The Big Questions

1. What is the University of Alaska?

2. What are the appropriate roles of the University of Alaska?

3. How can the University best fulfill these obligations to Alaska?

4. How do issues such as costs, resources, competing choices and constraints (both internal and external) affect the ability of the University to fulfill its roles and responsibilities?

5. What should be done to maximize the University’s ability to fulfill its roles and responsibilities?

What is the University of Alaska?

1. The University of Alaska was founded in 1917 and then established as the state university in the Alaska Constitution in 1959 with a board of regents and a president serving as executive officer of the board.

2. The University’s three main campuses are separately accredited and deliver academic programs directly and through the community campuses

3. The University is training over 30,000 students this year in degree programs from AA to PhD.

4. The University is conducting over $100 million worth of research this year, with each state dollar attracting an additional $5.70 of non-state funds.

5. The University serves communities through such units as the cooperative extension service, marine advisory program, small business development center, and shared facilities such as libraries.

6. The University employs 7,326 Alaskans (3,700 full-time).

7. The University occupies 5.4 million sq. ft. of building space with an adjusted value of $1.2 billion.

What are the appropriate roles of the University of Alaska?

Through its teaching, research, and service mission:

1. Economic

1. Train students for employment in the workforce and the professions
2. Provide continuing education as job requirements change
3. Conduct basic and applied research in areas of relevance to the state and the nation
4. Provide expert advice and consultation to small businesses and individuals
5. Stimulate entrepeneurship within and outside the institution

2. Political

1. Instill and practice values of democracy, self-discipline, and civic responsibility
2. Provide venues for exploration and debate of contentious issues
3. Develop leadership among Alaska’s young people

3. Social

Enhance social mobility through educational opportunity

Provide transitional institutions for young adults

Serve as vehicle for social change

Contribute to the quality of life in Alaska through athletic, cultural, and intellectual events

How can the University best fulfill these obligations to Alaska?

1. Assess the needs of the state, its institutions, its employers, and its people

2. Determine the most effective manner to meet the highest priority needs

3. Obtain the human, financial, and physical resources necessary to meet those needs

4. Deliver relevant programs and services in the most efficient and accountable manner

5. Ensure the public understands the value of higher education and the quality of the University of Alaska

6. Invest in the University’s capacity to:

1. Adapt to the changing needs of students, employers, and the state
2. Compete for research grants
3. Recruit and retain the best faculty and staff
4. Deliver high quality academic programs to students
5. Build long lasting partnerships with external groups
6. Advocate its interests

7. Manage the creative tension between institutional accountability and institutional autonomy

How do issues such as costs, resources, competing choices and constraints (both internal and external) affect the ability of the University to fulfill its roles and responsibilities?

What should be done to maximize the University’s ability to fulfill its roles and responsibilities?

1. Internal to the University

1. Clarify/differentiate statewide missions of each major campus, building on strengths
2. Improve alignment of academic programs, human resources, student recruitment and retention, and physical infrastructure with campus missions
3. Support innovative outreach programs to K-12
4. Assess state research, teaching, and service needs; promote faculty who meet needs
5. Invest research focus on enhancing competitive capacity and partnerships with industry
6. Improve integration of statewide responsiveness to external needs with internal strengths
7. Increase tuition
8. Develop leadership to continue positive momentum
9. Maintain sufficient autonomy to foster creative environment

2. External to the University

1. Invest in higher education at national average, 12 percent of operating budget from current 8 percent
2. Improve high school graduation and college attendance rates
3. Support sustainable economic development through improved transportation infrastructure, expedited permitting, investment in applied research, and workforce training
4. Continue to demand strict accountability while defending sufficient autonomy