In a virtual town hall on Tuesday, University of Alaska President Pat Pitney told staff, students, and faculty, “Don’t pre-panic.”
The advice came a day after she announced four current and former foreign students on the Anchorage campus had their visas revoked without notice by the Trump administration as part of a crackdown targeting hundreds of students nationwide.
UA leaders gave updates via Zoom to 500 staff, students, and faculty members who attended the meeting amid federal uncertainty. Hundreds more watched online through Pitney’s communications website and the video is still available.
Pitney acknowledged the fear and stress the chaos at the federal level has caused Alaska’s university system, including threats by President Donald Trump to cut funding and the Board of Regents responding by voting to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion materials from campus to preserve some of those funds.
UA has also experienced frozen grants, some of which they have been able to unfreeze. Other grants were threatened, but the cancellation is currently on hold. Pitney said they are continuing to monitor grants and contracts through the system and communicate with Alaska’s congressional delegation.
She spoke on the university’s FY26 operating and capital budget progress, Board of Regents actions, Empower Alaska, Employee Engagement Survey results, and other topics before taking questions from the university community. The Zoom webinar format allowed participants to ask questions through the moderator or via pre-submitted questions using an online form.
More than 140 questions were submitted, and while not all could be answered due to time, it was promised that they would be reviewed by leadership.
“The speed at which things are moving in the federal environment is profound, and many things are being stopped through the courts,” Pitney said. “Other things are not, and sometimes we’re going to have to react, even though we know we might prevail in court, we might not be able to handle all the disruption in the meantime. So just understand we recognize it’s stressful, but we have to keep walking through this uncertain time.”
Many of the questions raised concerns about support of Alaska Native programs and student services following the Regents’ Feb. 21 decision to remove DEI content from online and printed materials. The motion was in response to executive orders and ultimatums issued by the Trump administration that schools and universities eliminate DEI measures or risk losing their federal funding.
Concerns about the reorganization of UAA Native Student Services has gripped the Anchorage campus in recent weeks. UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell said NSS will be renamed the Indigenous and Rural Student Center, with programming and support continuing.
University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Aparna Palmer said Alaska’s Indigenous heritage is central to the university’s identity as an institution.
“What I want to reaffirm to everyone today is the UAS Native and Rural Student Center is intact,” she said. “It is still operating as usual. It is still continuing to serve students. There are no plans to close or reduce the services of the NRSC. And in addition, our Indigenous Studies programs are intact and because of academic freedom, the professors in those programs are able to teach in their disciplines, the way that they see fit, what they believe is important in that discipline, they get to teach.”
She said programs that allow Indigenous teachers to receive training and support also remain available. The UAS Native student graduation celebration will move forward, and UAS is still planning to raise funds for the Cyril George Indigenous Knowledge Center.
Another major concern was the protection of international students after the federal government on Monday revoked visas for one current UAA student and three recent graduates in post-graduation training without prior notice. At least 790 students at more than 120 colleges and universities have had their visas revoked or their legal status terminated in recent weeks, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.
“These actions are not happening in a way that we can foreshadow, but when it does happen, we’re reaching out to the individuals, advising them on access to immigration lawyers, as well as supporting them in their need to look,” Pitney said.
International student support offices monitor the status of all international students and faculty. She said if an immigration official comes onto campus they have access to public spaces, but cannot enter dormitories and faculty offices. Pitney said UA has communicated across all campuses that students and staff should contact university leadership and the police department if an immigration officer is seeking a student.
Wayne Mowery, general counsel for the UA system, said a legal analysis will determine, case by case, if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has the right to enter certain campus spaces.
“This is a very unsettling time for individuals in our international community, and it’s not unique to us,” Mowery said. “This is happening at universities across the country, so we are tracking best practices that we see our peers using as well.”
Students and faculty were directed to a UA website for additional information on federal executive actions. Mowery also encouraged international students to consult with an immigration attorney now so that a working relationship is in place before a student might need the attorney. He said UA is seeing unprecedented federal action and is hopeful the resources and support “will help people navigate through this very difficult time.”
Elizabeth Cornejo, executive director for community relations and strategic partnerships at UAS, wrote in an email to the Empire that UAS has a small and highly valued international student population.
“While the university does not provide legal advice or immigration services, we recommend that international students keep in touch with the UAS Admissions Office, keep their documentation close at hand, and use the resources available on the Federal Relations website to find and consult with an immigration attorney so they know their rights ahead of any inquiries or changes that may occur,” she wrote. “At the same time, we want to respect their privacy and will respect their wishes if their visa status changes.”
Pitney acknowledged that the federal threats to cut funding have created an environment of anxiety and stress.
“Let’s work together, not against each other,” she said to conclude the virtual meeting.
• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz.garrett@juneauempire.com or (907) 723-9356.
