UA to House Academic Consortium

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Southeastern Conference Academic Consortium will be housed at the University of Arkansas, SEC President Dr. Andrew Sorensen has announced. The SEC Presidents & Chancellors and University Provosts unanimously approved the decision to have the academic consortium headquartered on the Fayetteville campus.

The academic consortium was developed in 2005 to coordinate efforts to bolster teaching, research, public service and other educational activities at the Southeastern Conference schools. It will be a separate entity with its own staff and budget.

The academic consortium will provide opportunities for schools to work together to enhance and share academic resources. Students will benefit by shared courses, library resources, research and facilities. All 12 SEC member schools will work together, outside of the athletic realm, to create a cooperative environment for all students.

John White, chancellor of the University of Arkansas, said the establishment of the Southeastern Conference Academic Consortium on the Fayetteville campus will have a positive impact throughout the state and region.

“I am delighted the University of Arkansas has been selected to be home to the consortium,” White said. “From an academic standpoint, pooling resources will strengthen the Southeastern Conference schools. We compete athletically on the weekends, but during the week we must cooperate academically in serving the needs of our students and states. The academic consortium is the perfect vehicle to ensure that we work together more closely and effectively.”

The Southeastern Conference, formed in 1933, includes the universities of Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. The league sanctions championship play in nine men’s sports and 11 women’s sports and is based in Birmingham, Ala.

In creating the academic consortium, the SEC schools set out academic initiatives including study abroad programs and the development of an academic leadership program. The consortium’s Board of Directors comprises the provost of each SEC institution. University of Arkansas Provost Bob Smith played a key role in the establishment of his campus as the host of the academic consortium.

“It is intriguing to think that while the home base for the athletic side of the Southeastern Conference is in Birmingham, Alabama, the center of operations for the academic side of the Southeastern Conference will be here at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville ” Smith said. “This development represents significant recognition for the university. As importantly, the UA location for the Southeastern Conference Academic Consortium will bring myriad academic leaders to Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas, raising the visibility and enhancing the understanding of our student-centered research university.”

Each SEC school will make an equal financial contribution to fund the consortium’s first year of operation. The initial staffing of the consortium’s office will include a senior coordinator and administrative assistant. Further information on these new positions can be obtained from Smith at bobsmith@uark.edu.