Chancellor update: June 4-5 BOR meeting

Dear UAA Community,

The actions taken this week at the Board of Regents’ meeting were significant for UAA and all of the University of Alaska system. I want to take this opportunity to share the details of those decisions and provide clarity about the path ahead for UAA as a result of these decisions.

First, on Thursday, June 4, the board voted to develop a conceptual plan by Oct. 15, 2020, exploring the potential merger of the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) with the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). You have likely observed the recent media coverage of the transformation options for the regents’ consideration in order to reduce the system’s overall budget.

The process moving forward is for the regents to design. However, I will continue to participate in the process as UAA’s chancellor and to advocate for an inclusive process that will involve many of you as this conceptual plan is developed. You’ll find more details about yesterday’s meeting in the official press release.

Today, the long-anticipated vote on academic program deletions occurred. It was with a heavy heart that interim Provost Stalvey and I acknowledged the need to reduce academic programs at UAA. Ultimately, 13 UAA degree programs were approved for discontinuation and two for major revision and reduction. The complete list of impacted programs and board actions can be found in today’s press release.

If you are a student in one of these programs, your academic advisor continues to be your best resource for information about your options. Our commitment remains to support all declared majors in these programs through degree completion options.

The actions taken by the regents this week help set the course for the future of the University of Alaska system, of which UAA is the largest university. The regents’ decisions this week were informed by your feedback, testimony, input and ideas. I am proud of the UAA community’s contributions to these processes and encourage you all to stay engaged in the weeks and months ahead.

Sincerely,
Cathy Sandeen
UAA Chancellor

June Archive