The University of Arkansas was established through the Morrill Act of 1862 which allowed for states to establish universities for the purpose of teaching agricultural and mechanical arts. In 1868, the Arkansas General Assembly passed legislation to create the Arkansas Industrial University which later changed to the University of Arkansas in 1899. In 1871, the state legislature allowed for the board of trustees to seek a location for the school. Numerous towns placed bids for the university with Fayetteville officially winning the bid in October 1871. That same year, a 160-acre farm was purchased for $12,000 from William McIlroy for the permanent location of the university and eight students began classes on January 22, 1872. The first president of the university was Noah P. Gates who served in that role from 1871-1873 and 1875-1877. Nineteen others have served as president of the university since 1877. When a system of campuses was officially created in the 1960s, the president’s oversight grew, with chancellors at each of the University of Arkansas System campuses now reporting to the president.

The Board of Trustees underwent three major reorganizations between 1874-1887. In 1874, the Arkansas General Assembly revoked the authority of the initial Board of Trustees and established a new Board consisting of the Governor, the President of the university, and seven other members. The second reorganization occurred in 1883 and the new Board consisted of the Governor, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the President of the university, and six other members, one member from each Congressional District. In 1887, the General Assembly reorganized the Board for a third time to consist of the Governor and six other members, one member from each of the state’s congressional districts. As of 2022, the Board of Trustees consists of ten members, each of whom are appointed by the Governor to 10-year overlapping terms.