Education

Here are the next academic, administrative programs up for review at the University of Alaska

The University of Alaska has started to review additional academic and administrative programs as part of the second phase of its major "Strategic Pathways" restructuring process.

This phase will analyze human resources, institutional research, student affairs, university relations, E-learning, allied health and nursing, fisheries and community campuses.

Review teams for the four academic programs met for the first time Tuesday. Teams tasked with looking at the administrative side meet Thursday, said Robbie Graham, UA spokeswoman.

UA President Jim Johnsen initiated Strategic Pathways earlier this year as a way to reduce duplication across the sprawling statewide system — an effort to concentrate on campus strengths and cost savings. UA is bracing for another multimillion-dollar budget gap next academic year.

The first phase of Strategic Pathways is ongoing, with regents expected to vote in November on Johnsen's directives for education, business, engineering and intercollegiate athletics.

Johnsen presented his recommendations last month after review teams finished their analyses.His recommendations included moving from three schools of education with three deans, to one school with one dean.

He also recommended changes to athletics, which drew loud community objections. The changes ensure elimination of some teams at UAA and UAF, both NCAA Division II members.

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Graham said phase-two teams will present their findings on Dec. 9, and the UA Board of Regents will hear Johnsen's directives on the eight programs in March.

Phase three of Strategic Pathways is scheduled for early 2017.

Tegan Hanlon

Tegan Hanlon was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News between 2013 and 2019. She now reports for Alaska Public Media.

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