§ 6-64-302 - Monticello -- Establishment -- Board of Visitors.

6-64-302. Monticello -- Establishment -- Board of Visitors.

(a) The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas is authorized to establish and operate, as a part thereof, a campus to be known as the University of Arkansas at Monticello, consolidating and incorporating therein the state institution formerly known as Arkansas Agricultural and Mechanical College, which, together with its board of trustees, was abolished as a separate institution with responsibility transferred to the control of the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas as a part of the University of Arkansas effective July 1, 1971.

(b) (1) There is established the Board of Visitors for the University of Arkansas at Monticello, which shall consist of twelve (12) members appointed by the Governor.

(2) (A) First, the Governor shall make seven (7) appointments from a list of no fewer than twenty (20) names jointly prepared by the members of the House of Representatives representing the eighth, ninth, tenth, and twelfth house districts and the Senator representing the twenty-fourth senate district.

(B) The seven (7) appointments shall include one (1) each from Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Cleveland, Desha, Drew, and Lincoln counties.

(3) (A) Second, the Governor shall appoint two (2) members from:

(i) The Board of Directors of Forest Echoes Technical Institute, which after July 1, 2003, shall be known as the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-Crossett; and

(ii) The Board of Directors of Great Rivers Technical Institute, which after July 1, 2003, shall be known as the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-McGehee.

(B) The Board of Directors of Forest Echoes Technical Institute, which after July 1, 2003, shall be known as the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-Crossett, and Great Rivers Technical Institute, which after July 1, 2003, shall be known as the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-McGehee, shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas.

(4) The remaining member of the board of visitors shall be appointed by the Governor.

(c) (1) (A) Appointments shall be bipartisan and be for terms of three (3) years.

(B) The Governor shall make appointments to the initial board of visitors and thereafter as terms expire and vacancies occur for any reason, so that at least seven (7) members of the board of visitors will be alumni of the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

(C) After the expiration of the terms of the members initially appointed under subdivision (b)(1)(B) of this section, the members appointed by the Governor in 2006 shall draw lots for staggered terms with the terms of four (4) members expiring in 2007, the terms of four (4) members expiring in 2008, and the terms of four (4) members expiring in 2009.

(D) Appointments after 2006 shall be for terms of three (3) years.

(2) Members may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms but shall otherwise be eligible for reappointment to the board of visitors.

(3) When there is a vacancy in an unexpired term, the appointee shall serve for the remaining portion of the term.

(d) The general purposes of the board of visitors shall be to:

(1) Perform a liaison function between the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the President and the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas;

(2) Aid in securing financial support;

(3) Advise upon and interpret the educational and service needs of the State of Arkansas as they relate to the mission and programs of the University of Arkansas at Monticello;

(4) Aid in the continuing development of the University of Arkansas at Monticello as a major four-year campus of the University of Arkansas; and

(5) Furnish counsel and guidance by advice and recommendations for the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

(e) The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas shall maintain and operate the campus at Monticello as a major four-year campus of the University of Arkansas, offering at that location the highest possible quality of high educational programs, shall provide for the sound growth and improvement of the quality of the academic programs, and shall expand its mission to include technical education at Forest Echoes Technical Institute, which after July 1, 2003, shall be known as the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-Crossett, and Great Rivers Technical Institute, which after July 1, 2003, shall be known as the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-McGehee.