Lawmakers may soon approve the University of Alaska board expansion, adding a faculty member to its governing body. House Bill 10, introduced by Representative Ashley Carrick of Fairbanks, passed the House with a 27-13 vote earlier this session.
If approved by the Senate and signed by Governor Mike Dunleavy, the bill will increase the board from 11 to 12 members. The new seat would go to a full-time tenured faculty member at one of the university system’s three main campuses.
Carrick emphasized that the addition strengthens representation and helps the board better address the university’s mission and challenges. Currently, six other states offer board seats for faculty, though most of those roles are non-voting or advisory only.
The seat in Alaska would carry full voting authority and last for an eight-year term beginning once the governor appoints a member. Faculty senates from Anchorage Fairbanks and Juneau campuses would each nominate two candidates through internal elections every cycle.
The bill includes a sunset clause set for 2032 unless lawmakers choose to extend the faculty seat beyond that year. HB 10 now awaits consideration in the Senate committee before heading to the chamber floor in the next legislative session.
Notably, Republican and Democratic senators, including Mike Cronk from the Republican minority caucus, have co-sponsored the bill. Despite its support, the proposal drew some criticism, particularly from representatives Jamie Allard and Frank Tomaszewski.
Allard said she consulted current board members, none of whom supported the measure, though no official testimony opposed it. Tomaszewski warned the bill would create conflicts of interest, especially after recent tense faculty labour negotiations.
Carrick referenced the university’s budget challenges and stressed that faculty presence could improve decision-making on tough institutional issues. Alaska’s 34th Legislature will reconvene in January 2026 where HB 10 and expansion will resurface.
