ChancellorFebruary 21, 2025

Campus Update, Feb. 21, 2025

Written By: Terisa Riley

Dear colleagues and students,

I am sad to inform you about the death of UA Trustee Tommy Boyer on February 19. As a member of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Boyer welcomed me with open arms and told me many stories about growing up in Fort Smith and playing basketball for the Northside Grizzlies. He held a special place in his heart for Westark College and UAFS, and supported each of the initiatives I brought forward to the Board of Trustees. He will be missed. Soon, Governor Sanders will choose and appoint a replacement for Trustee Boyer who will serve out the remainder of his term.

Higher Learning Commission: The peer review team will be on campus on Monday, February 24 and Tuesday, February 25 to review our campus for reaffirmation of accreditation. This is one of the most important events in the life of a university, and there are some opportunities for YOU to be involved. Below, please the open sessions and please check the website for the full calendar of meetings. I encourage you to read the university’s assurance argument before attending the meetings.

Below are the open session dates, times, and locations:

Monday, February 24

Criterion 5 – 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in the Windgate Theatre

Criterion 1 & 2 – 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Reynolds Room, sections A & B

Criterion 3 & 4 – 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Reynolds Room, section C

Tuesday, February 25

Institutional Priorities in the Future – 8 a.m. to 9 .m. in the Reynolds Room, section C

Transparency & Communication – 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. in the Reynolds Room, section C

The full agenda for the visit can be found here: 2025 HLC Agenda and Materials and I encourage you to read the university’s assurance argument before attending the meetings.

Division II Day: Tomorrow, UAFS will join more than a thousand universities in celebrating NCAA Division II Day—a day to celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on campus. I hope you will join us by attending one of the following events tomorrow: Women’s Basketball versus Northwest Missouri at 1 p.m., Men’s Basketball versus Northwest Missouri at 3 p.m. (both at Stubblefield Center), and Baseball vs. Fort Hays State at 3 p.m. at Crowder Field.

Thanks to all of you for your patience through our inclement weather earlier this week. I sincerely appreciate the work of University Police, HES, Plant Operations, Chartwells, and University Housing and Residence Life for ensuring that our campus was safe and operational through the bad weather.

Have a great weekend, Lions.

As always, I am honored to be your chancellor.

 

Terisa Riley

Chancellor

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