Legislature(2015 - 2016)CAPITOL 106
03/25/2015 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
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| Confirmations: University of Alaska Board of Regents (bor) | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 25, 2015
8:03 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Wes Keller, Chair
Representative Liz Vazquez, Vice Chair
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative David Talerico
Representative Harriet Drummond
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Jim Colver
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
University of Alaska Board of Regents (BOR)
Sheri Buretta, Chugach
John Davies, Fairbanks
Lisa Parker, Soldotna
Andrew Teuber, Kodiak
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
SHERI BURETTA, Appointee
University of Alaska Board of Regents (BOR)
Chugach, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the University of
Alaska Board of Regents (BOR).
JOHN DAVIES, Appointee
University of Alaska Board of Regents (BOR)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the University of
Alaska Board of Regents (BOR).
LISA PARKER, Appointee
University of Alaska Board of Regents (BOR)
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the University of
Alaska Board of Regents (BOR).
ANDREW TEUBER, Appointee
University of Alaska Board of Regents (BOR)
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the University of
Alaska Board of Regents (BOR).
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:03:47 AM
CHAIR WES KELLER called the House Education Standing Committee
meeting to order at 8:03 a.m. Representatives Keller, Talerico,
Seaton, and Vazquez were present at the call to order.
Representatives Drummond and Kreiss-Tomkins arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
^CONFIRMATIONS: UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA BOARD OF REGENTS (BOR)
CONFIRMATIONS: UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA BOARD OF REGENTS (BOR)
8:03:59 AM
CHAIR KELLER announced that the only order of business would be
confirmations to the University of Alaska Board of Regents
(BOR).
8:04:58 AM
SHERI BURETTA, Appointee, related that her family roots are in
Tatitlek, and she grew up with time shared between there,
Valdez, and Anchorage; graduating from East High School and
continuing on to Anchorage Community College. In her position
as Chairman of the Board for Chugach Alaska Corporation, she
said she has been seated on the Alaska Federation of Natives
(AFN) Board, served on the Prince William Sound (PWS) Regional
Citizens Advisory Council (RCAC), as well as chairing the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Regional Association.
These experiences have solidified, in her mind, the importance
of the University of Alaska System to people throughout the
state, and she related her efforts in ensuring that the
university offers Alaska Native history courses. She compared
the Chugach Corporation size and financial challenges with those
of the university. The corporation is roughly the same size as
the UA system and emerged from bankruptcy, thus providing her a
firsthand, recent experience with reductions, downsizing, and
implementing efficiencies. The timing, she stressed, is right
for her to bring these understandings to the BOR, along with her
knowledge of the educational needs of rural Alaskans and the
Native community.
8:08:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted that she has been the director for
the Foraker Group, and the PWS RCAC and asked if either those
experiences will be valuable as a regent.
MS. BURETTA responded that the understandings and perspectives
she gained will be useful as a regent, noting the collaboration
necessary to form working partnerships between agencies.
8:10:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked the amount of the largest financial
budget she has been responsible for in her career.
MS. BURETTA answered $1.1 billion, which was reduced to $600
million, an experience which, although challenging, provided
learning opportunities.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ said there is a need to prioritize the UA
program offerings, and asked for comment.
MS. BURETTA held up a publication Shaping Alaska's Future,
produced by the University of Alaska Offices of Academic Affairs
and Public Affairs, May 2014, that she has been reviewing to
gain an understanding of the situation and said community input
will be important. To a follow-up question regarding geographic
balance, she opined that the university system is diverse and
far reaching. The needs of communities will need to be
considered as efficiencies are sought.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ reviewed the contents of the committee
packet and noted the lack of a biography.
MS. BURETTA agreed to provide a resume.
8:13:43 AM
CHAIR KELLER returned to the need for program prioritization, as
requested by the legislature, and asked for comment.
MS. BURETTA agreed that program offerings should be scrutinized,
and elaborated that the process of growing and adding options is
inherently easier than making cutbacks.
CHAIR KELLER expressed appreciation for her understanding of how
to address budget reductions, and asked if she could offer any
considerations that have not been suggested thus far.
MS. BURETTA said it is important to adopt a vision for doing
more with less, and integrating that culture into a fearless
approach to maintain a strong organization.
CHAIR KELLER inquired about her early life and whether she
attended school in Tatitlek.
MS. BURETTA answered that she attended school in Anchorage.
8:19:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND expressed concern for the legislatures
approach: targeting specific areas of the UA budget for
cutbacks. She asked if a line item approach is viable, and how
the regents will handle the mandate.
MS. BURETTA expressed her understanding that the university
receives an allocated amount for appropriate disbursement by the
university system. She said line item legislation is not
appropriate, but suggestions for incorporation would be helpful.
8:22:11 AM
JOHN DAVIES, Appointee, said that his association with the
university is long standing. He recounted his arrival in Alaska
as a graduate student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
(UAF) Geophysical Institute. He also served in the Alaska House
of Representatives for ten years and sat on the finance
subcommittee for the university. Although wearing various hats,
he recounted that his entire career has in some way been in
association with the UA. He said he has seen the university
from many perspectives and has a history and understanding of
how the system works. It is a valuable institution for the
citizens of Alaska, and represents a huge economic engine for
the state, including the generation of funds for research
grants. In the budget cutting process, it is important to
maintain a strong university. Downsizing will occur, but, at
the same time, a commitment to quality and student services must
be maintained, as well as a sustained focus on the economics of
Alaska, which he said the university can help to ameliorate.
Certainly programs will be prioritized, and efficiencies will be
identified. There are many ways to economically improve how
education is delivered and find ways to do more with less.
Although it will be a difficult challenge, he said it is also an
exciting time to serve and help make productive decisions.
8:27:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND referred to his ten years on the
university budget subcommittee and asked whether budget cuts
were necessary at that time.
MR. DAVIES recalled a time of growth that evolved into a six
year period focused on maintaining a flat budget.
8:28:47 AM
CHAIR KELLER noted that from 2009 to current, annual increases
have occurred. The regents will be selecting a new university
president, and he asked what qualities will be sought in that
individual.
MR. DAVIES responded that a search committee is currently
receiving the nominations. The BOR will not be involved until
the committee submits the final four names, in April. He said
the criteria used by the search committee is not familiar to
him, but he expects a focus will be brought to academia
characteristics and managerial experience.
CHAIR KELLER noted the opportunity for influence that four new
regents may be able to bring to the board.
CHAIR KELLER asked about the pay structure for the high level
administrators of the university, pointing out that these appear
to be excessive. Considering the cutbacks that are required, he
asked for comment regarding evaluation of salaries.
MR. DAVIES answered that methods for reducing salary impacts
could be accomplished via pay cuts, staff reduction, or
furloughs. The regents will be considering organic approaches
to realize cost savings; however, the university works in a
competitive environment and it is important to be able to offer
salaries that will attract qualified candidates worldwide. He
explained that a furlough is helpful in retaining professors
with expertise, as it does not eliminate staff but rather
reduces the paid number of work days; perhaps ten days per year.
CHAIR KELLER stressed that the highest salaries are not the
professors and academic staff. He asked if the search for a new
president would focus on academia or managerial experience.
MR. DAVIES reiterated that he is not privy to the criteria the
selection committee is implementing in searching for a new
president.
CHAIR KELLER asked whether receipt of a plethora of applications
is the normal response for administrative positions.
MR. DAVIES offered his impression that a handful of strong
candidates generally emerge.
CHAIR KELLER suggested that a strong response implies that
Alaska is a unique enough locale to draw interest. He said a
pay rate of $200,000 per year, with a full benefits package that
includes housing and a vehicle appears to be excessive.
MR. DAVIES agreed that it is reasonable to expect a pushback on
these expenses, however, in the competitive college
administrative arena, the pay scale and benefits, as offered,
are below average. He agreed that there is a certain cachet to
the Alaska locale.
8:40:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked him to expand on the managerial
experience, mentioned earlier as a criteria for selecting the
new president.
MR. DAVIES responded that it should be someone who has
experience running a large organization, delegating
responsibility to key staff, and upholding policy.
Additionally, a strong candidate would be someone who has had
direct university experience, with a background in academia,
versus a business executive. To a follow-up question, he said
these qualities are crucial, as the president is accountable for
the operations of the statewide, university system; the
president is where the buck stops.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ inquired about duplication in the UA
system.
MR. DAVIES suggested that eradication of unnecessary duplication
is one of the easier decisions to make. Complications arise
regarding where to locate programs, and arguments can be made
for where specific focus programs should be offered.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked about geographic balance on the
board of regents as well as with campus sites.
MR. DAVIES noted that the sheer size of the state is one of its
unique aspects, as well as the rural diversity. It is important
to provide a high quality education to as many Alaskans as
possible.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked the amount of the largest financial
budget for which he has been responsible.
MR. DAVIES recalled serving as a member of the finance
subcommittee for the State of Alaska, and said today the
Fairbank's municipal budget he administers is hundreds of
millions of dollars.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ referred to reports that indicate 51
percent of entering freshman require remedial services, and
asked for comment.
MR. DAVIES said efforts are being made at the high school level
to help students understand the requirements for college, and
university training courses are preparing teachers to better
guide students towards college readiness. He pointed out that
many students who enter may only be interested in very specific
opportunities outside of a four year program; a track that may
have very different requirements.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ opined that the remedial classes are for
basic skills, such as reading, and expressed her dismay at the
high percentage of freshman that lack preparedness.
MR. DAVIES concurred.
8:50:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON pointed out that Alaska does not have a
community college system, having curtailed the programs 15 years
ago. Community colleges are often the facilities where students
are able to prepare for university work or focus on technical
skills. Lacking that opportunity, the university receives all
students, and this skews the statistics. He underscored that
there are not two postsecondary systems.
MR. DAVIES agreed with the member's comment and said that when
the system was combined, it provided an administrative
efficiency, but the needs for the function of a community
college is still an important mission for the university system.
CHAIR KELLER added that the legislature is faced with a big
challenge at this time and the committee depends on the BOR for
information that will guide members to make informed,
appropriate, and fiscally responsible decisions.
8:54:04 AM
LISA PARKER, Appointee, paraphrased from a prepared statement,
which read as follows [original punctuation and spelling
provided]:
A lifelong Alaskan, I have spent my career engaged in
public involvement and resource development. My
public involvement goes back to first running and
getting elected to public office at the age of 19 to
the anchorage charter commission which wrote the
charter unifying the greater anchorage area borough
and the city of anchorage. I have also been elected
to Soldotna city council and been engaged with many
nonprofits both as a board member and raising funds
for specific projects including the Kenai Peninsula
Food Bank, Covenant House and Alaska Resource
Education to name a few.
My professional career includes working for Cominco
Alaska during the planning, development and initial
operations of the Red Dog mine. I served as planning
director for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and external
affairs manager for Agrium's Kenai nitrogen
operations. I also helped organize the first non-
persistent oil spill cooperative, Alaska Chadux
Coorperation. Today I am employed by Apache Alaska
Corporation.
Educationally, I went to public schools in Anchorage,
graduating from Service High School I attended the
American University in Washington, D.C., where I
received a bachelor's degree in political science
graduating cum laude. Additionally, I have a
certificate in corporate responsibility from Boston
College and am a Harry S. Truman scholar.
My involvement with the University of Alaska began as
a student at Anchorage Community College in the mid
1970's. Since then I have served six years on the
Kenai Peninsula College Council and eight years on the
Mining Petroleum Training Services board.
With that brief background let me turn to the question
of why. Why am I interested in serving as a
University of Alaska Board of Regent?
As noted in my letter of application - I want to work
to continue to develop a university that attracts the
best. With my background, knowledge, experience and
understanding of Alaska I provide a perspective which
will be beneficial during the critical years ahead. I
believe the university can be a key to help Alaska
during these challenging times as we "shape Alaska's
future."
8:57:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON related that an amendment was adopted, in
the university finance subcommittee to prioritize the reduction
of mid-level positions.
MS. PARKER opined that the entire system will undergo scrutiny,
but singling out one are for reductions would not be in helpful
for maintaining a strong system. She commended the language
included in the budget, as passed by the house, directing state
agencies to consider the university as a primary resource.
8:59:07 AM
CHAIR KELLER returned to the selection process for the
university president, to ask what criteria she favors in an
applicant.
MS. PARKER remarked that the search committee has established
the presidential search criteria and the regents will receive a
short list. Each applicants academic, management, and budget
background will be important, and she noted that one question
she plans to ask is why they would like to come here at a time
of scaling back and refining of the system.
9:01:22 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND commented on the regent's experience
that brings a balance of industrial and planning experience to
the BOR, which she predicts will be critical in the coming
years.
9:01:58 AM
ANDREW TEUBER, Appointee, provided a brief biography of being a
lifelong Alaskan and stated his interest in serving on the BOR.
Besides being the owner/operator of a helicopter air taxi
service, he also serves as the chairman and president of the
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), and is the chief
executive officer of the Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA).
He said he expressed his interest in serving to the governor
based on a personal belief that education is a great equalizer
and the pathway for improving the lives of Alaskans,
particularly those living in rural locales with minimal economic
means. In anticipation of committee questions, he opined that
cost savings may occur by streamlining state services and
predicted that through the consensus process agreements will be
achieved and workable outcomes will result.
9:05:25 AM
CHAIR KELLER directed attention to the candidate's information
contained on the committee handout page titled, "UA Board of
Regents, General Information," and the second category labeled,
"Conflict of Interest," to paraphrase the question, which read
as follows:
Could you or any member of your family be affected
financially by decisions to be made by the board or
commission for which you are applying? [And] Please
explain the potential financial benefit."
CHAIR KELLER noted that the appointee answered the question,
"Yes," and the requested follow-up explanation as, "No; N/A."
He noted that this may be a consistent flaw with the form, and
asked for comment.
MR. TEUBER responded that neither he nor his family will receive
benefit from his appointment, although, during his eight year
term, he will have children aging into the postsecondary
education realm.
CHAIR KELLER commented on the small business background that the
appointee will bring to the BOR; a unique perspective.
9:07:53 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said the appointee's extensive resume is
detailed and answers a number of questions. He commented that
the appointees work with the ANTHC will bring a broad statewide
perspective which should prove to be a valuable asset to the
board.
9:08:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND noted that the ANTHC is the second
largest health employer in the state and predicted that his
experience with the agency is critical at a time when health
care is possibly the fastest growing job field. She asked him
to elaborate on his experience as an employer who hires
university graduates into the health care profession and the
output of candidates that the system has produced.
MR. TEUBER responded that the Alaskan health care workforce,
serving both Native and non-Native residents, is a critical
issue. Attention is being given to the Washington, Wyoming,
Alaska, Montana, Idaho Medical Education (WWAMI) and the Nursing
Allied Health programs, and, he said, these types of
partnerships are essential to cultivate in order to meet
workforce needs in other fields, as well. He said that ensuring
access to health care is one of his chief priorities.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND pointed out that the House has proposed
legislative intent to curtail the WWAMI program in the coming
years. She asked for his comments on the value of the program
to ANTHC and the state as a whole. The WWAMI program is funded
through EED, not the UA system, and she asked for clarity on how
the program works.
MR. TEUBER said WWAMI is a novel program, to which he is firmly
committed. He appealed to the legislature to ensure that the
program be continued. The opportunity and benefit of having
Alaskans serving Alaskans is immeasurable. He finished, stating
that it would be a responsible move for the legislature to
indicate a willingness to evaluate all options for maintaining
WWAMI, as the state's economy is dependent on the health of its
workforce.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND commented that the intended action does
not appear to represent a cost savings in the coming years.
9:15:03 AM
CHAIR KELLER implored the regents to keep the channels of
communication open and clear with the legislature.
9:15:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO moved to forward the names of the
appointees to the University of Alaska Board of Regents, to the
joint session of the House and Senate for consideration.
CHAIR KELLER announced that without objection the names will be
advanced. He then reminded members that signing the reports
regarding appointments to boards and commissions in no way
reflects individual members' approval or disapproval of the
appointees, and that the nominations are merely forwarded to the
full legislature for confirmation or rejection.
9:16:13 AM
CHAIR KELLER announced the next meeting and thanked the day's
participants.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:16 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Regents - Buretta #2.pdf |
HEDC 3/25/2015 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Regents - Davies #2.pdf |
HEDC 3/25/2015 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Regents - Parker #2.pdf |
HEDC 3/25/2015 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Regents - Teuber #2.pdf |
HEDC 3/25/2015 8:00:00 AM |