STUDENT SERVICES

The University has many programs and services geared to meet the various needs that students may have while they are on the Fayetteville campus. They range from the services that every student requires such as food, housing, and books, to the special needs of minority groups, the handicapped, or those with specific health or academic problems.

Services for International Students

The International Programs Office assists international students and scholars in meeting their personal and educational goals while at the University of Arkansas. The office provides an orientation for newly admitted international students each semester including the Peer Educator Program, which offers one-on-one contact and group activities for new international students during their first semester on campus in an effort to assist them in their adjustment to both the academic and local communities. The office also provides immigration advising, workshops, retreats, programs and a support network to help them make their time at the University productive and enjoyable. The office is located in Holcombe Hall, Room 104.

The office administers a Friendship Family Program, a Language Partner Program and a Speakers' Bureau. These programs give students the opportunity to learn about American life, while the campus and local communities also learn from the students about other cultures.

The International Students Organization is a cultural organization for American and international students. Its activities include annual projects such as the international bazaar, international banquet and welcome parties. In addition, there are presently 18 other cultural organizations which provide activities for specific country or cultural groups.

Services for International Sponsored Students

The International Agricultural Programs Office (IAP) offers a program to sponsors of international students to facilitate the admission, support, and return home of sponsored students. IAP, on request, will coordinate admission, third-party billing, housing, special orientation, academic monitoring and reporting, sponsors' campus consultations, and travel arrangements. Full program description and management fees are available through IAP, 300 Hotz Hall; telephone 501-575-6857 or FAX 501-575-5055.

Judicial Affairs

The judicial system at the University of Arkansas provides a just and equitable process for dealing with alleged infractions by students of University rules, regulations, and/or laws. This system is informal and non-adversarial, and is intended to be part of the total educative process of the University. Students are encouraged to make responsible decisions and to be accountable for their actions. Peer review is an integral part of the process, and membership on the judicial boards is comprised mostly of students.

The Judicial Coordinator, located in the Arkansas Union, advises students, faculty, and staff on matters related to student discipline and the judicial process.

For more information, see the Student Judicial System in the Catalog of Studies.

Multicultural Student Services

The Office of Multicultural Student Services, located in the Arkansas Union, provides counseling, assistance, and referral information to minority students. The office staff seeks to provide for the social, cultural, and academic presence of minority students, as well as faculty and staff members. The staff assists in the area of retention and programming in addition to serving as a liaison between the University and its academic departments for the implementation of effective and meaningful multicultural programs.

Services for Disabled Students

All services, programs, and activities at the University are accessible to students with disabilities. The Office for Campus Access, located in the Arkansas Union, offers specific information on disabilities, campus services, and related resources. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to attend new student orientation on the date recommended by the Office for Campus Access whenever possible.

Accommodations provided for students are based on individual need. For further information, call 575-3104.

Non-Traditional Students

Increasing numbers of older students and other "non-traditional" students are attending the University. A non-traditional student is defined as one who is 25 years of age or older, one who has interrupted his or her education, or one who has dependents. Recent figures indicate that more than twenty-six percent of UA students are over 25 years of age.

The Office for Non-Traditional Students (ONTS) is dedicated to providing support and services that meet the unique needs of non-traditional students. The office provides an information resource center, assistance with University procedures, referrals to campus and community resources, and workshops on topics of interest to non-traditional students. ONTS is located in the Arkansas Union, telephone 575-4200.

In addition, several Student Services areas are providing programs for older students. Orientation has two summer sessions for transfer and adult students. Carlson Terrace and Terrace Manor apartments provide low-cost housing for student families; special wings in residence halls are set aside for older students. Residence Dining Services offer individual meals or meal ticket programs for off-campus students. Career Services has extended office hours beyond 4:30 p.m. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides a number of workshops and support groups designed to meet the special needs of adult learners. Information on child care services is available in the Office for Non-Traditional Students.

Services for Students with Children

There are two services administered by the School of Human Environmental Sciences that can benefit young children whose parents are students at the U of A.

The Infant Development Center, located at 536 N. Leverett, provides care for children age three months to three years. At least one parent must be a U of A student and priority is given to undergraduate parents, single parents, and families where both parents are students.

The Nursery School, located in the Home Economics Building, provides care for children from the entire community who are between the ages of three to five years.

Enrollment in each of the programs is limited and no provision is made to accommodate "drop-ins." For costs and other information, call the School of Human Environmental Sciences at 575-4306.

Special Projects and Services Group

The Special Projects and Services Group, in the Division of Student Services, provides a variety of services to students and potential students of the University. In addition to testing services, other programs include tutoring, academic monitoring and cultural enrichment activities. Several programs provide academic enrichment and career-directed activities for participants. The programs that make up this unit are Educational Talent Search, Multicultural Center, Testing Services, Student Support Services, Upward Bound, Veterans Upward Bound, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.), and Y.O.U. Follow-up.

Career Services and Cooperative Education

The staff of the Career Services and Cooperative Education Office provides a comprehensive career development program designed to meet the needs of University students, alumni and faculty. This department provides individual and group career advising sessions; a one-hour credit career course; workshops on resume preparation, interviews, and job search techniques; vocational testing; and a career library. Programs such as the Part-time Job Referral Service assist students in obtaining valuable work experience while they are in school. Cooperative Education enables students to earn academic credit while working full-time or part-time in a paid, professional position related to the student's chosen career field.

Approximately 100 companies and organizations visit the campus each year to interview graduating students for full-time positions. On-campus recruiting is scheduled through this office during the spring and fall semesters. In addition, students can make employment contacts at the annual Career and Summer Job Fairs. Alumni may also receive career assistance by subscribing to an Alumni Vacancy Listing and participating in a registry by which their résumé is referred to requesting employers. Publications are also available to students informing them about academic programs, careers, employment trends, and salary data.

For further information, contact Career Services and Cooperative Education, 411 Arkansas Union, telephone (479) 575-2805.

University Health Center

The University Health Center provides medical and mental health care, and is an advocate and resource for health promotion and education for students, spouses of students, and employees of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

The Health Center offers the following services: outpatient medical care; an allergy clinic; international travel immunizations; a women's health clinic; sports medicine; Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS); substance abuse prevention; health education classes and programs; clinical laboratory, x-ray, and pharmacy. The medical staff is comprised of six board-certified physicians. The professional staff also includes full-time nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses; health educators, psychiatrists, a psychologist, counselors, psychiatric social workers, registered lab and x-ray technicians, and licensed pharmacists.

Students taking six hours of course credit or more in any semester pay a semester health fee which covers professional office visit charges. Students taking fewer than six hours a semester and student spouses may pay the health fee on an optional basis.

The University strongly recommends that all students have health insurance. A policy endorsed by the Associated Student Government is available to all students, student spouses, and their dependent children. Students may enroll in this plan at the Student Health Insurance Office at the University Health Center.

Residence Life and Dining Services

Residence Life and Dining Services serves the University of Arkansas and the community at large by providing quality living, dining, and learning programs in an ethical, professional, and financially responsible manner.

Each residence hall has a resident director or Head Resident Director chosen for their academic credentials, their interest in helping others, and their ability to work well with college students. Every area or floor is staffed by a resident assistant (RA), an upperclass student with training, experience, and knowledge to answer questions, and more importantly, help students find their own answers. Full time, master's degree level, residence life professionals called area coordinators live on campus with responsibility for three to six residence halls. Access to halls is provided by use of electronic card readers which allow only residents of that building and escorted guests to enter. Residential living includes several options: apartments for non-traditional students and families; and male, female, graduate, and co-ed residence halls. Rooms are available for visually and hearing impaired students as well as those who are physically challenged. Special interest living options are also available for students whose interests are: wellness, honors programs, global issues, architecture, and engineering areas.

The dining facilities provide a natural setting for socializing with friends and enjoying a wide variety of high quality, nutritious meals. Each of the three separate dining facilities located on campus is managed by a professional staff. Students living in residence halls have several meal plans available. All students living in the residence halls are required to have a meal plan except students living in Futrall or residing in summer school housing.

Arkansas Union

The Arkansas Union serves as the community center of the University for all members of the college family. The Union provides services, conveniences, and amenities to the campus community. Included in the Union are meeting, reception, and banquet rooms; lounges; a games room; a ballroom; a theater; a video theater; and an art gallery. Food service is provided at a cafeteria providing hot foods, Mexican specialties, baked goods, soups, and salads. Food is also provided by a snack bar, a pizza shop, a frozen yogurt and submarine sandwich shop, and by a complete catering operation. In addition, the Union houses the University Bookstore, a U.S. Post Office, a hair salon, the Quick Copy Center, the Razorback Shop, a computer store, and a travel agency. For reservations, catering information or additional information concerning Union services call 575-2146.

The Arkansas Union is the center of much student activity and is a perfect place to get involved on campus. The Campus Activities Center provides space and resources for student organizations. Many student events are provided by University Programs. These activities are planned, organized and presented almost totally by students. Typical programs are major concerts, symposium speakers, theater production, video programs, fine arts programs and art gallery exhibits.

The I.D. Card system, the Razorbuck$ program, and the Information Center are administered by the Arkansas Union. Offices for Student Services, Associated Student Government, Career Services, Campus Access and other programs are located in the Union.

Office for Student Involvement and Leadership

Office for Student Involvement and Leadership, located on the fifth floor of the Arkansas Union, is the central location for student organizations and activities for the University of Arkansas. The main goal for the Office for Student Involvement and Leadership is to provide all students with opportunities for involvement and to enable students to learn and practice leadership and management skills which complement classroom learning. Office for Student Involvement and Leadership is responsible for the oversight and administration of three major areas:

Registered Student Organizations

Student organizations, including living groups, must register annually with Campus Activities. This registration information is kept on file to assist students and administrators in learning more about particular organizations. Office for Student Involvement and Leadership provides student organizations with assistance and services to help them succeed, including the annual Student Involvement Fair, facility reservation and fund-raising forms, mailboxes, lockers and file space. Office for Student Involvement and Leadership also assists student organizations in event planning and presentation. Limited office space in the Arkansas Union is awarded annually to organizations by the Union Governing Board.

Leadership Development Office

The Leadership Development Office (LDO) is designed to help students gain and refine leadership and management skills. Several programs, developed by a Leadership Advisory Committee, are offered free of charge to students. Some require an application and/or a small fee. Programs include: Emerging Leaders, Leadership Conferences, the Leadership Resource Area, and the Student Development Transcript. The Volunteer Action Center, a part of the LDO, serves as a clearinghouse of information to enable willing volunteers to provide service in the community. The staff is available to assist students in planning for training needs and to serve as presenters on various leadership topics.

University Programs

University Programs is a volunteer student organization responsible for coordinating and planning over 350 events annually for the campus community. Office for Student Involvement and Leadership staff serve as advisers to University Programs.

University Programs provides University of Arkansas students with cultural and educational experiences, entertainment and fun. Eight committees, committee chairpersons and two executive officers select, schedule and produce events such as concerts, movies, lectures, fine arts performances, gallery exhibits and much more for the U of A community. University Programs provides excellent opportunities to develop leadership skills and to gain practical experiences in a variety of areas.

Some annual events include Merchants' Fair, Welcome Week, Make a Difference Day, Academic Festival, and Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.