Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

General

 

Eielson Air Force Base Partnership

  • Why did UAF enter an agreement to house US Air Force personnel?

    Eielson Air Force Base has experienced sizable growth since 2020 with more projected over the next several years. Housing and infrastructure on the base have not been able to keep pace with the force structure changes in recent years, and military construction timelines often extend numerous years from proposal and design to the completion of the project. Given the limited options in the Interior of Alaska, Eielson inquired about UAF’s capacity to house a small population of single or unaccompanied servicemembers.

  • Are the dormitories used in this agreement displacing students or future students?

    At present, no. The two dormitories leased in this agreement have been unoccupied with no projected need given present enrollment and on campus residence trends. Should the need for additional student bed space arise the lease agreement language affords flexibility to meet the changing needs of our student population.

  • Do these military personnel have a separate set of rules or policies that must be followed? Does this agreement differ from the standards and expectations that students must follow in residence halls?

    All military personnel being housed under this agreement are subject to the rules, policies, and standards that all students living in a campus residence hall must abide by, to include the . Furthermore, military standards for conduct and servicemember housing guidelines are oftentimes more stringent than we require of a student living on campus.

  • Are these military personnel students? What status are they in?

    Our goal is to convince each servicemember residing with us that there is a course, a program, or an opportunity to pursue here at UAF, and to help them launch that journey! No, not all these new military residents will be students; in fact, most will be in ‘auxiliary’ status in terms of their credentials on post. Our goal is to provide education opportunities and a streamlined means to access them while they are living with us. The Department of Military and Veteran Services will assist interested servicemembers take first steps towards pursuit of a higher education goal.

  • Who has oversight of these servicemembers on campus?

    The answer is both UAF and Air Force leadership. While servicemembers are on campus they are in University Police District, are bound by campus and residence policy, and must comply with existing residence hall rules. Several UAF staff units will manage this agreement’s execution and will ensure that all services are provided and procedural aspects of the agreement are followed. But since these are U.S. Air Force personnel, military leaders play an equal or greater role in the management of this agreement. There will be onsite leadership in the dormitories. Air Force leaders will have access to the two halls where military personnel reside to ensure compliance with housing rules, campus compliance, and Air Force standards. In the event of an incident, both the University and the Air Force will collaborate to address the matter so that each institution’s equities and responsibilities are fully addressed.

  • Will there be any weapons on campus because of this agreement?

    No. This agreement ensures that servicemember residents must abide by the same Regents’ Policies and University Regulations that all students do, and that residence life community standards are followed by all residents on campus, despite affiliation.

  • Where will these servicemembers park and do they pay the same parking rates as a UAF student?

    Servicemembers residing on campus under this agreement are afforded designated parking near the lower dormitories. Parking fees are commensurate with current student rates and were included in the negotiated terms of the lease agreement.

  • Will these servicemember residents be able to interact with students, including having them in their designated dormitories?

    One of the goals of this partnership is to provide an immersive collegiate experience to these servicemembers to maximize the benefits of the agreement, to share in the goodness of UAF life, and to influence thought on pursuing betterment through schooling with us. Resultantly, residents under this agreement will have access to the Wood Center for Student Engagement, the Rasmuson Library, and most all other general access facilities on main campus. Under the terms of the contract, these servicemembers will also have access to the SRC and may in the future have the option to sign up for select meal options through our campus dining service. Servicemember residents and students will invariably intermingle—these are engagements that will benefit both parties and lead to insightful dialog and learning. Co-mingling in dormitories is governed by the guest visitation policy (Community Standards > Guest Visitation Policy) found in the UAF Residence Life Handbook.

  • How long will this agreement last?

    The current agreement is for a one-year term, however based on housing needs at Eielson Air Force Base there is the possibility of a longer-term lease being considered.