For Immediate Release
Friday, April 7, 2006

The University of Alaska Board of Regents will consider a new streamlined review and approval process for establishing academic units when members gather over several days next week at two rural campuses--the Chukchi Campus in Kotzebue and the Northwest Campus in Nome.

The meeting kicks off with public testimony in the assembly chambers of the Northwest Arctic Borough in Kotzebue at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 11.» Board members will tour the Chukchi Campus and meet with members of the Chukchi Advisory Council, as well as attend a community reception.» The board will fly to Nome Tuesday night and resume the meeting Wednesday morning at the Northwest Campus. Public testimony will be taken at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Nome.» The Nome schedule also includes a campus tour and community reception at Old Joe’s Wednesday evening.

The regents’ agenda includes a proposal to streamline and simplify the review and approval process for establishing academic centers, research institutes and other sub-units of existing campuses, schools and colleges.» The new approach would provide the university more flexibility to collaborate with communities, federal and state agencies or other partners outside the university system, while still maintaining appropriate oversight by the board.

"Under Mark Hamilton’s leadership, we’ve seen UA evolve and stretch beyond its borders to include a number of entrepreneurial partnerships that have resulted in centers and institutes being created,” said Dave Veazey, assistant vice president for academic affairs at the UA system office.» “What we want to do is streamline this process, so that chancellors can be more responsive to their individual communities.”

Under the proposed policy change, the Board of Regents would still have to approve the creation or deletion of centers and research institutes or other academic units with system-wide responsibilities.
Other agenda items include hearing reports on numerous housekeeping measures related to facilities, risk management and property policies, among others. For a complete agenda, go to www.alaska.edu/bor/.

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For more information, call Kate Ripley, 907/450-8102
NR6-06