Welcome back: take care, get involved and stay informed

To our new and returning students: Welcome to the U of A! You are a valued member of our campus community and we want to support you during your time on the Hill. Here are some tips to help you stay at your best.

GO ON THE GIANT!

The first week of classes is here! Check out everything our campus and community has to offer:

• Follow @uarkansas on social media to stay updated with all official announcements from the university.
• Stay up to date with events on campus and explore HogSync, a centralized online community that connects students with registered student organizations. Log in with your U of A username and password.
• Plan your journey to class in advance.

  • Take the bus? Razorback Transit provides bus service to and from campus and various parts of Fayetteville. The interactive PassioGo map shows routes and real-time bus tracking.
  • Cycling to class? Cyclists on sidewalks are subject to the same rules as pedestrians, while cyclists on roads are subject to general motor vehicle laws. Plan your route and learn about etiquette along the way.
  • Do you need a scooter? Two outside companies rent e-scooters in the Fayetteville community. E-scooters may be ridden anywhere bicycles are allowed. The campus core is a slow zone, meaning do not ride faster than 6 mph and be considerate of fellow travelers.
  • Park a car? Student parking permits are available in several categories, and our new parking map will help you identify the newly numbered parking spaces. Keep in mind that certain parking spaces must be cleared before home games and other special events. Parking permits can be requested online.
  • Need help? For those unable to use Razorback Transit due to limited mobility, our Paratransit service is available. While Razorback Paratransit generally travels curb-to-curb, assistance beyond the curb may also be available. Call 479-575-6993 for more information or to apply to use Paratransit.

• If you're a little confused about how to find the first week's courses, find a Help-A-Hog table to point you in the right direction.
• 19 August: During your first day, be sure to stroll through the Arkansas Union Mall and attend HillFest, an information fair where you can learn more about campus offices, faculty, and registered student organizations. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is an opportunity to get involved in the Razorback community.
• 21 August: They're also an important part of the Northwest Arkansas community. Learn about local businesses and nonprofits at Razorbash, an information fair at the Arkansas Union Mall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

STAY SMART

• New students: Check out Destination Arkansas Blackboard Activities (DABA), a free, non-credit course that will prepare you for your first year at the U of A. DABA is a one-stop resource for students with first-year tips, checklists, and more. Enroll at learn.uark.edu.
• Online students: For information on student services and campus resources, see the One Stop Student Guide.
• Doctoral students: The Office of Graduate Student Support offers programming, student engagement, and professional development opportunities.
• International students and researchers: The Office of International Students and Scholars is committed to the success of international students. The office offers seminars, intercultural training, and country-specific workshops. We also encourage engagement on campus and in the community through cultural organizations such as the International Culture Team, iFriends, and Cross-Cultural Mentors.
• Center for Student Success: Tutoring, academic coaching, writing and career counseling are available at the Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence. Stop by to find your favorite nook to study, find resources for success, and grab some lunch or coffee downstairs. Look for “CORD” on the U of A campus map.
• Academic Accommodation: Get support from the Center for Educational Access (CEA).
• Student handbooks: For information on student life, housing, Greek Life, or registered student organizations, please refer to the Student Handbook. Graduate students can also access the Graduate Handbook for more information.
• Academic Calendar: Mark holidays, deadlines and other important dates in your calendar.
• University Bookstore: Visit the bookstore the month before the fall and spring graduation ceremonies for textbooks, course materials, supplies, and Razorback gear and graduation regalia.
• IT services: Support for services such as network connections for personal computing devices, campus phones, software, printing, and more. The IT Help Desk offers free technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for most problems. IT Services also oversees the Student Technology Center, as well as two Tech Stores and a Service Center – one in the Garland Center connected to the University Bookstore, and a second in the Arkansas Union.

STAY HEALTHY

• Eating on campus: There are numerous dining options on campus and also an app for mobile ordering. Learn more about meal plans and pricing.
• Leisure activities at the university: Move your body and free your mind with UREC classes, teams, facilities, indoor and outdoor activities for every fitness and ability level. Explore the campus landscape with a hike or bike ride on some of the nature trails on campus.
• Pat Walker Health Center: Explore the diverse range of services and programs available to promote the overall health and well-being of each student. Medical care, mental health care, and substance abuse services and support are available by appointment.

STAY SAFE

• RazALERT: The RazALERT (pronounced “raise-alert”) system is the University of Arizona's primary emergency notification system and the most common form of communication about campus safety issues, including weather alerts. Whenever there is an imminent threat to campus safety, RazALERT emergency messages are automatically sent to all phones and email addresses on campus. Set up or update your RazALERT contact information.
• Safety on campus: The U of A Police Department is an accredited police department comprised of campus security officers, patrol officers, a criminal investigation unit, a canine unit, and ancillary services – including public relations and a communications center. You can reach the UAPD for non-emergency matters at 479-575-2222. In emergencies, dial 911. You can also download the free SafeZone app to your mobile phone, which connects you to the UAPD for your personal safety.
• Pat Walker Health Center Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Provides essential mental health services such as short-term individual counseling, group counseling, psychiatry, case management, and 24-hour emergency mental health services for students, faculty, and staff (479-575-5276).
• Center for Sexual and Relationship Violence: Provides victim advocacy and educational services related to sexual and relationship violence to members of the university community. All services are free, confidential, and student-focused. You may submit a report of non-urgent concerns at any time at report.uark.edu.
• UACaries – The best pages about UACaries: Some things in college are just hard to deal with. If you are struggling with anything and need support or advice, the UACares office can help.
• Safe journey: This program provides students with a safe transportation option outside of regular bus hours to get out of any inconvenient or uncomfortable situation. To request a safe ride, call 479-575-SAFE (7233).

Stay connected

• Razorback Athletics: Join the largest student organization in the country – the Trough! Be a part of the biggest moments on campus with a Razorback Access Pass. With an Access Pass, students can get tickets to men's football, basketball and baseball games, as well as attend all other Razorback home sporting events.
• News on the front page: Arkansas News is an official weekday university news email. Student media on campus include The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper, hill Magazine, KXUA Radio, Main Hill Media Advertising Agency, Razorback Yearbook and UATV television studio.
• Events on campus: Students can find events from registered student organizations on Hogsync, and the entire campus can post upcoming events on the university calendar.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A offers an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy by imparting new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative pursuits, while providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation ranks the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the nation's top public universities. Read how the U of A is working to create a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.