. He also noted workforce and community ties: more than half of UAH alumni live in Madison County and he cited partnerships with the Huntsville and Madison chambers and industry partners including Mazda Toyota Manufacturing.

The president highlighted athletics achievements and student success metrics, noting multiple All‑Americans and conference honors and that 128 student‑athletes achieved a 4.0 GPA in 2024.

Carr closed by thanking advisory committee members and invited trustees to tour the new engineering building when it opens.

","UAH President Chuck Carr briefed trustees and the presidential advisory committee on enrollment, college highlights, research centers and several campus projects, including a new engineering building and plans for a cybersecurity center.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089487,"University of Alabama System board approves modest tuition increases for 2025–26",1115,6338000,7453000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2873951-75b109bbfb96ab8ec3d3fe719a5be55b&start=6338&end=7453","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2873951-75b109bbfb96ab8ec3d3fe719a5be55b/thumbnail_6338000.jpg","/articles/6089487/Alabama/University-of-Alabama-System-board-approves-modest-tuition-increases-for-202526","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089487-59b9fc85e2d49ee0d2d53e3bad12920c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025177&Signature=Zt0~5FPkidm~M4K~Y~gQkJDzBhCPMi-FpDBwfM1C5vcWC5Gnt38Te8WwPHakU0YGYNbYmpezl~PVWfXkhFhWpKb-sQX0zokLO4QWhYP2FuCU08sNzvPmm1WidvHbUGbTM01f75Piyp5eLuPV3NGED2~EXOKjKeeemSo8pKFldz21NHA7ZtB54irjXae-DDXkN4XJ~sdtLYjz4nSNBh2CUJlYnxI2iuLcA1s~G5MTlLwDGtRYmqjvl0irAmL-N0K0yVsT-cbOFvHYLMx2sBWIKmB~t9Yx3S2xSJqIaTQWSmmJkimkFbz5q3zvl6mHNEt6OHCs3K0Y2xJWxSC2y0nCBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees on a unanimous voice vote approved a resolution to raise undergraduate, graduate and professional tuition and fees for the 2025–26 academic year across the system's three universities.

System presenters said the proposed changes are modest, benchmarked against peer institutions and intended to cover rising operating and benefits costs while keeping system tuition competitive for in‑state students.

The resolution matters because tuition is the system’s second‑largest revenue source and trustees said small, planned increases help sustain instructional programs, pay market‑competitive salaries and support required technology and compliance investments.

Dr. Keith presented the system’s analysis and explained the increases are the result of sustained cost pressures including higher employer contributions to retirement and retiree health insurance and increased technology investments. He said the system has held tuition largely flat since a 2019 freeze and that the average annual percent change since that freeze is below inflation for residents and modest for nonresidents.

Trustees were shown semester tuition comparisons for full‑time (15‑credit) undergraduates. For resident undergraduates the system presentation showed a 2.67% proposed change for UA, a slightly over 3% request for UAH, and a 2.91% request for UAB (with additional differentials for engineering and business colleges). For nonresident undergraduates the presentation showed a 3.5% request for UA, 3% for UAH, and 3% for UAB (again with engineering/business differentials at UAB). The board materials noted that benchmarking places the system at or below peer averages.

Stephanie Mullins presented the professional schools proposals. The Hearsink School of Medicine, dentistry and optometry proposals were described individually: the School of Medicine and School of Dentistry sought a 3% increase for both resident and nonresident tuition; the School of Optometry requested a 3% resident increase and no increase for nonresidents, based on its benchmarking data.

Trustees asked questions during discussion. One trustee raised concern about the relatively low share of in‑state applicants to the School of Optometry and requested campus follow up. Mullins agreed to get that information to the trustee.

After discussion a motion to consider the UA System resolution was made and seconded; the committee voted and the resolution was approved.

What passed

- Resolution approving undergraduate, graduate and professional tuition and fees at UA, UAB and UAH for academic year 2025–26 (approved by voice vote). The motion text in board materials: “approve undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools tuition and fees at UA, UAB, and UAH for academic year 2025‑26.”

Next steps and context

Board leaders noted this is the first year the system approved tuition at the April meeting to allow earlier campus budgeting. Trustees and presenters said the increases were set after peer benchmarking and efforts to limit the impact on resident students; campuses will implement the new rates for the coming academic year and provide requested follow‑up information on professional school applicant pools.

","The University of Alabama System trustees approved a resolution raising resident and nonresident tuition at UA, UAB and UAH for the 2025–26 academic year after presentations benchmarking the changes against peer institutions and citing rising operational costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Trustees approve construction, lease and equipment actions across UA, UAB and UAH

UAH president outlines enrollment, research and campus growth plans

University of Alabama System board approves modest tuition increases for 2025–26