Archivist Seeks Higher Office
UCA has a chance to send one of its own to the state Legislature this year.
Jimmy Bryant, the director of our archives, adjunct history instructor and author of a book about the university, is running as the Republican candidate for state representative in District 45, which includes parts of our campus. His opponent is Democratic incumbent Linda Tyler.
Roughly, the contested territory stretches along Dave Ward Drive to the Arkansas River, over to Skunk Hollow Road off state highway 64 east and south to Mayflower. The area includes Bear Village Apartments, University Park Apartments and the Greens at Nutter's Chapel. The majority of our campus is in District 46. If all this sounds confusing, here is an interactive map.
Bryant, 55, is a native of England, Ark., and has bachelor's and master's degrees in history from UCA. He has been a justice of the peace on the Faulkner County Quorum Court for the past eight years. His term expires Dec. 31.
One of Bryant's primary issues is to increase the amount of money UCA gets from the state. The current funding formula isn't fair, he said.
"From 1998 to 2008, Arkansas State University received $830 more from state funding, per student, than UCA received," he said. "With a campus of our size, that's around $8.3 million more."
The University of Arkansas-Little Rock also received $1,121 more per student during that time, which is about a $11.2 million difference compared to UCA, Bryant said.
Bryant said most members of the state Legislature don't know about the gap in funding.
"When I met with them and brought it up, they weren't even aware," he said. "If I were elected, they'd know about it."
Jimmy Bryant
Bryant said he also wants to address the pay for some university staff members.
"Some of our people in the physical plant start at around $16,300. If you double that, they would still qualify for food stamps." Bryant said. "Those people are what keep this place going. It's heartbreaking to see people working so hard for such little pay."
Bryant said his heart is with UCA and the students here.
"Director of Archives is my main position but I love teaching," he said.
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