Message from the President

Today marks one month since Alabama A&M University implemented immediate measures for the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff and administrators as a result of COVID-19. Events of the past few months have propelled higher educational institutions into uncharted waters. Conditions change rapidly and we are called upon to modify, adjust, and adapt on a moment’s notice. For all of us, this will require patience and understanding as we adjust to this “new normal.” 

Our focus prior to this COVID-19 and even more so now, is on you, our students—your well-being and education as you pursue your future career goals and aspirations. As a university, we pride ourselves in offering a family oriented and nurturing environment in which you can develop optimally in a supportive environment. A myriad of extracurricular activities contributes to this well-rounded educational experience. With the virus spreading throughout the country, we have had to postpone, cancel or find alternative delivery methods.  As we prepare for the present and future, within this context, I wanted to provide you with a few updates.

SPRING 2020 SEMESTER E-LEARNING
  • We are continuously working to further migrate to an electronic learning (E-learning) platforms, hybrid classes, and other forms of electronic instructional delivery.
  • Academic and student support services are virtually available to all students.

SPRING 2020 REFUNDS/CREDITS
  • By now, for those who are eligible, your refunds/credits should have been posted to your account.
  • If you have a balance on your Bulldog Bucks account, the remaining balance will roll forward on your card to next semester.
  • If there is an ending credit balance on your account resulting from the prorated housing and meal plans that were refunded, after university obligations are satisfied, that balance will be disbursed to you either via direct deposit or check.

SPRING 2020 COMMENCEMENT
  • We are still attempting to make arrangements for in-person commencement. We know that you have worked hard and looked forward to that day of receiving your diploma. We will continue to monitor the situation and will hold commencement as soon as possible without endangering the health and safety of participants and attendees.

SUMMER SCHOOL 2020
  • Summer School 2020 will be offered online. No in-person classes will be offered on campus. 
  • In an attempt to make summer school as affordable as possible, for Summer 2020 only, we will only charge tuition, no required fees. Please click on the hyperlinks for more information on tuition costs for undergraduates and graduates. We urge you to take advantage of this special pricing and take as many courses as possible.
  • Registration for Summer School 2020 began on April 6, 2020 and will be available through May 25, 2020. The maximum number of credit hours that can be taken are for undergraduate students - 10 credit hours and graduate students - 6 credit hours. To register for or look up classes for Summer School 2020, sign-in to your AAMU Single Sign-On Account. 

FALL 2020 REGISTRATION
  • For first-time, first-year incoming applicants, the university is waiving the ACT/SAT requirement for Fall 2020 admission. However, applicants must still meet ACT/SAT thresholds to qualify for merit-based scholarships.
  • For current students, early registration began on April 6, 2020 and will be available through August 16, 2020. Please take advantage of early registration and make sure to set an appointment with your advisor to discuss your class schedule and receive your registration pin.

COVID-19 UNIVERSITY UPDATES
  • All updates and information pertaining to COVID-19 can be found on the university’s website COVID-19 Website. I encourage you to frequently check the website for notifications and updates. 

You are encouraged to stay in contact with your advisor, instructors, and divisions such as housing and financial aid. Please be advised that many of these divisions are teleworking and phone systems have been forwarded to their university issued cell phones. Your understanding in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Bulldogs are strong. Bulldogs are resilient. Bulldogs are adaptable. We as Bulldogs, will get through this together. It is my prayer, that all of you will stay safe during this very difficult time of COVID-19. Finally, let me close in usual manner by sharing as acrostic with you from the letters in the word BULLDOGS. Bulldogs are:

B – Bold
U – Unrelenting
L – Loving
L – Loyal
D – Determined
O – Optimistic
G – Grateful
S – Strong

Stay safe, protect yourself as we navigate these challenges as a nation and as a people. 
Academic and Student Support Services
ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES

FRESHMAN ACADEMY
The Freshman Academy is a collaborative, student-centered learning environment dedicated to provide you with the information and direction you need to successfully matriculate, persist from one semester to the next, and perform well academically, as you seek the bachelor’s degree. The academy serves all first-time freshmen, continuing freshmen (less than 31 credit hours), and academically at-risk students of various classifications.

ACADEMIC ADVISING
It is now time to schedule an appointment with your advisor and select academic courses based upon your declared major course curriculum. Assistance is also provided to students who have not declared a major with opportunities to explore and determine their educational goals and career pursuits. Academic advisors at AAMU participate in a Split Academic Advising Model, which consists of a two-step advising process.

  • Freshman students (0 to 30 credit hours) receive advising through the Freshman Academy by professional academic advisors.
  • Students who have earned more than 30 semester credit hours are advised by faculty advisors within the College of their academic disciplines.

College of Agricultural, Life and Natural Sciences ( CALNS)
College of Business and Public Affairs ( CBPA)
College of Education, Humanities and Behavioral Sciences ( CEHBS)
College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences ( CETPS)

TUTORIAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK (TAN)
The Tutorial Assistance Network (TAN) is a campus-wide College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) certified academic support program. Tutorial sessions are provided for students who are interested in regular or weekly assistance. Students schedule tutoring appointments through GradesFirst. The TAN team will continue to provide tutorial services to Alabama A&M University students using Zoom. Schedule your tutoring appointments and access the Student Online Tutoring Processes.

ONLINE TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY
Online Tools and Technology are available to students to facilitate a meaningful online learning experience. Our Blackboard Learn platform, web-conferencing tools Collaborate Ultra and Zoom, and the entire google suite (G Suite) for Higher Education. We have additional tips, resources and support for students at the university’s Academic Continuity Web Page.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID
Please be sure to submit your 2020-21 FAFSA as soon as possible to prevent a delay in processing your financial aid award. The School Code is 001002. Please send an email directly to the financial aid counselor that corresponds to the first letter in your last name.

Joanie Fletcher
Last name: A-D and Academic Scholarships

Beverly Bradley
Last name: E - J

Gregory Provence
Last name: K – R / General Questions

Theresa Mitchell
Last name: S - Z and Athletic Scholarships

Frank Pope
Verification Questions

Your counselor will respond to your inquiry by 5 p.m. on the day it is received, if received by 4:30 p.m. If you desire to schedule a Zoom teleconference, please include this request in your email. You will receive a follow-up email with information on scheduling your teleconference. If you do not receive a response from your counselor, please inform us by emailing sybrenna.harris@aamu.edu or deborah.gordon@aamu.edu, with a copy to Mr. Darryl Jackson, Director of Financial Aid: darryl.jackson1@aamu.edu.

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR
Prospective Spring 2020 Graduates are asked to confirm via BANNER your mailing address in the event it becomes necessary to send important information regarding Spring 2020 graduation. An update regarding Commencement will be provided at a later date.

Pre-registration for Fall 2020 opens April 6, 2020. You should contact your academic advisor between now and then for an electronic advising session to ensure you have access to desired classes. Students will registrar through Self-Service Banner Account. Note: students with less than 31-hours or on academic probation are advised by the Freshman Academy . Requests for transcripts must be submitted electronically until further notice. Click here for instructions. Email your questions and concerns to: registrar@aamu.edu. Please contact Ms. Brenda Williams (Registrar) if you do not receive a response to your inquiry: brenda.williams@aamu.edu.

OFFICE OF STUDENT ACCOUNTS
You may contact Student Accounts should you have questions about your student account via phone (256-372-5205) or email ( student.accounts@aamu.edu) and someone will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

HOUSING AND RESIDENTIAL LIFE
The 2020-21 application for housing will open April 13, 2020. Housing has reserved 1,544 beds for returning students. Housing is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. As a reminder, you are required to meet the criteria to receive accommodations. Email your questions and concerns to: housing@aamu.edu.

VETERAN AFFAIRS AND DISABILITY SERVICES
If you are a veteran or dependent of a veteran, a student requesting accommodations from Disability Services, or requesting an official university excuse, please contact one or both of the following:

Sanoyia Williams
Disability Services, Veterans Affairs, Excuses, and University Excuses

Angela Crum
University Excuses and General Questions

HEALTH AND COUNSELING SERVICES
Licensed Counselors and Medical Providers will provide telehealth services to students in need. This includes prescription refills, triage services, referrals, counseling sessions, and answering any medical related questions you may have. Please contact an individual below by email with questions, and to request a Zoom teleconference. If you need to speak with a medical provider please dial 256-425-4201, or 256-425-4554 to speak with a counselor. Please call 911 if you are experiencing an emergency.

Al’lwyn Graham
Counselor

Jessica Meyer
Counselor

Tanisha Smith
Crisis Counselor (Title IX – sexual misconduct, harassment, and assault)

Rebecca Dickerson
Nurse Practitioner

Please contact Mrs. Carlquista Slay (Interim Director) if you do not receive a reply to your inquiry: carlquista.slay@aamu.edu.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
The Career Development Services staff will continue providing the support you need to reach your professional goals. You may email the following individuals for assistance with resume revisions and approval, graduation clearance, or to inquire about employment opportunities posted on Handshake.

Angel Lee

Iris Glover-Robinson

Monique Ryan

Tangela Rutledge-Gale

Please contact Mrs. Yvette Clayton (Director) if you do not receive a reply to your inquiry: yvette.clayton@aamu.edu

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
International students are reminded to make necessary/required Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) updates. Please contact Ms. Karen McDavis ( karen.mcdavis@aamu.edu) and Ms. Michele Wesson ( michele.wesson@aamu.edu) should you have questions and/or concerns regarding your status as an international student/visitor.

VIRTUAL STUDENT AFFAIRS WEBPAGE
Additional resources are available for students on the Virtual Student Affairs Webpage (i.e., wellness videos, telehealth options, student engagement and development opportunities, registered student organization (RSO) meeting management and engagement, etc.).
Office of the President | Alabama A&M University
Office: 256-372-5230 | E-mail: president@aamu.edu | Website: www.aamu.edu
Acknowledgements:
  • Dr. Malinda Swoope, Special Assistant to the President for Strategic Planning and Initiatives
  • Dr. Daniel K. Wims, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Research
  • Mr. Clayton Gibson, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration
  • Dr. Gary Crosby, Vice President for Student Affairs
  • Mr. Jerome Saintjones, Director of Public Relations