Accrediting ruling on college put off
The Higher Learning Commission has delayed taking action on Arkansas Baptist College.
The commission, an accrediting agency, had investigated the Little Rock-based private college after receiving student and staff complaints. The commission questioned whether the college could meet its financial obligations and fulfill its mission.
The 855-student college was then placed on "notice status," meaning it was at risk of noncompliance with one or more accreditation standards. The college submitted a report to the commission in August to allay the accrediting agency's concerns, and the commission sent a review team to the college for a site visit in February.
"At its meeting in June 2015, the Board reviewed materials related to this evaluation and determined it needed additional information before taking final action," according to a public disclosure notice from the commission.
The commission's board of trustees will again review the college before or during its November meeting. The board's actions could range from removing the "notice status" to stripping the college's accreditation status if the college fails to show improvement.
In December, the college acquired a $30 million federal loan guaranteed through the U.S. Department of Education. Part of the loan was used to pay the college's two biggest debts, totaling $25.6 million to two local banks. Revenue from student tuition and future capital campaigns will repay the federal loan, officials at the college have said.
The federal Education Department still had the college listed under Heightened Cash Monitoring status as of June 1.
Texarkana campus adding to degrees
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has partnered with a community college to offer more bachelor degree options in southwest Arkansas.
UALR entered into a memorandum of understanding with the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope to offer four more bachelor programs at its Texarkana campus in: applied science, professional studies, construction management and general business, according to a news release. The courses are taught by UALR faculty members.
Two construction-management courses and four courses in business will be offered at a new Texarkana branch in face-to-face and online formats, the news release states. Expanding coursework at the new campus will help the students transition from two-year to four-year degrees, UALR said.
HSU in 2nd phase of energy project
Henderson State University is undergoing the second phase of energy-saving projects that officials there say will save $9 million over the next 20 years.
The Arkadelphia university contracted with Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, to carry out two phases of projects to make the campus more energy-efficient. The first phase was completed in May 2013 and led to nearly $238,000 of annual savings, the university said in a news release.
The second phase includes building utility sub-metering, upgrading the electrical distribution system and retrofitting lighting. That phase began in March and is expected to save an additional $281,000 annually, the university said.
"In additional to providing efficient and reliable service to our students, faculty and staff -- we're on track to reduce our energy consumption by 30 percent," Bobby Jones, the university's vice president for finance and administration, said in a prepared statement. "Our project will continue the strides we have made toward greater energy efficiency throughout the campus community."
Metro on 07/26/2015