10/23

MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 23, 2019

UA Board of Regents to hold special board meeting and statewide public testimony on Monday, Oct. 28

WHO:   The University of Alaska Board of Regents will hold a special board meeting from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28 to review and discuss the chancellors’ responses to the letter from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The agenda for the emergency meeting will be posted on Friday, Oct. 25 and can be found at https://alaska.edu/bor/agendas/.

WHERE: The meeting will be via video conference and livestreamed at www.alaska.edu/bor/live.  Video conference locations: Butrovich Building, room 204, University of Alaska Fairbanks; room 204 Administrative Building, University of Alaska Anchorage; and, room 204 Hendrickson Building, University of Alaska Southeast.

BACKGROUND: The NWCCU letter raised concerns regarding university governance, specifically the roles and responsibilities of the regents, president, and chancellors, and the inclusivity of decision-making processes regarding university structure. The letter raised no concerns about the quality of academic and research programs at the three separately accredited universities within the University of Alaska system. The Board of Regents chair, president and chancellors sent a joint letter to the university community on Sept. 27 saying they would work together to ensure compliance with NWCCU standards.

PUBLIC TESTIMONY: From 4-5 p.m., the board will hold its regularly scheduled telephonic statewide public testimony. This is an opportunity for anyone in Alaska to share their perspectives directly with the Board of Regents on issues facing the University of Alaska.

WHERE: Those who wish to testify may call 1-866-726-0757 to join the queue for testimony. The public testimony will be live streamed at https://alaska.edu/bor/live/.

                                                                   -30-

For more information, contact Robbie Graham, associate vice president of public affairs, 907-360-2416 [cell].