News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

University Issues on the Table for Breakfast Club Meeting

Legislators to Meet with University Regents

For Immediate Release: February 18, 1998 Contact: Senator Gary Wilken, 465-3709.

Juneau – Carrying on a tradition begun last summer, legislators and University of Alaska Board of Regents will meet over breakfast Thursday morning to continue dialogue on university issues. All legislators have been invited to attend the breakfast meeting, hosted by the Board of Regents, which will be held from 7-9 a.m. in the Treadwell room of the Baranof.

Issues tentatively slated for discussion include an update on the University’s reorganization scheme, the medical education program known as WAMI, and the Regents’ plans for selecting a new University president. The setting will be informal to encourage the exchange of ideas and positive dialogue.

Senator Gary Wilken, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education and Social Services Committee, said the purpose of the Breakfast meetings are two-fold: to educate the legislators about the university and to educate the Regents about the issues and concerns heard by legislators from their constituents.

"Our university needs the strong support of the Legislature. That support will come from a Legislature that truly understands the general organization and operation of the university," Wilken said. "We hope that understanding will produce commitment; commitment will create support; and support will ensure that our University system will be one that all Alaskans, including the Legislature, can be proud."

Legislators and University Board of Regents met three times this interim – twice in Anchorage and once in Fairbanks. The hope is to continue building positive momentum through future on-going exchanges.

# # #