Update on university budget, feedback requested

Dear UAA Community:

In light of Governor Dunleavy's proposed budget cuts to the University of Alaska, we have mobilized quickly to ensure the right conversations are occurring to guide our decision-making in the coming months. I want to provide you with the most up-to date information about the FY20 budget process and invite your feedback on a key element of UAA's process moving forward.

First, what has occurred since Wednesday, Feb. 13 when Gov. Dunleavy's budget was delivered:

1. Two "Ask Me Anything" events on the Anchorage campus that yielded excellent questions and ideas from faculty, staff and students about the Governor's proposed cuts. The next event with the Community Campuses will occur at 10 a.m. Feb. 20, and after that we'll host another one in Anchorage on Tuesday, March 5 at 2 p.m. in the UAA Student Union Den, please join us.
2. A meeting of the Cabinet, Deans and Campus Directors to discuss the guiding principles for the difficult decisions ahead (see the document)
3. Advocacy planning has begun. Private donations from supporters of the University of Alaska will make a focused advocacy campaign possible, and we will engage external help to work with university leadership, employees, students, alumni, donors, suppliers, employers of our graduates, and advocates to articulate the importance of the university to the state.

Additionally, I met with President Johnsen and the Executive Team earlier this week to discuss moving ahead productively during these difficult times. That meeting resulted in the following:

1. The university is not, at this point, implementing a hiring or travel freeze, but I ask all leaders to use an added level of judgement in filling positions, approving travel, and making other decisions with long term commitment.
2. In terms of what is on or off the table for consideration, everything is on the table.
3. We are not leaning toward recommending to the Board of Regents that the university consolidate under a single accreditation.
4. We are looking at the organization of our community campuses as a community college unit.
5. We are not going to pursue a pro-rata approach to distributing reductions that may come our way; rather, our reductions will be made based on each university's unique strengths and mission.

President Johnsen met with the Senate Finance Committee yesterday and reminded the members that the university is the single most important investment in the state's future.

The State needs your continued great work as students, faculty and staff to move this state forward. I am also asking for your contributions to the process ahead. Please review the guiding principles document and provide your feedback by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 1 by emailing uaa_chancellor@alaska.edu.

I remain committed to transparent communication as we move through the difficult decisions of the weeks and months ahead. The latest information on the university budget, including all of our communications, will soon be available on UAA's homepage.

Thank you in advance for your feedback on UAA's guiding principles.

Sincerely, Cathy Sandeen UAA Chancellor

February Archive