HB 10-ADD FACULTY MEMBER UNIV BOARD OF REGENTS    3:18:43 PM CHAIR CARRICK announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 10, "An Act relating to the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska." 3:19:14 PM CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on HB 10. 3:19:44 PM JILL DUMESNIL, President, United Academics, testified in support of HB 10. She remarked that adding a faculty regent would complement the pre-existing student regent and ensure faculty perspectives and expertise are utilized. She said that currently one faculty member, a faculty alliance chair is allowed seven minutes to address the board at each quarterly board meeting. For all other faculty members that wish to speak directly to the board, they must call into a one-hour public testimony and are allowed only two minutes to speak. She expressed that HB 10 has broad support from faculty members across Alaska's universities, including the faculty senates and faculty unions. 3:21:14 PM ABIGAIL SCHIFFMILLER, Graduate Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks, testified in support of HB 10. She explained that the core missions at the University of Alaska are teaching and research. She remarked that as a graduate student she has contributed to both these missions. She supports the addition of a faculty regent because it aligns with the two core missions. She remarked that it is critical to the state and its stakeholders. 3:24:27 PM MATTHEW CUELLAR, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Alaska Anchorage, testified in support of HB 10. He remarked that HB 10 is a transformative step for the university system and would empower the Board of Regents to more fully represent the voice of the faculty, an important but often underrepresented group. By creating a space for inclusive dialog, this bill calls for a more collaborative and responsive leadership structure. 3:25:42 PM JACQUELINE CASON, Faculty Senate President, University of Alaska Anchorage, testified in support of HB 10. She reported that an article from the Inside Higher Education publication noted that faculty members are the university staff that students trust the most. She said this is because students know faculty members well. She remarked that because the teaching and learning relationship are critical to the university mission, it is important to have this voice. She remarked that a comprehensive understanding of the university system would foster better decision-making. 3:28:09 PM CHAIR CARRICK closed public testimony on HB 10. 3:28:27 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND noted that when the bill was introduced, he had asked questions about qualifications for faculty regency. He said he reached out to faculty and expressed his support for the bill in its current formulation. 3:29:26 PM CHAIR CARRICK set an amendment deadline and announced that HB 10 was held over.