Chancellor Rogers - Updates

Chancellor Rogers, recently back from Juneau, was able to provide updates on several topics concerning UAF.

• The budget is in the House Finance Subcommittee. At this point it appears Cooperative Extension may receive $190,000 and the Health Budget may receive $175,000. UAF submitted a pay raise package suggesting 60% / 40%. This would mean that 60% would come from General funds and 40% would come from Non-General funds. However, it appears this may be changed to 50% / 50% which is a short fall of $1.6 million.
• Trying to get federal funding for the Life Sciences project.
• Capital budget is extremely meager at this point. Governor Palin will have a marginal impact on UAF as she is concentrating on unemployment and K-12 issues.
• There are several hoops that must be jumped through if monies are accepted from the Stimulus Package. Example: weekly reporting on how the monies are being spent, and they must be spent rather quickly.
• There are options through the State of Alaska that UAF may be able to capitalize on to help with the budget issues. There is a Cops Grant that UAF Police Dept may be able to apply for to help with there concerns.

The Chancellor was exciting at how the Staff Appreciation Day is coming together. He realizes it will cover a variety of topics and is encouraged and excited to see all the effort being put into making this an event that will recognize staff, orient new staff, provide professional development in a fun environment.

UAF Staff Alliance Met Alaska Legislature

UAF Staff Alliance met in Juneau February 25th. Juella Sparks and Martin Klein were there for 2 days meeting with Alaska Legislators to advocate for UAF budget. There are 3 items worth noting from this trip.

1. There is real concern about another multiple appropriation budget for the university this year.
2. There is a fundamental and essential need for someone to be in Juneau advocating for UAF, possibly a Political Action Committee. UAA has established this committee and they are being utilized to the fullest extent. This would be a membership and dues paying based committee.
3. The federal economic stimulus bill is wreaking havoc with spending plans with the Alaska Legislature.

Chancellor Rogers

Chancellor Rogers attended the February 20th UAF Staff Council meeting. It was important to him to address the council in person to provide information on a variety of topics.

* The core operating budget approved by Governor Palin will cover pay raises, operating expenses, cooperative extension, maintenance and energy programs.

* The stimulus package has 8 million dollars for education and higher education, so UAF is hoping to see some of these funds.

* There is a slim to none chance the Life Science Building will happen at this time.

* There is money coming from the Federal Agency of Natural Sciences for the Arctic Research Vessel which is operated by UAF.

* The Alaska Volcano Observatory will also receive funds in their work.

* The Pell Grant will be increased by $500 over the next 2 years.

* There is 7 - 8 billion dollars of the stimulus package to increase rural broadband connectivity nationwide.

* Toolik Lake will have a benefit of 5 million dollars from the stimulus package in their work.

* Chancellor Rogers is interested in staff feedback on the supervisory training that has been occuring.