The Bear Ledger

• In 1916, a full credit could be gained by participating in two or more sports on campus.

• McCastlain Hall was originally called the Commons when it served as the campus dining hall.

• In 1909, a UCA male student was fined $10 for flirting with a student from Central Baptist College.

Source: Proud to Say UCA! History and Traditions

The University of Central Arkansas will become a tobacco-free campus beginning July 1.

The Board of Trustees approved a policy Nov. 6 that mirrors the state law that prohibits tobacco products on all state-supported institutions of higher education. The use of tobacco products will not be allowed on the grounds, any vehicle owned or leased by the university and all university-owned building including off-campus housing. The ban includes smokeless tobacco products.

Anyone using tobacco products on campus could face a fine from $100 to $500, according to the state law.

The state’s Clean Air on Campus Act requires all institutions of higher education to be smoke-free no later than Aug. 1. The goal of the act is to reduce secondhand smoke exposure to nonsmokers on university campuses. The law states that “scientific research data has shown that nonsmokers often receive damage to their health from the smoking of tobacco by others.”

Currently, UCA allows the use of tobacco products within 25 feet from any entrance to a building.

Smoking cessation classes were offered in the spring for faculty and staff. Officials with UCA Health & Wellness Center say additional classes will be offered in the future. For information about upcoming classes, contact Lee Schwager at schwager@uca.edu or 450-3133.

Tips on how to quit smoking are available at the state’s Stamp Out Smoking website at http://www.stampoutsmoking.com.

UCA received another credit boost from Moody’s Investors Service in May. Moody’s revised the university’s debt-rating from Baa1 to A3. This is the second upgrade by Moody’s in the last five months.

The recent change in the university’s rating is due to a recalibration of the ratings by Moody’s. Moody’s has been using a separate rating scale for U.S. municipalities and is now recalibrating its U.S. municipal bond ratings to be in line with those that it issues for corporate debt, said Edmond Hurst, senior managing director, Capital Markets Group, Crews & Associates, Inc.

“The municipal ratings have historically been rated lower than comparable corporate credits,” he said. “As a result, lawmakers and other market participants complained that the old rating scale was unfair.”

UCA officials said the recent boost also is a vote of confidence in the solid financial management progress that the university is exhibiting.

“This recognition of our financial progress over the last nine months will allow UCA to continue to strengthen its financial portfolio, said UCA President Allen C. Meadors.

Previously, the university’s debt-rating was negative following the downgrading of its score twice in late 2008. Moody’s upgraded UCA’s rating in February to stable. A statement from the company in February said the stable outlook reflected “expectations of a gradual improvement in cash and financial resource levels, management’s ongoing successful implantation of cash flow enhancement efforts and continued support from the state.”

UCA ended the 2008 fiscal year with a negative $4.3 million. It ended the fiscal year in 2009 with a cash balance of $3.2 million. Officials expect a nearly $10 million balance the end of the fiscal year 2010.

“We are very encouraged with UCA’s upgrade to A3 from Baa1,” said Diane Newton, vice president of finance and administration. “This may allow the university to refinance some of its existing debt to lower interest rates and provide us with a lower cost of capital for future projects.”

To hear further comments from Diane Netwon about the credit rating and the university’s finances visit UCA’s YouTube page.

The University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to seek approval from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education Coordinating Board for the refunding of about $19 million of bonds.

The board has directed the administration to also seek the issuance of additional bonds not to exceed $22 million to construction a proposed 300-bed residence hall.

Last month, Moody’s revised the university’s debt rating from Baa1 to A3. This will allow the university to restructure existing debt as well as fund additional capital projects at lower cost. Previously, the university’s debt-rating was negative following the downgrading of its score twice in late 2008.

The proposed residence hall would replace Minton Hall, which has been closed for the past three years due asbestos and the building being in disrepair. Minton Hall was built in 1959. Construction of the new residential hall could begin in late spring or early summer 2011. Funds from the additional bonds will also be used to renovate existing residence halls.

The additional bonds would not increase the university’s overall debt service obligation, Newton said. The final maturity date of the additional bonds shall not exceed 30 years.

In other business, the board approved a five-year contract with Simplex Grinnell to provide for the maintenance of the university’s mass notification equipment. The system is used to notify the campus community in case of an emergency. The total contact cost is $20,683.

Trustees also approved the replacement of sidewalks along Donaghey Avenue, an estimated cost of $85,000; the north side of the president’s home along South Boulevard, an estimated cost of $83,000; and the east and south side of the president’s home, with an estimated cost of $25,000. The sidewalks will be replaced with stamped concrete. There are two sections of sidewalk that are currently brick and will be replaced with brick or stamped concrete.

The sidewalk replacement will be done in three phases as funds become available, said Jack Gillean, chief of staff.

Dr. Harold Chakales, board chairman, said the president’s home is a part of the university’s campus and that it was important to upkeep the home and as well as the sidewalks.

“In regards to fixing up the sidewalks, … if someone would get hurt, this may prevent some litigation or any problems along that line,” he said. “Also, I think this would beautify the campus even more.”

Summer Reading Program Gives Youth Opportunities to Explore Books

Torreyson Library will again be sponsoring the Summer Reading Club for youth this summer from Tuesday, June 1, – Thursday, July 29. The program is open to infants to high school students. The theme will be USA Passport to Reading. Each person who registers will receive a Passport to keep track of the books “they visit” over the summer. The Summer Reading Club is open to children of UCA community members — faculty, staff, and students. The Children’s Literature Collection is located on the 2nd floor of Torreyson Library and is available whenever Torreyson Library is open. There will be booklists and activities to participate in throughout the summer.

Arkansas Shakespeare Festival Begins June 16

The Arkansas Shakespeare Festival kicks off June 16 at the University of Central Arkansas. This fourth season of the festival includes Shakespearean classics Henry V and Comedy of Errors. This year’s non-Shakespearean productions include Dracula and children’s classic Alice in Wonderland. Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for seniors and UCA faculty/staff and $20 for the general public. Tickets for Alice in Wonderland are $10. Tickets are available online and at UCA Ticket Central. All Sunday performances will be offered as “Pay What You Can” performances. Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre also will host “The Bard and the Barrel”; a post-show club open after opening nights and for the close of the festival (June 16, 18, 24, and July 3 immediately following performances). “The Bard and Barrel” will feature food and “Karaoke with the Kast” and will be open to AST members and those purchasing one-night memberships. For more information, visit www.arkshakes.com or at UCA Ticket Central by calling (501) 450-3265.
Hear “Comedy of Errors” Director Andrew Hamm talk about this year’s festival at the university’s YouTube page.

UAMS Travel Medicine Clinic and UCA to Offer Vaccinations

UCA Student Health Clinic has partnered with UAMS Travel Medicine Clinic to offer vaccinations to individuals planning to travel abroad. The travel clinic is open to the public and till take place one afternoon a month at the Student Health Clinic. Vaccinations offered include: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Polio, Adacel (Tetanus), Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Meningitis, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, rabies and Japanese Encephalitis. The clinic will be at the Student Health Clinic Friday, June 25th from 1 to 4 p.m. Call (501)686-6565 to make an appointment.

UCA Offering IT Academy Program for Teens

UCA is offering the IT Academy Program for 8th – 12th grade students in central Arkansas. This four-day workshop is designed for students who have little or no experience in computer programming but interested in exploring the subject. The IT Academy Program introduces students to the basics of computer programming and data mining. All sessions will be conducted by UCA professors.
Date: July 19-22, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00-3:00 PM
Prerequisite: None
Fees: $125 (Non-Refundable). Save $25 with early bird on-line registration OR by referring a friend. Your friend saves $25 too!
Deadline: June 15, 2010 (Early Bird: May 29, 2010)
Check Payable to ACMSE
On-line Registration: http://tinyurl.com/ITacademyUCA.

Tiffany Huitt, assistant professor, Department of Physical Therapy, May 15.

Jennifer Davis, institutional services assistant, Custodial Care, May 16.

Mary Harvey, institutional services assistant, Custodial Care, May 16.

Maria Velasco, institutional services assistant, General Housing Maintenance, May 16.

Steven McDaniel, institutional bus driver, shuttle bus, May 17.

Cynthia Anderson, a Lecturer II in the Department of Writing, retired May 15 after 20 years of service.

The UCA Staff Senate recently held its spring election for open seats on the senate. The Staff Senate is a representative body composed of staff members from various employment classifications and administrative divisions. Its purpose is to provide a forum to allow the non-faculty employees an opportunity to participate in the shared governance of the University. The senate’s mission is to provide communication and representation so that a positive attitude can be achieved within the university.

The new senators’ term will begin July 1. Term lengths are decided by total votes received and rotations as per the senate’s constitution. Newly elected senators are:

Advancement Division

Dianna K. Winters

Finance and Administration Division

Ashley Lyon
Kate Starnes
Jami Richardson

Division of University & Government Relations

Venita Jenkins

Office of the President

Rebekah Gardner

Provost Office

Edman Wilkes
Michelle Reinold
Ancil Lea

Student Services Division

Lindsey Osborne

Non Classified Staff

Larry Burns

C116 – C125 Classification Group
Kelsey Smyth
Tanya Buchanan

C110-C115 Classification Group

Tracy Spence

C106-C109 Classification Group

Austin Clowers

C103-C105 Classification Group

Lula Tyus

Brent Passmore, director of Web Development, is serving on the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s 2011 Conference Committee as Marketing & Promotions co-chair. This joint conference between District 3 and District 4 will take place in New Orleans on February 20-23, 2011. For more information about CASE visit http://case.org.

Sgt. Brad Moore, with the UCA Police, has completed a four-week School of Law Enforcement Supervision (SLES) program at the Criminal Justice Institute. He successfully graduated the program on April 23. The Arkansas SLES program, which is aimed at law enforcement supervisory and command personnel and other leaders within the criminal justice system, emphasizes leadership, education, advancement of the law enforcement profession, development of the individual and agency, enthusiasm in the work place, and research on criminal justice issues. Nationally recognized presenters are selected to ensure law enforcement executives are informed, not only of practical procedures for managing their agency or department, but also of the latest trends, technology and problems impacting our society.