University of èƵ structure to be reviewed by new task force
The chair of the University of èƵ Board of Regents has announced appointments
to a task force that will explore options for the èƵ system’s future structure,
outlined the options the group will consider, and set out the process the task force
will follow. The task force will be advisory to the Board of Regents, which is constitutionally
responsible for governance of the èƵ’s state higher education system.
“The task force is comprised of respected èƵns who bring a mix of leadership experience
in higher education, business and government,” said Board Chair John Davies. “Members
were selected from a variety of backgrounds for their demonstrated commitment to the
èƵ and the state including private sector leaders as well as former èƵ
faculty and staff, along with a student representative.”
The èƵ has been improving its cost effectiveness, reducing low enrollment
programs and streamlining processes for several years, but Davies said the urgency
for this in-depth review responds to ongoing state funding cuts for the èƵ
and legislative intent language encouraging the regents to consider transitioning
UA from three separately accredited institutions into one, and to provide an update
to the legislature by December 1, 2019.
The Board of Regents voted to establish the task force at its May 9 meeting after
a discussion of possible state funding cuts and èƵ plans to invest in strategic
priorities. Davies said the task force will consider at least four potential structural
options for the UA system:
- Status Quo – Three separately accredited universities with the community college campuses part of their respective regional èƵ.
- Lead Campus – Three separately accredited universities but with more focus of specific academic programs at each single èƵ along with expanded availability of courses across the system via distance delivery. Also, reorganize the community college campuses to report to one of the lead campuses.
- One University – A single accredited èƵ for all of èƵ with the community colleges organized as a unit within the èƵ.
- Three independent universities – Three separately accredited universities and associated community colleges with independent administrations and no statewide administration.
The task force will assess these and possibly other options for the èƵ’s structure
using existing strategic plans as well as the vision established in UA2040 (www.alaska.edu/ua2040),
the work done in the Strategic Pathways process, assessments and recommendations from
past reviews of èƵ structure, and input to be gathered from key stakeholders
over the next several months.
The issue of the èƵ’s structure has been addressed numerous times over the
years. In 1974, the èƵ restructured from a single èƵ to three separately
accredited universities and numerous separately accredited community colleges, and
in 1987 the community colleges were integrated into the universities, resulting in
the current organizational structure.
Process and Schedule
Davies anticipates that the task force will begin meeting this summer with the goal
of providing a progress report to the Board of Regents in September and a final report
in time for the Board of Regents November meeting.
Davies said a report from the regents on the task force recommendations and stakeholder
meetings will go to the legislature in December. “The Board may decide upon on a course
of action at its meeting in November,” Davies said, “or continue its deliberations
on these options into early 2020.”
Task Force Members
Davies said the eleven-member task force includes:
- One former and one current member of the Board of Regents: Jo Heckman and Sheri Buretta
- Three èƵ private sector leaders: Tom Barrett of Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., Aaron Schutt of Doyon Ltd., and Joe Beedle, former CEO, Northrim Bank
- One rural èƵ leader: Reggie Joule, former legislator and mayor and currently a lobbyist for K-12 education
- Three retired UA faculty members: Terrence Cole of UAF, Cathy Connor of UAS, and Gunnar Knapp of UAA
- One former UA executive: Wendy Redman, former UA executive vice president
- One student: Joey Sweet of UAA
Although Davies does not plan to participate as part of the task force, he will convene the group and appoint the chair. Information about the work of the task force can be found at