The Arkansas ACCESS Bill has created debate over student rights, access to financial aid for undocumented students and freedom of expression on college campuses. 

ACCESS, which stands for acceleration, common sense, cost, eligibility, scholarships and standardization, passed March 17. 

The bill introduces new restrictions on certain forms of student speech, while also expanding in-state tuition and financial aid eligibility for undocumented students and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. 

The bill aims to place restrictions on certain forms of student speech, raising concerns among representatives, educators and students. 

While supporters of the bill argue that it promotes campus order and prevents disruptions, critics warn that it may infringe upon First Amendment rights. 

Access will introduce stricter regulations on student protests, demonstrations and classroom discussions. It seeks to prevent what lawmakers describe as “disruptive conduct” that interferes with the learning environment. 

This bill will prohibit students from protesting that can disrupt campus operations, restrict certain topics from being discussed in classroom settings under the guise of preventing “divisive concepts” and allow administrative bodies – in higher education – to take disciplinary action against students or faculty who violate these restrictions.

“There are some worrisome aspects of the bill,” said Arkansas Representative Steve Magie. “There are no excused absences for student protest. This will have a quelling effect. They did amend the bill to allow districts to develop rules as to how protest will be allowed with an excused absence. Still, this borders on being unconstitutional. You can’t suppress free speech.” 

Advocates for the bill claim it will help ensure that classrooms remain spaces for learning rather than political activism. 

The bill’s other major provision expands access to in-state tuition and financial aid for undocumented students and DACA recipients. 

Under this part of the bill, eligible students who have attended and graduated from an Arkansas high school or earned a GED in the state may qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities. 

By addressing financial barriers to higher education, the bill aims to create more equitable student opportunities while strengthening the state’s workforce through increased college enrollment and degree attainment. 

Access would allow eligible undocumented students, including DACA recipients, to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities across the state. Under current law, undocumented students are often required to pay out-of-state tuition, which can be significantly more expensive. 

The bill aims to level the playing field by granting in-state tuition rates to students who meet specific residency and education requirements. 

To qualify, students must have attended and graduated from an Arkansas high school or earned a GED in the state.

Additionally, They must have resided in Arkansas for a designated period of time before applying for colleges. 

The bill does not provide state financial aid to undocumented students but significantly reduces tuition costs for those who meet the criteria. 

President Davis said in a Campus Talk, March 20, that while these changes may be seen on other campuses, UCA will not be impacted by this bill. 

“I’ve said to a number of folks, broadly speaking, nothing that was included in the Access Bill was going to fundamentally alter anything we’re doing on a day to day basis here,” Houston Davis, UCA president said. 

Davis said situations like these “may be happening in other universities and in other states and other systems, but they’re not necessarily happening at UCA or in Arkansas.” 

Davis then said that UCA does not accept scholarships or grants like the proposed scholarships and financial aid in the bill.