A Kenai Peninsula College sign can be seen in this undated photo. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

A Kenai Peninsula College sign can be seen in this undated photo. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

University releases proposal for program cuts

The proposal does not recommend the suspension or deletion of any KPC programs.

The University of Alaska Anchorage has released a list of programs that may be eliminated or suspended to cope with budget cuts arranged by the university system and Gov. Mike Dunleavy last year. The proposal, posted on the university’s website on Tuesday, does not recommend the suspension or deletion of any programs at Kenai Peninsula College.

This year, the University of Alaska system is facing a second consecutive $25 million cut in state funding, which will be followed by another $20 million cut in 2020-2021, UAA’s website says. To address the funding cuts, UAA is seeking to reduce the number of degree programs they offer. In his proposed FY20 budget, Dunleavy called for a $135 million cut to the university system, but that number was reduced to a $70 million cut over the three years.

All programs offered at the University of Alaska Anchorage, which includes the Kenai Peninsula College, MatSu College, Prince William Sound College and Kodiak College, were included in the review process.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

No Kenai Peninsula College programs were identified for suspension or deletion, Gary Turner, the college’s director, said. However, the college’s corrections occupational endorsement certificate and undergraduate certificate programs will undergo revision, Turner said. The general business associate’s degree is a program shared across campuses and is recommended for a continued review, Turner said.

In their proposal, the university said the majority of UAA’s degree and certificate programs will not be impacted by the budget reductions. To figure out what should stay and what should go, an expedited academic program review began this month and will conclude in June when the Board of Regents makes its final decisions.

The proposal released Tuesday includes six recommendation options: the enhancement of the program; continuing the program with no changes; revising the program; reviewing the program again in a two-year time period; suspending the program and stop accepting new students; and deleting the program within a defined period of time.

There are nine programs at UAA that are being considered for deletion, including the Master of Arts in anthropology, Master of Science in clinical psychology, Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and literary arts, Master of Education in early childhood special education, Master of Arts in English, Bachelor of Science in environment and society, legal studies and paralegal undergraduate certificate, bachelor’s degrees in sociology and Bachelor of Arts in theater.

There are 10 programs being considered for suspension at UAA, including Associate of Applied Science in aviation administration, undergraduate certificate of civic engagement, Bachelor of Arts in hospitality administration, Associate of Applied Science and occupational endorsement and undergraduate certificates in logistics and supply chain operations, Bachelor of Business Administration in management information systems, occupational endorsement certificate in office foundations and support, occupational endorsement certificate in radiologic tech and limited radiography and Associate of Applied Science in welding and nondestructive testing.

Some programs were recommended for enhancements, like nursing, accounting, fire and emergency services technology, health sciences, pharmacy technology and social work.

The recommendations are not final decisions for each program. The Board of Regents will make a final decision in June.

More in News

Sterling Elementary School students collect trash from the banks of the Kenai River near Bing’s Landing in Sterling, Alaska, during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Cleaning up the mess that’s left behind

Students from six local schools combed for litter during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai land sales proposal delayed amid council concerns

The ordinance would amend city code to add new language allowing officers and employees to participate in property sales.

Greg Springer delivers a presentation on sockeye fishing during A Day at the River at Centennial Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gearing up for summer fishing

Trout Unlimited and the Kenai Watershed Forum host “A Day at the River.”

Tyson Cox speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough awards Homer schools improvements contracts

Funding for improvements to the Homer High School entrance comes out of the 2022 bond package.

A young girl digs for razor clams at the Ninilchik Beach in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Saturday, July 1, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
East Cook Inlet clamming to remain closed for 2025

The causes of these conditions remain unknown but likely include effects from habitat changes and predation, officials said.

Graduates process into the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘The kinds of leaders Alaska and the world needs’

KPC graduates congratulated as they head into the next chapter of their lives.

Homer Electric Association General Manager Brad Janorschke speaks at the utility’s annual meeting of the members at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
HEA manager talks natural gas, hazard trees, rates at annual meeting

Natural gas remains the “backbone” of the utility’s energy production.

Most Read