Vol 92 Issue 3

Page 1

ARKATECH THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1923

THE

A R K A N S A S T E C H U N I V E R S I T Y / / T H U R S D A Y, S E P T. 2 4 , 2 0 1 5 • V O L . 9 2 N O . 0 3

Enrollment at Arkansas Tech increases—again SIERRA MURPHY

News Writer

For the seventeenth consecutive year, Arkansas Tech University has broken its total enrollment record. This year, the university enrolled 12,007 students for the fall 2015 semester. “The fact that we have more than enough [students] is truly a blessing,” Shauna Donnell, director of admissions, said. “We have a proven track record.” That track record shows a sustained increase in growth for the Tech student population. According to the Office of Institutional Research, for the fall 2009 semester, Tech enrolled 8,814 students. From fall 2009 to fall 2010, the student count increased by 1,001 students, putting enrollment at 9,815 students. The upward trend continued. From fall 2010 to fall 2011,

enrollment increased from 9,815 students to 10,464 students; from fall 2011 to fall 2012, enrollment increased from 10,464 students to 10,950 students; from fall 2012 to fall 2013, enrollment increased from 10,950 students to 11,369 students; and from fall 2013 to fall 2014, enrollment increased from 11,369 students to 12,002. A recent press release from Tech’s News and Information website revealed enrollment was topped, yet again, earlier this semester. “Arkansas Tech reported a preliminary 11 day enrollment of 12,007 students for the fall 2015 semester on Thursday,” the news release reads. While the growth has been celebrated, the increase in enrollment also puts strain on certain departments. “We currently have 2,768 oncampus beds,” Aaron Hogan, associate dean for residence life, said. “However, Wilson Hall is

AMBER QUAID/THE ARKA TECH currently closed for renovation. If Wilson were open right now, we would have 2,932 beds. This total includes 280 beds that we currently lease from Vista Place apartments.” To accommodate students not housed on campus, Tech provides what’s called over-flow housing. Hogan said students are housed at local Russellville hotels and Tech’s Lake Point Conference Center

until an on-campus vacancy becomes available. While Residence Life looks into the future of housing for students, the student population could surpass its renovation and improvement efforts. “The number of on-campus beds we have is limited,” Hogan said. “Also, the number of overflow

(see TECH page 4)

First chief of staff in university history SAM HOISINGTON

Web Master

Dr. Jeff Mott joined the Arkansas Tech University President’s Office staff in August as the first chief of staff in university history. Mott brings with him years of experience in both the corporate environment and higher education, which will assist him as he becomes a part of the President’s executive counsel and helps President Robin Bowen manage her commitments. LIZ CHRISMAN/UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

“People thought I was crazy, but if you’re following your passion, it’s not so crazy.”

Mott points to significant off-campus responsibilities as consuming a large portion of Bowen’s time. “I’ll be feet on the ground, so to speak,” he said. “I’ll help her on campus when she’s not on campus.” Off-campus commitments include maintaining

a significant presence in Little Rock through her work with the legislature, the Governor’s Office and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education as she lobbies to alter the state’s higher education funding formula to better benefit Tech.

“Right now, we’re a little disadvantaged with the way the [funding] formula operates,” Mott said. Mott is also helping with the strategic planning process that began this summer. Mott says the planning process is expected to take about a year. “It’s run by academic affairs, but it involves people all over campus: staff and faculty as well as people in the community.” Mott said. Mott joins Tech after serving as the director of the Leadership Institute at Washburn University

(see MOTT page 4)

SETA is taking a stand News briefs against animal cruelty ASHLEY PEARSON Staff Writer Students at Tech are taking a stand against animal cruelty as they team up with the organization peta2. Last spring, Faith Robinson, a senior psychology major from Maumelle, applied to be a campus representative for peta2. In 2002, the animal rights organization Peta expanded its movement by creating peta2, an organization created to bring awareness of animal cruelty to today’s youth. After Robinson applied to create Tech’s own animal rights organization, her proposal was accepted and the Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (SETA) was born.

“We want to inform others about animal rights and how their choices affect the welfare of animals, their health and the environment,” Robinson said. Robinson stressed that no one in the organization is out to change anyone’s lifestyle, but they instead want to share food options that don’t contain animal product. SETA has events planned for students throughout the semester and have already held one event. With funds from peta2, on September 8 the group served free coffee with dairy-free creamers. SETA will be at the bell tower from 9-10 a.m. on Friday for Hug a Vegan Day. Other events and information on the organization can be found on the organization’s Facebook page.

The Department of Emergency Management will hold its Stache Dash 5k from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday. The race will start at Doc Bryan. If you missed the deadline to register online, you can register at the event. It is $10 to enter. Campus Ministry Group, Chi Alpha, will meet from 7-10 p.m. on Thursday nights in Young Ballroom. Greek Family day will be from noon-1 p.m. on Saturday at Caraway Hall. The Wonder Boys will take on Southern Arkansas at Thone Stadium on Saturday after Family Day festivities. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. The behavioral science club will hold its weekly meeting to discuss business from 4-5 p.m. on Saturday in Witherspoon 368. Join SAB for a free night of bowling from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday at Sportsworld.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Vol 92 Issue 3 by Amber Quaid - Issuu