Parent Programs News & Announcements
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5 on 5 Intramural Basketball: Register Now!
Posted By: UREC, June 17, 2013Registration is now open for 5 on 5 intramural basketball. Sign up now until June 27. Each team is guaranteed 3 games.
Each team must play $20 along with a $10 forfeit deposit.
To register, come by the intramural office. -
Tuition increases for UA for the 2013 - 2014 Acedemic Year
Posted By: Web Development Processes, June 14, 2013Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
This morning, The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved a tuition increase of 2.7 percent for UA for the 2013-2014 academic year. This means that tuition will increase by $125 per semester for full-time in-state students and by $500 per semester for full-time out-of-state residents.
As always, tuition increases are based on resources the University needs to be able to continue to provide the high-quality educational experiences our students and their parents expect.
I want to assure you that, despite significant cuts in our state appropriations during this economic downturn, UA continues to use our resources effectively and efficiently. As a result, we have not reduced the number of students we accept; students have full access to the classes they need to graduate; we are fully staffed to meet student expectations; and classes are taught by fully qualified faculty. UA continues to provide the opportunities that enrich students’ educational experiences inside and outside the classroom.
We understand the impact that any tuition increase, even a minimal one, has on our students and their families, especially during difficult economic times, and we will continue to work hard to control costs. And, we will continue to provide information about and access to resources that can help students and their parents cope with this increase.
Pending approval by the Board of Trustees, we are planning to have merit raises to recognize and reward the hard work and commitment of our faculty and staff to educational excellence. This will also allow us to continue to attract and retain the best and brightest faculty and staff. Our faculty and staff will continue to look for ways to operate more effectively and efficiently, to make sure we use our resources on those student-centered activities and initiatives that keep us successful.
These are exciting times at the Capstone and for our University family. Our energy and commitment are guided by our success agenda, which emphasizes increased student retention and graduation rates, service and research that make a difference, the creation of opportunities that benefit us individually and collectively, and solidifying campus unity by celebrating our many achievements together as the UA family.
My commitment to you is that the state’s flagship university will continue to make a difference in the lives of our students, our employees, our communities and our state. I have full confidence that, working together, we will meet this challenge with confidence, energy and dedication to excellence. -
Massage Therapy back at the Rec
Posted By: UREC, June 11, 2013Massage Therapy is back at University Recreation!
Beth Murphy is our massage therapist, and she has had extensive experience before joining us. She is a graduate of Red Mountain School of Massage Therapy in Birmingham, Al and has had over 720 hours of training.
Since 2008, she has provided massage therapy in various settings including spas, a chiropractic office, and individual client settings.
And in addition to all of this experience, she has contracted with the University of Alabama Athletic Department to provide massage therapy services to the football and track teams.
Beth offers five types of massages: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Neuromuscular, and Chair.
A Swedish Massage is a vigorous system of treatment designed to energize the body by stimulating circulation.
Deep Tissue Massage helps with chronic pain and injury rehabilitation, accessing the deeper layers of the body, where pressure is applied with the purpose of finding the resistance of the body and sustaining the pressure until the resistance is released.
Sports Massages are designed to enhance athletic performance and recovery; helps to establish blood flow and warm up muscles, calms the nervous system and begin the process of flushing toxins and waste products out of the body and can reduce recovery time, allowing an athlete to resume training sooner.
Neuromuscular Massage is also referred to as trigger point myotherapy. Alternate levels of concentrated pressure on areas of muscle spasm with the fingers, knuckles, or elbows are applied. The American Academy of Pain Management recognizes this form of massage therapy as an effective treatment for back pain caused by soft tissue injury (such as a muscle spasm).
Finally, chair massage incorporates techniques the provide massage to fully clothed back, neck, shoulders and arms. The purpose is to relieve stress, provide relaxations and improve productivity.
Swedish
$25.00 for 30 minutes
$55.00 for 60 minutes
$75.00 for 90 minutes
Deep Tissue
$35.00 for 30 minutes
$65.00 for 60 minutes
$85.00 for 90 minutes
Sports
$35.00 for 30 minutes
$65.00 for 60 minutes
$85.00 for 90 minutes
Neuromuscular
$35.00 for 30 minutes
$65.00 for 60 minutes
$85.00 for 90 minutes.
Chair
$15.00 for 15 minutes
$30.00 for 30 minutes
Hours of Service
Tuesday: 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am-2:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am-2:00 pm
Saturday: per request
For more information or to make an appointment, call 205-348-5140.
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Panhellenic Fall 2013 Sorority Recruitment Registration
Posted By: Greek Affairs, June 10, 2013We are delighted that you have chosen to participate in Fall 2013 Sorority Recruitment at The University of Alabama. Please note that in order to participate in recruitment, you must be a regularly enrolled student or plan to be a full-time student in good standing with The University of Alabama at the time of recruitment in August. Furthermore, in order to be eligible for sorority recruitment, you must register for recruitment online and pay the required registration fee. Please note that the registration for fall formal recruitment at UA is separate process from that of Panhellenic Preview registration and registration with an Alumnae Panhellenic.
Online registration for formal recruitment is currently open and will close on Thursday, August 8th at 11:59 p.m. CST. To REGISTER for recruitment, please click here or use the following link to access the online registration form: https://alabamapan.mycampusdirector.com/index.php. Once you have completed the online registration process, you will receive an email confirmation, please keep a copy of this email for your records, as it will include your account login information. You can log into your UA recruitment account anytime prior to August 1, 2013 and update your registration information. If you do not have access to your final high school or college transcript, you can upload a partial transcript until you receive your final transcript. Innova is in the process of adding the transcript upload option, so if you are not able to upload a transcript at the time of registration, please log back into your account at a later date to upload it.
Please note that online registration officially closes at 11:59 p.m. in Thursday, August 8, 2013. Those individuals wishing to register on Friday, August 9, must do so on-site at Convocation, which will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Coleman Coliseum. 2013
Sorority Registration Fees:
Priority/Regular Registration: $150.00 (May 1 - July 14)
Late Registration: $200.00 (July 15 - August 8)
On-Site Registration: $250.00 (August 9 at Convocation)
*Please note that all registration fees are non-refundable, no exceptions.
The registration fee covers the cost of spring recruiting events, recruitment publications, facility usage during recruitment week, transportation, and two t-shirts for Philanthropy Day.
If you have any questions or concerns about sorority life at UA or the sorority recruitment process, please feel free to call the Office of Greek Affairs at (205) 348-2693 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. CST. You can also email alabamarecruitment@gmail.com -
Tai Chi offered for free this summer
Posted By: UREC, June 05, 2013Tai Chi was new to URec earlier this year when instructor Ping Shi Durant introduced it as part of the UAchieve series.
Now, Ping is teaching the class as a part of the regular fitness schedule this summer!
On Sundays from 4:00-4:50 in the Miles Studio, interested students and URec members can learn Tai Chi.
Ping learned Tai Chi in China and is a certified Tai Chi instructor.
Tai Chi is a Chinese form of exercise that emphasizes slow and fluid movements. It was developed for healing, relaxation, and defense. The benefits include stress relief, better balance, and stronger muscles. Students who take the class will see an improvement in their mood, endurance, and energy levels.
Tai Chi is known as “meditation in motion.” You will expect to concentrate on breathing deeply, being steady and agile, and exercising your mind and body.
You will not have to worry about complicated moves or risky weights. Tai Chi is for people of all ages and athletic ability.
“Tai Chi has benefited me all my life,” Ping says.
One of Ping’s former students said that her classes improved their physical stability and endurance. Another student said that Tai Chi targets the bottom part of the body and the abdomen.
“The instructor was patient,” one former student said. “I love that the instructor is willing to answer or re-demonstrate any part at which the students do not catch onto easily.”
Ping is so inspired by her craft that she wants to share her skills with students so they don’t have to travel to China to get the benefits of Tai Chi. She is excited to get students interested and passionate in Tai Chi, start a Tai Chi club, and maybe someday take her students to attend an International Tai Chi tournament.
“I’m so eager to teach young people, for the younger they are when they learn it, the longer benefits they will have in their life, like me,” Ping says.
For more information please contact Whitney Spota, Coordinator of Group Exercise, at 205-348-5131.
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Meet the team: Personal Trainers!
Posted By: UREC, June 05, 2013Interested in hiring a personal trainer? Meet the team with our one-on-one videos with each trainer! Go to our Fitness tab, then click on Personal Trainers to watch the videos! -
Yell Crew Applications Due June 21
Posted By: Ferguson Center, May 29, 2013Do you have a passion for UA and Alabama football? Take that passion and share it with other students by joining the Yell Crew! This group of super-fans will lead freshman students in the upper deck in cheers and other activities throughout home football games. This section will be known as the Herd, and will have the opportunity to receive great Alabama swag while cheering on our team. By joining the Yell Crew, you will share Crimson Tide tradition and history with the freshman class, and be a perfect example of what it means to wear crimson and be in the student section. Apply today at www.sa.ua.edu, under the Students tab, click The Yell Crew, and be a part of a new UA tradition! -
Yell Crew Applications
Posted By: FYE, May 17, 2013Do you have a passion for UA and Alabama football? Take that passion and share it with other students by joining the Yell Crew! This group of super-fans will lead freshman students in the upper deck in cheers and other activities throughout home football games. This section will be known as the Herd, and will have the opportunity to receive great Alabama swag while cheering on our team. By joining the Yell Crew, you will share Crimson Tide tradition and history with the freshman class, and be a perfect example of what it means to wear crimson and be in the student section. Apply today at www.sa.ua.edu, under the Students tab, click The Yell Crew, and be a part of a new UA tradition! -
SRC Summer Hours
Posted By: UREC, April 30, 2013Summer hours begin on May 4th.
Saturday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Mon – Fri 5:30am – 9:00pm
Summer hours will end on Sunday, August 18th*.
*SRC hours will be somewhat abbreviated depending on UREC all staff training on the Sunday, August 18th.
Family hours are May 4th – Aug 18th
SRC will resume regular scheduled hours on Monday, August 19th -
SRC Summer Hours
Posted By: UREC, April 30, 2013Summer hours begin on May 4th.
Saturday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Mon – Fri 5:30am – 9:00pm
Summer hours will end on Sunday, August 18th*.
*SRC hours will be somewhat abbreviated depending on UREC all staff training on the Sunday, August 18th.
Family hours are May 4th – Aug 18th
SRC will resume regular scheduled hours on Monday, August 19th -
IFC Fall 2013 Recruitment Registration
Posted By: Greek Affairs, April 09, 2013Beginning at 9am (ct) on April 8, 2013 and continuing until September 4, 2013 registration for IFC recruitment will be open. All men interested in receiving an invitation for membership in any of the 28 IFC fraternity chapters at the University of Alabama are required to register with the Alabama Interfraternity Council through this website. There is a twenty-dollar ($20.00) charge to register for recruitment. Once you have registered for recruitment your information will be accessible by all 28 IFC chapters. However, this does not guarantee that you will be contacted by chapters about specific recruitment events throughout the spring and summer. It is recommended that you also contact the recruitment chairmen of individual chapters you are interested in learning more about. Fraternities at the University of Alabama have a tradition of summer bidding. Should you receive a bid from a chapter it does not become official until September 4, 2013. Please be sure to submit your most accurate contact information and grade reports, you will be able to edit your information until the September deadline.
Also, the Interfraternity Council holds a formal recruitment during late August and early September. During formal recruitment, each prospective new member has the opportunity to interact with individuals from fraternities and to visit chapter house. Formal recruitment gives students who have not yet received a bid the opportunity to pursue one.
To learn more about each chapter please, visit the IFC website www.alabamaifc.com .
If you have any further questions please feel free to contact the IFC Vice President of Recruitment, Ross Boardman, or the Office of Greek Affairs, contact information listed below.
Alabama Interfraternity Council (IFC):
Phone: (205) 348-2693
Email: AlabamaIFCRecruitment@gmail.com
Website: www.alabamaifc.com -
Outdoor Pool Opens
Posted By: UREC, April 03, 2013The Outdoor Pool Complex opened April 1! You can view the hours for 2013 here. Usage of the Outdoor Pool Complex is included in the SRC membership. The summer months require SRC members to pay for their dependent children ages 4-15 to use the Outdoor Pool Complex (3 and under are free).
The rates are as follows:
Alumni/Affiliate/Community - $125/child for the entire summer
Student Family/1st Year Graduate - $30/child for the entire summer
Faculty/Staff - $50/child for the entire summer -
Deep Water Fitness: not your grandma's aerobics
Posted By: UREC, February 21, 2013Deep Water Fitness: This is not your grandma’s aerobics.
This is an intense, strenuous workout, but it’s done in the water. Participants wear flotation devices and paddles; kickboards and buoys are used for added resistance.
What does Deep Water Fitness feel like? You are in the pool, and you are unable to touch the bottom with your feet. You are suspended in the water with a buoyancy belt, so you don’t have to worry about treading water or keeping your head above the surface. This way, you can free your arms and legs to perform larger movements.
Deep-water aerobics reduces the heart rate by as much as 17 beats per minute compared to land exercises, (according to the American Council on Exercise), so it might not feel like you’re working very hard! But in fact, you’re getting a strenuous workout.
Deep Water Fitness instructor Kayla Lindsay says that this class will take your workout to a new level of intensity.
“You should try Deep Water Fitness for an alternative high intensity workout, that will increase your endurance, range of motion, and balance,” Lindsay said.
Deep water exercises can also be used for sports training.
“Whatever sport you play, there are ways to use deep water workouts to aid in your training,” Lindsay said.
This new class will be held on Tuesdays, from 12:10-12:50 at the Aquatic Center on Paul Bryant Drive. The class starts on March 5th. The class is free to full-time students and members of the Aquatic Center.
The address of the Aquatic Center:
415 Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487
Corner of Bryant and Hackberry
Parking Lot Entrance on Hackberry
-Allie Hulcher -
Why hire a personal trainer?
Posted By: UREC, February 08, 2013Steffan Young is a personal trainer at the Student Recreation Center. He’s been working here a year, and most of his clients are student athletes.
Steffan showed me the newest equipment in the personal trainer studio – the Synergy 360. It’s an impressive machine with multiple stations, and the trainers told me that it was their Christmas present. Up to 20 personal trainer clients can work on it at once, whereas other machines are one-person.
The Synergy 360 has saved a lot of space in the personal trainer studio. It allows groups personal trainees to work as a team.
“It’s for a team to complete that full circle, and work together,” Young said.
I tried the Synergy 360 out a little bit, and was able to do lunges with a resistance belt, easily move a platform up and down to do stair jumps on it, work my biceps, and pull a heavy rope down that was looped through monkey bars – it was harder than it looked.
I was amazed how easily it was to move the height of the equipment – and how great a workout you could get from one machine.
Student Recreation Center employees said that a lot of students want to use the new equipment, but the equipment is for clients of personal trainers only.
I spoke with Steffan about the benefits of hiring a personal trainer.
“Anybody can benefit from it,” he said. “That’s what’s so great about it.”
Steffan said that while some people use work-out machines, they could be doing a movement wrong and hurt themselves.
One major factor that people chose to work with a personal trainer? The motivation.
“You have someone there, and you have a certain time that you have to be there, and you have to do things that you’re not going to do on your own,” Young said.
Learn more about our personal training services and prices: http://urec.sa.ua.edu/fitnessservices.cfm
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All About Pilates!
Posted By: UREC, December 05, 2012Allie Hulcher
Sarah Letcher, a junior at the University of Alabama, can remember the first time she ever tried Pilates.
“I remember going to my first class and thinking this will definitely be my last, but for some reason I gave it another shot,” Letcher said.
Now, Letcher is hooked. She’s been doing Pilates for five years.
Pilates is a total-body conditioning method that increases flexibility and strength, improves posture and balance, and develops a strong core.
The appeal of Pilates, for Letcher, is that it is a full-body workout.
“I really enjoy Pilates because it is a great full-body workout, without putting major strain on your joints, and can be done every day, unlike heavy weight bearing activities,” Letcher said.
The Student Recreation Center offers classes in both mat and Reformer Pilates.
Kim Wyatt, an instructor at University Recreation, teaches Letcher and other students both mat and Reformer Pilates. She recommends taking both classes because they each apply the basic Pilates principles but through different formats.
So how are the two different?
Mat Pilates can be done anywhere there is enough space to move freely, and uses one’s body weight and gravity for natural resistance. Reformer work is equipment-based and adds external resistance in the form of spring tension to build strength and muscle tone quickly and efficiently. Mat classes are free with a Rec center membership, and are offered five days a week in Miles studio, making it a flexible and accessible addition to anyone’s fitness program (Check the Group Ex schedule for times and instructors.)
Traditional mat classes require students to recruit their core strength to garner stability for all the exercises, so the abdominals are always engaged. Music is often used to set the tone and tempo for the class. Mat Pilates if fun and engaging, and can even incorporate a cardio aspect.
“Depending on the instructor, and the purpose of the class, mat Pilates can be quick and energetic, or more focused and deliberate,” Wyatt said.
Pilates Reformer operates on the same basic principles as matwork, but steps it up with additional resistance and stability challenges. The Reformer studio, located between the women’s locker room and Studio C (Personal Training), is home to six Balanced Body Allegro Reformers with Towers, and one demo Reformer. Space is limited, and sessions must be purchased by the participants to reserve their spot and pay the highly-trained instructors who teach Reformer.
“The Reformer is a very versatile machine, which means the variations are endless and you never get bored,” Wyatt said.
Reformer classes are individualized to fit your specifics needs. Reformer instructors have been trained in the same manner as personal trainers – they take a detailed anatomy course and more than 40 hours of training on the equipment. Most instructors observe other instructors teach before teaching their own classes.
University Recreation offers its Reformer services to students for only $15 per class-- $20 for faculty and staff. Privates and semi-privates are also available at an additional charge.
“We offer the UA community and Rec center members a quality program for an incredible value,” Wyatt said.
Take advantage of the Group Reformer Special, and get an even better deal. When three to six people create their own Reformer “group” the cost per class is only $45, making that only $7.50 per person per class if six people sign up. This is a great way to get a group of friends to team up for better fitness, save money, and have lots of fun doing something that may be new and different for them.
FREE 30-minute Intro classes are offered three times a week, but a private introduction session can always be scheduled with an individual instructor. It is important to attend an intro class before signing up for privates, classes, or groups.
“Although it’s additional expense, it's a very small investment towards improving health and well-being,” Wyatt said.
If you’re still not convinced, keep in mind that even football players do Pilates. And look where they are!
“If anyone is suffering from fitness burnout, I challenge them to come to an intro, sign up for a month of classes, and experience the difference for themselves,” Wyatt said. “You will be strengthened, invigorated, challenged, and renewed in mind and body, and I think you’ll be back!”
Those benefits certainly kept Letcher coming back.
“For me specifically I have really made Pilates a top priority for me, because I stay pretty busy day to day and although it is a great workout, you do not always leave drenched so you can go straight to the next thing on your agenda,” Letcher said.
For more information, call Whitney Spota at 348-5131.
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Instructor of the Month - Kimberly Bissell
Posted By: UREC, November 28, 2012University Recreation
Allie Hulcher
November 28, 2012
As an instructor, Kimberly Bissell has the best of both worlds.
She teaches classes at both the University of Alabama and the Student Recreation Center.
As a faculty member of the College of Communication, Bissell teaches students about journalism, design, and media effects. As an instructor at the Student Recreation Center, she teaches spin, cycle and strength, total body sculpt, and HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training).
“I love the classes I teach at UA, and I love engaging with students at an intellectual level, but the Rec gives me a chance to challenge people on the fitness side of things,” Bissell said.
Bissell said she enjoys the different relationships she builds with her students at the different venues. For example, she loves knowing that people keep coming back to her fitness classes by choice.
“It’s cool to know that I’m able to work with people over 2 years or 3 years, and they keep coming back,” Bissell said.
The aspect of surprise is also a thrill for Bissell.
“You walk in and you don’t always know what to expect in terms of who’s going to be there, and I think that’s really fun,” Bissell said.
Fitness has always been a part of Bissell’s life. She was an athlete in high school and college, and now she instills that love of fitness in her children, who play soccer.
But Bissell recalls when she hit a “fitness wall” in graduate school.
“I felt I didn’t have the time to exercise,” Bissell said. “When I started teaching at UA, I was the heaviest
I had ever been, and I was really unhappy with myself for getting that way. I was never overweight, but I carried around more weight than I should.”
Bissell said she had a big turnaround when she started exercising and taking Group Ex classes at the University Recreation Center.
“I think it was a very positive thing to have happened because I found the time to take Group Ex classes, and I wanted to be there because I knew it was helping me become healthier,” Bissell said.
Bissell was a regular attendant of the Rec for years when she began to consider receiving a certification to teach.
“At the time, when the Rec was a little bit smaller, I thought there would be ways to expand what was being offered,” Bissell said.
When she hears students talking about not having time to come to the Rec, Bissell can relate. But she encourages students to make time for their health and well-being.
“Having been in that position, I know how hard it is to manage time and balance all of the things we have to juggle, so I can sympathize with them but I can also say, I totally understand, but make the time,” Bissell said.
When asked why she carves time out of her week to teach fitness classes, she replied:
“I see it as a challenge – it gives me a chance to teach in a very different way.”
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HIIT class maximizes weight loss results
Posted By: UREC, November 13, 2012This fall, a new group exercise class launched at the Student Recreation Center, and it’s intense.
HIIT, which stands for High Intensity Interval Training, is a fitness class that emphasizes speed and cardio. The class is 30 minutes long, with only 20 second breaks in-between the different exercises. A HIIT workout will lose up to 9 times more fat than a similar cardio workout. A HIIT workout is beneficial because you can burn more weight in 30 minutes than you can in a regular workout for an hour.
It’s all¬¬ about keeping the heart rate up, according to HIIT instructor Kim Bissell.
“You take a very short break and go through it again,” Bissell said.
Instructor Amanda Carden said because HIIT increases your heart rate and exertion, maximum results can be expected.
“Interval training provides small breaks with just enough time to sustain a high heart rate, essentially blasting up your metabolism and burning a high amount of fat,” Carden said.
Carden said in her class she includes exercises such as burpees, squat jumps, and mountain climbers, to name a few. She makes her class go 30 seconds hard for each exercise, then takes a 20 second break in between. The goal is to hit about 4-5 rounds of all exercises.
The different exercises are designed to achieve maximum caloric burn.
Bissell said she tries to mix up the exercises each class, so participants won’t always know what to expect.
“I try to change mine up from, so it’s not the same exact thing from week to week.”
Carden said the class is definitely athletic geared due to the simplicity and high intensity of each move.
“Really anyone who wants a high-intensity, short work-out would love this class,” Carden said.
The HIIT class schedule is as follows:
Monday: 3:30-4:00, Studio B with Amanda
Tuesday: 4:30-5:00, Studio B with Kim B.
Wednesday: 4:30-5:00, Studio B with Amanda
Thursday: 3:30-4:00, Studio B with Erin
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Freshman Learning Community through Women's Resource Center
Posted By: Womens Resource Center, June 13, 2013Making It Happen: Women’s Activism for Social Change in America
This course will place women’s history, culture, and social roles at the center to explore the dictum “the personal is the political” by considering women’s experiences and histories in social movements for change in contemporary United States. Students will examine women’s contributions to positively impact their communities through strategies of activism, organizing and resistance.
The course can be tied to WS 200 47060, Section 006
For more information, contact the Women's Resource Center at wrc.ua.edu, 205-348-5040, or visit us on facebook.