BOR to consider declaration of financial exigency Monday

Dear UA Colleagues -

The Board of Regents on Monday will consider a declaration of financial exigency as a result of the massive $136 million cut to our state-funded budget. I will be presenting the proposed declaration to the board at its emergency meeting, and I anticipate that it will be approved. The Board will also discuss options for a UA system restructuring plan. The board will meet on July 30 to consider the plan.

This declaration reflects a sharp turning point. Financial exigency is an action I never anticipated that this great university or its regents would need to take. But every day we delay increases the size of the cuts required.

As we face this action, I want to acknowledge the legislature for passing a responsible budget with a manageable $5 million cut, and recognize those legislators in Juneau who stood up for the university. To those 37, I say thank you and I encourage you to join me in thanking them. We appreciate your confidence in UA and your informed and inspired statements of support.

In addition to the declaration of financial exigency, I will ask the Board of Regents to discuss guidance on whether the university should:

• Create a leaner UA by assigning each university a prorated share of the budget reduction
• Eliminate one or more universities and/or community campuses
• Consolidate the university within a single accreditation with shared courses and services

All three approaches will require close cooperation with the Northwest Commission for Colleges and Universities, which provides all three universities with institutional accreditation. Maintaining accreditation for UA programs is of paramount importance, and we will continue to have regular conversations with NWCCU.

I urge you to tune into the Board of Regents meeting Monday, 1 to 3 p.m. The meeting will be live streamed at http://www.alaska.edu/bor/live/. The meeting agenda and documents will be available online at: https://www.alaska.edu/bor/agendas/

This is a critical time for the university, and I hope you can stay positive as we move forward. If you need support please reach out to our Employee Assistance Program who can offer counseling and other services 24-hours a day. I truly appreciate all you do for the university.

#UA Strong Jim Johnsen

July Archive