Opinion ID: 1312478
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Restructuring of University of Alaska

Text: Prior to restructuring in 1987, the University of Alaska was composed of five administrative units: University of Alaska-Fairbanks; University of Alaska-Anchorage; University of Alaska-Juneau; Anchorage Community College; and the community college, rural education and extension (CCREE) unit. The CCREE unit oversaw programs in ten community colleges located around the state. Anchorage Community College was treated separately because of its size. Donald O'Dowd, President of the University, stated in an affidavit that chancellors headed each of the five units. The chancellors controlled separate administrative structures and reported to the president. Within the CCREE unit, presidents headed each community college. The presidents controlled separate administrative structures and reported to the CCREE chancellor. Thus, the southcentral region of the state alone had three chancellors and two college presidents, each of whom headed an administrative substructure of vice chancellors or vice presidents and numerous department heads. The University's budget for fiscal year (FY) 1985 was $170 million. Thereafter, appropriations declined. The budget in FY 1986 was $22 million less than FY 1985, and in FY 1987 the budget was reduced by another $15 million. The University president became convinced that to maintain the existing level of services in the face of the substantial budget cuts, it was necessary to reduce duplication in the University's administrative structure. After over forty hours of public hearings, the president proposed a reorganization plan to the Board of Regents, the governing body of the University, in December of 1986. With some modification, the Board adopted the plan. The reorganization plan replaced the five administrative units with a three-unit structure, with each unit representing a geographical area of the state rather than a particular type of program or institution. The merger did not cut back on the services previously offered by the community colleges, but only changed their administration. The programs previously administered by the individual community colleges are now administered by the regional institutions.