JUNEAU — The University of Alaska Board of Regents has extended the contract for its interim president.
The board last summer announced Pat Pitney would take over as interim president Aug. 1, and stay at least a year in the position and up to 18 months.
On Friday, the board announced a search for a permanent president would not begin until spring 2022 and that Pitney would remain as interim president until the permanent position is filled. The board, in making the announcement, cited in part funding uncertainties for the university system and a desire for stability.
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The announcement was read by board Chair Sheri Buretta after an executive session, university system spokesperson Roberta Graham said.
Pitney is subject to the 10 furlough days for top university executives announced last year and as part of her employment lives in the president’s house in Fairbanks, Graham said.
Before Pitney’s appointment as interim president, she was director of the Legislative Finance Division, which does budget and fiscal analyses for the state Legislature. She also was former Gov. Bill Walker’s budget office director and held positions within the university system for over 20 years.