University of Alaska announces furloughs for top administrators

JUNEAU — Top University of Alaska administrators, including President Jim Johnsen, will be subject to mandatory furloughs to help address budget issues, the system announced Wednesday.

The furloughs were put in place by Johnsen and will affect 166 people, including executives, senior administrators and faculty administrative leaders, the system said.

Furloughs will range in length from eight days for senior administrators and faculty administrative leaders to 10 days for provosts, vice presidents and chief officers and executives including Johnsen and chancellors, according to a system release. The furloughs are to take place during the upcoming fiscal year.

"It is important that each of us do all that we can to help mitigate the financial impacts of COVID-19, the reduction in state support, declining enrollment and other factors," Johnsen said in a statement. He noted that students have had to transition to taking classes remotely. "Now it is our turn. As leaders we must do our part."

Johnsen said additional cost-cutting measures will be considered. The university system said the last executive furloughs were in 2016.