April 23, 1998 Minutes

Board of Regents

OFFICIAL MINUTES

Emergency Meeting of the

University of Alaska Board of Regents

April 23, 1998

VIA AUDIOCONFERENCE

OFFICIAL MINUTES

Regents Present:
Michael P. Kelly, President - Fairbanks
R. Danforth Ogg, Vice President - Kodiak
Mary Jane Fate, Secretary - Los Angeles, CA
Chancy Croft, Treasurer - Anchorage
Joseph R. Henri - Anchorage
Annette M. Nelson-Wright - Juneau
Joe J. Thomas - Fairbanks
Lew M. Williams, Jr. - Ketchikan

Jerome B. Komisar, Executive Officer and President, University of Alaska - Fairbanks

Regents Absent:
Michael J. Burns
Elsa Froehlich Demeksa
Sharon D. Gagnon

Others Present:
David Creamer, Vice President for Finance & Planning - Fairbanks
J. Mark Neumayr, Associate General Counsel - Fairbanks
Robert Miller, Director, Public Affairs - Fairbanks
Scott Taylor, Executive Director, UA Foundation - Fairbanks
Jeannie D. Phillips, Board of Regents' Officer - Fairbanks

I. Call to Order

President Kelly called the meeting to order at 12:38 p.m. AST.

II. Adoption of Agenda

Regent Croft moved, seconded by Regent Fate, and passed unanimously as amended that:

PASSED AS AMENDED

"The Board of Regents adopts the agenda as presented.

I. Call to Order
II. Adoption of Agenda
III. Discussion of Resolution of Concern to the Alaska State Legislature Regarding Funding for the University of Alaska
IV. Discussion Regarding Fund-Raising Event
V. Other Items of Concern
VI. Adjourn

This motion is effective April 23, 1998."

III. Discussion of Resolution of Concern to the Alaska Legislature Regarding Funding for the University of Alaska

At the April 17, 1998 meeting of the Board of Regents, the board discussed whether to send a resolution to the Alaska Legislature on its concern regarding funding for the University of Alaska. It was decided that action would be delayed. On April 22, 1998, President Kelly called an emergency meeting of the Board of Regents to consider approval of such a resolution.

After extensive discussion, Regent Williams moved, seconded by Regent Croft, that the following resolution be approved.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska is deeply appreciative of the fact that the House Finance Committee has voted to increase the appropriation for the University of Alaska by $1.6 million over the current year; and

WHEREAS, even so, the State appropriation for the University is basically the same as it was in 1986; and

WHEREAS, for the same time, inflation totaled 30 percent, enrollment has increased 15 percent and the earnings of the Permanent Fund have more than doubled; and

WHEREAS, it will require an increased appropriation of at least $3.5 million to allow the University to fund approved employee salary increases;

WHEREAS, an increase in the appropriation to the University of over $50 million would be required to keep pace with inflation since 1986, even if student enrollment had not increased; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Regents recognizes that continued inadequate funding will further discourage students and demoralize faculty and staff;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska implores the Alaska Legislature to fully fund the Board of Regents request for FY99; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Regents will continue over the next several days before the Legislature adjourns to communicate the adverse effects that the impact of inadequate funding will have on the only public, statewide institution of higher learning in Alaska, the University of Alaska; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be conveyed to the members of the Alaska Legislature, with a copy incorporated into the official minutes of the April 23, 1998 meeting of the Board of Regents.

The Board of Regents unanimously approved that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves the resolution of concern to the Alaska Legislature regarding funding for the University of Alaska. This motion is effective April 23, 1998."

IV. Discussion Regarding Fund-Raising Event

Members of the Board of Regents discussed their concerns regarding a fund-raising event for the Northern Alaska Environmental Center scheduled to take place at the President's Residence in May 1998.

Regent Henri moved, seconded by Regent Williams, and passed unanimously that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents expresses its strong displeasure that a fund-raising event for a non-University related group will be held on University of Alaska property and urges the University President to make every effort to relocate this event; and further requests that the general counsel prepare an amendment to University Regulation that would in the future restrict fund-raising on University of Alaska property to University-related groups. This motion is effective April 23, 1998."

V. Other Items of Concern

No other items of concern were raised.

VI. Adjourn

President Kelly adjourned the meeting at 2:04 p.m.