UAA departments on the move

We have many changes happening this academic year, including departments at the University Center moving back to main campus. These moves align with our campus master plan, which calls for centralizing student services near the campus core so that they are easily accessible. That’s a good thing, and it will be happening soon!

On the move: Where are they going?

• UAA Bookstore

  Enrollment Services will move into the current Campus Bookstore space, and the Bookstore will move into a temporary space in the Alaska Airlines Center (AAC) for one to two years. The move will take place between Oct. 14-27, 2019. During this time the Bookstore will be closed. It will reopen Oct. 28 in the Alaska Airlines Center (AAC), Room 160.

  We’ll keep you posted regarding plans for the Bookstore’s permanent location. Please stay tuned for more updates.

• Alaska Airlines Center Fitness Recreation Room (AAC 160) Closure

  The move of the Bookstore also means the Fitness Recreation Room in the Alaska Airlines Center will close for the duration of the time the bookstore is located in the AAC. The Seawolf Sports Complex will continue to be available to students, faculty and staff as a recreation space.

• Office of the Registrar
  The Office of the Registrar — course registration, transfer credit, graduation and diplomas, transcripts, university catalog and class scheduling — will move into the current UAA Campus Bookstore space in spring 2020.
• Office of Admissions
  The Office of Admissions — student recruitment, outreach, assistance applying to the university — will move into the current UAA Campus Bookstore space in spring 2020.
• Office of Student Financial Aid

  The Office of Student Financial Aid — financial aid education, student financial aid administration (FAFSA), scholarship management —will move into the current UAA Campus Bookstore space in spring 2020.

• Academic Innovations & eLearning - Testing Center

  The Academic Innovations & eLearning Testing Center will move from its current location in the University Center to UAA/APU Consortium Library (LIB), Rooms 214 and 215 in August 2020.

• Community & Technical College - Testing Center

  The Community & Technical College Testing Center will move from its current location in the University Center to UAA/APU Consortium Library (LIB), Rooms 214 and 215 in August 2020.

• Environmental Health and Safety

  Environmental Health and Safety will move from its current location in the University Center to Gordon Hartlieb Hall (GHH), Room 101 in August 2020.

Recently moved: Where are they now?

• Academic Innovations & eLearning
  UAA/APU Consortium Library — LIB 213
• College of Arts & Sciences - Math Lab
  Social Science Building — SSB 158
• College of Health - Department of Human Services
  Professional Studies Building — PSB 218
• College of Health - School of Social Work
  Professional Studies Building — PSB 218, PSB 221-232 and PSB 234
• College of Health - Justice Center
  Professional Studies Building — PSB 218, PSB 221-232 and PSB 234
• Community & Technical College - Army ROTC
  Aviation Technology Center — ATC 132 and ATC 142
• Community & Technical College - Communications Program
  Eugene Short Hall — ESH 207
• Community & Technical College - Computer Networking & Technology Program
  Social Science Building — SSB 170 and SSB 254
• Community & Technical College - Construction Management Program
  Social Science Building — SSB 215, SSB 219 and SSB 221
• Community & Technical College - Dean's Suite
  Social Science Building — SSB 214
• Community & Technical College - TRIO
  Sally Monserud Hall — SMH 116
• Community & Technical College - Quantitative Study
  Eugene Short Hall — ESH 211
• Equity & Compliance
  University Lake Building — ULB 106
• Facilities & Campus Services
  Gordon Hartlieb Hall — GHH 106
• Facilities Planning & Construction
  Gordon Hartlieb Hall — GHH 106
• Procurement
  University Center — UC 109
• UAA/UAF/UAS Education Programs
  University Lake Building — ULB 107, ULB 108, ULB 109 and ULB 110

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• Why are the Bookstore and Enrollment Services moving?
  Enrollment Services will be moving into the current Bookstore location. Enrollment Services' move back to main campus has been part of UAA's long-term plan for a number of years. The campus master plan calls for centralizing student services near the campus core so that they are easily accessible. UAA is committed to student success. Part of helping students succeed is being intentional about where and how they utilize programs and services.
• Why move these departments now?
  The budget climate has accelerated the need for alternate revenue streams. Moving departments out of the University Center allows UAA to lease the space, leveraging a revenue-generating opportunity, which is significant during this time of budget reductions.
• Where is the Bookstore moving?
  The Bookstore will temporarily move into the Alaska Airlines Center (AAC), Room 160, for one to two years. The closure dates were selected to minimize inconvenience to students and allow ample time for operations to get up and running before the end of the fall semester and the beginning of the spring semester.
• When is the Bookstore moving?

  The Bookstore move will take place between Oct. 14-27, 2019. During this time the Bookstore will be closed. It will reopen Oct. 28 in the AAC, Room 160. Enrollment Services will move during the Spring 2020 semester following reconfiguration of the Bookstore space.

• What is taking the Bookstore's place? 

  Enrollment Services will move to the current Bookstore location. Enrollment Services includes the following:

  • Registrar’s Office (course registration, transfer credit, graduation and diplomas, transcripts, university catalog and class scheduling)
  • Admissions Office (student recruitment, outreach, helps prospective students apply to the university, reviews application files and admits students)
  • Office of Student Financial Aid (Financial aid education, student financial aid – FAFSA, scholarships)
  • Military and Veterans Financial Assistance (military tuition assistance, VA educational benefits)
• Will Seawolf Shuttle services be available for the Bookstore’s new location in the Alaska Airlines Center?

  Seawolf Shuttle routes currently serve the Alaska Airlines Center Monday through Thursday with the West and East routes. The facilities team has made route adjustments to increase service to the Alaska Airlines Center during peak times each day and have added route service on Friday as well.

• Will the Bookstore continue to serve coffee?
  Administrative services staff are exploring what options might be available to provide coffee services near the Bookstore’s new location in the Alaska Airlines Center; however, coffee services will not initially be available following the Bookstore’s move. We will update this response as more information becomes available.
• Where will Bookstore events take place after the move?
  For the remainder of fall 2019, UAA Bookstore events will take place in UAA/APU Consortium Library, Room 307.
• How was the decision made to move these departments and who was involved?

  Moving Enrollment Services back to campus has been part of administrative conversations for a number of years. UAA's campus facilities master plan calls for centralizing student services near the campus core so that they are easily accessible. This planning process involves leadership from academic and administrative areas across campus. 

  Project planning is executed by Facilities and Campus Services, but all approval must go through the chancellor and chancellor’s cabinet. This direction for the campus master plan was first set by Chancellor Case and has been endorsed by succeeding administrations.

• How will this move affect students?

  Centralizing student services is a positive move for all students. Over the years, Student Affairs has received complaints from students and USUAA student government due to Enrollment Services' location two miles from the campus core. Students must have easy access to support services in order to utilize them proactively. 

  The admissions, registration and financial aid offices all work best when students have a positive, sustainable relationship with advisors on these teams. Enrollment Services' current location in the University Center is difficult to access and impedes students from visiting.  Finally, the distance has made it challenging for staff to work proactively with students and to be part of shaping the UAA student experience.

  That said, we also know the Bookstore move will be an adjustment for students. We are committed to communicating with them about the move to make the transition as smooth as possible. Enrollment Services and the Bookstore are both important contributors to student success.

• How do I get my textbooks? I understand the purchase process is different now.

  Due to limited space in the temporary location, customers must now order textbooks online from the Bookstore’s website for convenient next-day pickup or delivery by mail. Please allow three to five days for in-state delivery, up to a week for out-of-state delivery. Please see Green & Gold post for complete information.

  October 14-27 (during closure): Pickup at AAC by appointment
  Online ordering will remain open during this time, but the Bookstore will be closed during the move. Pickup will be at the AAC by appointment only. The Bookstore will contact students after their order is processed to arrange a time. Students can call 786-4759 or email uaa_book@uaa.alaska.edu with questions.

• What are the short-term and long-term plans for the Bookstore?
  The move of the Bookstore to the Alaska Airlines Center is temporary for one to two years. Planning is underway to determine a permanent location. The Bookstore’s future will be shaped by discussions following the release of the Bookstore Transformation working group’s report aimed at identifying the best options for Bookstore operations, including textbook delivery. Textbook affordability, access and quality are key to UAA’s student success goals. The new model will be focused on long-term sustainability. Given the rise of online retail, bricks and mortar bookstores nationwide, campus or not, are facing considerable financial pressure from the online sector.
• Is GSS affected by the Bookstore's move?

  UAA General Support Services is not affected by the Bookstore move. It remains in the same place at 2901 Spirit Way, the basement of the “old” Bookstore location!  As the space upstairs is refitted for Enrollment Services to move in, access to GSS for fall semester is through the entrance at the back (east) side of the building. There are a limited number of 30-minute customer spaces in the service lot, or you can park in the South Lot and walk around, or use the Engineering Parking Garage and walk to the lower level of the Student Union, then out across the back service lot.

  Customers and visitors requiring ADA access should call the Mailroom counter at 786-1108 and a member of the GSS team will come to the main floor doors to provide access to the elevator. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to continuing to serve our UAA community!

• Where can I park to access the bookstore at AAC?
  Bookstore parking will be at the Alaska Airlines Center (AAC) Main parking lot. Please note parking at the AAC Reserved Lot is not available for bookstore business parking or employee parking unless the driver has a Reserved Lot permit or pays the Reserved Lot rate from Passport or the Pay 'n Park. Reserved Lot rate is $4/hr.
• Do I have to pay to park at AAC to pick up my books?
  Parking at the Alaska Airlines Center (AAC) requires a permit during academic enforcement hours Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (no change from current location). Most students picking up book orders will have a parking permit already. If they do not, the Pay 'n Park offers an option for 30 minutes of free parking, or there are four spaces at Alaska Airlines Center that are marked for 30-minute parking. If individuals plan to park longer than 30 minutes and do not have a permit, they can purchase parking from the Passport App or the Pay n’ Park machine for $2/hr for Main Lot parking. 
• Will employees need permits at AAC?
  Employees will need to display a valid permit to park at the Alaska Airlines Center (AAC). 
• What if there’s a concert or a game at AAC, can I still get my books?
  The bookstore hours at the Alaska Airlines Center (AAC) may vary depending upon building activity. Should access be limited due to a conflict, Spectra, Bookstore and/or AAC will post signage and publish changes to building hours or alternative access to the store.
• I’ll be moving into the Bookstore's former location next to the Student Union, do I need a parking permit?
  Employees who will be moving into the Bookstore's former location next to the Student Union will be able to purchase a prorated permit from Parking Services. Prorated permits are available for purchase in person. If there is a list available of employee names/UA IDs, Parking Services can set up an online purchase option. 
• How can I get answers to questions not addressed here?

  We also invite you to submit questions to uaa_ayadmin@alaska.edu. We will use questions that arise to inform additions to the FAQ.