ASU System Board Approves IT Management, Security Enhancements
JONESBORO, Ark. – The Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees today approved four policies designed to enhance information technology management and security on all its campuses.
The policies include revising the existing Appropriate Use of Information and Technology Resources Policy while adding an Artificial Intelligence Governance Policy, Data Security and Classification Policy and an Information and Technology Resource Security Policy.
System President Todd Shields said procedures for implementing the policies would be developed to ensure consistency across the institutions.
Shields also told trustees that his first three months of visiting campuses “confirmed we have exciting institutions with distinct missions.
“My job is not to make campuses alike, but help them succeed,” Shields said. “Higher education is changing quickly, and we must be willing to change, too.”
New A-State Chancellor Calvin White Jr. told trustees he would “focus on building the momentum established while ensuring we position A-State for long-term success.
“That starts with enrollment,” White said. “We have now had six consecutive semesters of record enrollment. That is something worth celebrating, but we are certainly not satisfied.”
White said he and his executive team are working on an ambitious enrollment growth campaign.
“Getting there will require us to think differently about how and where we recruit students,” he added. “We are looking at opportunities to expand our presence in growing markets. As we grow, we are placing an even greater emphasis on how we manage our resources, evaluate spending and return on investment, and prioritize investments. That means making strategic investments in areas where demand is strong, growth is sustainable and our resources can make the greatest impact.”
Trustee Jerry Morgan said he wanted “to share the excitement of Dr. White about everything going on – systemwide and in Jonesboro. We have revamped enrollment, recruitment and retention. I’m excited about the leadership and teamwork of everybody involved.”
Trustee Gary Harpole said that as a father of a freshman at A-State, he sees campus excitement coming from the student level in addition to the business community.
The board approved the proposed bylaws of Arkansas State University Strategic Endeavors, Inc., which is a new nonprofit organization established to support the university in providing a structure for partnerships and transactions that advance educational and facilities needs. Potential uses include projects involving campus facilities, research, infrastructure and partnerships with private entities.
“This is big endeavor for us moving forward,” Morgan said.
Trustee Price Gardner said the organization is “a vehicle that will help the continued drive to do some things.” He thanked Trustees Gary Harpole and Carole Farmer for their leadership in the development of the organization.
The approved bylaws establish the organization’s board structure, its authority to consider transactions and the circumstances under which a project must also come before the Board of Trustees.
In other business, the Board approved:
• An amendment to the ASU-Mountain Home operating budget to allow a minimum $31,200 salary for full-time staff, increase base salaries of all employees by $1,000 annually and provide one-time bonuses in December.
• Naming the defensive coordinator’s office in the Centennial Bank Football Operations Center at A-State in honor of Marvin Hagaman and his family. Hagaman was an educator, coach and community leader who was a co-captain of the A-State football team and a member of the 1970 national championship coaching staff.
• Naming the strength training center in the Fromby Athletic Center at Henderson State University in honor of Jada and Chris Hart for their contributions to the program.
• Henderson’s purchase of property at 306/308 North 11th Street in Arkadelphia for $100,000 to use as short-term housing for faculty and staff.
• The addition of 10 local high schools as locations of instruction for ASU Three Rivers in accordance with the Arkansas ACCESS Law.
• ASU Three Rivers to offer a Technical Certificate in General Technology to enhance its offerings at the Saline County Career and Technical Campus.
