The UA Cossatot Scholarship Application is open until April 1 of each year. The deadline to complete the application for the 2020-2021 academic year is approaching, and UA Cossatot encourages all current and incoming students to apply.
The UA Cossatot Scholarship Application is one application where students can apply for institutional and foundation scholarships online and is located at www.cccua.awardspring.com.
For more information about the UA Cossatot Scholarship Application, please contact UA Cossatot Foundation Director, Dustin Roberts, at 870-584-1172 or droberts@cccua.edu.
Bowie County has its First Presumptive Case of COVID-19
TEXARKANA, TX- The first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in Bowie County, TX has been identified. We are awaiting confirmation from the Texas Department of State Health Services. More details will be released as they become available.
Bowie County has its first presumptive case of COVID-19
Texarkana News TEXARKANA, TX- The first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in Bowie County, TX has been identified. We are awaiting confirmation from the Texas Department of State Health Services. More details will be released as they become available. Mar. 16 2020 @ 6:05pm
The Bowie County/City of Texarkana, TX Emergency Operations Center is now operating Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call (903) 255-5560.
UA Cossatot's Center for Student Success Notice
Canceled Events at UA Cossatot this Month
Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, UA Cossatot has closed its campuses to students and the public until after spring break. Certain events have been canceled and will be rescheduled.
The college has canceled the lunch-and-learn event set to take place in De Queen on March 19. The second annual Miss UA Cossatot pageant scheduled for March 28 has also been canceled and will be rescheduled for a later date.
UA Cossatot has also temporarily suspended facility rentals and community events held at all UA Cossatot campuses until further notice.
The college apologizes for any inconvenience and wishes to thank the public for their support.
To All UA Cossatot Students
The safety of our students is our number one concern at UA Cossatot, and the coronavirus pandemic has made this more important than ever. We want our students to learn and we want them to have a safe environment in which to learn. That is why effective IMMEDIATELY all UA Cossatot campuses will be closed to students that take on-campus courses. All UA Cossatot campuses will be locked to outside individuals as well. This mirrors today’s announcement by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson that all K12 schools will be closed at least through spring break.
Students, your education is important to us, that is why we have also created an online component to every in-class course at UA Cossatot. While you are away from campus, your instructors will still be able to work with you to ensure you get the most out of your education during these very trying times. You will be learning even more about that this week.
This campus closure is for ALL campuses and will be reevaluated after spring break. At that time, we will determine whether we need to keep the campuses closed or reopen them at that time. I urge you all to visit our website to learn more about the coronavirus and ways you can protect yourself. Please wash your hands often and practice social distancing if you can.
Thank you for your time. We appreciate you!
Dr. Steve Cole
Chancellor
UAC
From the Office of the Chancellor
In the UA Cossatot update that was sent on March 12th, we indicated that the Coronovirus situation was extremely fluid and could change at a moment’s notice. That moment is now as earlier today Governor Hutchinson and Education Secretary Key announced that all K12 schools will be closed this week. Our institution has a wonderfully close working relationship with all of our K12 districts and we share many of the same students. With that being said, UA Cossatot will follow suit and will close our campuses to students this week. We will continue to be closed to students until after spring break, where, at that time, we will reevaluate the Coronavirus situation. Our campuses will also be locked and closed to visitors and outside entities.
All UA Cossatot employees will be working on Monday. We will assess that situation on a day-to-day basis.
All UA Cossatot courses have been converted to have an online component and faculty will have the ability to teach this week via the Blackboard Learning System. While our maintenance department has already been working overtime to keep our campuses clean, over the next two weeks we will have the opportunity to deep clean our campuses as per CDC guidelines.
Please know that our campus will continue to work closely with the University of Arkansas System Office, UAMS, and other government entities to ensure our pandemic plan regarding COVID-19 continues to protect our students, employees, and other stakeholders.
UA Cossatot will continue to update our status on our cccua.edu website, our ED88 Facebook page, and other media outlets. These are very different times that call for very different measures and we appreciate our community’s understanding of this necessary decision.
Regards,
Dr. Steve Cole
Chancellor, UA Cossatot
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
While the state response to COVID-19 is one that is rapidly evolving, we do want to update you on the latest developments.
Late Friday afternoon, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced he will amend an executive order to allow expanded use of telemedicine in the state. The Governor also announced he is providing additional resources to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) which will create 10 new lab positions and assist with much-needed help at the call center.
Additionally, the state has requested and will receive more personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical personnel and first responders.
As of Friday afternoon, there is a total of 9 presumed positive cases in Arkansas. The patients with presumed positive test results reside in the central Arkansas region. Schools in Pulaski, Grant, Jefferson, and Saline counties are currently closed. Residents in these counties are being asked to limit large gatherings to 200 people or less.
On Monday, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) issued a public health directive to long-term care facilities across the state to question visitors about their travel over the past 14 days and to screen visitors and staff for signs of illness and fever.
All Arkansans are being asked to reconsider every trip out of state.
Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, Medical Director for Outbreak Response at ADH, advised that if you are showing symptoms (including coughing, fever, and shortness of breath), you should consult your primary care provider instead of county health units or the hospital.
If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.
While ADH is currently limited in the number of tests they can administer, physicians can order tests from commercial labs.
UAMS has set up a coronavirus hotline for people who have questions or feel they may have symptoms. The number is 1-800-632-4502. UAMS HealthNow is also available for free COVID-19 screenings.
To access, go to UAMS HealthNow and click on “Begin Screening.”
This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to patients of all ages across the state of Arkansas and is accessible from a smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer with video capabilities.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital announced that any family with children health questions related to COVID-19 can call 1-800-743-3616.
ADH has activated a call center to answer questions from health care providers and the public about the novel coronavirus. During normal business hours (8:00 am – 4:30 pm), urgent and non-urgent calls, please call 1-800-803-7847. After normal business hours, urgent calls needing immediate response, please call 501-661-2136.
UA Cossatot Currently Not Hosting Public Meetings
UA Cossatot is not hosting public meetings in their facilities until further notice due to the Coronavirus, Therefore, Sevier County Extension has moved the Pesticide Applicator Training to the Farm Bureau Bldg. in De Queen. What: Pesticide Applicator Training When: Thursday, March 19, 202 at 5:30 pm Where: Farm Bureau Bldg. in De Queen
UA Cossatot Scholarship Application Due April 1st
The 2020-2021 UA Cossatot scholarship application is due April 1. The online application can be found here: https://cccua.awardspring.com/
Students are encouraged to finish their application early and then follow up with whomever they have chosen to provide their recommendation letters.
Completing this online scholarship application before April 1 is the best time for students to apply for scholarships for the upcoming academic year and gives them access to all the scholarships we have available.
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Miss UA Cossatot Pageant Cancelled
The Miss UA Cossatot Pageant scheduled for March 28 in Lockesburg has been cancelled due to health concerns.
From the Office of the Chancellor
UA Cossatot is working closely with the University of Arkansas System Office, UAMS, and other entities to ensure our pandemic plan regarding COVID-19 protects our students, employees, and other stakeholders. Our team has met non-stop for the past several weeks to enact measures to address the COVID-19 outbreak. These measures include sharing more information campus-wide regarding prevention, altered course scheduling, restricted campus usage, and campus closures, should that need arise.
We have communicated this link on our UA Cossatot webpage to all students and employees: https://www.cccua.edu/novel-coronavirus
This link includes useful information regarding what UA Cossatot is doing locally and it offers students and employees health and safety information about COVID-19.
UA Cossatot campuses continue to prepare for our college community’s safety as well as possible closure as we have:
Created online versions of all non-technical courses offered at UA Cossatot. We are currently working on all technical courses to ensure students can maintain learning, even while being away from campus. Initiated a policy where, until further notice, we will not be allowing the use of our facilities by outside groups.
Directed our Medical Division to cancel clinical rotations at local health care facilities and teach Medical Department lecture courses via Zoom software. Developed an IT plan that allows personnel VPN access to their workstations. This will allow UA Cossatot to operate from a business standpoint while not being on campus.
Cancelled the second annual UA Cossatot Scholarship Pageant that was to be held on March 28th. We do not have a reschedule date. Encouraged UA Cossatot employees to limit non-essential business travel. While no members of the UA Cossatot community have been diagnosed with COVID-19, UA Cossatot is preparing for the potential of local transmission and we are aligning our efforts with local leaders, The UA System, UAMS, and the Arkansas Department of Health.
These are just a few of the preparations we have made to keep our students and campus community updated and better protected from the COVID-19 outbreak.
Campus leaders are meeting daily to assess this very fluid situation. We will continue to monitor and adjust our efforts, keeping student, public and, employee safety in mind.
Regards,
Dr. Steve Cole Chancellor, UA Cossatot
Cossatot Community College
Information as of: March 16, 2020 At UA Cossatot, health and safety of our campus community are top priorities. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak rapidly evolves in the U.S. and worldwide, UA Cossatot will continue to provide the latest updates and guidance for the campus community in one place online: cccua.edu/coronavirus.
UA Cossatot Holds Seventh Annual Come Fall in Love Event for High School Juniors
“Come Fall in Love” is an event that takes place at UA Cossatot every February. It is designed for juniors in high school to fall in love with UA Cossatot. Approximately 500 high school students visited the college to learn about careers, educational opportunities, and how they can achieve their goals by enrolling at UA Cossatot.
This past month, UA Cossatot hosted seven “Come Fall in Love” events to seven local area high schools. The high schools that brought their students to the college included; Foreman, Kirby, Ashdown, Nashville, Dierks, Horatio, and De Queen.
Upon arrival, the students were greeted and welcomed by UA Cossatot staff. Throughout the day, several sessions took place concerning career readiness, financial planning, and testimonies from alumni. The college also designated time for students to learn about programs offered at UA Cossatot, student organizations at the college, and services the college’s Educational Resource Center provides.
Students were able to sit in on college classes, play games, receive program information, and take pictures. The college also provided the students with a free lunch before they returned to their high school.
UA Cossatot Director of Student Services, Suzanne Ward, said, “Providing the basic information regarding college prior to the senior year is crucial. The more students know about career goals, academic programs, college life, and financial planning for college, the better decisions they can make about their future.”
For more information about UA Cossatot, please contact Student Services at 870-584-4471. To learn about college opportunities offered at UA Cossatot while in high school, please contact the Director of High School Programs, Julie Rhodes, at 870-584-1343.
International Women's Day was March 8th
International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women throughout the world. UA Cossatot celebrated across all three campuses on Monday, March 09, 2020 bringing awareness to all students, faculty and staff of the college by wearing a pink or purple shirt. Thank you to all who participated!
Sporting Clay Tournament in Texarkana March 28th
Hunter’s Education Class at UA Cossatot De Queen on Saturday, March 28th
A one day Hunters Ed class will be held on Saturday, March 28, at the Adam’s Building on UA Cossatot Campus in De Queen from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. You will need to bring a sack lunch and you must attend all day in order to test.
Anyone born after 1968 must complete a hunter’s education course and carry a valid hunter’s education card to hunt in Arkansas. Children under 16 may hunt without the class as long as they are under the direct supervision of an adult who is 21 years old or older. There is no specific age requirement to enroll in hunter’s education however, the educational material is based on a sixth-grade reading level. Arkansas recognizes hunter’s education cards from other states. Arkansas’s hunter’s education program is recognized in all states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. You must sign up by going to: https://register-ed.com/events/view/159688. There is a limit of 20 participants so you may want to sign up early. If you have any questions, please call Kim Frachiseur at the Sevier County Extension Office at 870-584-3013.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
With spring just around the corner, it's important to remember that state and federal income tax forms are due soon. Both state and federal income tax forms must be postmarked no later than April 15, 2020, to avoid penalties and late fees.
The legislature prioritized and passed several changes to its tax laws during the 92nd General Assembly, which means that your income tax rate may have changed from last year.
The passage of ACT 182 during the 2019 legislative session, for example, reduces the top income tax rate in our state from 6.9% to 6.6%. The income tax rate will lower again in 2021 to 5.9%. This rate reduction took effect on January 1, 2020, for individuals and will be phased in for corporations by 2021. This is in addition to previous tax cuts passed in recent years impacting every income group.
Because of these reduced tax rates, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration announced to employers that the income tax withholding tables will change. As a result, you may see an increase in the amount of your paycheck starting this month.
This increase will be offset in the future by lower tax refunds. As tax refunds issued now relate to tax year 2019 they are not affected by the withholding changes. The upcoming withholding changes will not impact annual refunds until calendar year 2021.
Many Arkansans can utilize the IRS’s Free File program. This web-based program is a free federal tax preparation and electronic filing program for the approximately 70% of taxpayers who earn less than $60,000 in annual adjusted gross income. Eligible consumers can go to IRS.gov and choose from multiple private companies that will file federal returns at no charge.
If you cannot afford to pay for tax preparation assistance, you may also be eligible to receive free help through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Consumers can call (800) 829-1040 for information about VITA volunteer locations near them. Additionally, seniors can contact AARP at (888) 227-7669 to find the nearest TCE Tax-Aide site.
Internal Revenue Service | An official website of the United States government
An official website of the United States Government
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
The UA Cossatot Employee Safety and Wellness Committee would like to remind everyone that March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
“Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men and women combined in the United States.”~fightcolorectalcancer.org
· During the next year, one in twenty people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, bringing an estimated 147,950 new cases in 2020.
· Proper screening could prevent sixty percent of colorectal cancer deaths.
· While data indicates that new colorectal cancers in those over age 50 have fallen consistently since 1985, rates of colorectal cancer for those under age 50 have risen, especially for rectal cancer.
Helpful information can be found at https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/colorectal-cancer/facts-stats/
Attached is a fact sheet from the American Cancer Society, which lists common risk factors for colon cancer:
· Heredity – Up to 30% of people with colorectal cancer have a family history of the disease.
· Personal history of colorectal polyps, previously treated colorectal cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease.
· Personal history of radiation to the abdomen (belly) or pelvic area to treat a prior cancer.
· Type 2 diabetes.
· Obesity.
· Physical inactivity.
· Diets high in red or processed meat and/or diets low in calcium, fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain fiber.
· Smoking.
· Alcohol use.
Facts about colon cancer & rectal cancer | Fight CRC
Need more information about colorectal cancer to share with your family, friends, or community? Know the facts and tell someone you care about. Colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death among men and women combined in the United States. There will be an estimated 147,950 new cases of colorectal cancer in 2020.
2020 Spring Officers are Elected to Serve in Collegiate FFA
UA Cossatot’s Collegiate FFA organization announces the spring 2020 FFA officers. These officers will serve for a term of one semester and be active leaders in UA Cossatot’s FFA.
The officers include President Codie Jamison, Vice President John Hardin, Secretary Kinley Wright, Treasurer Lindy Price, and Reporter Kelsey Russell.
(L-R): John Hardin, Will McAlister, Lindy Price, Brennen Seymour, Kinley Wright, Kirsten Nicholas, Kelsey Russell, and Codie Jamison
Scholarship recipients not pictured: Dusty Kesterson and Courtney Vaught
UA Cossatot’s FFA student organization gives students who are interested in agriculture the chance to learn about opportunities in this field while also learning skills in leadership, communication, and networking. Building friendships and scholarship opportunities are other benefits of being in UA Cossatot’s Collegiate FFA as well.
(L-R): John Hardin, Lindy Price, Codie Jamison, Kinley Wright, Kelsey Russell
This spring, UA Cossatot’s FFA will be hosting the annual plant sale in the greenhouse on the De Queen campus. The plant sale provides an affordable resource for local producers to acquire a variety of plants for their spring gardens. Students learn to grow and care for the plants, and they also obtain valuable customer service skills while interacting with the public during the sale.
For additional information about UA Cossatot’s Collegiate FFA, please contact Kelli Harris at 870-584-1218.
Congratulations to UA Cossatot Lady Colts Basketball Player, Makenzie Cardenas
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
By law, Fiscal Sessions can only last 30 days (45 days with a ¾ vote to extend), so members work weeks in advance drafting appropriation measures in order to ensure our sessions are brief.
That preparation begins in budget hearings. Beginning Wednesday, March 4, 2020, the Joint Budget Committee will hold a series of meetings designed to begin the process of outlining a budget for the next fiscal year. The Fiscal Session begins Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at 12:00 noon.
Budget hearings will begin with the Department of Finance and Administration presenting its annual forecast and recommendations for a balanced budget by the Governor.
Over the course of the next several days, the committee will hear budget requests for Higher Education Institutions, Department of Education, the Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Safety, commonly referred to as the “Big 6”.
In the following weeks, members will review budgets for all state boards, commissions, and agencies.
Seven months into this fiscal year, general revenue is now $149.7 million or 4.4% above this time last year. The most recent general revenue report showed net available revenue is above forecast by $94.2 million or 2.7 percent. This report and revenue forecast from economists will help us guide our decision making process in the months ahead.
Although legislation during the Regular Sessions typically attracts more attention, it is important to remember the impact our budget making process has on our day to day lives.
The decisions we will be making show the priorities we make as a state. Appropriations fund everything from classrooms to health care.
Members can begin filing appropriation bills and identical resolutions on Monday, March 9, 2020. As a reminder, the legislature cannot take up any non-appropriation bills during the Fiscal Session unless 2/3 of the body votes in favor of a resolution.
You can watch the meetings live at www.arkansashouse.org.