All Roads Lead to UNA

 

An extremely pithy guest editorial:

Former students of UNA may still recall professors lamenting over the toil and troubles of restoring one of the many nearby Victorian era homes. How many times has it been said that unless you live near downtown you are not considered to be a resident of Florence. Neighborhoods in the area will soon share another distinction by also being included onto the campus of the University of North Alabama. 

This raises many questions concerning police jurisdiction, increased property taxes, as-well-as the future of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library and city owned museums. Will the board of trustees at UNA be able to render judgments on issues pertaining inside the newly outlined area? The Sannoner Historic District for example lies between downtown Florence and the University of North Alabama. It is named for Ferdinand Sannoner, who surveyed the new town in 1818. Included in this district are Pope's Tavern, the Kennedy-Douglas Art Center, and the home of Councilman Dick Jordan. 

According to the UNA Master Plan, "UNA should be clearly identifiable as a university neighborhood within Florence’s 'city of neighborhoods' concept." The new Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Plan: 2020-2025, directly aligns with the University’s new five-year “2019-2024 Roaring with Excellence” University Strategic Plan. According to a press release this is the next logical step in the institutional transformation of the university.  

UNA is an equal opportunity institution that does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. In 2021 the university will begin waiving requirements of standardized testing which were previously required for admissions. UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts added, "enrollment at the University of North Alabama for the Fall 2020 broke previous records on campus, with nearly 8,400 students enrolled, with the largest growth coming in online graduate programs." The vice president for academic affairs said that UNA experienced notable growth this fall with commensurate expansion of the "North Alabama brand." 

A More Inclusive Era at UNA Project is an ongoing partnership between UNA, the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, and the Florence Historical Board. The focus of the MSNHA is American Indian themes, music and the Tennessee River. The MSNHA has from the beginning been connected with the University of North Alabama. The Florence Historical Board is responsible for fostering public knowledge of and respect for important events, individuals, and structures in the historical development of Florence. One of the purposes of the historical board is the oversight of residential and commercial projects in the Florence Historic Districts. 

Brian Murphy works as curator for museums, serves as the chairman of the Florence Historical Board, and has worked with the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area. Since 2017, the Florence Historical Board has placed two signs at UNA and helped secure the addition of McFarland Heights onto the list of National Register of Historic Places. (MSNHA and NRHP are both under the guidance of the National Park Service.) It is in this neighborhood where Murphy and his family reside. Seemingly all of the current Florence Historical Board membership live within the area of downtown. 

On December 1, 2020, the City of Florence Council agenda listed Murphy with two other historical board members whose terms will expire on the 17th of this month. A resolution adopted on February, 15, 2011 states that all board vacancies will be announced at a City Council meeting 90 days in advance of the termination date of the previous appointment. Anyone desiring to serve on a city board must complete an application to be completed and on file 30 days prior to the expiration of the incumbent member's term. Public comments at future City of Florence council meetings are no longer allowed. Is the reason because they are tired of hearing comments concerning the Confederate Monument? 

According to the article "Florence’s Lost Cause" June 19, 2016, Garden Spice Magazine, Brian Murphy stated that it is "unlikely that the current statue will come down. But perhaps the statue’s removal is not the best solution, either." In a speech founder of Project Say Something's Camille Bennett stated that the monument may not be moved, but how racism in the area has been exposed. Another high profile member of PSS was asked if he thought the monument would be moved and he said, sure, in a very sarcastic way. He was immediately followed-up with a question about the writing in caulk, which had taken place on the monument. The PSS member could not face his friend by telling the truth instead opting to fib and say that it was children who used the chalk.

The Old Kilby School and math building are set to be demolished. Renovations are set for LaGrange Hall. Guillot University Commons, Rivers Hall and much, much more.  If you live or work near downtown Florence should all concerns of city affairs be made directly to the office of Dr. Kitts?  Judging from the past don't be surprised if all you receive back in response is a form letter.