Under the chandelier lighting of the Westmark Hotel, Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and former Democratic Gov. Tony Knowles debated on issues including university funding last Tuesday.

 The debate, sponsored by the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, focused primarily on economic issues, with only one question directly related to UAF. Knowles touched upon his record of funding as governor, while Murkowski emphasized research and financial aid.

 "We should be the research facility of the world," she said, "particularly when it comes to arctic engineering, arctic technology." Her work, she said, helped bring $8.5 million to the Arctic Energy Office.

 "We need to be capitalizing on those things that make us unique here," she said.

Knowles, 62, said the "revitalization" of UA was "one of my most pleasant experiences as governor."

 "I can remember standing in front of the Brooks Building saying it was the poster child of deferred maintenance," he said. He helped renew student housing, he said, and worked "to address the education of students, to address the research, and to bring the university in line for the 21^st Century needs of all of its students."

For $10, audience members dined on entrees normally available at the Chamber's Tuesday meetings: ham, rice, cheesecake and cherry pie. Those not wanting to pay, many of them UAF students, sat in the back of the room.

 As the candidates entered, Murkowski and her husband shook hands with table gatherers. Knowles followed, heading for the back of the room to greet guests and ask if they were from the university.

 Although the university needs to research the arctic, Murkowski said, "We don't want to just limit ourselves to what happens in the cold and dark." She took credit for getting funds from the National Institute of Health for bioterrorism issues such as the bird flu.

 Knowles reminded audience members that as governor he appointed three regents, Joe Usibelli, Brian Rogers, and Joe Thomas. Under his watch, the International Arctic Research Center was built and UA's ties to NOAA and ocean fisheries strengthened.

"We put a lot of money into the university," he said.

 Students need financial support as well, Murkowski said at the end of her response. "We need to increase the Pell Grant so that the 25 percent of our students are able to come and take the benefits of this great university," she said.

 Audience members primarily included local business members, and balloons touting "Lisa" decorated one side of the room. Pamphlets, contribution envelopes and stickers decorated tables, mostly in support of Murkowski though with some for Knowles.

 Knowles did not mention the UA Scholars Program, but the Knowles campaign later said that, as governor, he pushed two pieces of legislation that would have established the program. The bills failed, but UA President Mark Hamilton implemented a version of it in 2000.

 But Murkowski spokesman Elliott Bundy said, "Despite Knowles saying he wanted more funding for the university, Knowles vetoed the university land exchange bill that would have allowed the university a greater economic base." The 2000 bill would have provided UA with 260,000 acres.

 During Murkowski's first year as senator, the federal government provided almost 73 percent of UAF research funding. But while serving in the State House, the Knowles campaign said Murkowski voted against increasing UAF funding at least eight times.

 Streaming audio and video of the debate is available at KTOO's Gavel to Gavel website.

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On the Net: Gavel to Gavel

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