For
many students the prospect of successfully utilizing an academic
library can seem overwhelming, and with that in mind, the Egan Library
recently hosted an unprecedented open house event as an antidote to the insidious ailment no one likes to talk about, “library anxiety.” “For
many students, the beginning of the school year might be the first
experience they have to use an academic library,” said Wendy Girven,
the Public Services Librarian at the University of Alaska Southeast.
Girven further explained that the Sept. 16 open house
was scrupulously planned with the intention of “breaking down the
anxiety for both new and returning students” by providing a fun
atmosphere designed to introduce users to the concept of an academic
library as an attainable resource. Library
technology has evolved rapidly, with online resources replacing the
little gray-haired lady and card catalogue of days gone by. Resources like ebook, eBrary, ILLiad and Refworks are handy tools and timesavers for the students who know how to use them. “Who
doesn’t love online material and the opportunity to access information
from the comfort of your own living room?” Girven quips. While
accessing contemporary scholarly materials has an entirely different
protocol than standard web searches that many people do not utilize
these resources to their potential because they are either not aware of
their existence or else they find the technology confusing and
intimidating. “There is an availability of nearly forty thousand ebooks online for UAS students that can be evaluated immediately. This is something you cannot access through Google because it’s not comprehensive for academics,” Girven said. Girven is the brainchild behind the open house,
crediting her previous experience working at the Penn State Library,
where she claims they hosted a similar event that focused on a more
proximal student body. “The UAS student body has a distance component that had to be figured into the event,” Girven said, and therefore this open house incorporated streaming classes and a virtual tour accessible online for a week. For the open house,
the library staff devised a trail through various information stations
marked by color-coordinated balloons. Stops along the way included the
reference desk, media services and the Learning Center with additional
stations that introduced students to Google Tools, printing and IT and
the variety of online resource programs. Students
collected stamps after completing each of these stations and turned
them in to be eligible for the prize drawing, the grand prize being an
iPod shuffle. Along the way there was additional incentives including
chocolate, mood pencils, highlighters, a bevy of writing implements,
sticky pads, trading cards and laptop-shaped foam de-stressors. The open house
also featured carving and basketry demonstrations, a tour of the
Library’s native art collection and Guitar Hero on the big screen
hosted by UAS’ gaming club. Considering
that more and more people are obtaining their information from
non-human resources, Girven reminds us that “Face to face interaction
is priceless. We are here all the time to help and are happy to serve the academic community at UAS. We are here to help you figure everything out!” Student
feedback on the event was very positive. According to staff, over 200
people attended and everyone learned something and a good time was had
by all. In the event that you missed this years’ open house you can still access the online tour by visiting the website, http://www.uas.alaska.edu/
The Capital City Weekly recently did a great article on UAS' blossoming art
department, which brings to mind a question we've been pondering - why, with so
many art students and in such an artistic community, is there no permanent
student art gallery at UAS? Currently there's a ceramics display in the hallway between the Soboleff and
Hendrickson building. Picturesque, yes. Accessible, yes. Permanent no. In past years, student artwork has been displayed in the Lake room adjacent
to the cafeteria for maybe a day or two before it had to be taken down. Now, that room is not even accessible to students as it's been integrated
with the cafeteria. Other areas of the school have tried to step up to the challenge. the
Bookstore is starting first Friday exhibits which currently feature Robin Walz
but over the summer also featured the artwork of Elise Tomlinson. And The Beatniks, UAS' English club, are working with the REC Center to put
on a student art show there later this semester. So why no art gallery in the main group of buildings? Space really isn't an issue. If the University really wanted to, it could
find space for a student art gallery that we can also be proud of. Take for example the Fireweed room, the room on the side of the cafeteria
that was just renovated. What is it used for? Most of the time, to hold air.
Occasionally a group like Study Away will have an event there or there will be
a meeting in the room, but that shouldn't stop the room from having a fulltime
purpose. A permanent student gallery doesn't have to be completely dedicated to art
or even always be in the same place. Just because there's art in a room doesn't
mean you can't have class there or use it to conduct your meetings. And even if
the gallery rotated between different rooms as availability necessitated, there
would still be a constant art gallery. Would it really be so difficult to find a space that could hold student
works? The Bookstore has the right idea. First Fridays are an integral part of the
art scene in Juneau and so far they've been dominated by the downtown area. It's time for UAS stake it's claim as a new artistic hub in this town, not
only by generating new artists but by displaying them.
Sept. 18 The Beatniks Open Mic, 7 p.m. at the Housing Lodge. Outdoors Calendar Wellness Offerings: Arts Calendar
Evening at Egan: Further Adventures in Scientific Realism, 7 p.m. in the Egan Lecture Hall.
Withdrawal Period Begins for Full-term Courses.
Sept. 19 TRiO Breakfast, 10 a.m. in the Mourant Cafeteria.
SAA Dinner & a Movie: Star Trek, 7 p.m. at the REC Center.
Sept. 22 Student Government Meeting, 3 p.m. in the Glacier View Room. Open to all students, staff and faculty. Details: 796-6517
Sept. 25 Evening at Egan: Predator and Prey Management in Alaska:
It’s Complicated, 7 p.m. in the Egan Lecture Hall.
Where the Wild Things Roam Housing Social, 9 p.m. in the Housing Lodge.
Sept. 28-30, Student Government Elections, online. Vote for vice president and senators online at uas.alaska.edu/studentgov. Details: 796-6517
Sept. 29 Student Government Meeting, 3 p.m. in the Glacier View Room. Open to all students, staff and faculty. Details: 796-6517
Noontime Wellness classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:10-1 p.m.
Drop-in Cycling on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Open Gyms:
Basketball — Sundays 1-3 p.m., Thursdays 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturdays 10-noon
Volleyball — Sundays 3-5 p.m., Fridays 7-9 p.m.
Soccer — Wednesdays 8-10 p.m., Saturdays 12-2 p.m.
College Thursdays at the Rock Dump.
Thursdays from 5-9 p.m. Meet at the REC Center if you need a ride. Costs: $3.
Outdoor Trips:
Fishing Trip — Saturday, Sept. 19, meet at 8 a.m. at the REC Center. Head out the road on a salmon fishing trip. Have fun, meet new friends, and catch dinner! Costs: free but you’ll have to purchase your own fishing license on the way!
Zipline Adventure, Sept. 20, trips at 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Hosted by the Student Activities Board, there’s room for 18 students, faculty and staff on a first come first serve basis. Meet at the Tram station downtown at 10:15 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. to leave for Zipline site. Sign up at Mourant 128. Costs: $25 for students and $50 for faculty and staff.
The Beatniks Open Mic, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Housing Lodge.
SAA Dinner and a Movie: “Star Trek”, 7 p.m. at the REC Center.
Evening at Egan: “Further Adventures in Scientific Realism”, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Egan Lecture Hall.
UAS Dance Club, Sept. 19 at 3 p.m., Yoga room at the REC Center.
Evening at Egan: “Predator and Prey Management in Alaska: It’s Complicated”, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Egan Lecture Hall.
UAS Dance Club, Sept. 26 at 3 p.m., Yoga room at the REC Center.
Now Showing
20th Century
Whiteout (R)
The Informant (R)
Glacier Cinemas
Cloudy With a Chance
of Meatballs (PG)
Jennifer’s Body (R)
Sorority Row (R)
Gamer (R)
Inglorious Basterds (R)
Silverbow Cinema
Sin Nombre (R) Sept. 16
The Betrayal (NR) Sept.
21, 22, 23.
Silent Light (NR) Sept.
28,29, 30.
Goldtown Nickelodeon
In the Loop (NR0
The Cove (PG-13)
Perseverance Theatre
Skin of Our Teeth performances: Sept. 17,18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27.
High enrollment seen statewide The University of Alaska Fairbanks is up 8.7 percent and the Tanana Campus of UAF is up 5.7 percent. “The economy does help us,” said Saichi Oba, assistant vice president of Student and Enrollment Services at UA told the News-Miner. “When it goes down, people go back to school.” Oba said that the administration got a hint of the enrollment increases in February when requests for financial aid increased 22 percent. The UA Board of Regents approved the move in June and it was timed to coincide with the new post-911 GI Bill. The new GI Bill, which went into effect Aug.1, offers veterans benefits based on the highest in-state rate in all 50 states, as well as a housing stipend and textbook allowance. Students taking advantage of the new policy must live in Alaska while they take their classes. “We’ve offered the in-state tuition benefit to active military personnel for years,” said UA President Mark Hamilton. “Our veterans deserve this benefit every bit as much, as well as our thanks for their sacrifices and service.” Approximately 700 veterans enroll at UA in any given semester, without the new policy they would have to come up with the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition, or almost $4,000 a semester, themselves. “The University of Alaska’s policy change, coupled with the new post-911 GI Bill, makes it very affordable and attractive for veterans and their families to attend UA,” said Saichi Oba, associate vice president of Student and Enrollment Services at the UA System. Oba anticipates an increase of veterans under the new policy. Arts and Entertainment Briefs Ketchikan artist Ray Troll kicks off the Evening at Egan Lecture series and features his latest works on Sept. 18 with a talk he calls “Further Adventures in Scientific Surrealism” at 7 p.m. in the Egan Library. Troll will also be on the Juneau campus the week of Sept. 14 to install his anticipated commissioned mural “Deep Forest”. The oil on canvas mural is 7 ft. x 11 ft. The work portrays all five species of Pacific salmon in spawning colors, swimming through a Southeast Alaskan forest. “It’s about the connection, the symbiotic relationship between the forest and the fish, light and dark, moving from life to death, and the whole chibang,” Troll said. After his talk Troll invites attendees to view “Deep Forest” with special 3D glasses supplied by his Ketchikan gallery. “It really pops in 3D, there are lots of cool things hidden through the painting,” Troll said.
FAIRBANKS — University of Alaska enrollment numbers are up across the state. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported that there’s been a 5.2 percent enrollment increase in the UA system since the same time last year.
UA offers veterans residency status
ANCHORAGE — Eligible veterans and their spouses and children can now receive in-state tuition at any of the University of Alaska’s 16 campuses.
Evening at Egan
The University of Alaska Southeast is mapping a way to a stronger academic program for the Juneau school. To get there, the university’s faculty are taking the staid field of geography out of the classroom, and into Southeast Alaska’s environment through two new degree programs. “Geography can be almost anything, said Eran Hood, an associate professor of environmental science who is spearheading the new degree offerings at UAS. In Juneau, the two new degrees, a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science, are associated with the school’s environmental science program. The University of Alaska Board of Regents approved the two new degrees last month. They’ll complement four geography degrees already offered at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the state's flagship school. The degrees will use existing classes in environmental science, as well as environmentally oriented classes in biology, social science and humanities, and student research projects, Hood said. That will broaden where students can go with their education, he said. “Up until this point there has been a real gap between environmental science and everything else which is not science,” Hood said. The new programs fit well into the school’s mission of providing Alaskans with an education they can use in Alaska industries, while the current environmental sciences students mostly go on to graduate school. Future employment in high-demand jobs in the natural resource field is a key goal of the new degree programs. Hood said they’ll prepare students for jobs in fishing, timber, oil and gas, mining, tourism and teaching. Some students who already had been in environmental science but were looking to move to a school with a broader program are expected to stay in Juneau to study geography. Some of those students have been working with Hood as he researches snow hydrology on the glaciers near the university’s Auke Lake campus, but he expects to attract new students to Juneau as well. Hood said both the regents and the UAS administration were happy to see the program expand, as long as they could see the demand. “If you are boosting enrollment, they're happy to help you grow the program,” he said. Juneau got help with its expansion from Fairbanks, which already has a strong geography program, Hood said. Fairbanks wanted to take its program statewide and be able to offer more regional options for its students, said Mike Sfraga, director of the University of Alaska Geography Program. “If any state in the nation should have a great geography program, it’s Alaska — but I’m probably biased,” Sfraga said. Classes in geography at the two campuses are interchangeable, offering opportunities for students in the two schools to move back and forth and giving them two dramatically different landscapes to chose from. “You can come to Alaska and have options at both campuses; that’s a novel way of recruiting,” Sfraga said. Looking to get the geography program going in Juneau, Sfraga found an enthusiastic local supporter in Hood, who happened to have a doctorate degree in geography himself and knew that most of the pieces were already there. “My pitch to the Board of Regents and the administration here was, ‘Right off the bat we don't need any new faculty,’” he said. Not only were the faculty skills already there, but so was a crucial geographic information systems lab, which would be expensive to create from nothing. Sfraga said the petroleum industry has been seeking out students with GIS training, and is competing with other industries for recent graduates. “GIS is hot right now. If you have GIS (experience) you will be hired,” he said. Hood said the new degrees are expected to be able to be offered by spring, but they're working now to make it into this year's course catalog.
• Contact reporter Pat Forgey at 523-2250 or patrick.forgey@juneauempire.com.
Not ready to settle down into the workforce after college? Peace Corps gives students the opportunity to explore the world and themselves. On Sept. 14, a recruiter from Peace Corps, Melissa Lawent, came to the University of Alaska Southeast to share with students what Peace Corps is, what it takes to be a competitive candidate and some of her own experiences. The Peace Corps gives qualified individuals the opportunity to travel to one of 70 countries to work for 27 months providing aide work in your field of expertise. Peace Corps volunteers can work in education, health and HIV/AIDS, Environment, Agriculture and Youth and Community Development among other fields. “It gives students a chance to, not only practice what they’ve learned at school, but its also an amazing chance to see and experience a part of the world that most people haven’t experienced,” Lawent said. There are lots of benefits to being a Peace Corps volunteer including paid travel to your country, health care and monthly stipend while overseas, and a $6,000 adjustment allowance when you return to the U.S. The Peace Corps also gives you opportunities for student loan deferment, federal jobs and graduates school before and after volunteering. “Without a doubt I can say that the job that I got when I first got back from Peace Corps, I was running a girls program, a non-profit in Milwaukee, and there was no way I would have been successful at the job without my Peace Corps experience,” Lawent said. Lawent who lived in Constanta, Romania from 2003 to 2005 and taught English from kindergarten through high school, shared some of her experiences. “It was a really great opportunity to see and experience first hand history. In the sense of what it was like living in a post-communist society and talking to people because it was relatively recently (a communist country),” Lawent said. She even lived in a standard communist-style apartment building. “The building style was something where immediately you saw the mark.” When a volunteer first arrives in the country, they go through three months intensive training and language program. Living and speaking in another country can be difficult and humorous, as Marsha Squires, UAS’ Academic Exchange and Study Abroad Coordinator andPeace Corps volunteer in Ecuador, told: “For a long time, I was saying that I was embarrassed, I’m so embarassed…and I was actually saying I was pregnant, I’m so pregnant. And then there’d be this big crack up and I’d think ‘Oh, they understand me’ and they’re laughing with me. I think I was six months into it when finally someone said, ‘Marsha, you haven’t changed.’”
Saturday night at the Student Housing Lodge was a throwback from the 80’s, as students were taken back to a time when drugs were rampant and rock n’ roll was king. “Sex, Drugs and Rock n’ Roll” addressed the affects of drugs such as crack and meth from the 1980’s until present day, how addictive and dangerous these drugs are and ways students can remain drug free. After the presentation it was time for the Karaoke to begin. Students busted out 80’s hit songs such as “The Final Countdown” by Europe, and “We’re Not Gunna Take It” by Twisted Sister. Freshmen Derek Williams, 18, from Fairbanks and Jenny Danner, also 18, from Ketchikan sang “99 Red Balloons” by Nena together. “This is fantastic!” Williams said about the event. It was a great night, full of awesome music, leg warmers and an important underlying message – to keep students safe from the dangers of drug use. As explained by Community Advisor (CA) Aria Chipley and Peer Advocate (PA) Kaleigh Lambert, cocaine is a strong drug that blocks dopamine flow, a process of the nervous system that controls pleasure and movement. It can cause cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, and seizures resulting in sudden death. It is also extremely addictive drug that is cheap to produce, owning to its popularity beginning in the 1980’s.
Linda Dedrick, who just moved to Juneau from Montana and is going for
her associates in business administration, made sure to tell students
the importance of doing research before they try out a new drug. Dedrick spoke from personal experience after nearly overdosing on crack the first time she used it. Dedrick
went to a party and everyone was sitting in a circle passing around a
medicine bottle of white powder Dedrick couldn’t identify. After taking too much of the strange substance everyone was passing around, Dedrick found she was unable to stop laughing. “All I remember was laughing uncontrollably. I ended up laughing so hard that I passed out,” Dedrick said. And the effects from that first time stuck with her for a while afterward, demonstrating how serious crack really is. “After that I had chest pain for four months and I only used it once. I can’t imagine using it more than once.” Chipley
and Lambert’s alternative to drug use? Sing Karaoke. Doing fun but
safe things can eliminate the need to get a phony high, they said.
“Hugs not drugs” was the message they hoped to convey with the event. If students feel they need a hug or someone to talk to, they can feel free to drop by the PSO
office located in the Student Housing Lodge and talk to one of the
friendly PA’s. Also, there is a counselor available for students on
campus on the first floor of the Mourant Building.
Checkerboard, or pinwheel, cookies are elegant and surprisingly easy. They are delicious cookies that are sure to have the eaters impressed. This recipe is from “The Little Guides: Cookies” with an adaption for baking in your microwave. 1 cup butter or margarine, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 egg 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 and 1/4 cups all-purpose (plain) flour 1/3 cup unsweetened (bitter) chocolate, melted and cooled Large mixing bowl Electric mixer (optional) Large (wooden) spoon Baking Sheet for the oven or Microwave-safe plate for the microwave Directions In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter or margarine with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and baking powder till combined. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir any remaining flour in with a wooden spoon. Divide dough in half. (how do we get the melted chocolate) Knead melted chocolate into half of dough till combined. Shape plain and chocolate halves of dough into two 8 inch logs. Cover and chill for 2 hours or until firm. Cut each log lengthwise into quarters and reassemble logs, alternating chocolate and vanilla quarters. Cover and refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes or until well chilled. Cut dough into 1/4 inch thick slices. Range Place dough slices 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a 375 degree preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or till edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned. Place dough slices 2 inches apart on an ungreased microwave-safe plate. If you have a spiffy microwave with different settings, find the “bake” setting, and microwave cookies for 5 and 1/2 to 6 minutes. If your microwave is just the on/off type, microwave for about 3 to 3 and 1/2 minutes. In either case, all microwaves tend to act differently, so keep a close eye on your cookies and try to find the time that works best with your microwave. • Baker’s chocolate is recommended for baking, but semi-sweet chocolate chips will work just as well and are cheaper and often more commonly available in any given kitchen. • It is important to have soft butter. It will mix better with your sugars and will make it easier all around. With this, though, it is important not to melt your butter. The consistency, flavor, and shape can be negatively impacted by melted butter both before and after baking. • An electric mixer is fast and easy but not necessary. A large stiff spoon (wooden is wonderful) will work the whole way through. Or, if you’re baking just for yourself (and people who approve) it’s always fun to literally hand mix and dig your fingers into the dough. Wash your hands! • The checkerboard pattern is quick and easy yet gives the appearance of effort, but it’s not the only way to go. Instead of a checkerboard, try to create other shapes in your cookies. Get creative. • Any colour and/or flavour of chocolate can be used instead of unsweetened chocolate. Try adding red white chocolate chips to the vanilla half of the dough for a different colour combination. Or just add a few drops of food colouring. Again, creativity is the key. • This recipe makes approximately 64 small cookies. Unfortunately, only one egg is called for, so there is no easy way to half the recipe, so make sure you have someone else around to help you eat them. • In the 1958 Betty Crocker Cookbook, as well as most all cookbooks written before the 1950’s and 60’s, cookie was spelt cooky. One rarely talks of a cooky though, instead people talk of cookies. The word was pluralized so much that eventually people dropped the “y” when speaking of it in the singular, making “cookie” the bastardization of “cooky”.
What you need:
Microwave
Tips and Substitutions
Interesting Fact
The Beatniks are at it again. On Sept. 18, the Beatniks, the University of Alaska's English Club will host their first Open Mic of the new school year. With the Housing Lodge set up as a coffee shop and their distinctive brick wall in the background, the mic is open for poetry, prose, music, and even dance. The UAS event is truly an all-inclusive gathering for the community. Club president Kaleigh Lambert said they’ve had everything from the standard poetry to accordions and interpretive dancing. People have even plugged in their iPods and sang. “Our main goal is to have an outlet for students,” Lambert said. “It’s open to anything. We’ve have interpretive dancing, we’ve had it all.” And the Open Mics are a place for the timid and beginning artists as well. “Usually all the people that come are either scared our of their minds to get up and speak in front of people or they've been there, they’ve done that before and they’ve had to overcome that fear themselves,” Lambert said. Lambert tells the story of one guitarist who performed last spring, “She had only played three times in her entire life, except for like practicing. It was obvious that she hadn’t played that much but everyone was hardcore cheering her on, when she decided (to go on). She was like ‘Ok, this is probably really painful, I should probably just go’ and we’re like ‘No, you should keep playing because you're really good’ ... Everyone was cheering her on and they wanted her to stay up there. And then she got a standing ovation when she left.” There will be several differences between this event and those of last spring. Whereas before, performers had to sign up and then wait for their name to be called, Lambert said, “This time we're just going to leave the mic there and have people come up there as they want. Literally, an open mic. The mic is open, you get to take it.” Lambert is also encouraging faculty members and other groups at UAS to come and plug their events. “We want people to use us as an outlet,” Lambert said. And the Beatniks also want to emphasis that the Open Mic is a community event. “It’s not just a housing thing. Which has been difficult to promote it because people assume that if it's at the lodge then it's just a housing thing, but it's not. It's open to everyone. It’s open to the public.” Lambert especially wants to get the University faculty and staff up the hill. The Beatniks have big plans for this year, including bringing up speakers from the lower-48 and putting on a gallery walk at the REC in October, but the Open Mic is their signature event. “It’s such a diverse group and it’s so different between some of the poetry you hear and some of the contemporary music people play or classical piano that people are playing or some of the artwork that people put on display,” Lambert said. “Everything is so different and everybody’s so open about what other people have to share that they’re more excited that people are sharing and they have this community to come and share their art with that they’d rather have people come who might be a little bit nervous and encourage them to come back then not have them there.” The event goes from 7 to 9 p.m. at the UAS Housing Lodge and refreshments will be provided.
The day before she’s supposed to leave the dead-end post at Antarctica, U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko (Kate Beckinsale, “Underworld” and “Underworld: Evolution”) finds herself facing the icy continents first murder. Posted in Antarctica after a traumatic experience in Miami, Stetko decides after two years of handling misdemeanors to turn in her badge and head someplace warmer. The day before she’s supposed to leave, a “popsicle” is sighted. She’s paged from her steamy shower scene to go check it out. The popsicle turns out to be a murdered U.S. geologist, becoming Stetko’s first real case since she arrived. Taking on this case would mean that Stetko would most likely have to spend another winter at the camp. She decides to take the case on and risks the plane ride out. After some observation and testing, they find out that the victim had died recently (their core wasn’t completely frozen yet). Stetko and a pilot follow a possible lead, just to find their man gurgling in his own blood, soon to be dead. The murderer is still in the room, but is unidentifiable because he is in full body gear – the only person in the entire movie that actually wears the proper gear for Antarctic weather. The movie keeps going with several supporting mini plots that seem rushed, while the main plot creeps along at a glacial pace. Even the few action scenes they have are slow. They take place outside in whiteout conditions where it’s snowing so hard that you can barely see what’s going on and the characters have a hard time moving around, running as fast as they can very slowly. There are a few plot twists, but all are predicable. “By eliminating so many suspects before the obligatory drawing-room denouement and final deadly confrontation, it’s given that the audience will feel cheated when the real bad guy turns out to be the only possible contender,” Greg Quill of the Toronto Star said. Whiteout is rated R for “violence, grisly images, brief strong language and some nudity.” The violence is mostly all in slow motion and not exciting. The grisly images are like what you would get in a typical CSI show plus an amputation scene, but is definitely not recommended for those with very weak stomachs. The nudity is all in the first scene for absolutely no reason except the selling point of naked people and probably making up for the fact that skimpy clothes really don’t keep the suspension of disbelief at -50 degrees. Most films have a romantic subplot running through it for no reason; this one didn’t, but it might have helped if it did. Setting the movie in Antarctica was the only redeeming quality, though the plot would have worked just as well, if not better, set anywhere else in the world. The outdoor shots that aren’t of whiteouts are beautiful, with dramatic landscapes and the Aurora Australis. Unfortunately, most of the outdoor scenes are close-ups of snowflakes with some action in the background. “A tolerably entertaining film starring the weather,” Steve Rhodes of Internet Reviews said. In the end, it was a decent movie that I didn’t mind watching, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it again. Wait for it to come out and rent it if you really want to see it. Whiteout stars Kate Beckinsale as Carrie Stetko, Gabriel Macht as Robert Pryce, Columbus Short as Delfy, and Tom Skerritt as Dr. John Fury. Directed by Dominic Sena, the film is based on a graphic novel by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber. Produced by Warner Bros. Pictures.
n the Hawaiian Islands there is something called “Hawaiian time.” This concept is comparable to “cabin time” or “Filipino time.” This means to the people living in Hawaii there is no ETA or rush shipping. Since the islands are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things happen when they are bound to happen. In other words, nothing happens when you want it to. My first encounter into island life became the understanding that we do not control time but are just mere onlookers. Thus, bringing me to my initial arrival in the Hilo International Airport as a NSE participant. We were on schedule, perhaps twenty minutes early, but for an unknown reason my bags weren’t on the airplane I rode in on. I searched in vain for my two bags starting from the designated claim to the far end of the airport. A note to keep in mind: locals are very fond of parties, and love to celebrate in the middle of the afternoon. So, maybe they were on break while I was frantically searching for my bags. A stressful five hours later, I realized how slow and relaxed island culture truly is. Most imagine the islands to be a tropical escape, or a place where life is continually better. Though these are true for some, Hawaii is much more complex than what the tourist industry and the media promote. The mention of Queen Liliokalani touches the hearts of the people who reside there, and many locals still believe Hawaii to be a monarchy. Having had no formal instruction about Hawaii’s past, I was flabbergasted to learn the extent of American intervention in Hawaiian sovereignty. The overthrow of Queen Liliokalani in 1893 was a revolution that largely impacted Native Hawaiians and continues to impact them today. On a lighter note: I’d like to discuss the renowned greeting “aloha.” It is one of my favorite pieces of knowledge I’ve learned while on academic exchange. For many of us, this greeting translates to “hello” “goodbye” or “love.” But in fact, Hawaiians traditionally said aloha to acknowledge the spirit that all beings share. Its original meaning loosely translates to mean, “My breath is your breath.” We are of the same spirit. Aloha recognizes that we all need air to live, and that we are connected by this need. It didn’t take long to realize that Hilo was a very welcoming place for all people. The locals are laidback and rural. Most speak pidgin a blended Creole language of Portuguese, English, Japanese, Chinese, and Hawaiian. When out to a barbeque the words “Es ono!” or “Broke da mouf!” mean the food is incredibly delicious. While in school, I met many friends in my Hawaiian studies classes: Ethnobotany & Ethnnozoology. Together we chanted in Hawaiian for permission to enter class, and practiced olelo no`eau (Hawaiian proverbs). My friends convinced me to join a halau which is a group for hula dancers. The girls would not take no for an answer, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. The halau consisted of other University of Hawai`i Hilo students who were majoring in Hawaiian Language & Culture, Agriculture, and Music. We traded recipes for poi (kalo), uala (purple sweet potatoes), and nui (coconut). We even picked lilikoi (passion fruit) off the UH campus vines to make lilikoi butter. But mostly, I remember the first time I was lei’d. While learning beginner’s hula, I was completely amazed at the grace the halau exuded. Each step they took unfolded parts of a story that seemed to flicker from their hearts. Luckily, they allowed me to join! One of the songs we learned was written for Oueen Liliokalani. It relates the protection that the inactive volcano, Mauna Kea, provides along with the rain that produces life. Our kumu (literally: tree trunk, source of knowledge, hula teacher) told us we were to perform for UHH, and that we were to make our own leis for costume! Thirty of us wove ti and kukui leaves into five strand leis and flowered hairpieces. We were proud of our work and of each other. While getting to know myself through Hawaiian culture, I had lost all concept of time and eaten Spam musubi from a popular 7Eleven. These are things that are not readily available in Juneau. Academic exchange allowed me to explore an area of the world and gain credit for my BLA degree in English and Art. The exchange made the year in another state very affordable. I felt “no worries, bra!” Participating in NSE has been an opportunity of a lifetime, and now I am planning for a study abroad.
It seems that in this highly-touted first democratic country, we need constant reminders that “democracy” requires citizen participation. America, as the first democracy, is constantly plagued with low voter turnout and little interest in either pursuing or supporting an elective office. Everyone from our high school American government teachers to our elective officials all enjoin us to exercise our right to vote, at every election, no matter how insignificant. One of those very “insignificant” elections is coming up quickly. In less than two weeks, you’ll be asked to vote for seven student senators and a student body president. In the spring student government elections, three people ran for nine positions. Of those, only one that was elected (vice president) actually took office. On a campus of 2,500, only 21 people voted for a president and 25 for a vice president. And now those elections are coming up again. The campus will be decked with fliers announcing the elections, encouraging people to run for office, and in the three days of the event a huge banner outside the cafeteria will announce – not only the elections, but how to vote. And maybe, they’ll not only get someone to run for president but enough voters to actually elect them. Student Government doesn’t really live up to its name at the University of Alaska Southeast. Though it’s made up of students, nobody outside that small circle seems to care. And as for governing, the only well documented action of Student Government is giving $150 to every club. The presence of Student Government is so small on this campus, it’s no wonder why nobody cares about the elections. But you should. Because Student Government has one very important function – they hand out the money. Student Government collects $5 a credit at the Juneau campus, with a maximum of $75 dollars (or up to 15 credits) per student. With an estimated FY10 budget of $90,300, Student Government is keeping a low-profile with a lot of your money. Student Government also advertises that its weekly meetings are open to any student who cares to come in. Or any student who dares to come in, suffer through a strict Robert’s Rules of Order, and might make it to the point in the agenda where something actually happens. Something like a $500 bill of a Student Government table cloth at events, of a $800 bill for graduations photos, or a $3,000 bill supporting summer programs. Maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see a constitutional amendment (it’s online, you know). And if you’re really lucky, you can witness some of the internal drama – like senator reinstatements after someone had too many meeting absences (4) or the impeachment of one of their members for sending a nasty letter to the Chancellor under a pen name. Student Government is supposed to be a place where students can go, express their wishes and disappointments and get some redress. It’s supposed to be the voice of the students on the campus. It’s our only form of power to see that what the students want, rather than the staff or faculty, gets enacted on the campus. Student Government is to that point yet. It’s practically invisible to the students and amazingly self-consumed. But with the presence of new blood (kudos to Reeves for wanting to get more connected with the students), and the possibility of an entirely new administration, maybe these Student Government elections can make them finally relevant.
Many students have little or no idea what student government does here at University of Alaska Southeast and with Student Government elections coming up and seven senator seats, plus student body president available, it’s time to find out. CJ Reeves, this semester’s vice president, and Lorena Phillips, a senator during the 2009 spring semester, took some time to explain what student government is and what it means to them. What does it do? With plans to get more involved with students, Reeves has high hopes for Student Government this year. “We hope to represent student body; be a voice to what student body wants. We’re going to be doing surveys, we’re going to be asking what kinds of programs, clubs, and activities that the student body, our peers, want. Basically we want to bridge the gap between the chancellors, the legislators and others to bring the voice of student body to all those groups that may not be able to do that without us. We’re like a sounding board for what students want and need and we’re here to fulfill a lot of those wants and needs. And for what we can’t do, we’ll take it to the next level to someone who can do it,” Reeves said. Student Government supports a wide variety of programs and activities that give students a chance to improve their leadership and organizational skills in a positive learning environment. The clubs offered at UAS are an important part of getting students together and involved in activities that interest them. Clubs include the Dancing Club, the Marine Biology Club, Alpha Phi Omega, and Ultimate Frisbee, all approved and encouraged by Student Government, which is a club itself. How you can get involved There are different ways you can join Student Government, including running in the next election. “We have seven senator positions and we have a president position,” Reeves said. It is highly recommended by Reeves and Phillips that you read the constitution (available online) to understand the requirements and workload students will be faced with in the Student Government positions, especially that of president. “I would caution anyone who wants to run for president to really think about what the job description is and read the constitution and realize it is a lot to handle,” Reeves said. “But at the same time, it’s good and for the right person it’ll work.” If students are interested in running for a student government position packets are available in the Student Government office. Candidates are required to obtain 25 signatures from peers who think they would do a good job in Student Government. After that there will be about two weeks of campaign and then the elections will be held on from Sept. 28, 29 and 30. Even if you don’t become an actual member of Student Government, there are meetings students can attend to catch a glimpse of what Student Government is up to. Meeting times and locations are usually posted online at the Student Government website. “All of our meetings are open to everyone and I strongly encourage everyone to come to the meetings because that’s what we’re here for. We’re here for you to come and tell us what you want, what you need, or even just to sit there and listen to what we are doing.” Reeves said. Who they are Reeves initially joined Student Government to find out more about it. “I decided to do student government because I didn’t know what student government did. I am the type of person that when I see a need I want to fill it. So I was like ‘Ok, no. This is not the way it’s supposed to be. Student Government needs to have an active reputation here on campus.’ So I wanted to be one of the people to kind of pioneer that.” Reeves is very active person and getting to be the head of many different committees suits her wonderfully. “I am the chair of basically every committee. It’s good because I’d rather be out there getting my hands dirty than sitting behind a desk, typing papers and stuff,” Reeves said. Phillips thought about joining Student Government as a club and was convinced by Ricky Tagaban that she should run for a senator position. “He (Tagaban) was persistent enough to where I did end up running and I got my 25 signatures. I was like ‘Wow, I can do this. This isn’t that hard.’” Phillips said about running for the senator seat. She said it was a great experience that taught her a lot about leadership and making a stand. “Before student government I didn’t like to step up and share my opinion. After I became a senator I had to do that. Even if they didn’t agree with my opinion or what I had to say, I had to say ‘This is not what I believe in.’ Being a senator, I felt like I was empowered and they gave me a fair vote in things. Student Government is something I would love to do again. I would totally recommend (Student Government) to anyone who is interested in politics or interested in what is happening around campus, or just to be involved in an activity, club or just as an extra-circular activity,” Phillips said. For additional information about the requirements for running for a position in Student Government and packets on running for a senator seat or for president, drop by the Student Gov. office located on the first floor of the Mourant Building, across from the Whalesong office. Information and the Student Government constitution are also available online at www.uas.alaska.edu/gov/student.