Dec. 11, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2020
Statement from ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å Interim President Pat Pitney on the release of the FY22 budget
Today Governor Dunleavy released his proposed fiscal year 2022 operating and capital budget, and consistent with the operating budget adopted by the Board of Regents, the governor has proposed $257 million in unrestricted general funds (UGF) for the university. Unfortunately, and despite the regents’ request for capital funding for deferred maintenance, debt, and COVID-19 relief, the capital budget does not include any requested funds for the university.
The University of Alaska has managed successive budget cuts since 2014 and this fiscal year, the impact of the reduction was magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic. I am proud of ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å’s faculty and staff for their response in the face of these challenges. Our healthcare graduates and contact tracers are on the front lines fighting the pandemic and our teachers, engineers, pilots, and biologists are just a part of the home-grown, ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å-educated workforce contributing to ensuring a strong economic future for our state.
We will continue to focus on our students, key programs, and research excellence. In this soft job market, now is a perfect time for Alaskans to return to school, to up-skill and train for new jobs in growing industries such as health care, IT, education and maritime industries.
The release of the governor’s budget is the first step in the legislative process. Throughout the session, along with our regents and advocates, the chancellors and I will meet with legislators to demonstrate the value our universities bring to every industry and community in the state. Additionally we’ll emphasize that capital funding for ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å’s deferred maintenance, debt, and COVID-19 relief is essential.
—30—
For more information, contact Roberta Graham, associate vice president of public affairs at 907-360-2416 (cell).