UAM announces efforts to assist dislocated workers at leadership roundtable

The University of Arkansas at Monticello announced plans to assist dislocated workers at a leadership roundtable held at its technical campus in Crossett Monday.

The public meeting was called in response to the June 4 announcement by Georgia-Pacific that an estimated 550 workers would be laid off by the end of 2019 due to closures in GP’s Crossett bleached board, pulping and extrusion operations.

The university is extending deadlines, offering career services and making scholarship funds available.

“We’re here today to do two things. First, I want to offer thoughts and prayers to the effected workforce, which is nearly everyone in this community and surrounding communities,” said UAM Chancellor Karla Hughes. “Second, UAM is here to offer hope and opportunity, both through education and retraining. Even if you don’t plan to attend one of our three campuses, we want to offer services that can help you get another job.”

Georgia-Pacific has been a partner to UAM, Hughes recognized, particularly the Crossett campus. Going forward, she said she wants to make education obtainable to anyone interested in retraining and anyone who may have a dependent whose plans for college may recently have changed.

“Our core students, alumni and support come from throughout southeast Arkansas,” she said. “[The rural counties in that part of the state] supply the majority of our students; our alumni settle in these areas to work and raise families, and to become community leaders.”

Among other measures, UAM is extending the upcoming academic year’s scholarship deadline for all campuses to August 15, with the deadline change being effective for all applicants, regardless of their relationship to GP.

Hughes said that special circumstance designations are available for eligible students who have applied for admission and have been impacted by the GP closures, which means their application for financial aid can be reevaluated.

Gifts from the executive council have established a new UAM Foundation Fund account. Donations from UAM leadership started the scholarship fund, which will be designated for those who have been directly affected by GP announcement and their dependents. Eligible students could attend any UAM campus.

Hughes said tax-deductible donations from the public are also being accepted for the scholarship funds, and that interested donors should contact Jeff Weaver, vice chancellor for advancement, at 870-460-1328.

Several UAM staff members on the panel mentioned that they too had been dislocated or otherwise affected by major layoff. Each echoed the hope for dislocated workers that career changes don’t necessarily mean relocation.

Hughes said the Crossett campus has been and will continue to offer space to employers who want to hold interviews. UAM’s plan also includes offering career services in Crossett on campus and at any local job fairs, workshops or other events where UAM staff can assist with resume writing, job searching and counseling.

Linda Rushing, vice chancellor of the Crossett campus, said the UAM College of Technology – Crossett would make $20,000 of their discretionary foundation funds available specifically for students affected by the announced GP closures who would attend technical programs at that campus.

A number of community leaders representing local businesses, agencies and economic development entities were in attendance, in addition to GP executives.

Cathie Hillier, GP’s manager of training and development, outlined plans for a career fair at the GP plant on July 23 and 24 which she said will feature a number of employers seeking to hire current GP talent.

Other agencies in attendance who plan to offer resources to affected workers include the Department of Workforce Services, the Dislocated Workers Task Force, the Southeast Economic Development District, Crossett School District, Hamburg School District, the City of Crossett and the Crossett Economic Development Commission.

Anyone affected by the recent layoffs who is interested in obtaining assistance or information about services available at UAM should contact Linda Rushing at 870-460-1274.

“Educational institutions hold small towns together. At UAM, we take that role very seriously,” Hughes said.

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