Name change for the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences

September 23, 2016

The School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences has changed its name to the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. The change was approved by the University of Alaska Board of Regents during its September meeting.

While a school tends to be focused on academic instruction, a college implies the combination of academic programs and major research activities. This name change coincides with a refined structure composed of three departments — fisheries, oceanography and marine biology — as well as an organized research unit, the Institute of Marine Science.

The College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences structure streamlines internal operations and reduces costs, while emphasizing the college's combined academic and research strengths, as well as its competitiveness and global leadership in addressing pressing issues in fisheries, marine science and changes in the Arctic.