Governor's budget announced tomorrow

February 12, 2019

Tori Tragis

— by Dan White, chancellor

Governor Dunleavy is scheduled to release his FY20 budget proposal tomorrow. Based on recent press and public reports, we expect to see proposed reductions to the university. Managing any budget reduction will take a number of strategies and will require out-of-the box thinking.

We will continue to use UAF’s strategic goals as a guide to ensure that decisions we make today shape the kind of university we want to be in the future. In recent weeks, I’ve shared with you one option for managing a smaller budget: reducing the number of off-campus leases, which allows us to move employees and equipment to on-campus facilities.

As an example, I have begun a conversation with Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Bryce Ward about UAF hockey and the capital maintenance needs at the Carlson Activity Center and other borough facilities. The Carlson Activity Center will require a new ice plant soon if the ice is to be maintained. As the borough works through this, UAF is looking into other options, to include the Big Dipper ice arena and our own Patty Center ice arena as possible venues for the 2019-2020 hockey season.

Going forward it will be important for us to continue to work together to ensure UAF remains strong to meet the needs of Alaskans. Many of you have been asking what you can do to help with this. I urge you to continue to advocate for UAF to your friends, neighbors and legislators. The most compelling story is your personal one: Why are UAF and higher education important to you and to the state of Alaska?

I plan to send a budget communication tomorrow after the governor has released his budget. I also plan to hold an open forum Friday, Feb. 15. Details about the time, location and webcast will be forthcoming. I thank you for your continued support for UAF.