The University of Alaska system is facing huge reductions in funding according to the most recent proposed state budget by the legislature.
University President Jim Johnsen…
Johnsen: “Our current year budget from the legislature is $350 million. The number on the table as we speak [for FY 2017] is $300 million, so it’s a $50 million reduction and we have $25 million of unfunded mandates so really it’s a $75 million target that we must meet next year with the budget as we speak.”
He says the University board is still hopeful that advocates within the legislature may be able to increase the amount of funding for the university, even though the system has been planning for the worst.
The University’s plan dubbed Strategic Pathways calls for bringing down the cost of what’s common across the university system….
Johnsen: “General education requirements, those sorts of things, we’re going to make those more convenient, more common. Common calendars, common processes, common systems at that level. And then at the higher level, graduate and professional kinds of programs, more expensive programs, we’re going to try to build on the unique and distinctive strengths of each of our three universities in order to meet those needs.”
Tuition increases to the University and community campuses are also reportedly on the table to be able to meet the budget.