FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A series of four virtual forums are planned this summer for members of the University of Arkansas community to discuss the phased return to campus.

Interim Provost Charles Robinson will moderate all four discussions. He will be joined by different academic deans in the first three forums in July. Chancellor Joe Steinmetz, Yvette Murphy-Erby, vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion, and members of the COVID-19 Response Team will participate in an August forum.

Each forum will be held on Zoom and last 75 minutes. Space is limited. Registraton requires a uark.edu email address. The forum schedule including featured speakers and links to register is listed below:

July 15, 3:30-4:45 p.m. — Register Here

• Deacue Fields, dean of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences
• Peter MacKeith, dean of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design
• Kim Needy, dean of the Graduate School and International Education.

July 24, 2:30-3:45 p.m — Register Here

• Dennis Clark, dean of University Libraries
• Lynda Coon, dean of the Honors College
• Todd Shields, dean of the Fulbright College for Arts and Sciences.

July 30, 2:30-3:45 p.m. — Register Here

• John English, dean of the College of Engineering
• Margaret McCabe, dean of the School of Law
• Brian Primack, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions
• Matt Waller, dean of the Walton College of Business.

August (Date/time to be determined)

• Chancellor Joe Steinmetz
• Yvette Murphy-Erby, vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion
• Members of the COVID-19 Response Team

Each forum will include a panel discussion followed by a question-and-answer segment. The format for the August forum will include time to answer questions related to the return to campus as well as time to discuss the university's ongoing efforts to make the campus more inclusive for all community members.

"As we prepare for a fall semester unlike any we've ever experienced, we want to ensure our faculty, staff and students have the information they need and understand the important role each of us plays in helping slow the spread of COVID-19," Steinmetz said. "It's also a very important time in the history of our campus as we work together — students, faculty and staff — to make this a truly inclusive university."

Faculty, staff and students with questions for the forum participants can send them in advance to forums@uark.edu. Questions can also be asked during the forums as time allows.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among fewer than 3% of colleges and universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.