THENORTHERNLIGHT NOVEMBER 9, 2010
NEWS
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Four Loko:
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE
FEATURES
FDA reviewing beverage’s saftey
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Challenge Alaska: Enjoying the great outdoors
WWW.THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG
OPINION
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Concert Board:
Where is our money going?
Graduate research Seawolves look to regroup, in African Savanna set sights on BSU Beavers
UAA biological sciences professor guides his graduate student in soil-based fieldwork By Jerzy Shedlock The Northern Light
When Andrew Kulmatiski first arrived in Kruger Nation Park, South Africa five years ago, he was reluctant to leave the safety of his vehicle. After a few days of sticking close to his game guard, however, Kulmatiski became engrossed in his research, forgetting that lions, wild hogs and rhinos could be just a few yards away through the bushes. Now in Winthrop, Washington, UAA Department of Biological Sciences Assistant Professor Andrew Kulmatiski is continuing his research on plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs). The professor’s graduate student, Michael Mazzacavallo, is conducting the research in Kruger.
PSF is a term used to describe how trees and grasses share soil resources. Kulmatiski’s research uses field, laboratory and theoretical approaches to measure PSFs, typically in invaded plant systems. He has been working in Washington since 2000, a region of the U.S. that has been heavily invaded by non-native plants. “These invasions decrease crop, range and land value. Management of these species costs hundreds of millions of dollars annually,” Kulmatiski said. Invasive species—whether plants, insects, animals, pathogens or parasites—are estimated to cost the U.S. economy over $100 billion per year, according to the National Invasive Species Council.
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Student Union Den is being promoted Student Commuter Services dedicated to transforming student union into a social hub By Eli Wray
The Northern Light
When David Murdoch started working at the University as the Coordinator for Commuter Student Services two years ago, he started a mission: make the Student Union a hub of activity on campus. This may seem like a small undertaking now, but that’s because he is well on his way to completing his goal of creating a comfortable, social environment for each and every student. At the center of his hub is the Student Union Den, which is a bit odd because the cozy hangout is located far off the beaten path.
The Den is the warm nook tucked into the armpit of the Student Union. In order to find it, students must venture past their usual stop at Subway, dodge the gauntlet of ping-pongers and duck under the stairs to reveal the oasis that is the Den. This is the room that Murdoch and Commuter Student Services are working hard to promote. “It’s important that Commuter Students Services is in charge of the Den, because so many UAA students are commuters,” Murdoch said. “When I was a new employee walking around campus there really weren’t that many places to sit down. The spine had a
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LOGAN TUTTLE/TNL
Freshman forward Justin Kirchhevel (5) looks for a pass from Senior forward Tommy Grant during a game against the Minnesota State Mavericks on Oct. 30. The Seawolves tied the Mavericks 2-2. Kirchhevel had two goals and an assist in his first collegiate series.
The UAA Hockey team is coming off a much-needed bye week to nurse injuries and working out special team kinks By Taylor Hall The Northern Light
The odd week off in the WCHA came at a bit of a strange time for the UAA Seawolves, but it may be just what the doctor ordered. No, really, this one seems like it came with a doctor’s note. With all the injuries the Seawolves have, this week couldn’t have come at a better time. Recently, against the Minnesota State Mavericks, the ‘Wolves (1-52 Overall, 0-3-1 WCHA) used guys like sophomore forwards Alex Gellert and Tyler Currier to step in on the blueline. The team is quite thin at the defenseman position right now and required Head Coach Dave Shyiak to call upon the sophomore duo to forego their normal forward roles and fill in with the defensive corps. “We had holes to fill there and I
think they stepped up, played well, and ate up some good minutes back there which is all we can ask of them,” Shyiak said. They filled in due to injuries for junior defenseman Brad Gorham (concussion) and freshman Wes McLeod (shoulder sprain). According to Shyiak, both players are still about 2-3 weeks away from game action. Despite playing a pair of strong games, the ‘Wolves found themselves getting the short end of the stick and only managing a point in the series with the Mavericks. UAA lost the first game 3-2 on Oct. 29 and then had to settle for a 2-2 tie in the rematch on Oct. 30. “I thought we actually played very well both games; we outshot and out chanced them both nights,” Shyiak said. “We can be happy with the effort but not
However, the Seawolves saw two players suit up for the first time this season. Sophomore Mickey Spencer returned to play with the green and gold after his frosh year where he had 4-7—11 point totals. Freshman Justin Kirchhevel made his presence known right away as he scored two goals in his first collegiate game and introduced himself quite well in his first appearance in a Seawolves jersey Oct. 29. “Definitely was good outing and feeling but it comes bittersweet as we wanted to come out of there with the win,” Kirchhevel said, after missing the first six games battling a reagrivtated ankle injury. Kirchhevel also added an assist for good measure in the Oct. 30 rematch with MSU. The addition of Spencer and
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With continual tuition increases, scholarship opportunities are becoming easily available for higher education purposes By Deborah Mole
Special to the Northern Light
As a student, you may wonder “is there money available to help fund my education?” There may be, so apply for UAA Foundation scholarships through UAOnline and find out. Do you think applying is complicated? Think again! The UA scholarship application process is easy - it consists of going to UAOnline, selecting Financial Aid, then Scholarships, completing five
demographic questions and a personal profile essay. You should complete this simple process as quickly as possible. Let’s say someone donates money to the university that can be applied toward scholarships immediately. If you are in the system, you are in the pool of applicants for this scholarship. Other links on this Scholarships page include the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other UA scholarship funding opportunities. Tips on how to write a personal profile
essay and a list of general and subjectspecific scholarships can be found at the UAA Scholarships website. According to Sonya Fisher, Associate Director of Student Financial Assistance, “The UAOnline scholarship application will automatically consider you for the majority of scholarships (that you meet) the eligibility requirements for, but there are additional steps that you can take to increase your chances of being a UAA scholarship recipient: Submit supplemental information for scholarships that require
them on the UAA Scholarships website,” she said. “Submitting this supplemental information can greatly increase your chances of receiving a scholarship since many students often skip this step. Scholarship funds go un-awarded every year because students simply do not submit the extra information required.” A few scholarships and awards have November deadlines. One is an award of up to $750 for both undergraduate and graduate students. Sponsored by the
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