George Whit Ables

The meeting agenda included several key items for action. Discussions covered a resolution of appreciation for Michael Stanton, approval regarding the reimbursement of expenses for official board duties per Board Policy No. 211, and authorization for conducting extracurricular camps under Board Policy No. 653, detailing participating programs and facilities. The Board reviewed a proposed property acquisition of 113 Baridon Street in Conway, Arkansas. Additionally, the Board considered a recommendation for the Distinguished Faculty Emeritus Award for Dr. John Passe-Smith and approved proposed changes to the academic calendars for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 periods. Notifications were also presented regarding the introduction of a new BA in Applied Economics (replacing the BA in Economics), a new BS in Electrical Engineering, and a new BS in Robotics Engineering.

Key discussion points included reports on campus and enrollment updates, the ACCESS Bill compliance status, and a financial report. In the action agenda, the board unanimously approved a Resolution of Appreciation for Trustee Michael Stanton's service as chair in 2025, highlighting significant university progress during that time. The board also approved expense reimbursement guidelines for official duties for 2026 as per Board Policy No. 211. Furthermore, the administration received authorization to enter into agreements for various extracurricular camps under Board Policy No. 653. The board approved the purchase of a property located at 113 Baridon Street, Conway, Arkansas. The status of Distinguished Faculty Emeritus was unanimously approved for retired professor Dr. John Passe-Smith. Finally, the board approved the proposed academic calendars and critical dates for Fall 2026 through Summer 2028, authorizing the administration to make minor adjustments. Notifications included the replacement of the BA in Economics with a new BA in Applied Economics, and the proposal for new BS degrees in Electrical Engineering and Robotics Engineering.

The administration sought board approval, as required by Board Policy No. 416 for contracts exceeding $500,000, for entering into a contract with the Conway Development Corporation. The resolution adopted authorizes the administration to execute the contract. The contract involves leasing approximately 70,800 square feet of building space for the UCA Innovation Campus, which will integrate academic, industry, and community resources for regional workforce development and applied research. The initial contract term is for three years, commencing July 1, 2026, with an initial first-year cost of approximately $1,395,000, escalating by three percent annually, and includes options for two additional four-year extensions.

The board addressed several key agenda items. The administration requested authority to proceed with a feasibility study for issuing bonds, not to exceed $10,520,000, to fund the Campus District Loop & Hydronics Refresh Project, which includes constructing a new chiller plant and upgrading building systems for energy efficiency. Resolutions were adopted to authorize proceeding with planning for the bond issue and to express intent to reimburse pre-issuance costs from bond proceeds. The board also discussed the repayment structure via Education and General (E&G) funds and the required facility fee increase. Additionally, the board approved the deletion of two concentrations from the BS in Exercise Science degree: Clinical Exercise Science and Pre-Athletic Training, due to curriculum changes and lack of student demand. An executive session was held to consider personnel matters, though no action was taken upon returning to open session.

The meeting addressed several key administrative and financial matters. Key discussions included an update on the Multipurpose Arena Feasibility Study and a formal review of Contract Review Procedures, leading to the authorization of contracts with Teamworks Innovations, Inc. (for athletic department support) and Massey Properties (for upper-class student housing leases). The Board unanimously approved the October Revised Base Operating Budget for FY 2025-26, increasing the total budget by $121,566, primarily from the Education Excellence Trust Fund. Furthermore, the Board accepted the audit report for fiscal year 2024, which contained no findings. Board elections for 2026 officers and committee members were held, including the election of new committee members for the Strategic Planning Committee, Audit and Finance Committee, and Foundation Board. Notifications were provided regarding a name change for a concentration within the BS in Environmental Science and the deletion of the Data Science Concentration from the BS in Computer Science. The session concluded with an executive session to discuss personnel matters.