University of Alabama Making Strides in the Racial Diversification of Its Student Body

The University of Alabama reports a 4 percent increase in black enrollments this fall. There are currently 2,635 black students on the Tuscaloosa campus, making up 11 percent of total enrollments.

A decade ago the University of Alabama bestowed 354 degrees on black students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In the 2005-06 academic year, 507 degrees were awarded to black students. This is an increase of more than 43 percent.

University officials point to a vastly expanded recruiting program for gains in black enrollments. Admissions officers visit more than three dozen predominantly black high schools in the state each year. Prospective black students are brought to campus for recruitment events. Current black students are used as ambassadors to reach out by telephone to prospective black students across the state.

Copyright © 2006. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.