University of Alaska regents to cut, reduce over 40 programs

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The University of Alaska Board of Regents has voted to cut or reduce more than 40 academic programs across the three-university system. University administrators agreed Friday to discontinue 39 programs, reduce four other programs and conduct one program merger. The cuts are meant to save the university $25 million as part of a spending reduction plan signed last year with Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Some of the eliminated programs will remain for up to four years so the more than 600 currently enrolled students can complete their degrees. Officials say thousands more also take classes from those programs.