U of A staff will be honored in a variety of ways this week as the university shows appreciation for the vital work its staff members do to advance student success, achieve research excellence and enhance its status as an employer of choice. 

The State of the University Address will be the featured event of the week. The address will be open to the public at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, in the Faulkner Performing Arts Center and will also be streamed live online. The address, presented by Chancellor Charles Robinson and other campus leaders, will include the next steps in the university's 150 Forward strategic plan as well as some of the shared successes of the past year. 

Employee Awards Banquet  

The university will hold its annual Employee Awards Banquet tonight at the Fayetteville Town Center. Chancellor Robinson will be joined by Chief People Officer Michelle Hargis Wolfe, Staff Senate Chair Roy Cordell and others to present Staff Senate Awards and Service Awards recognizing the milestones and contributions for hundreds of university staff. Staff Senators work to ensure the U of A is an employer of choice by actively promoting staff development through honors such as Staff Senate Scholarships, Employee of the Quarter Awards, Employee of the Year Awards, and Team Awards. 

Staff Appreciation Week Benefits  

Staff members will receive various discounts, door prizes and other benefits with a valid ID this week including but not limited to: 

• Discounts on merchandise from Razorback Shops

• Discounts all week, Oct. 9-13, on Club Red Union's Fresh Blends Smoothies and on food and drink items at all Hill Coffee Co. locations 

• Free soft drinks on the second floor of the Arkansas Union  

• Discount on University Recreation (UREC) gear rentals, bike rentals, annual memberships, facility passes, group fitness classes, and personal training packages  

• Discounted meals at Fulbright Dining Hall with door prizes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 13   

All-staff events, drawings and raffles:  

• UREC free personal training package and free gear rental 

• Food and drinks at the Arkansas Union, rooms 507-508 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 11 

Several units, colleges and departments across campus will host special events for their respective staff as well. 

One University Week at a Glance 

All Week 

• Discounts across campus, giveaways for staff, events within units 

Tonight 

• Employee Awards Banquet 

Wednesday, Oct. 11 

• State of the University Address at 10 a.m. (Faulkner Performing Arts Center and streamed online on the University of Arkansas YouTube channel.) 

• Appetizers and cake in the Arkansas Union from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

• Launch of "Fulfilling Our Land-Grant Mission" Short Takes Video  

Thursday, Oct. 12 

• Recap of the State of the University Address 

Friday, Oct. 13 

• Discounted meals and door prizes at Fulbright Dining Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.