University Ideals and Organization

The Meaning of a University

No great university is merely a reflection of the society in which it exists. It's a place where truth is freely sought, where inquiry is encouraged, where new ideas and new ways may develop and flourish at the expense of the old. It's a seedbed of change in an ever-changing society. An academic community grows only when its members may act and express themselves freely and without fear.

To preserve these basic concepts, certain rights and responsibilities must be established. These rights and responsibilities in no way limit the broader freedoms that are guaranteed to citizens in a free society.

University Government

Students shall be accorded the maximum opportunity, consistent with the efficient operation of the University, to participate in the making of policies and decisions that concern them.

Access to Higher Education

Students shall be free to express opinions and communicate ideas by publishing and distributing written materials, whether such publications be official or otherwise, subject only to federal, state, and local law.

The Learning Process

A free, effective educational process depends upon the available opportunities. It's the role of the instructor to encourage free discussion, inquiry, and expression in the classroom. It is the role of the students to be intellectually alert to information presented and to accept or reject that information, based on informed opinion, without fear of penalty. Students must be evaluated solely on the basis of academic performance and must be graded in a manner that reflects a good faith judgment of their work. To secure a fair evaluation, it is the responsibility of every student to develop intellectually within the legitimate confines of each course.

Freedom of Expression

Higher education is a vehicle for the social and economic advancement of the individuals in a democracy. The University of Arkansas will always admit qualified students, and students may use University facilities and services regardless of age, disability, ethnic origin, marital status, race, religious commitment, sex, or sexual orientation. (See Campus Council statement on page 309.)

Freedom of Association and Inquiry

Students are free to form and/or join any association that interests them. Students are free to examine and discuss, individually and collectively, all questions of interest to them, including questions relating to University actions or policies. They may express opinions on such subjects both publicly and privately. University officials may not abridge the right of students to petition for redress or grievances.

Freedom of Assembly

Students, as citizens of the University community, possess the right to assemble, discuss issues, distribute literature, circulate petitions, and make use of campus bulletin boards for the purpose of promoting and publicizing activities or causes subject to the provisions stated in Rights and Responsibilities and to procedures respecting the use of University facilities and policies regarding outside speakers. When a student or a student organization wishes to participate in a scheduled University or student sponsored program, activity, or event, permission must be obtained from the sponsoring group prior to the program.

Administrative Organization

The Board of Trustees has the legal control and responsibility function for the multi-campus University of Arkansas. Meetings of the Board of Trustees are scheduled at least bimonthly. The Board of Trustees is composed of ten members appointed by the Governor for staggered 10-year terms and has constitutional status.

The President is the chief executive officer of the University and is responsible to the Board of Trustees. The Chancellor is the chief executive officer on the Fayetteville campus and reports to the President. Four Vice Chancellors on the Fayetteville campus are responsible to the Chancellor for their respective areas. They are the Vice Chancellors for Student Affairs, University Advancement, Academic Affairs, and Finance and Administration. Deans are the chief administrative officials of the various colleges and schools. Deans, directors, and other administrative officials are responsible to the appropriate Vice Chancellors or directly to the Chancellor for the discharge of duties and responsibilities placed on them.

Campus Governance

"The Articles of Local Campus Government for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville," were adopted by the Board of Trustees as Board Policy 810.1,and appear in the Faculty Handbook. The University has a long tradition of student participation in campus governance. Some important elements of the governance structure are briefly outlined here.

The Campus Faculty has responsibility for all matters of academic concern under the Board of Trustees, including admission requirements, curriculum and courses, degrees and requirements for degrees, calendar and schedule, award of honors and honorary degrees, student affairs, and interpretation of its own legislation and policies. The Campus Faculty also makes recommendations to the Chancellor, the President, and Board of Trustees on other institutional matters of concern to faculty.

The Campus Faculty refers initiated legislation to the Campus Council for formulation and action. It also forms standing and ad hoc committees as necessary to carry out its function. Current standing Campus Faculty committees are as follows:

Academic Advisory Council on Undergraduate Curriculum

Academic Standards

Admission and Transfer of Credit

All-University Judiciary

Artists and Concerts

Athletics

Commencement

Committee on Committees

Continuing Education

Distinguished Lecturers

Faculty Orientation

Financial Advisory

General Education Core Curriculum

Honorary Degrees

Library

Nominating and Election Coordinating

Student Financial Aid

Student Honors, Awards, and Convocations

Student Relations

Tenure

All campus faculty committees except the tenure committee have student representatives, whose nominations are made through the Associated Student Government.

The Campus Council, composed of faculty, staff, administrative, and student representatives, exercises general legislative powers under the Board of Trustees and subject to review by the Campus Faculty. All legislation initiated by the Campus Faculty, the Staff Senate, and the Student Senate is referred to the Campus Council for formulation and action. The Campus Council may advise Vice Chancellors, the Chancellor, and the Board of Trustees through the President on any matters of concern to the Council.

The Campus Council utilizes standing committees of the Campus Faculty, and constitutes ad hoc committees as necessary for items not under the purview of a standing committee. Such committees include student members except where clearly inappropriate.

Administrative Committees are appointed by and report to the Chancellor or vice chancellors, as appropriate, and have three principal functions: to recommend policy, to recommend operating procedures and practices, and to recommend adjudications of conflicts or competing needs. The committees may have faculty, non-academic staff, and student members. Student members are recommended by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs from nominees submitted by the Associated Student Government. Students are appointed for a one-year term, and may succeed themselves.

Current Administrative Councils and Committees include the
following:

Academic Development Office Review Committee

Arkansas Union Governing Board

Biosafety Committee

Calendar Committee

Campus Building Facilities Committee

Campus Landscape and Grounds Committee

Campus Radio Station Board

Catastrophic Leave Committee

Computing Activities Council

Emergency Preparedness Council

English as a Second Language

Fringe Benefits Committee

Greek Academic Standards Board

Health and Occupational Safety Council

HPER Building Advisory Committee

Human Relations Committee

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Institutional Review Board

International Programs and Services Committee

Patent and Copyright Committee

Public Safety Council

Publications Committee

Radiation Safety Committee

Registration and Class Scheduling Systems Coordinating Committee

Research Council

Residence Life and Dining Services Review Board

R.O.T.C. Programs Committee

SAFARI Committee

Student Fee Review Board

Student Publications Board

Teaching and Faculty Support Center Advisory Committee

Toxic Substances Committee

Traffic Appeals Court

Transit, Parking, and Traffic Committee

University Health Service Advisory Committee

University Honors Council

The duties and functions of the Campus Faculty Committees as well as Administrative Committees are in the Faculty Handbook, which may be found online at http://pigtrail.uark.edu/pubs/FacultyHandbook/.

The Associated Student Government (ASG) provides important services to the University community and is an integral part of governance on the campus. ASG has four executive officers selected in campus-wide elections and approximately 100 senators elected on a residential basis.

Operation of the Associated Student Government is guided by the ASG Constitution, the ASG Code, and the Rules Committee Regulations, all of which are published in the Code Book. Reference copies of the Code Book are available for examination by students or other interested parties in the Office for Student Involvement & Leadership or the ASG Office.

ASG addresses student concerns and involvement in the university community through responsible activism and specific initiatives. ASG Senate has responsibility for various legislative functions including funding recommendations, and initiates campus-wide legislation based on student concerns. Students who want to be involved in ASG activities may apply at the ASG office in ARKU A669 or call575-5205.

Other student organizations that represent living groups and are an integral part of student government are the Residents' Interhall Congress (RIC), the Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Panhellenic Council, and the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC).

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The Office of University Relations
800 Hotz Hall
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
(501) 575-5555
urelinfo@cavern.uark.edu