of Alabama's colleges and universities. The National Space Science and Technology Center is one of 17 high-tech research centers on UAH 505-acre campus. The UAH Propulsion Research Center (PRC) promotes interdisciplinary research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students. The PRC was founded by Dr. Clark W. Hawk in 1991 and has since provided support for NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and the U.S. Department of Energy. Research topics include air-breathing and electric propulsion; solid, liquid & hybrid propellant combustion; magnetoinertial fusion; high-temperature materials; and space and terrestrial power systems. Research in nanotechnology and microfabrication is conducted by the Nano and Micro Devices Center. Atmospheric Sciences and related research areas are headquartered in the NSSTC and SWIRLL buildings. At least nine departments or programs also hold accreditation from professional associations, including the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, the American Chemical Society, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board, The National Association of Schools of Art and Design, and the National Association of Schools of Music. Rankings UAH ranked 263rd among "National Universities" and No. 128 for "Top Public Schools" in the 2020 U.S. News & World Report "Best Colleges" report. Athletics UAH sponsors six men's and seven women's varsity athletics programs. In 2016, UAH added men's and women's lacrosse to its varsity athletic programs. UAH is a member of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), competing in Division II in 15 sports. UAH is a member of the Gulf South Conference in all sports except men's lacrosse, which plays in the men's lacrosse (Peach Belt Conference). Both men's and women's tennis programs were discontinued in June 2020 due to financial difficulties from COVID-19. After a privately funded 2020-2021 season, the men's hockey program was also discontinued in May 2021. Student life and activities Student government The UAH Student Government Association is the primary recipient of student-activity funding from UAH's Office of Student Life; the Space Hardware Club, a registered student organization in the College of Engineering is the secondary recipient. The SGA holds an advisory role with campus administrators on activities involving students. The SGA hosts a number of events including Week of Welcome, a bi-annual event welcoming students back to campus that begins the weekend they arrive on campus and runs through the first week of each semester. Residence halls UAH has seven residence halls: