UCA officials are working diligently to complete a monitoring report tied to the university’s accreditation the UCA Board of Trustees learned during its meeing on Jan. 23.
In August 2010, the Institutional Actions Council of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools approved a visiting team’s recommendation to accredit the univeristy for seven years. However, the university had to submit a monitoring report to the commission by May 1.
Dr. Neil Hattlestad, co-chairman of the Higher Learning Commission Response Steering Committee, reported to the trustees that the university has made great strides in completing the monitoring report.
Members of the steering response committee have been assigned sections of the report, Hattlestad said. They have been working with their constituencies to address areas of concern. Status reports have been posted online. A draft monitoring report will be posted for campus review and suggestions.
The monitoring report must update the commission on the status of the university’s strategic plan. It must also address several areas including diversity, shared governance, transparent communication, and assessment.
In February 2010, representatives from the faculty, staff, and student body began working on a strategic plan that focuses on the university’s core values, mission, vision and institutional distinctiveness. The Board of Trustees approved the strategic plan in May.
In other business:
*the board clarified the compensation for UCA President Tom Courtway. Courtway will be reimbursed for expenses such as vehicle mileage, parking expenses and meals. A motion by the board in December did not include reimbursement of expenses as a part of Courtway’s compensation.
* the board approved allowing representatives from the Faculty Senate, Student Government Association and Staff Senate to ask questions about action items on the agenda at each board meeting. This would increase involvement of the various campus groups in discussions.
* the board approved a resolution allowing the administration to purchase equipment necessary for a backup, off-site operation for data and data recovery in the event of a fire or natural disaster. The cost of the equipment is $268,000. The off-site operation will be temporarily housed at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The former Arkansas Department of Emergency Management property owned by the university will serve as the permanent location for the off-campus data operation once the facility is renovated. The board authorized the administration to hire and retain architects and engineers for the project.
*the board approved several changes to Board of Trustees fund. The name of the fund has been changed to the “Board of Trustees – University Improvement Fund.” Beginning July 1, the fund will be capped at $200,000. Also, the fund will only be used for capital projects and projects deemed to be in the best interest of the university and consistent with the overall educational mission of the university. Also, the board approved allocating $25,000 from the fund for Baum Gallery in memory of the late Dr. Harold Chakales, a member of the Board of Trustees who died on Dec. 13, 2011.
* the board also heard a report on the status of the university’s strategic enrollment management and master facilities plans.
* trustees welcomed new board members Elizabeth Farris and Brad Lacy. Farris replaces Dr. Harold Chakales, who died in December. Her appointment expires January 14, 2014. She graduated from UCA with a bachelor of business administration degree in 1977. She has served two terms on the UCA Foundation Board and was a member of the UCA Alumni Board. Farris, the daughter of the late UCA President Jeff Farris, is the executive vice president of Regions Bank in Hot Springs. Lacy replaces Randy Sims on the board. His appointment expires January 14, 2019. Lacy graduated from UCA in 1994 with a bachelor of science degree in geography. He is the immediate past president of the UCA Foundation Board. He also served on the UCA Alumni Board. Lacy is the president and chief executive officer of Conway Area Chamber of Commerce.