University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
Encyclopedia
The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, known also as UAFS, is a public, co-educational, four-year university
. It is one of 11 campuses that make up the University of Arkansas System
and is located in Fort Smith, Arkansas
. UAFS is the fifth largest university in Arkansas
, with a fall 2010 credit enrollment of approximately 7,700.
UAFS offers in-state tuition rates not only to Arkansas residents, but also to residents of Louisiana
, Mississippi
, Missouri
, Oklahoma
, Tennessee
, and Texas
.
The university campus occupies 168 acre (0.67987248 km²) of an award-winning, nationally recognized arboretum
that boasts 1,182 GPS-inventoried trees representing 81 species. In 2003 the campus was named the "Best Maintained Landscape in the Nation".
, the institution operated within the Fort Smith public school system until 1950, when the school was incorporated as a private, nonprofit institution with its own governing board. In September 1952, the College moved from borrowed facilities in the high school to its current site, initially occupying 15 acres (60,702.9 m²).
During the private college era, enrollment increased, as did course offerings, the number of faculty, and facilities. A vocational-technical division was added in 1960. During this period, the college began developing the programs and character of a comprehensive community college — a new concept in Arkansas and across the nation.
In the fall of 1965, the Sebastian County electorate approved the creation of the Sebastian County Community Junior College District, along with a tax levy on the real and personal property of the county. The governor appointed a Board of Trustees, and the school again became a public institution.
In 1966, the institution’s name was changed from Fort Smith Junior College to Westark Junior College, and in 1972, to Westark Community College, indicating the larger area to be served and reflecting the more comprehensive mission.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the college developed and made changes within the context of its mission as a two-year institution. A significant development in 1989 was the establishment of a University Center. Five state universities partnered with the institution to offer six bachelor’s and seven master’s degree programs on campus. Between 1989 and 2002, 1,788 students graduated with bachelor’s degrees through the University Center.
In 1997, the Arkansas Legislature passed an act granting Westark the authority to offer in its own right up to nine applied bachelor’s degrees, developed in response to identified needs of the industries in the area served.
The name of the college was changed yet again in February 1998 to Westark College, more accurately portraying the role and scope of the institution.
On December 15, 2000, the Board of Trustees of Westark College entered into an agreement with the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
to merge with the University of Arkansas System
as a four-year institution. In 2001, the Sebastian County electorate voted to support the merger. A formal request to change affiliation status to that of a bachelor’s degree-granting institution under the name of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith was submitted to the Higher Learning Commission in August 2001 and approved by the Institutional Actions Council on November 19, 2001.
The merger, which became official on January 1, 2002, endorsed the concept of UAFS as a unique university, one that offers applied and traditional baccalaureate degree programs, one- and two-year associate and technical programs, and noncredit business and industry training programs.
Two core missions mark the institution today — a commitment to serving the greater Fort Smith region’s business and industry with quality training and education, and a commitment to become a full-service regional university that is a destination of choice for students.
In 2006 Arkansas state senator David Bisbee attempted to review the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith's legal status. Bisbee claimed he wanted to make sure the institution was in good legal standing.
In 2008 the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith raised tuition rates and service fees by more than 8%. Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Mark Horn said the raise was justified by the changing economic environment. University leaders stressed that UAFS is still one of the most inexpensive institutions in the region.
Through its seven colleges, UAFS provides certificates of proficiency, technical certificates, associate of arts degrees, associate of general studies, associate of applied science degrees, and bachelor's degrees, as well as work-based learning and community education. The seven colleges are:
, with more than 69 species of trees mapped out by GPS technology.
The campus grounds have won numerous awards for landscaping
and horticulture
.
The addition will also house the Business and Entrepreneurship Research Center, a complex of high-tech teleconferencing spaces, conference rooms, online research facilities, mentoring and instructional rooms, team work rooms, and interactive presentation venues available for university and community use and devoted to advancing economic development in the region.
UAFS athletic teams are known as the Lions. The University competes in a variety of collegiate athletics
as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) at the Division II level. The university is a member of the Heartland Conference
and sponsors men's sports, including: , baseball, basketball, cross country, golf and tennis; women's sports, including: basketball, cross country, golf, tennis, and volleyball. UAFS announced the addition of women's soccer for the 2012-13 academic year.
(NJCAA).
The volleyball program also holds the distinction of being named an NJCAA Academic All-American Team seven years in a row (1999-2005).
equipped. A traditional dorm-style residence hall with on-site dining, the Lion's Den, opened in August 2010 . In the fall of 2011, the University set aside two buildings in the Sebastian Commons for Greek Housing.
Fraternities:
Sororities:
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
. It is one of 11 campuses that make up the University of Arkansas System
University of Arkansas System
The University of Arkansas System comprises six main campuses within the state of Arkansas; a medical school; two law schools; a unique graduate school focused on public service; statewide research, service and educational units for agriculture, criminal justice and archeology; and several...
and is located in Fort Smith, Arkansas
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Fort Smith is the second-largest city in Arkansas and one of the two county seats of Sebastian County. With a population of 86,209 in 2010, it is the principal city of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area, a region of 298,592 residents which encompasses the Arkansas...
. UAFS is the fifth largest university in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, with a fall 2010 credit enrollment of approximately 7,700.
UAFS offers in-state tuition rates not only to Arkansas residents, but also to residents of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
The university campus occupies 168 acre (0.67987248 km²) of an award-winning, nationally recognized arboretum
Arboretum
An arboretum in a narrow sense is a collection of trees only. Related collections include a fruticetum , and a viticetum, a collection of vines. More commonly, today, an arboretum is a botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants intended at least partly for scientific study...
that boasts 1,182 GPS-inventoried trees representing 81 species. In 2003 the campus was named the "Best Maintained Landscape in the Nation".
History
The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith was established in 1928 as an extension of the public school system in Fort Smith, Arkansas, with the superintendent, James William Ramsey, acting as the college president and the high school principal as dean. Known originally as Fort Smith Junior CollegeCommunity college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
, the institution operated within the Fort Smith public school system until 1950, when the school was incorporated as a private, nonprofit institution with its own governing board. In September 1952, the College moved from borrowed facilities in the high school to its current site, initially occupying 15 acres (60,702.9 m²).
During the private college era, enrollment increased, as did course offerings, the number of faculty, and facilities. A vocational-technical division was added in 1960. During this period, the college began developing the programs and character of a comprehensive community college — a new concept in Arkansas and across the nation.
In the fall of 1965, the Sebastian County electorate approved the creation of the Sebastian County Community Junior College District, along with a tax levy on the real and personal property of the county. The governor appointed a Board of Trustees, and the school again became a public institution.
In 1966, the institution’s name was changed from Fort Smith Junior College to Westark Junior College, and in 1972, to Westark Community College, indicating the larger area to be served and reflecting the more comprehensive mission.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the college developed and made changes within the context of its mission as a two-year institution. A significant development in 1989 was the establishment of a University Center. Five state universities partnered with the institution to offer six bachelor’s and seven master’s degree programs on campus. Between 1989 and 2002, 1,788 students graduated with bachelor’s degrees through the University Center.
The name of the college was changed yet again in February 1998 to Westark College, more accurately portraying the role and scope of the institution.
On December 15, 2000, the Board of Trustees of Westark College entered into an agreement with the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
to merge with the University of Arkansas System
University of Arkansas System
The University of Arkansas System comprises six main campuses within the state of Arkansas; a medical school; two law schools; a unique graduate school focused on public service; statewide research, service and educational units for agriculture, criminal justice and archeology; and several...
as a four-year institution. In 2001, the Sebastian County electorate voted to support the merger. A formal request to change affiliation status to that of a bachelor’s degree-granting institution under the name of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith was submitted to the Higher Learning Commission in August 2001 and approved by the Institutional Actions Council on November 19, 2001.
The merger, which became official on January 1, 2002, endorsed the concept of UAFS as a unique university, one that offers applied and traditional baccalaureate degree programs, one- and two-year associate and technical programs, and noncredit business and industry training programs.
Two core missions mark the institution today — a commitment to serving the greater Fort Smith region’s business and industry with quality training and education, and a commitment to become a full-service regional university that is a destination of choice for students.
In 2006 Arkansas state senator David Bisbee attempted to review the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith's legal status. Bisbee claimed he wanted to make sure the institution was in good legal standing.
In 2008 the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith raised tuition rates and service fees by more than 8%. Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Mark Horn said the raise was justified by the changing economic environment. University leaders stressed that UAFS is still one of the most inexpensive institutions in the region.
Colleges
- The College of Applied Science and Technology
- The College of Business
- The College of Education
- The College of Health Sciences
- The College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- The College of Languages and Communication
- The College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Art Galleries
The University houses three art galleries that are free and open to the public. The Mary Tinnin Jaye Gallery and the Sally Boreham Gallery are permanent displays that include works rendered in traditional media as well as digital prints and photographs. The Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center's Traveling Art Gallery features rotating exhibits.Arboretum
In cooperation with the Arkansas Forestry Commission, UAFS strives for excellence in "tree preservation, care, and planting, while at the same time developing an educational urban forestry awareness program and arboretum master plan." To this end, the University has made the entire campus an arboretumArboretum
An arboretum in a narrow sense is a collection of trees only. Related collections include a fruticetum , and a viticetum, a collection of vines. More commonly, today, an arboretum is a botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants intended at least partly for scientific study...
, with more than 69 species of trees mapped out by GPS technology.
Landscaping
Landscaping refers to any activity that modifies the visible features of an area of land, including:# living elements, such as flora or fauna; or what is commonly referred to as gardening, the art and craft of growing plants with a goal of creating a beautiful environment within the landscape.#...
and horticulture
Horticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
.
Awards
- The Ball Horticultural Company Floral Displays Champion - America in Bloom 2005 (AIB)
- Green Star Grand Award for the Best Maintained Landscape in the Nation - School or University Category - Professional Grounds Management Society 2003 (PGMS)
- Distinguished Service Award - Keep Arkansas Beautiful 2002 (KAB)
Reynolds Bell Tower
The Donald W. Reynolds Bell Tower was commissioned on May 21, 1993 and dedicated on September 22, 1995. The tower itself stands 108 in 10 in (33.17 m) tall and is a full seven stories. It is the largest free-standing belfry in the South Central United States and houses the largest installation of cast bronze bells on a college campus between Texas A & M and the University of Nebraska. At specific hours throughout the day, prerecorded and live carols are played throughout campus by the giant brass carillon of the tower. The Reynolds Bell Tower stands at the head of an expansive open space of green grass in the middle of campus known simply as "The Green". The area is often occupied by students studying, playing pick up sports games, or just lounging in the grass.Numa
In front of the Stubblefield Center, home of the Lions basketball and volleyball teams, is the newly-erected Numa statue. The statue is a 15 feet (4.6 m) long, bronze rendition of the University's mascot. The sculpture was unveiled on April 28, 2010, and is the largest statue of a leaping lion in the world.Campus Expansion
Beginning in the Fall of 2011, the University's Boreham Library will undergo a 40000 square feet (3,716.1 m²) expansion to the already existing 29000 square feet (2,694.2 m²) structure. The expansion will include seating for nearly 600 more students, 214 new computer stations, space for nearly 52,000 new volumes, and a 24-hour study lab for students.The addition will also house the Business and Entrepreneurship Research Center, a complex of high-tech teleconferencing spaces, conference rooms, online research facilities, mentoring and instructional rooms, team work rooms, and interactive presentation venues available for university and community use and devoted to advancing economic development in the region.
Athletics
College athletics
College athletics refers primarily to sports and athletic competition organized and funded by institutions of tertiary education . In the United States, college athletics is a two-tiered system. The first tier includes the sports that are sanctioned by one of the collegiate sport governing bodies...
as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) at the Division II level. The university is a member of the Heartland Conference
Heartland Conference
The Heartland Conference is an NCAA Division II college athletic conference founded in 1999. The majority of members are in Texas, with additional members in Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma.-Member schools:...
and sponsors men's sports, including: , baseball, basketball, cross country, golf and tennis; women's sports, including: basketball, cross country, golf, tennis, and volleyball. UAFS announced the addition of women's soccer for the 2012-13 academic year.
Competitive Status
In the fall of 2009, UAFS formally entered provisional NCAA Division II status. The “provisional” status was scheduled to be removed in 2010. However, on July 9, 2010, the University's membership application was rejected by the NCAA Division II Membership Committee, which led to the University filing an appeal. On July 8, 2011, the Univerisity was granted full NCAA Division II membership. Previously, the University competed in the National Junior College Athletic AssociationNational Junior College Athletic Association
The National Junior College Athletic Association , founded in 1938, is an association of community college and junior college athletic departments throughout the United States. It is held as Divisions and Regions. The current NJCAA holds 24 separate regions.-History:The idea for the NJCAA was...
(NJCAA).
Lions Men’s Basketball
- National ChampionsNJCAA Men's Division I Basketball ChampionshipNJCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championships it usually consists of 16 invited teams...
: 1981, 2006 - Region II Champions: 2001, 2002, 2006
- Bi-State Conference Champions: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Lions Women’s Basketball
- National Champions: 1995
- Region II Champions: 2004, 2005, 2006
- Bi-State Conference Champions: 2003
Lions Women’s Volleyball
- Region II Champions: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006
- Bi-State Conference Champions: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
The volleyball program also holds the distinction of being named an NJCAA Academic All-American Team seven years in a row (1999-2005).
Student Housing
The Sebastian Commons Apartments provide upperclassmen with a gated, on-campus housing community. The Commons has a 480-bed occupancy. The rooms are fully furnished and Wi-FiWi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
equipped. A traditional dorm-style residence hall with on-site dining, the Lion's Den, opened in August 2010 . In the fall of 2011, the University set aside two buildings in the Sebastian Commons for Greek Housing.
Greek Life
Greek Life at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith began in the Spring of 2007. The university now boasts seven Greek Organizations including three IFC Fraternities, two National Panhellinic Sororities, and two Multi-Cultural Sororities. Students in Greek Organizations are highly involved on campus boards and are noted leaders in campus activities. The All Greek GPA average has consistently been higher than the All Campus GPA since the appearance of Greek Life on campus. To date, students have participated in three annual "Greek Week" festivities and competitions. Kappa Alpha Order has won the overall award every year since its inception.Fraternities:
- Kappa Alpha OrderKappa Alpha OrderKappa Alpha Order is a social fraternity and fraternal order. Kappa Alpha Order has 124 active chapters, 3 provisional chapters, and 2 commissions...
- Sigma NuSigma NuSigma Nu is an undergraduate, college fraternity with chapters in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Sigma Nu was founded in 1869 by three cadets at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia...
- Kappa SigmaKappa SigmaKappa Sigma , commonly nicknamed Kappa Sig, is an international fraternity with currently 282 active chapters and colonies in North America. Kappa Sigma has initiated more than 240,000 men on college campuses throughout the United States and Canada. Today, the Fraternity has over 175,000 living...
- Pi Kappa AlphaPi Kappa AlphaPi Kappa Alpha is a Greek social fraternity with over 230 chapters and colonies and over 250,000 lifetime initiates in the United States and Canada.-History:...
- Pi Kappa PhiPi Kappa PhiPi Kappa Phi is an American social fraternity. It was founded by Andrew Alexander Kroeg, Jr., Lawrence Harry Mixson, and Simon Fogarty, Jr. on December 10, 1904 at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina...
Sororities:
- Delta GammaDelta GammaDelta Gamma is one of the oldest and largest women's fraternities in the United States and Canada, with its Executive Offices based in Columbus, Ohio.-History:...
- Gamma Phi BetaGamma Phi BetaGamma Phi Beta is an international sorority that was founded on November 11, 1874, at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. The term "sorority," meaning sisterhood, was coined for Gamma Phi Beta by Dr. Frank Smalley, a professor at Syracuse University.The four founders are Helen M. Dodge,...
- Gamma Eta
- Delta Sigma ThetaDelta Sigma ThetaDelta Sigma Theta is a non-profit Greek-lettered sorority of college-educated women who perform public service and place emphasis on the African American community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University...