University of Alaska

Fall sun hits the University of Alaska Fairbanks entrance sign on September 13, 2023. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

For some University of Alaska faculty, the next paycheck could be $0

University officials say they have made headway on problem, faculty will be paid “as soon as possible.”

 

Sunset hues color the sky and the snow at the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus on Feb. 26. Enrollment in the University of Alaska system is growing, as are research programs, notably the Arctic-focused programs for which UAF is famous, said University of Alaska President Pat Pitney. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

University of Alaska president celebrates ‘meaningful progress’ at state’s varied campuses

After years of uncertainty, budget woes and contraction, the University of Alaska system is now growing again, the system’s president said on Monday. Student enrollment… Continue reading

 

Tuckerman Babcock hosts a rally in Soldotna during his campaign for state Senate in October of 2022. On Wednesday he was appointed to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Babcock has a long and controversial political history in Alaska, including illegally demanding hundreds of state employees sign loyalty oaths to Dunleavy or be fired. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Tuckerman Babcock gets recess appointment to UA board by Dunleavy

Selection of controversial political strategist comes after Legislature’s rejection of Bethany Marcum.

 

A joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday votes 29-31 to reject Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s nomination of Bethany Marcum to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents. She was the only nominee among dozens not to be confirmed. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Legislature rejects Marcum for UA Regents

Impassioned speeches made ahead of 29-31 vote.

A joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday votes 29-31 to reject Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s nomination of Bethany Marcum to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents. She was the only nominee among dozens not to be confirmed. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Bethany Marcum, executive director of the Alaska Policy Forum, responds to questions from the Senate Education Committee on Friday about her nomination to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents. Her organization’s conservative policies, including backing a budget by Gov. Mike Dunleavy that proposed a 40% cut to the university system, made her the most controversial of the governor’s four nominees to the board.

Lawmakers question university board nominee who supported UA budget cut

Bethany Marcum, head of conservative think tank, hears from scathing doubters and glowing supporters

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Bethany Marcum, executive director of the Alaska Policy Forum, responds to questions from the Senate Education Committee on Friday about her nomination to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents. Her organization’s conservative policies, including backing a budget by Gov. Mike Dunleavy that proposed a 40% cut to the university system, made her the most controversial of the governor’s four nominees to the board.
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File The sun partially shines on the University of Alaska sign in late February. University of Alaska President Pat Pitney announced Wednesday her selection of Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer as the new leader of the University of Alaska Southeast.

UA announces selection of new UAS chancellor

Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer is expected to begin the role in July

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File The sun partially shines on the University of Alaska sign in late February. University of Alaska President Pat Pitney announced Wednesday her selection of Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer as the new leader of the University of Alaska Southeast.
University of Alaska President Pat Pitney speaks to members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

UA president talks new UAS chancellor, ‘fiscal stability’ of university system

Chancellor selection to be announced in coming weeks, president says

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney speaks to members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A school bus drives past the entrance of The University of Alaska Southeast on Tuesday afternoon. Pat Pitney, president of the statewide university system, highlighted ongoing and new efforts to by campuses including UAS to lure students into the teaching programs and subsequently remain as public school teachers in the state. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Sky’s the limit for recovering UA, president says

“State of the University” highlights fiscal and enrollment stability, unique programs such as drones

A school bus drives past the entrance of The University of Alaska Southeast on Tuesday afternoon. Pat Pitney, president of the statewide university system, highlighted ongoing and new efforts to by campuses including UAS to lure students into the teaching programs and subsequently remain as public school teachers in the state. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Students smile as they walk to their classes for the first day of fall semester at the University of Alaska Southeast. The University of Alaska is set to receive 360,000 acres of federal land within the next four years, set in motion by a clause included in the recently passed $1.7 trillion federal spending bill. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

University of Alaska set to receive 360,000 acres of federal land

UAS chancellor hopeful Southeast Alaska lands will be included in transfer

Students smile as they walk to their classes for the first day of fall semester at the University of Alaska Southeast. The University of Alaska is set to receive 360,000 acres of federal land within the next four years, set in motion by a clause included in the recently passed $1.7 trillion federal spending bill. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program conducts a preflight checklist before the Asteroid Bounce campaign Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, in Gakona, Alaska, as temperatures hit 40 below. The mission is slated for Dec. 27. (Photo courtesy UAF/GI photo by JR Ancheta)

Alaska research site to send radio signal to asteroid

The purpose of the experiment is to probe the interior of the asteroid

The High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program conducts a preflight checklist before the Asteroid Bounce campaign Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, in Gakona, Alaska, as temperatures hit 40 below. The mission is slated for Dec. 27. (Photo courtesy UAF/GI photo by JR Ancheta)
This photo shows the TikTok icon on a phone screen. University of Alaska and travel industry officials recently joined forces to attract potential students to employment and learning opportunities in Alaska through the popular app. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

New kids on the Tok

University uses popular app to reach new students as states move to ban it from government devices.

This photo shows the TikTok icon on a phone screen. University of Alaska and travel industry officials recently joined forces to attract potential students to employment and learning opportunities in Alaska through the popular app. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the University of Alaska Southeast Juneau campus on a rainy day. UA administration and faculty have reached a tentative end to 14 months of negotiations. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

UA administration and faculty union reach tentative deal

While 14-month negotiation has ended, unfair labor practice complaints process still ongoing.

This photo shows the University of Alaska Southeast Juneau campus on a rainy day. UA administration and faculty have reached a tentative end to 14 months of negotiations. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
The University of Alaska Southeast annual fall lecture series Evening at Egan returned on Friday, Sept. 9 and runs until Nov. 18. All lectures start at 7 p.m. at the Egan Library on the Juneau campus and are free and open to the public. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Evening at Egan is back for the fall

In-person lectures return next month.

The University of Alaska Southeast annual fall lecture series Evening at Egan returned on Friday, Sept. 9 and runs until Nov. 18. All lectures start at 7 p.m. at the Egan Library on the Juneau campus and are free and open to the public. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
UNAC supporters Angel Collins, JoMarie Alba and Lisa Hoferkamp hold signs Thursday morning in the middle of a Glacier Highway roundabout near the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau. The University of Alaska Board of Regents began a two-day meeting at UAS on Thursday. University of Alaska and the faculty union have not come to an agreement after over a year of negotiations. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Union rally greets university regents

Faculty union, supporters make presence felt morning of two-day meeting.

UNAC supporters Angel Collins, JoMarie Alba and Lisa Hoferkamp hold signs Thursday morning in the middle of a Glacier Highway roundabout near the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau. The University of Alaska Board of Regents began a two-day meeting at UAS on Thursday. University of Alaska and the faculty union have not come to an agreement after over a year of negotiations. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Rear Adm. Nathan Moore, commander of Coast Guard District 17, speaks during a ceremony at University of Alaska Southeast for the renewal of the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative on July 25, 2022. (Courtesy photo / USCG)

Coast Guard and UAS renew commissioning program partnership

The Coast Guard is always seeking new talent for its officer corps.

Rear Adm. Nathan Moore, commander of Coast Guard District 17, speaks during a ceremony at University of Alaska Southeast for the renewal of the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative on July 25, 2022. (Courtesy photo / USCG)
Marine life sculpted by Gary Staab and Ray Troll adorn the wall outside the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ College of Fisheries and Ocean Science building at Lena Point. UAF is offering a new Master of Marine Policy Program in partnership with University of Alaska Southeast. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

University of Alaska launches new marine policy graduate program

The master’s degree is purpose built for this most-maritime of states.

Marine life sculpted by Gary Staab and Ray Troll adorn the wall outside the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ College of Fisheries and Ocean Science building at Lena Point. UAF is offering a new Master of Marine Policy Program in partnership with University of Alaska Southeast. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Members of United Academics - American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers Local 4996 gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to call on University of Alaska officials to agree to a negotiated contract. Faculty at the university haven't seen a pay increase in six years, but UA officials say there isn't money for what the union is asking. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Faculty union rallies for renewed negotiations

Thursday talks.

Members of United Academics - American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers Local 4996 gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to call on University of Alaska officials to agree to a negotiated contract. Faculty at the university haven't seen a pay increase in six years, but UA officials say there isn't money for what the union is asking. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This October 2020 photo shows the University of Alaska Southeast campus. Neo (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

UA moves forward with faculty salary increases; union says negotiations aren’t done

The university and United Academics have recently been engaged in federal mediation.

This October 2020 photo shows the University of Alaska Southeast campus. Neo (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
The University of Alaska and the union representing full-time faculty across the system, including the University of Alaska Southeast, have agreed to enter into federal mediation after eight months of contract negotiations have failed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

University and faculty union head into mediation

Inflation pressures.

The University of Alaska and the union representing full-time faculty across the system, including the University of Alaska Southeast, have agreed to enter into federal mediation after eight months of contract negotiations have failed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
University of Alaska President Pat Pitney spoke to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Thursday, March 3, 2022, emphasizing the system’s importance to the state’s workforce. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

UA seeks to rebuild enrollment

UA President: Infrastructure jobs are coming, Alaskans could fill them.

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney spoke to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Thursday, March 3, 2022, emphasizing the system’s importance to the state’s workforce. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)