The president of the University of Alaska says he will push to merge the system’s three campuses into a single combined university.
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports the plan by UA President Jim Johnsen would mean the end of independent administration and accreditation at campuses in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau.
Johnsen says he will forego appointing a new chancellor at UA Fairbanks as he pursues single accreditation.
Johnsen announced the plan in the wake of significant reduced support from the state.
The university received $350 million this year and the Legislature is considering a $50 million cut.
Johnsen in an email to campuses says fixed costs and contractual obligations on top of the reduction in state support will effectively mean a 22 percent cut in funding.
