University of Alaska Fairbanks cuts $20 million from budget

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) – The University of Alaska Fairbanks has announced it will cut $20 million from its budget this upcoming year.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports that some of the cuts come from 150 eliminated positions, reduced campus services and widespread consolidation. The detailed budget plans were released Wednesday.

UAF academic programs plan to slash 68.5 full-time positions, as well as 17 teaching assistants and adjunct faculty jobs. UAF spokeswoman Marmian Grimes says students will likely see more crowded classrooms and fewer duplicate offerings of required introductory courses.

The cuts come as the greater University of Alaska system faces declining state funding.

This is the third year UAF has dealt with major budget gaps, which now total more than $42 million