Impacts of government shutdown: message from UA President Jim Johnsen

Dear UA Community -

University leadership continues to closely monitor the impact of the ongoing partial federal government shutdown on our students and employees. We have families who rely on income from federal sources, researchers and scientists who rely on federal grants for their work, faculty who train students for certain federal requirements, as well as employees whose programs are federally funded. These impacts are being communicated regularly to our congressional delegation who are working daily to resolve this impasse.

It is clear that the longer the shutdown goes on, the broader the impacts will be felt. Last January, Congress and the administration faced a similar impasse, and the President's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo to agencies which outlined the legal requirements imposed by the Anti-Deficiency Act during a lapse of funding. The guidance gave several examples regarding grants and contracts that can be found here.

Each university is exploring how best to help its students, staff and faculty members on a case-by-case basis. Statewide Human Resources is working with our employee assistance program provider Deer Oaks to provide counseling and assistance. More information about services provided by our EAP is available in this Fact Sheet.

The UAF grants and contracts office maintains a helpful website with information at: uaf.edu/ogca/resources/regulations/shutdown

Student aid funds provided by the U.S. Dept. of Education should not be affected since the department is still operating during the partial closure. Students concerned about fees or other payments should contact the Bursar or Registrar's office for any accommodation needed.

It is important that we continue to monitor how the partial shutdown is specifically impacting our students, faculty, staff, our research needs, and organizational mission so that we can keep the Alaska Congressional delegation, the media, and the public informed. To that end, we request you continue to forward information to the University Relations and Government Relations team Robbie Graham (rlgraham3@alaska.edu) and Miles Baker (miles.baker@alaska.edu).

Sincerely, Jim Johnsen

January Archive