September 2010

by Kathleen McCoy  |   

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Last week's announcement that existing health programs and units in the College of Health and Social Welfare, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Community and Technical College will be integrated into a new college was well received by both external and internal constituencies. Now the hard work begins to structure it to meet our goals of effectiveness and efficiency.

Recommendations of administrators, faculty, staff and students from within the affected units and from stakeholders in our community will help us strengthen our efforts to meet the needs of the largest growth sector in Alaska's economy: health care.

UAA's Fireside Cafe

UAA's new Fireside Cafe celebrated its naming and official opening September 15. Check out new cafe located behind the ConocoPhillips Integrated Science Building and Arts Building.

The Board of Regents decided to raise tuition 5 percent for 2011-2012 at their September meeting and delayed action on 2012-2013 until November, directing the administration to review other recommendations, including a 7 percent increase.

We understand the many financial challenges that our students face. We will continue to work with the state, business, industry, and individual donors, to help offset the many costs of higher education and promote an increase in needs-based scholarships.

UAA's 18th Celebrity Chef Invitational

The 18th Annual Celebrity Chef Invitational brought together terrific chefs, wonderful friends, and raised $90,000 for UAA's Culinary and Hospitality Program. Community support is essential to support this growing program. Culinary's new Bachelor of Science in Nutrition has 36 declared majors, more than double the projected 15. Thank you to Program Director Tim Doebler; co-chairs Maggie Kelly and Steve Halloran; Emcee Dave Karp; roving reporters Margie Johnson and her son Wade Pitts; our chefs, Elderoy Arendse, Gary Murphy, Mandy Dixon, Nate Green, Tanya Newall and Scott Evers; and all those who attended.

Listening Session

William Reilly, Co-Chair of the National Oil Spill Commission visited Alaska in September and held a listening session at UAA to hear Alaska's oil spill response and recovery ideas.

UAA's Gunnar Knapp (Institute of Social and Economic Research, fisheries focus) and University of Alaska Fairbanks' Michael Castellini and UAF's Paula Cullenberg provided UA research insights before the session.

I traveled to Washington, D.C. for oil spill commission hearings earlier this week. We had several Alaskans and former Alaskans testify, including Senator Mark Begich. I am glad I can facilitate the connection of UA and Alaskan researchers, experts and citizens with those outside Alaska working to help prevent and respond to future disasters. You can follow the work of the commission and read media advisories here.

Did you know?
  • The results of the Statewide Victimization Survey conducted by the UAA Justice Center were announced at a press conference today. This Survey is designed to generate accurate lifetime and 12-month estimates on intimate partner violence, sexual violence and stalking victimization in Alaska.
  • UAA International Studies major Tsugumi Kozuma received a scholarship from the Export Council of Alaska at its 23rd Annual Export Alaska Celebration Luncheon Sept. 8. Congratulations!
  • UAA's Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies director Dr. David Driscoll received funding from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to partner with Southcentral Foundation to study patient-centered medical home care services at the Alaska Native Medical Center.
  • We welcome new assistant director at Mat-Su College, Dr. Brian McLean.
  • Shirlee Willis-Haslip will serve as UAA's interim University Registrar, replacing John Allred, who is taking a position at the University of Utah. Thank you Shirlee and best wishes to John and his family.
  • Ronald Spatz, Dean of the Honors College and Undergraduate Research and Scholarship received the 2010 Governor's Award for the Humanities. Congratulations!

Diversity Action Council

The Diversity Action Council reception was absolutely inspiring and serves as a great kick off for the academic year. Thank you to you all for your service!

"Under construction" on our campuses:

UAA's Health Sciences Building

As the leaves fall from the trees, the new Health Sciences Building (HSB) continues to go up, on track and on budget. Opening in 2011 will require funding for facility costs like heat and lights, as well as staffing. We have requested $392.6K to staff the building and $691K to operate the building so we can be ready for students next fall.

Housing at PWSCC

Housing for students at Prince William Sound Community Campus is being completely remodeled.

Kachemak Bay Campus construction

Construction is ongoing at the Kenai Peninsula College's Kachemak Bay Campus.

As always, thank you for all you do to make UAA a great university!

Sincerely,

Creative Commons License "September 2010" is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.