What others say: UAF begins search for a leader

  • Tuesday, December 20, 2016 4:15pm
  • Opinion

The University of Alaska Fairbanks has been the state’s flagship college campus for almost 100 years, and soon it may again have a permanent chancellor. Budget woes caused the delay in finding a permanent replacement for departed Chancellor Brian Rogers, who resigned in August 2015. And though interim Chancellors Mike Powers and Dana Thomas have served the campus well since then, a permanent chancellor will give the institution clarity of direction and stability going forward at a time when those qualities are sorely needed.

Former Chancellor Rogers, who had served since 2008, left his post in August 2015 after the first year of strong legislative pressure to reduce the system’s budget. The resignation came as a shock; not only was Chancellor Rogers well regarded in the community, but he also was considered a leading candidate to take over as president of the entire university system from departing President Patrick Gamble. In announcing his resignation, Chancellor Rogers cited health issues brought on by the stress of office, stemming not only from the budget pressure but also UAF’s issues relating to compliance with advising requirements for NCAA athletes.

The intervening year and four months for UAF and other University of Alaska Fairbanks campuses has indeed been challenging. Two years of reduced budgets for the institution resulted in the consideration and later rejection of single accreditation across the university’s campuses. That proposed shift, considered as a cost-saving measure, caused the university to drop a nationwide search for a permanent chancellor after three finalists, all of them from outside Alaska, had already been selected. This year, an internal university report suggested that the savings from single accreditation would not be nearly as pronounced as expected, and there would be considerable risks of negative impacts that would outweigh any potential savings.

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

Accordingly, after strong work by interim chancellors Mike Powers and Dana Thomas, UAF is once again beginning a search for a permanent chancellor. This should be a positive for the campus. Though both Mr. Powers and Mr. Thomas have done good work for UAF, more continuity of effort would help that work take root. When Mr. Powers was interim chancellor, for instance, he announced a new focus on Title IX compliance and support of potential victims of domestic violence and sexual assault on campus. And though UAF has certainly made noticeable strides in adopting an attitude condemning those problems, recent allegations by students going through the Title IX process would be a good place for a permanent chancellor to focus and provide a sustained change for the institution.

The search for a chancellor will be nationwide, though strong consideration will be given to applicants who have in-state experience. That’s wise, as the university’s budget level appears far from settled, and much work will need to be done making changes under President Jim Johnsen’s Strategic Pathways plan. As the university approaches its centennial, UAF should remain the system’s flagship campus for many years to come, and a permanent chancellor will help lead the way.

— Fairbanks Daily News-Miner,

Dec. 15

More in Opinion

President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia at a joint news conference in Helsinki, Finland, July 16, 2018. (Doug Mills/The New York Times file photo)
Opinion: Mistaking flattery for respect

Flattery played a role in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Life is harder when you outlive your support group

Long-time friends are more important than ever to help us cope, to remind us we are not alone and that others feel the same way.

Deven Mitchell is the executive director and chief executive officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.)
Opinion: The key to a stronger fund: Diversification

Diversification is a means of stabilizing returns and mitigating risk.

A silver salmon is weighed at Three Bears in Kenai, Alaska. Evelyn McCoy, customer service PIC at Three Bears, looks on. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Will coho salmon be the next to disappear in the Kenai River?

Did we not learn anything from the disappearance of the kings from the Kenai River?

Jonathan Flora is a lifelong commercial fisherman and dockworker from Homer, Alaska.
Point of View: Not fishing for favors — Alaskans need basic health care access

We ask our elected officials to oppose this bill that puts our health and livelihoods in danger.

Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: Public schools do much more than just teach the three Rs

Isn’t it worth spending the money to provide a quality education for each student that enters our schools?

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter to the Editor: Law enforcement officers helped ensure smooth, secure energy conference

Their visible commitment to public safety allowed attendees to focus fully on collaboration, learning, and the important conversations shaping our path forward.

Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo
The present-day KTOO public broadcasting building, built in 1959 for the U.S. Army’s Alaska Communications System Signal Corps, is located on filled tidelands near Juneau’s subport. Today vehicles on Egan Drive pass by the concrete structure with satellite dishes on the roof that receive signals from NPR, PBS and other sources.
My Turn: Stand for the community radio, not culture war optics

Alaskans are different and we pride ourselves on that. If my vehicle… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) delivers his annual speech to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Sullivan, Trump and the rule of lawlessness

In September 2023, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan established his own Alaska Federal… Continue reading

UAA Provost Denise Runge photographed outside the Administration and Humanities Building at the University of Alaskas Anchorage. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: UAA’s College of Health — Empowering Alaska’s future, one nurse at a time

At the University of Alaska Anchorage, we understand the health of our… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, address a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: A noncongressman for Alaska?

It’s right to ask whether Nick Begich is a noncongressman for Alaska.… Continue reading

Boats return to the Homer Harbor at the end of the fishing period for the 30th annual Winter King Salmon Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Opinion: Funding sustainable fisheries

Spring is always a busy season for Alaska’s fishermen and fishing communities.… Continue reading

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in