UA professors oppose banned words and defend free speech and cultural diversity | Alaska Beacon We feel compelled to speak against the censorship of words and ideas, which is antithetical to the University of Alaska’s mission.

UA professors oppose banned words and defend free speech and cultural diversity in a commentary for the @alaskabeacon.com
alaskabeacon.com/2026/04/18/u...

Sign before noon on November 3! @uaworkers.neocities.org @universityofalaska.bsky.social @uafairbanks.bsky.social @aaup.org @aft.org

Reject the Federal Higher Education Compact to Maintain UA’s Autonomy The new federal Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education mandates that universities surrender their autonomy and give control of key authorities, such as hiring, curriculum, research, and s...

Have you signed our petition telling the University of Alaska Board of Regents to reject the federal "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education"? All UA stakeholders--students, employees, alumni, & members of the public--are invited to sign!
actionnetwork.org/petitions/re...

‼️ MURKOWSKI, SULLIVAN, and RFK Jr ARE IN ANCHORAGE - PROTEST TUES, AUG 5 at 4PM AT ANTHC ‼️

👉 Murkowski, Sullivan, and Begich all voted to cut health care for Alaskans.

👉 RFK Jr. peddles racist conspiracy theories and profits off anti-science bs. He has NO place in #Alaska.

#Akleg #AlaskaSky

Correcting President Pitney's 5-20-2025 spin claiming it is good news that the state didn't appropriate raises for non-union staff. Picture of her email stating UA has more freedom to give non-represented employees raises with a red grading comment bubble asking her to reword to avoid misleading because the AK legislature regularly funds union contractual raises but this is the second year in a row they have not funded non-unionized staff raises. With screen shot from AK legislature FY26 budget report dated May 19 2025 showing denial of salary increases outside of union contracts.

In case you missed it. @universityofalaska.bsky.social @uaworkers.neocities.org @aaup.bsky.social

Responding to the University of Alaska's Anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Motion YouTube video by United Academics_4996_AK

"It was a decision made over lunch, behind closed doors"
youtu.be/dufK_GK1c5E @aaup.bsky.social @uaworkers.neocities.org @higheredlabor.bsky.social

The ripple effect of these federal funding cuts will be significant and far reaching. Thank you ADN for covering this important, devastating story.

Alaska House votes to revive pension plan for state and municipal workers | Alaska Beacon House Bill 78 won't be taken up by the Senate until next year, but leading senators appear favorable to the idea.

Alaska House votes to revive pension plan for state and municipal workers, reports James Brooks, @alaska.bsky.social, of @alaskabeacon.com: alaskabeacon.com/2025/05/13/a... #akleg

Public testimony hour for UA board of regents Monday May 19, 2025 from 4-5 pm akdt. Dial 1-800-717-1738. Get in the queue early.

Start planning your testimony now and get in the queue early on Monday!

Are we great yet?

Columbia Lays Off Nearly 180 People Because of Trump Research Cuts

“This is a really hard time for anyone who wants to do research, but particularly for people who are starting out,” Dr. Sussman said. “It is very disheartening to see the wheels of science kind of grinding to a halt.”

#TRUMPCUTSKILL

Electric May Day celebration in Anchorage, Alaska yesterday! Our community came together to stand up for workers in every sector and demand answers from our federal delegation.

One Union. One Alaska. One Fight. ✊
#MayDay #UnionStrong #1u

Great article by the News-Miner’s Jack Barnwell about the threats to ACCAP!

Alaskans share support for Alaska climate center as faces funding loss www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_...

May Day tax the rich QR code to find a rally near you

May Day is International Workers' Day and workers around the U.S. are rallying to reclaim our rights and our power. Find a rally near you, make a sign, and take your friends and family!

Stronger Together: Liz Shuler on the Power of Labor Unions "When you have unions, negotiate a contract or collective bargaining agreement in a workplace, it inevitably lifts the standards for all working people"

AFL-CIO President @lizshuler.bsky.social recently joined @jenrubin.bsky.social on The Contrarian to talk about how America’s unions are fighting back against the Trump admin’s illegal actions against workers, @deptofworkers.bsky.social fighting back against DOGE, and more.

Tune in!

HAPPENING NOW: Huge #HandsOffHigherEd rally happening at Yale! We are standing together to protect all people, programs, and research at Yale and at schools across the country.

It's one of President Pitney's favorite sayings. She won an Olympic gold medal in 1984 for shooting, so she uses a lot of gun metaphors.

Don't shoot in!!

Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions - rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking steps to make sure students can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope others follow suit.

Letter from UA President Pat Pitney. Highlighted in orange: “The federal government has revoked visas for four individuals affiliated with UAA — one current student and three recent graduates in post-graduation training — without prior notice.”

The phone numbers for Alaska elected officials Rep. Nick Begich, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. Dan Sullivan, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy, all Republicans.

‼️ Call the Alaska congressional delegation & Governor Dunleavy to demand that University of Alaska students’ visas be reinstated today, and that our elected representatives speak up in support of international students, staff, and faculty as well as our immigrant neighbors across Alaska. #alaskasky

"I want to talk to you about the part of the (UA BOR) motion where it absolutely toadies to the federal government. Toadies? Umm, boot licks, rolls over and submissively wets." - Senator Jesse Kiehl to UA Board of Regents appointee Christine Resler.

An investment in education pays the best interest - Ben Franklin

sign we need ten gop heroes

sign science saves lives

group of people holding signs supporting science funding.

Kill the Cuts protest at UAF today! The senseless federal threats to funding threaten research throughout the UA system!

Happening tomorrow Tuesday, 4/8! Kill the Cuts protest at UAF Troth Yeddha' campus, noon to 1 pm. Bring our friends and bring a sign!

Weingarten Rights: A Union Benefit YouTube video by United Academics_4996_AK

If you're in a union, you have Weingarten Rights. That means you can stop a meeting at any point if you think it might result in discipline, and you can demand that the meeting be rescheduled when your union rep can be there.
youtu.be/3dqy0g_lQ5w?...

Firefighters attempt to extinguish the blaze engulfing the building that housed the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.

Each year on March 25 we commemorate the anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. This tragic event took the lives of 146 mostly young, immigrant women workers in 1911.

Fuzzy Arguments and Eerie Silences A University Complies with Anti-DEI

University of Alaska's Faculty Alliance Chair wrote a fantastic thought-piece of UA's new anti-DEI policy. Read it!
open.substack.com/pub/jennifer...

Congratulations to UAS Professor X'Unei Lance Twitchell for winning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Series!!

Are you concerned about the new University of Alaska policy on diversity, equity, and inclusion? If so, join this virtual listening session with Rep Ashley Carrick to voice your concerns and share your comments. Use QR code for link or dial 253-215-8782 meeting ID 918 6311 4516 passcode 060822

This Wednesday, 3/19, @5:30 pm: Virtual listening session on UA's new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy. Log on with questions and comments!

On March 7, 2025, Alaskans in Fairbanks and Juneau participated in a nationwide STAND UP FOR SCIENCE protest against the federal government's threats to cut funding for important scientific discoveries.
#empowerAKtogether!

UAA celebrates diversity video 2025 03 04 YouTube video by United Academics_4996_AK

Alaska is a diverse state! We should celebrate it, not ban it! youtu.be/IZfSB_-svZc