HISTORY

The University of Arkansas was established at Fayetteville in 1871. It opened its doors to students on January 22, 1872.

There were few facilities and practically no money for the beginning of that first academic year more than a century ago, but the new institution had a distinct advantage which has been of increasing importance throughout the years. It was established under provisions of the Morrill Act as both the State University and the Land-Grant College of Arkansas. This gave the new university an academic heritage from universities of the past and at the same time bestowed the educational responsibilities in "agriculture and mechanic arts" as envisioned by Senator Justin Smith Morrill of Vermont. The Morrill Act set aside federal land-grant money to help states in their efforts to establish programs of higher education.

The location of Fayetteville for the University was determined by elections held throughout the state for the purpose of voting bonds or subscriptions to establish the University. The largest bid came from the County of Washington and the City of Fayetteville for a combined total of $130,000. To this amount and the Congressional land grant of 150,000 acres, the state added an appropriation of $50,000 for the benefit of the institution.

The 160-acre homestead of William McIlroy was selected as the campus site and purchased for $12,000. The McIlroy home was converted into classrooms, and a new two-story frame building was constructed with one classroom on each floor.

From a small beginning of eight students and three faculty members on the opening day of classes, the University of Arkansas has developed into a mature institution with eight schools and colleges. It is the major center in Arkansas for graduate-level instruction as well as basic and applied research. In addition, its public service activities reach every county in Arkansas.

LOCATION

All units of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, except those indicated below, are located in Fayetteville, a community of more than 50,000 residents in Washington County, situated in the northwestern part of the state in the heart of the Ozark Mountains at an elevation of 1,400 feet. The surroundings are of great natural beauty, and the climate of the region is pleasant in all seasons.

The academic units on the Fayetteville campus include eight colleges and schools: the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, the School of Architecture, the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business Administration, the College of Education and Health Professions, the College of Engineering, the School of Law, and the Graduate School.

The state office of the Cooperative Extension Service is located in Little Rock. The Division of Agriculture's Experiment Station operates the Main Station located in Fayetteville; research programs in the Division of Agriculture at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Arkansas State University, and the department of forestry at the University of Arkansas at Monticello; four research and extension centers, and 10 outlying stations.