During its two-day meeting, the University of Alaska Board of Regents took a first step toward approving an FY 2017 budget, approved a list of presidential performance measures and adopted a revised policy and a resolution focused on Title IX compliance at the three universities.

Regents also heard from more than 25 people who testified on a topics ranging from the importance of Native language programs to student views on tuition.

The Regents also were briefed on the proposed $378 million operating budget, which represents an increase of $27 million, largely due to fixed cost increases related to items such as faculty and staff compensation, utility increases, and unfunded federal mandates.

UA President Jim Johnsen said, “The budget includes a very modest amount, $2.2 million, to enhance our ability to serve high priority state research and work force needs more cost effectively. These include course redesign at all three universities, teacher education, chemical engineering, fisheries, social and economic research and energy research.”

The capital budget presented to the Regents was $134.8 million. Of this amount, $34.8 million would be used to complete the University of Alaska Fairbanks Engineering Building, $50 million to pay down the deferred maintenance backlog and $50 million to keep up with current facility maintenance needs system-wide.

With regard to a possible tuition increase, Johnsen plans to meet with students at all three universities. No final decision on the budget or tuition increases is expected before November.

Regents also took steps to modify the university’s existing Title IX policy. The modification articulates the board’s expectation regarding Title IX compliance at all thee universities. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs receiving federal funds.

Regents also voted to approve two maritime additions to the University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan campus through the establishment of an Associates of Applied Science degree in Maritime Transportation and the establishment of a Regional Maritime Training Center.

The next meeting of the Board of Regents will be November 4 in Anchorage.