Another shoutout for Debra Hale-Shelton, the Democrat-Gazette reporter in Conway, for another in a series of what should be prize-winning coverage of the financial shambles at the University of Central Arkansas.

For years, other colleges grumbled about then-UCA President Lu Hardin’s aggressive use of “concurrent enrollment” (high school students taking college courses) to swell total enrollment.

Advertisement

Hale-Shelton’s report today explains it all in detail. It appears to be another area where officials left to rebuild UCA don’t really have a clue of the costs of a program that has grown to roughly 8 percent of UCA’s total enrollment.

The big question mark  is exactly where UCA will stand — both in enrollment and financial soundness — following corrections and clarifications from past excessive scholarship spending; poor collection practices; concurrent enrollment, and audits of past spending. Those executive bonuses and the $1 million buyout might be causes for regret.

Advertisement

Invest in the future of great journalism in Arkansas

Join the ranks of the 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts who know that the Arkansas Times is the go-to source for tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been on the front lines of the fight for truth, and with your support, we can do even more. By subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers and expand our coverage. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a difference with your subscription or donation to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article The GOP’s bad idea Next article In defense of corporate jets