Section 6-62-313 - State agency for participation in federal grant programs(a) The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board is designated as the state agency of the State of Arkansas for the purpose of participating in the grant program under 20 U.S.C. § 1132a et seq., as enacted and now existing or as subsequently amended, supplemented, or implemented, which is herein referred to as the "federal act".(b) In addition to its presently existing authority, powers, and duties, the board is authorized, empowered, and directed to prepare and submit to the commissioner, who is referred to and identified in the federal act, a state plan for participation in the grant program under 20 U.S.C. § 1132a et seq. and, upon the approval of the state plan by the commissioner, to administer the plan and otherwise to do, or cause to be done, all things and acts of every nature whatever necessary or desirable:(1) In meeting and complying with all requirements of the federal act, regulations under and pursuant to the federal act, and of the departments and agencies of the United States administering the federal act;(2) In administering the state plan; and(3) In obtaining and utilizing, or causing to be utilized, all grants, funds, and benefits to which the State of Arkansas is entitled under the federal act.(c)(1) This section shall be liberally construed so that all institutions of higher education, as referred to and defined in the federal act, receive fully and promptly all benefits conferred and intended by the federal act and this section and that the intended public benefits and purposes be achieved and accomplished. To this end, the enumeration of any object, purpose, power, manner, method, and thing shall not be deemed to exclude like or similar objects, purposes, powers, manners, methods, or things.(2) This section shall be liberally construed as being supplemental to any existing purposes and powers of the board so as to accomplish in the most expeditious and efficient manner the purposes and intent of the federal act in this state.Acts 1964 (Ex. Sess.), No. 16, §§ 1-3; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 80-3332 -- 80-3334.