MEDIA ADVISORY

TO:                      News Directors and Education Reporters

FROM:                 UAF University Relations

SUBJECT:            New Faculty and Increased Enrollment Focus of Open Forum

DATE:                 Thursday, Sept. 21, from 1 to 2 p.m.

LOCATION:         Schaible Auditorium, Bunnell Building, UAF Campus

UAF Chancellor Marshall Lind will welcome faculty, staff and students back for another school year at UAF during an open forum and presentation Thursday, Sept. 21, from 1-2 p.m. in Schaible Hall. The public is invited to participate in this brief, important and exciting discussion about the state of the University. Audioconferencing to UAF's community campuses will be available starting at 1 p.m.

According to Lind, there is much optimism at UAF. After nearly a decade of enrollment decline, admissions of new students at UAF is up. Even more optimistic is UAF's ability to start the new academic year with new core faculty, and with an eye toward restoring and rebuilding departments instead of reorganizing and reallocating budgets.

"We will continue working in concert with UA President Mark Hamilton to develop initiatives for the university focusing on UAF's important role as a major economic engine in the community and in the state," Lind said.

Lind is entering his second year as UAF chancellor, having served as chancellor of the University of Alaska Southeast 12 years before coming to Fairbanks. He is a former Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education, superintendent for the Kodiak Island Borough School District, and a schoolteacher and supervisor for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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CONTACT: UAF Public Information Officer Debra Damron (907) 474-7122.

DPD/9-18-00/01-016ma