February 10, 2016
For Immediate Release
Feb. 10, 2016
Regents to hear university restructuring plan at February meeting
The University of Alaska Board of Regents will hear the initial details behind a proposed
framework to restructure the University of Alaska, called Strategic Pathways, when it meets in Fairbanks on Feb. 18-19.
The restructuring goals include maximizing value to Alaska through excellent, accessible
and more cost effective higher education. Through adoption of the Strategic Pathways framework, UA's ability to meet the state's high priority needs for postsecondary
education will be strengthened and the three universities – UAA, UAF and UAS – will
focus on their unique strengths. The universities’ areas of emphasis will take shape
over the next several months and will reflect input from stakeholders as well as analysis
of the potential impacts and benefits to students, the campuses and the university
community. Although the primary focus of Strategic Pathways is on teaching and research areas of excellence, changes are being made to streamline
administrative functions.
“Some initial changes could take effect as early as the end of this fiscal year, but
since this process is still at a conceptual level, much work is still needed for it
to take full shape,” said President Jim Johnsen. University leadership expects the
restructuring to require two to three years for full implementation.
The draft Strategic Pathways framework can be found at www.alaska.edu/pathways. Input and ideas may be emailed to ua-pathways@alaska.edu, or submitted through an online form accessible via a link on the pathways web page.
The Board of Regents endorsed the concept of this model at its January retreat, and
will take public testimony at the February meeting from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday Feb.
18, and Friday Feb. 19 in the Board of Regents’ conference room, room 109 in the Butrovich
Building on the UAF campus. Written testimony is accepted at any time and is shared
with the board and the president. Interested parties may submit written testimony
to: ua-bor@alaska.edu.
Also at the February meeting, Regents will receive an update on the university’s budget
planning process and legislative activities in Juneau. As the state legislature grapples
with budget constraints, the university anticipates budget reductions to be even greater
than the $15.8 million net decrease proposed by the governor. The final budget will
come to the Board of Regents in June for final approval.
In other business, Regents will review a new Title IX scorecard developed to guide
the university in meeting federal guidelines regarding sexual assault on campuses.
The full agenda and webstream link will be posted later this week at www.alaska.edu/bor/agendas/.
-30-
For more information contact Roberta Graham, Assoc. Vice President of Public Affairs
and Federal Relations at 907-786-1190 or 907-360-2416.
NR3-16