Regents are appointed by the governor for eight year terms, subject to legislative confirmation. A student regent is appointed for two years from cantidates nominated on each campus. Anchorage Regent Michael J. Burns was elected president of the board succeeding Michael P. Kelly of Fairbanks who served two terms as president. Elsa Froehlich Demeksa of Juneau was elected vice president, succeeding Dan Ogg of Kodiak. Annette Nelson-Wright, the student regent from Juneau, was elected secretary, succeeding Mary Jane Fate of Fairbanks, and Chancy Croft of Anchorage was reelected treasurer.
Office terms are for one year.
The action came after regents heard all three of the university system chancellors say they need the RIP in order to balance budgets and protect programs and courses at their campuses. During a meeting of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee the day before the annual meeting, Deb Ajango, director of UAA's Alaska Wilderness Studies program, read an open letter to the regents in which she alleged that she was instructed as to what she could and couldn't say in her initial report on the accident. Regents directed university President Komisar to look into Ajango's allegations and report back to the board. The funds will cover Municipality of Anchorage inspection costs, landscaping, furniture, fixtures and equipment. The plan for the proceeds was approved by the regents subject to the university administration and the proprietor of the Golden Zone Mine entering into an agreement for the long term use of the Golden Zone Mine by the university.