December 11, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 11, 2015
Undergraduate research and scholarly opportunities provide uplifting stories at the UA Regents’ board meeting
The FY17 budget was a major focus of both public testimony and board business during
the two-day meeting of the University of Alaska Board of Regents in Fairbanks Dec.
10-11, but it was the individual student stories about their undergraduate research
and academic excellence at the University of Alaska that stole the spotlight.
During public testimony, more than 40 individuals and groups talked with the regents
about topics ranging from support for programs that have influenced their UA experience
to undergraduate research involving children researching how the natural environment
impacts their world. Regents also heard about important work being done on Arctic
issues and the upcoming Arctic Science Summit Week in March 2016 and from a number
of parents on how technical education and other university opportunities have benefited
their students and adult children.
“Our university system is focused on how to best serve Alaska, our nation and our
world. From leading Arctic Research at UAF; economic and health research at UAA; environmental
and marine sciences at UAS; UA students, at both undergraduate and graduate levels,
are contributing to the future of Alaska and addressing the challenges and opportunities
critical to our future,” said UA President Jim Johnsen.
Governor Walker released a state budget plan on Wednesday that included a funding
reduction to the university of more than $15.7 million. The governor’s plan requires
a balance of increased revenues, agency budget reductions and changes to annual dividend
payouts that will be controversial in an election year. This leaves a great amount
of uncertainty as to the scale of the final reduction to the university’s budget come
the conclusion of the legislative session.
“Despite unprecedented challenges I am confident we will serve Alaska as a premiere
education system,” said Johnsen. “We’ve may need to cut but at the same time we must
invest in our unique programs at each university and move them forward.”
Pat Pitney, State Office of Management and Budget director, told the regents that
although education is a priority of the governor, it is necessary to continue to make
reductions to the size of the state budget.
“The single strongest predictor of the final appropriation is the governor’s proposed
budget,” said Johnsen. “I will continue to advocate for our ask, but it’s not unreasonable
to predict even deeper cuts.”
Johnsen has initiated a contingency budget planning process to guide decision-making
in the months about the budget realignment ahead. The contingency budget will identify
areas for investment along with vertical reductions.
Johnsen described it as an investment growth strategy. Each UA campus is crafting
contingency budgets in anticipation of funding reductions. In lieu of across the board
reductions they will be working on consolidations, program elimination, increased
efficiencies, reduced administration and other efforts to guide the impact of the
budget reductions. A list of programs that are selected for special review - whether
for elimination, consolidation or investment - will be presented to Regents in January.
“There will be tough choices,” said Johnsen. “There will be people disappointed, but
we have no choice when facing this fiscal situation. I join the regents in the commitment
that we will be stronger as a result.”
Vice President of Academic Affairs and Research Dan White led an engaging conversation
on eLearning across the university system. In recent years online courses have become
an important part of student degree completion.
“The future of education will not be brick and mortar, it is in technology,” said
Regent Gloria O’Neil. “This is one area we cannot cut.”
Officer elections were held and the Chair remains Jyotsna Heckman. Other officers
are Vice Chair Gloria O’Neil, Secretary Kenneth Fisher and Treasurer John Davies.
The one-year terms are elected each December.
-30-
For more information contact:
Roberta Graham, Assoc. Vice President of Public Affairs and Federal Relations, robbie.graham@alaska.edu
907-360-2416 [mobile]
NR23-15