UA President Jim Johnsen withdraws from UW job, plans to stay with Alaska
Johnsen and the University of Wisconsin faced fierce opposition over Johnsen’s track record and how UW conducted the search process.
Johnsen and the University of Wisconsin faced fierce opposition over Johnsen’s track record and how UW conducted the search process.
After Johnsen was named the lone finalist for the top job at the University of Wisconsin, several professor groups say the process should have been restarted.
The plan calls for them to come up with a conceptual plan for merging UAS into UAF, but it specifically calls for other options.
“The University of Alaska is facing immediate and significant financial headwinds brought on by state budget cuts, enrollment and tuition declines and budget impacts visited upon us by the COVID-19 crisis. And like the virus itself, this budget challenge is real, painful, and one that demands that we take swift action to protect our university and its critical mission and service to Alaskans.”
Johnsen said he was nominated for the position, which would give him an opportunity to take over a larger system and be closer to family.
The most significant proposal in front of the Board of Regents will be to fold University of Alaska Southeast into UAA or UAF.
It also asks students to stay home.
Rep. Eastman tried to cite Wikipedia in an attempt to extract his anti-abortion bill from committee.
The latest round was the best shot at consolidation. It also spurred a near revolt from faculty and students.
University officials say there’s plenty to be optimistic about even though cuts, restructuring and new revenue are on the horizon.