June 3, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2019
University of 杏吧原版 structure to be reviewed by new task force
FAIRBANKS --The chair of the University of 杏吧原版 Board of Regents has announced appointments to a task force that will explore options for the university system鈥檚 future structure, outlined the options the group will consider, and set out the process the task force will follow. The task force will be advisory to the Board of Regents, which is constitutionally responsible for governance of the 杏吧原版鈥檚 state higher education system.
鈥淭he task force is comprised of respected 杏吧原版ns who bring a mix of leadership experience in higher education, business and government,鈥 said Board Chair John Davies. 鈥淢embers were selected from a variety of backgrounds for their demonstrated commitment to the university and the state including private sector leaders as well as former university faculty and staff, along with a student representative.鈥
The university has been improving its cost effectiveness, reducing low enrollment programs and streamlining processes for several years, but Davies said the urgency for this in-depth review responds to ongoing state funding cuts for the university and legislative intent language encouraging the regents to consider transitioning UA from three separately accredited institutions into one, and to provide an update to the legislature by December 1, 2019.
The Board of Regents voted to establish the task force at its May 9 meeting after a discussion of possible state funding cuts and university plans to invest in strategic priorities. Davies said the task force will consider at least four potential structural options for the UA system:
- Status Quo 鈥 Three separately accredited universities with the community college campuses part of their respective regional university.
- Lead Campus 鈥 Three separately accredited universities but with more focus of specific academic programs at each single university along with expanded availability of courses across the system via distance delivery. Also, reorganize the community college campuses to report to one of the lead campuses.
- One University 鈥 A single accredited university for all of 杏吧原版 with the community colleges organized as a unit within the university.
- Three independent universities 鈥 Three separately accredited universities and associated community colleges with independent administrations and no statewide administration.
The task force will assess these and possibly other options for the university鈥檚 structure using existing strategic plans as well as the vision established in UA2040 (www.alaska.edu/ua2040), the work done in the Strategic Pathways process, assessments and recommendations from past reviews of university structure, and input to be gathered from key stakeholders over the next several months.
The issue of the university鈥檚 structure has been addressed numerous times over the years. In 1974, the university restructured from a single university to three separately accredited universities and numerous separately accredited community colleges, and in 1987 the community colleges were integrated into the universities, resulting in the current organizational structure.
Process and Schedule
Davies anticipates that the task force will begin meeting this summer with the goal of providing a progress report to the Board of Regents in September and a final report in time for the Board of Regents November meeting.
Davies said a report from the regents on the task force recommendations and stakeholder meetings will go to the legislature in December. 鈥淭he Board may decide upon on a course of action at its meeting in November,鈥 Davies said, 鈥渙r continue its deliberations on these options into early 2020.鈥
Task Force Members
Davies said the eleven-member task force includes:
- One former and one current member of the Board of Regents: Jo Heckman and Sheri Buretta
- Three 杏吧原版 private sector leaders: Tom Barrett of Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., Aaron Schutt of Doyon Ltd., and Joe Beedle, former CEO, Northrim Bank
- One rural 杏吧原版 leader: Reggie Joule, former legislator and mayor and currently a lobbyist for K-12 education
- Three retired UA faculty members: Terrence Cole of 杏吧原版, Cathy Connor of UAS, and Gunnar Knapp of UAA
- One former UA executive: Wendy Redman, former UA executive vice president
- One student: Joey Sweet of UAA
Although Davies does not plan to participate as part of the task force, he will convene the group and appoint the chair. Information about the work of the task force can be found at
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For more information, contact Roberta Graham, associate vice president of public affairs at 907-360-2416 (cell).