University of Alaska Regents celebrate UA’s continuing excellence, approve FY27 budget requests

November 7, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2025

University of Alaska Regents celebrate UA's continuing excellence, approve FY27 budget requests

Regents, President Pitney praise university's community support efforts for Typhoon Halong, U.S.-Russia summit; finalize budget requests focused on recruitment, retention, graduation

(ANCHORAGE) - The University of Alaska (UA) Board of Regents recognized systemwide excellence and new opportunities at their Nov. 6-7 meeting at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). The meeting comes just a week after UAA concluded congregate housing operations with its community partners at the Alaska Airlines Center to assist Alaskans displaced by Typhoon Halong last month. Regents also approved the FY27 operating and capital budgets focused on student recruitment, retention, and graduation, and workforce development.

"The University of Alaska is strong, forward-looking, and delivering on its mission across the state," Board Chair Scott Jepsen said. "The Board is proud of the continued progress in research, workforce training, and student success, and the commitment of the university to the Student Attainment Framework."

Operating and Capital Budgets, and Tuition

The operating budgetprioritizes workforce development and student recruitment, retention, and graduation. The $29 million State funding increment request includes 3% across-the-board salary increases for bargaining units with contracts, and 3% for non-represented staff; investments to meet the goals of the Student Attainment Framework; and increased capacity for student mental health services.

The capital budgetprioritizes addressing deferred maintenance projects across the system and priority capital investments.

The board also approved a modest 4% tuition increase to help the university manage rising fixed costs and invest in student mental health support services, as well as the ongoing recruitment, retention, and graduation efforts that are part of the Board's Systemwide Attainment Framework.

"UA remains a top value for Alaskans, offering world-class programs, strong return on investment, and empowering our state's workforce and economy," UA President Pat Pitneyremarked. "Even with this modest tuition adjustment, UA remains among the most affordable options in the region. We will continue to balance affordability for students with the need to maintain our high-quality academic and workforce programs."

Student mental health has been a top priority for UA students for the last five years, with consistent advocacy from student governments and the Coalition of Student Leaders. While the issue has drawn statewide attention, it has not yet received dedicated state funding. The intent is for a portion of the revenue from the 4% tuition increase to support these services, and help ensure stable, long-term support for student mental health services, as well as the recruitment, retention, and graduation initiatives across the system.

The changes in tuition costs for a full-time student (12 credit hours) taking undergraduate courses are noted below, and keep all three universities competitive with their respective peers; the full table of increases is available here. The average dollar increase per credit hour is $10-$12 for associate and baccalaureate courses, and $21-$22 for graduate courses. The reduction in University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) nonresident undergraduate tuition is the result of the new "Alaska Unlocked" initiative, which will waive the nonresident surcharge for all UAS undergraduate students beginning next fall.

UAA spotlight

The Thursday afternoon spotlight on the University of Alaska Anchorage featured student testimonials and a deep dive into enrollment trends and efforts at student retention and graduation. Two videos were prepared for the Regents, one about UAA: Alaska's dual mission universityand one featuring UAA's role in workforce preparation, Driving Alaska Forward.

Additionally, UAA and Alaska Airlines Center staff and administration were recognized for their extraordinary efforts to support and respond to housing and catering needs for both the historic U.S.-Russia summit and the emergency sheltering of residents impacted by Typhoon Halong.

"This is the best of UA: students, faculty, and staff working together for Alaska," President Pitney said. "Across the system, our staff and faculty have been working with community partners to support those whose lives have been upended by the flooding and devastation in western Alaska, and I'm proud of the teamwork and resilience that define this university system. The response to Typhoon Halong and the U.S.-Russia summit shows how deeply embedded UA is in Alaska's success."

Workforce Development

Regents heard from the Glenfarne Groupon Friday morning. An independent development group, Glenfarne assumed majority ownership of the Alaska LNG Project earlier this year. The conversation focused on the projects they are investing in in Alaska - including natural gas pipeline builds, import and export facilities - and the ways the university can partner to help meet the workforce needs associated with such large-scale developments.

Committee Meetings & Board Elections

On Thursday, the Regents' Ad-Hoc Committee on recruitment, Retention, and Graduation met to hear updates on the Systemwide Attainment Framework(SAF). In May, Regents approved a $2.5 million investment to support efforts to recruit, retain, and graduate students with measurable success. Through the SAF, the Board's goal is to make UAA, UAF, and UAS campuses of first choice for Alaska's students, and places of belonging and opportunity for those already enrolled. The board approved 20 metrics to assess progress on the SAF moving forward, and to build on the current momentum.

During the Audit and Finance Committee on Thursday, Regents heard from UA's external auditors, and received a financial briefing and healthcare analysis. The discussion underscored the quality of UA's commitment to compliance and the impact rising fixed costs will have on the university budget in future years.

At the Academic and Student Affairs Committee,Regents discussed course caps, waitlists, and online delivery, and received an update on the University of Alaska Southeast's (UAS) collaboration with Outer Coast College.

The Facilities and Land Management Committee discussed multiple proposals to improve and expand student housing across the UA system, and approved a lease plan for the Harper Building in Fairbanks.

The Board also elected new officers for next year. Officer terms took effect at the end of the meeting today through and run through the Board's November 2026 Meeting:

• Scott Jepsen as Board Chair.
• Joey Crum as Board Vice Chair.
• Christine Resler as Board Secretary.
• Karen Perdue as Board Treasurer.

The University of Alaska Board of Regents is an 11-member volunteer board, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Alaska Legislature. Members serve an eight-year term, with the exception of the student regent, who serves a two-year term. The board was established through the Alaska Constitution and is responsible for University of Alaska policy and management through the university president.

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For more information, contact Jonathon Taylor, director of public affairs, at 907-350-0168 (cell), or via email at [email protected].

• Approved tuition rates AY27