University of Alaska Southeast Faculty and Staff Newsletter	October 25, 1996

Jon Scribner from state DOT discussed problems crossing the Glacier Highway.

State DOT considers highway crossing

Jon Scribner, regional director for the state Department of Transportation met with university students, faculty and staff to discuss concerns about crossing Glacier Highway to and from the Anderson Building. Scribner said an overpass was in the department's six year plan and was slated for design in FY97 and construction in '98 or '99 depending on federal funding and depending on local priorities. In the meantime Scribner said he would review the speed limit in the area and consider addition signs. He also said he would try to find money to build a sidewalk on the water side of Glacier Highway from the Anderson Building part way to Fritz Cove Road. The sidewalk would encourage highway crossing away from the sharpest corner.

Students on radio call-in

Mourant Cafe offers expanded menus and hours.

New meal alternatives offered at Mourant Cafe

The remodeled Mourant Cafe now offers expanded food service to residence hall students and the public seven days a week. A special pasta dinner and live music is featured this Friday between 5 and 7 p.m. The $8.50 package includes Seattle musicians "Odd Men Out" who are playing prior to their engagement at the Fiddlehead.

"Some people think the meals are for residence hall students only," according to Housing Director Tish Griffin. "Of course we're open to everyone on campus and the public." The cafe is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for brunch and 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for dinner.

"We realize during the start of the semester when the remodeling was being completed, faculty and staff had to make other plans for food," Griffin said. "We're getting the muffin and cookie traffic back, but we'd also like everyone to come and take a look at the place and sample our new offerings." Those wanting hamburgers and hot sandwiches pick up menus, highlight their selections and give them to the grill cook. The hot line offers different entree specials for each lunch and supper for $5.95. A la cart food is also available. The make-your-own salad bar is 30 cents an ounce and make-you-own sandwiches are 40 cents an ounce.

Kastelic, Lind meet with staff

University benefits, reorganization, JEF's, and changing medical coverage are all topics at the UAS Staff Alliance meeting on the Juneau campus, 8:30 a.m. Oct. 31 in the BPA conference room. Patty Kastelic, executive director for Human Resources, and Chancellor Marshall Lind will talk about university issues and answer questions. "This is an open forum," according to Rita Bowen, Alliance president. "It's a chance for anyone to talk to statewide officials and the chancellor on topics that effect every employee." Employees on the Sitka and Ketchikan campuses may take part by calling the audio conference number (907) 465-6439.

Paychecks to arrive by mail beginning in January

Beginning Jan. 3, 1997, all UA employees will be receiving their paychecks directly at their home address instead of from their cost center clerk. Employees with automatic deposit will have their funds register in their account at the beginning of that business day (the notification of the deposit will arrive by mail). However, employees without automatic deposit will have to wait for the arrival of their check by mail.

Because paychecks will be coming by mail from now on, it's important that each employee has their correct mailing address in the computer system. For change of address forms (personal/demographic form) or forms to set up an automatic bank deposit (employee selected deduction form), contact Personnel Services.

Shirley Andersen's retirement party will be held Nov. 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Lake Room.

Shirley Andersen Retires Nov. 1

After 12 years at UAS and 20 years at two other universities, Shirley Andersen is retiring. "I've worked long enough," Andersen says. "I'm almost 68. I believe in celebrating life, and I want to get on with the celebration." Andersen says she'll spend her time working on her silk flower home business, Elegant Stems.

Before coming to UAS, Andersen worked in administrative assistant positions for nine years at the University of Washington and 11 years at the University of Maryland. She began at UAS in 1984 and worked in the chancellor's office for Vicki Borrego, director of planning; then worked for Bev Beaton, vice chancellor for academic affairs; and in 1987 accepted her current position as executive secretary for Chancellor Marshall Lind.

"It's been a hoot," Andersen says. "No institution of higher education has ever been boring. That's what kept me in this work."

Petty cash refunds

University expenditures up to $50 per day may be reimbursed through any of five petty cash custodians located across the Juneau campus. They are Julia Ross, library; Donna Chantry, ELAS; Candy Murdoch, physical plant; Scott Clark, BRC; and Mary Bowen, BPA. Before receiving reimbursement, petty cash vouchers must be completed and signed by the supervisor.

Art Professor Exhibits in Portland

Linda Halfon is exhibiting as part of a group show in Portland, Oregon, "Thirty-Three Years of Sculpture with Paul Buckner." The exhibit runs through Nov. 16.

Liberty elected

Carol Liberty from the Sitka campus was elected to the nominating committee for the 1997 national ballot at the annual meeting of the American Health Information management Association in Orlando in early October. In each of two rounds, Liberty receive the highest number of votes. Alaska has not had a nominee elected to the national committee since the early 1980's.

Ayagneq Program

Steve Curtis, Ayagneq co-coordinator, and Elaine Sunde, project director, are traveling to Washington D.C. to make a poster presentation at the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education Project Director's Meeting on October 25. Their presentation is entitled, "Ayagneq...Point of Departure: A Cultural Model for Alaska Native Student Recruitment and Retention." Sunde will also co-present "Access and Retention Just a Matter of Setting New Places at the Table."

Virtual Tutoring for Distance Students

Tutoring help is available for distance students through the Sitka Campus Learning Center. Linnaea Troina is tutoring English and writing through the Sitka Campus, but she lives in Ketchikan! She is completing her master's degree in teaching secondary English at UAS. Student may participate in the program by calling 1-800-478-6653, fax 1-800-478-3552 or e mail: JSLAT@acad1.alaska.edu. Contact Denise Blankenship on the Sitka campus at 747-6653.

Scary stories offered by faculty

"Stories on a Dark Night" will be presented by Juneau faculty members Oct. 30 at 9 p.m. in HB 113. The reading of classic horror stories is being coordinated by Chris Weaver. Also making presentations will be Art Petersen, Don Cecil, Sue Koester, and Judy Andree. "I remember my professors doing this when I was in college," Weaver said. "I enjoyed it thoroughly."

Trail clearing Saturday

Trail Mix invites UAS students, faculty and staff to help clear the East Auke Lake trail starting at 9 a.m. Saturday. "Each month Trail Mix takes on a trail to enhance and we're the last stop this year," according to Activities Director Tish Griffin. "This is a great volunteer opportunity." Meet at the Auke Lake turnout and bring gloves and boots. All tools will be provided.

Open enrollment coming in November

All regular UAS employees will have their annual opportunity to make changes to their benefit package during the open enrollment period - Nov. 1-22. Any changes made will stay in effect through 1997.

During this time period, employees can add, drop or change any optional benefits or make changes to the financial portion of their benefits package. Employees must re-enroll in health care or dependent care reimbursement accounts each year. If you do not re-enroll, the deduction will stop. To enroll, contact your regional personnel office.

A packet of open enrollment material is being mailed. For more information, contact Kirk McAllister at 465-6473. All forms must be received by the personnel office by Nov. 22.

Dessert fair planned

Global Connections, a student club promoting international understanding, is seeking assistance with their International Dessert Fair to be held Nov. 21 in the Lake Room of the Mourant Cafe. Anyone willing to help with an information table and dessert from a particular country should contact club president Melissa Nell at 465-6348 or advisor Elizabeth Schelle at 465-6455.

Applications begin for study abroad

Students considering studying abroad for a semester or year in 1997/98 may begin applying. There will be an informational table in the Lake Room Wednesday, Oct. 30, from noon to 2 p.m. Information is also available in the Student Resource Center. Applications are due by January 17.

Spring semester book orders due

Faculty book orders for spring semester were due Oct. 15. "There have been some stragglers," according to Bookstore manager Linda Snyder. "They need to place their orders immediately." Orders received after this week will not be here when classes begin Jan. 13. The remodeled Bookstore is now open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

JUNEAU CALENDAR

Friday, Oct. 25