FAIRBANKS—After seven years as University of Alaska Fairbanks chancellor, Brian Rogers on Thursday said he will retire in August, leaving a vacancy at the Fairbanks campus as the institution copes with repeated budget cuts.
A former state legislator and private business leader, Rogers served eight years on the University of Alaska Board of Regents and also helped lead the institution as finance vice president for seven years, becoming one of the prominent public policy leaders in the state. He said health reasons are one factor that led to this decision.
"A combination of factors led me to this conclusion," he said in a note to faculty, students and others released in the afternoon. "This winter and spring have been seasons of high stress for me. Failures at UAF to meet compliance obligations hit me hard. I take personally the decisions we are making to reduce or eliminate good programs. If there were things UAF was doing that I thought were not worthwhile, we would have already stopped."
The compliance issues related to NCAA violations reported by the university that covered a variety of sports, all of which began with a series of minor academic violations over a period of years. The process of cutting UAF expenses, which continues, has been a prolonged and uncertain process, in part because the school has not known what level of support it would have in Juneau.
Rogers, 64, said he is an optimistic person but the stress of the job is affecting his health. He had been widely supported in many quarters as a candidate to replace UA President Pat Gamble, who is retiring. Gamble told the regents last week that he would stay on for a few more months.
"I had not expected to seek the university presidency, and president Gamble's retirement announcement was a surprise. I considered the presidency in part buoyed by the urging and well wishes of scores of individuals who have supported me and asked me to apply. I now realize I should not and cannot take on this new five-year challenge. I deeply appreciate the support many of you have expressed, and hope you will give the new president and new chancellor the same dedication you have shown the past seven years," Rogers said.
Rogers said he and his wife, Sherry, have treasured their time at UAF "and plan to keep that association as a volunteer fundraisers, donors and advocates. We expect to contribute to Alaska, the Arctic and the university in new ways in the years ahead."
Brian and Sherry Rogers have two grown sons. All four of them studied at UAF.
A search committee for a university president to replace Gamble had asked candidates to submit their applications by March 31, though an announcement also said the position "will remain open until filled."
Rogers said he plans to offer the names of several people who could serve as interim chancellor, while a search occurs. He said he hopes the interim chancellor can be on the job by July, so there is a one-month overlap.