In this November 2019 photo, Jim Johnsen, president of the University of Alaska, is questioned by Kieran Poulson-Edwards, a writer for the Whalesong, the student newspaper at the University of Alaska Southeast, after Johnsen’s speech at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at the Moose Lodge. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

In this November 2019 photo, Jim Johnsen, president of the University of Alaska, is questioned by Kieran Poulson-Edwards, a writer for the Whalesong, the student newspaper at the University of Alaska Southeast, after Johnsen’s speech at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at the Moose Lodge. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

University of Alaska union calls for president’s resignation

Petition says he has “failed in all areas that matter to the academic mission.”

ANCHORAGE — The University of Alaska faculty union has called for the immediate resignation of the system’s president.

The executive board of United Academics union unanimously approved a public petition Friday asking university President Jim Johnsen to step down.

Johnsen, who became president in 2015, oversees the university system’s three universities and 13 community campuses with about 30,000 students.

Johnsen has “failed in all areas that matter to the academic mission” and has invested efforts to advance his career rather than lead the university, the union’s petition said.

Johnsen did not provide examples of his efforts to improve diversity in the system during recent interviews with the University of Wisconsin, the union said.

Johnsen was the lone finalist for the University of Wisconsin System’s president job. But he withdrew his name from consideration Friday in the face of mounting criticism from faculty, staff and students.

The announcement that Johnsen was the only finalist drew immediate criticism from Wisconsin faculty, staff and students who complained they had no representatives on the university’s search committee.

They also noted Johnsen received two no-confidence votes from Alaska faculty in 2017 and 2019 over proposals to consolidate programs and combine the three-university Alaska system into a single accredited institution to absorb budget cuts.

The Alaska faculty petition also cited deteriorating state funding and student enrollment and “the short-sighted elimination of critical and healthy academic programs” affecting many parties.

The University of Alaska Board of Regents voted to cut or reduce more than 40 academic programs June 5.

The university predicts a budget gap by fiscal year 2022 between $11.3 million and $36.3 million. The academic program and administrative cuts approved by the regents are part of an effort to address the financial situation, Johnsen said.

Faculty union President Abel Bult-Ito said 226 of about 1,050 faculty members the union represents signed the petition by Monday afternoon.

“He is the leader of the university. He should take responsibility for what is happening at the university,” said Bult-Ito, a professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

In his interview with the Wisconsin search committee, Johnsen was asked about commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion at universities. He was criticized as being tone deaf or inappropriate in his responses, which included references to being raised for a time by an African American family and working as the only white executive in an Alaska Native Corporation.

Johnsen also said Alaskans “expect a handout each year from our permanent fund,” referring to the state’s annual payment to residents drawn from oil revenue.

University spokeswoman Roberta Graham issued a statement saying Johnsen respects and supports the faculty’s rights to express their viewpoints, but he “remains dedicated to inclusiveness and transparency.”

Johnsen will continue to focus on the university’s mission and the regents’ goals of economic and workforce development, research, cost effectiveness and student success, Graham said.

• This is an Assocaited Press report.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears hockey senior captain Luke Bovitz (4) was selected to the 2025 Northern Lights All-Conference Team this week at the ASAA state hockey tournament. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Bovitz, Welch earn all-conference hockey honors

JDHS senior, junior honored before state tourney.

Students arrive at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé for the first day of the 2024-25 school year Aug. 15. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Students return unharmed to school after smoke detected at JDHS

CCFR gave the “all clear” for school to resume normal schedule.

Fireworks detonate just above a barge in Gastineau Channel during the show that began just after midnight on July 4, 2023. (Photo by Bob Gross)
City leaders consider alternatives to July 4 fireworks show after 2023 mishap raises safety concerns

Assembly members OKs same show this year if volunteer group willing, exploring other options for future.

Tim Ackerman begins the process of removing a dead seal’s pelt on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, on the Letnikof Cove shoreline. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)
Five headless seals have washed up on Chilkat Valley beaches in the last few months; here’s possibly why

Local marine mammal hunter weighs says the carcasses offer a glimpse into Alaska’s marine ecosystem.

Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people gather in Juneau for the opening of Celebration on June 5, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
New lawsuit seeks to limit Alaska Native tribes’ authority, stop Eklutna gambling hall

State challenges legal interpretation that allows tribes to exert authority over as much as 2.7M acres.

The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in front of snow-covered Mount Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Gov. Dunleavy proposes new limits on Alaskans’ ability to record conversations

A new proposal from Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy would require all sides… Continue reading

Jamiann S’eiltin Hasselquist asks participants to kneel as a gesture to “stay grounded in the community” during a protest in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday focused on President Donald Trump’s actions since the beginning of his second term. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Trump protest rally at Alaska State Capitol targets Nazi-like salutes, challenges to Native rights

More than 120 people show up as part of nationwide protest to actions during onset of Trump’s second term.

A sign at the former Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, June 24, 2024, commemorates the school being in operation from 1973 to 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Assembly ponders Floyd Dryden for tribal youth programs, demolishing much of Marie Drake for parking

Tlingit and Haida wants to lease two-thirds of former middle school for childcare and tribal education.

Most Read