With a projected healthy enrollment, a major new building well on the way to opening, and the potential of $31 million in capital projects, UALR is on the move, Chancellor Joel E. Anderson and other campus leaders said this week at the annual University Assembly.

“No doubt, we will experience an increase in enrollment,” Anderson said at the Tuesday, Aug. 18, gathering a few days before Thursday’s start of the fall semester.  After dealing with financial challenges last year, “we’re pretty well positioned this year,” Anderson said.

Provost David O. Belcher said all signs point to a phenomenal year on many fronts.

“We have the potential to have the largest headcount (in enrollment) in the history of the school,” Belcher said, citing the robust summer enrollment and the recruitment successes. “With all the changes, challenges and the growth, there has never been a better time to be at UALR.”

In addition to the enrollment picture, both cited increased growth in funding for University researchers, expanded research, the “terrific cadre” of new faculty, stimulus funding from the Governor’s office, continuing successes in fundraising, an expected spring opening of the new Engineering and Information Technology building, and the prospect of new capital projects.

With strong support from the UALR Board of Visitors, Anderson will propose a $31 million bond issue at the September meeting of the UA Board of Trustees to take advantage of UALR’s low bond indebtedness and historically low interest rates. If approved, the next few years could see construction of a new nanotechnology center, a student services “one stop” center to consolidate student service offices which are now scattered in nine buildings, construction of a new health, recreation, and sports complex, and the renovation of the existing administration building into a nursing and health sciences and building.

The Chancellor said that the Board of Visitors also wanted the campus to move quickly to build more student housing.

Dr. Richard Ford, president of the Faculty Senate, and the leaders of the Academy of Learning and Teacher Excellence, discussed UALR’s faculty organization that facilitates rich conversation, across disciplinary lines, about pedagogical philosophy, teaching strategies, and the promotion of student learning.