Arkansas Tech University plans to offer a new Bachelor of Science degree in applied statistics following action by the ATU Board of Trustees during its Thursday, Aug. 15, meeting at Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center.
The board approved a letter of intent concerning the proposed program. Dr. Jeanine Myers, head of the ATU Department of Mathematics, wrote the letter. It notes that the degree would include two tracks — actuarial science and computer science — that students would be able to pursue.
“Demand for professionals with strong quantitative analytical skills is not new,” wrote Myers, “but recent changes in the economy and the growing reliance of our businesses and governments on data have created an even greater need for workers who can manage data, produce informative visualizations of data and are guided by fundamental statistical principles. The curriculum in applied statistics is tailored to professionals who may be working with data and statistics in any industry including natural resources, environmental agencies, non-profit organizations, health care, insurance, business and finance or any industry where the analysis of data research results is required.”
The degree program would include classes in mathematical theory, statistical modeling, computer programing, economics and business analytics.
The letter of intent will be forwarded to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB) for its review. If approved by AHECB, ATU will begin offering the applied statistics degree in summer 2020.
Trustees also received information about the future of Williamson Hall, which was already under renovation on the ATU campus in Russellville when it was damaged by fire on April 3.
Bernadette Hinkle, ATU vice president for administration, stated that the facility was released to the university following the completion of insurance reviews on July 30. She indicated that the process of deciding whether to renovate or partially demolish Williamson Hall is ongoing. That process will include the anticipated receipt of an estimate on which option would be more cost effective as well as the results of environmental assessments.
Hinkle said the environmental assessments are important due to the length of time the interior of the structure has been exposed to the elements following the fire.
Crafton Tull and Associates was the provider for architectural services at the Williamson Hall project before the fire. Trustees voted on Thursday to continue with Crafton Tull and Associates for those services during the post-fire phase while also granting the university the authority to conduct a new architectural firm search if that becomes necessary.
“Crafton Tull very much values its relationship with the university,” said Jim Smith, ATU trustee from Fayetteville. “They are advocates for the university in this situation and are hopeful for a positive result.”
In other business on Thursday, the ATU Board of Trustees approved:
*an investment policy for operating funds that sets general guidelines to provide a clear understanding of the investment objectives of the university’s operating funds;
*establishment of methods of finance for educational and general construction and renovation projects and a funds transfer of up to $3 million from educational and general unappropriated funds for educational and general projects;
*establishment of methods of finance for auxiliary construction and renovation projects and a funds transfer of up to $3 million from auxiliary unappropriated funds for auxiliary projects;
*four proposed sewer line easements for City Corporation’s right of way on ATU property in Russellville;
*a $25,000 remodel of the clubhouse at University Commons apartments;
*a $29,000 project at Tucker Residence Hall, to include shower resurfacing and the purchase of outdoor furniture;
*in accordance with Act 844 of 2019, a recommendation to provide in-state tuition rates to non-traditional documented immigrants who wish to pursue study at ATU;
*proposed faculty tenure and promotion portfolio preparation procedures effective with the 2019 faculty handbook update;
*proposed student academic grievance procedures effective with the 2019-20 undergraduate catalog, the 2019 faculty handbook update and the 2019 student handbook update;
*a proposed code of academic integrity effective with the 2019-20 undergraduate catalog, the 2019 faculty handbook update and the 2019 student handbook update;
*the 2019-20 student handbook for ATU students on the Russellville campus;
*ATU-Ozark Campus 2019-20 parking and traffic regulations;
*the ATU-Ozark Campus 2019-20 student handbook;
*and upcoming meeting dates of Oct. 17, 2019; Dec. 19, 2019; Jan. 16, 2020; March 19, 2020; May 14, 2020; and Aug. 13, 2020, for the ATU Board of Trustees.
In personnel matters, the board approved new leaders at the campus, college and department levels.
Sheila Jacobs was confirmed as chief academic officer for ATU-Ozark Campus effective July 1, 2019.
Dr. Kevin Mason was named interim dean of the ATU College of Business effective Aug. 12, 2019. He succeeds Dr. Lisa Toms, who served as dean from 2017-19 and will assume a full-time teaching schedule in her role as professor of marketing during the 2019-20 academic year.
Tracy Cole, professor of legal studies, will serve as interim associate dean for the ATU College of Business effective Aug. 15, 2019. She will function as head for both of the college’s departments during her interim leadership appointment.
Dr. Wayne Powell is returning to ATU as interim dean of the College of Arts and Humanities effective Aug. 1, 2019. Powell previously served as interim dean of the ATU College of Engineering and Applied Sciences during the 2017-18 academic year. He was president at Lenoir-Rhyne University (N.C.) from 2002 until the time of his retirement in 2016.
Dr. Rockie Pederson, professor of health and physical education and a member of the ATU faculty since 2011, will serve as head of the ATU Department of Health and Physical Education during the 2019-20 academic year.
Dr. Justin Killingsworth will be interim head of the ATU Department of Agriculture during 2019-20. He is associate professor of agricultural education.
Dr. Jeff Robertson (interim dean) and Dr. Sandy Smith (interim associate dean) will continue in interim leadership positions for the ATU Graduate College during the 2019-20 academic year. Robertson is dean of the ATU College of Natural and Health Sciences and professor of astrophysics. Smith is head of the ATU Department of Emergency Management and professor of emergency management.
Trustees confirmed the following new, full-time faculty appointments on ATU’s Russellville campus for the 2019-20 academic year:
*Dr. Anindya Ambuj, visiting assistant professor of physics; Dr. Lynnette Gilbert, assistant professor of art; Misaki Kaku, visiting assistant professor of nursing; Shelley Koone, visiting instructor of mathematics; Dr. Seyed Imran Ali Meerza, assistant professor of agriculture; Christopher Sheach, visiting instructor of emergency management; Krystal Shipp, visiting instructor of curriculum and instruction; and Dr. Brett Stone, visiting professor of health and physical education.
Dr. Matt Brown, a member of the ATU faculty since 2008 and previously an associate professor of computer and information science, was approved as associate professor of business data analytics for the 2019-20 academic year.
The following individuals were appointed to full-time faculty positions at ATU-Ozark or Arkansas Tech Career Center for the 2019-20 academic year:
*Amandalyn Boen, practical nursing; Mitchell Brashears, automotive service technology; Charlotte Coats, business technology and banking services; Brenda Huntsinger, health information technology; Leslie Jenkins, health science; and Sandra Shigley, health science.
The board approved these full-time staff appointments:
*Lauren Davis, STEM specialist, effective July 1, 2019; Stacie Harden, program/project specialist for fiscal affairs at ATU-Ozark, effective Aug. 1, 2019; Brock Hime, head cross country coach, effective July 3, 2019; Chelsea Lairamore, coordinator for student leadership, effective July 1, 2019; Meredith Lawson, coordinator of graduate enrollment management, effective July 1, 2019; Sarah Ashlee Leavell, assistant dean for student wellness and deputy Title IX coordinator, effective July 1, 2019; Baylee Linker, academic advisor and recruiter at Arkansas Tech Career Center, effective July 1, 2019; John Nicholson, area coordinator for residence life, effective July 29, 2019; and Doug Ruse, assistant football coach and offensive coordinator, effective July 1, 2019.
Amanda Johnson was installed as interim director of student learning resources in addition to her duties as director of ATU Norman Career Services.
Trustees accepted resignations from the following ATU employees:
*Corey Adaire, science specialist, STEM Institute, effective June 30, 2019; Dr. Michael Brodrick, assistant professor of philosophy, effective Aug. 10, 2019; Dr. Elishia Fairfield, director of the APEX Center, effective July 23, 2019; Dr. Fatima Ferguson, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, effective July 31, 2019; Roger Frye, associate professor of computer and information science, effective July 19, 2019; Dr. Rebecca Garvin, associate professor of English, effective Aug. 11, 2019; Dr. Caroline Hackerott, assistant professor of emergency management, effective Aug. 7, 2019; Dr. Latasha Holt, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, effective Aug. 9, 2019; Pallavi Ketkar, instructor of mathematics, effective June 10, 2019; Dr. Deepesh Khanna, assistant professor of health and physical education, effective June 30, 2019; Dr. Rick Massengale, associate vice president for sponsored programs and university initiatives and professor of computer and information science, effective June 28, 2019; Dr. Johnette Moody, associate professor of computer and information science, effective June 30, 2019; Aaliyah Moore, coordinator of multicultural support, effective June 28, 2019; Marsha Oels, coordinator of veteran services, effective Aug. 1, 2019; Dr. Mack Rainey, head of the Department of Agriculture and professor of agriculture, effective July 12, 2019; and Dr. Clement Wong, assistant professor of physics, effective July 8, 2019.
