The Bear Ledger

Tachia Awbrey and Gary Bunn

Posters, welcome tables, friendly faces, hot chocolate, and cookies are some of the first sights returning University of Central Arkansas students will encounter as spring classes began.

January JumpStart is part of the spring semester Welcome Students Initiative sponsored by the Division of Enrollment Management. Faculty and staff volunteered Thursday and Friday, January 10 and 11 at the Student Center, Torreyson Library, Thompson Hall, and the Lewis Science Center.

Volunteers were posted at welcome tables inside each of the four buildings to hand out refreshments, answer questions, provide directions or cheerful greetings as students head back to class.

Amy Warbritton, Licensed Practical Nurse, October 1

Lauren Pinkerton, Administrative Specialist I, October 1

Paula Mihalcik, Environmental Program Coordinator, October 1

Charles Rummel, Apprentice Tradesman, October 1

Jaime Ashmore, Education Counselor, October 1

Jocelyn White, Software Support Specialist, October 16

Matthew Mauney, Computer Support Specialist, October 16

Nathaniel Gray, Software Developer, October 16

Virginia Seamon, Advanced Practice Nurse, October 22

John Phillips, Assistant Director of Admissions, October 29

David Williams, Veterans Center Coordinator, November 1

Johnny Cole, Apprentice Tradesman, November 1

Andrew Rohlman, Skilled Tradesman, November 1

Rachel Fowlkes, Public Safety Security Officer, November 12

Kelsey Dale, Public Safety Security Officer, December 16

Fredricka Sharkey, Associate Director of Media Relations, December 17

 The University of Central Arkansas recently completed training to prepare for possible natural and man-made disasters that may impact the campus.

More than 200 UCA staff, faculty and administrators took part in National Incident Management System training. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a structured framework used nationwide by governmental and non-governmental agencies to respond to disasters and emergencies, according to the Department of Homeland Security website. NIMS, developed in 2004, allows organizations to work seamlessly to reduce the loss of life, destruction of property and harm to the environment.

Members of the UCA Police Department, Executive Staff, Finance and Administration, Housing, Physical Plant, Student Services, Student Health, Counseling Center, and Environmental Health and Safety have received NIMS training for their level of response. The university has also revised its Emergency Operations Plan, which works hand in hand with the NIMS training.

“I am very pleased that most of the faculty, staff and administrators at UCA have completed this training. We all appreciate the work of the UCA Police Department, and the leadership of Chief Larry James, in this training effort,” said UCA President Tom Courtway. “Safety, security and preparedness are critical to the living and learning environment of our students, as well as for our faculty, staff and visitors to our campus.”

NIMS training is designed to communicate responsibilities for all levels of response from first responders on the scene to the university’s administration.

“In the event of an emergency or disaster occurring on our campus,  there is the possibility that we will be on our own until outside agencies can assist us,” said UCA Police Chief Larry James. “The knowledge of this structured framework used nationwide will be invaluable. The campus’s commitment to completing this training indicates that emergency preparedness is a priority at UCA.”

The implementation of  these aggressive training and planning activities will enable the university to respond to any event in an efficient manner, said David Maxwell, director and Homeland Security advisor, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management.

“We appreciate UCA’s implementation of NIMS into their planning efforts,” Maxell said.

UCA President Tom Courtway opened the first Campus Talk of the academic year with an update on the university’s finances and fall enrollment. University officials have seen significant improvement in the university’s finances over the last fours years. The university had $12 million in unrestricted cash on July 31 compared with $5.4 million the same time last year. The increase in unrestricted cash position was due to savings in salaries, maintenance and operations and scholarship savings.

“We have restored most of our fund balances. Our cash balances are getting healthier every day,” said Courtway. “Our goal, and I think we can obtain it by next July, is to be at about $15 million, which would be two months operating money. So, our financial picture is much better.”

Freshman enrollment is  up 10 percent compared to last year. Overall enrollment is 11,108, down 55 students from fall of 2011. The decreases were in the areas of graduate, international and high school concurrent enrollment.

The administration is developing a plan for a cost-of-living adjustment as well as building an equity pool, Courtway added.

As long as the university continues its tradition of teaching excellence and strong staff support, UCA will continue to move forward, he said.

“As long as we continue to do that, the money will take care of itself, the raises are going to come, the retention rate is going to go up and things are going to be much, much better,” Courtway said.

Representatives with Cranford, Johnson, Robinson and Woods presented two draft marketing campaigns during the Town Hall meeting. The campaigns were developed from feedback from the university’s Image Committee.  The committee, which has met since June, consists of representatives from the Staff Senate, Faculty Senate, Student Government Association, Division of Advancement, Council of Deans, faculty members from the Communication and Marketing departments, Division of Enrollment Management and University and Government Relations.

The committee surveyed constituents about UCA’s strengthens, weaknesses and their  general views about university. The information was used to develop concepts that would represent the institution internally and externally.

The two proposals – “Come to Life” and “Front and Center” — would allow the university to tell its story through testimonies by students, faculty and staff.

“Come to Life” looks at various areas including student engagement, educational opportunities, and community. The “Front and Center” proposal focuses on access to a world-class education close to home and the university’s position to be a leader in the region and beyond. It also looks at how the student can be “front and center” as an individual.

Cranford representatives shared a sample of a print advertisement and a television advertisement for both proposed campaigns. Individuals were given the opportunity to provide feedback about the concepts. The campaigns could be altered based upon the feedback from the UCA community.

The Image Committee plans to make a recommendation to President Courtway in early October.

The University of Central Arkansas is strongly committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for minors. In May, the UCA Board of Trustees adopted a policy that outlines the procedure to report maltreatment of minors. The policy makes it clear that suspected child maltreatment or abuse should be immediately reported to both the University Police as well as state officials and that immediate action should be taken to both protect the minor and report the violation.

Any university employee or volunteer who reasonably suspects or observes child maltreatment should immediately report the incident to the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline( 800.482.5964) and the UCA Police Department (911 or 501.450-3111). Immediate action is necessary in order to protect children present on the UCA campus.

View  Board Policy 418. The policy is also available at the Office of General Counsel and UCA Police Department websites. Questions regarding mandatory reporting obligations should be directed to the Office of the General Counsel.

The University of Central Arkansas has launched its financial transparency webpage to provide the public information regarding the university’s stewardship of public funds. The database, called “UCA Open Checkbook,” is intended to provide transparency to constituents and the citizens of Arkansas. In 2011, the Arkansas General Assembly passed legislation that required state institutions to post records of expenditures to a website operated by each institution. View UCA Open Checkbook.

The data is derived from general ledger accounting records and is not intended to supplement or replace the annual audited financial report, according to university officials. Data include benefits, capital outlay, compensation, maintenance and operations, travel and university scholarships. Information is searchable by fiscal year or category.

Information that is not permissible under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act of 1967 and federal laws or regulations is not included. Certain payee names have been removed in order to protect the privacy of individuals, in accordance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations or where it might be a violation of protected information. These redacted names appear as “Privacy Protection Required.”

Additional reports including the university’s master plan, strategic plan, economic impact study, as well as current and future campus projects are accessible through the webpage.

2012-13 Meetings of the Strategic Planning Committee and the Strategic Budgeting Advisory Committee

The UCA Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) will meet on the first Thursday of each month at x-period. The UCA Strategic Budgeting Advisory Committee (SBAC) will meet on the second Thursday of the month at x-period.   All meetings of both committees will be held in Wingo 315 unless otherwise announced. Committee meetings are open to all interested parties.

Public Screening of Dancer Sept. 29 at Ida Waldran

The public screening of Dancer, acclaimed art film by Dara Friedman, is scheduled for Sept. 29 in the Ida Waldran Auditorium. The screening will begin at 2 p.m. Dancer documents the multi-cultural dance talent of Miami, Florida in the spring of 2011. Every style of dance is represented in single and partner performances: modern, ballet, break, belly, pole, ballroom, as well as skateboarding and voguing just to name a few. This film contains brief nudity and visitors with children may wish to preview before entering. Admission is free and open to the public.

Ying Quartet to be Artists-In-Residence Oct 3-4

The Ying Quartet will be in residence at UCA Oct. 3-4, conducting workshops and performing a public concert. The 7:30 p.m. concert on Thursday, Oct. 4, is free and open to the public. UCA music faculty will join the quartet. Also joining the Ying Quartet on the Mendelssohn Octet will be UCA faculty members Israel Getzov on violin, Dr. Stephen Feldman on cello and William Shipley, a recent UCA graduate, on viola. During the residency, the Ying Quartet present outreach activities on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 11 a.m at the Gussie Scales Auditorium at Conway High-East Campus and at 2 p.m. at the Southwestern Energy Building in Hendrix Village. For more information, call the Office of the Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication, at (501) 450-3293 or e-mail jdmiller@uca.edu.

University of Texas Political Scholar to Present Lecture

Dr. Roderick P. Hart, dean of the College of Communication and professor of government at the University of Texas, Austin will visit the University of Central Arkansas as Scholar-in-Residence for Civic Engagement Oct. 10-11. Hart will give a free public lecture, “Campaign 2012: Political Cynicism When We Need it the Least,” at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the College of Business Auditorium (107). Hart specializes in politics and the mass media. He has written 12 books, including his latest, “Political Keywords: Using Language That Uses Us.” For more information, call the College of Fine Arts and Communication Office of the Dean at (501) 450-3293 or e-mail jdmiller@uca.edu. For more information about Dr. Hart’s visit, contact Dr. Jim Hikins at (501) 450-3202 or jhikins@uca.edu.

UCA Honors College Challenge Week 2012: “Dear Mr. President:”

The  Honors College presents Challenge Week 2012 from Oct. 5 – 12.  This year’s theme, “Dear Mr. President:,” imagines a letter to the next presidential administration that asks for action on issues that affect virtually all Americans regardless of age, ethnic origin, income level, region of residence or party affiliation.   Presenters will focus on three key areas of national concern:  immigration, health care and environmental contamination. All events take place on the UCA campus and are free and open to the public. Challenge Week schedule of events:

• Friday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. in the Presentation Room of Jefferson Farris Jr. Honors Hall.  Shastady Williams and Blake Brizzolara, Honors College juniors, speak about their experiences with the 2012 Republican and Democratic conventions
• Tuesday, Oct. 9 in the College of Business Auditorium at 7 p.m.  Mireya Reith, co-founder and Executive Director of the Arkansas United community Coalition (AUCC), will present, “If it’s Broken, Fix It:  Immigration Reform in the US.”
• Wednesday, Oct. 10 in the Doyne Health Sciences Auditorium at 4 p.m. Dr. Clay Arnold, Professor of Political Science, will present, “American Politics in the 2010 Affordable Health Care Act.”
• Friday Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. in the College of Business Auditorium.  Dr. Tyrone B. Hayes, University of California-Berkeley professor of biology, will deliver the keynote address, “From Silent Spring to Silent Night:  A Tale of Toads and Men.”

Staff Senate Seeks Volunteers for Home Football Games

The Staff Senate is seeking volunteers to serve as ticket takers and ushers during home football games. If you would like to work as an usher or ticket taker at a football game, please fill out the volunteer form.

You may be asking, “What are the benefits of volunteering?” Other than the benefit of giving funds to assist with staff development opportunities without giving up your own cash, you get the opportunity to earn comp. time for the upcoming holiday break, a free snack and drink, and you get to show your school pride and spirit! For more information, contact Andy Faulkner at 450-5067 or afaulkner@uca.edu.

Public Appearances Schedule for the 2012-13 Season

Tickets for the 2012-13 season at Reynolds Performance Hall are on sale. This year, the Public Appearances will feature 13 events and 2 distinguished lectures. Visit the Public Appeareances webpage for a complete list of performances and lectures.

Events tickets range from $30-$40, but current and retired UCA Faculty & Staff can purchase tickets for $23-$33. Tickets for children and UCA students are just $10. Lecture tickets are $5 for Faculty/Staff (limit of 2), $15 for general public, $5 for children and free for UCA students (also limit of 2). Current and retired Faculty & Staff may receive 2 free tickets to 3 of our events each season (excluding lectures). Free tickets become available 3 weeks prior to each event, if there are remaining seats. A second box office is located inside the Student Center. This location will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. F0r more information,  call the box office at 450-3265 or email reynolds@uca.edu.

UCA Theatre Announces 2012-2013 Season

The UCA Theatre has announced its line-up of productions for the 2012-2013 season. The Beaux’ Stratagem will take place Nov.1-2 and Nov. 7-9  at 7:30 p.m. in the Bridges/Larson Theatre of the Snow Fine Arts Center.  The Festival of One Act Plays will be performed Dec. 4-6 at 7:30 pm in the Bridges/Larson Theatre of the Snow Fine Arts Center. Admission is free. Tickets are not required. Doors open at 7:00 pm each evening.

UCA Theatre’s own traveling troupe of players, The Cadron Company, will present The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Anderson, adapted by Liz Parker. This short, family-friendly production will be presented on Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. in the Reynolds Performance Hall. Admission is free. Tickets are not required and seats are not reserved. Doors open 30 minutes prior to curtain.

A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur by Tennessee Williams will run Feb. 14-15 and Feb. 20-22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bridges/Larson Theatre of the Snow Fine Arts Center. Spring Awakening, a musical with book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik, will be presented April 11- 12 and April 17 -19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bridges/Larson Theatre of the Snow Fine Arts Center.

Unless otherwise noted, tickets to all UCA Theatre performances are $10 each and are now on sale. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made through UCA Ticket Central in the Reynolds Performance Hall. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Reservations can be made by calling 501-450-3265. The general public may also purchase tickets online at www.uca.edu/tickets.  For more information visit uca.edu/theatre or call 501-450-5092.

UCA Counseling Center Offers Seminars

The Counseling Center will be offering the following seminars this semester:

Decreasing Your Test Anxiety – Tuesday, Oct. 2, X-Period, Student Health Center, Room 307.

Depression Defined – Tuesday, Oct. 9, X-Period, Student Health Center, Room 307.

How To Have a Healthy Romantic Relationship – Tuesday, Oct. 16, X-Period, Student Health Center, Room 307.

When Mr./Miss. Right Turn Out to Be Wrong: How To Break Up – Tuesday, Nov. 6, X-Period, Student Health Center, Room 307.

Please announce the above to students. If you wish to give extra credit for attendance please email  Reesa Ramsahai, Staff Counselor/Coordinator of Outreach at reesar@uca.edu. Counseling Center staff is also available to provide in-class presentations as requested.

 2012-2013 Education Seminar Oopportunities Available for UCA Employees and Students

The 2012-2013 Education Seminars available to UCA employees and students are listed below.  University employees and students may register by e-mailing name, department, ID #, name of seminar, and desired seminar date to training@uca.edu. A new scanning device will be used to record participant attendance. Please bring your campus ID card or your ID #. All other seminars are available for your professional development on a voluntary basis.

Workplace Harassment

Participants have the option of attending the Workplace Harassment on-site  or online.

Oct.  2, 9:00 – 10:00,  Student Center #213

Oct. 10, 2:00 – 3:00, Student Center #213

Nov.  8, 4:30 – 5:30, Student Center #215

Nov. 9, 9:00 – 10:00, Student Center #215

Dec. 7, 2:00 – 3:00,  Student Center #215

Diversity

This year’s topic of discussion – Spirituality

Oct. 1,  2:00 – 3:30,  Student Center #215

Oct.  9,  9:30 – 11:00,  Student Center #215

Oct. 19, 9:00 – 10:30,  Student Center #223/224

Nov. 2, 2:00 – 3:30, Student Center #215

Nov. 8, 6:00 – 7:30,  Student Center #215

Dec. 7 , 9:00 – 10:30,  Student Center #215

Supervisory Skills Series

The Office of Human Resources and the Office of University Training is proud to announce the new Supervisory Skills Series for supervisors on campus. It is the policy of the university that all supervisors participate in the training seminars. Every supervisor will attend a total of four seminars; the overview and three seminar subjects over the course of the academic year. Based on feedback from current UCA supervisors, three important subjects are to be addressed. Each subject will be offered twice, thus a total of 7 seminars. Supervisors are to select the three seminar dates that best fit their schedules.

While most of the info will be related to supervising classified employees, it is recommended that all supervisors that supervise a classified or non-classified staff member attend.Supervisory Skills Series training is for supervisors who supervise classified staff on campus. Supervisors are asked to attend the *Overview* and three seminar subjects over the course of the academic year.

Oct. 4 ,1:30 – 3:30 *Supervisory Skills Series Overview* Student Center #223

President Tom Courtway, Provost Steve Runge

Oct. 5, 9:00 – 11:30 Expected Workplace Behaviors

Ida Waldran Auditorium

Graham Gillis- workplace expectations, policy and steps to handle harassment internally and report

*Outside speaker (Cathy Lee, NorthStar Consulting)

Conflict Resolution

Nov. 15,  9:00 – 11:30 Expected Workplace Behaviors

Ida Waldran Auditorium

Graham Gillis- workplace expectations, policy and steps to handle

harassment internally and report

*Outside speaker (Cathy Lee, NorthStar Consulting)

Conflict Resolution

Dec. 12, 9:00 – 11:30 Employee Accountability

Ida Waldran Auditorium

Graham Gillis presents disciplinary steps, probation, termination

Staff Senate

Professional Development

Nov. 13,  12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Student Center #214 The I in Impact! Charlotte Strickland

How does an individual positively impact others in the workplace? Charlotte will identify key areas to assist an employee in accomplishing this goal. The seminar will address the value of “one” and steps to maximize your impact!

Heather Romine

Heather Romine, fiscal support analyst for the Housing Department, has been named  Employee of the Quarter for the fourth quarter (April-June) for the 2011-2012 academic year. Heather works in the BearCard Office.

Excerpt from her nomination:

“Heather was phenomenal this quarter in her work with reconciling some BearCard accounts. The issue started before Heather began her position in the BearCard office. But since her arrival, she has been very diligent in learning her job and resolving lingering issues. Heather values honesty and integrity and it speaks volumes in her work. This is just one example of Heather’s hard work and dedication to the university. We are so lucky to have her!”

EOQ nominations are evaluated on outstanding job performance, time frame of the performance and overall contribution to the university. Other nominees were Thomas Kaufman, Kim Newman, Marvin Williams, Venita Jenkins, Nancy Bond, Trenie Stanley, Linda Carter, Leesa Clark, Judy Huff, Susan Peterson, Christy Hoffman, John Fincher, Jenny Rudd and Angela Jackson.

The recipient of Employee of the Quarter receives recognition and prizes including $150 in BearBucks, tickets to UCA’s Night of Distinction and a reserved parking spot for the following quarter.