University of Alaska Regents highlight enrollment growth, review budgets at September Board Meeting

University of Alaska Regents highlight enrollment growth, review budgets at September Board Meeting

September 5, 2025

The University of Alaska (UA) Board of Regents praised growing student enrollment and reviewed initial proposals for the FY27 budget during its September 3-5 meeting at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) in Juneau. UA's strong academic programs and deep connection to Alaska communities have fueled Alaskans' growing confidence in their universities and contributed to four consecutive years of enrollment growth. The board and university leaders underscored their commitment to empowering Alaska through UA's quality programs while effectively managing federal uncertainty and a tightening fiscal environment.

"UA's academic excellence is empowering Alaska, and I appreciate the work by staff and faculty to make our universities places where students can thrive," Board Chair Scott Jepsensaid. "Each university's core academic strengths are contributing to growing enrollment and setting students up for success in the workplace and beyond. On behalf of the board, I welcome students back to campus, and wish them a successful start to the academic year."

If current trends hold, nearly 20,240 students are anticipated to enroll by the close of Fall 2025, a projected increase of almost 3% (610 students) over Fall 2024. The enrollment growth is led by anticipated increases at UAA (up almost 5%, 508 additional students) and UAF (up roughly 3%, 222 additional students). Registration of first-time students systemwide is up nearly 5% over last year.

"Thanks to the board's leadership and the strategic investments in our universities, the UA System remains strong," UA President Pat Pitneyremarked. "Our continued enrollment growth and workforce contributions demonstrate clearly that UA is capable of weathering the tightening state fiscal environment and federal uncertainty while continuing to educate students across the state."

Prioritizing Recruitment, Retention, and Graduation

Earlier this year, the board adopted a Strategic Attainment Frameworkto maximize UA's efforts in recruiting and retaining students while accelerating their time to graduation. During Wednesday's Ad Hoc Committee Meeting, regents heard updates on key initiatives they've funded at each university, which are already showing immense progress.

"I'm very pleased with the progress the university has made on the Strategic Attainment Framework," Chair Jepsensaid. "The results thus far are very encouraging, and I commend the work of staff and faculty to deepen support for UA students."

Beginning in fall of 2026, UAS is piloting an initiative to offer out-of-state students in-state tuition rates, incentivizing more interest and enrollment from the Lower 48 and beyond. At the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), regents authorized two new academic advisor positions that are already being fully utilized to manage increasing enrollment. UAF's focus on out-of-state recruitment is yielding a strong return, with nearly twice as many out-of-state freshmen registered this year compared to last.

Planning For the Future: the Federal Landscape, FY27 Budget, and Tuition

On Friday, President Pitney and Federal Relations Executive Director John Latini gave the board an update on the uncertain federal landscape. UA has experienced only minor disruptions as a result of the rapidly shifting policy picture in Washington, D.C., and is closely monitoring developments as they evolve. UA utilizes roughly $250 million in federal research funds annually; relative to the university's entire, multi-year portfolio of nearly $1 billion in federal grants, only $6.6 million has been cancelled, and roughly $42 million has been frozen. 95% of the university's broad research portfolio remains intact.

"The federal environment is uncertain right now, and it is only prudent that we assess the potential impacts major policy changes might have on our institution," President Pitney said. "Alaskans and our students, staff and faculty should know that while the uncertainty is challenging, our preparations that are already underway will enable us to respond quickly and effectively should things shift unexpectedly. More importantly there are significant opportunities that UA is positioned to capitalize on in support of key industries, like mining, engineering and aviation to name a few. I'm confident that we have the resilience and capacity to weather coming challenges."

Regents also took a first look at the proposed budget request for FY27, and considered a proposed modest, 3% across-the-board tuition increase. The proposed budget includes funding for negotiated compensation increases for collective bargaining units and non-represented staff, as well as funds to manage the continued rising costs of employee healthcare, cybersecurity, IT, maintenance and utilities. Budget proposals and requests will continue to be refined in the coming months; initial projections show $37-$45 million in increased operational costs for the university in FY27, which includes about $7 million in university priorities on recruitment, retention, graduation, and student mental health services.

"Like other employers and businesses across Alaska, the university continues to face rising fixed costs that will require innovative solutions to manage," said President Pitney. "Our FY27 budget takes place in a context of federal uncertainty, and a tightening state fiscal environment, which will require us to carefully weigh future budgetary requests. I'm committed to working with the board, university leadership, and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget to ensure that our budget request effectively balances student affordability and access with efficiency and funding that continues UA's positive momentum."

Tuition rates had been held flat for four years at UAA and UAS, and for one year at UAF, prior to the board voting to increase resident tuition by 3% and nonresident tuition by 5% for the current academic year, AY26. President Pitney and UA leadership will continue to seek feedback on the budget and proposed tuition increase from students, staff and faculty in the coming weeks and months. Regents will vote on next year's budget request and anticipated 3% tuition increase at their meeting in November.

Celebrating Employee Excellence

Regents also celebrated employee excellence at all levels across the system. On Thursday, they recognized the grand prize winners of the pilot Empower Alaska Incentive program: Jessica Salas from UAA, Ashley Munro from UAF, Bernard Yadao and Kolene James, both from UAS. They were selected from nearly 700 employees across the system nominated for innovative ideas that improve operations, exceptional student service, and/or contributions aligned with the Roadmap to Empower Alaska. Each grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 award.

UA Leadership also praised UAS's preparations and community assistance during the Mendenhall Glacier Outburst Flood in Juneau, and recognized UAA staff for mobilizing to house delegations from the U.S. and Russia during the international summit in Anchorage. Both were major events in August that demonstrated the critical role Alaska universities play in their home communities. UAS researchers have been studying the Mendenhall Glacier flooding for years and have developed important mapping and monitoring capabilities in collaboration with federal and state agencies, as well as the city of Juneau.

On Friday, the board approved a resolution of appreciation for former UAF Chancellor Dan White, who retired in July after more than 30 years of service to UA and UAF, eight of those as chancellor. Chancellor White began his career at UAF when he joined the College of Engineering and Mines as a professor of civil and environmental engineering. During his tenure, he held multiple leadership roles, including serving as head of the Office of Intellectual Property and Commercialization and as interim vice chancellor for research. He joined the System Office as vice president for academic affairs and research in 2015 before being appointed UAF chancellor in 2017.

"On behalf of the board, the UA leadership team, and our wider UA Community, I extend my sincerest thanks to Chancellor White for his decades of investment in and service to post-secondary education and research in Alaska," President Pitneysaid. "His leadership has helped build UAF's strength, and I look forward to engaging with stakeholders and community members to ensure we continue the positive trajectory Chancellor White has spearheaded."

On Thursday, President Pitney announced that the application period for applicants to serve as UAF's next permanent chancellor has opened; more details are available at alaska.edu/pres/uaf-chancellor.

Policy Reviews, Committee Meetings, and Leadership Transitions

During the full board meeting, regents reviewed proposed changes to university policy on nondiscrimination and public records requests, which will be voted on at the November board meeting. The proposed changes to nondiscrimination policy incorporate clarified language, and align it with changes at the federal level. In January, the federal government rescinded the 1964-era executive order on Affirmative Action, and the policy updates reflect that change. As a practical matter, if adopted by the board in November, the policy updates will not result in changes to UA's current hiring or admission practices, which remain consistent with long-standing federal guidance barring discrimination.

On Wednesday, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee reviewed specialized accreditations and formally approved AY25 academic degrees. The Audit and Finance Committee met on Thursday to receive updates on the university's external and internal audits and compliance reports, and discuss the FY26 planned use of fund balance, which the full board approved on Friday. The Facilities and Land Management Committee met afterward, and discussed upcoming capital projects, land disposal plans, and a proposed subdivision in Cordova, and received updates on student housing capacity at all three universities.

Due to personal concerns, including the physical impacts from his recent health issues, Regent Ralph Seekins advised members that he is resigning as board chair. He will remain on the board, and will participate in board meetings and voting matters as a regent. Regent Jepsen, who previously served as vice chair, will serve as chair until the board elects a full slate of officers at the conclusion of its November board meeting.