Volume LXX, Issue #16
T H E
V O I C E
O F
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
T H E
N A N O O K ,
Y O U R
S O U R C E
F O R
S T U D E N T
N E W S
UAS to lead School of Education pg. 6
2,000 Fairbanksans join Women’s March Erin Granger Staff Writer
A r o u n d 2 , 0 0 0 Fa i r b a n k s community members braved sub zero temperatures Saturday morning to march along with millions across globe in the Farthest North Women’s March. “I’m marching for solidarity,” Stacie Braband, a local mother of three, said. “To support the community, to support women in the community and the world and because I really want things to be better for women and for everyone.” Demonstrators held homemade signs and waved at honking cars while walking a loop at the intersection of Airport road and Cowles street. In Raven’s Landing Community Center nearby, demonstration organizers screened live footage of the central march in Washington D.C. The community center provided hot drinks and a place for demonstrators to warm up and listen to guest speakers. The Fa r t h e s t North Women’s March attracted more participants than expected, according to event organizers.
Estimates from event organizers and local news sources place the number of march attendees at almost 2,000. Reasons for participation varied from closing the wage gap to supporting climate change data. – Ellamarie Quimby / Sun Star
Continued “Women’s March” pg. 4.
Anxious moose pose danger on campus
Pepper spray now allowed in dorms
Sarah Manriquez
Staff Writer
Erin Granger
Photo Editor
Moose have been sighted near buildings on lower campus several times recently, due to recent heavy snowfall. Officials recommend that students and community members at UAF exercise caution around these animals in order to remain safe. “There is nothing wrong with wanting to view moose,” Mike Taras, a wildlife educator with the state Department of Fish and Game, said. “But, I have seen people unaware of the dangers that moose can pose. People think that they can just go right up to the animal and that’s very risky.” “The more snow we have, the more dangerous the situation is,” Taras said. Deep snow makes it harder for moose to walk and forage for food, draining the energy reserves they built over the summer and making them belligerent. Cleared roads and trails, like the ones of campus, offer easier movement for the animals that they may be reluctant to leave. Taras says moose are more likely to be agitated near humans, and may charge or attack if further distressed. The number one rule of moose safety is to keep a safe distance, far enough away to take cover if the animal charges. Taras suggests a general ‘rule of thumb’ for estimating distance from a moose. “Hold your hand at arm’s length away from you [with your hand in a thumbs-up position],” Taras said. “If you can cover that animal with your thumb, then that’s a safe distance.” Students are advised to be aware of their surroundings on campus, especially in the woods or on trails. If
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a moose is sighted, it should be avoided it if at all possible. If impossible to avoid, watch for signs of stress that may spur the animal to charge. An agitated moose will have its ears back, hair raised on the back of its neck, and will stare down its aggressor. Moose in this state may attack if approached, frightened, or pestered w i t h ro c k s o r snowballs. Female animals with calves are especially easy to stress. Unlike bears, getting a head start and running away from moose is advised. If there is a moose seen on campus in a high-traffic area, call the UAF police at (907) 474-7721. Provide the dispatcher with as much information as possible about the location and temperament of the animal so officers can investigate. If the animal appears to be eating or bedding down the area is blocked off. Traffic is directed around the moose, and emergency emails and text messages are sent to students and faculty. “[UAFPD] does not forcibly remove moose from campus unless they are in high traffic areas and have the potential to injure others or themselves,” Chief Steve Goetz said. For more infor mation on moose safety, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s website on living in moose country.
MOOSE DANGEROUS AF Graphic by
Molly Putman / Layout Editor
In a recent policy change, Residence Life now allows students to possess pepper spray in UAF dorms. As stated in the revised policy handbook, “Residents are allowed to carry and store pepper spray for personal protection in their residence hall rooms and apartments. Residents possessing pepper spray should be familiar with the instructions for their personal protection device.” Jamie Abreu, director of Residence Life, assisted in the policy rewrite and was supportive of the change. “If this makes students feel safer, of course I am happy to be a part of that change,” Abreu said. This change in policy occurred after a series of complaints from students concerned that they were not able to sufficiently protect themselves in the dorms, according to Laura McCollough, dean of students. Many of these complaints were stated at the chancellors forum held in the Hess Recreation Center Nov. 30. McCollough felt the change in policy was a good move and exemplified a team effort. “This is a perfect example of how staff, students and faculty can all work together once the students voiced their concerns about their personal safety and offered a reasonable solution,” McCollough said. “I want to encourage students to voice what works and what doesn’t on campus. I can’t address concerns or make changes without knowing about these issues and the impact it has on our students.” Continued “Mace allowed in dorms” pg. 3.
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