Legislature(2009 - 2010)UAF Campus

10/15/2009 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE


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09:06:51 AM Start
09:06:54 AM University of Alaska Budget Overview
11:51:47 AM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
-- Location Change --
+ University Programs Overview TELECONFERENCED
Location: Globe Room - Elvey Building
UAF Campus, Fairbanks
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
                  SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE                                                                                      
                      October 15, 2009                                                                                          
                         9:06 a.m.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
9:06:51 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CALL TO ORDER                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate  Finance Committee meeting                                                                   
to order at 9:06 a.m.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair                                                                                                 
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair                                                                                                  
Senator Johnny Ellis                                                                                                            
Senator Dennis Egan                                                                                                             
Senator Donny Olson                                                                                                             
Senator Joe Thomas                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice-Chair                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
ALSO PRESENT                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Senator   Joe  Paksvan;   Representative   Anna   Fairclough;                                                                   
Representative  Mike  Kelly; Wendy  Redman,  Vice  President,                                                                   
University  Relations, University  of Alaska; Cynthia  Henry,                                                                   
Chair, Board  of Regents, University  of Alaska;  Fran Ulmer,                                                                   
Chancellor,  University  of  Alaska,  Anchorage;  John  Pugh,                                                                   
Chancellor,  University of Alaska,  Southeast; Brian  Rogers,                                                                   
Chancellor, University  of Alaska, Fairbanks;  Fuller Cowell,                                                                   
Regent, University  of Alaska, Anchorage; Steve  Smith, Chief                                                                   
Information Technology Officer,  University of Alaska; Denise                                                                   
Wartes, Coordinator,  Rural Alaska  Honors Institute  (RAHI),                                                                   
University  of   Alaska,  Fairbanks;  Bernice   Joseph,  Vice                                                                   
President,   Rural   Communities    and   Native   Education,                                                                   
University of  Alaska, Fairbanks; Fred Villa,  Associate Vice                                                                   
President,  Workforce Programs,  University of Alaska;  Karen                                                                   
Purdue,   Associate   Vice   President,    Health   Programs,                                                                   
University of  Alaska; Melissa Hill, Director,  K12 Outreach,                                                                   
University of Alaska                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
None                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SUMMARY                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
^UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA BUDGET OVERVIEW                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
9:06:54 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman  commented on last year's state  aid for the                                                                   
unfunded  liability of  community  and university  retirement                                                                   
systems.   He pointed out that  when the state  provided such                                                                   
aid,  it  was  in  a  better  financial  position  than  many                                                                   
communities  which were  in  danger of  collapse.   There  is                                                                   
still a lot of work to do on that issue.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
9:10:22 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
WENDY   REDMAN,   VICE   PRESIDENT,   UNIVERSITY   RELATIONS,                                                                   
UNIVERSITY OF  ALASKA, added that  the university  would have                                                                   
also gone under  if the state had not bailed  out the Teacher                                                                   
Retirement  System (TRS), Public  Employee Retirement  System                                                                   
(PERS), and health care.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman stated  that there  needs to be  discussion                                                                   
about   the  unsustainability   of   the  operating   budget.                                                                   
Preliminary conversations with  the administration are needed                                                                   
to work out a resolution.  He  wanted the regents to be aware                                                                   
of the issue for when they work on their budget.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
9:12:35 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CYNTHIA  HENRY,  CHAIR,  BOARD   OF  REGENTS,  UNIVERSITY  OF                                                                   
ALASKA,  introduced  the  topic   of  the  community  college                                                                   
mission  -  vocational  education, transfer  of  credits  and                                                                   
cooperation.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Redman noted she could be  fairly neutral and open-minded                                                                   
in  spite of  previously being  the vice  chancellor for  the                                                                   
former community  college division before it  was merged into                                                                   
the university  system.  She related that  community colleges                                                                   
provide open access  education at the lower  division levels,                                                                   
one  and  two   year  non-credit  certificates.     Community                                                                   
colleges  are  controlled  locally and  respond  to  specific                                                                   
programming within their regions.   In the Lower 48, they are                                                                   
supported  by taxes;  in Alaska  only a  few communities  use                                                                   
taxes  to support  community colleges.   As  a result of  the                                                                   
restructure  in  1987, the  separately  accredited  community                                                                   
campuses were  merged into one  of three university  centers.                                                                   
She referred  to a  map to  show where  they became  aligned.                                                                   
New units with a broader mission were formed.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Redman  reported that the  restructuring was  a difficult                                                                   
process in Anchorage because the  community college was twice                                                                   
the size of the university and  both were located on the same                                                                   
property.   The Board of Regents  made an effort  to maintain                                                                   
the  community college  mission.   She  thought  it had  been                                                                   
successful.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:17:15 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Redman discussed  the pros and cons of the  merger.  From                                                                   
a student's  perspective the merger  has been positive.   The                                                                   
curriculum is  the same at all  MAU's.  There are  hardly any                                                                   
transfer problems.  The merged  faculty has meant consistency                                                                   
in the curriculum.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
9:19:31 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Redman  pointed out that  each of the community  campuses                                                                   
is able to deliver a more comprehensive  program.  There were                                                                   
cost  savings   by  eliminating  the  large   administration.                                                                   
Tuition is still an issue.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Redman  explained that there  is a much greater  focus on                                                                   
student  support.    She  spoke   of  the  community  college                                                                   
philosophy being  adopted by the  University of Alaska.   She                                                                   
encouraged legislators  to refer student and  parent concerns                                                                   
back to the  university.  She emphasized that  the university                                                                   
deals with students rather than parents to problem solve.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
9:23:32 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Redman  remarked  that the  community  colleges  have  a                                                                   
formal  partnership  with  all   of  the  regional  technical                                                                   
schools in  the state.   They also  have a relationship  with                                                                   
labor  unions and  apprentice programs.   There  has been  an                                                                   
attempt  to  eliminate  competition   between  the  community                                                                   
colleges and the  tech centers.  President  Hamilton believes                                                                   
in  partnerships and  the need  for the  university to  focus                                                                   
first on credit-bearing courses.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Redman emphasized that the  community college mission has                                                                   
been positive.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
9:26:18 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
FRAN  ULMER,  CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY  OF  ALASKA,  ANCHORAGE,                                                                   
agreed that the university's relationship  with the community                                                                   
campuses is  very strong.   She  listed the communities  that                                                                   
fund,  and  are  partners  with,  their  community  campuses:                                                                   
Kenai, Valdez,  and MatSu.   She commented that  an important                                                                   
way the  university meets the  needs of the state  is through                                                                   
partnerships  with community  colleges.    The Community  and                                                                   
Technical  College at  the University  of Alaska,  Anchorage,                                                                   
(UAA)  is  one of  the  largest  colleges and  is  integrated                                                                   
within  UAA.   Students can  find their  place in  life as  a                                                                   
result  of the  openness throughout  the system.   She  spoke                                                                   
highly of various programs such as Aviation Technology.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
9:29:13 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Egan   asked  how   municipal  and  private   sector                                                                   
contributions  are  leveraged  when developing  programs  and                                                                   
funding  criteria.    Chancellor  Ulmer replied  that  it  is                                                                   
different in different  circumstances.  She  gave MatSu's EMT                                                                   
program as an  example of a single-funded program.   In Kenai                                                                   
and Valdez the  money translates to more capacity  to serve a                                                                   
wide  variety   of  needs.    Private   sector  contributions                                                                   
provided an opportunity to expand nursing programs.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Egan inquired  if community  needs  from those  that                                                                   
contribute are a  higher priority.  Chancellor  Ulmer said it                                                                   
makes  some  things  possible  that otherwise  would  not  be                                                                   
possible.  She deferred to Ms. Redman to further explain.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
9:32:23 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Redman commented  that the programs requested  and funded                                                                   
by communities  have received a higher priority  because they                                                                   
already  were considered  important by  the regents.   If  an                                                                   
industry or  employer was willing  to pay for a  program that                                                                   
was not a high  priority or needed, it probably  would not be                                                                   
considered a  priority for funding  purposes.   She explained                                                                   
how education is  highly subsidized by the state.    Requests                                                                   
are weighed  against  high demand  jobs.  So  far, there  has                                                                   
been a  perfect match between  industries willing to  pay and                                                                   
priorities of the state.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
9:34:03 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
FULLER  COWELL,  REGENT,  UNIVERSITY  OF  ALASKA,  ANCHORAGE,                                                                   
noted that even  during these tough economic  times, the city                                                                   
of Valdez increased contributions to its community college.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
JOHN PUGH, CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY  OF ALASKA, SOUTHEAST, gave                                                                   
several examples  of the university's responding  to needs in                                                                   
Southeast  Alaska.   When the  Alaska  Marine Highway  System                                                                   
moved  to  Ketchikan,  UAS  developed   a  marine  operations                                                                   
training program  on the Ketchikan  campus.  Another  example                                                                   
was when Coeur  Alaska opened up the Kensington  Mine, a mine                                                                   
training center was  opened in Juneau.  The  university tries                                                                   
to recognize workforce needs and develop programs.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
9:37:16 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRIAN ROGERS,  CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY  OF ALASKA,  FAIRBANKS,                                                                   
spoke  of  partnerships with  community  campuses  throughout                                                                   
UAF.   He gave  several examples  from Nome.   He noted  that                                                                   
selected baccalaureate  programs have extended  the community                                                                   
college mission in  order to meet acute community  needs.  He                                                                   
spoke  of   a  challenge   in  reaching  non-degree   seeking                                                                   
students.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
9:39:52 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman  questioned   the  cost  of  old  community                                                                   
college courses and wondered what the solution might be.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Henry  agreed that tuition  increase was a concern.   She                                                                   
explained the two-tier tuition  increase; 5 percent for lower                                                                   
division classes  and 10 percent for upper  division classes.                                                                   
She noted the benefit to community campuses.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
9:41:26 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Cowell  pointed out  the  flip  side of  lower  division                                                                   
classes being  too expensive.   Upper division  classes, when                                                                   
compared to  other colleges,  are actually  lower.   For that                                                                   
reason, the  Board of  Regents proposed  the two tier  system                                                                   
for tuition increases.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Redman  related that there  have been proposals  from the                                                                   
community  colleges for  seeking legislative  support for  an                                                                   
additional  subsidy.   Ms.  Redman reported  that  university                                                                   
enrollment continues  to hold steady or increase,  except for                                                                   
the students taking only one or two classes.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
9:42:49 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor Pugh  reported that the Ketchikan  campus began to                                                                   
try  to  undo the  merger  and  the whole  transition  was  a                                                                   
difficult  process.   Currently, the  unification is  working                                                                   
and the  community is  benefitting.  The  key is  to identify                                                                   
and meet community needs and offer other classes as well.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor Pugh  described the separate budgets  allocated to                                                                   
Sitka's  and  Ketchikan's  schools,  which  gave  them  local                                                                   
control.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
9:45:43 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Ellis   commented  on  the  down  side   of  tuition                                                                   
increases.     He  inquired  what   the  Board   of  Regents'                                                                   
philosophy on tuition increases  was.  He questioned what the                                                                   
legislature  could  do  to  help  prevent  the  next  tuition                                                                   
increase.   He pointed out that  Alaska does not  have needs-                                                                   
based  financial  aid.   He  said  that Governor  Parnell  is                                                                   
interested in  a merit-based scholarship  program.   He noted                                                                   
that he and Representative Guttenberg  have proposed a needs-                                                                   
based approach.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
9:47:35 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Henry  related that  the  board  spends  a lot  of  time                                                                   
discussing  this issue.   The  only  needs-based tuition  aid                                                                   
comes through  the Post Secondary  Commission in the  form of                                                                   
the  Alaska Advantage  Program  and is  for a  stipend up  to                                                                   
$1000  per year.    The  board has  not  met to  discuss  the                                                                   
governor's  recent   scholarship  proposal,  but   has  great                                                                   
interest  in  it.    Tuition  increases  require  legislative                                                                   
input.   When  tuition increases  are less  than 10  percent,                                                                   
there  is  less concern  by  students.    It is  an  on-going                                                                   
discussion.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:49:48 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Cowell spoke  of a current need for $7  million for those                                                                   
who need  financial assistance to  pay for tuition.   He said                                                                   
he was happy to calculate what the tuition increase funds.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Senator Ellis commented that at  some point students will not                                                                   
be able  to bear the increase.   Mr. Cowell spoke  of support                                                                   
by students for tuition increases  for expanded programs.  He                                                                   
suggested that  the legislature  match the increase  asked of                                                                   
the students.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
9:52:19 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Thomas asked  how the tuition relates  to the budget.                                                                   
He wanted  to know the percentage  of tuition  increases over                                                                   
the last ten years and the average debt load.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Redman listed tuition increases  of 10 percent in 2007, 7                                                                   
percent in 2008, 5 percent in  2009, 5 percent in 2010, and a                                                                   
split of  4 percent  and 7  percent proposed  for 2011.   The                                                                   
most recent  proposal is  for a split  increase of  5 percent                                                                   
and  10 percent  in  2012.   Ms.  Redman indicated  that  the                                                                   
increases were  in line with  what was happening  in colleges                                                                   
throughout  the  country.   She  agreed  that  the  increases                                                                   
probably could not be sustained into the future.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator Thomas asked about debt  load.  Clay Field, Associate                                                                   
Vice  President,  Students, University  of  Alaska,  reported                                                                   
that  for a  baccalaureate degree  the average  debt load  is                                                                   
$22,000 and for an associate degree it is $16,000.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
9:55:12 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor Rogers  reported that the most  recent information                                                                   
showed a 10-year  tuition increase of 71 percent  compared to                                                                   
the western states' average of  101 percent.  He commented on                                                                   
several needs-based financial  aid studies that show a strong                                                                   
return  on  investment  to a  state  that  makes  needs-based                                                                   
financial  aid available,  in terms  of avoided  cost in  the                                                                   
health care system and in the criminal justice system.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
9:56:18 AM     AT EASE                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
10:10:11 AM    RECONVENED                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman referred to an  earlier statement by Senator                                                                   
Ellis  regarding unsustainable  tuition growth.   He  advised                                                                   
that  the  committee   address  this  in  the   future.    He                                                                   
questioned how  the university sees  the state's role  in the                                                                   
solution.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Henry  stated that  the goal is  to reduce dependence  on                                                                   
general  fund  support.    The   board  benefits  from  these                                                                   
financial conversations.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Cowell  reminded that  the  state  used  to fund  at  60                                                                   
percent of the university's budget.   It has since dropped to                                                                   
40 percent and then risen to 45 percent.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman referred  to  handout 5  which depicts  the                                                                   
funding pattern decline.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
10:13:37 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Henry turned  to the  topic of  workforce development  -                                                                   
programs and funding.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
FRED  VILLA, ASSOCIATE  VICE PRESIDENT,  WORKFORCE  PROGRAMS,                                                                   
UNIVERSITY OF  ALASKA, provided an overview of  the direction                                                                   
that   workforce  development   is   headed.     He   defined                                                                   
"alignment"  as effective  use of resources  to get  students                                                                   
trained and ready  for work.  He related that  the university                                                                   
has three  roles in workforce  development.  One  is outreach                                                                   
to  students  that  leads  to  career  planning;  another  is                                                                   
providing  career   and  technical  education   and  academic                                                                   
programs;  the   third  area   is  to  provide   professional                                                                   
development to the existing workforce.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Villa  spoke of economic  challenges such as  tourism and                                                                   
natural    resource   extraction.       He   discussed    the                                                                   
implementation  of plans,  including a  five-year career  and                                                                   
technical  education  plan.   The  five-year  plan gives  the                                                                   
university  the opportunity  to apply  for funds through  the                                                                   
Department  of  Education.   Another  plan  in place  is  the                                                                   
Alaska  Gasline Inducement  Act  (AGIA) training  plan.   The                                                                   
Alaska  Education   Plan  addresses   building  world   class                                                                   
schools.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
10:20:20 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Villa continued that the plans  are designed to align the                                                                   
university with other agencies  and departments.  He cited an                                                                   
example  of the  benefits of  technical  training for  energy                                                                   
jobs.   The  university does  not  need to  do everything  if                                                                   
other avenues exist for students.   He encouraged alternative                                                                   
sources of education.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Villa   described  the   university's  involvement   and                                                                   
cooperation  with  regional training  centers  and  community                                                                   
campuses.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
10:24:09 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Villa  related  that  the   university's  priorities  in                                                                   
workforce  development are  vetted through  a committee  with                                                                   
representatives  from  each  campus.    He  mentioned  career                                                                   
clusters and career  pathways, as well as  courses associated                                                                   
with the  individual pathways.   He provided an  example from                                                                   
UAA.   He described  how the university  works with  the tech                                                                   
prep  consortium.   The stimulus  grant  also contributes  to                                                                   
leveraging partnerships.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
10:28:09 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Redmond  noted that of the  training taking place  in the                                                                   
state,  the  university is  doing  about  90 percent  of  the                                                                   
workforce training.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman moved on to health programs.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
KAREN  PURDUE,  ASSOCIATE VICE  PRESIDENT,  HEALTH  PROGRAMS,                                                                   
UNIVERSITY OF  ALASKA, spoke of anticipated increases  in the                                                                   
demand for  health care.   She appreciated the  legislature's                                                                   
efforts  to appropriate  $4.9  million in  general funds  for                                                                   
health care  programs in  the last five  years.   During that                                                                   
time   the  university   has  produced   4,634  health   care                                                                   
graduates.  The university has  ramped up efforts to graduate                                                                   
students  in  health-related   fields.    Program  funds  are                                                                   
tracked on a  quarterly basis.  The faculty  has a tremendous                                                                   
sense of responsibility to produce effective programs.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Purdue highlighted  new programs:  physician  assistant,                                                                   
and nursing.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
10:31:51 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Purdue  shared statistics  about the nursing  program and                                                                   
provided regional data.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Olson asked if  the RN  program is  for two  or four                                                                   
years.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Purdue  responded that the  associate program is  for two                                                                   
years, but there is also a four-year  program.  She mentioned                                                                   
various   other   programs:    dental   hygiene,   radiology,                                                                   
paramedic, social work, public  health, and dietitian.  There                                                                   
are several partnerships with  universities outside of Alaska                                                                   
due  to the  expense of  some programs  such as  occupational                                                                   
therapy, and speech, language,  and audiology.  Many programs                                                                   
are  expensive  and  it  is better  to  not  duplicate  them,                                                                   
therefore, distance delivery is key.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
10:35:05 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Purdue noted  the components  of  distance programs  and                                                                   
partnerships.  The health industry  has provided $3.5 million                                                                   
in  hospital  donations  for the  nursing  program  and  $4.7                                                                   
million total over time.  Ms.  Purdue spoke of the difficulty                                                                   
of depending on limited-time donations.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Purdue pointed out that the  university has a partnership                                                                   
with the  Mental Health Trust.  She listed difficulties  with                                                                   
the program.   She noted  a need for post-graduate  programs.                                                                   
She stressed  the need for financial  aid, the need  for more                                                                   
men in programs, and the need to focus on rural sites.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Olson asked what  percentage  of students who  begin                                                                   
the program graduate.   Ms. Purdue responded  that completion                                                                   
rates  are good  because  of the  competitive  nature of  the                                                                   
programs.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
10:38:25 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor Ulmer added that even  though UAA is the home port                                                                   
for  the health  programs,  the mission  is  statewide.   She                                                                   
stated  that  the  Rural Alaska  Native  Program  (RAN)  just                                                                   
graduated its 100th  Alaska Native nurse.  She  described the                                                                   
program as  being targeted for  success.  The RAN  program is                                                                   
one  of  many  innovative  approaches   to  helping  students                                                                   
succeed in health care education at the university.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor  Ulmer spoke  of the successful  expansion  of the                                                                   
nursing program,  which succeeded  in doubling the  number of                                                                   
nursing graduates.  There are  several limitations to further                                                                   
expansion, such  as money and physical realities.   Expanding                                                                   
the  capacity is  part  of the  mission  as  it benefits  the                                                                   
economy of the state.  She appreciated legislative funding.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
10:42:14 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Hoffman appreciated  the  nursing  program and  the                                                                   
goals  that  were met,  such  as  training locals  to  lessen                                                                   
attrition  rates.   Local  people holding  nursing  positions                                                                   
allow for  better health care.   He mentioned  family members                                                                   
in the nursing program.  Such  programs provide income to the                                                                   
region, as well as a higher level of service.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor Pugh commented  on the success of  the health care                                                                   
education  partnership  throughout  the state.    Communities                                                                   
have benefitted greatly.   He cited an example  regarding the                                                                   
radiation   technology   program.      He   appreciated   the                                                                   
collaboration between Ms. Purdue and the campuses.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Purdue reminded  the  legislature of  the  needs of  the                                                                   
program and how thoroughly the requests have been examined.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
10:46:14 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman turned to energy programs.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor  Rogers  discussed   the  past  challenge  of  the                                                                   
university's energy  research and development work  where the                                                                   
focus was on  federal priorities due to federal  monies being                                                                   
the primary funding source.  Two  years ago the president and                                                                   
board requested that the focus  change to community and state                                                                   
priorities.   The Alaska Center  for Energy and  Power (ACEP)                                                                   
was then developed  as a gateway to accomplishing  that goal.                                                                   
Three areas were the focus: potential  energy sources for the                                                                   
future,  community  energy  solutions,   and  power  for  the                                                                   
future.   He appreciated  the one-time  funding for  ACEP and                                                                   
for the Cooperative Extension Service.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor  Rogers  reported   that  the  biggest  constraint                                                                   
remains lab  and office space.   He expected a great  deal of                                                                   
federal stimulus money, as well  as private opportunities for                                                                   
direct funding to  help alleviate that problem.   Also, state                                                                   
assistance will be needed.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
10:51:32 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Hoffman asked  for  ideas on  how  to address  high                                                                   
costs  for  energy  needs  in Western  Alaska.    Mr.  Rogers                                                                   
thought  pieces of  solutions  had been  identified and  that                                                                   
they varied  by community.   He thought  heat energy  was the                                                                   
biggest  problem and  the proposal  for propane  distribution                                                                   
might be a piece  of the solution.  He did  not claim to have                                                                   
the perfect solution.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman asked if consideration  of nuclear energy is                                                                   
on the  table.  Mr. Rogers  replied that the  university does                                                                   
not have that expertise.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair   Stedman  thanked   Fairbanks   for  last   night's                                                                   
reception.   He thanked  the Fairbanks  Chamber of  Commerce,                                                                   
the Visitor's  Bureau, Senator  Thomas, and Senator  Paskvan,                                                                   
and their staff.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
10:54:38 AM    AT EASE                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
11:07:35 AM    RECONVENED                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman listed the topics to be discussed.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Henry introduced the next speaker.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MELISSA HILL,  DIRECTOR, K12 OUTREACH, UNIVERSITY  OF ALASKA,                                                                   
discussed item  e: Teacher Preparation, Continuing  Education                                                                   
and  Placement.     She  addressed  alignment   of  education                                                                   
priorities  with  the  state.     She  used  early  childhood                                                                   
education as  an example of  a well-supported priority.   She                                                                   
noted that  UAA has spent  significant funding  and resources                                                                   
into developing  career pathways;  UAF has used  resources in                                                                   
allocating and impacting rural Alaska.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Hill explained  the legislature's mandated  invitation to                                                                   
present   progress  in   teacher   preparation.     "Alaska's                                                                   
Universities for Alaska's Schools",  SB 241, was presented to                                                                   
the Joint Committee on Education  last session and an updated                                                                   
version will be  presented again next session.   She reported                                                                   
that the "numbers are up".                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor Pugh  related that he chaired a  teacher education                                                                   
planning  group with  the  three deans  from  the Schools  of                                                                   
Education, staff  from teacher  placement, and from  distance                                                                   
education.   They looked  at ways  to make  an impact  in the                                                                   
teacher workforce.  Each year  about half of all teachers are                                                                   
imported from areas outside the  state, which is getting more                                                                   
difficult.  He  stressed that teachers trained  in Alaska are                                                                   
more likely  to stay.   The  focus is  to expand the  teacher                                                                   
education program.  As a result,  distance education has been                                                                   
expanded  so that  all classes  are  now distance  delivered.                                                                   
Students throughout  the state  can take education  programs.                                                                   
Rural  districts are  part of  the outreach  for the  teacher                                                                   
program.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor  Pugh reported on  some of  the challenges  in the                                                                   
teacher education  program.  One challenge is  attracting the                                                                   
numbers  needed.    Outreach is  an  important  component  of                                                                   
meeting the goal.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
11:14:20 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Pugh informed that committee  that progress has been made                                                                   
and  the  numbers  are  higher  in  the  teacher  preparation                                                                   
program.   More progress must be  made to lessen the  need to                                                                   
import teachers from out of state.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman  asked if Chancellor Pugh agreed  with audit                                                                   
report   recommendations   regarding    distance   education.                                                                   
Chancellor Pugh  replied that the university  does agree with                                                                   
the  audit  report  and  is  working  on  improvements.    He                                                                   
stressed  that  improving  technology   in  rural  Alaska  is                                                                   
necessary  in  order  to  improve  the  delivery  of  teacher                                                                   
education programs.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
11:16:10 AM                                                                                                                   
Co-Chair  Hoffman  requested  that  each  chancellor  address                                                                   
distance delivery incentives that are being considered.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor Pugh  replied that the  first priority is  to make                                                                   
sure the  program and the  faculty are tailored  for distance                                                                   
delivery.  That is the first expectation  and the training of                                                                   
faculty follows.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor Rogers  stated that the incentive  at rural campus                                                                   
sites  is that  the  tuition  generated by  distance  courses                                                                   
stays at the rural  site.  A new incentive at  the UAF campus                                                                   
is  to try  to  increase the  number  of courses  offered  as                                                                   
distance courses.  There is also  a new internal distribution                                                                   
model  that rewards  each  school  for enrollment  growth  in                                                                   
distance education  courses.  That solution  addresses one of                                                                   
the points  raised  in the audit  - availability.   A  second                                                                   
point was to  make it easier for the students  taking courses                                                                   
from multiple campuses,  which will take further  work by the                                                                   
statewide system.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor  Ulmer agreed  with  the previous  comments.   She                                                                   
discussed  the  tuition  revenue increases  due  to  distance                                                                   
programs.    The  distance  delivery   training  for  faculty                                                                   
provided in the Center for Faculty  Development has been very                                                                   
successful.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
11:20:08 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Hill added that numbers for  students enrolled in teacher                                                                   
training programs are up by 16  percent at UAA, 22 percent at                                                                   
UAF, and  27 percent  at UAS, over  a four-year time  period.                                                                   
She touched  on efforts  to recruit  Alaska Native  students.                                                                   
She mentioned partnerships with  school districts and college                                                                   
campuses across the state.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
11:22:40 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair   Stedman   turned   to   distance   education   and                                                                   
information technology.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Henry introduced the next speaker.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
STEVE   SMITH,   CHIEF   INFORMATION    TECHNOLOGY   OFFICER,                                                                   
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA,  spoke of the progress  made in distant                                                                   
education.  He  reported that the university  is in agreement                                                                   
with the finding  of the recent audit and is  making progress                                                                   
on the four  recommendations.  Information technology  is the                                                                   
enabler for distance education.   A regular report is made to                                                                   
the board.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
11:25:15 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Mr.   Smith  elaborated   on  the   transformation  from   an                                                                   
institutional orientation to a  student orientation resulting                                                                   
in an increase in distance education.   One in three students                                                                   
is taking  distance education.   The majority of  courses are                                                                   
taught  by distance  now.    Performance measures  are  still                                                                   
"institutional" and are changing to incentive models.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
11:27:15 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Smith  felt an area  of constraint is unequal  technology                                                                   
access throughout  the state.   West and north  of Fairbanks,                                                                   
every community  is served by  satellite.  The  university is                                                                   
working to  solve that  problem and  provide access  to those                                                                   
communities.   He spoke of  a research  study - Cable  on the                                                                   
Tundra  - with  GCI, which  is  designed to  lay fiber  optic                                                                   
cable across the tundra.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair   Stedman  asked   if  the   university  has   noted                                                                   
improvement  in  Southeast Alaska  with  fiber  optics.   Mr.                                                                   
Smith  reported  on  significant   improvements  provided  by                                                                   
digital microwave.  All current  telecommunications contracts                                                                   
expire in March and will be re-bid as fiber optic access.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
11:30:45 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman  turned  to other  university  programs  of                                                                   
interest.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Henry thanked  the Senate  Finance  Committee for  their                                                                   
work with  the university.   She  thanked Senator Thomas  for                                                                   
organizing  the  meeting  in Fairbanks.    She  also  thanked                                                                   
Senator  Ellis  for his  support  for  the university.    She                                                                   
thanked  Senator Eagan,  Senator Olson,  Ms. Redman,  and the                                                                   
Chancellors.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair   Stedman   thanked    Representatives   Kelly   and                                                                   
Fairclough.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
11:36:11 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Henry turned attention to engineering.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
11:36:29 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor Rogers  spoke of the engineering  programs offered                                                                   
by UAA  and UAF.   The biggest growth  has been  in petroleum                                                                   
engineering.    The  university  has done  a  better  job  of                                                                   
retaining students, recruitment,  and retention.  Recruitment                                                                   
is aimed  at the junior  high and  high school level  through                                                                   
programs such as the Alaska Summer  Research Academy, Lathrop                                                                   
Engineering  Academy, Robotics  Competition, and  Engineering                                                                   
Week.   On campus there  are competitions in  electrical snow                                                                   
machines,   bridges,   and   rocket  launching.         These                                                                   
competitions are trying to address  the statewide shortage of                                                                   
engineers.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
11:38:36 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor  Ulmer   provided  two  numbers:  the   number  of                                                                   
engineering majors  at UAA  in 2000 was  223; in 2009  it was                                                                   
651.  She spoke of a goal to expand  the program and increase                                                                   
numbers.    The  biggest  problem   is  lack  of  engineering                                                                   
classrooms and  lab space.   The industry is  requesting more                                                                   
engineers.   She pointed  out that  UAA started  a new  BA in                                                                   
science and  engineering, which became accredited  this year.                                                                   
This is  a huge year  for accreditation  at UAA.   She listed                                                                   
programs which have been re-accredited.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
11:41:18 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor  Ulmer emphasized  that UAA  is one  of only  four                                                                   
pilot institutions in a new system  for accrediting Northwest                                                                   
schools,  colleges, and  universities.   She highlighted  the                                                                   
advantages of such a system.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
She thanked the Senate Finance Committee for their work.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Henry turned to rural student services.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
11:42:42 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Chancellor Rogers  talked about  rural student services.   He                                                                   
introduced the speakers on the  topic.  He noted a handout on                                                                   
the Rural Alaska Honors Institute.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
11:43:20 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
DENISE  WARTES, COORDINATOR,  RURAL  ALASKA HONORS  INSTITUTE                                                                   
(RAHI),  UNIVERSITY  OF  ALASKA,  FAIRBANKS,  referred  to  a                                                                   
handout  and  brochure  provided  for  the  committee.    She                                                                   
described  the makeup  of  the brochure.    She reviewed  the                                                                   
history  of   the  RAHI  program.     She  highlighted   four                                                                   
paragraphs providing  statistics from the program.   Students                                                                   
who  took  RAHI were  more  likely  to receive  a  bachelor's                                                                   
degree.   She informed the  committee about Project  Smart in                                                                   
New Hampshire and the Barrow Arctic  Science Consortium, both                                                                   
of which  students attended.   She  reported on six  students                                                                   
who  videotaped their  stories, which  will be  shown to  the                                                                   
Alaska Federation of Natives,  to the legislature, and to the                                                                   
Alaska House in New York.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
11:47:07 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Wartese spoke of funding sources  for RAHI, including the                                                                   
legislature.  She is looking to expand the program.                                                                             
BERNICE JOSEPH, VICE PRESIDENT,  RURAL COMMUNITIES AND NATIVE                                                                   
EDUCATION,   UNIVERSITY   OF  ALASKA,   FAIRBANKS,   detailed                                                                   
highlights  of Tanana  Valley Campus,  Kuskokwim Campus,  Tok                                                                   
Campus,  Chukchi Campus,  and Bristol  Bay Campus.   Economic                                                                   
impact studies are  taking place at each campus.   Nome shows                                                                   
a  $6  million  impact  with federal  and  state  dollars  in                                                                   
employment.   There is also a  great deal of  outreach taking                                                                   
place.   The Northwest Campus  had forty students in  the new                                                                   
dorm  at  Unakleet  for  introductory  classes  in  math  and                                                                   
science.  That  was also the focus on the  Interior Aleutians                                                                   
Campus.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
11:51:47 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Hoffman asked  for a breakdown  of federal  funding                                                                   
vs. state funding.  Ms. Joseph  reported on a 60/40 breakdown                                                                   
of federal  and state  funding.   Co-Chair Hoffman  asked how                                                                   
that compares to the three main campuses.  Ms. Joseph did                                                                       
not know.  Co-Chair Hoffman had great concern with the                                                                          
dependence on federal dollars.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman noted Senator Paskvan and thanked the                                                                          
regents.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The meeting was adjourned at 11:53 AM.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
#10 Spring Mgmt Report Operating Review.pdf SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
University Work Session
#11 Fall 09 Financial and Performance Final.doc SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
University Work Session
#5 Operating Budget Rev by Source (Chart 3).pdf SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
#6 Operating Budget Trend by NCHEMS-Percent Rev by Source (Chart 4).pdf SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
University Work Session
#7 Operating Pie Charts Rev and Exp by Source (Chart 2).pdf SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
University Work Session
#8 Auth and Act FY86-11est without % SA (Chart 1).pdf SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
University Work Session
#9 MacTaggart Administrative Review.pdf SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
University Work Session
#12 UA Research Economics.pdf SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
University Work Session
#13 FY11 Operating Guidelines.pdf SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
University Work Session
#14 Approved FY11 Capital Development Guidelines-1.pdf SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
University Work Session
#15 September 2009 BOR Performance Report.pdf SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
University Work Session
#4 Appendix A-NCHEMS RevenueDescriptions.pdf SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
University Work Session
Attachment Description.doc SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
University work session
SB241 REPORT FINAL-PRINT (2).pdf SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFC Agenda 10.14-15.doc SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
University Work Session
Ulmer handout.jpg SFIN 10/14/2009 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 10/15/2009 9:00:00 AM
University work session