Archive

Please take a moment to watch this Q&A video on the UAA Shared Services Implementation Project, where I share details about why UAA is moving in this direction and what the process looks like. You may visit the UAA Shared Services Implementation Project website for the latest information.

As many of you already know, Gov. Dunleavy triggered the emergency notification system and issued a declaration regarding COVID-19. For the moment, little changes at UAA as many of our current safety measures already align with the new declaration. These include online delivery for most classes, remote work for employees, as well as the use of masks and face coverings in university facilities and social distancing requirements for the limited in-person campus operations and face-to-face classes that remain.

Thank you for taking the time from your daily schedule yesterday to join our town hall discussion. I appreciate hearing your issues and questions, as well as sharing with you some of my own thoughts. If you missed participating in it or want to review the conversation, you can access the recording of the meeting.

November is recognized as National Career Development Month by the National Career Development Association (NCDA). In celebration, UAA students, alumni, and community employers are invited to explore, develop, and connect through career development programming, including the UAA 2020 Virtual Fall Career Fair and a variety of workshops and presentations. Visit the Career Services website for a full list of virtual events!

The University of Alaska Board of Regents set a high priority on UA’s commitment to racial diversity, equity and inclusion during its Nov. 6 meeting. The board unanimously adopted a motion that directs the university president to take the steps necessary to understand the university climate and academic programming, and identify the barriers, challenges and opportunities to improve participation and outcomes for Alaska Native and Indigenous students, faculty, and staff.

New Student Orientation is now open for students starting in the spring semester (2021)! We will be hosting (7) Howl Days sessions starting Nov. 17, 2020 through Jan. 7, 2021. Similar to summer, we will host all sessions online via Zoom with an option to participate in a self-guided orientation to allow for the most flexibility as well. Students can register on the New Student Orientation website.

The UAA Student Health and Counseling Center (3416 Seawolf Drive) is taking appointments for flu vaccine. Call us at 907-786-4050 to make yours today. Stay safe!

I am pleased to announce the launch of the UAA Shared Services Implementation Project website that will feature the latest information about the UAA Shared Services initiative. Your questions and feedback are important and always welcome. You can submit feedback through the website or by email at UAA_Shared_Services@alaska.edu.

The UA Center for TRiM is the first and only biomedical research center in the U.S. to adopt a model of natural adaptations in metabolism as an approach to treat metabolic disease. The center builds on UA’s institutional commitment and 60-year legacy of hibernation research by bringing together existing research activities related to hibernation and metabolism.

On April 1, 2020 the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) went into effect and created new leave balances for all university employees. Under current federal law, options will sunset on December 31, 2020. The University of Alaska, however, recognizing the need for employees to have access to COVID-19 leave will extend the leave benefits through June 30, 2021. The university will not be replenishing any used Emergency Sick Leave (ESL) or Expanded Family and Medical Leave (EFML), but this does mean that new hires after December 31, 2020 will also receive Emergency Sick Leave balances and be eligible to apply for EFML.