Rae Beltran

The Students-First Action Agenda for the University of Alaska Systemwide focuses on aligning strategic enrollment and student success efforts. It is guided by principles of Access, Belonging, Affordability, and Completion, aiming to increase access to higher education, improve retention and degree completion, strengthen pathways to high-demand careers, and align resources with impact. The plan seeks to reimagine undergraduate education by prioritizing the student experience from recruitment to career readiness, making UAA, UAF, and UAS schools of first choice and places of belonging and support for all students.

The University of Alaska Regents meeting covered several key areas. The Audit and Finance Committee recommended the adoption of audited financial statements for the University of Alaska and the Education Trust of Alaska. The Ad Hoc Committee on Recruitment, Retention, and Graduation recommended approval of related metrics. The Academic and Student Affairs Committee suggested discontinuing specific Associate of Applied Science degrees at the University of Alaska Anchorage. The Facilities and Land Management Committee recommended approval of the Harper building disposal plan. The full board approved tuition rates for Academic Year 2027, the FY27 Operating and Capital Budget Requests, revisions to Regents' Policy 01.02.025 (Discrimination) and 04.02 (Equal Employment Opportunity and Access), revisions to Regents Policy 06.02 Public Records, and the 2027 meeting schedule.

The Board of Regents meeting included presentations on the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) student experience and recognition of the Empower Alaska Incentive Program winners. Governance reports covered faculty, staff, and student concerns, while chancellors reported on their respective universities. The board discussed federal budget landscapes, operating and capital budget requests, long-range capital plans, and tuition rates for AY27. Policy updates included revisions to discrimination and public records policies. Committee reports covered innovation, academic and student affairs, recruitment, retention, graduation, audit and finance, and facilities and land management. The board also approved honorary degrees and meritorious service awards, and discussed the Roadmap to Empower Alaska.

The Board of Regents meeting included discussions and actions on various topics. These included disclosures by regents, adoption of the agenda, student experiences at Kenai Peninsula College, governance and chancellor's reports, and the president's report. The board also discussed the Innovation Exploratory Working Groups and received a report from the Ad Hoc Committee for Recruitment, Retention, and Graduation, including approval to accept the EAB report and adopt the committee's recommendations. Additionally, there was approval of an amendment to the FY25 Natural Resources Fund Budget, an update on the Roadmap to Empower Alaska, presentations on athletics business plans, community campus updates, and approval of a bond refunding proposal. Other actions included approving revisions to several Regents' Policies, setting the location for the February 2026 meeting, and conditionally approving a bargaining unit agreement. The board also reaffirmed its dedication to being an inclusive, nondiscriminatory institution.

The meeting included updates on advocacy efforts and contingency budget planning, addressing potential budget scenarios and their effects. The board discussed the FY20 Operating Budget Appropriation and Distribution Plan, along with the FY20 Capital Budget Appropriation and Distribution Plan. The board authorized the president to use internal contingency funds or receive advances from the Office of Management and Budget to manage financial needs and maintain essential services.