Higher education notebook

— UA, UCA add new nursing degrees

The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved Friday new doctor of nursing practice programs for the University of Central Arkansas and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

The two campuses will join the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas State University-Jonesboro, which have nursing doctorate programs that were recently approved by the board.

The universities said the new terminal degrees in nursing will help address a shortage of health-care workers that’s expected to grow as more people gain access to insurance coverage.

The degrees will also help meet needs for nursing faculty members and add qualified voices to discussions of changing clinical practices, payment methods and management structures throughout the health-care field, faculty members have said.

Bonds for 2 SAU campuses OK’d

The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved Friday an intent to issue bonds at Southern Arkansas University Magnolia and SAU-Tech.

SAU-Magnolia will issue $7.25 million in bonds with a 30-year term to finance the renovation of a gymnasium and construction and renovation of housing facilities.

SAU-Tech will issue $1 million in bonds for renovations and an addition to the multipurpose student facility on its east Camden campus.

Reviewing board chooses officers

The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board selected new officers Friday.

Charles Allen of Little Rock will serve as chairman, Kaneaster Hodges of Newport will be vice chairman and Sarah Argue of Little Rock will be secretary.

The board approves and reviews college and university academic programs and develops funding recommendations for the state’s 11 public universities and 22 public two-year colleges.

Arkansas, Pages 16 on 02/02/2013

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