On Dec. 11, 1986, the University of Alaska-Juneau (now University of Alaska Southeast) was waiting for the official reorganization plan from University of Alaska President Donald O’Dowd. His proposal to restructure the university system to fit the schools’ declining revenue was approved by the Board of Regents, meaning that the unpopular plan would definitely take effect. The most contentious part of O’Dowd’s plan was to drop the graduate program from UAJ, thereby creating a standard four-year liberal arts undergraduate college.
In Legislature news, the first woman was chosen to be the Alaska Senate president: Sen. Jan Faiks. The coalition was dominated by Republicans, and Faiks and the rest of the coalition were trying to recruit the other Democrats in the Senate to end a coalition led by Republican Sen. Tim Kelly of Anchorage. Many of these Democrats were planning on switching to Faiks’ side, excepting Sen. Frank Ferguson from Kotzebue. Ferguson confirmed rumors he was resigning from office due to health issues; he had a stroke that impacted his speaking ability.
“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.
