Students in the spring special topics course Depth of Place have engaged in community service on many levels this semester. Colleen and Eric are working on a project toward a smoke-free campus (you may have noticed their presence at the cafeteria and in Whalesong). A number of students are working with Wooch.een on all of the efforts involved in the Eagle pole raising on campus. Edith participated in the “One Campus One Book” pilot project that recorded stories from students, staff, and faculty in March. Logan and Kailyn picked up trash and litter at Auke Bay harbor and Auke Lake, and with the rest of the class picked up trash on campus. Marc shaved his head to help raise funds toward cancer research, and Conor is volunteering at the Learning Center as math and English tutor. In addition to helping out with the totem pole raising, Joe works with elementary school children demonstrating Native Olympics moves such as the seal hop, which he has also taught to the rest of the class. Josh helped out with a spaghetti-feed fundraiser for his uncle.

Students are working on term projects that include field research on commercial fishing boats, underwater diving in the waters around Juneau and the study of the king crab regulations, weaving leggings for a Celebration performance, and photographing tidepools around Auke Bay. In addition, students have interviewed campus staff and faculty, representatives of CBJ, community elders, and boat captains. The class has had guests speakers from the community and from campus, has hosted the receptions for Susan Power and Sherry Simpson, and has participated in the One Book/One Campus kick-off. Liana is acting as resource and facilitator for these projects as well as finishing her own work on place.