At the Fall Semester University Assembly meeting, held August 17, Chancellor Anderson spoke about the remarkable progress UALR has achieved in a relatively short time-period, and how that progress has been grounded in the UALR Fast Forward strategic plan. The University Assembly is the governance body for UALR, composed of key administrators, all full-time regular faculty, elected members of the Staff Senate, and student representatives.
Dr. Anderson announced that the university has reached its comprehensive campaign fundraising goal of $75 million more than a year early and would increase the goal to $100 million. He praised the expansion of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, completion of the new EIT building, increase in student housing, increase in doctoral programs, success in Athletics, and progress in the University District Partnership. The Chancellor reminded the group that raises planned for this year are being held in reserve and will be issue retroactively when the university is given the green light to do so.
Dr. Anderson declared that the number one priority for UALR will be improving student success.
Faculty Senate President Andrew Eshleman also spoke to the need for a renewed emphasis on student success. Provost David Belcher made an exceptional case for why student success must be our focus. He spoke about how the university will tackle poor graduation and retention rates, and the importance of the individual student.
