A resolution asking the state to continue funding the Kenai Peninsula College will be introduced at Tuesday’s Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting.
Gov. Dunleavy’s proposed budget has reduced the University of Alaska’s budget by more than 40 percent. Such a cut would result in several campus closures, including a potential closure of the Kenai Peninsula College campus.
Assembly members Wayne Ogle, Dale Bagley and Hal Smalley will introduce a resolution supporting the community’s campus, which was founded in 1964.
The Kenai Peninsula College is responsible for all postsecondary education within the borough’s boundaries. With an average of 5,700 students enrolled annually, the college is the largest University of Alaska community campus and is even larger than the Juneau campus in enrollment and student credit hours.
Last year, the borough provided $817,775 to support the college. The borough and the city of Valdez are the only municipalities that provide monetary funding to their colleges.
The resolution asks the state to continue current funding the Kenai Peninsula College. The resolution will be provided to the governor, the state Legislature and the University of Alaska Board of Regents.
