Ky Holland
1. What critical roles do you see UAA playing in the state in the next two years?
It is vital that we have higher education opportunities for all Alaskans and increase the post secondary participation of our Alaskan high school graduates. Our universities having strong programs and opportunities aligned with industry current needs and future opportunities, make it clear to Alaskans that we are investing in their future and the future of our state. UAA has a capacity to build up our state, be a catalyst for new business creation, research and help guide strategies that reverse our population decline an economic, stagnation, as well as foster
relationships with local businesses and graduates to showcase the vast opportunities we have in our state. Education is one of my top priorities and the young people as well as mid-career
Alaskans seeking transitions and opportunities in emerging industries in Alaska deserve reliable higher education aligned with rewarding, new career opportunities. UAA is an opportunity to showcase our dedication to our state and Alaskans.
2. How do you see UAA serving the constituents in your district?
UAA provides three broad categories of service to our district, including academic exploration and workforce preparation, research and investigation of critical challenges, and community service extension programs. Each of these areas are vital to the constituents of house district 9 that include business owners and managers, key operations personnel and families. It’s also noteworthy to see the significant growth of the middle college programs and the significant level of participation of the students at South High and our other Anchorage high schools. While the academics and research are noteworthy, I’d particularly like to point out the contributions of ISER and Dr. Jen Schmidt, whose work in community wildfire awareness and researching wildland urban interface wildfire modeling has been exemplary, including her active and regular participation in our community meetings and planning efforts. Her work, including that of her students that she supervises, has provided a valuable example of UAA’s ability to be an essential
partner in the community.
3. The University of Alaska is subject to an unpredictable budget process, resulting in more budget reductions than increases during the past decade. What do you recommend as the appropriate path forward for the University budget process?
For most public services in our state we have already cut more that is advisable and Alaskans are feeling the effect of those cuts and the damage done to our communities and our economy, UAA is among the public Programs that can not withstand future budget cuts. I will support budget increases to the university system but I expect to be faced with some significant challenges as we deal with both the substantial backlog of deferred maintenance, as well as opportunities for the university to grow existing programs to meet current community needs and provide investments to support diversifying our economy and emerging industries, innovation entrepreneurship. I would welcome the involvement of the faculty and staff in helping balance the future investments and what I expect to be continued constrained financial resources. I do bring a bias that we should be doing more to support the academics and opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to be directly impacting the Alaskan communities and being of service to the communities. I understand the need for the administrative systems and the necessary support of vital infrastructure, but beyond the infrastructure directly used for teaching and research I see these overhead expenses as ones that compete with the universities, core mission of academics, research, and service. This also highlights one of the additional benefits of ISER and their significant contribution to the state’s understanding of its economic challenges, including the revenue necessary to provide adequate funding for its public services, including the university. As I stated above, our university system plays a critical role in investing in our future and providing opportunity and services to Alaskans and the Alaskan economy. We must continue to invest in their future and the future of our state.
4. UAA has a growing need to properly maintain its facilities for housing and classrooms, and for its research, engineering, health, technical, and sports programs. What is your position on capital funding for facilities maintenance at UAA?
All across our state the lack of infrastructure investment is becoming more apparent as a deferred maintenance backlog grows highlighting how necessary it is to invest in infrastructure. The longer these issues are neglected the more we will need to spend to fix the problem. Beyond the obvious necessity to take care of critical infrastructure and avoid interrupting academics and research, and catastrophic damage, I believe there two strategies I’m interested in investigating that would help provide more community support for the necessary investments and more value from those investments.
The first is a strategy of increasing the community’s understanding, engagement, and access to the facilities and the infrastructure so they see and benefit from the significant capabilities found in the universities campuses. The community needs lower barriers and a more direct understanding of the benefits and the resources and the value that that infrastructure is providing to our community rather than being isolated to the campus and inaccessible.
Second I’d like to explore strategies that create more direct opportunity and examples of how students are involved in infrastructure issues, including assessment, planning, projects, and the evaluation of the impact and benefits of the projects; as well as opportunities for research and researchers, including our student research activities, to be learning from and studying the infrastructure challenges. I would like to see the campuses be a living laboratory that helps inform our understanding of the infrastructure challenges and opportunities across the state including all of the public infrastructure we have as well. Our university infrastructure can be a learning laboratory that’s preparing Alaskans to be able to assess, plan, and manage the projects needed to support all of the infrastructure in our state.
I do acknowledge that both of these possible strategies place significant new burdens on the staff responsible for this infrastructure and I understand we need to explore how that impacts their jobs and the responsibilities to manage the infrastructure.
By transitioning the issue of university campus facility support from an issue of significant cost and drain from the university’s core mission of teaching, research, and service; I’d like to suggest that the investments in this work become vital and add value in a tangible way that the community understands and appreciates is increasing the contribution of the university and the value of the limited funds we allocate.
I will support funding that is allocated to strengthening our infrastructure, especially at our universities, but I’ll need the help of the faculty and staff to ensure that this funding gains the support it needs and the justification when it comes time to investing in this use of funding versus the many other challenging and worthy opportunities for funding
Chuck Kopp
1. What critical roles do you see UAA playing in the state in the next two years?
UAA is becoming one of the leading regional institutions in Southcentral Alaska. I am pleased to see the growing emphasis on research, university-produced knowledge and its relevance to the local economy and industry needs, and how UAA is encouraging entrepreneurship in our state. I believe the state’s dollar investment in UAA produces significant returns in building community-centeredness and an identity that transcends issues of division, stronger workforce preparation, increased Alaska residency, attracting young people and businesses to Alaska, and reduced outmigration of our working-age population.
2. How do you see UAA serving the constituents in your district?
The significant private sector business owners present in my District need strong and stable basic public services like education, transportation, healthcare, and public safety for their businesses to prosper. UAA is a superior example that an investment in our local university is an investment in ourselves. Our future teachers, police/firefighter/EMS personnel, healthcare workers, public transit, heavy equipment operators, and road and structural design engineers graduating from UAA are highly likely to enter the local public sector workforce and provide the critical public services that ultimately make Anchorage and the surrounding region attractive to private sector investment and new families settling in the area. There is a direct nexus between Anchorage’s quality of life and work opportunities our grandkids will experience in the next 15 - 20 years and the investments we make in UAA today.
3. The University of Alaska is subject to an unpredictable budget process, resulting in more budget reductions than increases during the past decade. What do you recommend as the appropriate path forward for the University budget process?
UA’s budget process is indeed unpredictable and volatile. Some of this stems from our natural resource-based economy and volatility in oil prices. Wyoming and Louisiana have similar volatility in their higher education budget processes. The POMV formula passed by the Legislature in 2018 will hopefully have a stabilizing effect on University funding. The political ideology of the Governor and relationships between UA leadership and the Governor’s office are very important to stable and predictable UA funding. I would recommend the University work to develop coalitions of advocacy between UA leadership, the Governor’s office, and Legislative members; advocate with the Governor and Legislature for some type of formulaic funding commitment from the state government, rather than the present practice of hoping to get what you need to survive the academic year. It’s hard to plan for what the UA system might become when it is focused on short-term survival. I recommend strengthening partnerships with the private sector and natural resource-based industries to increase revenue streams and produce graduates ready for local workforce needs. Tuition and fees are difficult for students and their families, but a necessary leg of the funding stool for UA. The better the University does in higher education coalition-building efforts with the Executive and Legislative branches, private sector industries, and the local regions in which they operate, the more likely it will be for a predictable and less volatile budget process which in turn will help keep tuition and fees to a minimum.
4. UAA has a growing need to properly maintain its facilities for housing and classrooms, and for its research, engineering, health, technical, and sports programs. What is your position on capital funding for facilities maintenance at UAA?
The state needs a broad and strategic long-term view to address the significant deferred maintenance backlog in the U of A system. I believe top-notch and well-maintained facilities are significant to the recruitment of faculty, staff, and students. I think annual appropriations for University deferred maintenance needs is important, but we need to do more. My understanding is that the backlog of maintenance to our higher education facilities is severe. The state should consider a bond referendum, that would include a depreciation fund, to pay upfront the enormous backlog of maintenance. This would take pressure off the annual budget process of legislative appropriation for maintenance, and allow the funds to be utilized for education.
Walter Featherly
1. What critical roles do you see UAA playing in the state in the next two years?
UAA is critical to the economic future of our state. With proper funding, it drives vital workforce development in fields like resource development, engineering, healthcare, and technology. If we continue to invest in UAA, we can attract and retain talent within our state. I see UAA playing the following specific roles in our state:
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Providing excellent education and training opportunities for Alaskans and, ideally, students from outside of Alaska, to graduate high-functioning citizens and well-trained workers for Anchorage and Alaska;
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Taking fullest advantage of federal research and other grant funding opportunities available to Alaska;
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Contributing to the economy of Alaska and to Anchorage with good-paying direct jobs and many indirect jobs and small business support;
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Contributing to the quality of life in Anchorage by attracting and retaining residents, especially families and working-age adults;
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Serving as an incubator/generator for entrepreneurialism in Anchorage and Alaska.
2. How do you see UAA serving the constituents in your district?
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UAA offers affordable access to higher education and vocational training close to home. This is important for the many families in my district. If our best and brightest high school graduates pursue an education in Alaska, they’re more likely to pursue a career within the state;
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Many of the constituents in my district are small business owners. UAA is vital in ensuring Alaska’s businesses have access to a talented workforce;
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As a major employer in Anchorage, UAA offers high quality and good paying jobs, which strengthens our economy. These jobs are particularly valued in House District 11, which has the highest educational degree attainment of any district in Alaska;
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Finally, and not to be undervalued, UAA offers to the residents in HD 11 may lifestyle enriching events, experiences, and activities in the areas of community ed, arts and culture, and sports.
3. The University of Alaska is subject to an unpredictable budget process, resulting in more budget reductions than increases during the past decade. What do you recommend as the appropriate path forward for the University budget process?
The University, students and our state deserve a stable, predictable budget that allows us to build an exceptional University system that draws talent to our state and keeps our high school graduates in Alaska. We must implement a multi-year budgeting process that allows for stability and smart investment. Every dollar invested in UAA helps build a more robust, resilient economy. Specifically, I agree with the UAA Faculty and Staff Association that the Legislature should:
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Be increasing rather than cutting UAA’s budget;
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Continuing the UA Scholars and Alaska Performance Scholarships program;
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Protecting the Higher Education Act from non-designated uses; and
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Prioritizing the use of earnings from the Permanent Fund to fund basic state services, including education, over mega-sized PFDs.
4. UAA has a growing need to properly maintain its facilities for housing and classrooms, and for its research, engineering, health, technical, and sports programs. What is your position on capital funding for facilities maintenance at UAA?
If we do not properly maintain our facilities, it will create a more significant economic problem in the long term. I support adequate capital funding for facilities maintenance. Specifically, I support the Board of Regents budget request for $50 million in the state's capital budget for deferred maintenance needs.
Denny Wells
1. What critical roles do you see UAA playing in the state in the next two years?
As a proud UA alumni, I know the importance of Alaska’s university system firsthand. From
academic to trade programs, from certificates to terminal degrees, from hands-on programs
like our medical and engineering programs to social and economic research, the University
of Alaska is a key component of our community and the future of our economy. Over the
next couple of years, I anticipate UAA will be critical in helping train new workers in our
critical healthcare, logistics, and resource industries, continuing to foster our arts and media,
and being an ongoing source of reputable data the state can rely on in making decisions.
2. How do you see UAA serving the constituents in your district?
UAA graduates are prevalent in my district - including in my own house. My wife is a
graduate of the UAA Dental Hygiene program. Whether I’m chatting with a neighbor who is a
business owner looking out for the future of their workforce, a recent High School graduate
considering their next steps, or a single parent seeking a degree to make a better life for
themselves and their children, UAA (and its partner institutions in Fairbanks and Southeast)
is a key partner in the future my neighbors are seeking.
3. The University of Alaska is subject to an unpredictable budget process, resulting in more budget reductions than increases during the past decade. What do you recommend as the appropriate path forward for the University budget process?
The unstable funding provided by the state over the past decade, most notably over the last
six years, has greatly burdened our university system and jeopardized the long-term success
of our state and Alaskans’ ability to receive higher education in Alaska. Education, from
pre-K through our Universities and trade schools, are among the best investments we can
make in the future of our economy. If elected, my goal will be to provide stable
inflation-adjusted funding for our education system, including the UA system, so university
staff can focus on education instead of constantly wasting time and resources adapting to
drastic cuts.
4. UAA has a growing need to properly maintain its facilities for housing and classrooms, and for its research, engineering, health, technical, and sports programs. What is your position on capital funding for facilities maintenance at UAA?
The University of Alaska system’s massive deferred maintenance backlog is unacceptable and if elected, I will work to help provide additional support and resources to help address this backlog.
Carolyn Hall
1. What critical roles do you see UAA playing in the state in the next two years?
Alaska must have a strong university system if we plan to have a healthy economic future. UAA can play a significant role as we transition from an economy entirely dependent on oil revenues by developing the workforce of the future, attracting talent to our state, and being a leader in research and innovation.
2. How do you see UAA serving the constituents in your district?
UAA offers a great option for higher learning and vocational training close to home, giving businesses access to a skilled workforce. As a proud UAA alumna, I know first-hand the opportunities made possible by UAA; they are many and profoundly influential in the trajectory of my career. In addition, UAA is an important cultural part of the community, bringing sports, artists, speakers series, and performers to Alaska.
3. The University of Alaska is subject to an unpredictable budget process, resulting in more budget reductions than increases during the past decade. What do you recommend as the appropriate path forward for the University budget process?
The entire education system in Alaska must be prioritized, and reliable funding must be made available to administrators to appropriately plan for the future and bring stability to educators, students, and communities.
4. UAA has a growing need to properly maintain its facilities for housing and classrooms, and for its research, engineering, health, technical, and sports programs. What is your position on capital funding for facilities maintenance at UAA?
Deferred maintenance is always more expensive. It’s economically irresponsible not to maintain the facilities we’ve invested in properly and that the university depends on to offer its programs. I recently toured UAA, and part of the tour included the boiler room in the Fine Arts building. I learned a lot about the challenges of maintaining aging equipment, the long-term consequences of putting off this necessary work, and the dire need for investment.
Ted Eischeid
1. What critical roles do you see UAA playing in the state in the next two years?
UAA is a critical institution in the state and in our community here in Anchorage. I am a huge supporter of public education at all levels. As a former 8th/9th grade science teacher for 25 years. I care deeply about the future of our community and state. I know part of our future success will be enshrined in public universities that can serve our students - to keep them here, and to prepare them for success in Alaska’s economy. I think that means UAA should make sure to respond to students’ needs for vocational and trades education. UAA is a key stakeholder in
the future success of our community and state.
2. How do you see UAA serving the constituents in your district?
It’s critically important. I am running to represent a district geographically very close to UAA. I am also running to represent a low-income district. I think voters in House District 22 appreciate the proximity and flexibility that UAA allows them to pursue education part-time, in-person, and/or online. At my doors the voters are telling me that education funding is their top priority. I believe they feel that education is the key to their family’s future prosperity
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3. The University of Alaska is subject to an unpredictable budget process, resulting in more budget reductions than increases during the past decade. What do you recommend as the appropriate path forward for the University budget process?
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I think we need a veto-proof majority in Juneau that will be more supportive of the University of Alaska system, and I hope to be a part of that new majority. Moreover, we need legislators that will engage directly with the university community and bring their educational needs and priorities back to Juneau.
4. UAA has a growing need to properly maintain its facilities for housing and classrooms, and for its research, engineering, health, technical, and sports programs. What is your position on capital funding for facilities maintenance at UAA?
I recently toured UAA facilities at the invitation of the university to candidates. I was able to see real examples of deferred maintenance. I’m “old school” in believing that maintaining present infrastructure NOW is the fiscally prudent pathway to future goodness. I would support Will Stapp’s plan to capitalize funding sources to allow UAA to reliably expect a certain amount of funding each year.
Doyle Holmes
1. What critical roles do you see UAA playing in the state in the next two years?
A college is mandatory if we are going to keep our young people in Alaska. I served 11 years on the Mat-Su Borough Assembly and approved the transfer of the land the college was built on. I will continue to support.
2. How do you see UAA serving the constituents in your district?
My District includes KGB road, Big Lake, and all the way to Anderson on the North. Most of your students will be from Willow south but still a long drive. Hopefully someday you can provide extension course in Willow.
3. The University of Alaska is subject to an unpredictable budget process, resulting in more budget reductions than increases during the past decade. What do you recommend as the appropriate path forward for the University budget process?
Make sure your requests are real and needed.
4. UAA has a growing need to properly maintain its facilities for housing and classrooms, and for its research, engineering, health, technical, and sports programs. What is your position on capital funding for facilities maintenance at UAA?