University Relations 202 Eielson Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7520
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UAF'S NEW FACE FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM INCLUDES MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR UPGRADE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 1998
Fairbanks, Alaska - Visible changes to University of Alaska Fairbanks buildings and academic services will be noticed by students, faculty, staff and visitors as the fall 1998 semester gets underway. The first day of classes is Sept. 3. Applications by new students are up as of the same time as last year. About 800 students are expected in the freshman class and total enrollment should reach 9,000 at UAF, with almost 7,000 in Fairbanks.
UAF's new face for the new millennium is part of a strategic plan by UAF Chancellor Joan Wadlow. A multi-year, multi-million dollar capital improvement and deferred maintenance program for UAF, the plan will provide better classrooms and student residence halls. Wadlow is also hiring for the new millennium by attracting faculty with cross-disciplinary skills who can serve the campus in multiple roles.
About half of all faculty who retired through the state's early retirement program last year are being replaced with new, tenure track appointees, many of whom hold joint appointments. For example, assistant professor Chris Hartman, who has expertise in virtual reality and computer graphics, has a joint appointment with the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center and with UAF's Mathematical Sciences Department. Hartman received his doctorate from the University of Illinois last year and received his bachelor of science degree from UAF in 1991.
Initiatives to reduce red tape students encounter during registration and to increase satisfaction with campus life continue this fall, including improved computer access for students.
TouchNet kiosks have been installed at Wood Center and at the Downtown Center to give students direct access to information electronically. TouchNet currently provides online access to UAF course availability and course offerings, and through BANNER-Student, access to semester grades, grade point averages and individual class schedules. Students will eventually be able to access their financial records through this statewide information system.
UAF's undergraduate admissions application is now available online at <http://www.uaf.edu/admrec/admissions/docs/app_underintro.html> For information on registration
or to look at the UAF fall class schedule online, go to http://www.uaf.edu/reg/schedule/ The online class schedule is searchable by subject, day, time and instructor.
Internal reallocations and program assessment savings mean additional money for Teaching Assistants and for matching equipment grants to UAF departments this fall. Added to that is an increase in private donations to UAF, which in FY 98 topped $5 million, making it the best year ever for fund raising. That translates into new scholarship opportunities for students.
The Lola Tilly Dining Commons, which used to be a large, open cafeteria, has been remodeled café style to provide a better dining facility for the 1,600 students who live on the UAF campus. Hess Village, UAF's 72-apartment complex for students with children, was also renovated.
Several deferred maintenance housing projects funded by a $20.2 million FY96 legislative appropriation are being completed this year. The list of upgraded housing facilities includes the Skarland Hall renovation, which features a new computer lab on the first floor. Skarland renovation is expected to be completed by November 1998. A complete renovation of Moore Hall will include a new, first-floor computer lab. Renovation of Bartlett, Lathrop, Wickersham and Stevens halls took place last year, including wiring ethernet computer access in each room, new furniture, better lighting, and interior and exterior painting. Nerland Hall will be the last residence hall to be renovated and will reopen in fall 1999.
Classroom renewal and upgrades include new flooring, furniture and other improvements in the Duckering, Gruening, Chapman and Bunnell buildings and the Rasmuson Library.
A $37 million appropriation approved by the legislature this year for deferred maintenance projects at UAF means essential work on Duckering Building, Rasmuson Library, Fine Arts Complex, Brooks Building and the Arctic Health Research Building will be done by FY02.
Special back-to-school activities at UAF include an orientation program for new faculty Tuesday, Aug. 25. Orientation for new students starts Aug. 30 with a Welcome Back Barbecue at 5:30 p.m. at the Fountain of Flags. New student orientation continues through Sept. 2.
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CONTACT: UAF Public Information Officer Debra Damron, (907) 474-7122.
UAF NEWS RELEASES AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY AT:
http://www.uaf.edu/univrel/media/
DPD/8-21-98/99-010
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Last modified June 16, 1998