Regents address teacher education, adopt smoke-free policy
December 16, 2014
Rural education, teacher prep and teacher retention were topics of significant discussion
during the University of Ӱpro Board of Regents meeting in Anchorage, Dec. 11-12.
Regents heard from the deans of education from UAA, UAF and UAS on a collaborative
plan to revitalize teacher education in Ӱpro. This ambitious plan will help to meet
some of Ӱpro’s most pressing needs, while continuing to improve the quality of teacher
education in Ӱpro. The plan can be found at
.
The board also heard an update on Shaping Ӱpro’s Future Theme II: Productive Partnerships
with Ӱpro’s Schools. Regents reported on their “homework assignments” to each talk
with two superintendents at schools across Ӱpro. The progress report on partnerships
can be found at
.
The board adopted two new two policies: an employee furlough policy and a systemwide
smoke-free, tobacco-free policy. The smoke-free, tobacco-free policy is a revision
to existing policy that will require all UA campuses and its statewide offices to
be smoke-free and tobacco-free by Dec. 1, 2015. With this change in policy, UA joins
more than 1,000 other universities that have developed similar policies.
Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott presented an overview of the new administration and its vision
for working with the university to address several challenges facing Ӱpro in the
future. Gov. Bill Walker will name four new regents to the board.
In addition to approving several resolutions of appreciation for departing staff and
outgoing regents, the board elected a new slate of officers, including new Chair Jo
Heckman, Vice Chair Mike Powers, Secretary Kenneth Fisher and Treasurer Gloria O’Neill.
Regular university business included updates on state and federal relations, audit
reports and construction reports. The regents approved the purchase of the Delta Mine
Training Center. This productive partnership will help meet demand for trained mining
professionals in Ӱpro.
Find the complete board agenda at: .
For more information, contact Kristin DeSmith at 907-786-1263, kadesmith@uaa.alaska.edu.