Budget update: Sept. 23, 2020
September 23, 2020
— by Dan White, chancellor
Last December, ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ launched an expedited administrative review process that was completed
in April 2020. That process resulted in some good suggestions, including adopting
a shared service model for distributed business offices. As many of you know, we are
in the process of implementing shared services for some business office functions
across campus. One of the outcomes from last year’s process was a request to provide
input to ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ’s administrative management structure.
As a follow-up to last year’s request, and in parallel with this year’s expedited
academic review, we will have an expedited administrative management review to allow
for more focused input into our senior administrative structure. This review will
not be about any individual senior administrator or a performance evaluation — that
is the role of supervisors and Human Resources. However, in my conversations with
Faculty Senate about this, I agreed with them that such a review is a healthy part
of our governance process and one in which faculty and staff can contribute constructively
to how ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ is administered and managed. Like last year, the committee’s report will
be sent to me for review and consideration. A review process will be forthcoming.
The vice chancellors and I met today to re-review the Planning and Budget Committee
proposal ranking summary from May 21, 2020, as well as the latest strategic enrollment
planning projects list. Our intent is to revisit the ranking summaries to identify
additional strategic initiatives and areas with cost-saving opportunities and revenue
generation potential. Given the additional budget pressures in FY22 from year three
of Gov. Dunleavy’s compact agreement, it is important that any new or recurring investments
by ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ have a return on investment.
ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ’s core leadership will also meet on Thursday to address the FY22 budget guidance that was sent to the provost and vice chancellors on Aug. 19 and discuss reductions
in each prospective area. FY22 will be the third and final year of the compact agreement.
As we look forward and plan for our future, we are focused on increasing revenues
through enrollment growth and reducing costs through a footprint reduction.
We have many aging facilities that carry heavy operations and maintenance expenses;
these buildings may be considered for soft closure or demolition. Shrinking our footprint
will not be easy, but it is necessary for ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ’s present and its ability to grow in
the future. It is important that our on-the-ground environment is inviting and revitalized
for students, and that we offer them facilities that match the cutting-edge education
they receive here at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ.
As I look at shrinking our footprint, I will share ideas that leadership, co-workers
and students are putting forward, and I encourage you to share your ideas with me
at uaf.chancellor@alaska.edu.
Thank you for choosing ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ!