News
Eielson Air Force Base and UAF enter housing agreement
The University of Alaska Fairbanks and Eielson Air Force Base have signed a housing agreement to utilize unused housing on campus to solve a shortage on base. As the recent growth on base has outpaced infrastructure, the Air Force has been searching for a medium to long-term solution to house its members.
Cause-UAW union enters collective bargaining with UA leadership
Collective bargaining has begun between university leadership and CAUSE-UAW, or the Coalition of Alaska University Staff for Equity. The union is working in partnership with the University of Alaska to secure higher wages, better healthcare, and holiday and sick leave.
Give moose space: Staying safe in Alaska
The safest outdoor adventures always begin with preparation, especially in Alaska. Wildlife, from squirrels to bears, can be thrilling to see, but it is important to be prudent about how you interact with these animals.
A common sight on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus is the moose. The key to coexisting with moose is to give them plenty of space.
Alaska Native Language Center at a crossroads as staffing changes raise questions about its future
The Alaska Native Language Center is at a pivotal moment. Longtime researchers warn that changes in staffing and institutional support could jeopardize decades of specialized language documentation, while the University of Alaska Fairbanks maintains that the center remains fully operational and committed to continuing and expanding its work.
Board of Regents approves tuition change aimed at boosting UAF enrollment
The University of Alaska Board of Regents unanimously approved a policy change Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, that will eliminate the additional tuition charged to nonresident students beginning with the fall 2027 semester.
Justice Jackson shares message of perseverance at UAF
A single word, “persevere,” remained with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson decades after a stranger said it to her during a difficult moment as a college freshman. The message became a reminder that even during moments of uncertainty, she had support around her and was not moving forward alone. Jackson carried this lesson through her education, legal career and historic path to the nation’s highest court.
UA sees funding increase in FY27 state budget
Alaska state Governor Mike Dunleavy signed the University of Alaska’s fiscal year 2027 budget June 24, increasing state funding by about 4% while investing in employee pay, deferred maintenance and workforce development.
Alaska’s plumaged inhabitants - How the 49th state hosts an incredible variety of birds
Every year, birds from around the world migrate to Alaska during the spring. Alaska’s vast landscapes, nearly 24 hours of sunlight, and the abundance of food make the state particularly appealing for birds trying to provide the best growing conditions for their offspring. Because of this, hundreds of thousands of birders visit the 49th state each year, hoping to observe firsthand this natural exhibition.
Col. Russell Vander Lugt selected as new permanent UAF chancellor
Col. Russell “Russ” Vander Lugt will serve as the next permanent chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, university officials announced Wednesday.
Final four chancellor candidates visit UAF, explain visions for future
Four finalists for the University of Alaska Fairbanks chancellor position outlined their visions for the university during public forums held May 4–8 on campus.
UAF at center of national security shift as Pentagon Defense and Marine Corps unveil new initiatives
The University of Alaska Fairbanks hosted two major defense-related announcements Friday where federal and military leaders outlined plans to expand Arctic research, military training and technology development in the state.
Cheers to you, Class of 2026!
The University of Alaska Fairbanks held its 104th commencement ceremony May 2 at the Carlson Center, celebrating the class of 2026. Graduates walked across the stage after years of study to hear their names called and receive their degrees, starting a new chapter as college graduates.
UA selects Matthew Cooper as 18th president
The University of Alaska Board of Regents selected Matthew Cooper, the system’s former general counsel, as its 18th president.
Cooper will succeed President Pat Pitney, who is retiring, and will begin Aug. 3, 2026.
Board Chair Scott Jepsen announced the appointment Friday, citing Cooper’s experience with the university, including work on the UA Land Grant Initiative.
College of Liberal Arts pained by massive deficit
As the College of Liberal Arts looks to hire a new dean, it faces a budget deficit of approximately $700,000 from fiscal year 2025 that resulted in a frozen budget, removal of autonomy over their budget, enlarged class sizes, and limited graduate student working hours. Faculty at the college say the strained budget made it hard to do their jobs due to a lack of resources and question the benefits of administrative overreach.
A new way of looking up – A peek into UAF’s new Walt and Marita Babula Planetarium
Last Saturday marked a new era for the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North. After a project envisioned 30 years ago, and a construction that lasted 12 months, the new Walt and Marita Babula Planetarium is finally completed, and the museum is ready to welcome curious visitors wondering about space’s deepest secrets.
A fight against the invisible – How the Alaska State Virology Laboratory is hunting down measles
Each morning a vehicle containing hundreds of samples approaches an unassuming building located in UAF’s upper campus. As the packages are carefully handled and test tubes are collected, a meticulously coordinated system of scientists starts its daily routine: extracting viral genetic material, testing its contents, and reporting the results.
CLA Dean finalists’ public forum recap
In a period of profound leadership changes in the University of Alaska system, with the search for a new UA president and UAF chancellor open, the College of Liberal Arts is coming close to finishing the dean search.
Fairbanksians grapple with high fuel prices
As students prepare to travel home, high fuel and energy prices squeeze Fairbanksians. The ongoing conflict in Iran has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping corridor off the Arabian peninsula. The Strait of Hormuz is critical to the global energy supply, with approximately 20% of the world’s crude oil passing through it.
Lawmakers hear conflicting views on Alaska Native Language Center
Alaska Native language advocates clashed with University of Alaska leaders again over the future of the Alaska Native Language Center, warning lawmakers that the state’s Indigenous languages are on the brink of extinction.
From preservation to purge, AI cuts language center funding
At the University of Alaska Fairbanks the mission of the Alaska Native Language Center has been clear since its founding in 1972: to document and preserve the state's Indigenous languages. But according to recently released federal deposition footage, an algorithm used by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, viewed the center's work through a different lens.

