With the start of the fall semester and the 2009-2010 academic year today, University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart has produced a welcome message for the university community in the form of a short video, available at http://chancellor.uark.edu/15522.php  online.

The chancellor renewed his commitment to putting students first, reflected by the fact that the university held the line on tuition and instituted the lowest fee increase in 45 years.

”I can’t promise you that we can do that again,” said the chancellor in regard to this year’s tuition and fees, “but I can promise you that I will continue to do everything in my power to keep costs down and quality up. I give you my word on it.”

More than 19,000 students again are expected to start classes today, comprising the largest student body in the state of Arkansas.

“As you settle into your new classes, buy books, find your classrooms, catch up with colleagues, make new friends and relocate old ones, I want to extend to you my best wishes for your semester,” said Gearhart.

The chancellor himself helped students settled in by working as a volunteer during the “Assisted Move-In” at campus residence halls, then got a first-hand experience of on-campus living when he spent the night at Holcombe Hall.

Gearhart put his “Students First” policy into practice Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, helping unload vehicles and haul belongings at Reid, Yocum, Humphries, Pomfret and Maple Hill residence halls. Heavy rain and lightning Thursday morning forced the chancellor and several other volunteers to take a break for about an hour before returning to finish their “Move-In” work.

“Last year it was blazing hot, this year was much more comfortable – until Thursday when I definitely needed foul-weather gear,” said Gearhart. “Still, it was a great experience, a great way to meet students and their families, a great way to welcome them to the campus.”

Thursday evening the chancellor became a Holcombe Hall resident himself, if only for a night. He observed the introductory session of the Global Perspectives academic learning community, a group of about a dozen students who are enrolled in many of the same courses in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Gearhart visited with other students, sharing snacks and taking part in Welcome Week activities in the Holcombe basement before retiring for the night in his assigned room.