Despite strong headwinds, a glimmer of hope for the University of Alaska Author: Anchorage Daily News editorial board | Opinion Share on Facebook Print article It was only two years ago that the University of Alaska’s fortunes reached their lowest ebb in a generation. In February 2019, Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s controversial austerity budget had the institution facing a massive $130 million cut — 40% of its state funding. The survival of NCAA sports didn’t look realistic; the complete shutdown of at least one of the system’s three main campuses looked like a serious possibility — if not, all three campuses would be husks of their former selves.