Third Study Group Meeting Minutes
7 a.m., Wednesday, May 8, 2002
Northrim Bank Building, 3111 C St., 5th Floor Conference Room
Jon Kumin and Steve Rieger, co-chairs

Format: The agenda for this meeting is in regular text. The minutes are added as notations in italics. They are intended to represent the general nature of the discussion, rather than be complete, detailed minutes. Clarifications are welcomed -- please email any to Duane Heyman at: duane@commonwealthnorth.org

Introductions -- Study group members and guest(s). John Pugh, Chancellor of the University of Alaska Southeast. Those present include:
Richard Barnes, Sarah Barton, Joseph Beedle, Patrick Burden, Lt. Gen. Thomas Case, Bill Dann, Brian Davies, Lee Gorsuch, Joe Griffith, Ky Holland, Grant Hunter, Dave Kester, Jim Knapp, Grace Long, Rachel Morse, David Rees, Susan Ruddy, Jeff Staser, Niel Thomas. Jon Kumin was weathered in at White Mountain.

Goals for this Meeting -- Learn more about the University of Alaska Southeast, including the vision of its leadership for the future. Engage in a meaningful dialogue with Chancellor Pugh.

Discussion Points -- Following the traditional Commonwealth North format, it is requested that Chancellor Pugh keep his remarks to 30 minutes. The remaining time will be reserved for a question and answer / discussion session.

• UAS fits into statewide need for an educated populace. Citizens must understand how to participate in a democracy. They need critical thinking skills and problem solving techniques.
• Universities are economic engines. Research and faculty public service lead to economic growth.
• Universities must take responsibility for workforce development. Examples: teacher education, health care, oil and gas.
• UAS niches: Teacher education, marine biology, environmental science, business and public administration, liberal arts.
• Strength of three campuses: regional economies with regional differences require different programs. Liberal arts and teacher training needed in all campuses.
• Downside of three campuses: Communities want more local programs even when they do not make sense from a system wide point of view. Balance is local value vs. duplication.
• Cost models that analyze the funding vs. expense of different programs are under development.
• Associate of arts in one of the biggest programs at UAS. Major community college mission. Especially early childhood education, welding, diesel, construction, water/wastewater training.
• This CWN study should look in the future and show U of A what the needs will be in the future.
• U of A can provide an Alaskanized work force. Until we produce enough local students who have grown up with Alaska Outsiders will be telling us how to run the state. Enforcement of rules and regulations will be more appropriate when done by Alaskans.
• Alaska is 49 out of 50 in college enrollment. Need to work K-12, focus on middle school and involve professions. Too late by high school. Develop Alaskanized programs. Need jobs for graduates. Break cycle of hiring from Outside. More internships and summer work. U of A has only 50 percent of degree programs of typical public universities.
• The majority of UAS students are people returning to improve themselves. Many work fulltime or heavy part time.
• Alaska is the only state in the nation that does not have needs based or merit scholarships. It creates a hard public policy decision: Permanent Fund dividends vs. scholarships.
• U of A needs to work more on selling the university. Local kids do not understand or appreciate the local quality. For example, UAF mathematics and science, UAS strengths listed above. 19 0f 34 Permanent Fund employees went to UAS.
• National rankings are based on selectivity, not on quality of education and student satisfaction.

Related Events -- A couple of minutes will be reserved at the end of the session for people to mention related events of interest to the group. An example would be a speaker or program dealing with higher education. The Study Group will focus on individual campuses first: UAS, UAF and UAA will each make a presentation.

Confirm next meeting and adjourn by 8 a.m. -- On Wednesday May 22, 7 a.m., same location, UAF Chancellor Marshall Lind will speak to us.