University of Central Arkansas 2023-24 Housing Guide

UCA HOUSING

Live Pu rple

CAMPUS LIVING

Living in UCA residence halls or other campus housing gives students the opportunity to make friends, get connected and have a memorable collegiate experience. Living on campus really makes college feel like home. Here at UCA, our on-campus accommodations are comfortable, affordable and convenient.

Getting Involved

INTRAMURALS (RESIDENCE HALL DIVISION)

Intramurals give UCA students the opportunity to participate in a variety of competitive sports activity. The program offers competitions for individuals and teams and ranges from traditional sports such as flag football, basketball and slow-pitch softball to non-traditional sports such as ultimate frisbee, whiffle ball and table tennis.

RESIDENT HOUSING ASSOCIATION (RHA)

RHA at UCA encourages campus involvement through a wide range of programming. Similar to student government, it serves as the voice for students who live on campus. RHA also offers leadership opportunities through regional, national and international conferences.

BEARTEGRITY

Beartegrity is a student organization that works to provide entertaining and thought-provoking programs that focus on the issues of diversity and social justice.

RECOGNIZED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

There are more than 200 recognized student organizations at UCA covering a variety of categories like academics, cultural, faith-based, sports, wellness, service and much more. We’re confident you’ll find one just right for you.

GREEK LIFE

Scholarship, leadership, brotherhood and sisterhood, community service and social activities are the key elements of fraternity and sorority life at UCA. There are 22 different organizations that make up UCA’s diverse Greek community.

Get to kn ow

UCA is a four-year public university located in Conway, Arkansas. With campus just a 30-minute drive from Little Rock and nestled in the heart of the state, students can experience city life while enjoying the quaint downtown feel of home. Conway is within driving distance of many state parks, has multiple biking and walking trails and has a vibrant downtown with shopping, dining and entertainment for all.

CAMPUS AMENITIES

UCA’s beautiful campus includes lush gardens adorned with seasonal flowers and billowing shade trees that complement the Georgian-style architecture of campus buildings. On warm afternoons, students can be found studying, visiting with friends and listening to music around the fountain at Harding Centennial Plaza. The fountain and plaza area is one of Conway’s signature landmarks and is a popular location for campus events.

TORREYSON LIBRARY

Students who prefer a quiet place to study often turn to Torreyson Library, which is complete with computers, reference materials, group meeting rooms for student projects, a 24-hour study center and an on-site Starbucks.

RONNIE WILLIAMS STUDENT CENTER

Located in the center of campus, the Ronnie Williams Student Center is home to the university bookstore, post office, convenience store, coffee shop, ATM, study lounges and food court. It is also the venue for activities like movie nights, guest speakers and musical performances.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Students who like to stay active can visit the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Center. The HPER Center is a 115,000-square-foot facility with basketball, volleyball and racquetball courts, an indoor track, pool, exercise class studios and a fitness center complete with a full range of cardio and strength-training equipment. The Jewel Moore Nature Reserve, located just outside the HPER Center, is a perfect place to get in touch with. With Gear Locker, students can check out bicycles, kayaks, canoes and other outdoor equipment at no charge.

THE ARTS

The Baum Gallery inside McCastlain Hall is an educational art museum that serves as a cultural resource for the state. The gallery participates in national and international touring exhibitions and programs while also curating original exhibits. When world-class dance troupes, plays and musicians come to campus, they perform at the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall. UCA students receive free or discounted tickets to many of these performances. The new Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts (set to open in 2023) will revolutionize the arts experience for both the campus and Conway communities.

RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES

UCA combines living and learning through a residential college system that is unlike anywhere else in Arkansas. UCA is the only four-year public university in the state to make this experience available to all incoming freshmen.

Residential colleges offer a supportive community of like-minded students and an atmosphere that results in higher grades and a greater likelihood of returning for the next semester. Students take UCA core classes inside the residence hall, which can be beneficial on rainy days and early mornings.

Student staff includes a resident coordinator, resident assistants, peer coaches and mentors who are trained to guide new students through their first year. Faculty-in-residence also live in the buildings with their families and pets.

Which residential college is right for you?

Each residential college has unique themes and special traditions and is associated with an academic college. Students are welcomed by faculty who teach in their areas of interest. Classes, programs, competitions, clubs, service-learning opportunities, recreational activities and even lunches with college administrators will make your first year at UCA spectacular.

Learn more about the residential college residence halls by visiting uca.edu/go/housing-rc.

BIZ@BEAR HALL

Associated with the College of Business, Biz@Bear Hall prepares students for the rapidly evolving business world. Ambitious students studying accounting, business administration, economics, finance, insurance and risk management, marketing, management, information systems, public scholarship and community engagement, or innovation and entrepreneurship will find invaluable networking opportunities.

Bear Hall is a four-story residence hall. It offers some of the largest double occupancy rooms on campus. With a location next to Estes Stadium, football fans will be right at home. The fourth floor houses the BIZ@ Bear Hall residential college.

HPaW@BARIDON HALL

Short for Health Promotion and Wellness, HPaW gives students planning careers in health and behavioral sciences a place to connect with peers who are also considering similar professions. HPaW is perfect for students in the departments of communication sciences and disorders, exercise and sport science, family and consumer sciences, health sciences, military science and leadership, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology and counseling and the school of nursing.

Baridon Hall is a three-story residence hall and is set up suite-style, with two rooms, a bathroom and a living space in each suite. It is located by the Ronnie Williams Student Center and the Student Health Center.

MUSE@ARKANSAS HALL

Students in Muse@Arkansas Hall strive to become dynamic and passionate global citizens who understand the value of interdisciplinary connection — how individual scholarly and creative endeavors engage in larger discussions about how we perceive ourselves and our place in the world. The atmosphere is thick with creative energy and a dedication to service. Muse@Arkansas Hall is associated with the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

Arkansas Hall is a three-story residence hall located near Christian Cafeteria and Estes Stadium. The hall features double rooms, community-style bathrooms and fully furnished community kitchen areas.

STEM@HUGHES HALL

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics students, and students considering pre-med or prevet, live here because of the close academic relationship with the chemistry and biology departments. Opportunities for undergraduate research in the departments of biology, chemistry, computer science, geography and environmental science, mathematics and physics and astronomy make STEM the perfect environment for ambitious students who love science.

Hughes Hall is a three-story residence hall located near the Christian Cafeteria. The hall features double rooms, private hall bathrooms and a fully furnished community kitchen.

HONORS@FARRIS HALL

Farris Honors Hall exclusively houses students enrolled in the Schedler Honors College and University Scholars Program. Honors education at UCA seeks to develop public scholars whose skills as leaders empower them to help transform themselves and their world. Student participants say that these programs have helped make their transition to college easier: connecting them with peers and faculty who care about their success, improving their grades by enhancing writing and critical thinking skills and giving them a deeply rewarding educational experience.

Farris Hall features single rooms and suite-style bathrooms as well as a community-style full kitchen and is located across the street from the HPER Center.

FRESHMAN EXPERIENCE

Freshman Experience, or First-Year Experience, halls are not associated with any one department on campus but concentrate on exposing students to college life as a whole. Freshman Experience halls are a great way to get connected with fellow first-year students and to participate in a variety of programs and activities focused on personal growth and managing the new freedom that college brings.

BERNARD HALL

This residence hall offers some of the largest single occupancy rooms on campus and features communitystyle bathrooms. Bernard Hall is located adjacent to the Ronnie Williams Student Center and is a short walk to Torreyson Library.

CARMICHAEL HALL

This all-female freshman community is located near the Ronnie Williams Student Center. Carmichael Hall features double rooms and private hall bathrooms.

CONWAY HALL

Conway Hall is a coed freshman living community that features double rooms and private hall bathrooms. It is located beside the Christian Cafeteria.

STATE HALL

State Hall is a residence hall located near the Christian Cafeteria and the UCA Police Department. This coeducational community is open to freshmen of all majors and features double rooms and private hall bathrooms.

Learn more about freshman experience halls at uca.edu/housing.

Connect and make lasting friendships living on campus

Freshman experience

The Freshmen Experience Halls allows students to explore all of what UCA has to offer. Whether it be the diverse programming within the hall to meeting different people from different walks of life, Freshmen Experience halls offer first year students the chance to see what all UCA has to offer!

89%

OF FIRST -YEAR STUDENTS

SURVEYED SAID THEY EXPECTED TO MAKE A 3.0 GPA OR HIGHER

FIRST -YEAR STUDENTS REPORTED THEY HAD A HIGH SENSE OF BELONGING ON CAMPUS

FIRST -YEAR STUDENTS REPORTED THEY HAD HIGH RSO/CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT

STUDIES SHOW LIVING ON CAMPUS CAN ENHANCE LEARNING

STAY PURPLE

Beyond Freshman Year

Living on campus can be one of the most rewarding experiences for a college student. UCA students find that living purple offers a less stressful college experience and gives them advantages such as convenient access to campus facilities, comfortable living accommodations and a helpful residence life staff. Students are close to classes, dining options and campus events, which cuts down on transportation costs and time. UCA offers a variety of living styles to fit many different needs and preferences.

Residence Halls

BEAR HALL

Bear Hall offers the Sophomore Year Experience Living and Learning Community. Students can participate in an exclusive experience for second-year students, earn academic credit for courses related to their sophomore year and maintain their motivation to succeed academically.

BERNARD HALL

This residence hall offers some of the largest single occupancy rooms on campus and features community-style bathrooms. Bernard Hall is located adjacent to the Ronnie Williams Student Center and is a short walk to Torreyson Library.

DONAGHEY HALL

Donaghey Hall is a four-story, mixed-use building. The top three floors serve as a residence hall for upperclassmen. The first floor houses local businesses, such as Einstein’s Coffee, Twisted Taco, Marble Slab Creamery, the Admissions office welcome center and the UCA Makerspace.

NEW HALL

New Hall provides a suite-style living environment for upperclassman students that is conducive to academic success and personal growth.

Learn more about living on campus beyond freshman year at uca.edu/housing.

Apartments BEAR VILLAGE

Bear Village Apartments are a two-story coeducational apartment complex open to upperclassmen. These apartments feature double and single rooms, two full baths and washer/ dryer units in each apartment. A shuttle service is available for rides to the heart of campus Monday through Friday.

ERBACH

Erbach Apartments are a two-story coeducational apartment complex open to upperclassmen. These residences feature double rooms, two full baths, a full kitchen and washer/dryer units in each apartment. Erbach Apartments are located just off Donaghey Avenue, across the street from the College of Business.

GEORGETOWN

Georgetown is a quiet, duplex style apartment complex near campus that is reserved for graduate students. Each apartment features two single bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room and a bathroom, with laundry in the apartment.

OAK TREE

Oak Tree Apartments are townhouse-style apartments available to female upperclassmen. These apartments feature triple apartments - one single room and one double room - one and a half baths, full kitchens and a washer/dryer in each apartment. Oak Tree Apartments are located across the street from the College of Business.

STADIUM PARK

Stadium Park apartments are a two-story coeducational apartment complex available to upperclassmen. These apartments feature double and single rooms, one full bath, full kitchens and on-site laundry facilities. Stadium Park apartments are located near the Farris Center and Bear Stadium.

TORREYSON PLACE

Torreyson Place is a coeducational townhouse-style apartment complex available to upperclassmen. These apartments feature double rooms, two full baths, full kitchens and a washer/dryer in each apartment. Torreyson Place Apartments are located just off Donaghey Avenue, across the street from the College of Business.

Make your apartment your home away from home.

GREEK VILLAGE

Greek Village includes a row of red brick Colonial Georgian-style sorority and fraternity houses on Donaghey Avenue. The village sets UCA apart by giving it a unique living environment that fosters a sense of community and collaboration for students involved in Greek organizations. Each two-story fraternity house is approximately 7,365 square feet with 11 bedrooms for 20 students, a chapter room, living and study rooms and other amenities specific to individual fraternities. The sorority houses are approximately 10,400 square feet and include living space for up to 32 students. Greek Village also includes a Community Center and Chapter rooms for National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities and sororities.

DINING OPTIONS

Campus dining provides an array of options and menus that can tempt any palate.

When hunger strikes, Christian Cafeteria is a great place to go. It serves three meals a day, Monday through Friday, as well as brunch and dinner on weekends. The cafeteria features a variety of stations offering culturally diverse menu selections such as pasta, pizza, grill and deli selections, all-day breakfast, traditional favorites, ethnic dishes, fresh market fruits and veggies, local selections and more. The cafeteria also accommodates special dietary needs, provides vegan and vegetarian options and offers individual support for those with food allergies.

There are many other on-campus dining options as well. Enjoy dining choices like Quiznos, Chick-fil-a, Mooyah, Pizza Hut, Twisted Taco and Einstein Bros Bagels.

MEAL PLANS

All students living in on-campus housing are required to have a meal plan. For information regarding dining rates, please visit centralarkansas.campusdish.com. All meal plans come with Dining Dollars (DD). There are three basic types of meal plans:

TOTAL ACCESS

Students have access to unlimited meals that may be used in the Christian Cafeteria, as well as $200 Dining Dollars may be used at any on campus dining location.

BLOCK

Students receive a set number of meals for the semester. These meals can be used in the cafeteria or through the meal equivalency options at other dining locations. Block plans expire at the end of each semester. Meals don’t roll over.

DINING DOLLARS

These plans are only available to those students living in Donaghey Hall, UCA apartments and Greek Village. Students have a set amount to spend for the semester. Each purchase at any of the food service locations is deducted from the starting balance. Dining Dollars expire at the end of summer session II and are non-refundable.

HOW TO APPLY

Applying for housing at UCA is easy! Simply follow the steps listed below to apply for housing and pay the deposit. Be sure to apply before Jan. 31 to participate in the room selection process. Learn more about applying for housing at uca.edu/go/apply-housing

Log into myUCA. (my.uca.edu)

Click the tab at the top labeled “MyUCA.”

Click the button that says “myHousing.”

This will log you into the UCA Housing Portal,

must log in via the my.uca.edu page.

Click on the Apply for Housing button in the top left on the purple bar.

Click on the term you are coming to UCA.

Follow the application instructions

Pay the $100 deposit.

on the website.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is eligible for UCA Housing?

All full-time UCA students who are enrolled in at least 12 credit hours can live in UCA Housing.

When can I apply for housing?

Students can apply for housing after they have been officially admitted to the university. Fore more information about the admissions process, visit uca.edu/admissions.

How much is the deposit?

All applications for housing must include a $100 deposit. The deposit is fully refundable if the student cancels in writing before May 10. A 50% refund of the deposit is available if the student cancels in writing by July 10.

What are the terms of the lease?

The student-housing lease is a nine-month academic year lease that outlines the terms and conditions of living in UCA Housing. If a student chooses to leave UCA Housing prior to the end of the lease, they forfeit their deposit and are subject to a $425 lease buyout fee.

What are the housing rates?

To learn more about our housing rates, please visit uca.edu/housing/rates.

When will I know my housing assignment?

This depends on when a student submits their application and deposit. UCA posts the first assignments on myUCA in May.

Do I have to live on campus?

All freshmen are required to live on campus during their first academic year. You may fill out a Freshman Residency Exemption Request if you meet any of the following criteria:

• You are 21 years old or older.

• You are married.

• You are currently enrolled in less than 12 credit hours.

• You have completed 21 credit hours (Non-High School Concurrent).

• You are living with a parent or legal guardian and commuting to campus .

• You have previously lived in a residence hall for two semesters.

The Freshman Residency Exemption Request form is due by July 1 for fall and December 1 for spring.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS) collaborates with Housing and Residence Life and UCA Dining Services to meet the on-campus housing and/or dining needs of students who may need accommodations.

In order to begin the process of requesting a housing/dining accommodation, the following procedures have been established:

Submit a new student registration online with the OARS office at uca.edu/oars.

• When filling out the online registration, please be specific in the request by completing the additional note or comment section at the bottom of the application.

• Please detail disability-related limitations and accommodations needed.

Obtain documentation from a qualified health or other provider in support of the requested accommodation.

• Documentation should include the diagnosed disability, functional limitations and recommended accommodations.

• Note: If the request is for an Emotional Support Animal, see further details at uca.edu/oars.

Submit both the online application and documentation to OARS.

• Students can upload documentation to their online registration application.

• If a student does not have documentation at the time of online application they can email, fax, mail or drop off in person the documentation to DRC.

OFFICE OF ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCES AND SERVICES

Phone: (501) 450-3613

Fax: (501) 450-5664 oars@uca.edu

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. uca.edu/oars

201 Donaghey Avenue

Student Health Building, Suite 212 Conway, AR 72035

HEALTH AND SAFETY

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Our goal is to provide you with a safe environment in which to live and learn. Residence Hall exterior doors are locked 24/7 and you must be a building resident with card access to enter. Security cameras are located on all exterior doors of residence halls.

Operation ID is a nationwide program that allows you to register items to help you easily recover property in the event of theft. Register your valuables online at ucapd.com.

The UCA Police Department leads the way in creating a secure environment for students. We have 28 full-time officers providing around-the-clock law enforcement, public safety, emergency management and 911 call services to the UCA community. The UCAPD provides emergency notifications for weather or campus-related situations, motorist assistance for dead batteries or keys locked in the car and a security escort program to assist students across campus. Additionally, UCA officers live on campus as part of the residential police program.

STUDENT HEALTH

UCA has several health services to give students peace of mind. The Student Health Clinic (SHC) is staffed by a physician and four nurse practitioners, all with prescriptive authority. In addition to general family practice services, the SHC offers lab and x-ray work, as well as immunizations and a variety of procedures. The Women’s Health Clinic meets the needs of our female population. In most cases, the cost is covered through tuition and fees. UCA promotes health education through our Wellness Center, counseling services and the HPER Center. Counseling services are accredited and include programs for college adjustment, test anxiety, relationship concerns and depression.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

ACADEMIC DIRECTOR (AD)

A UCA faculty member who lives in the halls and leads the Residential College. Academic directors also organize classes within the residence halls.

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS (AVP)

A professional staff member who oversees the entire operation of Housing and Residence Life and BearCard.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Professional staff members who oversee their respective areas of responsibility.

BLOCK MEALS

Students receive a set number of meals for the semester. These meals can be used in the cafeteria or through the meal equivalency options at other dining locations. Block plans expire at the end of each semester. Meals don’t roll over.

COED

Refers to any program, dormitory or activity that includes all genders. This term is typically used to describe residence halls that have both male and female students living on the same floor.

DIRECTOR

Professional staff members who oversee their respective areas of responsibility.

DINING DOLLARS

These plans are only available to those students living in Donaghey Hall, UCA apartments and Greek Village. Students have a set amount to spend for the semester. Each purchase made at any of our food service locations are deducted from the starting balance. Dining Dollars expire at the end of summer session II and are non-refundable.

FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she

reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. FERPA covers all school-related records, including a student's grades, information from the campus health center, disciplinary records and more. If students want to give a parent or another third party access, they may complete a FERPA waiver. There is an exception: If the college feels there is a need to protect the health and safety of a student or others, the college may be able to disclose information.

FULL-TIME COLLEGE STUDENT

A student who is taking a full course load, typically 12 or more credits.

HIPAA RELEASE FORM

The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) gives a student a right to privacy over their medical records when they turn 18. A student can sign a HIPAA Release Form to give their parent or guardian the ability to access their medical records and make important medical decisions for them in the case of an illness or emergency.

HOMESICKNESS

A term for the emotional distress students may feel as they adjust to a new life on campus away from their home and family. Homesickness is most common at the start of the first year and most students work their way through it.

IN-STATE STUDENT

A status conferred on students who live (or have established residency) in the same state as the college or university they attend. At public universities, in-state students generally pay lower tuition rates than non-resident students.

LEASE

A lease is a contract students sign with UCA Housing that covers the fall and spring semesters. Students are responsible for the entire lease term. If a student needs to leave prior to the end of their lease term, they will not be charged for the entire lease but will be charged a lease break fee of $425.

MEAL PLAN

The meal plan dictates how many meals a student can eat at on-campus dining facilities. Most students living in campus housing will have a meal plan, but offcampus students can often purchase a full or partial plan. Some meal plans include funds that can be used as cash at campus restaurants or snack shops.

MOVE/CHANGE/CANCEL PAPERWORK (MCC)

Move/Change/Cancel paperwork is what a student will need if they want to move complexes, cancel their housing assignment or move in after the semester starts. The Housing and Residence Life Central Office will create these for students requesting a move/change.

PEER COACH

A student who lives in a residence hall and works to provide academic support to other students. Peer Coaches host programs on various topics including study skills, time management and how to engage with professors.

RESIDENT ASSISTANT (RA)

An older student, usually a sophomore or junior, who lives in a section or floor of a dormitory and oversees student relations. RAs organize events and activities for residents and often serve as mentors.

RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE

A residential college is a program that helps first-year students transition to college by providing dedicated faculty, specialized classes and co-curricular programming within residence halls. Some of the activities include book groups, guest speakers, movie nights, cooking and video games. Each College has unique themes and special traditions associated with an academic college.

RESIDENT COORDINATOR (RC)

A graduate student who is pursuing a master's degree in College Student Personnel who is in the Resident Hall living with the students. Resident Coordinators oversee resident assistants and peer coaches.

ROOM CONDITION REPORT (RCR) OR APARTMENT CONDITION REPORT (ACR)

RCR/ACRs are provided to students during movein. It is the student’s responsibility to document all existing damages in their room on this form. Failure to do so could result in being charged for damages at the end of the year.

RESIDENCE HALL BATHROOMS

• COMMUNITY STYLE

Community bathrooms contain multiple showers and toilets. Each shower is separated by a partition wall and a curtain. The toilets are on the opposite side of the showers and have stall walls and doors.

• POD STYLE

Pod-style bathrooms are similar to community bathrooms in that they are a shared space for multiple rooms in the hall. The difference is that each shower in the bathroom is completely enclosed with a door that locks and extra space to change.

• SUITE STYLE

In a suite setup, there are two rooms connected to one bathroom which includes a sink, toilet and shower. The students living within the suite are responsible for keeping the bathroom clean.

ROOM AND BOARD

The price paid to cover on-campus living and meal plan expenses, usually billed for a semester or year at a time. When figuring out the cost of a year of college for a student living on campus, room and board is included in the total cost of attendance.

SEMESTER

Academic years are typically divided into two sessions called semesters. The fall semester at UCA begins in August and ends in December. The spring semester lasts from January until May. Most college courses are one semester long.

STUDENT ASSOCIATES

Student associates at UCA work for the Residential College Program. They provide additional academic and program support for students in the residence halls.