Director: Dr. Rachel Eikenberry
Associate Directors: Emery Gower and Allison Hayes
Number of staff members: 9
Number of student staff members: 3 graduate assistants
Office location: Pomfret Hall – B110 across from Adohi Hall
What does your department do?
The Office of Student Accountability is committed to promoting a safe, healthy, and inclusive community where students can pursue their academic endeavors and grow into productive global citizens. This is accomplished through the investigation, adjudication, and sanctioning as it relates to the behavioral standards as outlined in the Code of Student Life.
Tell us about your programs and/or a signature event:
The OSA is a service-oriented office. The primary services that we provide are:
- Provide students with an equitable, educational, and consistent student conduct process
- To educate students about their rights and responsibilities as members of the University of Arkansas Community
- Provide sanction opportunities that support the education and development of students that embrace the norms and values of the University of Arkansas
- Promote personal responsibility and peer accountability
- Intervene when student behavior causes a disruption to university community, or jeopardizes the health, safety, and welfare of any member of the university community
- Support and empower students in conflict resolution
OSA has one signature program that is facilitated by the office: the MAPP- Mentoring and Persistence Program
The MAPP Program is a partnership with the School of Social Work, where we provide a 12-week mentoring program for students who, based on student conduct-related matters and other factors, appear to have a high likelihood of failing to persist or who would benefit from an intensive mentoring program to enhance student success in the college environment.
How is your office contributing to the Advancing Student Affairs Strategic Plan?
The OSA is committed to helping students prepare for post-graduate success by integrating post-graduation planning conversations into the student accountability process. The OSA staff have received supplemental training and are taking proactive steps to engage students in career-related conversations when appropriate throughout the conduct process.
Is there a myth about your work/department you want to bust?
One common myth about working in The Office of Student Accountability is that the role of student conduct in higher education is all about handing out punishments and being punitive or “the bad guy.” In reality, the role of the professionals in my office is much more focused on education, personal growth, development, and student support. The OSA staff aims to help students understand the impact of their actions, learn from their mistakes, and make better decisions in the future. The goal is not to punish students but to foster success, connect students with resources, maintain a safe and respectful campus environment, and uphold our community standards.
What do you want to brag about?
I love to brag about the OSA staff. Our work in the Office of Student Accountability isn’t easy, and it is often thankless. The OSA staff supports students daily through some of the most challenging experiences an individual may have as a young adult. We see some students at their very lowest moments. The staff in OSA are caring, empathetic, and thoughtful. We guide students through difficult times by listening to their stories to understand the bigger picture. We support witnesses and victims who may feel unsafe or unwelcome in the community and try to create an environment where they can learn, engage, and thrive despite the trials they may have faced. The OSA staff come back each day with a desire to be helpers and to guide students through their challenges towards success, and that deserves tremendous praise.
Student Accountability Web: https://accountability.uark.edu
Contact: Email accountability@uark.edu or call 479-575-5170.
