News
Interim Chancellor and team host budget forum
When Mike Sfraga was appointed interim chancellor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in July, he knew he had to manage and navigate a dynamic budget landscape. At the chancellor’s budget forum on Nov. 20, his goal was to have the public understand where UAF’s money comes from and how it flows out though the whole community.
The meeting kicked off with Sfraga’s opening remarks and then transitioned to talks from other UA leaders discussing the difficult budget ahead. After Sfraga, Julie Queen, the vice chancellor for administrative services at UAF, spoke to the crowd.
Northern Center faces financial woes, furloughs
After months of staff furloughs, financial strain and the executive director departing, the Northern Alaska Environmental Center, founded in 1971, is working to rebuild its operations and regain stability.
On Sept. 10 the center’s board of directors released a letter stating that Elisabeth Dabney, former executive director, would be “concluding her service” with the Northern Center. Five days later, the board issued a second message announcing that they would be placing their programming on pause. This included furloughing all four staff members.
Diplomatic Dialogue: A Conversation about the Ukrainian War
The former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, William “Bill” Taylor, who served under President George W. Bush and as a chargé d'affaires to Ukraine during President Trump’s first term, spoke at a town hall on the Ukraine-Russia conflict at UAF in the Davis Concert Hall. In addition to explaining the historical context and background that led to the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Taylor gave insights into the current geopolitical situation, the progress of the war, and the recent Trump-Putin summit in Anchorage.
UAF marks Veterans Day with Student Veterans of America speech
“Today is your day,” Sean Wise told a packed room of veterans and students at UAF’s Rasmuson Library Tuesday as veterans, students, and community members gathered for a Veterans Day celebration.
UA system president Pat Pitney announces retirement after 5 years at the helm
Pat Pitney, University of Alaska system president, announced her retirement Thursday morning in an email to UA students and staff. Pitney has been in this role since August 1, 2020.
Pitney was working as the financial director for the legislature when she got a call on a Thursday night five years ago.
Board of Regents raises tuition, discusses growth, and more
The University of Alaska Board of Regents, or BoR, approved a 4% tuition increase across the system beginning Fall 2026 at their recent board meeting. Regents met to discuss budget requests for the fiscal year of 2027.
The Fight for Women’s Rights in Alaska
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is home to many important researchers, from forensic anthropologists to criminologists and victimologists. Ingrid Johnson, a criminologist and victimologist on campus, teaches classes and conducts research involving domestic violence in the state of Alaska.
PFAS Contamination in Fairbanks’ Water
Most people who have visited Fairbanks have been warned not to drink the tap water. While the tap water is mostly safe to drink, it has been proven to contain forever chemicals known as PFAS.
University of Alaska Board of Regents hear public opinion about Trump administration regulations
The University of Alaska’s Board of Regents, or BOR, held the public testimony section of their quarterly meeting on November 3.
Tribal leaders convene at UAF for 2025 Governance Symposium
Tribal leaders, scholars, and elders from across Alaska gathered together at the University of Alaska Fairbanks from Oct. 28–30 for the 2025 Tribal Governance Symposium, a three-day event centered on traditional leadership, sovereignty, and the future of Indigenous governance.
The subtle arts of blowing up pigs and sorting mass graves
Fairbanks is home to the state’s only forensic anthropologist, Petra Banks. Banks works as a researcher and professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and is currently in the beginning stages of research that will help to bring more forensic anthropology to Alaska. Recently, The Sun Star had the opportunity to interview Banks about her research and how she became involved in the unique field.
AK Native nonprofit CEO discusses leadership
On the evening of October 23, Melanie Bahnke, President and CEO of Kawerak, Inc., an Alaska Native tribal nonprofit, delivered a talk as part of the ongoing Arctic Leadership Series about Alaska Native perspectives and history, challenges incited by Western contact, Typhoon Halong’s major impacts on her community, how to become a great leader, and her own personal story.
AK interior medical education summit meets at UAF
The Alaska Interior Medical Education Summit, better known as AIMES, is an event hosted each year by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where students and community members alike can gather to learn more about opportunities in the world of medicine.
Refugees from ex-typhoon Halong find shelter in Fairbanks
Ex-typhoon Halong tore through the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta’s villages last week, leaving widespread destruction in its wake.
Jaimee Mesak evacuated from Kipnuk to North Pole with her children and extended family, 5 adults and 6 children in total, described the terrifying speed of the flooding.
UA leaders tackle finance, safety, and student support concerns at Town Hall
University of Alaska President Pat Pitney addressed financial uncertainties and responded to concerns about campus safety during a virtual town hall held on Oct. 13.
President Pat Pitney opened by emphasizing the university’s “unassailable” support for academic freedom and free speech.
Alaskans React to Trump’s Approval of The Ambler Road Project
On October 6, President Trump approved an appeal made by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority which authorized the Ambler Road Project. In the following days, the senate overturned The Central Yukon Resource Management Plan, a Biden- era land management plan that blocked the development of the road.
David Balton shares his thoughts on the future of the North
The Arctic Leadership Lecture Series brought in guest speaker veteran diplomat and Arctic policy leader Ambassador David Balton to discuss the changing North and ways the community and the nation can help.
Big Turnout, Big Topics at 2025 Municipal Candidate Forum
A record-breaking crowd packed the Wood Center Tuesday night to listen to Fairbanks’ future leaders. Candidates for local office shared their visions on energy, education, housing and community care during the 2025 Municipal Candidate Forum, an event co-hosted by the UAF Honors College, ASUAF, and the Department of Political Science.
UA Graduate Workers Union Hosts “Kill the Cuts” Town Hall
In the wake of federal cuts and divestment from research, the Alaskan Graduate Workers Association, or AGWA, hosted a town hall on September 29 to discuss budget cuts and organize resistance.
Bomb threats close parts of UAF, cancels morning classes
An early morning bomb threat sent to the University of Alaska Fairbanks police department, forced UAF to cancel classes until noon on the Troth Yeddha’ Campus and led to the closure of several offices west of the Museum of the North.