Daniel White, University of Alaska system vice president for academic affairs and research, has begun investigating the acquisition of a single accreditation for all UA campuses. The Alaska Legislature and the UA Board of Regents requested the inquiry. Currently, each university operates under its own Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accreditation.

A substantial change in accreditation requires a short application and a full proposal to the NWCCU. UA has not submitted either. White sent a letter to NWCCU President Sandra Elman in April requesting a single accreditation consultation.

In addition to investigating single accreditation, UA is developing the Strategic Pathways framework to guide the university system through the next several years of change. A major component of Strategic Pathways is to create lead campuses. While UA keeps its accreditation standards in line with NWCCU standards, the lead campus model is expected to assist with streamlining efforts and increasing efficiencies through shared services models.