The University of Alaska Board of Regents met in Anchorage on Thursday to plan for pending cuts to the system's statewide budget and to discuss the second phase of the university's restructuring plan.
The university calls the restructuring plan "Strategic Pathways." Phase two was unveiled in January 2017, and targets eight academic and administrative programs — e-learning, fisheries, community campuses, university relations, health, human resources, student services and institutional research.
Some of the proposed options include restructuring satellite campuses, consolidating online programs and different methods to deliver health and fisheries academic programs.
Decisions on how to proceed will be considered at the next regents meeting in June.
The three-phase Strategic Pathways process evaluates how the university should organize as a result of reduced funding from the state.
Last year, regents asked the state for $341 million in operating costs. Gov. Bill Walker proposed a reduced budget of $325 million, but with the Legislature in charge of the final figure, the board grappled with how to prepare for even deeper cuts Thursday.
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen told regents that a $53 million reduction in state funding over the last three years has meant a cut of over 900 positions and elimination of 50 programs out of an original 470 programs.
Michelle Rizk, vice president of university relations and chief strategy, planning and budget officer, told regents a $53 million cut is on par with cutting two University of Alaska Southeast campuses. The Juneau-based campus, one of three in the state system, has an annual operating budget of $27 million.
The Legislature is expected to act on the university budget in the coming weeks.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify when the second phase of the Strategic Pathways plan was released.