Resources and Services

[1] Torreyson Library

Mission: Torreyson Library’s mission is to be the center of intellectual life for the University of Central Arkansas community. Serving as UCA’s “academic town square” and marketplace for ideas, the library invites all members of the university community to come together, exchange diverse opinions, work collaboratively, and pursue intellectual growth.

Services: Library Faculty are available at the Library’s Reference Desk to give students personalized help in doing research and finding information required for course assignments. Students may also receive assistance by phone at 501-450-3129 or via the Library’s web site at https://uca.edu/library/.

Online databases, available through the Library’s web site on a 24/7 basis, provide access to business information, legal information, and to full text journal, magazine, and newspaper articles in the humanities, social sciences, life sciences, and applied sciences.

[2] Career Services

The Career Services Center, located at 314 Bernard Hall, provides services to assist students in determining career and educational choices. Through both group and individual counseling, the center tries to help students better understand themselves, their interests, and abilities.

The Center will (1) provide information on careers, current job trends, colleges and graduate schools and (2) develop, sponsor and coordinate career-oriented programs for all students throughout the school year. The Center maintains a current library which includes directories of colleges, graduate schools and employers, the latest books on interview preparation and job hunting techniques, literature on specific companies and government agencies, and literature on any career. Career-oriented programs may include seminars, interview preparation, careers for women, career opportunities for minorities, and job-hunting techniques.

Placement services are provided for students and alumni to help them find full time, part-time, temporary, and summer employment in business, industry, government and education.

All students are encouraged to establish placement files with the Center before graduation. Placement records are maintained in the Center under the supervision of the director. These records are released to agencies, institutions, business firms, industrial organizations and individuals only after authorization of the student. Records are kept for a period of three years, after which they must be updated to be reactivated. For more information call 450-3134 or on-line at https://uca.edu/career/.

[3] Computer Services

Personal computers are readily available in some departments and in computer laboratories, the library, and the student center. For more information see https://uca.edu/it/. Statistical software packages are available.

[4] Counseling Center

The Counseling Center, located in the Student Health Center, provides students, faculty, and staff with a variety of services designed to facilitate personal development. All services are free and confidential in nature. Appointments can be made by calling 450-3138 or by coming by the Center Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A detailed brochure describing the full scope of activities provided is available upon request or the Center can be accessed on the Internet at https://uca.edu/counseling/. The Counseling Center is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services, Inc.

[5] Disability Support Services

The Office of Disability Support Services is located in the Student Health Center, Second floor. UCA seeks to be in compliance with both the spirit and letter of the law as stated in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. This office’s primary goal is to provide access to all programs and reasonable accommodations to qualified students. It is the responsibility of the students to notify the University of any disability or disabilities. Students who attend UCA are required to provide documentation of disabilities. As soon as the student is accepted for admission to the university, they should complete a confidential registration form and make an appointment to meet with an office staff member to discuss the program and any accommodations that will be necessary. Academic accommodations may include taping textbooks, enlarging textbook print, reader services, interpreters, use of adaptive technology, and alternative testing procedures. Other services are also arranged, depending upon the student’s particular needs. Disability Support Services is available by phone at 501-450-3613 or online at https://uca.edu/disability/.

[6] Health and Wellness Center

The Health and Wellness Center is located in the Student Health Center, room 308 and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The main function of this office is to promote healthy behavior in the UCA community. Community assessments and educational programs are developed, implemented, and evaluated to better serve the UCA community health needs. The Center is a resource for health information that is provided through brochures, web site links, DVD’s, and books on various topics available in the office, all free of charge.

The primary focus of Health and Wellness Center is prevention. One goal is to create conditions at UCA where negative health behaviors are less likely to occur. Educational events and healthy alternative activities are held each semester and are free to all UCA community. The events include: National Women’s Health and Fitness Day, Alcohol and Drug Awareness Week, Great American Smokeout, Wellness Fair, Healthy Weight, National Cancer Prevention, Safe Spring Break Programming, Fast Food Survival, STD Awareness, Health and Fitness Day Fun Walk, National Breast Awareness/Mammography, World Aids Day, and National Hand Washing Awareness.

The Health and Wellness Center provides programs on alcohol and other drugs, cholesterol, stress management, cancer prevention and awareness, sexually transmitted diseases, STD’s awareness and prevention including HIV/AIDS, nutrition and other topics. Programs can be developed and presented upon request.

The Center has a complete resource center with dietician’s office, research center, private DVD viewing room, reading corner stocked with books on health, and a private relaxation room with a massage lounger. For more information see https://uca.edu/wellness/.

[7] International Programs

The Office of International Engagement coordinates international student matters within the university and acts as a liaison between international students, administrative and departmental offices of the university, agencies of the U.S. government, and private organizations. It processes all international undergraduate applications for admission, notifies students of their admission status, and issues admission documents. In addition, through the Office of Study Aboard, the division organizes and coordinates a variety of UCA study abroad programs and supplies students with information about short-term and semester exchange study abroad opportunities.

The university provides English language training for students who need to increase their English proficiency (see Intensive English Program).

The Office of International Engagement sponsors a variety of support services for international students. Advisory services are available regarding financial, personal, educational and social issues, health insurance claims, and the requirements of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Other services and programs include a comprehensive orientation program that meets the unique needs of new international students, including airport pick-up, advising, testing, registration, banking, and shopping. The program is designed to complement the new student orientation offered by the university.

UCA is a member of the Council for International Educational Exchange and the Institute of International Education. Both of these organizations provide significant support and resources for institutions and for students wishing to study abroad.

The Office of International Engagement is available by phone at 501-450-3445 or online at https://uca.edu/international/.

[8] Diversity and Community

The Office of Diversity and Community provides multiple support services for current minority students (African American, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander American). The mission of Diversity and Community is to promote student success through retention focused programs, mentoring, leadership development opportunities, and life skills enrichment. The Office of Diversity and Community is located in Bernard Hall, Suite 207 and is available by phone at 501-450-3135 or online at https://uca.edu/diversitycommunity/.

[9] Student Center

The Student Center is the community center of the university serving students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests. It offers a variety of programs, activities, services, and facilities. In the basement is the office for KUCA radio station. On the first floor is a food court, Post Office, University Bookstore, Campus Information Center, lounges, convenience store and the Java Joint featuring specialized coffee, drinks and desserts. On the second floor of the Student Center are meeting rooms, a ballroom, lounge space, and offices for Student Government Association, Greek Services, Student Organizations, Student Activities Board, Orientation, Student Center Administration, and Food Service Catering.

The Student Center also offers full service meeting and conference facilities for student organizations, university departments and conferences for the Central Arkansas area. The meeting rooms accommodate from ten to five hundred people, with portable staging, a variety of sound systems, and other services. For more information call 450-3235 or visit the Student Center web site.

[10] Student Health Services

Student Health Services is located in the Student Health Center and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with emergencies only 4:30-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hours are slightly shorter in summer and during holidays. Check their web site. Services available include: measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus/diphtheria, hepatitis-B and meningitis immunizations, examination and treatment of minor illness or injury, TB skin tests, blood pressure checks, tests for pregnancy, blood sugar, cholesterol, strep test, urinalysis, mononucleosis test, pulse oximetry, and peak flow measurements as ordered by the nurse practitioner or physician. EKG, laceration repair, removal of simple lesions, IV re-hydration, IM injections of a limited formulary and prescriptions on Schedule III, IV, and V are provided upon the order of an Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) or physician. Women’s health care, including pap smears by appointment, and pelvic exams as needed are available. Physical exams are available by appointment only. Health education and counseling, loan of crutches, student health insurance forms, and assistance in obtaining appointments with health care providers outside the University are also available.

Student Health Services does not routinely provide emergency care outside the office. Emergency care is obtained by calling 911 or at Conway Regional Medical Center Emergency Room. Students are responsible for all charges, prescriptions, and tests.

Student Health Services does not provide excuses for missed classes. Should a student be unable to attend classes for three (3) days or more, Student Health Services will notify the student’s instructors of the expected absence (but not the specific reason) and possible return date. The instructor may then decide what work, if any, may be performed at a later time. Extended absences may be reported by calling Student Services (501-450-3416.) Students who are confined to their residence hall room or require a temporary special diet due to illness may obtain meal slips from the residence hall director or Student Health Services.

Proof of Immunization – Arkansas state law (Act 141, 1987) requires proof of two immunizations against measles and rubella for all full-time students and those part-time students living on campus. UCA requires students to provide proof of immunization before registering for classes. Immunizations are available free of charge in Student Health Services. For more information see https://uca.edu/studenthealth/.

[11] Alumni Association

All former students of the university are members of the Alumni Association. The Board of Directors of the Alumni Association plans the yearly schedule of events to which all former students and their guests are invited. Graduating seniors are inducted into the Alumni Association as a part of the commencement ceremony.

The UCA Magazine, a quarterly publication, is mailed to all alumni. This newsletter provides information on activities of the university, the faculty and alumni. The association strives to establish and continue friendships and contacts, both social and professional, among its members and between alumni and the university.

The Alumni Association can be reached at 501-450-3427 or online at https://uca.edu/alumni/.