The University of Alabama has been around since 1831, that’s almost 178 years. In those years, the UA family has created a rich tradition of excellence in academics and culture. But it is important to realize that tradition does not necessarily mean keeping things the same. Just think about how different the University was in 1831 from what it is today. There is no doubt that the University has changed for the better due to new technology and expansion. But as I look around our campus, I still see room for improvement. Textbook prices continue to soar. The university struggles to expand its infrastructure at the same pace of its growth. Students fight to have the resources that they need to be fully prepared to learn. Some of these problems are new to the University; others have been around for years. It’s time to solve them. My name is Brandon Clark and I hereby declare my candidacy for the office of Vice President for Academic Affairs so that I can do exactly that. I will uphold our University’s tradition of being the best possible environment for its students to grow in their education.