University of Alaska Regents continue system’s positive momentum at September Board Meeting

September 6, 2024

The University of Alaska (UA) Board of Regents celebrated progress, reviewed an initial version of next year’s budget, and continued future planning at their September 5-6 meeting at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS). Thanks in part to ongoing fiscal stability from the state, UA is on stable footing and celebrated a strong start to the Academic Year. The Board of Regents and university leadership continue to chart a positive path forward for UA, with an emphasis on maintaining affordability and empowering Alaska in an environment of fiscal restraint and rising operational costs.

On behalf of the entire Board, I’m thrilled to welcome students back to the University of Alaska for the Fall Semester,” said UA Board of Regents Chair Ralph Seekins. “The Board is dedicated to our students, staff, and faculty, and to continuing the positive progress the system has made over the last several years.” 

Looking Back: A Year of Progress
Regents marked the 25th Anniversary of the UA Scholars Program and passed a resolution celebrating its success and impact across Alaska. The UA Scholars Program awards a $15,000 academic scholarship to the top 10% of each Alaska high school’s graduating class. Since its inception in 1999, the program has awarded over $76 million in scholarships.

“The Board of Regents is pleased to welcome the 25th Class of UA Scholars to our university system, and we congratulate them on their enrollment and investment in their future,” Chair Seekins said. “The Board increased the amount of the UA Scholars Award this year because we believe in the program and are proud of its long-running positive impact on Alaskans and our state. I look forward to seeing this 25th class of scholars learn, grow, and empower Alaska.” 

The Regent’s Ad Hoc Committee on Recruitment, Retention, and Graduation met on September 4 to hear updates on other scholarships and student aid opportunities. Both the UA Scholars Program and Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) were expanded this year to provide students with greater flexibility and aid. A key feature of the APS program is that it is available for all levels of post-secondary education, from certification and technical training to master’s and doctoral programs. When combined, APS and the UA Scholars Program make up to $43,000 in scholarships available to qualified high school graduates to support their post-secondary education.

UA Scholars posters featuring recipients are on display outside the September meeting at UAS

“UA provides affordable and accessible education for Alaskans, and APS and the UA Scholars program are just some of the many financial aid resources available for students,” said UA President Pat Pitney. “Alaskans can be confident in the opportunities and quality of UA programs. Our enrollment is growing, and public opinion of the institution is strong and continuing to improve.”

Regents anticipate a final report with recommendations for a system-wide recruitment, retention, and graduation strategy to be complete by January 2025.

Looking Forward: Planning for the Future
During the full Board Meeting, Regents reviewed the initial budget considerations for Academic Year 2025-2026. As a part of the budget, Regents are considering a modest tuition increase to balance affordability with rising operational costs. The proposed rise in tuition is offset by increased emphasis on non-loan student financial aid. 

More than 11,000 UA students received some type of aid last year, totaling $95.5 million. University leadership has already begun engaging student governance about the proposed tuition changes, and will continue to do so throughout the fall semester. Tuition rates have been the same for the last five years at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and UAS, and for two years at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). Regents will take action on the budget and tuition proposals at their November Meeting,

“UA has regained a stable fiscal foundation and is attracting more students and research partners - but like other organizations, we are managing increased operating costs due to inflation and the general macroeconomic environment,” President Pitney said. “The budget considerations and tuition proposals on which the Board will take action in November seek to maintain affordability for our students, and foster increased enrollment, while also being able to recruit and retain the workforce necessary to meet our educational mission. In addition to increased support from the state, student growth, the universities continue to work daily to make the hard management choices necessary for cost containment.”

Chief Information and Technology Officer (CITO) Ben Shier led a discussion with the Board and Faculty Alliance Chair Jennifer Carroll on Generative AI (GenAI). UA plays an important role in educating students on how to think critically and use GenAI safely within and outside of the classroom, as well as preparing them for the practical and ethical use of AI in their future workplaces. The university is also using AI in research, data analysis, mapping, and other areas requiring analysis of large data sets.

Recognizing Excellence
Senior Director for Alaska Native Success and Partnerships Kristel Komakhuk presented an update on the Alaska Native Success Initiative (ANSI), joined by the leaders of each university-level action teams, Dr. Michele Yatchmeneff, UAA; Dr. Jessica Black, UAF; and Ronalda Cadiente Brown, UAS. A report on the progress being made across the UA System will be presented during the annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention. The UA System has integrated ANSI into strategic plans, ranging from facilities to accreditation planning, to make Indigenous education and accessibility an embedded and ongoing part of our universities.

Regents approved the list of degree recipients for the summer and fall of 2023 and the spring of 2024. For FY24, a total of 3,280 degrees were awarded.

• Business and public administration was the most awarded with 23.4 percent (767 degrees) of degrees awarded being classified into that discipline.
• Health was second with 17.1 percent (560 degrees).

The Board also approved a resolution of appreciation for UA General Counsel Matt Cooper who will be leaving the university at the end of the month to return to private practice. Cooper joined the university in 2011, and has been the General Counsel since 2020, providing invaluable counsel and leadership across a diverse range of complex legal matters. Associate General Counsel Wayne Mowery will serve as the interim general counsel until the position can be filled on a permanent basis.“Matt has provided steady counsel and guidance during some of the System’s most challenging times,” President Pitney commented “His thoughtful legal analysis and leadership have been an incredible asset, and he consistently keeps the welfare of our students, staff, and faculty as his primary concern. On behalf of our community, I thank Matt for his leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to our university system. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”