KODIAK, Alaska - The University of Alaska Board of Regents approved a»common academic calendar for all campuses within the UA System and»requested that faculty develop and adopt common general education»requirements for math and English.

Both moves are aimed at better serving students. The soonest the common»calendar could go into effect would be sometime in the fiscal year that»begins»July 1, 2015.

The resolution requesting common general education requirements for math»and English has a fall 2016 deadline. The resolution charges faculty to»develop and adopt the changes, including common course descriptions,»numbers and titles, as well as common placement tools and scores. It also»asks that the faculty propose an implementation plan for other areas of
general education, also by fall 2016.

Students support the measures, as they often take courses from more than»one campus via online learning, said Student Regent Courtney Enright, of»Ketchikan. She said she has taken classes from UAA, UAF and UAS, but views»them as one system of higher education.

The board also endorsed UA's Shaping Alaska's Future initiative, which»contains a list of 23 effects, or outcomes, the university intends to»achieve.

The effects are aimed at improving graduation rates, streamlining»administrative processes and providing better service to students, among»other things. The intent of the multi-year effort, which involves»students, faculty, alumni, staff and the public, is to create a culture of»continuous improvement and innovation. It's been a priority for UA»President Pat Gamble.

Regent Tim Brady of Anchorage called Shaping Alaska's Future unprecedented.»"I think this is an extraordinary effort," he said. "The results will»really benefit our students, which is why we're all here."

Regents approved a number of other proposals during the two day meeting»that wrapped up today, including a contract for members of the adjunct»faculty union; a public-private partnership for a full-service restaurant»in the UAA Alaska Airlines Sports Center; a graduate certificate in
marriage and family therapy at UAA; a restoration project at the Akasofu»building at UAF; and the second phase of a critical electrical distribution»renewal project at UAF.

-30-

Find the Shaping Alaska's Future document at:
http://www.alaska.edu/files/bor/Apr2014/140403Ref01_SAF_Themes_Issues_Effects.pdf


Information contact: Kate Ripley,»907-460-1442»(cell)

NR8-1