Thomas H. Wardleigh, chairman of the Alaskan Aviation Safety Foundation, told the regents the program was needed in order to train Alaskans as professional pilots. As it is now, about 200 pilots come up here each year from Outside, and as soon as they can get a couple thousand hours in the air, they move on in their careers, generally to jobs in other states.
Universities apply for re-accreditation every ten years.
UAA and UAF are now involved in self-studies, and an evaluation team will visit UAA this year and UAF next year. Laraine Derr, executive director of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association, told the regents of the importance of expanding nursing and health care education opportunities for Alaskans. This year the university has added faculty and new course offerings in nursing and health care in Anchorage, Kodiak, Fairbanks and Juneau. Nearly 300 new students enrolled in the programs this spring. UAA Provost Dr. Daniel Johnson reported that the U. S. Air Force has approved UAA's request for the establishment of an Air Force ROTC Detachment on campus.