02-19-21 From the Chancellor
Dear UAS Community,
Two weeks ago Bruce Schultz, UAA Chancellor, and Dan White, UAF Chancellor and I sent out a message to our respective university communities asking for togetherness in supporting President Pitney as she advocates in Juneau for UAF, UAA and UAS. We are three separately accredited universities, with unique campuses, and with different missions. We must work together not only across UA but across our three campuses in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka. Many believe that we are constantly “fighting” among ourselves and across UA. We must stop that narrative.
There are enough students in and out of Alaska to grow enrollment on all of our campuses. We need to reach out to those students who choose not to attend college, as well as those who want to better their lives through higher education. We need to work together to reach all potential students who can benefit from what we have to offer whether it is through our Occupational Endorsements or our Master’s degrees.
President Pitney and UA Board of Regents Chair Buretta also initiated the Board’s new Alaska Native Success Initiative. At our first meeting, on February 8th, we heard examples of racism, discrimination, ignorance and victim blaming. If someone feels that they do not belong at UAS, we fail at our mission. To address these concerns, at UAS we have an Action Team with Ronalda Cadiente Brown chairing the team that includes faculty, staff, students, and members of the Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka communities. We can and will be better.
I miss you. Isolation is difficult and I miss walking down the hallways and seeing you, having a chat, eating lunch in Morant, flying to Ketchikan and Sitka, and running to meetings. Let’s be sure to take the time to reach out to one another. Things will be different when we return but we will return. Keeping everyone safe is a major priority for me and we will return when it is safe to do so.
Please feel free to reach out to me at any time. I work for you.