Dear signers, 

It has been a tremendously difficult couple of weeks for members of the University of Alaska community, Alaskans more generally and supporters from around the world. 

Thanks in part to the petition and efforts by numerous activists on the ground, the unprecedented situation facing the University of Alaska became national news. Copies of the petition were delivered to the offices of Alaska State legislators and the Governor's Office. Constituents flooded the legislature and governor with thousands of emails and phone calls in an effort to sway the opinion of a small minority of legislators who appeared to be siding with Governor Dunleavy on the draconian budget cuts. 

During the vote to override the Governor's veto, a majority of legislators expressed their support for the university, highlighting the unprecedented level of mobilization in favor of funding the University of Alaska among their constituents. Rep. Steve Thompson of Fairbanks, for example, explicitly mentioned how scientists and educators from all over the world reached out to him asking him to save Alaska's university system as one of the world's foremost research centers on climate change. 

Unfortunately, a small group of legislators refused to respond to concerns being expressed by their constituents as well as educators and researchers from across the country and the world. Instead of openly voicing their support for the Governor, this small minority of legislators simply did not appear at the legislature as a result of which the override failed. Rather than face the Alaskan public, these legislators decided to remain silent, ignore the petition and refrain from at least responding to the concerns of Alaskans. 

This unconscionable decision is a serious blow to Alaska's future and is all the more painful given the ways these budget cuts have been pushed through against the will of the majority of Alaskans in a deeply undemocratic way. 

I would like to thank all of you for your support, for helping to bring attention to the situation in Alaska. A very special thank you also goes out to The Alaska Center and their volunteers on the ground for doing their best in sharing the petition with lawmakers on the ground. I implore all Alaskans to continue the fight against these catastrophic budget cuts. Alaska's future is at stake and we cannot afford to be complacent or defeatist. I know thousands of Alaskan families are devastated right now, but it is important to continue organizing and mobilizing for change. 

In solidarity, 

Yan Matusevich