Spring 2020 updates

Dear UAA Community,

Welcome back to campus and to the spring 2020 semester! I have a few important updates and reminders to share as we get this academic semester started.

Expedited Program Review

You will recall that back in October, the University of Alaska Board of Regents charged each university with undertaking its own expedited academic program review. We also committed to conducting our own administrative program review. I am grateful to the board for entrusting us with this process and allowing us to guide our own destiny. The deadline for academic review reports to be submitted is approaching on Jan. 31.

Continuing with my commitment to transparency, the reports will be made available to you on UAA’s Institutional Research SharePoint website. It is important to know that decisions about academic and administrative reductions will be made by me in consultation with my Cabinet. Furthermore, any academic program discontinuations must be voted on by the UA Board of Regents.

Please keep in mind that while this is a budget reduction imposed upon us by the UA budget and Alaska’s fiscal challenges, I hope we can consider this process as a way to maintain a stronger, more focused university that will continue to serve our students and state. Thank you for your participation and for your understanding as we move through this complex and critically important process. More Information about the administrative review will follow in the coming weeks. If you have any questions about the academic review process, purpose or timeline, please visit the Expedited Program Review website.

National searches

I’m happy to report that we’re making progress on a number of searches. The search for our next provost launched late last month. The announcement is being promoted through national and international channels, and our consultants from Academic Search are seeking nominations and interest. Please consider sharing this opportunity with your colleagues. You will find the leadership profile on the Academic Search website.

I am also continuing the search for a Chief Diversity Officer. This new Cabinet-level position, a recommendation within the Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, will help us cultivate a campus environment that encourages and supports diversity and inclusivity at UAA, across all its campuses, by actively engaging students, faculty and staff to further behaviors, attitudes and policies that support diversity, equity and inclusion. The position profile and details are available online. As we say, “At UAA, valuing diversity is integral to excellence.”

I firmly believe in the mission of UAA, and I am committed to creating a certain and bright future for this university. Thank you for choosing UAA and for making it the amazing place it already is.

Sincerely,
Cathy Sandeen
UAA Chancellor

January Archive