Applied Science Building FAQ
Located on the corner of D Street and Alaska Street, the Applied Sciences Building is one of two UAF buildings in Dillingham. In addition to the building’s educational spaces, it also houses three apartments, two of which are publicly rented and one that is reserved for university use.
UAF does not use most of the Applied Sciences Building. Transitioning the building to a trusted local partner ensures the facility continues to benefit the community in alignment with its original vision. In addition, some sale proceeds will help launch the new community campus delivery model. UA President Pat Pitney released a statement about the sale.
UAF selected BBAHC as the prospective buyer because BBAHC is a trusted tribal healthcare organization and regional partner with a longstanding commitment to serving the health and well-being of Bristol Bay communities. Under BBAHC’s ownership, the facility can become a regional resource supporting tribal healthcare, workforce development, wellness, and other services that benefit communities throughout Bristol Bay.
BBAHC plans to use the building strategically to support and expand tribal healthcare services and related regional initiatives, while also creating opportunities to co-locate programs and make more effective use of existing resources. This includes leveraging the facility to expand regional clean-water testing, support housing needs associated with healthcare services, and strengthen workforce training and development for the region.
The sale is currently in development and subject to final approvals.
Following town hall meetings in December 2025 and January 2026, then-UA President Pat Pitney shared a letter in February 2026 with details on the University’s approach. This included that UAF would:
- Not proceed with selling the building at that time.
- Pursue additional strategies, including seeking a community-based or regional buyer for the building.
- Continue to be responsible stewards of limited public resources.
We understand there may have been discussions about the university waiting a year to sell the building, and recognize that mixed messaging may have unintentionally created confusion and contradicted the actual timeline. We regret misunderstandings these conversations caused. Read the full letter.
UAF’s students and academic programs will continue without interruption. UAF has relocated the academic, student support, and outreach programs currently housed in the Applied Science Building to the main Bristol Bay Campus building across the street.
No. The building sale and introduction of the new delivery model shows that UAF is growing, not shrinking, its commitment toBristol Bay. By selling the Applied Sciences building to a local partner and bringing more courses to the region, UAF is actively demonstrating its commitment toward student success, workforce preparation, and community priorities.
UAF will use some of the sale proceeds to launch its new community campus delivery model, in Dillingham. This new model gives the Bristol Bay community access to courses from UAF, UAA and UAS starting in January 2027. Since the university can't bring every class to Bristol Bay, community input is crucial. We invite the community to give feedback on the courses it most wants to see through our feedback form. Other sale proceeds will be used for deferred maintenance in UAF's main Bristol Bay Campus building and various additional needs.