What an incredible first 6 weeks to the semester, with an array of offerings to help students find community and acclimate to the college academic environment. I’ve enjoyed stopping by programs and unit spaces.
We held our first annual Razorback Safety Festival on a crisp fall day in September and it had a big impact on attendees. It may be hard to believe, but students don’t always come to college with knowledge about handling emergency situations, such as severe weather, first aid, CPR, how to use a fire extinguisher, or the way to approach a crosswalk. The goal of the festival was to help students learn to navigate the emergency situations they may come across. By all accounts it was a successful event and one that we will put on at the beginning of each school year.
Family Weekend is a time when parents and families come back to campus to visit with their students and attend events with them including Cardinal Nights Casino Night, the traditional Family Weekend Tailgate and a Sunday Brunch. Families also have the option of purchasing tickets to the football game that weekend. It has been a tradition for many years on this campus and is well attended. This year, Family Weekend was held Sept. 13-15, and we had an excellent turnout with more than 2,000 people taking part.
In our second Department Highlight, we look at the Center for Educational Access (CEA). This department facilitates campus access for students with disabilities which may impact their ability to successfully engage in academics, housing, and other aspects of campus life. The staff works closely with students to understand their unique needs, then communicate those needs to people who need to know, including faculty, housing and dining, Student Success, athletics, advising, parking/transit, and more. October is National Disabilities Awareness Month and CEA works with the Office of Equal Opportunity & Compliance to promote and/or host various events happening both on campus and in our local community throughout this month.
In our staff Q&A this issue, meet Connie Steele, the associate director of student access in the Center for Educational Access. Connie has been in her position with Student Affairs for almost 1 year, and says she really enjoys her role which focuses on ensuring that all students have equitable access to educational opportunities and resources.
I would love to hear from you! If you have questions about the stories you have read here, or if you have ideas for stories you would like to see in this space, please email me at jbattje@uark.edu or give me a call at 479-575-5007.