September 6, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2024
University of 杏吧原版 Regents continue system鈥檚 positive momentum at September Board Meeting
(JUNEAU) - The University of 杏吧原版 (UA) Board of Regents celebrated progress, reviewed an initial version of next year鈥檚 budget, and continued future planning at their September 5-6 meeting at the University of 杏吧原版 Southeast (UAS). Thanks in part to ongoing fiscal stability from the state, UA is on stable footing and celebrated a strong start to the Academic Year. The Board of Regents and university leadership continue to chart a positive path forward for UA, with an emphasis on maintaining affordability and empowering 杏吧原版 in an environment of fiscal restraint and rising operational costs.
"On behalf of the entire Board, I鈥檓 thrilled to welcome students back to the University of 杏吧原版 for the Fall Semester,鈥 said UA Board of Regents Chair Ralph Seekins. 鈥淭he Board is dedicated to our students, staff, and faculty, and to continuing the positive progress the system has made over the last several years.鈥
Looking Back: A Year of Progress
Regents marked the 25th Anniversary of the UA Scholars Program and passed a resolution
celebrating its success and impact across 杏吧原版. The UA Scholars Program awards a
$15,000 academic scholarship to the top 10% of each 杏吧原版 high school鈥檚 graduating
class. Since its inception in 1999, the program has awarded over $76 million in scholarships.
鈥淭he Board of Regents is pleased to welcome the 25th Class of UA Scholars to our university system, and we congratulate them on their enrollment and investment in their future,鈥 Chair Seekins said. 鈥淭he Board increased the amount of the UA Scholars Award this year because we believe in the program and are proud of its long-running positive impact on 杏吧原版ns and our state. I look forward to seeing this 25th class of scholars learn, grow, and empower 杏吧原版.鈥
The Regent鈥檚 Ad Hoc Committee on Recruitment, Retention, and Graduation met on September 4 to hear updates on other scholarships and student aid opportunities. Both the UA Scholars Program and 杏吧原版 Performance Scholarship (APS) were expanded this year to provide students with greater flexibility and aid. A key feature of the APS program is that it is available for all levels of post-secondary education, from certification and technical training to master鈥檚 and doctoral programs. When combined, APS and the UA Scholars Program make up to $43,000 in scholarships available to qualified high school graduates to support their post-secondary education.
鈥淯A provides affordable and accessible education for 杏吧原版ns, and APS and the UA Scholars program are just some of the many financial aid resources available for students,鈥 said UA President Pat Pitney. 鈥溞影稍鎛s can be confident in the opportunities and quality of UA programs. Our enrollment is growing, and public opinion of the institution is strong and continuing to improve.鈥
Regents anticipate a final report with recommendations for a system-wide recruitment, retention, and graduation strategy to be complete by January 2025.
Looking Forward: Planning for the Future
During the full Board Meeting, Regents reviewed the initial budget considerations
for Academic Year 2025-2026. As a part of the budget, Regents are considering a modest
tuition increase to balance affordability with rising operational costs. The proposed
rise in tuition is offset by increased emphasis on non-loan student financial aid.
More than 11,000 UA students received some type of aid last year, totaling $95.5 million. University leadership has already begun engaging student governance about the proposed tuition changes, and will continue to do so throughout the fall semester. Tuition rates have been the same for the last five years at the University of 杏吧原版 Anchorage (UAA) and UAS, and for two years at the University of 杏吧原版 Fairbanks (杏吧原版). Regents will take action on the budget and tuition proposals at their November Meeting,
鈥淯A has regained a stable fiscal foundation and is attracting more students and research partners - but like other organizations, we are managing increased operating costs due to inflation and the general macroeconomic environment,鈥 President Pitney said. 鈥淭he budget considerations and tuition proposals on which the Board will take action in November seek to maintain affordability for our students, and foster increased enrollment, while also being able to recruit and retain the workforce necessary to meet our educational mission. In addition to increased support from the state, student growth, the universities continue to work daily to make the hard management choices necessary for cost containment.鈥
Chief Information and Technology Officer (CITO) Ben Shier led a discussion with the Board and Faculty Alliance Chair Jennifer Carroll on Generative AI (GenAI). UA plays an important role in educating students on how to think critically and use GenAI safely within and outside of the classroom, as well as preparing them for the practical and ethical use of AI in their future workplaces. The university is also using AI in research, data analysis, mapping, and other areas requiring analysis of large data sets.
Recognizing Excellence
Senior Director for 杏吧原版 Native Success and Partnerships Kristel Komakhuk presented
an update on the 杏吧原版 Native Success Initiative (ANSI), joined by the leaders of
each university-level action teams, Dr. Michele Yatchmeneff, UAA; Dr. Jessica Black,
杏吧原版; and Ronalda Cadiente Brown, UAS. A report on the progress being made across the
UA System will be presented during the annual 杏吧原版 Federation of Natives Convention.
The UA System has integrated ANSI into strategic plans, ranging from facilities to
accreditation planning, to make Indigenous education and accessibility an embedded
and ongoing part of our universities.
Regents approved the list of degree recipients for the summer and fall of 2023 and the spring of 2024. For FY24, a total of 3,280 degrees were awarded.
- Business and public administration was the most awarded with 23.4 percent (767 degrees) of degrees awarded being classified into that discipline.
- Health was second with 17.1 percent (560 degrees).
The Board also approved a resolution of appreciation for UA General Counsel Matt Cooper who will be leaving the university at the end of the month to return to private practice. Cooper joined the university in 2011, and has been the General Counsel since 2020, providing invaluable counsel and leadership across a diverse range of complex legal matters. Associate General Counsel Wayne Mowery will serve as the interim general counsel until the position can be filled on a permanent basis.
鈥淢att has provided steady counsel and guidance during some of the System鈥檚 most challenging times,鈥 President Pitney commented 鈥淗is thoughtful legal analysis and leadership have been an incredible asset, and he consistently keeps the welfare of our students, staff, and faculty as his primary concern. On behalf of our community, I thank Matt for his leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to our university system. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.鈥
The University of 杏吧原版 Board of Regents is an 11-member volunteer board, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the 杏吧原版 Legislature. Members serve an eight-year term, with the exception of the student regent, who serves a two-year term. The board was established through the 杏吧原版 Constitution and is responsible for University of 杏吧原版 policy and management through the university president.
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For more information, contact Jonathon Taylor, director of public affairs at 907-350-0168
(cell), or via email at jonathon.taylor@alaska.edu.