Linked below are drafts of one new and two revised Board Policies that will be presented to the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas for consideration at their September 26, 2025, regular Board meeting. The policy drafts are red lined to show the proposed changes. Questions and feedback regarding these proposed policy amendments can be directed to the appropriate system staff via the President’s Office or Ben Beaumont (bbeaumont@uasys.edu).
The proposed policy amendments include:
New Board Policy 220.1 Interactions with Foreign Adversaries and Instrumentalities – This policy implements requirements under Act 473 of 2025, also known as the Research Education Protection Act, which governs gifts, contracts, cultural exchange agreements, and more with foreign adversaries and foreign instrumentalities. The Act requires institutions to make certain disclosures to their boards of trustees regarding gifts or contracts offered or proposed from foreign adversaries or instrumentalities and requires board approval for such gifts or contracts only if they address an overwhelming state or national interest. The Act also requires certain disclosures and reporting to the Department of Inspector General, Governor and legislative leadership regarding cultural exchange agreements, partnerships or agreements, and research partnerships with foreign adversaries or instrumentalities. Finally, the Act prohibits institutions from using or contracting for software or software programs controlled or owned by companies or entities in foreign adversary countries and institutes screening requirements for hiring and research and foreign travel to foreign adversary countries. The policy also includes draft forms for disclosure of gifts, contracts, agreements and partnerships, and research partnerships as defined in the Act.
Revised Board Policy 1215.2 Admissions Policy – University of Arkansas College of Medicine – The revised policy addresses changes to the UAMS College of Medicine admissions process mandated by Act 806 of 2025, which amends existing law regarding geographical requirements for admitting students to the college. The Act provides that preferences be given to Arkansas residents and that 25 positions in the freshman class be allocated to residents of each of four federal congressional districts. The Act and revised policy stipulate that if there are not 25 applicants from a congressional district who meet the admissions standards and accept admission, the remaining positions shall be filled by qualified Arkansas residents, and then by applicants who are most likely to complete the program and reside in Arkansas after graduation. The Act also requires that an additional 25 positions be allocated to Arkansas residents without respect to congressional district of residency and remaining positions may be filled by applicants at large.
Revised Board Policy 285.1 Cybersecurity – The revised policy cleans up existing language to allow for notifications of a security breach involving sensitive information may be made either electronically or through other means, if necessary.