On March 9, 1987, University of Alaska President Donald O’Dowd said that although there would be massive adjustments made to the UA system, academic programs and course offering will have remained mostly unaltered. Widespread changes in administration were set for August 1. O’Dowd admitted that while students would notice less staff able to respond to their needs, overall the reorganization will not have been too terrible considering the cuts made. O’Dowd also introduced a new tuition schedule which would make it easier for part-time students but harder for full-time students to pay. The new plan would have also standardized tuition so that students would not pay at different times depending on their school.
A cross-country skier entered Bartlett Memorial Hospital after being caught in an avalanche on Mount Troy. While in a group of six experienced skiers, Karen Palmer crossed an open slope with another skier when they noticed they had entered an avalanche zone. The avalanche began before they could leave the area.
Meanwhile, waves were made in the Alaska Legislature. Juneau Sen. Jim Duncan introduced legislation giving local communities the right to create separate port authorities to build and operate waterfront development projects. The bill aimed to “strengthen our ability … to develop our waterfront areas and bring more economic activity,” Sen. Duncan said. The reaction for Sen. Duncan’s bill was positive, however, another bill cosponsored by Sen. Mitch Abood, R-Anchorage, drew a different response. The bill would have allowed state sentences of first-degree murderers be death by lethal injection or firing squad.
“This Day in Juneau History” is compiled by Empire freelancer Tasha Elizarde, who sums up the day’s events — 30 years ago — by perusing Empire archives.
