Thread by @mattbuxton

The Board of Regents is now back. President Johnsen is giving a presentation about the budget. "Yes, we enjoy huge public support ... but a simple majority is not enough and as a result uncertainty reigns and uncertainty is disabling the university in many ways." #akleg

Johnsen on financial exigency: "Given the very poor hand we have, it is the only tool available to us. ... None of us want to be here today." #akleg

Johnsen, rhetorically: "How can something so great, built by so many over so many years, be crippled by so few so quickly?" #akleg

Johnsen's laying out three proposals with decisions on July 30 and then in mid September. #akleg

Johnsen says the cut will likely have to be north of $136M because the trickle down effects on tuition, federal grants and research income. He says there's other revenues, but they're not as flexible as UGF. This chart is conservative, he says. #akleg

Johnsen says closing an entire campus, as has been suggested in "the blogosphere" or in reports that he won't address (UAA's suggestion that UAF is cut), doesn't make sense. Says it loses strengths. #akleg

Johnsen also says that a proportional cut doled out to the different campuses also doesn't help. He says shrinking each down would just limit choice, endanger revenue and mission. #akleg

Johnsen seems to be arguing for "New UA" which would be a single accreditation for the entire system. Single college for each program and a lot of online delivery. #akleg

Johnsen says Washington and Penn State and others have taken such a model. #akleg

Here's how the academic programs would be consolidated. #akleg

Asked about accreditation, Johnsen says the administration has already been in talks with this and says the accreditation agency is receptive.

Johnsen: "it's a matter of single-digit months." #akleg

Johnsen says they wouldn't necessarily have to get new accreditation but could use the existing college accreditation (UAF's engineering program, for example) for the entire system. #akleg

Johnsen says the infighting that's already been triggered is likely to get worse. Here's some background on what he's talking about: dermotcole.com/reportingfroma… #akleg

Perdue recognizes the proposal to split the universities off into independent but says it's unrealistic. Says though that she would like to see how a portioned out cuts would work (option 2) and says she sees some benefits of the consolidated UA. #akleg

A regent asks about minimizing impacts on students.

Johnsen talks about option 2 (doling out cuts) and says some programs might disappear altogether from one campus. Says a consolidated approach (option 3) could keep them somewhat open. #akleg

Regent Garrett asks for a survey to students and faculty: "I would like a survey to be sent out to hear directly from each individual on each direction they want us to take." #akleg

One of the regents asks for an audit... for reasons.

Johnsen: We're audited every year. #akleg

A lot of the regents are shying away from an overhauled and consolidated university, saying they'd rather see what it looks like to parcel out the cuts across the system in a piecemeal effort. #akleg

Regent O'Neill says she's potentially optimistic about an overhaul (compared to piecemeal cuts) that restructures the university entirely. #akleg

Regent Hargraves asks what'd happen to the statewide administration. Johnsen says under most would be reduced and under consolidated it'd be merged with all administration. #akleg

The Chancellors are now responding to the plan. UAA Chancellor Sandeen comes from a uni where centralization was done but "when I look at the speed by which we need to make these decisions" the dole-out cuts (option 2) make most sense. #akleg

Sandeen: "We are well along the way to make reductions, very, very quickly. Give us a number." #akleg

UAS Chancellor also seems to suggest with this position. (I missed exactly what UAF's White said, but it sounded somewhat similar). Basically allow the campuses to cut themselves while coordinating the cuts. #akleg

Of course, option 3 the consolidation of UA would also eliminate most of their jobs. #akleg

Johnsen says he'll prepare more work and information on the portioned out cuts and the consolidation for another decision on July 30. Blazing fast. #akleg

Johnsen on the #akleg: "My hope was dashed once again by the indecision in Juneau."

Davies: "The dilemma is we don't know and the process could unfold over some time. ... We're in the unfortunate situation of planning for the worst and hoping for the best." #akleg

Davies says at least planning for the worst and hoping for the best allows the university to position itself. He says they can't afford to do it the other way around and wait. #akleg

After a break, the Regents are back and is going back into executive session. No other action expected from them today. #akleg