The Bear Ledger

Military Advanced Education (MAE) has selected the University of Central Arkansas for inclusion in their 4^thAnnual Guide to Top Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities.

“This guide has become an invaluable tool for both education service officers/specialists and base transition officers when advising their service members about degree and certification opportunities currently available from institutions of higher learning,” said MAE Associate Publisher Glenn R. Berlin.

From community colleges to nationally known centers of higher learning, MAE’s Annual Guide to Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities provides potential students with uniform, pertinent information. Among the attributes considered in evaluating any school’s degree of military friendliness are the quality of its academics, the on-campus and online advice and support it provides to veterans and their families, and the sophistication and effectiveness of its distance learning programs.

“UCA is committed to helping active duty personnel, National Guard troops, reservists, and veterans fulfill their educational goals,” said UCA President Allen Meadors. “We value them and their family members as our students, and we are delighted that MAE recognizes our commitment.”

Military Advanced Education, the Journal of Higher Learning for today’s service member, is published for service members and veterans seeking to take advantage of military education benefits. It is dedicated to providing educational information for members of every branch of our armed forces. MAE covers topical issues and trends in distance learning and education that relate to military life, including innovative programs for both service members and spouses/dependents, military educational policy, financial aid and coursework that offer special opportunities for military personnel.

The UCA  Board of Trustees participated in a workshop Dec. 17 on the state’s Freedom of Information Act.

The session was set up to refresh the board on state laws regarding open meetings, executive sessions and public records. The workshop was conducted by Warren Readnour, a senior assistant attorney general in the Civil Department. Readnour’s presentation included what constitutes a meeting and explained where emails fall within the Freedom of Information law and other public records.

Trustee Victor Green, one of the newest board members, said the workshop was informative.

“It gave us a basis for which to work from so we will know what we need to do to be more transparent,” Green said. “I think it’s an opportunity for us to open up our records so that we are more transparent and everyone can see exactly what we are doing.”

 Trustee Scott Roussel said he has read the Freedom of Information Act but, “having someone to come in so that we can ask questions helped clarify things.”

Earlier this year, the board participated in a training conducted by Association of Governing Boards. The training included the areas of governance, strategic planning and board accountability.

The board training and workshop are among the steps the university has taken to become more transparent. Over the past 14 months, the administration has held eight town hall meetings to provide the campus community with information and to receive feedback on issues that concern faculty, staff and students. UCA President Allen Meadors has also met with each of the more than 1,000 employees to hear their concerns.

 The staff has answered numerous Freedom of Information requests and provided thousands of pages of documents and emails to the media from the university’s finances to campus improvements.

“This administration will continue to be open and informative,”  said Meadors. “There will be times when we make mistakes, but we will make the appropriate corrections and continue to move forward.  Our decisions are made on behalf of the best interest of the university.”

As we come to the close of another academic semester and the fast approaching holiday season, it is important to take some time to reflect on the many accomplishments that have taken place over the past year.

UCA has had a very good year and it would not have been possible without a great group of dedicated faculty and staff.

The university has been recognized in several national publications from U.S. News & World Report to the Princeton Review.

Our finances continue to improve. As of November 2010, our overall cash was $38.8 million with $18.8 million in unrestricted cash aided by final reimbursements from stimulus funds.  In November 2008, the overall cash was $6.2 million with $4 million in unrestricted cash. UCA’s current Moody’s debt rating is A3 with a stable outlook up from a low of Baa1 with a negative outlook. There is still plenty of work ahead as we rebuild the university’s reserves.

In an effort to better plan for the university’s future, faculty and staff have been involved in the development new campus-wide master facilities plan, a comprehensive space utilization study, and a long-term strategic plan.

We established the Division of Enrollment Management, which will provide a more streamlined process for student recruitment, admission, enrollment, financial aid and scholarship, and scheduling of classes. The goal of this initiative is to increase student retention and graduation rates.

We saw the challenges of the implementation of a new statewide lottery scholarship program. Our staff made it a smooth process for our students.

The opening of the STEM Residential College was a huge success thanks to our academic, housing and physical plant staff working together to make it happen.

UCA has made great strides and continues to be an outstanding institution for the state of Arkansas. I want to say thank you to everyone for their hard work and dedication. Barbara and I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.

Allen C. Meadors, Ph.D. FACHE
President

Representatives from the University of Central Arkansas, Arkansas Department of Education and Arkansas public schools took part in an education forum on teacher training issues in China.

The “Xingzhi Education Forum,” held recently in Hangzhou City, China, was initiated by Zhejiang International Studies University and University of Central Arkansas, in conjunction with Department of Education of Zhejian Province and the state of Arkansas. More than 50 scholars and school administrators in Zhejiang province attended the forum.

Dr. Diana Pounder, dean of the UCA College of Education, and faculty and staff from the College of Education and the Arkansas Department of Education made presentations about teacher training in Arkansas.

UCA President Allen Meadors discussed the possibility of UCA providing training for teachers and principals in Zhejiang province in the future. More international training programs would enhance the university, Meadors said.

“It is also a good idea to help school districts with more international partners and exposure via UCA training programs,” he added. “To build a better international learning environment for the state of Arkansas is always a priority for UCA.”

One of the university’s most beloved landmarks is being considered for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

Old Main, formerly known as Main Hall, is among the 11 properties in the state under consideration for the designation. The National Historic Register recognizes properties based on its history, architectural, or archaeological significance.

The National Parks Service in Washington, D.C. will select which properties will receive the designation.

Old Main was built in 1919 as the administration building for Arkansas’s first Normal School. It currently houses classrooms, an advising center, offices, University College, and Ida Waldran Auditorium.

“Old Main has been a cherished landmark at UCA since 1919,” said UCA President Allen Meadors. “Being among the historic buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places would be the most appropriate designation.”

The University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees approved a resolution in August to nominate Old Main to the National Historic Register and to create an historic district on campus.

The Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resource Council recommended that UCA apply for the designation. The university received a $64,500 planning grant from the council earlier this year to help pay for an extensive inspection and survey of the current state of Old Main.  The survey will help direct restoration and renovation plans and suggest future use of the building, according to Shelley Mehl, vice president of institutional advancement.

“This is an honorary designation that shows UCA’s commitment to preserving and celebrating its rich history,” Mehl said.

Being added to the National Historic Register would provide opportunities for preservation grants, federal investment tax credits, possible state tax benefit and grant opportunities as well as networking with other historic property owners, Mehl added.

Jimmy Bryant, director of UCA Archives, said Old Main is much more than just UCA’s oldest building.

“It is literally the heart of the campus and for more than 90 years has played a vital role in the growth and development of UCA and its students,” he explained.

UCA students, faculty and staff were recognized at the annual American Red Cross of Greater Arkansas for their efforts to raise money to assist victims of the Haiti earthquake.  

More than $9,194 was raised through various fundraisers held in January 2010.

The UCA Helps Haiti Benefit Concert raised $3,148.48. The event was sponsored by faculty, staff and students of UCA’s Residential Colleges, Minority Student Services & Student Life. The UCA Chapter of the NAACP also made a donation.

 The UCA Student Athlete Advisory Committee Pancake Breakfast contributed $4,561.50 to relief efforts and a Sigma Tau Gamma Benefit Party raised $1,364.34.

A BWALO, sponsored by UCA’s Learning Communities, raised $200 for various organizations.  Dr. Jerry Reynolds and Dr. Jeff Allender spoke about the physical and human geography of Haiti. Dr. Jayme Millsap Stone talked about the history and poverty of the region.

Catherine Marhenke, director of marketing and development, College of Fine Arts and Communications, Nov. 15.

Jillian Johnson, administrative specialist II, biology, Nov. 15

Jacob Walker, project director, College of Education, Nov. 15.

Kelly Delph, food preparation supervisor, College Square Retirement Center, Nov. 16.

Michelle Brown, public safety security officer, University Police, Nov. 16.

Brenda Zimmerman, institutional services assistant, Custodial Care, Nov. 16.

Bertha Crawford, institutional services assistant, Custodial Care, Nov. 16.

Graham Gillis, associate vice-president, Human Resources, Nov. 22.

Jenna Davidson, project/program specialist, Health-Wellness Center, Nov. 29.

Christopher Vasquez, public safety officer, University Police, Nov. 29.

Sarah Calhoun, administrative specialist II, Military Science, Dec. 1.

Gary Graham,  an institutional services assistant in the Student Center, will retire  Dec. 31 after 11 years of service.  

Willie Hardin, associate vice president for academic development, will retire Dec. 31  after 37 years of service.

Linda Long, project specialist in the President’s Office will retire, Dec. 31 after 27 years with the university.