The Board of Regents establishes the Sydney Chapman Chair in Physical Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the support of which is governed by AS 14.40.282 and subsequent capital appropriations and private funds. This chair is established further to enhance the quality of teaching and research in areas of the physical sciences which are of special interest to the north. Appointments to this chair will honor and acknowledge the contributions of a distinguished physical scientist.

An appointment to the Sydney Chapman Chair will be a term appointment subject to Regents' Policy, University Regulation, and rules and procedures governing faculty appointments at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The appointment may be renewable.

Distinguished physical scientists to be eligible to hold this chair will be characterized primarily by their ability to discover and publicize new knowledge. Additionally, there must be a demonstrated ability and willingness to share this knowledge with students and colleagues through teaching and seminars. Finally, he/she should also be able to stimulate students and colleagues to strive for excellence in their own scientific efforts.

Verification of these characteristics will include acclaim by peers at the national and international level, professional awards and honors, editorial duties with prestigious scientific journals, and membership on important cientific committees. Both the quality and quantity of refereed publications will be considered in the selection.

Appointments to the Sydney Chapman Chair will acknowledge the contributions of an outstanding resident professor or will be used to attract a distinguished physical scientist to the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Appointments to this chair will be approved in advance by the Board of Regents following nomination and screening procedures by the faculty of natural sciences.

The endowment principal and related income account are to continue to be managed and invested, in trust, by the University of Alaska Foundation, Inc. in accordance with foundation policies and procedures. The foundation is requested (1) to set aside in an income account, all the spendable earnings, as defined by the Foundation's investment policy, on the endowment principal for expenditures in support of the chair as proposed by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor and approved by the University President; and (2) to report to the Board of Regents the amount of the endowment principal and its projected earnings whenever the Board of Regents is requested to make another appointment to the Sydney Chapman Chair.