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 Alaska Board of Regents meeting in Anchorage, Dec. 11-12.
Regents heard from the deans of education from UAA, 性欲社 and UAS on a collaborative
plan to revitalize teacher education in Alaska. This ambitious plan will help to meet
some of Alaska鈥檚 most pressing needs, while continuing to improve the quality of teacher
education in Alaska. The plan can be found at
.
The board also heard an update on Shaping Alaska鈥檚 Future Theme II: Productive Partnerships
with Alaska鈥檚 Schools. Regents reported on their 鈥渉omework assignments鈥 to each talk
with two superintendents at schools across Alaska. 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 Alaska 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鈥橬eill.
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 Alaska.
Find the complete board agenda at: .
For more information, contact Kristin DeSmith at 907-786-1263, kadesmith@uaa.alaska.edu.