Please view updates related to the following categories. You can also view the updates on the COVID-19 page.
ACADEMICS AND CLASSES
Scholarship Money for Students
Students, if you currently have a UA Little Rock private scholarship, it may be renewable. Please reapply using Trojan SMART. The deadline for returning and first-time applications is April 1. Each private scholarship is made possible through the generosity of UA Little Rock donors committed to the promise of our student body. Go Trojans and apply today at Trojan SMART!
Today is Giving Day for UA Little Rock. Please share this campaign so others may help. You may access the Giving Day website at givingday.ualr.edu or text GivingDay2020 to 41444. There are many opportunities to make a difference.
COMMENCEMENT
Update on UA Little Rock’s Commencement Schedule
In light of all the decisions impacting on-campus operations related to the coronavirus, the UA System Board of Trustees voted today to cancel or postpone live commencement ceremonies for spring until after June 1. Celebrating our students’ accomplishments at commencement is a treasured UA Little Rock tradition, and we look forward to announcing a date for a rescheduled Spring 2020 commencement ceremony as soon as we can. Although we may not have the privilege of honoring student achievements in May, the postponement of the ceremony will not delay the awarding of diplomas to students electronically and by mail by July 1, 2020. All Spring and Summer 2020 graduation applicants will be contacted concerning the postponement and rescheduling of the Spring ceremony.
FACULTY
In the spirit of giving back, 13 nursing faculty have offered their assistance to UAMS. They are not giving up their full-time jobs, only adding to their workload and going into the line of fire. Please join in offering a big thank you to RNs Sarah Beth Phillips, Lindsey Clark, Fairah Solomon, Johni Beth Teague, Cindy Gilbert, Elizabeth Lee, Janet Fletcher, Heba Sadaka, Anna Williams, Farren Moore, Crystal Rose, Jennifer Bridges, and Jennifer Dostert.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Special Update from Finance and Administration
In aligning with the university’s prevention and preparation efforts, the UA Little Rock Procurement Services department would like to provide guidance and support related to procurement and travel procedures.
Virus Related Spend Tracking: As part of our ongoing response to the COVID-19 virus, we are establishing procedures to track costs associated with our efforts. Examples of virus-related spend would be extra cleaning supplies, IT equipment for online or working remotely, non-refundable travel cancellation charges, etc.
Finance Services has established an activity code to track virus-related spend. Departments and offices should begin using activity code COVD19 immediately. The activity code is part of the foapal in Banner and is also used in reallocating credit card expenses in US bank. Requesters and cardholders will need to remember to include the activity code in requisitions and reallocation of credit card purchases.
Departments and offices should keep track of all virus related spend that has already been incurred and ensure that future spend is using the new activity code. Directions for credit card allocations and requisition Banner FOAPALs are located on the procurement webpage. If you have questions, email procurement@ualr.edu.
Procurement: UA Little Rock procurement processes and policies are still in place. If an exception is needed, such as home delivery, an email with the location, details of what and why something is being purchased, and the delivery location should be emailed to procurement@ualr.edu. A supervisor should be copied as well. Please note that any items delivered off-site remain property of the university. If a request or communication is sent without supporting information, it will slow down the process and further disrupt functions.
Electronic Approvals: Electronic approvals will be accepted, where possible to accommodate social distancing. Examples of acceptable electronic approvals would be for the card logs and request forms.
Credit Card Logs: Procurement Services will accept electronic submission of Reconciliation Reports for CTS, P-Cards, and T-Cards. These logs may be submitted through the document submission portal. Directions on the submission process are located on the procurement webpage.
Travel Cancelation Charges: All out-of-state and international travel has been suspended until May 1, 2020. Travelers are encouraged to seek travel-related refunds as appropriate from transportation providers, hotels, conferences, etc. If a refund is not provided for out-of-pocket expenses on an approved travel authorization (TA), the traveler may be reimbursed by submitting a Travel Reimbursement Claim Form (TR-1). A short explanation of the expense will need to be submitted as supporting documentation. Departments should track virus-related spend including fees and charges for canceled or rescheduled travel.
Future Travel: With the rapidly changing status of university activity and travel, please consider the situation and talk with your supervisor before pursuing your request through Procurement Services. There could be financial implications for planned commitments for events that are currently in process of being canceled or could be canceled in the near future.
Thank you for working with Procurement Services and for your patience and understanding during these unique times. Please plan and anticipate for slower processing times as we help get the campus supported in these new efforts. If you have questions or concerns, the best method of communication is procurement@ualr.edu. We also encourage you to check the UA Little Rock COVID-19 website for updates and changes
TECHNOLOGY ACCESS
Workday Update
The 18-person Project One campus team has moved mostly virtual and continues to meet daily. We are completing end-to-end testing on March 20, and we will begin User Acceptance Testing on March 30. Please check our webpage www.ualr.edu/workday for more Workday updates.
REMINDER
The Office of Communications and Marketing must approve all UA Little Rock messaging regarding COVID-19. This includes announcements to employees, students, or the community. If you have an announcement to be included in the COVID-19 daily digest, the announcement should have vice chancellor approval and should be sent to Jeff Harmon at jwharmon@ualr.edu by 1 p.m. each day. If you have questions about what constitutes an appropriate announcement, please work with a member of the communications team.
At this time, please refrain from posting event modifications or office closings to university listservs without the appropriate vice chancellor approval.
COVID-19 NEWS FROM THE REGION
Amid COVID-19 Outbreak, Concerns Over Other Illnesses Grow (KUAR)
As virus cases rise to 62 in state, gov sets new restrictions, extends school closures (Dem-Gaz)
____________________________________________________________________________
Thank you and be Trojan Strong,
UA Little Rock Office of Communications and Marketing
Have questions or comments? Please submit them online here.
