Regents of the University of Alaska
spent the day before their March meeting talking individually with legislators to press for full funding of the university's FY02 $16.9 million operating budget request. University President Mark R. Hamilton met with legislators, too, and also addressed the Juneau and Alaska State Chamber of Commerce Business Roundtable luncheon on Thursday, March 8.

Regents approved the establishment
of a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program at UAA. The program's first major, Physician Assistant, will permit degree completion for approximately 100 of Alaska's practicing physician's assistants, and prepare 6 new physician's assistants annually in conjunction with the University of Washington for practice in rural Alaska. Future majors based on Alaska's workforce needs might also include occupational and physical therapy and vocational rehabilitation programs.

An administration request to convert UAF's current Education Specialist degree in cross-cultural education to a Master's Degree program in cross-cultural studies was also approved. This will serve to broaden the applicability and appeal of the degree/coursework currently available for graduate students.

under the education specialist degree to fields beyond education that also involve cross-cultural issues.

Following a comprehensive review
process, the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges' Commission on Colleges reaffirmed UAA's accreditation for another 10 years. "We received the report of the evaluation committee with great pride," said UAA Chancellor Lee Gorsuch. "Not only did they find that we have progressed, they applauded aspects of every campus, college and school."

Regents unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement with a university union, the 250-member Alaska Higher Education Crafts and Trades Employees Union, Local 6070, after union members had ratified the 3-year pact. The agreement goes into effect immediately and will run through the end of 2003.

The board approved a 1.5-percent increase to the university non-union staff salary schedule. Non-union staff last received a salary grid adjustment in January 1994 in the amount of 3 percent. The 1.5- percent adjustment will go into effect July 1, 2001, contingent upon legislative funding. Cost of the increase will be $1.5 million for FY02.

Acquisition of additional land around UAF's Poker Flat Research Range was authorized by the regents. The administration will proceed to acquire the land necessary to ensure safe rocket launches and related operations at the range, subject to funding availability.

Chair
Michael J. Burns (1997-2005)

Vice Chair
Elsa Demeksa (1997-2005)

Secretary
Mary Jane Fate (1993-2001)

Treasurer
Brian D. Rogers (1997-2007)

Chancy Croft (1995-2003)
Joshua B. Horst (1999-2001)
Kevin Meyers(2000-2007)
R. Danforth Ogg (1993-2001)
Frances H. Rose (1999-2007)
Joe J. Thomas (1995-2003)
Joseph E. Usibelli, Jr. (1999-2007)

Board of Regents Office

Jeannie Phillips
202 Butrovich Building
P.O. Box 755300
Fairbanks, AK 99775-5300
(907) 474-7908

Homepage:
http://www.alaska.edu/bor

The University of Alaska Board of Regents is the governing body responsible for university policy and management through the president. Regents are appointed by the governor for eight year terms, subject to legislative confirmation. A student regent is appointed for two years from candidates nominated on each campus. (Regents' terms of office shown in parentheses)

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