TV INTERVIEW ON GOVERNOR'S POWER TO SUSPEND UNIVERSITY REGENTS

Anchorage ABC television Channel 11 interviewed me today about HB237, my House State Affairs Committee legislationthat would permit a governor to suspend a university regent for any of the following reasons:

1) A criminal complaint, presentment, information, or indictment involving a felony in any jurisdiction

2) An information or formal criminal charges of a misdemeanor if it involves dishonesty, breach of trust or the University

3) Allegations of nonfeasance in the office including misconduct in office, an inability to serve, neglect of duty or incompetence

HB 237 has been referred to the House State Affairs Committee, then on to the House Judiciary Committee Committee, for consideration.

I told the TV reporter that if the governor has the power to appoint a university regent, that a governor should likewise have the power to remove, if that was their decision. That's the case with state commissioners, and the same should apply to regents. The bill was introduced on the House floor on April 13th.

The mission of the university system in educating the future leaders of Alaska must not get hung up with recourse when a regent's behavior, real or alleged,could cause damage to the university. This bill would "put the ball in the a governor's court" on such matters.