UA Board of Regents to discuss Alaska College of Education restructuring, university budget and other topics at March 2018 meeting

The University of Alaska Board of Regents will discuss the proposed framework for establishing the Alaska College of Education and hear an update on the university's FY19 budget when it meets in Fairbanks March 1-2.

The revised structure for the Alaska College of Education, with administrative leadership from the University of Alaska Southeast, will feature Schools of Education at UAA and UAF. Students will continue to earn their degree from any of the three universities. The action will eliminate two dean positions and place the UAA and UAF programs inside existing colleges. The College of Education at UAA will become the School of Education and be part of the College of Arts & Sciences; the School of Education at UAF will become part of the College of Natural Science & Mathematics. These Schools of Education will be led by directors.

UAS is nearing completion of the search process for the Alaska College of Education Executive Dean, who will chair the new UA Teacher Education Council with representatives from all three universities. The council's charge is to promote coordination, alignment and innovation across the UA system.

As designed, the college will provide coordinated teaching programs across the university system, taking into consideration both student interests and school district needs. The university's goal is to fill 90 percent of new teacher hires in Alaska by 2025 with UA-educated teachers. Currently only 30 percent of new teachers hired in our schools each year are UA-educated.

"We are making good progress toward establishing a single college of education, a change that's crucial as we look to create a culture in Alaska that encourages education and promotes the value of the teaching profession," said UA President Jim Johnsen. "We have to attract more students into the profession and graduate more UA-educated teachers if we are going to meet the needs of our state."

The board also will discuss the university's FY19 budget. Regents approved an FY19 state operating request of $341 million and a capital request of $50 million at the November board meeting. These requests currently are being considered by the Alaska Legislature.

Regents also will receive an update on development plans for the Troth Yeddha' Indigenous Studies Center and Park at UAF, updates on Strategic Pathways implementation and Title IX compliance process, and will discuss the university's alcohol policies and regulations.

The Board of Regents will hold a public gathering from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 1 in the Globe Room, 215 Elvey Building on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. All Board of Regents agendas and documents are available at alaska.edu/bor/agendas. The meeting livestream is available at alaska.edu/bor/live with the exception of any executive session.

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