Testimony options for upcoming regents meeting

August 26, 2016

In response to requests from community members, governance groups and business leaders, the University of Alaska Board of Regents has changed the way it will hear from the public. Beginning with the upcoming board meeting Sept. 15-16, 2016, the board will no longer have public testimony during the full board meeting but instead will have the following options available:

Audio testimony a week in advance of the meetings. (Sept. 6)

Evening community gathering the first evening of full board meetings. (Sept. 15)

Committee meetings one week in advance of the full board meetings. (Sept. 8-9)

The board will host a two-hour public testimony via audio from 4-6 p.m. the week prior to full board meetings. Anyone can call in to a moderated phone line from around the state; the board chair will moderate the session the same way it was done for face-to-face testimony. The number to call to testify is 866-726-0757. The moderator will transfer each speaker in turn to the audio conference call with the regents, in the order that people call in, as time allows.

The public testimony will air on KUAC-FM HD2 and stream on KUAC2 at www.kuac.org. The audio will play on computers, laptops, mobile phones and most other hand-held devices with internet capability.

There will also be opportunities for face-to-face interactions with regents the first night of each full board meeting at a public gathering from 5:30–7 p.m. The evening hours provide an opportunity for university and community members who can’t take time off work to have casual conversations with the board members. The gatherings will not be catered; however, coffee, tea and water will be available.

Committee meetings will now take place at the end of the same week as public testimony, ensuring that members of the public can comment on actions under consideration.
Download an updated informational flier and schedule 2016-2017 (pdf).