Chancellor's Message
Oral history tradition speaks to the considerable cultural significance the present-day site of the University of Alaska Fairbanks has for the Tanana Athabascan Indians. Called Troth Yeddha' (wild potato), it is said that Athabascan Indians would pick Troth at this location, as well as meet to talk about important issues. The ancient ridge where UAF now sits also served as an ideal vantage point for spotting migrating herds of caribou. From earliest times as an Athabascan gathering place to today's modern university, the site has been a focal point for the cultures surrounding it.
There are many cultures now being served by the "university on the hill." As a public institution, UAF must respond to the educational needs of those cultures. In order to better serve their constituencies, the university began a process of self-study soon after the arrival of the 21st century. This included a revision of the institution's mission statement, strategic, academic, and campus master plans, and a complete accreditation self study. With an eye toward the past, the university is preparing for its future.
Essential to the role of the university is the physical environment where
education, research and public service activities take place. UAF is an
extensive campus that has evolved in different ways over the years. Buildings,
open spaces, farm fields, recreation areas, boreal forest, roadways, and
a host of other distinctive features characterize it. Yet development
hasn't always been well thought out. Distinctive features haven't coalesced
uniformly into a strong sense of order and place.
Recognizing the challenges of defining our unique campus, the Master Planning
Committee (MPC) undertook the task of creating a new campus master plan
for UAF. Guided by the nationally recognized firm of Wallace Roberts &
Todd and Anchorage architecture firm Bezek Durst Seiser, the committee
began their deliberations early in 2001. The plan was finalized in the
spring of 2002.
The development of a new campus master plan was an ambitious undertaking
that demanded much time, effort and creativity on the part of many people.
The ability to see the campus as a whole, paying little or no attention
to individual or special interests, was an ongoing challenge. A collective
willingness to consider new directions for the development of campus,
as well as the wisdom to recognize the value of more traditional approaches,
characterized the committee's deliberations. From creating protected open
spaces to designating building sites within the existing configuration
of campus, the plan represents a blend of the new and the old. The consultant
planning team brought fresh eyes to the process, and guided the creation
of a vision for the UAF campus that will serve it well for the next half-century.
Particularly commendable were the efforts to engage the entire community
in the process. From the innovative "Community Photography Project"
that involved students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members,
to the interactive public information sessions, the MPC strove to ensure
that there was public involvement.
The many revisions to the plan that took place based upon input from
our constituent cultures is testimony to the success of those efforts.
As UAF moves farther into the 21st century, I am mindful of the nearly
100 years of strengths and accomplishments achieved by this university.
Our distinctiveness as the nation's northernmost Land, Sea and Space Grant
institution is built on a foundation of respect for the cultural traditions
of Alaska's first people. The Campus Master Plan will guide the development
of the physical environment that supports our academic plan and institutional
mission as we continue the pursuit of knowledge and serve the needs of
our constituent cultures. I wish to thank everyone who has been involved,
to whatever degree, in this significant and important milestone in the
university's history.
Marshall L. Lind, Chancellor
University of Alaska Fairbanks
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