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Q: What are the potential advantages of EACC joining the University of Arkansas System?
A: Becoming a member college of the UA System would allow our students and employees to have access to more educational opportunities and resources. We anticipate being able to provide students and our community with an even stronger institution that will continue to focus on career preparation, skilled trades training, transfer opportunities, and other educational and professional resources that will strengthen our institution and assist it in achieving its mission.
EACC will benefit from shared support in areas such as legal, investment/finance, benefits, and government relations, including advice and representation provided by expert, experienced higher education professionals. EACC will have an established presence in Little Rock and at the state capitol through the UA System office. We will also enhance our brand by being affiliated with the largest and most-respected higher education brand in the state.
These additions would strengthen EACC, while allowing it to maintain its commitment to the local communities we serve and assist the College in better carrying out our mission.
Q. Why does the UA System want EACC as a member college?
A: The UA System's mission is to reach as many Arkansans as possible with its world-class higher education and professional opportunities. The System maintains a collaborative and selective posture toward finding quality partnerships to expand its reach. The System views EACC as an effective partner to expand its educational footprint and fulfill its land-grant mission to serve all of Arkansas.
Q: Would EACC's mission change as a result of a system affiliation?
A: No. EACC is fully supported by the UA System in its mission and vision: We provide affordable, accessible learning opportunities to promote student success and strengthen our community. Through our service as an academic and economic leader, we empower students and our community to succeed through business and industry partnerships, cultural enrichment, and educational programming. This will not change.
Q: Would EACC's focus on the local community change?
A: No. The UA System has many member colleges and each serves its own communities in the way that most benefits its unique constituency.
Q: Would EACC be able to maintain its institutional identity and local management?
A: Yes. The College will have its own logo and maintain its local focus. The chief administrative officer of the campus will continue to be the President, Dr. Cathie Cline. EACC will continue to manage its own budget and personnel matters under her leadership. However, her title will change to Chancellor, and she will report to the President of the system, Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt. The EACC Board of Trustees will remain the same but will become a Board of Visitors that makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas and advises the EACC Chancellor on matters such as budgeting, academic programming, and other issues for which it currently provides guidance. EACC will continue to have its own appropriations and funding sources.
Q: What are examples of some of the benefits of being a member of the University of Arkansas System?
A: An example of a student benefit is a special transfer scholarship allowing students to transfer to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and pay the same tuition they were paying at EACC. An example of an employee benefit is a tuition discount at system universities and access to benefits savings through a network of UAMS providers. An example of an institutional administrative benefit is access to high quality legal, financial, and regulatory advice. An example of a community benefit is the ability to establish closer connections and more strategic partnerships with UA System colleges, universities, divisions, and units, including the Division of Agriculture, UAMS, and others.
Q: How quickly would joining the UA System occur?
A: Joining the UA System is a process rather than an event that could take up to one year. Broadly, the steps are reaching an agreement that is approved by both boards of trustees and approval by EACC's accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Once both boards of trustees approve an agreement, the process begins in earnest. Students, faculty, and staff will have the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback during the process and participate in planning. The transition will evolve as details arise and are discussed and addressed. Final completion of the process of becoming a member college is contingent upon a vote by HLC. We hope to receive this approval by March of 2025, although it could occur earlier.
Q: Would system membership change degrees, programs, or classes? Will any programs close as a result of joining the UA System?
A: Any changes will be for the better! Students will have access to additional transfer opportunities and resources. The exceptional instruction currently provided by EACC will continue. It is not anticipated that any degree program will be discontinued as a result of becoming a system member.
Q: Will a student's education cost more if EACC is part of the UA System? Who will set tuition rates?
A: Tuition and fees are not expected to increase as a result of joining the System. EACC will continue to have its own tuition and fee structure that is determined each year based on the cost of programming and budgetary needs. The local Board of Visitors will advise the College administration on tuition matters. We are proud to offer an outstanding education that is both affordable and accessible and will continue to do so. We are fully supported by the UA System in these efforts.
Q: How could this impact students who plan to continue their education at a four-year institution after graduating from EACC? Would students be required to transfer to a UA System school?
A: Students would not be required to transfer to a UA System institution. Becoming a member of the UA System will not negatively impact an EACC student's ability to transfer to any university, in-state, out-of-state, public, or private. The articulation agreements currently existing are expected to remain, and we hope to add more as a result of joining the UA System. Courses currently designated as part of the Arkansas Course Transfer System will continue and transfer equivalencies for individual courses at specific four-year institutions will remain in place. However, for those students wishing to attend the University of Arkansas, students will have access to additional transfer scholarship opportunities that are not currently available.
Students who do not wish to pursue transfer to a UA institution will not be required to do so. EACC is proud that universities across the state recruit our students and these universities will continue to seek them out.
Q: Will the concurrent credit or secondary career center change?
A: No. These successful programs would continue and changes would not be required due to membership in the UA System. The UA system appreciates and fully supports EACC's mission to prepare high school students for the workforce or for transfer.
Q: Where will students graduate from? What will the diplomas say?
A: EACC will continue to remain a certificate- and degree-granting institution. Diplomas would continue to have the institution's name on them.
Q: Will this affect a student's financial aid?
A: No. EACC would continue to remain a certificate and degree-granting institution with its own unique federal ID number.
Q: Will this affect EACC's Fine Arts Center series?
A: No. EACC would continue to bring exceptional performances to its Fine Arts Center. The UA System encourages EACC in its mission to provide cultural enrichment of the highest quality.
Q: Will EACC get to keep its Delta Dragon?
A: Absolutely! We will continue to have our own mascot. In fact, the UA System thinks the Delta Dragon is a great mascot!
Q: Would an affiliation with UA System cause any reductions in staffing at EACC?
A: No. Reductions in staffing are not anticipated as a result of joining the UA System. Additional opportunities related to leave, access to healthcare, and other employee programs would be available as a result of being a member of the System. EACC President Dr. Cathie Cline would continue in her role as the chief administrative officer of the College, managing all employees and making decisions regarding personnel.
Q: Will EACC's administration change as a result of joining the UA System?
A: No. Joining the system would not require any changes to the administrative team. EACC's administration will continue to manage the campus under Dr. Cline's leadership.
Q: What other institutions are part of the UA System?
A: The UA System is the largest education system in Arkansas, with 21 member campuses, divisions and units that touches every county in the state. Although many of us immediately think of the University of Arkansas and the Razorbacks, the UA System is far more extensive and includes a diverse and unique mix of member institutions, allowing EACC greater access to an incredibly broad range of resources.
However, being a member of the UA System may make calling the Hogs a little more meaningful to some people, and if so, that's great!
Current campuses and units are (www.uasys.edu):
Universities:
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
University of Arkansas at Monticello
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith
University of Arkansas Grantham
Two-Year Colleges:
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas Community College at Hope-Texarkana
University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
University of Arkansas Community College at Rich Mountain
University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College
Other Units:
Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts
University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service
The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute
Q: Would EACC receive additional money from the UA System or will it cost to become a member?
A: Joining the UA System would not bring any additional funding to the campus as a direct result; however, it would allow EACC to become part of a much larger group that is able to negotiate lower prices for many goods and services based upon its buying and borrowing power. There is a very reasonable charge to each campus to cover the legal, fiscal, and other resources available to us through the UA System. However, the value of these services exceeds the cost.
Q: Would affiliating with the UA System change the EACC Foundation?
A: No. The local EACC Foundation will continue. However, the foundation may elect to utilize the investment advice and opportunities provided by the UA foundation in order to help its investments grow, if it so chooses.
Q: I have other questions. Who should I contact?
A: Click here to submit a question.
Tentative System Membership Timeline
February 28, 2024 - EACC Board of Trustees meets. If they approve, then the next step is for the agreement to come before the UA BOT for their approval.
March 12-13 - UA BOT meets. They must approve the agreement for the process to go forward.
March-June - HLC application process; due diligence documents; other approvals, amendments, or refinements as needed.
August 26-27, 2024 - HLC Institutional Actions Council meets.
November 7-8, 2024 - HLC Board of Trustees meets; decision letter takes up to 30 days.
Early 2025 - required legislation as needed.
March 2025 - estimated closing date.
