We announced our projects for the “One Day, One U of A” giving day last month, and we are now only 5 days away from this new fundraising event on April 10. Our two projects directly support students in their time of need, and those web pages are now live for you to check out. The UA Cares Student Emergency Fund provides direct financial assistance for unexpected expenses due to medical emergencies, unexpected loss of job, or other situations that may negatively impact their ability to continue their enrollment. It provides direct financial assistance to students regardless of their current university account balance. The Meal Plan Scholarship fund supplements students’ unmet financial needs and focuses on providing on-campus meal plans, which provide students with regular meals to lessen the worry about where their next meal will come from. We hope you will support one or both of these worthy funds.
Two grand reopenings occurred this semester for spaces in the Arkansas Union that were transformed over the past year. The Multicultural Center reopening was held in February, introducing the campus community to their renovated and expanded space on the fourth floor. On March 12 the departments on the A6 floor of the Union celebrated their new space with an open house style celebration providing attendees the opportunity to explore the redesigned floor, which now offers a modern kitchenette, conference rooms, and space for students to connect, share ideas, and accomplish work related to their student leadership roles or academics.
We also celebrated 25 years of the RESPECT peer education program in March. RESPECT is an acronym for Rape Education Services by Peers Encouraging Conscious Thought and is part of the Sexual & Relationship Violence Center (SRVC). Peer educators are college students providing programming to other college students through interactive classroom presentations, awareness activities and events, and campus-wide programs.
The department highlight takes a closer look at the Sexual & Relationship Violence Center this month. The SRVC provides victim advocacy and education services related to sexual and relationship violence. The RESPECT peer education program, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary, provides education and outreach across campus through innovative programs. Their “Furst Tuesday” with therapy dogs has become widely popular over the past couple of years.
In our Staff Q&A we meet Addie Bressler, office manager and administrative support assistant for the SRVC. Bressler, who is new to the Division, helps keep the SRVC office running smoothly. Her favorite part of her work is helping with outreach events for the SRVC and helping students find the resources they need.
I would love to hear from you! If you have questions about what you have read here, or if you have ideas for stories you would like to see in this space, please email me jbattje@uark.edu or give me a call at 479-575-5007.