Welcome to the University of Alaska fall semester

September 3, 2019

Office of Public Affairs


In his weekly video message, President Jim Johnsen welcomes students back to the University of Alaska for the fall semester, and provides an update on what transpired this past summer with the budget and plans to make sure that our students’ educational priorities are number one in all we do.

  • The Board of Regents directed the administration to come up with plans to reduce expenses, and to review duplicative academic programs across the university system.

  • That plan is being developed and will be reviewed with the board at its September 12 meeting.

  • This fall, the work of evaluating options will begin across all campuses so that we can come up with the ideal structure for the university. Recommendations will be brought to the board at its November meeting.

President Johnsen will be visiting the campuses over the next few months to meet directly with students, faculty and staff to hear concerns, gather input on ideas for the future of the university and to speak directly about what planning is occurring.

Again, welcome back. We have a great university – 16 campuses all across the state with faculty ready to teach, and staff ready to assist our students in a successful semester.