State Legislators Join Campus Conversation About Civility and Bipartisanship

Editor's Note: The state representative originally slated for this roundtable conversation, Nicole Clowney, isn't able to attend, and Rep. Denise Garner will stand in for her.

Rep. Denise Garner (Fayetteville) and Sen. Jim Hendren (Gravette) will participate in a roundtable conversation next week about civility and bipartisanship moderated by political science professor Janine Parry. 

This event is open to the entire campus community virtually and begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2.  

Restoring civility and bipartisanship in today's climate of political polarization will be the main theme of the event. Other topics of conversation will include the future of self-governance and tools for working together despite strong disagreements.  

Looking to two experienced legislators who are leading by example, organizers hope to encourage efforts at listening and understanding within and beyond the U of A campus community.

"The political volume is cranked up nationwide, and it's leading to high anxiety — even violence — as well as low-policy productivity," said Parry.

"We appreciate the willingness of two seasoned lawmakers — one liberal and one conservative — to talk through with us how we might find our way back to the kind of collaboration stable republics require."

This program is presented through the Faculty in Residence program, a partnership between University Housing and various academic departments. The program is designed to bring classroom learning more deeply into the lives of residential students.  

"Our hope is that this conversation will be helpful to all of us in the campus community, and particularly to residents of University Housing—especially in terms of the prospects for living together and building friendship, collegiality and community despite political differences," said Brian Holland, event organizer and assistant professor of architecture. "Learning to listen and to really hear each other seems like a crucial first step in finding common ground." 

Holland has served as Faculty in Residence at Adohi Hall since 2019. 

"We are indebted to our colleagues at University Housing — especially Dr. Stephanie Adams [former director of the Faculty in Residence program] and Thalita Da Silva Hotz — for helping shape and organize this event," said Holland. 

Meeting Information 

Join the Zoom meeting 

• https://uark.zoom.us/j/2690217018?pwd=NWVKSXJzQzMrY0tIcEwvem9CdGhtUT09 
• Meeting ID: 269 021 7018 
• Passcode: Civility1! 

Speaker Information 

Update: Rep. Denise Garner will stand in for Rep. Nicole Clowney, who is serving her second term in the Arkansas House. She represents District 86, which includes Fayetteville and other parts of Washington County. For the 93rd General Assembly, Clowney serves on the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee, the House Insurance and Commerce Committee and the House Judiciary Committee.  

In addition to clerking for Chief Judge Robert H. Henry on the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, Clowney worked for a nonprofit law firm dedicated to children's law issues. She was also the founding leader of the Northwest Arkansas group of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Born and raised in Oklahoma, Clowney holds a B.A. in classical studies from the University of Chicago, a J.D. from Yale Law School, and an M.A. in classics from the University of Kentucky. Now a lecturer at the University of Arkansas, she has taught and tutored students in Latin, Attic Greek, ancient mythology, and medical terminology. 

State Sen. Jim Hendren of Gravette represents Arkansas Senate District 2, which includes parts of Benton and western Washington Counties. Hendren is chair of the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee. He is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Joint Performance Review Committee and Senate Interim Committee on Children and Youth. He is also a member of the Joint Budget Committee, Arkansas Legislative Council and Legislative Joint Auditing Committee and subcommittees. During the 92nd General Session, Hendren served as President Pro Tempore.  

Hendren, who received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arkansas, served eight years as an F-15 fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. After Sept. 11, 2001, Hendren returned to military service through the Missouri Air National Guard. He retired as a colonel from the Arkansas National Air Guard in December 2019.  

Janine Parry, moderator, is a professor of political science at the University of Arkansas. She serves on the editorial board for State Politics and Policy Quarterly and recently organized the state politics panels for the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association. She is also the director of the Arkansas Poll, which has been collecting data annually since 1999. Recently named the 2020 Arkansas Political Science Association Distinguished Scholar, in 2016 she won the University of Arkansas' highest teaching honor, the Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching Award. She is the author of Women's Rights in the USA and Readings in Arkansas Politics and Government. 

About University Housing. University Housing is a department within the Division of Student Affairs serving a residential community of around 6,200 on-campus students. More than 200 students find employment opportunities with University Housing each year. We offer educational programs that support the success of students and services that help students focus on academics at the University of Arkansas. Living on campus starts with a housing contract. 

About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports students in pursuing knowledge, earning a degree, finding meaningful careers, exploring diversity, and connecting with the global community. We provide students housing, dining, health care resources, and create innovative programs that educate and inspire. We enhance the University of Arkansas experience and help students succeed, one student at a time.