re: So the u of Bama wants to become more yankee?

As state governments cut funding, major universities will seek out students from elsewhere to make up the difference. This has been happening at UA for more than a decade, This trend isn't unique to Alabama. In fact, it is happening all over the country (see, e.g., Wisconsin).

Positive: The state university inures itself to the whims of the state legislature.

Negative: The state university becomes increasing separated from its original mission to serve the people of its state, and operates according to its own logic.