ATU Trustees Grant Easements to Developer

Arkansas Tech University has received authorization from its Board of Trustees to grant a pair of easements to Domus Development LLC that will allow for the construction of a pedestrian trail and bridge on Arkansas Tech property in Russellville.

The action was taken by the board during its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday.

A memorandum presented to trustees on Wednesday from Bernadette Hinkle, ATU vice president for administration and finance, states that the trail and accompanying bridge would connect to a proposed housing development that Domus Development intends to construct southwest of Tech’s Russellville campus on a parcel of land that sits between West Parkway Drive and Tech Field, the baseball stadium at ATU.

The trail and the bridge would be constructed by and at the cost of Domus Development.

Arkansas Tech granted to Domus Development a temporary construction easement for the trail and bridge that will expire when the project is complete or Dec. 31, 2019, whichever occurs first. ATU also granted Domus Development a 50-year easement in relation to building the pedestrian bridge and placing footings on ATU property. That easement will expire on Dec. 31, 2068.

In consideration for the easements, Domus Development will pay $60,000 to ATU.

In an academic matter, the board approved a proposal to split the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in management and marketing into two separate B.S.B.A. degrees, one in management and one in marketing.

“Separation of the majors and creation of the curriculum tracks will allow the student to either specialize or graduate as a generalist in either management or marketing,” wrote Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman, ATU vice president for academic affairs, in a memorandum presented to trustees. “Should the student choose, they could graduate with a double major in management and marketing.”

The management major will have three specialization curriculum tracks: entrepreneurship, human resource management and business management. The marketing major will have two specialization tracks: digital marketing and marketing strategy.

“The (College of Business) faculty and I are very excited about this,” said Dr. Lisa Toms, dean of the ATU College of Business. “Management and marketing is our largest major in the college, but at this point that particular major allows more electives than it has required courses. We feel like by splitting marketing and management into two majors and adding a few more classes, our graduates will be better prepared to enter the workforce.”

In personnel matters, the ATU Board of Trustees gave its approval for the hiring of Karen Alexander, coordinator of grants management in the Office of Budget, effective Jan. 22, 2018; Todd Birkhead, visiting workforce education faculty and clinical coordinator in emergency medical technician/paramedic at ATU-Ozark, effective Jan. 8, 2018; Brandye Bisek, director of health services, effective Jan. 8, 2018; Michael Hall, physical science lab coordinator and stockroom manager, effective Jan. 2, 2018; Emily Morrow, visiting workforce education faculty in adult education at ATU-Ozark, effective Jan. 8, 2018; Alan Parsons, academic advisor in Veterans Upward Bound, effective Jan. 2, 2018; Allison Sims, academic advisor in Veterans Upward Bound, effective Jan. 2, 2018; Thomas Walker, budget and restricted funds accountant in the Office of Budget, effective Jan. 15, 2018; Kyle Wewers, advanced practice nurse in the Health and Wellness Center, effective Feb. 5, 2018; and Kristie Wilson, director of Veterans Upward Bound, effective Jan. 2, 2018.

The board approved changes in assignment for Abby Davis, Laury Fiorello, Dr. Christopher Giroir and Dr. Stephen Jones.

Davis added the duties of senior woman administrator in the Department of Athletics effective Jan. 2, 2018. She will continue to serve as head women’s tennis coach.

Fiorello moved from assistant manager of fiscal affairs to chief fiscal officer at ATU-Ozark Campus effective Jan. 1, 2018.

Effective Jan. 1, 2018, Giroir stepped down as head of the Department of College Student Personnel while remaining in his roles as interim associate dean of the Graduate College and associate professor of college student personnel.

Jones will step down as associate dean of the College of Business effective July 1, 2018, and return to full-time teaching in his role as professor of management.

Trustees accepted resignations from Alison Ahlert, director of the Office of Events, effective Jan. 2, 2018; Sara Bradberry, director of graduate support services, effective Jan. 2, 2018; Brent Dearmon, offensive coordinator for the football program, effective Jan. 2, 2018; Megan Edmonds, coordinator of Greek life, effective Jan. 5, 2018; Joshua Freeman, workforce education faculty and chair of emergency medical technician/paramedic at ATU-Ozark, effective Jan. 25, 2018; Dr. Beth Giroir, director of student success special projects, effective Jan. 2, 2018; and Elijah Knudsen, workforce education faculty and clinical coordinator in emergency medical technician/paramedic at ATU-Ozark, effective Dec. 31, 2017.

Three employees — Dr. Deborah Barber, Fred Clayton and Bruce Trefney — had their requests for retirement accepted by the board.

Barber will retire at the rank of associate professor of music on May 12, 2018, following 16 years on the ATU faculty.

Clayton and Trefney will both retire on June 30, 2018. Clayton is director of administrative services in the Office of Finance and Administration. He has given 38 years of service to ATU. Trefney serves as executive chef and manager at Lake Point Conference Center. He has worked for ATU for 11 years.