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FY18 operating budget update
From Dana Thomas, UAF chancellor
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With less than two weeks remaining before the new fiscal year, the university is preparing contingency plans in the event that the Alaska Legislature doesn’t pass an operating budget by July 1.
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First, I want to assure you that the university will not cease operations on July 1. We will continue to provide for campus security, safety and our core constitutional mission. Summer classes, food service for on-campus residents, emergency services, and externally funded research will continue. However, in absence of an approved state budget, we will need to significantly scale back our operations temporarily.
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Our current contingency plan includes furloughs for many employees. While we still maintain hope the Legislature will finalize an operating budget, which would allow us to avoid furloughs, we need to be prepared in the case that does not happen.
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If we have to implement furloughs, affected employees will receive at least 30 days’ advance notice. Furloughs, if they become necessary, will NOT begin July 1, but rather would begin no sooner than Aug. 2.
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The prospect of widespread furloughs is a new thing for our university, so I know many of you will have questions about how it will affect things like your benefits or retirement. UA Human Resources has gathered information to help employees navigate this situation. Visit http://www.alaska.edu/hr/budget-impasse-info/ for more information.
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The situation in Juneau is a dynamic one. I will share additional information as we receive it and continue to be optimistic that our elected officials will come through with a budget by July 1.
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In the meantime, some upcoming events will provide updates and information:
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- Wednesday, June 21, 11 a.m. - President Jim Johnsen will address UA employees via webcast http://www.alaska.edu/pres/communications/. Click on “live events.”
- Thursday, June 22, 9 a.m. - The UA Board of Regents will meet about the budget situation.
- Friday, June 23, 3:30 p.m., Wood Center Ballroom – Chancellor Thomas will host a budget forum. Thomas, core cabinet and human resources will share new information and answer questions. The forum will also be webcast at media.uaf.edu.
Thank you for patience during this difficult time and for everything you do to make UAF a great university, in spite of all the uncertainty.
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