Although the thermometers say upper 90s, the traffic patterns in and around campus are saying it is fall!

The Hogs are hard at practice in preparation for a much anticipated football season. Freshmen have arrived for Rock Camp, sorority houses are abuzz with activity and the new bookstore is in operation on Garland.

The biggest news on campus is that enrollment could reach nearly 21,000 students this semester. To accommodate all the new students, several older residence halls have been enhanced. Buchanan-Droke, Gladson-Ripley and Walton Hall (the former men’s athletic hall) have received major upgrades so they can house freshman women, men and Greek organizations respectively. The University expects an overall occupancy level of 98% in the residence halls.

A good friend, department chair and alumna, Sharon Hunt of the College of Education and Health Professions has been named as the first woman and first non-lawyer to serve as the faculty athletic representative. In her role, while working closely with the athletic department, she will be involved with the student-athlete advisory council and be the university’s faculty representative to the NCAA and the SEC.

The Association will welcome 84 Alumni Scholars who will receive $163,000 in funding to attend the university. A total of $544,410 will be granted in Alumni Scholarships, a 45% increase over last year.  Thank you for your support of our scholarships.

We recently received a thank you from Jessica Sharbaugh a 2010 Roads Scholar (funded by the Hog License Plate Program). Her comments were priceless.

“The wonderful gift of $2,500 through the Roads Scholarship means a lot to me as I conclude my journey with the University…While driving, I pointed out every vehicle on the Road and in the parking lot with a UofA license plate and said, There’s someone who helped fund my next year of school. And there’s one.  And there’s another one….The alumni who give that extra bit of money each year with their car’s registration cannot understand how quickly their little gift adds up, or how much it can mean to a needy student like me.”

Our website features a new career resource unveiled by the Association in collaboration with the UA Career Development Center and the Walton College Career Development Center. Razorback CareerLink can help alumni and students locate employment and utilize career networking through its online job postings and on-campus career recruiting system.

Finally, one other issue will impact the entire UA Family including visitors. We are truly a non-smoking campus. Not only is it illegal to smoke in buildings and on the campus grounds, but even in cars within campus boundaries. University police say the law will be enforced so be advised as you travel to bring your student or attend a Razorback football game.

See you on campus this fall. Go Hogs!!!