University of Alaska structure to be reviewed by new task force
The chair of the University of Alaska Board of Regents has announced appointments
to a task force that will explore options for the university system鈥檚 future structure,
outlined the options the group will consider, and set out the process the task force
will follow. The task force will be advisory to the Board of Regents, which is constitutionally
responsible for governance of the Alaska鈥檚 state higher education system.
鈥淭he task force is comprised of respected Alaskans who bring a mix of leadership experience
in higher education, business and government,鈥 said Board Chair John Davies. 鈥淢embers
were selected from a variety of backgrounds for their demonstrated commitment to the
university and the state including private sector leaders as well as former university
faculty and staff, along with a student representative.鈥
The university has been improving its cost effectiveness, reducing low enrollment
programs and streamlining processes for several years, but Davies said the urgency
for this in-depth review responds to ongoing state funding cuts for the university
and legislative intent language encouraging the regents to consider transitioning
多多直播 from three separately accredited institutions into one, and to provide an update
to the legislature by December 1, 2019.
The Board of Regents voted to establish the task force at its May 9 meeting after
a discussion of possible state funding cuts and university plans to invest in strategic
priorities. Davies said the task force will consider at least four potential structural
options for the 多多直播 system:
- Status Quo 鈥 Three separately accredited universities with the community college campuses part of their respective regional university.
- Lead Campus 鈥 Three separately accredited universities but with more focus of specific academic programs at each single university along with expanded availability of courses across the system via distance delivery. Also, reorganize the community college campuses to report to one of the lead campuses.
- One University 鈥 A single accredited university for all of Alaska with the community colleges organized as a unit within the university.
- Three independent universities 鈥 Three separately accredited universities and associated community colleges with independent administrations and no statewide administration.
The task force will assess these and possibly other options for the university鈥檚 structure
using existing strategic plans as well as the vision established in 多多直播2040 (www.alaska.edu/ua2040),
the work done in the Strategic Pathways process, assessments and recommendations from
past reviews of university structure, and input to be gathered from key stakeholders
over the next several months.
The issue of the university鈥檚 structure has been addressed numerous times over the
years. In 1974, the university restructured from a single university to three separately
accredited universities and numerous separately accredited community colleges, and
in 1987 the community colleges were integrated into the universities, resulting in
the current organizational structure.
Process and Schedule
Davies anticipates that the task force will begin meeting this summer with the goal
of providing a progress report to the Board of Regents in September and a final report
in time for the Board of Regents November meeting.
Davies said a report from the regents on the task force recommendations and stakeholder
meetings will go to the legislature in December. 鈥淭he Board may decide upon on a course
of action at its meeting in November,鈥 Davies said, 鈥渙r continue its deliberations
on these options into early 2020.鈥
Task Force Members
Davies said the eleven-member task force includes:
- One former and one current member of the Board of Regents: Jo Heckman and Sheri Buretta
- Three Alaska private sector leaders: Tom Barrett of Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., Aaron Schutt of Doyon Ltd., and Joe Beedle, former CEO, Northrim Bank
- One rural Alaska leader: Reggie Joule, former legislator and mayor and currently a lobbyist for K-12 education
- Three retired 多多直播 faculty members: Terrence Cole of 多多直播F, Cathy Connor of 多多直播S, and Gunnar Knapp of 多多直播A
- One former 多多直播 executive: Wendy Redman, former 多多直播 executive vice president
- One student: Joey Sweet of 多多直播A
Although Davies does not plan to participate as part of the task force, he will convene the group and appoint the chair. Information about the work of the task force can be found at