University Relations 202 Eielson Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7520
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NEWLY MERGED UAF SCHOOLS TARGET ALASKA ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 1997
Fairbanks, Alaska - The University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Natural Resource Development and Management begins a new academic year as a new college, formed by joining the School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, the School of Mineral Engineering and the School of Management.
As students arrive on campus this fall, they will enroll in existing undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered by the merging schools. Degrees range from accounting, business administration, economics, geological engineering, petroleum engineering, mining engineering and natural resources management with options in forestry, resources, and plant, animal and soil sciences. Deans at each of the schools have been replaced by directors.
Programs within the schools are nationally accredited. The business administration, accounting and MBA programs are accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. UAF is one of only 115 of 823 member business schools which have been granted accreditation in all these programs.
Mining, geological and petroleum engineering programs are accredited by the American Board of Engineering Technology. Earlier this year the forestry curriculum earned accreditation from the national Society of American Foresters becoming the first and only accredited four-year forestry program in Alaska.
The merger of the three schools into a new college is the result of a program assessment process initiated in 1994 by the University of Alaska Board of Regents. The systemwide effort identified ways to streamline the university to adjust to declining state revenues. Campuses were given three years beginninging in 1995 to implement plans to meet targets identified during program assessment. While each school at UAF retains its specific mission, the new college provides a framework for interdisciplinary projects targeting natural resources management and development.
"I'm pleased the new College of Natural Resource Development and Management is off and running," said Provost John Keating, UAF's chief academic officer. "By elevating to college status two units with the historical role of resource development: the School of Mineral Engineering and the School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, and then adding the business school, we are able to combine the talents of each to provide modern programs to meet Alaska economic development needs."
More than half of the program assessment reductions at UAF were the result of cuts in the costs of administration. UAF set a goal of reducing major units from nine to five by the end of FY98. The realignment of certain sciences by joining mathematical, computer and engineering sciences with existing programs in the College of Natural Sciences took place earlier this year. The renamed College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics now includes the School of Engineering, the College of Natural Sciences and the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
"As we near the end of the three-year program assessment process, we now face new challenges to find additional savings currently being directed by the Board of Regents, " Keating said.
For details regarding degree programs offered within the new college at UAF, contact the director's office at the School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, (907) 474-7083; School of Management, (907) 474-7461; or School of Mineral Engineering, (907) 474-7366.
CONTACT: UAF Provost John
Keating, (907) 474-7096 or UAF Public Information Officer Debra
Damron, (907) 474-7122.
UAF News releases available electronically at:
http://www.uaf.edu/univrel/media/index.html
DPD/8-28-97/98-009
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