HSU Board of Trustees Recommend University Join A-State System

(ARKADELPHIA)  After being given a $6 million loan to levelize its budget, the Board of Trustees of Henderson State University in Arkadelphia was given a recommendation to consider.

The recommendation by the state Department of Higher Education, came with a suggestion: “I recommend that the board of HSU open a discussion to consider HSU joining a university system,” that according to Maria Markham, department director,  in a letter dated Monday addressed to Henderson State University President Glen Jones and to Larry Walther, director of the state Department of Finance and Administration.

“This will allow Henderson State University to maintain its history and distinct identity but would provide improved financial controls and other advantages,” Markham stated in the letter, noting that the recommendation to consider joining a system was based on discussions with Governor Asa Hutchinson and officials with both Henderson State and the state Department of Finance and Administration.

Two distinct possibilities includes the University of Arkansas or Arkansas State University systems.

The Henderson State board is scheduled to meet Friday to formally approve receipt of the loan, Hall said, and will “in the coming weeks” consider Markham’s recommendation.

“We need some time to look at what is recommended here and for the Board to formulate next steps,” Johnny Hudson, chairman of the Henderson State University board of trustees, said in a statement released by the university.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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