Budget update: May 8

May 8, 2019

Tori Tragis

— by Dan White, chancellor

In the past week Core Cabinet and I have been discussing the reports released by the FY20 budget planning task forces on adjunct teaching, class sizes, eCampus integration, research repositioning, non-credit credentials, and review of UAF policies and procedures. Our task forces have provided many ideas and suggestions to consider as we move forward through this budget cycle.

We have also discussed the many submissions to the “Box of Big Ideas,” including over 100 suggestions. Some of the ideas were administrative in nature and are already in progress, or I have requested additional details to consider the ideas for implementation. One idea that we have seen suggested several times is a shared service model for areas such as travel and procurement. To evaluate this further, I am forming a task force to review and provide a recommendation by the end of May. The task force membership will be posted on the task force page of the provost’s website when it is finalized.

Provost Prakash and Evon Peter, vice chancellor for rural, community and Native education, are in the process of reviewing “moldy” degree programs. Moldy programs are those that have been offered previously but have had little to no enrollment over the last 10 years. While no special program review is currently underway, we are reviewing the most recent set of past program reviews given the context of our current budget climate.

Many other crosscutting elements are being considered as we review outcomes from task forces, the Box of Big Ideas and facility consolidation. Externally, we focus on leading the way in Arctic research and communicating the world-class educational experiences available at UAF.

Of particular note this week was Statewide’s announcement that it is redesigning human resource services across all campuses into five functional areas, with all areas reporting to the system office. I encourage you to share your feedback on this transition through the link provided in President Johnsen’s announcement or my follow-up email from May 6.

Though the structure and reporting lines of the human resources department may be changing, these professionals remain critical to the success of this university. I thank them for their work, and I ask that everyone offer them patience and support during this transition.