ChancellorMay 02, 2025

Campus Update, May 2, 2025

Written By: Terisa Riley

Dear colleagues and students,

This has been a fabulous week at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith as we have gathered to celebrate the conclusion of a successful semester. I have attended retirement parties, an orchestra concert, pinning ceremonies, signing days, the Long Night of Procrastination, and even our Midnight Breakfast where we ALL got carbed up on breakfast pizza and Scooby snacks. Tonight is another packed evening of celebration with the Social Work pinning ceremony, the Opera and Musical Theatre Workshop (7 p.m. in Breedlove Auditorium), and the  Numa (student) Awards.

Budget: Thank you to the members of the UAFS Budget Council and to Ellen Binford, Director of Budget, and to Vice Chancellor Carey Tucker for submitting our 2025-26 (FY26) budget by the deadline of April 30. This is a tough job of balancing our revenues and expenses so that we submit a balanced budget without using our campus reserves (savings). For the coming year, we are able to do so in part to a generous gift from the Windgate Foundation, but those are one-time funds which will require us to strategize differently for future years. 

As a reminder, the budget is not approved until the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees votes on it at their May board meeting. Some things to note about the budget:

Revenue

Tuition and Fees—With the concurrence of the UAFS Board of Visitors, we have proposed a 7.65% tuition and fee increase which will add approximately $350/semester to the charges of each full-time, in-state undergraduate student. This was done in consideration of the new affordability plans which provide discounts for transfer studentsand provide a guarantee for tuition and mandatory fees for Pell Grant and Arkansas Challenge eligible students.

State Appropriation—The revenue we are anticipating from the state of Arkansas will be approximately $500,000 less for next year than this year.

SVTCC—In December 2025 we will discontinue our academic program at SVTCC which will reduce our tuition and fee income by approximately $125,000 (net).

Enrollment--We are planning for enrollment to remain stable and similar to enrollment in the 2024-25 academic year.

Expenses

Salaries—We have included a 2% Cost of Living Adjustment for all employees for a total cost of more than $700,000. We also included a market adjustment for some faculty and staff members to bring their salaries in closer alignment with the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources report of salaries paid by similar institutions.

General Expenses--We are planning for increases in many of our expenses including insurance, utilities, taxes, contracts, software, and equipment costs.

Ending of the Title III Grant—The Title III grant which provides funds for the Writing Center and related literacy activities will end in September, so our expenses will increase in order to support the Writing Center.

Summer scholarships—Students who are planning to enroll for summer 2025 should do so soon in order to take part in a one-time summer scholarship from the UAFS Foundation. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for information about financing your summer classes.

Senior Send-Off—Graduating seniors, please plan to join our Office of Alumni Affairs on Friday, May 9^th from 6-8 p.m. at Prohibition Bar, 701 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, for a happy hour for seniors, their families, and for invited faculty and staff.

For all Lions: Good luck on your final exams. I know this can be a stressful time of writing, studying, reading, and planning, so please take time to take care of yourselves, too. Make sure you get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, and take breaks when you need them. You’ve got this!!

As always, it is an honor to serve as your chancellor.

 

Terisa Riley

• Tags:
• Chancellor