For Immediate Release
Friday, April 27, 2007

University of Alaska Board of Regents chair, Mary K. Hughes of Anchorage, has released the following statement regarding the resignation of member Jim Hayes:

"On behalf of the board of regents, I'd like to thank Jim Hayes for his service to the University of Alaska.  I certainly understand his reasons for resigning, to take care of his wife and devote the necessary time and energy preparing his defense.

"I'd also like to reiterate that the federal case is not about the University of Alaska, and no university grants or funds are the focus of the indictments.

"The board looks forward to Governor Palin's appointment to fill out the remainder of Mr. Hayes' position.  The next meeting of the board is in June, in Fairbanks. The new appointee will need to get busy right away, because there are many exciting things happening at the university in the areas of high-demand job training and education, student success initiatives and workforce development. We have much to do, and need the full strength of an active, engaged board to get it done."

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For more information, call Kate Ripley at 907/450-8102 or 907/388-3506.

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