The University of Dubuque might soon acquire a small private college located in southeast Alaska that suspended all academic operations two years ago.

But UD has no plans to buy the idle college and take on its extensive debt, said UD President Jeffrey Bullock.

"We do not exist to save other institutions," he said. He added that if those institutions fit the university's mission statement and make educational and financial sense, "then we'll do it."

Some say that Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska, needs to be saved.

The college that was the oldest institution of higher learning in Alaska closed June 2007 without warning.

"I don't know if anyone knew prior to it happening," said Chris Bryner, former dean of students at SJC.

The college was about $12 million in debt and could no longer remain opened. Only two employees -- the president and comptroller -- remained at SJC.

Bullock said UD doesn't plan to purchase the college located on an island in Alaska or acquire any of its debts.

"They're not buying the school," said SJC President David Dobler. "We're giving it to them."

Bullock said a decision will be made in the spring.

The reaction by the community of Sitka when learning their college might once again come alive with students was positive, Bryner said.

"It was cautious optimism," said Bryner, who started the Sheldon Jackson College Watch blog. "It's just a different town without the college students."

The two schools have a long history.

"We've had an interesting relationship with Sheldon Jackson (College) for many, many years," Bullock said.

Walter Soboleff, a centenarian, attended SJC before he boarded a ferry and then took a train to attend UD. Soboleff graduated from UD in 1929 and graduated from the seminary in 1936.

"We've had a number of students over the years from Sheldon Jackson (College)," Bullock said.

Both institutions have strong Presbyterian ties.

SJC has maintained a relationship with the Presbyterian Church, and the college's president is pastor of the Presbytery of Alaska.

UD maintains the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, which is one of the 10 official seminaries of the Presbyterian Church in the United States.

"We share a similar mission," Bullock said.

Dobler added the best way to continue the school's Presbyterian mission is through the University of Dubuque.

OBSTACLES

There are, however, quite a few obstacles that might eliminate the possible change of ownership.

One of the biggest challenges is the geographical distance, more than 3,000 miles, between the institutions.

And then there is the debt SJC has incurred.

Dobler has spent the past two years attempting to eliminate the college's $12 million debt by splitting up some of the 300 acres the college owns and selling it off.

"This is a difficult market to sell," Dobler said.

"The plan is to retain the core campus and core buildings," Dobler said. "I'm certainly confident that the debt will be retired."

Another obstacle is the cost to bring the campus up to the caliber of UD. The traditional quad at SJC was boarded up, but the dorms have remained open.

"The campus is a mixture of historic buildings ... and some fairly modern buildings," Dobler said. "Essentially, they are in good shape."

Neither president had an estimate on how much the improvements would cost.

Some in Sitka remained concerned about what they view as the poor leadership of those who decided to close SJC.

"The nature of this partnership is of interest to us because many of us would want the University of Dubuque to have sole authority over the running and managing of the school," Bryner said.

FUTURE

UD still is analyzing what the potential future of a UD in Sitka would look like.

One possibility is for students at UD to spend a summer, semester or year at SJC. It would be similar to a study abroad program.

"This obviously isn't another country, but it might as well be," Bullock said.

Another possibility is to use the salmon fish hatchery for the further development of the environmental science program.

"It's just a working, living, breathing actual laboratory for a number of our programs," Bullock said.

He said there would most probably be a dean in charge and the necessary staff.

"Having an institution come is great," Bryner said. "In general, most people in Sitka, Alaska, are excited."