The University of Alaska (UA) faces a $26M budget deficit. Jobs have been cut, departments are being downsized, and departing faculty are being replaced by adjuncts who earn poverty wages and receive no benefits. Student services have been slashed while student fees have increased. Public Radio programming has been axed, as has the University of Alaska Press in Fairbanks and the Alaska Quarterly Review in Anchorage. Routine maintenance has repeatedly been deferred. In July 2014, amidst this budget crisis, the UA Board of Regents decided to grant UA president Patrick Gamble a retention bonus of $320,000, to be awarded upon completion of his contract.

In response to this bonus, University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) parents, students, alumni, retired faculty, non-unionized UAF staff, and members of all university unions–United Academics-Adjuncts (6054), United Academics (4996), University of Alaska Federation of Teachers (2404), and Alaska Higher Education Crafts and Trades Employees (6070)–as well as Fairbanks community members are gathering for weekly street-corner demonstrations, and they’ve created a petition.

They are requesting that the Board withdraw the bonus or the president refuse it. A $320,000 bonus for the UA President is fiscally and morally irresponsible at this time. Support their campaign by clicking on this link and signing the petition:

http://www.change.org/p/university-of-alaska-board-of-regents-fund-education-not-bonuses-for-executives?recruiter=142545690&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition

AAUP members can follow the discussion and the issue at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1481253575424243/