PINE BLUFF, AR - Chancellor Dr. Laurence B. Alexander (pictured on the right) and university officials released a vision of economic development recommendations for long-term plans that sets growth for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff campus.

The recommendations were released on Tuesday (October 13) during the Chancellor's Annual Tower Talk, which is a student to chancellor chat event about anything concerning the students and the university. The university master plan is to expand and attract more students to the campus.

In the master plan, there are eight strategic plan values which includes: 1. Student focused (Enhance the living/learning community focusing on student life needs), 2. Excellence (Spur innovative academic and research collaborations), 3. Integrity (Extend the framework of the historic campus core), 4. Engagement (Expand opportunities for social and economic development by partnering with the city of Pine Bluff), 5. Quality Customer Service (Expand and enhance campus infrastructure to better serve academic needs an quality of life issues),  6. Diversity (Create multiple activity centers to build community through engaged participation in varied campus activities), 7. Globalization (Design classrooms, labs, and blended learning modalities to teach 21st century learners and 8. Accountability (Honor the unique UAPB campus heritage and provide stewardship for natural, human and fiscal resources).

According to the Pine Bluff Commercial, Chancellor Alexander told the students on Tuesday that UAPB stakeholders are planning to add a running track, student residence halls, a hotel, a conference center, a basketball/convocation center, a wellness center, a football practice field and an aquaculture and fisheries building. He also said that UAPB wants to grow enrollment, optimize efficiency, improve facilities, diversify revenue streams and enhance its reputation.

The Master Plan program was established from the Space Needs Analysis, interviews with administration and academic department heads, and on-campus workshops. The university will partner with the city of Pine Bluff to expand opportunities for social and economic development.

"The administration is working hard on your behalf to continue our 142-year tradition and take it to the next level," Alexander said.

In the plan to extend the framework of the historic campus core is the works of a new student union (Pictured below). Students have been requesting either an upgraded or a reconstructed student union. The plan reveals that the new Student Center will sit along the north side of the main quad (where the historic Douglass and Lewis residential halls currently stands), bringing new life to the historic core of the campus. The main entry will be designed as a large covered front porch with ample seating to encourage the campus community to come together and socialize. New dinning spaces along the south side of the building and the third level will have an outdoor rooftop Terrance reminiscent of the one that was historically active at the old Davis Student Union. Cherry trees will line north and south of the quad.

Also, the Pine Bluff City Council is going to consider proposed zoning and use changes around the university to encourage mixed use live-work-play-type property developments. The plan is dubbed the University Drive District and has already gotten a nod from Pine Bluff Planning Commission. it also received a do-pass recommendation from the Pine Bluff City Council Development and Planning Committee on Tuesday (October 13).

"Our students are visionaries," Alexander says. "...We have engaged faculty, staff, alumni and friends."

Alexander also stated that a new police station is also in the plans for UAPB stakeholders.

"The five-year plan to accomplish three goals: to increase the city's tax base through retail markets; to improve and develop University Drive; and to enhance recreational opportunities," said Debe Hollingsworth, Mayor of Pine Bluff. "The city will partner with UAPB and Southeast Arkansas College as part of this plan."