UA draft would answer McMahon's letter with a webpage meant not to read as tied to it

A University of Alaska draft would answer Education Secretary Linda McMahon's Aug. 3 letter with a standalone page on the president's website that "should not read as tied to the McMahon letter if found without context." The draft, dated Oct. 22, was filed for the Board of Regents meeting that began Thursday.

McMahon asked colleges to respond concretely to questions in seven areas, including admissions and merit, free speech and protests, faculty hiring, affordability, academic rigor, foreign influence on research and American interests. She asked them to post statements prominently on their websites before the end of 2026. Her letter and the department's release name no penalty.

Under the draft, UA would publish one system statement that addresses the letter's themes rather than answering its questions one by one. The page would lead with affordability, UA as "Alaska's workforce engine" and graduates who stay in Alaska. It cites resident tuition and fees averaging $9,650 a year, nearly 18% below the regional average.

The draft does not use the words merit, foreign, protest or reform. That shows what its language leaves out, not that UA has no position on those topics. It calls free speech and academic freedom fundamental values and quotes former UA President Mark Hamilton: "We allow ideas to be expressed."

The agenda lists Public Affairs Director Jonathon Taylor and General Counsel Wayne Mowery to discuss the draft, with no vote scheduled.

A federal grants update filed with the same item says UA no longer has any frozen or delayed federal grants. Since 2025, 32 grants with remaining balances of $16.7 million have been terminated, and 29 grants with total values of $86.2 million have been restored, the update says.