Assembly Hears Committees, Announcements

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   The University of Arkansas–Monticello Assembly met for the second time this semester Dec. 7 in the Spencer Gallery of the Fine Arts Center.

   More than 70 people attended and chairperson E. Kate Stewart conducted the meeting. Several motions passed and the members heard reports from the Assembly committee, Special Task Force and Administration.

   "We’re closing out a wonderful semester," Chancellor Jack Lassiter said.

   Lassiter announced an update on the Master Plan in his report. He said the Board of Trustees adopted Phase I of the plan and $9 million in bonds have already been sold. This means that $8.4 million should be resolved from that.

   Architects for the plan will also be selected soon. A committee of seven to represent from rank and experience, as well as middle and junior management will be selected. Then after the first of next year, architects will be chosen. Some renovations already in action include Willard Hall and the Memorial Classroom Building.

   "Willard Hall should be completed within the next 30 days and then interior renovations will begin," Lassiter said.

   Work done to the auditorium of the Memorial Classroom Building will take place over the Christmas break from Dec. 19 - Jan. 11.

   Since her arrival at UAM, Vice Chancellor for Advancement Linda Yeiser has also made progress in improving the institution. A 356-acre property has been secured in Eudora, Ark., for a wetland reserve. The property exists as a $750,000 gift to UAM. She has closed an endowed $15,000 scholarship as well.

   Lassiter also announced several important issues and events soon to come. He encouraged voting on or before Dec. 13 in the Higher Education Bond Election. Lassiter assured members that Referred Question 1 on the ballot, which concerns the ability of the state highway department to secure funds through bonds, would be an investment in this state. He noted Referred Question 2 would also represent $4.2 million in bonds, which would fund a faster Internet hub called "e-corridor" that would improve research capabilities on campus.

   "UAM could be one of only 10 hubs in the state of Arkansas," Lassiter said. "We’re close to unveiling a new Web site also."

   The chancellor noted the Arkansas Supreme Court will be on campus sometime at the end of March 2006 or at the first of April 2006. He also announced a new UAM logo selection will occur soon to address the campus image. Ballots to choose one were passed out to the Assembly for study and voting.

   Robert Moore, associate professor of English, announced over 20 documentaries from the Hot Springs Film Festival will be presented Jan. 26 - 27 in the Fine Arts Center auditorium. He also said Pulitzer Prize-winning author Seymour M. Hersh will speak March 9, with a book signing and reception following in Spencer Gallery.

   The Curriculum and Standards Committee presented its proposals for change in the UAM curriculum at the meeting. All 18 proposals of new and modified courses, descriptions and minors passed with no opposition. These included the addition of the Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic program to the list of existing general technology degree programs of study. Two modified minor requirements in the Arts and Humanities department were for French and Spanish and taken to 18 credit hours. The division of Computer Information Systems also modified its minor to 18 hours as well as added four courses and a modified description of Microcomputer Applications to more accurately reflect the content of the course.

   The College of Technology – McGehee deleted and added several courses in their curriculum also. Vice-Chancellor Bob Ware said the new heavy equipment operator training program will be funded by $1.62 million federal grant. The program will be a spin-off of an existing program and will be designed for timber processing and producing industries of southeast Arkansas. The UAM COT-McGehee is one of 70 community colleges from 40 states – and one of three in Arkansas – selected to receive a grant, which were presented by the U.S. Department of Labor. Ware said he hopes to have the program in place by the 2006 fall semester.

   "This is exciting news for our campus," Ware said.

   The College of Technology – Crossett announced a doubling of course offerings for the 2006 spring semester. This brings their total of general study and developmental courses up to 20.

    The Education department modified two courses and added one through the Assembly. Dean of Education Peggy Doss said in her Teacher Education report that a committee recently met to discuss meeting the Curriculum and Standards Committee's requests made at the last meeting. They addressed the incorporation of programs in the Education department and a new program to accept associate degree students from two-year colleges.

   The report given by the Salary Study committee raised an important issue at the meeting. Currently the committee has been researching how other universities conduct salary studies.

   "Remember, we're addressing concerns that didn't happen overnight and the solution won't come overnight," Lassiter said.

   Concerned members were told the study may not be resolved in this fiscal year and that academic heads may be requested to provide information to the committee in the near future.

   Other important topics discussed at the meeting included:

• Two approvals from Academic Appeals
• Over 50 student-athletes participating in "Champs Final Four," which provided a final exam pack
• An update from the Faculty Research Committee on its progress
• An emergency procedures guide to be finished and distributed by the first of next semester called the "I’m in Trouble" guide
• A Hazardous Waste committee update on the identification and upcoming removal of waste from all three campuses
• A Strategic Planning committee update and a welcome of input from the campus to its plan
• The placement of bicycle racks on campus by Student Affairs. Racks now can be found at the corner of Horsfall Hall, behind the Music Building, Babin Business Center and Memorial Classroom Building, and in front of Sorrells Hall.

   Provost David Ray also gave a special thanks to all faculty, staff and students.

   "We’re pleased about the improvements made this year," he said.

   Ray urged careful attention to properly advising students, and notified attendants that green-carding students is outside the rules at this time because that process does not exist currently. He addressed the continuation of developing articulation agreements between two-year colleges to allow UAM to be a place where students can continue their education. He also asked for suggestions concerning the upcoming Web site change.

   "The coming year looks exciting and fun, but will also require a lot of work," Ray said.

   According to Stewart the broad purpose of the Assembly is to oversee the development and revision of policies and programs of the UAM campus. Student representation exists on most of the standing committees but all students can attend the meetings. More information on the Assembly can be found on the UAM homepage under the Campus Information section.

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© The Voice 2005
Revised 09/17/2007 01:48:24 PM — http://www.uamont.edu/Organizations/TheVoice/3_12/assembly.htm