It has been more than one year since the pandemic caused us all to shift our lives, but with many people now being vaccinated, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Campus will continue to follow the COVID-19 guidelines that have been in place for the rest of the Spring Semester, but are preparing for a return to traditional face-to-face classes in the Fall. We will also have in-person commencement ceremonies in May with limited attendance and all safety policies and social protocols in place. We have a story with all that important information.
The Arkansas Union has been called the “Living Room” of campus, and when COVID-19 caused most campus operations to go remote, the Union staff wanted to ensure they could keep that living room open. And that is exactly what they did. They moved furniture, reconfigured spaces, changed hours, and maintained a safe space on campus where people could go. Rob Stagni, director of the Arkansas Union, tells us what life in the Union has been like during a year of COVID.
The Q&As this issue feature a staff member and a student working in the Arkansas Union. Emilie Hook has been with the Division for 10 years and is the associate director of the Arkansas Union. She and her staff handle all of the events in the building, which entails a lot of moving parts. Senior student Gerardo Tavarez works for event services in the Arkansas Union. The Biology major and Marketing minor will graduate in May and already has a job lined up with The Hershey Company.
In recent past issues, we have featured stories about Greek Life and the work the students and staff have been doing during the pandemic to keep a sense of normalcy and carry on with their traditions. I am proud to share that our director of Greek Life, Parice Bowser, has been named assistant vice chancellor for Greek Life and associate dean of students. Parice is a dedicated professional who cares deeply for her work and students. She leads by example and we are very proud to have her in this elevated role.
Thanks for reading the April issue of the Student Affairs Bulletin. If you’re interested in more information about anything you see here, or have other story ideas, please email Scott Flanagin, executive director of communications at sflanagi@uark.edu.