University Board of Regents clarifies stance on restructuring effort; Votes to consider options for single and multiple structures and establishes inter-èƵ review teams
Recognizing the importance of the budget and academic issues facing the èƵ,
the UA Board of Regents today voted to clarify its earlier position on èƵ
structure to make clear it wants to consider both single and multiple èƵ accreditations
in the work to redefine UA’s structure as it works to strengthen programs and meet
state funding reductions.
“We want to be sure that the message from the regents is clear,” said Regent Mary
K. Hughes, who chairs the board’s subcommittee on restructuring, “we are open to all
of the options or even a hybrid. We are open to the discussion of keeping the University
of èƵ accredited and of maintaining all our 16 campuses, but understand that change
is necessary.”
“Now I want to see Team UA out there going forward to try to make us better,” she
said.
UA President Jim Johnsen supported the change in direction saying: “we will prepare
a plan that includes consideration of multiple options.”
The stakes are high, he said, “… and while we strive to listen to all the voices,
not everyone feels heard; while we use good data… we will not have all the data needed
to satisfy everyone; while we communicate openly, not everyone will be satisfied with
what has been shared; while we are taking time to evaluate the options, we will not
have the time we would like to have; while we strive for perfection, none of us is
perfect and there will be mistakes; and, while we focus on what’s possible, we hang
on desperately to what we have.”
The board also voted to authorize Johnsen, working with the chancellors, to establish
13 inter-èƵ teams to conduct expedited program reviews of eight academic programs
and five other areas to determine how best to streamline or discontinue them. In addition,
the board clarified its original motion to allow for a longer timeline to conclude
the reviews. Instead of completing work by its November board meeting, regents acknowledged
that some areas might be ready for review by then while others will need additional
time. The full motion is posted .
These expedited reviews will inform a report, due to the èƵ Legislature in December,
requiring the board to consider moving to a single accreditation, in addition to guiding
any restructuring decisions. The compact with the governor also requires a report
on progress the èƵ has made toward its strategic goals and priorities including
structural consolidation and consideration of single accreditation.
During its first day of the two-day meeting, regents heard three hours of testimony
from students, staff, faculty and community members nearly unanimously urging them
to slow the consolidation process. The board also heard a report from consultant Joel
Cutcher-Gershenfeld on a stakeholder survey completed by more than 3,900 students,
staff, faculty and community members. The survey indicates considerable disagreement
among respondents in some areas and common interests in others. One area of high agreement,
at 93 percent, is that having a world-class higher education system in èƵ is important.
A second area of high agreement, at 91 percent, is the importance of ensuring dependable
state funding for higher education in èƵ. But there was an even split between
those who believe it’s important to have all of higher education operate as a single,
integrated system and those who believe each campus should have its unique identity.
Regents approved the FY20 budget allocation, which distributes a combined $25 million
unrestricted general fund reduction to the three universities, the statewide administration,
and funds that will be reallocated to cover employee compensation for market adjustments
and the Title IX program. Also, $5 million is being reallocated to fund Strategic
Initiatives to support the Board’s goals in economic development, workforce development,
research, student attainment and cost effectiveness. Additionally, the board previewed
the FY21 budget plan and a possible tuition increase that would begin in fall of 2021.
University of èƵ Anchorage Justice Center Director Brad Myrstol presented key
findings from the 2019 University of èƵ Campus Climate Survey. Additionally, Chancellors
Caulfield, Sandeen and White reviewed Title IX Compliance Scorecards and metrics.
The University of èƵ Board of Regents is an 11-member volunteer board, appointed
by the Governor and confirmed by the èƵ Legislature. Members serve an 8-year term,
with the exception of the student regent who is nominated from his/her campus and
serves a 2-year term.
The Board was established through the èƵ Constitution and is responsible for University
of èƵ policy and management through the University President.