Construction of four buildings and a new sports complex is underway with a timeline for completion in early 2012.
“These exciting campus developments are made possible by two bond issues totaling $62 million recommended by the UALR Board of Visitors and approved last fall by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees,” said Robert Adams, vice chancellor of finance and administration.
The first two projects will be an addition to student housing and a nanotechnology research center, followed by a student services one-stop center, an outdoor track and field complex, and then the renovation of a building to provide space for the growing programs in nursing and health sciences.
A new one-stop center where students can enroll, register, establish financial aid, pay tuition, and other tasks before they start classes will be located just north of the Donaghey Student Center, with a pedestrian walkway from the upper level of Donaghey to the new building.
Once the new building is ready, Administration South will be vacated and work will begin to convert that building into a center for nursing and health sciences.
Adams said the first building to break ground likely will be the honors residence hall, scheduled to be ready for students to move in prior to the start of classes in fall 2011. It will be the fourth residence hall at UALR and designed to be a part of the residence village bordering on Fair Park Avenue. The new building will provide housing for approximately 370.
A fifth project, an athletic complex for track and field competition as well as intramural softball and soccer is being sited on the south side of Asher Avenue on the site of the former Coleman Dairy.
New construction projects, including honors housing and a highly-anticipated nanotechnology research center, will begin in summer 2010 and continue through early 2012. Learn more about these exciting facilities.
With progress comes a few growing pains, resulting in some parking reassignments as outlined below.
If you have reserved space in one of the affected lots, you will be notified by the Department of Public Safety regarding predetermined relocation options.
Parking Changes Near Fine Arts and EIT Buildings
Parking Changes Near the DSC and Ottenheimer Library
Parking Changes Near Residence Halls
Parking Changes Near Fine Arts and Engineering & Technology (EIT) Buildings
The temporary lot near the Fine Arts building has been closed permanently, and reserved parking has been relocated to the new Lot 8, north of the EIT building.
Parking Changes Near Donaghey Student Center (DSC) and Ottenheimer Library
Lot 1 will be closed beginning August 15 to allow construction of the One-Stop Student Services building. Drivers affected by these changes will be moved to Lot 2 or the parking garage.
The 31 open spaces along Campus Drive West have also been permanently closed. Open parking is available in Lots 13, 14, and 15.
Handicapped drivers previously assigned to Lot 1 will be reassigned to Lot 9. Most reserved parking currently in Lot 9 will be relocated to Lot 8.
Parking Changes Near Residence Halls
A portion of Lot 10 will be closed to allow construction of a new residence hall for Honors students. Drivers displaced by this closure will be able to park in Lot 12 and Lot 15.
Jazz and Juleps, a reception benefiting the Audiology and Speech Pathology Department and honoring Nan Ellen East, will be held on Tuesday, May 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Governor’s Mansion. Tickets are $50. May is “Better Hearing and Speech Month” and money raised from the fundraiser will go toward the Nan Ellen Dickinson East Student Scholarship Fund. Contact Una Carroll at 944-9621 for more information.
Justin Meeks successfully won a seat on the Saline County Quorum Court May 18, beating out a three term incumbent. A 20-year-old student at UALR, Justin has been involved in student government and now transitions into a county government role. He spoke to FOX16 News after election day to talk about his plans. He is definitely one to watch!
The UALR Alumni Association is hosting the Letterman’s Summer Social, an evening with the Trojan baseball team, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18 at Dickey-Stephens Park. The Trojans will play the Kansas Jayhawks. Food and drinks will be provided on the party deck. This event is free for all members of the UALR Alumni Association but seating is limited. Please RSVP to Derek Boyce at dcboyce@ualr.edu or by calling 569-8387 before May 11.
The William H. Bowen School of Law will hold its graduation ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 15 at the Statehouse Convention Center.
The Spring 2010 Commencement ceremonies will be at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, May 15, in the Jack Stephens Center. The 9:30 a.m. ceremony is for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; the College of Education; and the College of Professional Studies.
The 3 p.m. ceremony is for the College of Business, the College of Science and Mathematics, and the George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology. Each ceremony will last approximately an hour and a half, and graduates need to be in the Jack Stephens Center at least one hour before their ceremony begins.
For more information, please contact the Office of Records and Registration.
The UALR Alumni Association will host the Alumni Association Awards Luncheon Celebration at 11 a.m. Friday, May 14 in the Great Hall of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center. The celebration honors Congressman Vic Snyder, Betty Jo Stephens and student Ashley Fejleh.
RSVP to 683-7063 or by email at prmitchell@ualr.edu
The UALR Alumni Association welcomes author A. Cleveland Harrison, class of 1947, to discuss his book “A Little Rock Boyhood: Growing up in the Great Depression” at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 13 in the Darragh Center of the Main Library downtown. Cleveland is a professor emeritus at Auburn University.
A reception and book signing will follow. Please RSVP at 683-7208.
The UALR Music Department will salute its 2010 graduates at a dessert reception at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11 in the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center. Please RSVP by May 7 at 683-7208.