Published:Thursday, February 27, 2014

Updated:Thursday, February 27, 2014 12:02

Sarah Thompson, Staff Photographer

University police officer Staci Simpson came to the SGA meeting on Tuesday to inform the SGA of ways they can keep their bikes from being stolen. The information was given in regards to the recent increase in bike thefts.

Vice Chancellor of University Advancement Jason Penry spoke to SGA senators Tuesday night about the benefits of adding an osteopathic medical school to the A-State campus.

Penry said an osteopathic medical school would be a positive addition to the offerings of ASU-Jonesboro because of the educational opportunities it would present for students and the increased health care coverage it would provide for the Jonesboro region.

Health care access is much needed without question, Penry said. Adding a medical school on campus will increase the amount of local physicians and increase the accessibility of healthcare.

The economy of Jonesboro would be be boosted as well, Penry said. Over the next 10-15 years, the local economy could be the beneficiary of as much as $90 million in revenue from the proposed medical school.

Through the medical school, ASU students would have a direct line to becoming professional physicians. The construction of a medical school would open more doors for Arkansan and Delta region students who aspire to become doctors, according to Penry.

For every 10 students who apply for medical school, only one is accepted, Penry said. The limited number of medical schools in the country means that an A-State medical school could be a major addition to the osteopathic educational system.

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SGA discuss possible osteopathic school