UAF 2000

Goal 1

Become the world's leader in Arctic research and graduate education

UAF is widely acknowledged and regarded for its research strengths in environmental sciences, natural history, space physics, natural resources, oceanography, human life and culture of the North, northern engineering, and earth system processes (global change). A goal of UAF must be to build upon these strengths in order to function as a national center of excellence in northern research and related graduate education. Emphasis on interdisciplinary research linking the physical, biological and social sciences, as well as engineering, will bring the various UAF departments and research institutes closer together and will position the University to respond to emerging national and international research initiatives. To secure world leadership in Arctic research by the year 2000 UAF will:

  1. Train graduate students who will play leading roles in tomorrow's society.
    1. Increase the number of graduate students in programs related to research strengths. While this effort should include strengthening and, in a selective fashion, expanding graduate programs at both the master's and Ph.D. levels, its focus should be on Ph.D. programs and the annual production of 30 Ph.D. graduates in relevant areas by the year 2000. The opportunity to expand Ph.D. programs is available because of the size of present research efforts. The obligation to do so is inherent in UAF's aspiration to a position of leadership in Arctic research and graduate education.
    2. Selectively recruit scholars who can bring and attract Ph.D. students and colleagues. Make them "magnets" for enhanced doctoral programs.
    3. Expand present graduate fellowship programs to include more students and establish fellowships in the humanities and social sciences.
    4. Build a potential cadre of graduate students by expanding existing undergraduate research, internship, and field study programs.
  2. Function as a national center of excellence in Arctic and subarctic research.
    1. Emphasize and encourage research to provide an understanding of physical, biological, and social processes and phenomena as they occur in or are relevant to the Arctic and subarctic region and its population.
    2. Facilitate interdisciplinary research and graduate study.
    3. Improve and maintain the infrastructure for research and graduate education at UAF, including state-of-the-art facilities, equipment, and networking.
    4. Integrate all UAF campuses into research efforts, paying particular attention to the advantages afforded to UAF by the locations of and expertise at rural campuses. 
Putting the plan into action
Goal 2