Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106
03/08/2023 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB9 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 9 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 31 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 9-ADD FACULTY MEMBER UNIV BOARD OF REGENTS
8:02:43 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the only order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 9, "An Act relating to the Board of
Regents of the University of Alaska."
8:03:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ASHLEY CARRICK, Alaska State Legislature, prime
sponsor of HB 9, thanked the committee for revisiting HB 9,
which would add a faculty member to the University of Alaska
Board of Regents. Her hope was that a lot would be taken away
from the public testimony that would be provided. She noted
that a number faculty were excited to talk about the issues and
address some of the challenges that the university faces without
having representation on the board. Having a faculty member
would add to the overall direction and composition for the
governance of the University of Alaska, she added.
8:06:55 AM
STUART RELAY, Staff, Representative Ashley Carrick, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Ashley Carrick, prime
sponsor of HB 9, explained that in a previous hearing, regent
biographies were requested. He confirmed that they were
included in the committee packet today.
8:08:12 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE opened public testimony on HB 9.
8:08:39 AM
MARIA WILLIAMS, Professor, University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA),
testified in support of HB 9. She relayed that she is a faculty
member and explained that the board of regents oftentimes deals
with the complexities of the roles of faculty. If there is the
opportunity to have the voice of a faculty member at the table,
she opined, it would make the university stronger and more
powerful. She said decisions would be less damaging.
8:11:56 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked Ms. Williams whether she had testified in
front of the board of regents at any time.
MS. WILLIAMS replied that she had when she was the faculty
alliance chair.
8:12:44 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD sought to confirm that multiple faculty members
could testify.
MS. WILLIAMS replied that the board of regents allowed public
testimony prior to the start of their meeting; however, it has
now moved to remote testimony a week before the meeting. The
only faculty person allowed to speak is the faculty alliance
chair for a seven-minute time slot, she said.
8:13:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Ms. Williams how she sees the role of
a faculty member participating on the board during times of
negotiation.
MS. WILLIAMS replied that recently, the board went through the
collective bargaining agreement, and she watched the
negotiations with a handful of leaders. She observed that when
it came to voting, it was not unusual to have a conflict of
interest amongst the regents and it would not be a challenge to
abstain.
8:16:24 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked whether the focus is only advocating for a
faculty member from University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).
MS. WILLIAMS clarified it is for the entire system. She
explained that the chair rotates between UAA, UAF, and
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS). The leaders of the three
faculty senates meet to discuss the issues, which is the role of
faculty alliance.
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked Ms. Williams whether she was aware of the
lack of leadership support.
MS. WILLIAMS replied that there is a perception that the faculty
are like an "angry mob," but the fact is that faculty are all
very dedicated to their perspective universities. Adding a
faculty member to the board of regents allows faculty on the
board to have those very important conversations with other
regents, she said.
CO-CHAIR ALLARD stated that she preferred the rotating system.
MS. WILLIAMS concurred, adding that she believes in a rotating
system. She said the way the bill is set up it could result in
a two-year term rotating amongst the three major universities if
it comes to fruition.
8:19:35 AM
HEATHER BATCHELDER, Professor, University of Alaska Southeast
(UAS), testified in support of HB 9. She provided a brief
background and explained that she was faculty alliance chair, as
well faculty senate president, adding that the system would
benefit from adding a faculty regent. It would be helpful in
onboarding, she said, and the institutional knowledge a faculty
member would possess can help to clear up misconceptions about
academia that many people have. She provided names of other
universities that have a faculty member at the table.
8:21:20 AM
LUANN PICCARD, Chair, University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA),
testified in support of HB 9. She expressed appreciation to be
able to address the committee, and provided a brief background.
She said she supported what the prior testifiers had expressed
and emphasized the importance of having new voices to bring to
the conversation for innovation. She stated that having a
faculty regent would help support and bring diversity and a
voice into the room with the experience to contribute to the
conversation and make the voice stronger.
8:26:27 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked Ms. Piccard how she felt about current
regent members who were faculty members that had lengthy careers
at the University of Alaska.
MS. PICCARD replied she did not think any members were previous
faculty, although they may have attended the university.
8:27:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked Ms. Piccard about her experience in
Hewlett Packard and whether it was a shareholder owned company.
MS. PICCARD confirmed it was a publicly traded corporation.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether there was an employee
representative on the board of directors.
MS. PICCARD replied she did not think there was an employee
representative on the corporate board of directors.
8:28:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT questioned the documentation Co-Chair
Allard had regarding regents who have full time faculty
experience.
CO-CHAIR ALLARD replied she was looking at resumes of people
who, for example, worked as professors and sat on boards.
8:29:50 AM
JENNIE CARROLL, Associate Professor, University of Alaska
Fairbanks (UAF), began her testimony in support of HB 9 after
providing a brief introduction. She stated that faculty does
the business of the university, have a great deal of knowledge
and expertise, and have a desire to be partners. In addition to
having a student regent, she said, bringing a faculty regent
into the mix would provide that well rounded knowledge.
8:32:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether a faculty member would have to
resign their position if they wish to serve on the board of
regents.
MS. CARROLL replied she does not know.
8:33:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY asked what would happen if there were a tie
vote.
MS. CARROLL confirmed there had been discussion on that. The
board tends to vote unanimously and does not typically see this
coming up at the board level, she said.
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY stated that should a tie happen, the
procedure should be on the record.
MS. CARROLL replied that the board would have to make a policy
and establish the steps.
8:35:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY suggested that Representative Carrick
explain what she had covered in a previous hearing.
8:35:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK directed her response to Representative
McKay, and explained that the board would be increased to 12
members and a majority of board members present for the quorum
would be required to approve a motion. She reiterated that
votes are usually unanimous, and it is unlikely it would ever
come down to just one vote. However, there is a process in
place for a tie situation in that it would take seven members to
approve any motion.
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY reiterated his belief that voting should be
clear so as not to end up with a gridlock situation and be
unable to move forward.
8:37:10 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD offered her understanding that the voting
follows Robert's Rules [Robert's Rules of Order], and in
Robert's Rules, a tie fails.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK confirmed that Co-Chair Allard was
correct in stating that a tie vote [6-6] would fail.
8:38:25 AM
TIM WOODIE, representing self, testified in support of HB 9. He
expressed deep concerns about the future of Alaska and the
education system. He explained his personal connections to
present and former university faculty members and had heard
their frustrations and concerns. He said it was an injustice
not to faculty members on the board of regents and opined that
this should have been done long ago. He urged the committee not
to delay in making it happen now.
8:40:25 AM
MAX KULLBERG, representing self, provided a brief background and
testified in support of HB 9. He stated that the bill would be
a step in the right direction for including shared government at
the university. Other regents could lean on a faculty regent
when it comes to making decisions, as they possess comprehensive
understanding. Adding a faculty regent would follow a national
trend happening across the country, he said.
8:43:16 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked Mr. Kullberg whether he was a faculty
member, and whether he was a part of the union.
MR. KULLBERG replied he has a long history with the university
and is now a faculty member as an associate professor. He
clarified that he was part of the union but does not take part
in meetings.
8:46:14 AM
KEVIN MAIER, representing self, provided his background and
testified in support of HB 9. He stated that the addition of a
faculty regent would represent a government where all voices are
heard, and decisions are made collectively and democratically.
8:48:18 AM
WILLIAM CASON, representing self, testified in support of HB 9
and urged the committee to support adding a faculty member to
the university board.
8:49:18 AM
ART NASH, Associate Professor of Energy, University of Alaska
Fairbanks (UAF), testified in support of HGB 9. He offered a
brief introduction before expressing support for HB 9.
8:51:57 AM
JOEL POTTER, representing self, testified in support of HB 9.
He thanked the committee for taking public testimony and
expressed his support for HB 9.
8:55:15 AM
STACEY LUCASON, representing self, testified in support of HB 9.
She stated she is a former member of the board of regents, and
she said that while the board is composed of enthusiastic
committee members with a variety of experience, specifically
including a student member could bring a unique insight.
8:58:01 AM
ALEX JORGENSEN, representing self, testified in support of HB 9.
He said he echoed what previous testifiers have said, and that
the knowledge and experience a faculty member could bring to the
table is a positive. Adding a faculty regent, he said, would
increase the strength of the university and in turn improve
Alaska.
8:59:35 AM
AMY LAUREN LOVECRAFT, Professor, University of Alaska Fairbanks
(UAF), testified in support of HB 9, and provided the committee
with a personal perspective. She stated that the addition of a
faculty member would provide a current "finger on the pulse" of
what is happening with the university.
9:05:03 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE closed public testimony on HB 9.
9:05:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK provided a brief wrap-up and offered to
connect with the committee to provide further answers to any
questions.
9:06:19 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that HB 9 was held over.