January 14, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 14, 2021
Racial justice initiative, land grant, Â鶹´«Ã½A Alpine Ski Team on the Â鶹´«Ã½ Board of Regents agenda for Friday meeting
The Â鶹´«Ã½ Board of Regents will convene a full board meeting Friday, Jan. 15 to discuss the university’s next steps to advance the success of Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Alaska Native students, faculty and staff, hear updates from leadership, and consider reinstating the Â鶹´«Ã½A alpine ski team.
Last November, the board approved a motion highlighting racial justice and equity as a board priority. The board directed Â鶹´«Ã½ President Pat Pitney to take steps to better understand the university climate and programming and address Alaska Native and Indigenous student and faculty recruitment. Pitney has established a steering committee including Alaska Native community leaders and the chancellors to work with faculty and staff on university-based action teams to develop solutions for addressing Alaska Native recruitment, retention and success throughout the Â鶹´«Ã½ system. The work resulting from this process will inform efforts to increase equity, diversity and inclusion throughout the university’s programs and operations.
"We want the university system to be a better reflection of Alaska's population, and for all to feel that they belong on our campuses," Pitney said. "This effort will build on work at our three universities to develop a system-wide plan to improve the university climate for Alaska Natives and people of color."
In addition to discussing this initiative, regents will discuss reinstating the Â鶹´«Ã½A Alpine ski program, which has raised enough money from community supporters to be self-sustaining for the next two years.
Pitney will update the board on the Â鶹´«Ã½A Chancellor search, and the board also will discuss advocacy efforts for the upcoming legislative session, a resolution of support for Â鶹´«Ã½ land grant fulfillment, and be briefed on a report on Â鶹´«Ã½ teacher preparation.
Friday’s meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and is scheduled to conclude by 3 p.m. With the exception of executive sessions, the meeting will be livestreamed at .
The full meeting agenda is available to view at .
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For more information, contact Roberta Graham, associate vice president of public affairs at 907-360-2416 (cell).