By: Shoshiana Vang 

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. (UATV) – The University of Arkansas (U of A) started installing posters of the Ten Commandments around campus last week. The university is one of the first in the nation to mandate the installations, which are expected to last for the Fall 2025 semester. 

A bill introduced on March 11 called for a public display of the national motto and the Ten Commandments. After being passed during the 2025 Regular Legislative Session and delivered to the governor, the bill became an act on April 14 and renamed as the Arkansas Act 573. 

The act required public institutions, public classrooms and public libraries to display “a durable poster or framed copy” of the national motto “In God We Trust” and of “a historical representation of the Ten Commandments.” The text must be readable, and the poster size must be at least 11 inches by 14 inches. 

U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks issued a preliminary injunction, which is a temporary block on a party wanting to act during an ongoing lawsuit, on Aug. 4. The lawsuit was filed by multi-faith families that argued the law violated the First Amendment by unconstitutionally promoting religion in public schools. The injunction temporarily blocked the enforcement of the law in Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville and Siloam Springs School Districts. The act went into effect the next day on Aug. 5.

Although the act is blocked in some primary and secondary institutions, it remains to be in effect for other public institutions like U of A. The act also required the displays to be funded through donations or voluntary contributions, and the university received approximately 500 posters. 

John Thomas, Media Relations and Core Communications Director at the U of A, said, “The posters were donated by Counteract USA.” 

Counteract USA is a national Christian nonprofit organization founded in 2021. The organization’s mission is to encourage Christ followers to counteract political and cultural ideologies. The founder of the organization is Abigail DeJarnatt, a U of A alumna who was the vice president of the university’s Turning Point USA chapter in 2021. 

Supporters say the law serves as the cornerstone of law and morality and aids in civic education while opposers say it violates the First Amendment with freedom of religion. 

Although the university already implemented the posters in buildings like the Union Station and the George and Boyce Billingsley Music Building, there are current assessments on the wall structures of different buildings and facilities. The assessments are to help ensure poster installations.