UA News Center

Endowment supporting UAS Alaska College of Education Surpasses $1 Million

August 17, 2019

When the University of Alaska Board of Regents voted to make the University of Alaska Southeast home for the statewide Alaska College of Education, it did so with confidence that UAS would continue making teacher preparation one of its top priorities. The need for quality Alaska-educated teachers has never been greater, and the mission of the Alaska College of Education is to grow that number significantly in the years ahead.

Opportunity for Board of Regents Public Testimony on September 9 and 12

August 16, 2019

Alaskans will have two opportunities next month to comment directly to the Board of Regents on issues facing the University of Alaska.

Take an important survey and help with UA's path forward

August 16, 2019

Thank you to those who have completed the University of Alaska stakeholder mapping survey. When it went out on Monday, August 12th, there was an initial glitch that took people directly to the survey, skipping the introduction, explanation of voluntary consent, and the place to sign and include your email address (which is stored separately from the data).

University of Alaska and Governor Dunleavy Reach Budget Agreement

August 13, 2019

The University of Alaska and Alaska Governor Michael J. Dunleavy have reached an agreement on a multi-year compact that preserves $110 million in state funding for the university for Fiscal Year 2020, reducing UA's budget by $25 million for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2019. The agreement also means that budgets submitted to the governor by the Board of Regents over the next two fiscal years will reflect $45 million in additional reductions. The compact was signed today by UA Board of Regent Chair John Davies and Governor Michael J. Dunleavy.

Budget Agreement Message from President Jim Johnsen

August 13, 2019

Dear UA Colleagues, After a series of direct discussions with the governor over the last week, I wanted to share some important news with you. The university has reached an agreement with Gov. Dunleavy that supports a total budget reduction in state funds to the university of $70 million - about half of the $136 million originally proposed - but the agreement spreads that cut out over three years.

August 12 Video Message: continuing to advocate for state funding

August 12, 2019

Dear UA Community, In his Monday update, https://youtu.be/RoMXnNWkUbE, President Johnsen touches on the progress made on budget discussions with Gov. Dunleavy's office. President Johnsen has been talking with Gov. Dunleavy as he continues to advocate for the university's state funding.

Partisan Political Activities

August 08, 2019

While fall elections in odd-numbered years are generally pretty quiet, this year's political landscape includes the recent launch of a gubernatorial recall campaign, presenting an opportunity to remind ourselves of our responsibilities under the Executive Branch Ethics Act (EBEA).

Video update on budget and university structure

August 06, 2019

Dear UA Community, In this Monday video update, President Johnsen discusses the FY2020 capital budget, which restores Alaska Performance Scholarship, WWAMI and Alaska Education Grant funding, as well as capital funding for deferred maintenance, and support for the Alaska Earthquake Center. In addition, a supplemental operating budget, which restores $110 million in state funds, is being transmitted to the Governor this week. Johnsen met with Gov. Dunleavy and his new Chief of Staff Ben Stevens last Friday and continues to advocate for the university's state funding.

House passes Capital Budget, restores scholarship funding

August 02, 2019

After two previous attempts, the House passed important revisions to the FY20 Capital Budget on July 29. The legislation, Senate Bill 2002, was dubbed by lawmakers as "Capital Budget 2.0." It authorizes the use of the Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR), and reverses the fiscal year-end "sweep" of state designated funds, which left a number of critically important programs around the state unfunded. This required a ¾ super majority vote in both the House and Senate, and was an important compromise for this Legislature.

President Johnsen speaks at major business forum in Anchorage

August 02, 2019

University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen spoke to 1500 Anchorage business and community leaders about the contributions that the university makes to the state's economy through research and workforce development, and the critical need for Alaska to maintain a strong higher education system. His remarks were part of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) Three-Year Outlook Luncheon.