Staying social while distanced

April 17, 2020

How is everyone doing? After about a month in, even the introverts among us are starting to have a hard time. As time goes on, the effects of social distancing start to wear on us all. Below are some tips for staying social while distanced:

Expedited Program Review update

April 15, 2020

This week, the Board of Regents' Academic and Student Affairs Committee met to review and make recommendations to the full Board on a slate of academic program reductions. The discussion was rigorous during the two-day meeting, and ultimately the committee voted to recommend discontinuation, suspension or reduction of 46 academic programs proposed by the chancellors, endorsed by the Academic Council, and supported by me. The committee also set aside three programs for further discussion in May.

Emergency regulation change - COVID-19 furloughs

April 07, 2020

Yesterday afternoon, in consultation with the chancellors and senior leadership, I implemented an emergency regulation change that reduced the minimum notification period for temporary COVID-19 related furloughs to 30 days. The change to the notification period only applies to furloughs of employees whose jobs have been impacted by the university's COVID-19 response.

President Johnsen to hold listening session on Expedited Academic Review Recommendations

April 02, 2020

In the coming days, there will be several important virtual events in which you can participate as recommendations for academic changes at the university move forward.

Updated UA leave policies and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

April 02, 2020

Today, the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act goes into effect. This new nationwide legislation will require us to use different approaches to managing employee leave during our COVID-19 response.

Equity and Compliance resources

March 31, 2020

The Equity and Compliance offices wanted to take this opportunity to remind members of our community that maintaining learning and working environments free from discrimination remains a high priority for the university.

Student support initiative addresses emergency financial needs

March 31, 2020

Student services professionals throughout the University of Alaska will be able to quickly address student needs in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to a new student support initiative.

Capitol Report: Legislature Adjourns

March 30, 2020

Legislature Adjourns For Now The Legislature has concluded its business and recessed for the foreseeable future. Today is only the 70th day of the 120-day session, but the COVID-19 crisis has seriously disrupted the process and lawmakers became increasingly concerned with working in close quarters in the State Capitol. House Speaker Bryce Edgmon called this one of the most uncertain periods in the state's history. Legislators and their non-Juneau staff, will be transitioning home over the next several days.

University implementation of new state health mandates

March 29, 2020

Yesterday evening, the governor issued two new public health mandates that will have substantial effects on university operations. The first is Health Mandate 11, which is a statewide "stay home" or "shelter-in-place" order. That order also imposes restrictions on businesses, with exceptions for those that are considered "essential." The university's distance delivery operations, operations in support of that mission, as well as other services and critical infrastructure and operations listed in this attachment to the mandate are considered essential. In general, if you are following university guidelines, you are in compliance with the state health mandate.

Capitol Report for March 24, 2020

March 25, 2020

Yesterday the Senate passed the FY21 Operating and Capital Budget (HB 205) setting the stage for a conference committee between the House and Senate to finalize this year's spending package.