The expansion of the HPER Center is exactly what you would expect it to be when BTÌìÌÃstudents call the shots: impressive, gigantic and breathtaking. The sheer magnitude of the building is awe-inspiring when you first step inside. The building is massive at a total of 115,000 square feet, complete with ample outdoor activity space, modern fixtures, natural textures, pops of color and clean lines. The cavernous open-air ceilings and the plate glass windows let in sunlight, giving the new HPER Center a feeling of vastness and providing a seamless transition between outdoor and indoor spaces.

Just by walking inside, you know this is a place where students, faculty and staff can ensure that their health, fitness and wellness will thrive. The HPER Center illustrates UCA’s commitment to helping its students, faculty and staff find total physical, mental and emotional wellness. Along with the Student Health Center, the Women’s Health Center, the Counseling Center, and many other services that BTÌìÌÃprovides, the HPER Center is an important part of the unified, holistic approach to health that BTÌìÌÃis dedicated to bringing to its community.

After extensive renovations and a 43,227-square-foot addition, the HPER Center reopened November 22, 2014, and when the doors parted, students poured inside to see what was new… and they were not disappointed. As they walked through the front door, they saw the impressive weight station encompassing 10,000 square feet stationed to their right, interspersed with shining new weight machines. A six-lane indoor lap pool sparkled in the newly renovated aquatics area, complete with a recreational diving board, poolside climbing wall, water volleyball court and basketball hoops.

Upstairs, the two group exercise classrooms for spinning classes, yoga, dancing and Zumba gleamed. Past the environmentally friendly hydration station, was a larger group exercise room, bathed in purple lights and surrounded by plate glass. The track had been completely revamped, with new surfacing to keep runners and walkers safe and comfortable.

The basketball court was bigger than ever, its new floors shining in the sunlight let in by the newly installed bay windows. Past the basketball courts, students found new racquetball courts next to couches and flat-screen televisions.

Chairs, couches and social areas that include games like ping pong, darts, air hockey and pool are located throughout to give students and visitors a chance to get to know one another, take a break or just take it all in and relax. The HPER Center is about wellness, and part of wellness is socialization.

The new HPER Center not only perpetuates a sense of health and forward movement, but also promotes a sense of wellness and community. The building is even LEED-certified, with its green irrigation practices, occupancy sensors, low impact development construction, and electric car charging station located out front.

How did a project of this magnitude come to be? It all started with the Student Government Association. Robert Rogers, president of the 2010 senior class, proposed a complete renovation as the SGA’s senior class project. During the next five years, everything was put into place and a lot of hard work made the new HPER Center into the magnificent place it is today.

Current SGA President Ashley Ross is very proud of the new recreation center. “It’s not just the space that’s incredible,” she said, “The equipment is new and exciting. We have the best of the best!”

President Tom Courtway agrees. “Students can go to school, go to class, study hard, but they also need physical activity, whether it’s basketball, intramurals, spin class, swimming, weightlifting or yoga. We have all kinds of classes. They need that outlet to keep their bodies and their minds functioning.” The HPER Center offers all of those outlets, and more. Personal training, swimming lessons, gaming areas and outdoor recreational equipment are just some of the amenities offered. President Courtway and his wife Melissa take advantage of the many amenities on a regular basis.

Arian Story, personal trainer and assistant director of the HPER Center, has always held fitness close to her heart. “This has no doubt been and probably will be the biggest project I will have the honor of being a part of. This is a place for our students to come together to enjoy a healthy atmosphere with state-of-the-art facilities, more activities to choose from and innovative programming,” Story said. “I hope the new HPER experience helps to build a more well-rounded campus, a campus that is focused not just on the mind and educational experience, but a campus that is focused on a healthy mind and a healthy body. It is my belief that without our health we have nothing. It is my goal that when students leave here, they not only leave with a diploma in their hand, but with the knowledge of how to lead a well-balanced and healthy existence as they travel through the journey of life.”

Having a recreation center of this significance and capacity means a lot to the students, faculty, staff and BTÌìÌÃcommunity.

“I couldn’t be happier, nor could I be prouder of the student body and what they’ve accomplished,” President Courtway said. “The HPER is a student-driven, student-brainstormed idea that they seized upon because they knew how important it would be to the BTÌìÌÃcommunity. They were responsible enough to lead us there with the board’s help. When I get to be a very, very old man, I will look back on the addition of this facility as one of my proudest moments here at UCA.”

Few things add as much excitement to college football games and other school events as a marching band. Fortunately for BTÌìÌÃstudents, fans, and alumni, the Bear Marching Band (BMB), with 220-plus members, is one of the finest in the state of Arkansas. The BMB has historically been a source of pride for everyone whose loyalties reside with UCA.

The first band was established in fall 1914, when BTÌìÌÃwas known as Arkansas State Normal School (ASNS). The college president was J.J. Doyne, and the word “Bear” was not used to identify the band because the school did not have a mascot until 1920.

The 1914 band was made up of 22 students, 17 men and five women. All of the instruments were brass with the exception of one piccolo, one clarinet, one snare drum, and a bass drum. The band director was John Theodore Buchholz, a science professor who did not have a degree in music.

From 1914 to 1957 the band was an on-again, off-again organization that had at least 12 directors during that time frame. In 1958, Homer A. Brown, Jr. was hired as band director.

Brown provided stability for the band. Brown’s bands always put on entertaining half-time shows, and he quickly became an integral part of the BTÌìÌÃcommunity. In his first year, he increased the size of the band from 47 members to an average of 90 to 100 throughout the 1970s. Brown took the Marching Bears to two presidential inaugural parades: President Lyndon B. Johnson’s in 1965 and President Richard Nixon’s in 1973. Out of respect and admiration his band members adopted the moniker, “Homer’s Heroes.”

Brown retired from BTÌìÌÃin 1979, and he was replaced by Conway High School Band Director Russell Langston. Like Brown, one of Langston’s priorities was increasing the size of the band. In 1985, he had one of his largest bands with about 160 members.

Under Langston, the BTÌìÌÃBand played as the Honor Band at the Arkansas Music Educators Association on four separate occasions and as an Honor Band at the Southwest District Convention of the College Band Directors National Association in 1988.

Langston’s successor was Dr. Ricky Brooks, the current director of bands, who came to BTÌìÌÃin July 1996. Under Brooks’ leadership, the BTÌìÌÃWind Ensemble (the best 50 woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians) played at Carnegie Hall in New York City and at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. in 2002. The BTÌìÌÃWind Ensemble played two concerts in Salzburg, Austria and two concerts in Vienna, Austria in 2008.

To help celebrate the BTÌìÌÃBand’s 100th anniversary, the Wind Ensemble commissioned a major work, “Crossover,” composed by internationally known composer David Gillingham. The Wind Ensemble performed “Crossover” and two additional works by composers Paul Dickinson and William Pitts in spring 2014 at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.

In addition to the Bear Marching Band, seven additional bands fall under the BTÌìÌÃBand umbrella: two Jazz Bands, the Dixieland Band, the Purple Rage pep band, and three concert bands: the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and University Band.

UCA’s Dixieland Band is under the direction of Dr. Jackie Lamar who followed in her father’s (Homer Brown) footsteps. Professors Larry Jones and Christian Carichner each direct one of the Jazz Bands, and Professor Brantley Douglas is associate director of bands.

What is Title IX?

Title IX is the federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX protects students, faculty, staff, and visitors to campus. Title IX only applies in cases in which BTÌìÌÃhas jurisdiction over at least one of the parties.

What is the role of the Title IX Coordinator?

My responsibility is to ensure that the university has the required policies and procedures in place that provide for prompt and effective processing of complaints, investigations, and enforcement activities. I assist in arranging for training for staff and students and monitor overall compliance with federal and state legislation and regulations. I also have a team of Deputy Title IX Coordinators from across campus who will assist me in conducting investigations and are authorized to receive complaints and hear appeals.

What changes were made to Board Policy 511 regarding Title IX and sexual misconduct?

Title IX, Section 304 of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (“Campus Save Act”) and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”) are federal laws that require universities to take various measures to prevent sexual misconduct, such as providing a written policy that addresses sexual misconduct, including, but not limited to sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Developments over the past three years have triggered substantial review and revision of the systematic approaches we utilize to protect students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors from sexual misconduct and to provide victims with appropriate support. Now entitled “Sexual Misconduct”, Board Policy 511 encompasses a broader range of gender-based violence offenses with an extended list of protected categories. The various revisions will ensure the university remains in compliance.

”We strive to be proactive in taking a comprehensive approach to investigating, stopping, preventing, and remedying the effects of sexual misconduct on our campus.”

Are students, faculty, and/or staff required to attend trainings on Title IX?

All faculty and staff are required to complete a Title IX online training course. For students, we implemented mandatory online training starting fall 2014. Because of the Campus Save Act, which goes hand-in-hand with Title IX, we will also offer educational programming to the campus that relates to sexual misconduct, which will be more specific and focus on four key areas: awareness, bystander intervention, primary prevention, and risk reduction. Programming will include information about dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Who is responsible for reporting a suspected Title IX violation?

Under Board Policy 511, all faculty and professional staff are designated as mandatory reporters. It is important to note, however, that we do not require campus mental-health counselors, pastoral counselors, social workers, psychologists, health center employees, or any other person with a professional license requiring confidentiality, or who is supervised by such a person, to report, without the student’s consent, incidents of sexual violence to the school in a way that identifies the student. However, they are required to report such incidents in a way that does not identify the student, but gives the university enough information to attempt to stop, prevent, and remedy the effects of the violation. We also encourage all students to report a suspected violation of Title IX.

To submit a Title IX complaint, what information or documentation is required?

Anyone from within the university may report a violation by contacting me or one of the Deputy Title IX Coordinators directly by phone or email. We need contact information for the complainant and respondent, the location of the incident, and any names/contact information for any witnesses. Submissions can also be made using the Sexual Misconduct Complaint Form located on the university’s website.

Describe the investigation process.

The complainant is contacted within a day or two to schedule a meeting to discuss the complaint. After interviewing the complainant, we would interview the respondent and any possible witnesses. We would make a determination, based upon the preponderance of the evidence, as to whether a violation of Title IX and/or Board Policy 511 has occurred and issue sanction(s) based upon the findings. Either party can appeal to a Hearing Panel made up of other Deputy Title IX Coordinators. This process is the same for a faculty or staff member. Depending on the complexity of the case, the timeline can average from several weeks to several months. We try to conclude an investigation within 30 working days.

What are some possible sanctions if found in violation?

Sanctions may range from requiring additional educational training to termination/expulsion from the university.

What are your goals for campus as it relates to Title IX?

The major goal is to ensure we continue to have a safe campus community. If we remember the spirit in which Title IX and the other laws related to sexual misconduct were created, I think it will be successful in meeting this goal. I also hope that our campus community will continue to rally around and support the amazing changes that are occurring on our campus as it relates to Title IX.

“Are you okay?”

Just three little words, but they carried heavy burdens the evening of Sunday, April 27: concern, apprehension, fear, and pain.

Residents passed those words by text, telephone or just by shouts and screams for friends, foes, colleagues, relatives, and neighbors who began emerging from storm shelters, closets, basements, or wherever they had found shelter. An EF4 tornado had hit Faulkner County.

Almost immediately, the news that the BTÌìÌÃcampus had not been damaged began to spread. Other communities in and around Faulkner County had a different story.

Bryce Crabb, vice president of operations for the Student Government Association, was overwhelmed when he first saw the damage. “It’s as if one day there was life and happiness, and everything was going great, and then someone took a large eraser and just went through and took stuff out. There are pieces of trailers hanging in trees and dirt everywhere with debris all over the place. It’s pretty incredible, the damage that has happened. It’s pretty inexplicable, unless you are out here, but a warzone is pretty close to what it looks like.”

Hundreds of homes, businesses, churches, and other buildings were damaged or destroyed, leaving only concrete slabs in some cases. Dozens of individuals were treated at area hospitals for minor and major injuries. Sadly, the tornado claimed the lives of 11 residents and an infant whose mother sustained serious injury as a result of the tornado, as reported by the Faulkner County Coroner’s office.

The BTÌìÌÃfamily wanted to help immediately. “So we did three things. We put a committee together, and the committee came up with a fundraising campaign to raise money for the victims. Secondly, provide goods, such as food items, water bottles, and things like that for the victims. The other thing we came up with was a volunteer effort, an all week-long volunteer effort, Bear Boots on the Ground,” said Gary Roberts, dean of students.

Bear Boots on the Ground started Monday, May 5. Faculty, staff, and students were transported to and from work sites throughout Faulkner County. Volunteers could work a morning or afternoon shift or both.

“You don’t realize what nature can do until you get into the middle of something like this, and you just think about this poor person who lives in this house. Everything is gone. You know. It’s devastating,” said Dr. Nancy Reese, chair of the BTÌìÌÃDepartment of Physical Therapy, who volunteered during the effort.

More than 500 faculty, staff, students, and alumni volunteered, donating an estimated 2,312 hours of time working in tornado-stricken areas. In addition to volunteering, students and faculty also spent their time studying, researching, writing papers, and grading. The Bear Boots on the Ground relief effort was also finals week.

“It’s just where we need to be,” Tammy Benson, associate professor and chair of the Master of Arts in Teaching program at UCA, said during one of her visits to the relief sites. “We are lucky and blessed that we could come help. These people have dealt with a lot, so it’s the least that we can do.”

The students who gave their time appreciated the university going to such lengths to help the community. “We’re not a large university with a bunch of faculty that doesn’t care. We have faculty that is serving shoulder to shoulder with us out here, shoveling and picking up cinder blocks. That’s what we do. We serve. We love. BTÌìÌÃis a family and seeing this is the reality of that coming to light,” Crabb said.

The campus also collected canned goods, toiletries, and other supplies at several locations that were all donated.
“So we do what we can. We reach out. We do whatever we can do to help and show our compassion to those that are affected. Our thoughts and prayers are still with them, and they are going to be as we move ahead,” said BTÌìÌÃPresident Tom Courtway.

In moving ahead, Bear Boots on the Ground marched well beyond the initial end date of May 9. Buses filled with volunteers kept rolling each Friday until August 1. A total of 575 volunteers worked 15 days accumulating 2,690 hours of service for Bear Boots on the Ground.

Even before Bear Boots on the Ground began, individual students, faculty, staff, students, and groups reported to work in the disaster areas. Officers with the BTÌìÌÃPolice Department showed up within hours of the tornado to help patrol and set up checkpoints in Vilonia and Mayflower. They volunteered 300 hours of their time to tornado victims. BTÌìÌÃathletes also were some of the first to come together within hours of the disaster to assist in cleanup and relief efforts.

The BTÌìÌÃFoundation, Inc. established a Disaster Assistance Fund for BTÌìÌÃfaculty, staff, and students impacted by the tornado, raising over $14,000 in aid.

Crabb summed up UCA’s efforts this way:
“I mean when people ask me, ‘Why do you like BTÌìÌÃso much? There are bigger universities in Arkansas,’ and this and that. This is it. We are a community. We are a family.”

Courtway unveiled the map – named “Framework for the Future: Blueprint for National Leadership and Regional Prominence” – at his investiture in fall 2013. While some strategic plans are broad with no specific objectives, time frames, or assignments, the blueprint resembles a business plan and contains all three. The document reflects the university’s vision statement and strategic plan approved by the BTÌìÌÃBoard of Trustees in 2011. It is the end product of the input Courtway received when he engaged board members, faculty, and staff beginning in April 2013.

“I created a document with tangible steps we need to take that will make BTÌìÌÃthe institution we all know it can be and will be.”

Courtway is uncertain if other educational institutions have a blueprint like the BTÌìÌÃblueprint, but the document is unique and not the re-creation of a template.

“A strategic plan is good and important, but I needed a document that served two purposes. We needed a clear road map of things I felt this university should accomplish over the next few years (with a schedule and list of responsibilities). We also needed a document to share with anyone who cares about the university to show what we’re going to do, what we think is important, and where we’re going.

“If people have a clear understanding of your direction, it’s an easier path. With no direction, it’s hard to get any momentum.”

Since its introduction, the plan has been well-received by students, faculty, staff, and others outside of campus. “I hope it’s a very clear path on what we believe we need to accomplish to make this institution one of the best in the southern United States.”

Courtway is optimistic that while some of the goals are ambitious they are attainable with a BTÌìÌÃfaculty and staff committed to providing the best in education. He bases his outlook on the faculty and staff’s hard work and success in the university’s financial recovery.

“We’re all in this together. We have an outstanding faculty and staff. We are here to educate and serve the students.”

Over time, Courtway anticipates that the university’s strategic plan will need to be updated, and the blueprint too will need to be updated to reflect accomplishments and new objectives. In the meantime, good progress is being made.

Enrollment

In the area of enrollment, Courtway expects the population to reach 13,500 students by 2017. Courtway thinks achieving the enrollment goal is doable with a greater emphasis on recruitment and retention and increasing the numbers of international and graduate students.

Among the enrollment focus, BTÌìÌÃrecognized that the Fort Worth/Dallas area is a huge market and has a full-time recruiter on the ground there. To help in the retention effort, the BTÌìÌÃBoard of Trustees approved the addition of 10 academic advisors, which Courtway considers a key component. “We do a marvelous job getting them to college but don’t do as great keeping them in
college.” With more personalized attention from individuals who can advise on a variety of matters, the more likely a student will graduate.

Campus Projects

The blueprint also details improvements that will change the look of campus and provide more amenities to aid in recruitment and retention.

Specifically, a Greek Village is under construction at the intersection of Donaghey and College avenues with completion anticipated in August 2015. Courtway said that the Greek Village will make a huge difference at BTÌìÌÃand transform that end of the campus.

In addition, ground-breaking ceremonies are expected in spring 2015 for a 50,000-square-foot addition to the Lewis Science Center.

Another project in the early stages of development is along Donaghey Avenue, which Courtway describes as having “unlimited potential.” The BTÌìÌÃBoard of Trustees has approved the initial planning of a mixed-use development for much needed student housing as well as retail and restaurant space.

Courtway said most universities of any size have a similar area where individuals can eat, shop and socialize. “Those types of amenities add to a
university town.”

If the plan moves forward with board approval, the project could be completed by August 2016 “in a perfect world,” according to Courtway. “It can be done, but everything has to line up.”

Courtway would like to hold a community open house/block party at the Greek Village to give local residents an opportunity to see the village before students move in. He would like to hold a similar open house once the expansion of the HPER building is completed. “That will be a huge addition to the amenities we can offer students.”

“It is important that the community sees with their own eyes what we’re doing,” he said, adding that they can help serve as ambassadors for the university and take pride in UCA, sharing with others “this is what the college in my hometown is doing.”

Reconnecting
Among the biggest challenges reflected in the blueprint is the re-engagement of BTÌìÌÃalumni, according to Courtway. “We need that to happen. We need our alumni base to get excited and re-engage with this institution.”

Courtway compares this issue to a church revival with himself as the minister issuing the “invitation” to BTÌìÌÃgraduates -“We need you back.”

“We have a sizable alumni base,” Courtway said. “I would like to have many more reconnected in a big way.”

The university has different strategies to reach out to alumni with encouragement for them to reconnect, but Courtway recognizes that some obstacles have to be overcome, most notably time demands and family responsibilities. “We are going to do everything to reach them.”

Courtway thinks that the sorority and fraternity houses in the Greek Village will help in the alumni recruitment efforts. He said a sorority or fraternity house provides more opportunities for alumni to return to campus and support the university. “There’s a reason for them to be reconnected.”

Cultural Programs

The third goal in the blueprint addresses external relations. In this area, Courtway would like to see a broadening of the footprint for the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, which has a home at UCA. “I think it’s a phenomenal program. I would like to see that expanded and move out into other areas of the state.”

In addition, he would also like to see increased visibility of the cultural programs made available at Reynolds Performance Hall through the UCA Public Appearances. He said UCA’s athletic teams are also a draw.

“Those things help showcase BTÌìÌÃin other areas outside of Conway, while giving alumni additional reasons to be proud of their alma mater,” he said.

Getting There

As president of the University of Central Arkansas, Courtway said his happiest moment on campus is when he sees a potential student and parent. He is also happy when he has an opportunity to visit with current students.

“When I wake up, I tell myself we’re here to serve the student body and educate these men and women. As long as they are happy and getting a quality education, everything else will take care of itself.”

Courtway enjoys seeing alumni return to campus. “They know they got a great education that set them on their paths, and they are proud of this institution.”

When he retires and is looking in the rearview mirror at UCA, Courtway would like to see a much more energetic institution for students with greater enrollment and increased graduation rates. “We will have created a campus that is second to none in this part of the country.”

He also would like to see an outstanding faculty rewarded for their efforts and a larger university with greater name recognition. “Hopefully, we will be way up the ladder.” He also hopes to see more alumni who have reconnected and shown their pride in BTÌìÌÃwith greater
support for the institution.

Courtway points out that BTÌìÌÃis a great institution with a rich tradition of excellence in education. His said the challenge is “how much farther can I look down the road and what will it take to get us there.”

“We are doing phenomenal things. The challenge is to continue to do that.”

While BTÌìÌÃhas had its share of difficulties in recent years, including tough economic times, Courtway is optimistic about the university’s future.

“We are on the front edge of exciting things that can happen. We have restored our financial reserves and now we have to start building for the future.”

Courtway has the road map in hand to get BTÌìÌÃthere.

Framework for the Future


1. Become one of the top regional universities in the South.
   • Develop a sound, attainable enrollment management plan and increase retention and graduation rates.
   • Review and expand academic programs to have nationally recognized programs in each college.
   • Create an environment that attracts and retains an outstanding faculty and staff.
   • Improve information technology systems.
2. Create a campus that attracts and retains the best students, faculty and staff.
   • Build, replace and maintain academic and auxiliary infrastructure.
   • Plan, develop and transform Donaghey Avenue.
3. Maximize external relations effectiveness
   • Centralize university communications.
   • Increase advancement goals and activities.
   • Expand cultural programs and activities into the community and throughout the state to raise awareness of the arts at UCA.
   • Increase contacts with alumni and increase alumni involvement and participation.

Visit uca.edu/framework to view the entire Framework.