By Louis Seymour
University of Alaska leaders addressed student concerns surrounding tuition costs, artificial intelligence and diversity programs during a systemwide town hall at Davis Concert Hall on Oct. 27.
The discussion included UAF Chancellor Russ Vander Lugt, UAA Chancellor Cheryl Siemers, UAS Chancellor Aparna Palmer and UA President Matthew Cooper. Questions from students and community members were presented by Nickole Conley, who served as the discussion's moderator. Topics ranged from the university's AI policies to concerns over support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, with each leader sharing plans and initiatives for the upcoming year.
Tuition and student costs featured prominently throughout the discussion, with President Cooper emphasizing a commitment to transparency. He also highlighted UA's implementation of program-based tuition as a way to make upper-level courses more accessible and reduce overall costs for students.
"I think one of the other really important things that program-based tuition does is it eliminates the surcharges that we had at the various universities for upper-level classes," Cooper said.
Rather than charging students a separate rate for each credit, program-based tuition establishes a predictable tuition rate based on a student's major. Cooper acknowledged concerns about students paying different tuition amounts for the same class, but said the change would not significantly alter the existing system of differential tuition.
"It's been something that's been true since we had differential tuition," he said.
The university's bookstore bundle was another financial concern addressed during the meeting. UAF Chancellor Vander Lugt defended the program, citing its overall affordability and the option for students to opt out. The program bundles course materials into a single charge rather than requiring students to purchase each item individually.
"Having this arrangement, where it's in a bundle, is 35 to 50 percent cheaper," Vander Lugt said.
He also highlighted the connection between textbook accessibility and student retention, arguing that students who cannot afford their course materials may be less likely to remain in school.
"Especially for first-generation students, if they don't buy their textbooks, there's less retention," he said.
Artificial intelligence policies were also discussed, with President Cooper addressing the environmental impacts of AI alongside its potential benefits to higher education. He acknowledged that the university has limited control over the broader technology industry and its development.
"There's not a ton that we can do to control what the industry does," he said.
Cooper also pointed to growing public demand as a factor driving AI development and the construction of additional data centers.
"More AI data centers are being built because more and more people are using AI," he said, adding that environmental concerns should be considered when making policy decisions.
Concerns regarding diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the UA system were also addressed by university leaders. Discussion focused on maintaining welcoming and supportive environments for students, faculty and staff, while considering how individual campuses approach these goals.
"We need to look to make sure that we're not only providing a safe and welcoming place, but a place where people from varying backgrounds can be successful," Cooper said.
UAS Chancellor Palmer pointed to programs at the Southeast campus that serve a similar purpose to DEI initiatives, including the university's Committee on Belonging, Empowerment, Access, Representation and Safety, or BEARS.
"This is a committee that has existed for a very long time. They were formerly the DEI committee, but they're still doing the same thing," Palmer said.
In his closing remarks, Vander Lugt also addressed DEI programs at UAF, pointing to the diversity of people throughout Alaska as an important part of the university's mission.
"One of the main reasons I accepted this position as chancellor is because of the great diversity we have in the state of Alaska," he said.
He added that the university's mission is rooted in providing an education and sense of belonging for all Alaskans.
"Our mission is fundamental to this aspect of providing purpose, and a sense of belonging, and an education per our state's constitution, which is for all Alaskans," Vander Lugt said.