University of Alaska regents explore campus reorganizations

By DAN JOLING
Associated Press
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – The University of Alaska will consider merging its three accredited campuses into a single entity as part of a plan to reduce costs.

The UA Board of Regents voted Tuesday to authorize President Jim Johnsen to immediately reduce administrative costs and prepare a plan for a transition to a single institution.

The university faces severe budget cuts.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy last month vetoed $130 million in state funding for the university on top of a $5 million reduction by the state legislature. That meant a 41% total reduction of state support.

The university has main campuses in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau with 13 satellite campuses under their control.

Regents rejected a plan by chancellors of the three main campuses to make reductions but keep the separate institutions intact.