A raise in tuition was approved by the UCA Board of Trustees at their meeting in the Board of Trustees Conference Room in Wingo Hall March 10, 2019.
The tuition was increased by $9.57 per credit hour for undergraduate students, raising the hourly tuition rate to $227. For graduate students, tuition was increased by $11.75 per credit hour, making the new hourly tuition rate $278.80.
This 4.99% rise in tuition for undergraduate students and 4.88% rise for graduate students will go to education and general expenses, auxiliary services, a cost of living adjustment for faculty and staff, and faculty promotions and advancement. The technology refresh, facility maintenance and debt, and student success initiatives will also be funded through the rise in tuition.
This new tuition would put UCA just behind UALR, making it the second highest tuition in the state.
The continuation of the Greek Village project was also brought up during the meeting. Greek Village Phase II was approved, adding two new Greek houses on the East side of Donaghey on property that the UCA foundation will lease for 30 years with 4.5% interest. They will also sign a 25-year lease agreement with the seven participating fraternities, which raised over $3M.
The Lewis Science Center Annex was also approved and will add 9,000 square feet of space for five new classrooms.
The UCA Bear CLAWS awards were also handed out during the meeting. CLAWS stands for Celebrating the Lofty Achievements of our Wonderful Students.
The first recipients were student members of Bear Boots on the Ground. Members senior Nato Silue and junior Caleb Varner accepted the award on the group’s behalf. Chloe Spellmann, Adrienne Thompson II and Itzel Velazquez also received awards.
In other business, the Board of Trustees heard the Student Government Association’s first annual report. Joshua Eddinger-Lucero, the former SGA president, gave the report in place of SGA President Rose McGarrity.
The 30-page document explained the SGA’s various feats throughout the school year. In the report, Eddinger-Lucero highlighted important events such as SGA’s role in bringing free feminine products to campus and in partnering with the psychology department and mental health center to bring a guest speaker for students.
During the President’s Update, President Houston Davis said UCA has been recognized as the most beautiful campus in Arkansas and ranks number 26 – the highest in Arkansas – in top public schools in the South.
“We are very fortunate to be located in Conway and Conway is very fortunate to have us – the two go hand in hand,” Davis said.