Board approves creation of UA School of Leadership and Policy, to be housed in Farrah Hall

The University of Alabama System Board on Nov. 7 approved the creation of the School of Leadership and Policy at the University of Alabama and granted permission to submit the change to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

President Peter Moller described the new school as ‘‘the first of its kind in our state’’ with a practice‑oriented curriculum housed in Farrah Hall; the building will undergo a planned renovation to support interdisciplinary instruction, policy labs and public engagement. Moller said the move is intended to produce graduates equipped for public service, civic leadership and policy work across local, state and federal institutions.

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, a UA graduate, addressed trustees and endorsed the school’s mission, saying her UA experience ‘‘sparked a passion to serve.’’ She told the board she is ‘‘confident that through this program, our university will become a national model for leadership development and applied policy education.’’

The Board moved, seconded and approved the administrative resolution to establish the school and to submit the required paperwork to the state commission.

Details and limitations: The board approved the request to seek state authorization; the transcript does not record an implementation timeline for the Farrah Hall renovation, construction budgets, or staffing plans. Those specifics are to follow through administrative planning and state review processes.

Next steps: UA will finalize facility plans for Farrah Hall, establish implementation and staffing timelines, and submit the formal proposal to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education as authorized by the trustees.