1. United States
2. Alaska
3. Letter

I am writing to you as a staff member at the University of Alaska Anchorage and as someone who sees firsthand how essential UAA is to Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska. I strongly urge your support for increased investment in the University of Alaska, particularly for competitive faculty and staff compensation and for addressing deferred maintenance. UAA is one of Anchorage’s largest employers and a major economic engine, supporting thousands of jobs and significant local spending. Beyond that, the university is a critical educational and civic resource. UAA educates nurses, teachers, engineers, business leaders, healthcare professionals, and skilled tradespeople who stay in Alaska and serve our communities. We partner closely with employers, healthcare systems, school districts, Tribes, nonprofits, and small businesses to meet real workforce needs. UAA also provides shared community assets. Our athletic programs, libraries, lectures, performances, and public events bring people together and enrich Anchorage’s cultural life. Faculty and staff contribute well beyond campus by volunteering on boards, mentoring students and young professionals, and sharing expertise across the community. To continue this work, we must be able to attract and retain high quality faculty and staff. Today, UAA is struggling to remain competitive. I see talented colleagues leave because salaries have not kept pace with cost of living or market conditions. This turnover disrupts programs, increases costs, and ultimately affects students and the community we serve. Investment in compensation is essential to stability, quality, and student success. Our aging facilities are another growing concern. Deferred maintenance affects classrooms, labs, housing, and core infrastructure, impacting safety, learning environments, and recruitment. The University’s request for $60 million to address critical deferred maintenance is a necessary step to protect existing assets and manage long term costs. In November 2025, the University of Alaska proposed an FY27 operating budget that includes a $29 million adjustment in state funds, bringing the total request to $381 million. These funds are focused on employee compensation, fixed costs, student mental health, and improving recruitment, retention, and graduation. Stabilizing the Higher Education Investment Fund and continued support for the Alaska Performance Scholarship are also critical to enrollment and workforce development. I respectfully ask you to work with your colleagues to fully fund UA’s Tier 1 priorities and make meaningful progress on deferred maintenance. A strong UAA strengthens Anchorage and Alaska.