SB 167-INFO ABOUT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS WENDY REDMOND, University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), explained the idea for SB 167 came from the State of Georgia which provides free tuition to every student who maintains a "B" average. SB 167 provides free tuition at the University of Alaska (UA) for four years to the top ten percent of students in every Alaskan high school. Governor Knowles introduced similar legislation last year. The University thought it was such a good idea it proceeded with the program using money from its natural resources fund. President Hamilton reviewed nationwide statistics and discovered that Alaska ranks last in the nation in its retention of high school graduates who attend college. According to the national average, between 70 and 80 percent of the states' high school graduates go to colleges in state. Alaska averages 40 percent. Alaskan students are not attending better schools outside of the state; they are going to 400 colleges, many of which cannot hold a candle to programs offered at UA campuses. The State is currently spending millions of dollars to educate students here but it is not a good investment to spend so much money to make our students smart for export. MS. REDMOND said that although the scholars' program was initiated internally, UA needs statutory authority to make the program fully functional. Not all high schools are forthcoming with the information necessary to allow UA to offer their top ten percent of students free tuition; one problem being a federal law that requires privacy. That federal law can be overridden if the state has a law mandating that high schools provide the information. For awards to be granted in a timely manner, it is important that this legislation be passed this year. UA has been obtaining the names of the top ten percent of students in their junior year so that it has one year to recruit those students. Most students make their college decisions early in their senior year. SB 167 provides that the requested information be provided at the end of a student's junior year. MS. REDMOND pointed out that Ann Ringstad is administering the program, and that the program has been designed to fit with the Alaskan experience. Students can leave the State during their freshman year of college and still get free tuition to UA in their sophomore year. Students can also take one year off between high school and their freshman year. Students who are home schooled, not using the state's correspondence program, are not eligible at this time. Number 126 SENATOR WILKEN commended the bill and asked Ms. Redmond if the University will be able to obtain the names of juniors this year if the bill is delayed in the next few weeks due to fiscal problems. MS. REDMOND replied UA is moving forward with the program. She added that names are often obtained from parents who call the University for information. She noted the Fairbanks school district was the most problematic, however permission slips were eventually obtained from parents for the release of students' names. SENATOR WILKEN recommended that committee members read the scholar's sheet in committee packets. He noted 733 students are taking advantage of the program, and that quality begets quality. He stated this bill also signifies President Hamilton's desire to interface State and University programs. Number 164 SENATOR ELTON indicated he liked the Governor's proposal because it provided new money to the University. He asked Ms. Redmond to discuss what UA will lose by diverting resources to the scholars' program. MS. REDMOND replied that of course the University would like to have more money for the scholars' program. The natural resources fund is currently supporting natural resource research projects which will have to be put on hold. She stated the University feels comfortable considering young people as a natural resource. SENATOR ELTON asked how the scholars program works in a school district, such as Galena which has two high schools, and whether students might be encouraged to attend different schools where they have a better shot at being in the top ten percent. MS. REDMOND said the answer to the Galena situation is that 10 percent of students from both the charter school and the public school are offered scholarships. The second issue of "shopping for schools" has not been discussed but she does not think that will occur in huge numbers because people will actually have to move. CHAIRMAN MILLER commended the University and Senator Wilken for their work on the scholars' program. There being no further discussion, SENATOR WILKEN reported SB 167 out of committee with individual recommendations and its HES fiscal note. There being no objection, the motion carried.