UAF ranks high in national study

Publicists have reason to resurrect UAF's "Harvard of the North" slogan, based on UAF's rankings in a recent report released by Academic Analytics.

UAF ranked fifth overall among small research universities, according to the for-profit company's survey.

When ranked against all schools, UAF made the top 10 lists in atmospheric sciences and environmental science, ranking with Ivy League colleges and their peers.

The study looked at faculty productivity, including criteria such as the number of papers published and places cited. It created a complicated formula to rank universities based on that information.

"It's always been my sense that we have a really, really talented and productive faculty, but this really nails it down that we rank right up there with some of the best universities in the country," said Joan Braddock, dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Major declaration at 75 credits

A faculty senate motion passed in December will require students with 75 or more credits to declare a major prior to registering for classes.

"Students that have a clear target in mind tend to complete their degrees in a more reasonable time period," said Assistant Provost Dana Thomas.

Previously, students could remain undeclared indefinitely. Chancellor Steve Jones approved the motion shortly after the senate's vote, according to his administrative coordinator, Sally Skrip.