The Kenai Peninsula College is bracing for possible funding cuts, Director Gary Turner previously said local administration began planning last January to combat the state’s tightening budget.
UA Board of Regents President Jim Johnsen visited the Kenai Peninsula earlier in November, speaking about what a 4.5 percent reduction in state funding means for the statewide system.
Pres. Johnsen: “Potentially everything’s on the table right now, there’s no question. One of our big challenges is not just the fiscal gap, but the uncertainty of how big it is.
Earlier this month the UA Board of regents approved a $960 million FY 2017 budget which included a 7.6 percent funding increase request to the state of Alaska. They also approved a 5 percent tuition increase for 2016.
If that request is not granted by the legislature, KPC has constructed a potential contingency plan, including reducing days worked during pay periods, reducing contract lengths, and not filling vacancies that arise.
President Johnsen also said the University of Alaska is also considering centralizing programs that are offered at multiple campuses by using distance learning technologies.
