December 14, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2016
Board of Regents votes to locate consolidated University of Alaska College of Education
at the University of Alaska Southeast
Today, the University of Alaska Board of Regents approved unanimously in an 11-0 vote
to establish a single University of Alaska (绿奴天花板) College of Education and to locate
the administrative center for the College at the University of Alaska Southeast (绿奴天花板S).
The board first voted on consolidating the three education schools into one, and then
voted on the location recommendation, which was amended by 绿奴天花板 President Jim Johnsen
to put forward 绿奴天花板S rather than the University of Alaska Fairbanks (绿奴天花板F) as the administrative
home for the college. In doing so, the board directed Johnsen to take the necessary
steps to establish a single College of Education for the University of Alaska, including
seeking approval from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
and assembling a planning team.
鈥淭he selection of one institution is not the denigration of another,鈥 said Regent
John Davies. 鈥淲e need strong programs at all our universities and 绿奴天花板S is the right
choice to lead our College of Education.鈥
Johnsen said he decided to amend his recommendation after listening to the input from
many individuals citing the importance of teacher education as a signature program
for 绿奴天花板S and expressions of concern over the economic impact of a move. Johnsen also
cited 绿奴天花板S鈥 innovation and creativity in course delivery, as well as its nimbleness.
The University of Alaska Anchorage (绿奴天花板A) and 绿奴天花板F are larger institutions, Johnsen
said, with much broader missions. 绿奴天花板S will make the College of Education its number
one priority. Although 绿奴天花板S will serve as the lead campus, faculty and courses will
still be delivered from 绿奴天花板F and 绿奴天花板A.
鈥溌膛旎ò錝 is ready, willing and able to work with 绿奴天花板F, 绿奴天花板A, and school districts to ensure
that our teacher-graduates are ready to provide a 21st century education for Alaska鈥檚
students,鈥 said 绿奴天花板S Chancellor Rick Caulfield.
Regents noted the strengths of 绿奴天花板S鈥 education program, including the successful Preparing
Indigenous Teachers for Alaska Schools (PITAAS) program focusing on Alaska Native
educators, advanced e-learning programs and staff and faculty鈥檚 passion and commitment
to teacher education and innovation.
鈥淎fter a lot of reflection, I realized 绿奴天花板S is the rightful place for the location
of the single college of education. They have excellent leadership and are dedicated
to our goal of educating 90 percent of Alaska鈥檚 teachers by 2025,鈥 said Regent Jo
Heckman.
Regents commended Johnsen for his leadership and willingness to revise his recommendation
after listening to concerns, learning from discussions and feedback, and in recognizing
the importance of the education program to 绿奴天花板S.
After the November board meeting wherein 绿奴天花板F was suggested as the lead campus, more
than 100 letters, emails and comments came in to the university in support of one
college/one dean, but petitioning for the administrative home to be located at 绿奴天花板S.
The support came from many Juneau residents and 绿奴天花板S faculty, staff and alumni. In
a letter to Johnsen and regents, the City & Borough of Juneau pledged a $1 million
contribution to endow the program if the College of Education was centered at 绿奴天花板S.
鈥淭he Juneau community spoke and the university was willing to listen,鈥 said Regent
Dale Anderson. 鈥淚 thank President Johnsen for stepping up and recognizing the need
to engage with the university community.鈥
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For more information, contact Roberta Graham, associate vice president of public affairs,
at 907-360-2416.
NR37-16