The Little Rock area, Arkansas' major metropolitan center, is home to over a half million people. Little Rock is centrally located, within easy reach of virtually any metropolitan area in the Mid-South by major highway and from anywhere in the US by air.
UALR is building on a vigorous tradition that began with the founding of Little Rock Junior College in 1927. The institution became Little Rock University in 1957 and joined the University of Arkansas system to become UALR in 1969.
The 150-acre campus includes 30 major buildings, sensibly arranged for the convenience of students. The University campus is in a constant state of growth -- UALR opened its first 306-bed residence hall for the 1992 fall semester, and a new state-of-the-art student center opened in August, 1993. Other special facilities include a 700-seat theater, a concert hall, a recital hall, two art galleries and a planetarium offering shows for the general public and school groups.
UALR has grown from an enrollment of 3,500 students in 1969 to its current total near 12,000 students. The demographics of the campus are unique, with 58 percent of the population made up of women and the student's average age at 26; many students must balance the demands of a career and family with their education.
Like enrollment, the number of faculty has grown rapidly; in 1969 UALR had 75 full-time faculty members. The number has now climbed past 500, with more that 275 faculty employed on a part-time basis. Most faculty hold the highest degree in their fields, and many come from the private sector, bringing a real-world perspective to the classroom.
The University offers two 15-week semesters, with two six-week summer sessions for students who wish to earn credits between May and August.
UALR classrooms are in use 14 hours each day and from five to nine hours daily on weekends, with courses available on both Saturday and Sundays.
UALR is a member of the Sun Belt Conference and sponsors 16 varsity sports, all of which now compete at the NCAA Division I level. The Trojans compete in seven men's sports -- baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, tennis, indoor track and field, as well as outdoor track and field -- and eight women's sports -- basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field and volleyball.
There are more than 75 student organizations and clubs registered at UALR. These groups offer opportunities for leadership and student development experiences; recognize scholarship and leadership achievements at either the undergraduate or graduate level; and provide social experiences and opportunities to promote common interests in such areas as religion, philosophy, ethics, social actions, politics, recreation and hobbies.
The Ottenheimer Library contains more than 300,000 volumes, subscriptions
to 2,600 periodicals, a Government Documents Depository with 127,000 documents,
580,000 pieces of micro-form, study rooms, a Media Center and a computerized
reference service.
Last modified: 11/19/97 11:45 a.m. - gll
Direct comments and suggestions to: GLowAR@aol.com