Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed legislation this week that will expand ex officio membership of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts Board of Visitors as well as create a growth pathway for faculty members.
Act 354 was signed by Gov. Hutchinson on March 15. The legislation was filed in the House of Representatives by state Rep. Bruce Cozart (R-District 24, Hot Springs). State Sen. Alan Clark (R-District 13, Lonsdale) served as the primary sponsor in the Senate. Co-sponsors of the legislation included Reps. Les Warren (R-District 24, Hot Springs) and Richard McGrew(R-District 22, Hot Springs) in the House and Sen. Greg Leding (D-District 4, Fayetteville) in the Senate.
“ASMSA’s community of learning appreciates the support of the Arkansas General Assembly as well as Governor Hutchinson in amending the school’s enabling legislation,” noted ASMSA Director Corey Alderdice. “The unanimous passage of these amendments is a show of support for all groups who have a role in ASMSA’s success.”
The change in legislation creates ex officio seats on the ASMSA Board of Visitors for the school’s employee Governing Council, the Association for Alumni and Friends of ASMSA, and the ASMSA Foundation Fund Board of Ambassadors. The change ensures that all campus affinity groups are engaged participants in the advisory and advocacy work of the Board of Visitors. Existing ex officio seats included the ASMSA Student Government Association, Parents Association and partnering state agencies.
The legislation also enables ASMSA to implement a growth pathway for faculty members that recognizes their excellence in teaching, mentoring student research and service over time. While not a formal system of tenure, the amendment allows campus leadership to work with the University of Arkansas System to develop a framework for professional advancement that is consistent with peer institutions in other states.
Dr. Neil Oatsvall, a history instructor who serves as the chair of the Humanities Department and current president of the Governing Council, praised the effort to give employees an opportunity to participate on the Board of Visitors.
“Governing Council is the cornerstone of shared governance at ASMSA and represents all employees — faculty and staff. I am thrilled that future Governing Council presidents will be able to advocate for all ASMSA employees. This is a great step forward for we employees who care so much about this institution,” Oatsvall said.
ASMSA alumni have previously served as members of the Board of Visitors through appointments by Hutchinson and former Gov. Mike Beebe. This legislation does not prohibit alumni to serve as a full board member, but it will provide the Association for Alumni and Friends of ASMSA a permanent ex-officio seat on the board.
Amy Stvartak, an alumna of the Class of 2011, serves as a member of the executive team of the AAFA, said members of the organization are thrilled about the opportunity to serve the institution with a seat on the Board of Visitors.
“Alumni are some of ASMSA’s most knowledgeable and devoted external stakeholders, and formally including an alumni voice on the board in the form of an ex-officio seat allows the unique experience of alumni to be part of the board’s advisory capacity. It’s also a big step for the AAFA. We appreciate this opportunity to better serve the ASMSA community,” Stvartak said.
Act 354 will go into effect July 1, the beginning of the next state fiscal year. Formal inclusion of these groups will begin with the September 2021 Board of Visitors meeting.