Provost Steve Runge addressed concerns over international student enrollment during the Campus Talk on March 12.
A question submitted before the Campus Talk was concerned with a decrease in international student enrollment and an international student population that mostly originates from one or two countries.
Runge said while international student enrollment is down, the university has increased the diversity of the countries the students come from.
He said international students at UCA are from 63 countries, and while the largest number of these students are from China, diversity has increased since Assistant Provost and Director of International Engagement Jane Ann Williams was hired in 2012.
Runge also said that along with the increase in diversity on campus, the university has also focused on increasing the number of degree-seeking international students who look to spend their entire undergraduate career at UCA.
President Tom Courtway addressed a concern about mold in the McCastlain Hall basement. Courtway said measures to take care of the problem were already underway.
“All steps are being taken to make sure it is safe,” Courtway said.
The UCA financial aid office was forced to move out of the McCastlain Hall basement early this semester because of a leak in the basement.
Courtway said the leak was repaired in the McCastlain Hall basement in 2014.
Another question submitted before the meeting asked Courtway to address the university’s decision to begin the Greek Village project when several dormitories were still in need of repair. Courtway said he was “proud” of upgrades made to several dormitories and residence halls over the past few years. Most of the renovations occur during the summer because students are generally gone during the summer months.
Courtway also addressed smoking on the sidewalk in front of the President’s House. He said the sidewalk, along with the bridge on Robbin Street, were not owned by the university. Courtway said that while smoking in these areas is “unsightly,” he questioned the enforceability of tickets given for smoking on property not owned by the university.
Courtway said UCA’s state budget was increased by $400,000 this year, though he said the increase will not be enough to change budgeting priorities or spending.
