A message to UAA alumni regarding the Governor's budget vetoes

Dear UAA Alumni:

By now you have heard that Gov. Dunleavy issued a line-item veto which reduces the state-funded portion of the University of Alaska's fiscal year 2020 budget by $130 million. When combined with the $5 million already reduced by the legislature, this $135 million cut is a 41% reduction in a fiscal year that began July 1. These cuts will devastate one of Alaska's most important economic development institutions.

UA President Jim Johnsen and UAA Chancellor Cathy Sandeen have sent a number of messages to the community about the reduction and the immediate implications for students, staff and faculty.  

UA President Johnsen UAA Chancellor Sandeen

UAA needs a veto override to reverse the governor's cuts. For that, we need your support.

We are writing to the community of UAA alumni - nearly 35,000 strong in the state - to make sure that you have the tools you need to reach out personally to your legislators. 

Consider sharing the story of your personal connection to UAA. This can be a powerful tool to convey to legislators the value of the university to the state.

Potential impacts to include in your message:

• At these budget levels, not a single campus will be unaffected, and will likely result in the need to shutter some community campuses outright.  
• These unprecedented cuts will cripple the institution, our state's economy and future opportunities for Alaskans. Simply put, if not overridden, this veto will strike an institutional and reputational blow from which UAA may likely never recover. 
• Reductions of this magnitude will impact every aspect of the university's mission and necessitate deep cuts to educational programs, essential research and community services all over the state.
• State investment is essential to the university's ability to raise the other nearly 60% of its budget - from student tuition, service fees, research revenue, alumni, private and other philanthropic giving. That, in turn, will result in additional cuts to positions and services.

You can find the names of the state representatives for your voting district on the Alaska State Legislature website.  

There is a legislative listening session today in Anchorage from 5-7 p.m. at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office at 1500 W. Benson Blvd. For those not able to attend in person, please consider calling in at 907-563-9085 or 844-586-9085. When you call in, please tell the operator you would like to testify on the governor's vetoes of the operating budget and you will be placed in the queue for testimony. A protest rally will be held outside from 5-6 p.m.

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Thank you in advance for your work to support UAA and a bright future for all Alaska.

Sincerely, Tanya Pont UAA Director of Alumni Engagement