UAA budget update from Chancellor Case

Dear UAA Community,

As you know, the Alaska Legislature continues its work on the FY18 budget. Earlier this session, the House proposed a University of Alaska funding level of $325 million, the same amount proposed by Gov. Walker in December. The Senate Finance Committee released its version of the operating budget which included a 5 percent cut to the House's number, approximately $309 million.

Though we are disappointed to see the university's anticipated state funding well below the Board of Regents' request of $341 million, we are hopeful that the conference committee will support the higher of the two proposed FY18 operating budgets. UAA is taking steps to prepare and plan for a 6-7 percent reduction in general fund dollars. The details of the plan are still taking shape, but we know that the impact of another reduction will affect our academic program offerings and university services.

The legislative conference committee negotiation on the FY18 operating budget will begin soon. Your voice is important to this process. Should you choose to, now is the time for you to contact your legislators to share your views on UA's and UAA's budget. Please use your personal email and your personal time for this correspondence. To find out who represents you, visit akleg.gov and view the list of House members and Senate members.

Finally, I'd like to invite you to talk with me and my cabinet members at one of the upcoming informal chats:

• Thursday, April 6, 11 a.m.-noon, Student Union, Lounge
• Monday, April 24, 10-11 a.m., UAA/APU Consortium Library, Room 307

Please come with questions, concerns or suggestions on the budget, Title IX, Diversity Action Plan, Strategic Pathways, UAA 2020 or any other subjects you'd like to discuss.

Thank you for your continued hard work and dedication to UAA. With excellent faculty, staff and students at our core, we will continue to do amazing things.

Sincerely, Tom Case Chancellor

March Archive