TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. List of Tables

2. List of Figures

3. Introduction and Review of the Year

4. The Graduate Council

5. Staff Directory

6. Burnum Distinguished Faculty Award

7. Blackmon-Moody Outstanding Professor

8. Graduate Student Testimonials

9. Enhancements

10. Recruitment Activities

11. Applications and Admissions

12. Enrollment

13. African-American Enrollment

14. International Enrollment

15. Credit Hours

16. Degress Conferred

17. Technology and the Graduate School

18. Graduate Faculty

19. Graduate Student Financial Support

20. Minority Graduate Student Financial Support

21. Graduate Assistantships

22. Workshop for New Graduate Teaching Assistants

23. Graduate Student Awards

24. Academic Common Market

1. LIST OF TABLES

1. APPLICATIONS, SPRING TO FALL 2002

2. APPLICATIONS BY DEGREE LEVEL, SPRING TO FALL 2002

3. APPLICATIONS BY DEPARTMENT, SPRING TO FALL 2002

4. APPLICATIONS COMPLETED BY PROGRAM, SPRING TO FALL 2002

5. ENROLLMENT FALL 2002

6. ENROLLMENT FALL 2002 BY GENDER

7. ENROLLMENT FALL 2002 BY DEGREE

8. ENROLLMENT FALL 2002 BY ACADEMIC PROGRAM

9. AFRICAN-AMERICAN ENROLLMENT FALL 2002 BY GENDER

10. ENROLLMENT FALL 2002 BY ORIGIN

11.ENROLLMENT FALL 2002 OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS BY DEPARTMENT

12. ENROLLMENT FALL 2002 OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS BY ORIGIN

13. CREDIT HOURS FALL 2001 TO SUMMER 2002

14. COMMENCEMENT ACTIVITY 2001–02

15. NUMBER OF DEGREE RECIPIENTS 1997-98 TO 2001-02

16. DEGREES AWARDED 2001-02

17. DEGREES AWARDED BY ACADEMIC PROGRAM, 2000-01 AND 2001-02

18. FINANCIAL SUPPORT 2001-02

19. FINANCIAL AID 2001-02

20. GRADUATE COUNCIL THESIS/DISSERTATION FELLOWSHIPS 1997-98 TO 2001-02

21. GRADUATE COUNCIL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS 1998-99 TO 2001-02

22. GRADUATE COUNCIL REGULAR FELLOWSHIPS 1997-98 TO 2001-02

23. NUMBER AND TYPE OF GRADUATE ASSISTANTS FALL 2002, BY COLLEGE

24. NUMBER AND TYPE OF GRADUATE ASSISTANTS FALL 2002, BY DEPARTMENT

25. NUMBER AND TYPE OF 0.50 FULL TIME EQUIVALENT GRADUATE ASSISTANTS FALL 2002, BY FUNDING SOURCE, BY COLLEGE

26. NUMBER AND TYPE OF 0.50 FULL TIME EQUIVALENT GRADUATE ASSISTANTS FALL 2002, BY FUNDING SOURCE, BY DEPARTMENT

27. GRADUATE ASSISTANTS TOTAL STIPEND PAYMENTS 2001-02, BY FUNDING SOURCE BY COLLEGE

28. GRADUATE ASSISTANTS TOTAL STIPEND PAYMENTS 2001-02, BY FUNDING SOURCE BY DEPARTMENT

29. GRADUATE ASSISTANTS AVERAGE 0.50 FULL TIME EQUIVALENT STIPENDS FALL 2002 BY FUNDING SOURCE BY COLLEGE

30. GRADUATE ASSISTANTS AVERAGE 0.50 FULL TIME EQUIVALENT STIPENDS FALL 2002 BY FUNDING SOURCE BY DEPARTMENT

31. EXTERNAL FUNDING 2001-02

32. ACADEMIC COMMON MARKET PROGRAMS

33. CURRENT GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

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2. LIST OF FIGURES

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3. INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW OF THE YEAR

The material is divided into two main sections; firstly, a narrative that covers the highlights from the key areas of our activities during the current and preceding years. This section also introduces our principal faculty award winners as well as some of our graduate students and their testimonials. In the second section there is a comprehensive set of data tables covering all aspects of our applications, enrollment, degrees awarded, and financial support. In most cases, the sources for the data are computerized databases, however some information is obtained from other University offices, for which the Graduate School is appreciative. In collating the information presented here many judgments have been made as to inclusion, exclusion, and form of presentation. As always, suggestions, based on actual use of the material, for modifications or corrections are welcome and should be directed to the Graduate School Office.

Once again our number of total applications received in a year reached record levels with 6,064 processed (last year 5,675). This increase has been achieved primarily through the increased use of our on-line application and payment process combined with changes in-house to streamline and speed-up the review and approval process. There was an increase of almost 1% in the rate of acceptance which combined with the higher number of applications generally resulted in acceptances rising from 3,005 to 3,194, an increase of 6%. There was also a significant increase in the number of applications received for our off-campus programs. Total applications for Gadsden, QUEST, and other off-campus programs were 1,333, which was over 25% higher than last year.

Enrollment levels were also significantly higher than last year. Total for fall 2002 was 3,542, which is an increase of around 6% (last year 3,340). International student enrollment was 564 compared with 505 last year, representing an increase of around 12%. A total of 2,336 new students were enrolled this fall, around 66% of our total enrollment. Within that new enrollment over 54% (1,273) were women.

The number of credit hours enrolled continued at around the same level for 2001-02 as last year. A total of 56,306 hours were registered against 55,931 last year, which reflects the enrollment data for 2000-01 and 2001-02 (3,385 and 3,340 respectively). Total financial support for graduate students was $21,163,736 a significant increase on last year's $19,668,590 (8%). This resulted principally from increased fellowship awards (both overall number and individual stipend) of $297,663 and improved external funding of $458,002. [FIGURE 1: KEY INDICATOR TRENDS]

4. THE GRADUATE COUNCIL

 

Nancy S. Barrett, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (ex officio)
Ronald W. Rogers, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and 
Dean of the Graduate School (ex officio and chairman)
Louis A. Pitschmann, Ph.D., Dean of University Libraries (ex officio)
Tavan T. Trent, Ph.D., Faculty Senate Representative (ex-officio)

									TERM

Natalie Adams, Ph.D., College of Education				2005	
Martin G. Bakker, Ph.D., College of Arts & Sciences			2003
Bruce E. Barrett, Ph.D., College of Commerce & Business Adm		2003
Sharon E. Beatty, Ph.D., College of Commerce & Business Adm		2005
David W. Cordes, Ph.D., College of Engineering*				2005
Barbara Fischer, Ph.D., College of Arts & Sciences*			2004
Timothy A. Haskew, Ph.D., College of Engineering			2005
Marsha L. Houston, Ph.D., College of Communication & Infor Sc*		2004
D. Jeff Jackson, Ph.D., College of Engineering				2004
Laura G. Klinger, Ph.D., College of Arts & Sciences*			2003
Jordan I. Kosberg, Ph.D., School of Social Work				2005
Richard G. Lomax, Ph.D., College of Education				2003
Michael D. Murphy, Ph.D., College of Arts & Sciences			2004
Sharon O'Dair, Ph.D., College of Arts & Sciences			2003
Yorgo Pasadeos, Ph.D., College of Communication & Infor Sc		2004
Martha J. Powell, Ph.D., College of Arts & Sciences*			2003
Eric E. Roden, Ph.D., College of Arts & Sciences			2005
David R. Roskos-Ewoldsen, Ph.D., College of Comm & Infor Sc		2004
Nancy J. Rubin, Psy.D., College of Community Health Sciences		2003
Edward J. Schnee, Ph.D., College of Commerce & Business Adm		2003
Forrest R. Scogin, Ph.D., college of Arts & Science			2005
Joyce B. Stallworth, Ph.D., College of Education*			2005
Marietta P. Stanton, Ph.D., M.S., Capstone College of Nursing		2004
Stephen J. Thoma, Ph.D., College of Human Environmental Sciences	2003
Pieter B. Visscher, Ph.D., College of Arts & Sciences			2005
Harold J. Weber, Ph.D., College of Arts & Sciences			2004
John M. Wiest, Ph.D., College of Engineering				2004
S. Allen Wilcoxon, Ed.D., College of Education				2004
Elizabeth K. Wilson, Ph.D., College of Education			2005
Enrique A. Gomez, College of Arts & Sciences **				2003
Antonia S. Mead, College of Human Environmental Sciences **		2003

*Appointed
**Student Representative

The Graduate Council is the body responsible for recommending new policies and reviewing existing regulations governing advanced programs at the University. It comprises 23 elected, 7 appointed, and 4 ex-officio members. Each elected or appointed member serves on one of five committees: Research and New Programs, Financial Aid, Admissions and Recruitment, Program and Degree Requirements, or Teaching and Research Awards.

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5. STAFF DIRECTORY

The Graduate School
102 Rose Administration Building
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0118
Telephone: (205) 348-5921
www.graduate.ua.edu

Dean of the Graduate School				Ronald W. Rogers, Ph.D.
Executive Secretary					Kathleen G. Nodine
Associate Dean						John F. Schmitt, Ph.D.
Associate Dean						Patti L. Harrison, Ph.D.
Director of Administration				John E. Chambers, A.C.A.
Administrative Support Secretary			Ineice M. Lee
Director of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment		Carl F. Williams, Ph.D.
Graduate Admissions Officer				Louise Labosier
International Graduate Admissions Officer		Mary S. Williams
Secretary						Gayla S. Parmatier
Admissions Assistant					Deborah E. Eads
Admissions Assistant					Sheryl T. Tubbs
Registrar						Beverly H. York
Records Officer/Publications Coordinator		Dianne C. Teague

6. BURNUM DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD

 

Dr. William Dressler

The recipient of the 2002 Burnum Award is Dr. William Dressler, professor of social work and anthropology at The University of Alabama. Dr. Dressler holds a joint appointment in the School of Social Work and the department of anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences. He holds a doctorate degree in anthropology from the University of Connecticut and has been a member of the UA faculty since 1978.

Specializing in medical anthropology, Dr. Dressler has been recognized internationally, and is considered a leading authority on social epidemiology. His research has been conducted in such diverse settings as urban Great Britain, the southeastern United States, Mexico, Brazil, the West Indies, and Samoa. He was recently awarded a three-year National Science Foundation grant to study cultural dimensions of cardiovascular disease risk in Brazil.

Dr. Dressler's techniques in research methodology relative to operationalizing the concept of psychosocial stress have found their way into the mainstream of modern research on stress and health. According to Dr. Vernon Knight, chair of the UA department of anthropology, "Bill's research collaboration with physical and cultural anthropologists, sociologists, social workers, physicians and other professionals is a testament to his scholarly versatility."

His impact goes beyond scholarship. Dr. Lucinda Roff, social work professor and former dean of the School of Social Work says that his students describe him as "extraordinarily knowledgeable and articulate, challenging, fair, and accessible."

Dr. Dressler currently serves as president of the Society for Medical Anthropology and is a past recipient of the American Anthropological Association's Stirling Award, the highest recognition in the field of psychological anthropology.

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7. BLACKMON-MOODY OUTSTANDING PROFESSOR 

Dr. Amy Ward

Dr. Amy Ward, professor of biological sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Alabama, has been named Blackmon-Moody Outstanding Professor for 2002.

The Blackmon-Moody Award is for a faculty member whose "singular, exceptional, or timely work, whether in the form of research, a product, a program, or published material, reflects credit on the faculty member, the field of study, students and The University of Alabama." The award was created by Frederick Moody Blackmon of Montgomery to honor the memory of his grandmother, Sarah McCorkle Moody of Tuscaloosa.

As the founder and director of a program that's becoming a national model for how to train future scientists, Dr. Ward has been indefatigable in her vision for the aquatic biology program at UA, according to Dr. Martha Powell, professor and chair of the biological sciences department. Under Dr. Ward's direction, the Center for Freshwater Studies is dedicated to understanding and preserving water, the environment in and around it, and the plants and animals that depend on it. The interdisciplinary nature of the Center for Freshwater Studies draws together faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of engineering, the School of Law, and the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration.

Dr. Ward also heads a new graduate education program known as the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training program or IGERT, made possible by a $2.7 million National Science Foundation grant, which is designed to meet the nation's need for broadly trained Ph.D.s with multidisciplinary backgrounds.

Interim UA President J. Barry Mason noted of Dr. Ward, "You have brought distinction and recognition to yourself and The University of Alabama in numerous ways. You help make this institution a special place."

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8. GRADUATE STUDENT PROFILES

		Darnita Martin Master's and Ph.D. Student in Computer Science and Future Faculty Fellow "Admission into The University of Alabama Graduate School was a giant step in the direction of my goals as a student and a person. As a student, I plan to contribute to the computer science body of knowledge. As a person, I aim to contribute to society as an instructor, researcher, and champion for my community."
		Naomi Lang-Unnasch Master's Student in Speech-Language Pathology and Graduate Council Fellow "My long-term professional goal is to use technical expertise to help others. I envision a career that involves assisting clients of various ages and disabilities, possibly in a hospital or outpatient care facility. My graduate program at UA is providing me with both the technical training and clinical experience to achieve my goals."
		Hyo-Joong Kim Ph.D. Student in Chemistry and Graduate Council Dissertation Fellow "After receiving my undergraduate and master's degrees, I worked for several years with a large chemical company. Now, I wish to devote myself to the development of science as a professor and research scientist. A Ph.D. degree from The University of Alabama will provide me with the fundamental knowledge needed to contribute to the field of chemistry."
		Wade Watkins Master's Student in Applied Mathematics, Ph.D. Student in Applied Statistics, Graduate Council Fellow, and University Scholar "In my graduate programs at UA, I have learned useful applications to real world problems and have also made friendships with both faculty and fellow classmates. I desire a career faced with new challenges, and my graduate study has created many opportunities to broaden my perspectives and improve my skills."

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9. ENHANCEMENTS

This year, the department of Anthropology was the recipient of Graduate Program Enhancement Funding. In addition to having a long-standing master's degree program, the Anthropology department received approval in the summer of 2002 to initiate a Ph.D. program emphasizing two foci of investigation: the archaeology of the complex societies of Native America and medical anthropology. The Enhancement Funding will provide a strong foundation for the establishment of the doctoral track.

With its newly approved Ph.D. degree, the Anthropology department plans to use the funding, primarily, for graduate student support in an effort to establish a nationally competitive graduate program. The enhancement will enable the department to compete more effectively for top graduate students.

During the next two years, the department of Anthropology anticipates hiring new faculty in the areas of biocultural studies and archaeology, and completing office and laboratory upgrades in Ten Hoor Hall. Additional enhancements include more secretarial support, an increased operating budget and travel budget.

10. RECRUITMENT ACTIVITIES

The Graduate School organizes a large number of on-campus recruitment activities. In September 2001 and September 2002, the Graduate School sponsored its annual Preview Day on "Applying to Graduate School," which was attended each year by 350-400 undergraduates at UA and other colleges and universities. The Preview Days consisted of presentations by Graduate School recruiters on the application process and by UA departmental representatives on graduate opportunities in specific fields of study. Breakout sessions included the Arts & Sciences divisions of Physical Sciences/Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Fine Arts/Humanities; Commerce and Business Administration; Communication and Information Sciences; Education; Engineering; Human Environmental Sciences; and Social Work. The Preview Days concluded with practice administrations of graduate admissions tests, provided at no charge by Kaplan, Inc. The attendees continue to be monitored regularly to ensure that as many as possible decide to enroll in graduate school.

On October 9, 2001 and October 8, 2002, the annual Graduate and Professional School Days were held in the Ferguson Center. Universities from across the country exhibited and provided information to prospective graduate students.

On the first Wednesday of every month, the Graduate School conducts a seminar on "Applying to Graduate School." The seminar is listed on the Graduate School's virtual site and is promoted by the various departments and support groups across the UA campus. The seminar is also advertised widely on other campuses across the state.

Graduate School staff members conduct presentations for a large number of campus organizations, including honor societies, undergraduate organizations, undergraduate classes, and many other units. For example, in 2001-2002, Graduate School representatives conducted presentations for prospective graduate students at the UA English Language Institute, National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates Summer Program, McNair Scholars Program, housing groups, various classes, honor societies and other UA groups and organizations. Emphasis continues on maintaining links and dialogue with all undergraduate organizations concerning graduate admissions procedures and highlighting the benefits of investing in graduate education. The Graduate School stresses the importance of developing a personal contact with all outstanding undergraduate students (those who have maintained a 3.00 or better GPA) and encourages them to consider attending the Graduate School at the UA.

Graduate School staff members conduct a number of admissions and recruitment activities on a daily basis in our office in 102 Rose Administration Building, activities that include phone calls, voice mail messages, sessions with individual students in our offices, processing applications, mailing applications and catalogs to prospective students, phone calls from faculty and other units, and responding to e-mail inquiries from faculty and prospective students. During this past year (June 2001 through May 2002) the Graduate School received and processed over 30,000  pieces of mail related to applications. The Graduate School admissions staff conducted over 1,800  in-office guidance sessions with prospective graduate students and had over 2,900 additional office visits from students with application questions. The admissions staff had 11,000  phone calls and responded to over 14,000  e-mails from applicants.

The success of graduate student recruitment is dependent upon the active involvement of individual graduate departments and faculty. Graduate students often select a university based on the research and scholarly record and reputation of each department's faculty. Prospective graduate students who have been contacted directly by department chairs or faculty are more likely to apply to a university. Thus, the Graduate School has implemented a number of activities to assist departments with their own departmental graduate recruitment programs. Every fall semester, the Graduate School holds a seminar for new department chairs and graduate program directors and provides information about possible recruitment activities. Each semester, the Graduate School sponsors a recruitment focus group for 10-15 Graduate Program Directors. Graduate School staff members routinely are invited to attend departmental faculty meetings to discuss graduate student recruitment, application, and admission.
As part of the continuing process of assisting departments, the Graduate School maintains and uses several prospect databases. Over 500 inquiries from prospective graduate students are entered into the database each month, and reports are sent regularly to each department in which the students have expressed a specific interest. The Graduate School actively solicits national databases of prospective graduate students (e.g., the McNair Scholars Program for undergraduates who are from disadvantaged groups or are first-generation college students) and forwards the information to departments. The Graduate School also routinely sends reports to departments about potential outstanding applicants who have submitted parts of their applications (e.g., transcripts, test scores) and who can be encouraged by departments to complete their applications and attend The University of Alabama Graduate School.

Developments and improvements within the application cycle also contribute to keeping graduate application and enrollment levels high. In particular, the use of technology in communication further enhances the recruiting process. The Graduate School has an electronic version of its application on its virtual site. The online graduate application facilitates rapid processing of applications while reducing the amount of paperwork usually associated with the admissions process. During 2001-2002, over 2,100 graduate applications were submitted on our web site, which was over 35% of our total applications. Students who wish to apply electronically can do so by visiting  http://graduate.ua.edu.

In recent years, a number of enhancements have been made to the Graduate School online application, and additional enhancements are planned. We request online submission of applications from all applicants, including international applicants and U.S. citizens. We have implemented procedures to allow better tracking and recruitment of applicants who apply using our online application. When applicants submit an online application, an email is sent automatically to the department to which they have applied; departments are encouraged to use the data for recruitment of the students. Applicants are automatically sent emails immediately and several weeks following their submission of the online application. The emails thank applicants for their applications and encourage them to consider enrolling at UA. Data from online applications are uploaded automatically into the university's student information system. Online graduate applicants now may submit credit card numbers for their application fees. UA has enhanced its virtual site for students (tideguide.ua.edu), and students may and check the status of their graduate applications on this site. In the coming months, we are planning to add on feature that will allow departmental to view online all components of application materials for each applicant and submit department admission decisions online.

11. APPLICATIONS AND ADMISSIONS

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12. ENROLLMENT

Total on-campus enrollment in the Graduate School in fall semester 2002 was 3,039. Off-campus enrollment was 503. Total new students for the fall were 2,123 or 69% of total on-campus enrollment. The ratio of men to women enrollees continued to be at the same level as in previous years - 46% men and 54% women (last year 43% men and 57% women).

Some divisions showed substantial increases in fall 2002, compared to the previous year. Higher on-campus enrollment in the College of Human Environmental Sciences (46% increase), College of Education (7 % increase), and College of Arts & Sciences (3% increase) was partially offset by reductions in other colleges' enrollment. For a more detailed analysis of enrollment for 2002, please refer to Tables 5 through 10.

13. AFRICAN-AMERICAN ENROLLMENT

African-Americans comprised 10 % of total graduate enrollment in the fall of 2002, with 338 students enrolled, compared to 277 in fall 2001. Similarly African-Americans comprised 11% of on-campus graduate enrollment in the fall of 2002, with 304 students enrolled. Enrollment of African-American graduate students has steadily increased from 81 students in 1987 (3% of the total on campus graduate enrollment) and remained stable with 200-225 students (6-7% of the total on campus enrollment) from 1994 to 1997, as seen in Figure 1. The last few years have seen high even higher on campus enrollment of African-American graduate students, with 245 students in fall 1998, 262 in fall 1999, 289 in fall 2000, 272 in fall 2001, and 304 in fall 2002.

The number of minority students receiving graduate degrees at the University also remains high. In 2001-2002 (summer, fall, and spring terms), we awarded graduate degrees to 120 minority students, or 9.1% of our total of 1,318 graduate degree recipients. We awarded graduate degrees to 131 minority students in 2000-2001 (summer, fall, and spring terms), which is 9.6% of our total number of graduate degree recipients. Similarly, in 1999-2000, we awarded graduate degrees to 139 minority students, or 10.2% of graduate degree recipients. In 1998-1999 and 1997-1998, we awarded 119 and 106 degrees, respectively, to minority graduate students.

The UA Graduate School has received national recognition for its graduation rates for African American students. The Graduate School and several individual graduate programs were recognized in the June 20, 2002 issue of the journal Black Issues in Higher Education, which contained the annual report of the "Top 100 Degree Producers." The data reflected numbers of graduate degrees awarded in 2000-2001. The University of Alabama Graduate School received the following ranks:
· All Disciplines Combined-African American Doctorate: UA tied for rank of 44
· All Disciplines Combined-African American Master's: UA tied for rank of 108
· Engineering-African American Master's: UA tied for rank of 54
· English-African American Master's: UA tied for rank of 11
· Education-African American Doctorate: UA tied for rank of 45

To increase minority graduate enrollment and graduation, the University of Alabama Graduate School makes substantial efforts to ensure that minority students receive needed financial assistance. Since 1988, the Graduate School has provided scholarships, fellowships, and stipends for over 170 minority graduate scholars and has funded minority graduate students for over $2 million in stipends and tuition scholarships. In 2001-2002 (summer, fall, and spring terms), a total of 36 students were supported through stipends and/or tuition scholarships. Due to expanded Graduate School recruitment and fellowship activities, there were more participants in the minority graduate fellowship programs during 2000-2001 than in any previous year.

Several programs are in place to provide targeted financial assistance for minority groups in conjunction with other bodies. For example, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Minority Doctoral Scholars program is in its seventh year and provides stipends for minority students at the University, while the Graduate School funds tuition scholarships. For some Minority Doctoral Scholars, the Graduate School has a partnership with SREB to provide half of a $12,000 annual stipend plus full tuition support. Similar forms of support include the Joint Faculty Development Program and the Future Faculty Fellows Program, which provide substantial assistance to African-American students who plan to become college or university professors. Financial support is also provided for participants in the Joint Faculty/Staff Development Program with Stillman College, an HBCU in Tuscaloosa. The numerous Graduate School fellowship and scholarship programs are described in detail in following sections. In addition, prospective minority students are directed to fellowships, assistantships, scholarships, and other sources of financial aid for which they may apply.

The Minority Graduate Student Assistance Office offers a variety of support services for students. The Graduate School provides funds and support for the UA African-American Graduate Student Association, which had been inactive for several years before becoming active again in fall 1998. The group sponsors panel discussions, information fairs, and receptions. The African-American Graduate Student Association remains a very active association on campus. The association's president serves as a representative to the Graduate Council. The Graduate School provides travel funds for officers to attend the National Black Graduate Student Conferences each year.

The Graduate School assisted the UA TRIO office in obtaining a U.S. Department of Education grant for the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program, a research-training program for undergraduates who wish to pursue graduate study, and was active in implementation of the UA McNair program during 2001-2002. An Associate Dean of the Graduate School serves on the UA McNair Scholars Advisory Board. The Graduate School has agreed to provide tuition scholarships for any UA McNair scholar who attends graduate school at UA and to assist UA McNair scholars with identifying and applying for departmental graduate assistantships. We have conducted recruitment activities for McNair fellows in the Southern region and pay the graduate application fee for any McNair fellow who applies to UA. The UA Student Support Services Program is another U.S. Department of Education TRIO program for undergraduate scholars from disadvantaged groups. The Graduate School also pays the application fees and provides assistance on applying to graduate programs for participants in the UA Student Support Services Program.

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14. INTERNATIONAL ENROLLMENT

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15. CREDIT HOURS

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16. DEGREES CONFERRED

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17. TECHNOLOGY AND THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

The Graduate School provides up-to-date information to faculty and students through our website. Copies of all of our principal publications - including this report - are included on the website. In addition, copies of administrative updates, informative communiqués, and other important documents are similarly maintained electronically. There are many links to graduate departments in colleges, on-line forms and checklists for students, a graduate school calendar with all the important deadlines, and numerous other documents.

An electronic version of the Graduate School application is available on our website at http://graduate.ua.edu/application/index.html and this is used by more and more of our prospective students. The ability to pay the application fee online has also enhanced the functionality and effectiveness of our application procedures.

Work is also underway to develop and install two major improvements using technology to further assist our customers. Trials are due to start on using the latest imaging systems to record some of our documentation that we receive from external sources and to make the records available to the departments to assist with processing applications. In addition, we are developing a management information system for departments and other users that will compliment the electronic application, payment, and image scanning system.

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18. GRADUATE FACULTY

Criteria for full and associate members. The dean of each academic division has the annual responsibility of nominating members who meet the following criteria to serve on the graduate faculty:
I.
    Hold the Ph.D. or other terminal degree, and
    Hold the rank of at least assistant professor in a full-time, tenure-track position.
II.
Full and associate members must demonstrate ability and continuing interest in the graduate program and in research or creative activity. Full members must show a strong, continuing record of productive research, publication, creative activity, and scholarly activity appropriate to the discipline. These broad requirements are best interpreted by each department and college considering their unique aspects.

III.
     A. Be recommended by the departmental graduate faculty, department chairperson, and dean of the academic division.
     B. The chairperson of the Graduate Council's Committee on Graduate Faculty
Membership will then act upon these nominations, in consultation with the dean of the Graduate School.

Terms of appointment. Full and associate members are appointed for six-year, renewable terms.

Temporary membership. Temporary membership may be extended to well-qualified individuals who do not satisfy the above criteria, to perform specific functions for specific time periods, not to exceed one calendar year. The departmental graduate faculty, department chairperson, and dean of the academic division should recommend them. The chairperson of the Graduate Council, the dean of the Graduate School, will then act upon these nominations.

Administrative appointments. Faculty members currently on administrative appointments, or returning to the faculty from such appointments, are eligible for full or associate membership on the graduate faculty. They should show, at a minimum, promise of satisfying the appropriate departmental as well as University membership criteria. The individual's record of teaching and research before becoming an administrator should be considered.

Retirement. Members of the graduate faculty are automatically permitted to retain graduate faculty status for one year after retirement. After a graduate faculty member retires, he or she may need to continue to serve as chair or committee member on students' thesis and/or dissertation committees. These graduate faculty members may be appointed as temporary members of the graduate faculty for these purposes and/or to perform other specific functions. The nomination and appointment procedure for these temporary appointments are the same as those adopted by the academic unit and the University.

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19. GRADUATE STUDENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT

In the academic year 2001-2002, a total of $21,163,736 was awarded to graduate students--an average of $7,523 for every qualifying graduate student enrolled on campus. This is an increase of 3.5% on last year's average of $7,274.

Perkins Loans and Work-Study Support. In the 2000-2001 academic year, no loans were made to students under this program. Under the work-study support program, 48 assignments were given to graduate students for a total value of $308,631.

Travel and Research Awards. Twice each year the Dean of the Graduate School invites nominations for awards to support graduate research and travel. For research awards, priority is given to thesis, pre-dissertation, and dissertation research. For travel awards, priority is given to (a) graduate students who have been accepted to present personally their own research at the national meeting of their discipline's major academic/professional organization, and (b) those whose department or college indicates its own support of the student by agreeing to cost share the necessary funding. In 2001/2002 142 students applied for support from these funds and 108 received awards, a rate of 76%. A total of $24,225 was awarded to these successful students, representing an average of $224 per student.

Graduate Council Fellowships. During the 2001-2002 academic year, the Graduate Council Committee on Financial Aid awarded 59 fellowships. Of this total, 9 were made for thesis/dissertation fellowships and 50 were research fellowships. The value of individual awards was maintained at the same level as last academic year to the following new totals: Graduate Council Fellows - $12,500; first year Graduate Council Thesis/Dissertation Fellows - $13,000; and second year Graduate Council Thesis/Dissertation Fellows - $13,500. In addition, several supplemental awards were made for $5,000 to a total of 14 recipients. For 2002-03 the level of each category has been increased to the same amount - $14,000.

License Tag Fellows. Under the provisions of the National Alumni Association Collegiate License Tag Program, 80% of the proceeds received by the university are endowed, and the income generated is used to support graduate fellowships. In 2001-02 sufficient funds were available to provide 28 fellowships with a stipend of $11,000 each.

Graduate Fellowship Supplements. Each year additional amounts are awarded to graduate students from a special Presidential Graduate Fellowship Supplemental Fund. The fund is financed from logo and licensing fees received by the University's Office of Auxiliary and Support Services. In 2001-2002 a total of $145,000 was awarded from this source.

Alumni Association Graduate Scholarship Program. The National Alumni Association also funds a varying number of graduate fellowships in each college or school that offers a post-baccalaureate degree.

Graduate and Faculty Scholarship Committee. As in previous years, the Committee contacted over 500 students to determine their eligibility for and interest in Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, and Fulbright fellowships. 12 students were formally interviewed resulting in 8 nominations, as follows:

As a result of these interviews, Katy Allen, a first-year graduate student in Library and Information Studies, received a Fulbright Grant to Germany for the 2002-03 year. Katherine Terry, a junior majoring in Philosophy and Political Science, was a finalist for the Truman Scholarship.

Additionally, the Committee worked with and advised Joseph Mark Brown, a senior Civil Engineering major, during his application process for the prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship, which was established in 2001 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Mr. Brown received one of the first Gates Cambridge Awards. His studies at the University of Cambridge will lead to a postgraduate degree in Environment and Development in the department of Geography and Earth Sciences.

Minority Support. There are several programs aimed specifically at minority student groups and these are discussed in detail in a separate section of this Report.

Graduate Assistant Stipends. Departments are allocated a budget each year to appoint graduate teaching or research assistants and pay them stipends up to any level that they are able to fund. The Graduate School establishes minimum pay levels dependent upon the assigned work hours and gives guidance on the minimum and maximum number of enrolled hours that each student requires in order to maintain their full-time student status.

For 2001-2002 the minimum stipend levels were maintained at the same level as the previous year:
0.25 FTE - $4,213
0.50 FTE - $8,426
0.75 FTE - $12,639

For the new academic year 2002-2003 these stipend levels have been increased as follows:
0.25 FTE - $4,339
0.50 FTE - $8,678
0.75 FTE - $13,017

In addition, the Graduate School awards grants equal to the full tuition charge for 0.50 FTE or higher appointments, and prorated amounts for FTE appointments below 0.50 FTE. For fall semester 2001, the number of students who received graduate assistant appointments was 1,227, compared with 1,232 last year, however the total number of 0.50 full time equivalent assistants awarded actually increased by almost 3% from 1,076 to 1,102.5. There were 621 teaching assistants (last year 588) and 606 research, administrative, and other assistants (last year 644).

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20. MINORITY GRADUATE STUDENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT

SREB Fellowships. The SREB Minority Doctoral Scholars Program encourages ethnic minority students to pursue doctoral degrees and become college professors. The Graduate School holds the #1 ranking for number of SREB doctoral scholars in fall 2002. Since 1993, the Graduate School has enrolled 35 SREB Minority Doctoral Scholars, and nine have received their degrees. SREB scholars receive $12,000 annual stipends plus tuition scholarships for up to 5 years of graduate study through a combination of SREB, Graduate School, and departmental funding. In 2001-2002, the Graduate School supported 18 SREB fellows in stipends and scholarships. One new UA doctoral student received SREB fellowships beginning in fall 2002, and the Graduate School is supporting a total of 18 SREB scholars in fall 2002.

Future Faculty Fellows Program. This program is for African-American students who plan to become college or university professors. Each Future Faculty Fellow receives an annual stipend of $14,000 (2001-02 $11,000), a departmental assistantship, and a full tuition scholarship for up to four years of full-time graduate study. A total of 26 doctoral students have received Future Faculty Fellowships since 1991, and 12 have received their degrees. In 2001-2002, the Graduate School supported four Future Faculty Fellows with stipends and scholarships. The Graduate School is similarly supporting five Future Faculty Fellows in 2002-2003.

Joint Minority Faculty Development Program Fellowships. The Joint Faculty Development Program was implemented in Alabama HBCUs for practicing college teachers who do not have a terminal degree. Faculty members participating in this program receive support from their home institution and an annual stipend of $14,000 (2001-02 $13,000) and full tuition scholarship from The University of Alabama Graduate School. Institutions participating in this program include Alabama State University, Alabama A & M University, and Oakwood College. A total of 23 fellows have participated in the program since 1989, and 10 have received degrees. In 2001-2002, three Joint Faculty Development Fellowships were awarded to faculty members of partner institutions. Four HBCU faculty members are participating in the Joint Faculty Development Program in fall 2001. An additional fellow, having received Joint Faculty Development Fellowships for previous years, is being funded in 2002-2003 with departmental assistantships and other scholarships for the dissertation year.

UA/Stillman College Joint Faculty Staff Development Program. The major objectives of the program are to provide support for Stillman College faculty and staff to complete degree requirements for a graduate degree and to provide in-service and staff development. In 2001-2002, the Graduate School provided tuition scholarships totaling $19,672 for nine faculty and staff members of Stillman College.

21. GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS

Of the total number of students receiving assistantships 1,018 (1,018) were supported with university funds and 209 (last year 214) were supported on contracts, grants, or gifts from third parties. For a more detailed analysis of assistantships please see tables 23 through 26.

The total stipend paid to these assistants during 2001-02 was $13,373,838 (last year $12,733,072). The main increase arose through additional funding from third party sources plus an increase in the average stipends paid from university funds. Average stipends rose from $9,400 last year to $9,553 for 2001-02, an increase of about 2%, with university funded stipends rising about 2.5% from $9,163 to $9,388. Please see tables 27 through 31 for more information on stipends.

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22. WORKSHOP FOR NEW GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTS

Graduate Teaching Fellows, who are experienced GTAs recognized for superior teaching in their respective colleges, led eight simultaneous breakout sessions for a full day at the Workshop. The Fellows videotaped the new GTAs who each had prepared a short presentation. Each GTA received written and verbal analyses of teaching strengths and areas for improvement. The new GTAs also had the opportunity to analyze videos in order to "troubleshoot" some of the most frequently occurring problems in the classroom. The Fellows led the new GTAs in discussions of important issues such as services for students with disabilities, sexual harassment, academic misconduct, academic grievances, and the confidentiality of student records.

23. GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS

On Honors Day the Dean of the Graduate School presented the following University-wide awards; each student received a plaque and a check for $500.

Thesis: "Site-directed Mutagenesis Study of the Phylloquinone Binding Site of Photosystem I in Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii"
Advisor: Dr. Kevin Redding
Dissertation: "Effect of Fiber Additives on Gas Movement Through Soil Materials"
Advisor: Dr. Robert Griffin

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24. ACADEMIC COMMON MARKET

For the academic year 2001-2002 the data for ACM support were as shown in the table below. The total value of scholarships awarded under this program was $624,868 up 18.6% on last year's ($526,963).