About Us
- Admission
- Advising
- Athletics
- Class Load
- Classification
- Dean's List
- Financial Aid
- GPA Calculation
- Grades
- Meal Plans
- Payment of Tuition and Fees
- Registration
- Residential Life
- Safety
- Withdrawal
- Programs and Services
- Common Questions
Admission
Students must score an ACT composite of 19 or above to be admitted unconditionally to UA Fort Smith. Students who score an ACT composite of 18 or below may be admitted conditionally. Conditional admission requires demonstration of satisfactory academic progress for continued enrollment. State law requires that public high school students must have successfully completed the college core curriculum with a 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) grade point average (GPA) for unconditional admission to UA Fort Smith. The college core curriculum from high school consists of:- 4 Units of English with emphasis on writing skills, not to include courses in oral communication, journalism, drama, or debate.
- 3 Units of natural science with laboratories, chosen from physical science, biology, chemistry, or physics. Only one unit may come from a life science.
- 4 Units of math, including algebra I, algebra II, geometry, and a higher-level math course.
- 3 Units of social studies, including one of American history, one of world history, and at least one-half unit of civics or American government.
Advising
Professional academic advisors are available to work with students as they set goals, choose a major, and follow a degree plan. In addition, academic advisors assist students with pre-professional majors (e.g., pre-medicine and pre-law) and career information. Except for designated holidays, Student Advisement hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Student Advisement is located on the upper level of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center. Students admitted to the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Health Sciences, Business, or Education will be advised by a faculty member in the discipline. In general, faculty advising is done by appointment only.Athletics
The UA Fort Smith Lions compete in men's baseball, women's volleyball, and men's and women's basketball, golf, and tennis. Athletic events are free to all UA Fort Smith students.Class Load
A semester hour is earned when students satisfactorily complete class work to which they devote the equivalent of one hour per week for 16 weeks. In lab courses, it is necessary to spend more time for each semester hour of credit. Students may carry up to 18 hours in the fall or spring semesters without special permission; however, the average is 15. It is recommended that students spend an average of two hours on homework for each hour they spend in class; therefore, a 15-hour class load would equal a 45-hour week. To be considered full-time for financial aid purposes, students must be enrolled in at least 12 hours in the fall or spring semesters. Full-time student status for insurance purposes varies according to insurance carrier. Please check with your agent for specific information about student status for your policy. Most scholarships require that students enroll in a minimum of 15 hours per semester and complete 30 hours by the end of each spring term with a specified GPA for the scholarships to be renewed for the following year.Classification
A student's classification is based on the total number of nondevelopmental (1000-4000-level courses) semester hours earned at UA Fort Smith and accepted in transfer from other colleges and universities, regardless of whether or not the courses involved are applicable to the student's major or degree plan.| Classification | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| Freshman | 1-29 |
| Sophomore | 30-59 |
| Junior | 60-89 |
| Senior | 90 or more |
Dean's List
The Dean's List is composed of full-time students who have completed 12 or more college-level hours and who have earned at least a 3.50 grade point average (GPA) for the semester. Part-time students who have completed six hours or more while concurrently enrolled in high school also become eligible upon completion of 12 cumulative semester hours if they have both semester and cumulative GPAs of 3.50 or better.Financial Aid
Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal financial aid programs. Applications are available in high school counselor's offices or online. Check with the Financial Aid Office in the Campus Center for assistance in completing the FAFSA. The FAFSA process takes approximately four weeks if the application is filed in a paper format, but only about three days if filed electronically. Once a student has received the processed FAFSA from the federal government, the student will be contacted by the Financial Aid Office at UA Fort Smith for any additional information that may be required. Once the student has submitted all requested documentation, processing by the Financial Aid Office will be completed in about two to three weeks. The student will then be notified of his or her financial aid eligibility through a Financial Aid award letter. To receive financial aid, a student must be admitted to UA Fort Smith as a degree-seeking student. Students who receive financial aid are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 and complete at least 67% of all attempted hours per academic year to retain financial aid eligibility. For additional information, please see the University Catalog.GPA Calculation
UA Fort Smith uses the following system of grading:| Letter Grade | Quality Points |
|---|---|
| A - Excellent | 4 |
| B - Good | 3 |
| C - Average | 2 |
| D - Passing | 1 |
| AU - Audited | 0 |
| W - Withdrew | 0 |
| IP - In-progress | 0 |
| F - Failing | 0 |
| FX - Failing-Dishonesty | 0 |
- Find the total grade points earned by multiplying the value of each grade times the number of credit hours for each course. Use the table above for quality points. For example, 3 credit hours of A is 4 x 3 = 12 and 3 hours of B is 3 x 3 = 9; the total grade points earned is 21.
- Add all credit hours attempted, including those for which an "F" was earned. For example, two 3-credit-hour courses = 6.
- Divide the grade points earned by the total credit hours. For example, 21 / 6 = 3.5 GPA.
Grades
Mid-term and final grades are posted electronically on LionsLink, the UA Fort Smith intranet. Please note that, due to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), UA Fort Smith cannot release grades, transcripts, or other personal information to a student's parent without the express written permission of the student. A student who believes an error has been made in the assignment of a final grade may appeal for a change of grade. The grade petitioning policy is outlined in the University Catalog.Meal Plans
UA Fort Smith offers four meal plan options through Dining Services. Meal plans may be purchased at any time during the year through the Cashier's Office, and may be charged by phone. The UA Fort Smith student ID serves as the student's meal card, operating much like a bank debit card. The purchased meal plan dollar amount is loaded onto the student's account and reduced with each Food Court purchase by scanning the student's ID card. Current meal plan options are:| Option I | $835 meal plan for only $775 (approximately 175 meals) |
| Option II | $590 meal plan for only $550 (approximately 125 meals) |
| Option III | $370 meal plan for only $350 (approximately 80 meals) |
| Option IV | any amount |
Payment of Tuition and Fees
Students must pay their tuition and fees in full or make definite payment arrangements with the Cashier's Office by the payment deadline. This applies to all students, including recipients of scholarships, veterans' benefits, and other types of aid. A late payment fee of $75 will be posted to accounts not paid by the payment deadline. The UA Fort Smith Cashier's Office accepts cash, checks, and Visa/MasterCard payments.Registration
First-time entering freshmen and transfer students with fewer than 12 hours register for classes during New Student Orientation. Future.Parents are welcome to accompany their son or daughter to orientation, where they'll attend special sessions for parents of new students.Residential Life
Residents of Sebastian Commons, UA Fort Smith's student apartments, enjoy exclusive programs and activities throughout the year. Four residential life assistants and one head residential life assistant live on site to serve the needs of residents. Additionally, members of University Police department patrol the apartments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.Safety
Safety is a big concern for most parents and families of new college students. At UA Fort Smith, we take this issue very seriously, too. Officers of the University Police Department patrol campus buildings and the student apartments 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. The department also provides, by request, a security escort for students who are walking alone on campus at night or a jumpstart should students need assistance with their vehicle. Both services are available free of charge. Sebastian Commons, UA Fort Smith's student apartments, features a limited access gate and available intrusion alarms.Withdrawal
All withdrawals from class must be processed through an advisor and the Records Office. Failure to attend and/or pay tuition does not constitute official withdrawal; therefore, failure to attend may result in a failing grade which will be averaged with others for the student's grade point average. A student's GPA can affect financial aid, scholarships, and graduation.Programs and Services
Campus Store
Campus Center 145(479) 788-7320
The Lions' Campus Store, located on the lower level of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, offers students a broad range of supplies and services. In addition to new and used textbooks, the Campus Store sells classroom supplies, sportswear, sundries, giftware, and much more. The bookstore accepts cash, check, Visa and MasterCard. Book buy-back is held during the final week of fall and spring semesters.
Career Services
Campus Center 232(479) 788-7017
Ron Orick, Director
Career Services offers employment assistance, career exploration information, and graduate school information. Career exploration services include career counseling and a resource library containing books, career files, videos, Internet access, and career exploration software. Employment services include resume assistance, job listings, job market information and job/career fairs. These services are also available to students via the UA Fort Smith homepage. Career Services' website provides the opportunity for students to view job listings, post resumes, and send resumes to prospective employers. There are also links to personal assessment and career exploration websites. Assistance in resume writing, interview skills, job-search strategies, and career counseling are offered throughout each semester. Part-time employment opportunities for current students are also offered through Career Services.
Cub Camp
Campus Center 115(479) 788-7695
Cub Camp is an off-site experience for first-time, full-time freshmen designed to prepare students for a realistic view of college life. If also promotes school spirit, loyalty, and pride, as well as developing leadership skills of those students coordinating the program. Cub Camp 2007 is scheduled for August 5-7. In addition to student staff members, several UA Fort Smith full-time staff members attend Cub Camp for supervision.
Disabled Student Services
(479) 788-7577Roger Young, Advisor
Students who have been diagnosed with a learning or physical disability may present validation of their disability and request services by contacting the advisor for students with disabilities.
Foundations of Learning
Recognizing the unique challenges facing beginning college students, UA Fort Smith faculty and staff designed Foundations of Learning for freshmen. This elective course provides an understanding of the meaning of a college education, ways in which to integrate learning into daily life, the ability to work effectively with faculty and fellow students, make better decisions, practice effective learning strategies, and gain a thorough knowledge of the university experience. Foundations of Learning is a two-hour course offered each term.Freshman Center/Student Activities Office
Campus Center 115(479) 788-7308
The Freshman Center/Student Activities Office provides programs, guidance, and assistance to all students. Staff and peer leaders are available to assist freshmen in beginning their college careers. Information about fulfilling the University scholarship service requirement and FOL service learning projects is available in the Freshman Center/Student Activities Office. Freshmen who are members of Freshmen Assisting Students Together (FAST) student organization staff the front desk. The Freshman Center/Student Activities Office is also home to intramural, Greek life, and housing programs as well as UA Fort Smith's student organizations.
Health Education/Fitness Center
Gym 201(479) 788-7600
Alysia Cover, Director
The UA Fort Smith Health Education Center is located in the Gymnasium. Everyone who uses the facility must be enrolled in Total Fitness (see "Course Descriptions" in the current University Catalog), a one-hour credit course.
Learning Assistance Center (LAC)
Vines 101(479) 788-7675
The purpose of the Learning Assistance Center (LAC) is to provide all students with an equal opportunity to succeed in college by maintaining a program of support services to address their educational needs. The LAC staff considers not only the student's academic background, preparation, and study habits, but also the specific challenges of the course content and the student's overall college experience. Supplemental materials—including old class notes, tests, audiovisual tapes, and computer-aided instruction—are available for many courses. Free group tutoring is provided for any UA Fort Smith credit course, and free core skills instruction supports writing, reading, and math. Time management, self-discipline, and motivational programs are all provided for the student who wants improved study skills and grades.
Records
Campus Center 222(479) 788-7230
Penny Pendleton, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management/Registrar
The Records Office provides a variety of student support services including retention of official student records, enrollment verification, transcripts, processing of graduation and registration forms, and providing student ID cards.
Season of Entertainment
Campus Center 103(479) 788-7300
Stacey Jones, Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus and Community Events
UA Fort Smith's Season of Entertainment is composed of events including concerts by the jazz band, symphonic band, and chorale, as well as national touring productions. Students who are enrolled in six or more hours are eligible for free or discounted tickets.
Student Advisement and Career Planning
Campus Center 219(479) 788-7400
Professional advisors are available to work with students as they set goals, choose a major, and follow a degree plan. In addition, academic advisors will assist students with pre-professional majors and career information. Students admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences, Health Sciences, Business or Education will be advised by a faculty member in that discipline.
Testing Center
Campus Center 205(479) 788-7682
Nichelle Christian, Director
The Testing Center provides a quiet environment for a variety of testing services, including COMPASS and other placement tests, College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams, make-up tests, Challenge exams, and National Occupational Competency Testing Institute exams. In addition to these tests, the Testing Center also schedules ACT residual exams, National League for Nursing (NLN) pre-admission exams, Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) tests, and Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP).
Common Questions
Below are a few common issues you or your student may face while attending UA Fort Smith, along with the answers and on-campus referrals you can encourage your student to explore. What if…. My son or daughter needs help with classes?There are a variety of services available to help students succeed in the classroom. Our Learning Assistance Center (LAC), located in the Vines Building, provides a variety of free services including math labs, a writing center, group tutoring, and computer support programs for a wide range of courses. The Freshman Center/Student Activities Office, located in the Campus Center, provides assistance specifically for first-year students, including an information and referral service, student mentors, and discussion groups. Additionally, instructors are available for assistance during scheduled office hours. I need to contact my student during class?
Contact the Records Office at (479) 788-7230 and we'll make sure that your son or daughter gets your message. I'm worried about my student?
Sometimes parents don't know where to call when they have concerns about their student. When a situation arises, a good place to start is the vice chancellor for Student and Campus Life at (479) 788-7013. Although the vice chancellor can't reveal certain information because of the FERPA regulations, he or she can listen, determine the severity of the problem and, depending on circumstances, check on your son or daughter. My student needs a job or would like to find internship opportunities?
Career Services, located on the upper level of the Campus Center, provides listings for part-time jobs and internships both on the web and on the job board outside of the office. My student wants to get involved on campus, but doesn't know where to start?
Encourage your student to visit the Freshman Center/Student Activities Office in Campus Center 115. UA Fort Smith offers more than 40 student organizations, so your son or daughter should have no problem finding an organization of interest. My student needs computer help?
Students can contact the Computer Help Desk at helpdesk@uafortsmith.edu or (479) 788-7460. My student doesn't know who his or her advisor is?
Students can access their LionsLink account to verify their advisor, register for classes, view holds, and display their grades and transcripts.
5210 Grand Ave. • P.O. Box 3649