On Feb. 12, 1987, Sen. Jim Duncan from Juneau proposed legislation that would set up a citizens advisory board to provide input to the Alaska Marine Highway System regarding future schedule reductions. Under his plan, five public members, with at least three from communities the ferry system served, would be appointed by the governor to advise the Alaska Marine Highway in five-year terms. Duncan’s stated goal was to protect the freight user and passenger needs in light of incoming service cuts.
Enrollment statistics came in for the University of Alaska-Juneau, now called the University of Alaska Southeast. While the number of full-time students jumped by 24 percent during the spring semester, the percentage of part-time students dropped by 8 percent. The information came in the wake of University of Alaska President Donald O’Dowd announcing his plan to reorganize Alaska college campuses. UAJ also gave honorary doctoral degrees to community activist Dove Kull, scientist Bob Armstrong and fishing industry leader Alexander Brindle.
“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.
