Bunnell House and child care update

March 22, 2021

University Relations

— by Dan White, chancellor

In July 2020, the Community and Technical College delayed operations and reopening of the Bunnell House due to the pandemic and increased COVID-19 cases. With the delayed opening, UAF leadership and the UAF Child Care and Early Childhood Development Services Committee have been exploring new business models for a UAF childcare facility that would offer a larger capacity for UAF faculty, staff and students in need of child care services in Fairbanks. 

COVID-19 has exposed this vulnerability to UAF as many child care facilities in the community have closed (including Bunnell House), putting additional pressure on our faculty, staff and students who have children in their care. It is important for us to recognize the need for more child care options within the UAF community and to align our offerings with our strategic goal of respect, diversity, inclusion and caring. Addressing this problem is also critical to UAF’s business model going forward. We desire that everyone has equal opportunity to participate in the advancement of their education at UAF.

As we continue to explore child care facility options, we understand the importance of meeting the student, staff and faculty needs now. Charlene Stern, interim vice chancellor for rural, community and Native education, and Michele Stalder, CTC dean, are currently working on a plan and will be putting out a communication to the campus community soon regarding the next steps for Bunnell House and what can be expected this upcoming academic year. 

Thank you for choosing UAF.