Regents to discuss Alaska College of Education, FY19 budget
February 27, 2018
The UA Board of Regents will discuss the proposed framework for establishing the Alaska
College of Education and hear an update on the university’s FY19 budget when it meets
in Fairbanks March 1-2. The revised structure for the Alaska College of Education,
with administrative leadership from the University of Alaska Southeast, will include
the schools of education at UAA and UAF. Students will continue to earn their degree
from any of the three universities.
The action will eliminate two dean positions and place the UAA and UAF programs inside
existing colleges. The School of Education at UAF will become part of the College
of Natural Science and Mathematics. The College of Education at UAA will change its
name to the School of Education and become part of UAA's College of Arts and Sciences.
Each school will be led by a director.
UAS is nearing completion of the search process for the Alaska College of Education
executive dean, who will chair the new UA Teacher Education Council with representatives
from all three universities. The council’s charge is to promote coordination, alignment
and innovation across the UA system. As designed, the college will provide coordinated
teaching programs across the university system, taking into consideration both student
interests and school district needs. The university’s goal is to fill 90 percent of
new teacher hires in Alaska by 2025 with UA-educated teacher. Currently only 30 percent
of new teachers hired each year in Alaska schools each year are UA-educated.
“We are making good progress toward establishing a single college of education, a
change that’s crucial as we look to create a culture in Alaska that encourages education
and promotes the value of the teaching profession,” said UA President Jim Johnsen.
“We have to attract more students into the profession and graduate more UA-educated
teachers if we are going to meet the needs of our state.”
The board also will discuss the university’s FY19 budget. Regents approved an FY19
state operating request of $341 million and a capital request of $50 million at the
November board meeting. These requests currently are being considered by the Alaska
Legislature. Regents also will receive an update on development plans for the Troth
Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center and Park at UAF, Strategic Pathways implementation
and the Title IX compliance process, and will discuss the university’s alcohol policies
and regulations.
The UA Board of Regents will hold a public gathering from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday,
March 1, in the Globe Room, 215 Elvey Building. All BOR agendas and documents are
available at www.alaska.edu/bor/agendas/. The meeting livestream is available at www.alaska.edu/bor/live/, with the exception of any executive session.