AUGUST 6 - AUGUST 19, 2019
FEATURES
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE
SPORTS
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These four apps can help students achieve success.
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Meet the new Seawolf Volleyball team.
GRAPHIC BY MICHAELINE COLLINS
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NEWS
THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG AUGUST 6, 2019
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Budget-cut aftermath: UA officials begin decision making By Mary Ryan content@thenorthernlight.org
After the University of Alaska’s declaration of financial exigency on July 22, UA officials have planned progress toward reducing spending and voted on joining UA under a single accreditation. UAA Chancellor Cathy Sandeen shared documents and information via email updating the UAA community on decisions being made, as well as possible plans on July 25. Included in that email was a reduction plan from UA President Jim Johnsen. The total $136 million taken from unrestricted general funds will be $50 million from UAA, $68 million from UAF, $10 million from UAS and $8 million from SW. One of the documents shared by Sandeen, a “Mission- Focus exercise,” laid out which programs would possibly be considered core, semicore, periphery and outside of the core. While no final deci-
sions have been made regarding the structure of UAA’s future, Chancellor Sandeen shared the current options to give the community a chance to email input to uaa_feedback@alaska.edu. “In the spirit of transparency, I wanted you to see some of the concepts and thinking and data behind them,” Sandeen said in a video on July 29. “Please send me your thoughts and reactions. I will read everything and we will take it into consideration.” Sandeen’s email also included a spreadsheet showing reductions that have already been made and guiding principles for budget decisions. The Board of Regents voted eight to three on July 30 to bring all UA campuses under single accreditation. This decision does not yet have final approval. “We’ll have more information during fall semester about what administrative units are being consolidated, what programs — academic programs —
PHOTO BY JASON HERR
Chancellor Sandeen met with the public in a Q&A session on Aug. 2.
will be consolidated and how that will affect you,” Sandeen said in a video on July 31. The time frame for changes to be confirmed and carried out is still unclear. A meeting in September will be held to decide on an academic program structure. “Over the next five to six weeks, in addition to getting ready for students coming onto campus, we’re going to be working hard on these administrative savings, on consolidation plans for academic programs and also on the
accreditation issue,” President Johnsen said in a video on Aug. 1. Johnsen expects that teams of faculty, staff and administrators, along with statewide leadership and subcommittees of the Board of Regents, will complete nearly finalized plan documents by the end of August. “We’ll be posting those documents on the fifth of September and then they’ll be available for review and public testimony in advance of the board’s meeting on September 12th and 13th,” Johnsen said.
Both Johnsen and Sandeen have encouraged the UAA community to submit feedback and ask questions. An “Ask Me Anything” session was held in the UAA/APU Consortium Library on Aug 2. UAA and Anchorage community members brought up many questions and concerns. During the meeting, Chancellor Sandeen stated that UA rejected Gov. Dunleavy’s step-down proposal, a detailed plan for reducing state funds over the course of two years. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the governor and Legislature was working on another plan,” Sandeen said. “I don’t think the story is over on that question yet.” Sandeen also promised to any students whose degree program was cut that UA would teach them out directly to finish their degrees or teach them out by transfer, which would mean assisting students in transferring to another school.
“You put your faith in us, you came here, you enrolled in a degree program, so we will get you a degree,” Sandeen said. The factors under consideration for deciding what programs may be cut include enrollment, how many similar programs are in the state, graduation rate and special circumstance. On top of questions, a student at the session suggested community building through the Care Team and rallies. Two other people in attendance suggested that retired UA employees and alumni volunteer to help fill the many vacant positions at the university. Sandeen also revealed that an academic intervention team will be assembled to support and guide students when decisions regarding program changes, that will take effect after the fall semester, are made. UAA will host a chance for people to call-in their testimonies a week before the Board of Regent’s final decision in September.
Advice on advising By Jason Herr layout@thenorthernlight.org
Finding direction in the academic world can be daunting, but the University of Alaska Anchorage advising staff can help students map their way through their higher education. Advisers are able to provide students with resources and answers to assist them in planning their academic roadmap, according to Valerie Robideaux, the director of UAA’s First Year Student Advising and Success program. “First year advisers offer on-boarding support for students, helping them through placement, getting them connected to orientation, those kinds of things,” Robideauex said. “And they offer academic advising and student support for the first 30 credits. They’re robustly trained in campus resources, so they know how and when to connect students to those resources.” Working with an adviser can lead students to choose the best courses for their personal career plan within their degree program, and ensure necessary paperwork is completed as a student’s degree progresses. “What I love about advisers is that they all care about the success of students. So, they’re great cheerleaders to have in your back pocket, who
wouldn’t want that encouragement?” Robideaux said. New students may not have a specific program in mind when starting at UAA, so advisers are able to help with exploring possible futures. “We have a lot of exploratory students,” Robideaux said. Though UAA has many students interested in programs including health, sciences and engineering, advisers can help talk through strategies for students to approach their eventual degree or program selection. Academic advisers that work with the many schools and programs offered by UAA can help with more in-depth conversations, such as more detailed guidance in degree planning, paperwork and are great sounding boards for potential careers paths or degree changes. Though meeting with an adviser isn’t necessarily required, students have a plethora of staff and faculty that can help them navigate their futures. “Best practice [on meeting with an adviser] is at least once a semester before enrolling in the next term,” Robideaux said. Other academic advisers also suggest meeting at least once before each semester to determine best course needs, the availability of classes or
to explore any necessary prerequisites for courses, even for higher level students. Students are able to meet with their adviser throughout the entirety of their higher education. Most programs have advisers that students can seek out for information, and each school maintains advisers for students to connect with. “We [advisers] are a wealth of knowledge. Advisers help students create their academic plans and when students meet regularly with their advisers, it ultimately helps them stay on track,“ Whitney Flores, a UAA student success coach with the UAA Culinary Arts & Hospitality Administration program, said. Students may not be familiar with the many resources available at UAA and advisers can help to assist with education decisions and guidance to additional resources. “We do a lot more than pick courses,” Whitney Tisdale, academic adviser with the UAA School of Nursing, said. One of the biggest differences of higher education from high school is the variety of programs and schools that a student can be a part of, but now the student is the driving force in determining their future. Advisers can help in this process. “The biggest [transition] is being a self-ad-
PHOTO COURTESY OF UAA ACADEMIC ADVISING WEBSITE
Advisers can connect students with resources, programs and services at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
vocate for your education and for your goals. This is no longer a set program of english, math, science, you have to do this all through 12th grade. This is now higher ed. The cool part about higher ed… it’s what you want to do,” Tisdale said. Based on the recommendations from several members of UAA’s advising staff, there are a number of ways that students can prepare for meeting with an adviser: The student needs to make sure that they are able to log-in to UAOnline. Research UAA and available programs prior to the meeting. This can help students to devise questions for their adviser. Complete or have a plan to complete any needed placement tests. Scores will help advisers to determine which courses are needed for registration. Another program available to students through
the UAOnline portal is the DegreeWorks program, which can provide students with information on their academic status, their current adviser and completion progress toward their degree. Though DegreeWorks can help with planning, it is best to meet with an adviser as well. “DegreeWorks is a tool, but not an expert,” Robideaux said. “You and your adviser will likely use DegreeWorks together as a reference; however, advisers are trained to help you think through important college decisions.” Both Tisdale and Flores echoed Robideaux’s suggestion of using DegreeWorks as a tool, but not completely relying upon the program to always provide an ideal route to graduation. By pairing an adviser with DegreeWorks, a student can be more aware of what direction or courses they will need to success-
fully reach their goals. The first step to meeting with your adviser is to schedule an appointment. Students can use the Seawolf Tracks (Navigate) app to find appointment times and to schedule the meeting. The app will also assist students by sending a reminder to their email prior to the meeting date. Though the first-year advising program is provided to incoming freshmen, advisers are available for students of all programs. Students can find out who their adviser is by looking it up on DegreeWorks, calling the “Who’s my Adviser?” hotline at (907) 786-1000 or through the advising website.
FEATURES Student Health 101 By Jason Herr layout@thenorthernlight.org
“College is all about learning, and learning to take care of yourself is essential,” Brittany Kupec, alcohol, drug and wellness educator with the UAA Student Health and Counseling Center, said. Health can affect academic performance, and it is important for students to maintain healthy habits and choices during the school year. “You can’t do your best in class if you’re not at your best in terms of your health, so taking care of yourself is super important, and that’s really what we’re here for,” Mary Woodring, director of Student Health, said. The SHCC offers many services to students while they are on campus, including nutrition and diet information, discussing
an exercise plan, immunizations, help with anxiety or depression, sexually transmitted infection testing, referrals to other providers and other physical and mental health needs. The Health Center works to take care of the whole student, physically and mentally. Students are able to schedule appointments or can walk in to access the services. Services and results are also confidential to students 18 or older. Students must have registered for six or more credits during the current semester for both fall and spring semesters, and have paid the student health services fee in their tuition to qualify for services. Many services are free to students who meet the requirements, and other services are offered at a discounted rate, which can help students to remain financially secure when seeking medical help. Online students, or stu-
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dents visiting from other UA campuses, can opt to pay the fee to access the SHCC services as well. The basics of student health are simple, and students need to be mindful of healthy lifestyle habits. Healthy habits can build a healthier lifestyle, and are the foundation of taking care of yourself, according to Betty Bang, an advanced practice registered nurse and family health practitioner with the SHCC. “Take good care of yourself. Get the basics: get enough sleep, get your seven hours of sleep a night, exercise every day, at least 30 minutes a day five times a week, eat nutritious food and drink water,” Bang said. Aside from physical health, the SHCC also works to assist students in maintaining their mental health. “We can do total care for students with mental health problems,” Bang said. “If you have ADHD, if you’re lonesome, homesick, going through grief,
College perks include discounts By Christina Swayney news2@thenorthernlight.org
Being a freshman has its share of stress and responsibilities. One of these is money. Finances can be tight for a beginning college student. Fortunately, there are numerous discounts students can take advantage of. Students need various necessities, especially freshmen. School supplies, computers, a new pair of noise-cancelling headphones, these are all things one can buy and sometimes there is just not time for shopping. Thankfully, there is Amazon Prime for Students. It offers a free, six-month trial, which leads to $6.49 per month, or $59 annually. Being a member of Amazon Prime also comes with free, two-day shipping on select purchases, unlimited photo storage and access to thousands of movies and shows on Amazon Prime. Another discount available to students is through Apple Music, which offers a student subscription for $4.99 a month instead of the regular $9.99, so one can listen to their choice of tunes while studying. If students have a car and find insurance expensive, State Farm has a “Good Student Discount.” The program has specific guidelines, so call a local State Farm for details. If students utilize public transit in Anchorage, they can use their student ID, or Wolfcard, to ride the bus for free, which is paid for by student fees.
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The Wolfcard acts as a bus pass. Students can also get the full Adobe Creative Cloud for $19.99, a month versus the regular $52.99 a month. This package includes Illustrator, PhotoShop, After Effects and other Adobe products, plus Photoshop, Lightroom and 20GB cloud of storage. PhotoShop itself can be accessed for only $9.99 a month. There are also apps and websites that are great resources for student discounts. The Unidays app provides discounts on food, clothing, technology and more. Notifications for discounts from businesses such as Qdoba, H&M and Adidase are available through the app. ID.me is a website that offers numerous discounts to students. These include hotel rooms in Las Vegas, products from Moose Jaw, a sporting goods store, and many more, such as nu-
merous other retail, food and lifestyle vendors. Students need to eat and sometimes a quick meal is the answer if there is last minute studying to do. There are a few local Anchorage restaurant discounts to assist this. These establishments all offer discounts as long as students show their student ID: Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Domino’s Pizza, McDonald’s, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, Qdoba and Waffle House. Movies can be expensive at the theatre, but there is a student discount for that as well. Cinemark, AMC and Regal Theatres all offer discounts by showing student ID. All student discounts vary by location in Anchorage.
suicidal, any of those things, you can come on in.” The SHCC can work with students on crisis prevention and brief therapy throughout the semester, and if further treatment is needed, the SHCC professionals can refer students to facilities or resources off-campus. Much like the foundations of physical health, mental health can be maintained through becoming part of the UAA community, and reaching out to other students, faculty or staff in times of need. “If you’re having problems, talk to someone, come to the Health Center,” Bang said. “Get involved with something, so that you have a connection with other people on campus, rather than just run to class and run home.” Another major aspect of the SHCC are the educational resources available to students. The center offers lectures and classes on topics including depression, anxiety, sexual health and self care.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF UAA STUDENT HEALTH WEBSITE
The Student Health and Counseling Center is located in Rasmuson Hall.
Many programs are peerdelivered, which connects students with other UAA students during the training and lectures. “We do education and outreach, letting people know about the Student Health and Counseling Center,” Kupec said. “We do education presentations on bystander intervention for sexual assault and violence, and gatekeeper suicide prevention training.” Kupec also facilitates an assortment of programs including drug and alcohol awareness, self-care, wellness practices and other health education training to the campus community. With a plethora of resources, the SHCC is a starting point for students to take a proactive ap-
proach to a healthy lifestyle. “Health is important to everybody, because you can’t perform your best if you’re not feeling well. Health is kind of a spectrum between being really ill and sort of feeling ok, to being at your premium self,” Woodring said. “People perform their best when they’re healthy.” The SHCC is located in Rasmuson Hall in rooms 116/120, and is open on Mondays-Wednesdays from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-6 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Appointments can be walk-in or scheduled by phone at (907) 786-4040.
Being outside and socializing offers potential ways to relax. Outdoor gear can also be rented at a discounted rate next to the Student Information Desk in the Student Union. Items that are available for rent include bikes, canoes, kayaks, dry gear packs, expedition tents, camping stoves, coolers, sleeping bags and whole gear packs for weekend camping. There are also many clubs and organizations to get involved in at UAA. A smorgasbord of selections are available. Socializing is a big part of clubs and can be stress relieving. From Anthropology Club to Chronicles of Yarnia to Greek Life and everything in between, there is something for everyone to find interest in and to connect with other students. Meditation is also known to promote stress relief, according to Harvard Health. The Meditation and Wellness Club at UAA offers group mediation, yoga and discussion about wellness. “We focus on creating a safe space for everyone to come just as they are with
no obligations or expectations,” according to their website. The Meditation and Wellness Club meet regularly every Wednesday in the Fine Arts Building, room 116. There is no requirement to bring a yoga mat or towel. There are also options at UAA for professional health services that will allow students to access services for mind as well as body. Counseling and health services are also available at UAA. Services are available at the Student Health and Counseling Center. They provide counseling, health education, medications and outreach screenings. Beyond all that UAA has to offer, there is always the option of taking the time to enjoy personal hobbies. Joseph Insinnia, a second year accounting major, explains why playing poker is a great tool for stress dissolving. “Not having responsibilities, being with my friends and forgetting about worries for a short period of time was very relaxing,” Insinnia said.
Find Freshman zen By Christina Swayney news2@thenorthernlight.org
Starting the first year of college can be exciting. However, with all of the excitement and possibilities comes potential stress as well. Beginning college itself is stressful. There is all of the paperwork, finding out what classes to take and organizing a schedule. If one is able to figure out how to pay for college, there is college life itself, which adds stresses like classes, homework and just navigating through education. This is an experience that many face, and students are not alone. There are resources available to students to help deal with stress, many of which are at UAA. One way students can decompress is through physical activity. Exercise releases endorphins, which can make stressed out students feel better, according to Harvard Health Medical School. “Studies show that exercise can relieve stress, reduce depression and improve cognitive function,” according to The American Psychological Association website. The Seawolf Sports Complex can offer physical activities that will help blow off steam. A gym, skating rink, pool, basketball court, dance studio and weight rooms are available to use for students. Enjoying nature may also relieve stress. The Outdoor Recreation Club offers events and volunteer opportunities that students can take part in.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSEPH INSINNIA
UAA student Joseph Insinnia enjoys poker with some friends.
FEATURES
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UAA Greek Life is a great life By Christina Swayney news2@thenorthernlight.org
When one thinks about Greek Life, images of popular movies often come to mind with frat boys and cliques of mean girls. That is not always the case, however, especially at UAA. Keon O’Brien, the alumni relations officer at Delta Chi, which is a fraternity at UAA, explains how freshmen can benefit from Greek Life. “Greek Life is a great place for incoming freshmen at UAA to find a community and support group. College is stressful, and knowing you have a group of friends who are there for you helps ease the transition,” O’Brien said. There are several fraternities and sororities at UAA.
Fraternities: ΑΣΦ - Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity ΔΧ - Delta Chi Fraternity ΣΑΕ - Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity ΤΚΕ - Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity Sororities: ΑΣΑ - Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority ΣΣΣ - Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority The process of joining Greek Life is easy, according to O’Brien. “To get started in Greek Life, all you need to do is reach out. There’s several ways to reach out, in person at tables or events, via email or social media or at the Student Club and Greek Life office in the Student Union, where they can get you in touch with the chapters,” O’Brien said.
Each fraternity and sorority has its own purpose and values. They each concentrate on specific ways that its members come together and help the community. Sigma Sigma Sigma has a purpose that empowers young women. “To establish among its members a perpetual bond of friendship, to develop in them strong womanly character and to impress upon them high standards of conduct,” as stated by their purpose on their website. Philanthropy is a part of all Greek Life. Sigma Sigma Sigma volunteer several times a year at Broken Sparrow Children’s Home. They also engage with the children in seasonal activities like pumpkin carving and Easter egg hunts. Tau Kappa Epsilon volunteers at St. Jude Hospital. Their upcoming event,
PHOTO COURTESY OF UAA GREEK LIFE OFFICE AND STUDENT LEADERSHIP OFFICE WEBSITE
UAA Greek Life offers opportunities and community to college students.
“Toss For a Cause,” is a St. Jude charity event that features the game cornhole. All of the proceeds will go directly to St. Jude Hospital. Fraternities and sororities have lasting benefits even after college, accord-
ing to O’Brien, as he refers to Delta Chi and Greek Life in general. “It’s called the brotherhood of a lifetime for a reason, being a brother of Delta Chi goes beyond college, and the connections you make last forev-
er,” O’Brien said. More detailed information about the benefits of joining Greek Life be found on the UAA Fraternity and Sorority Life or UAA About Greek Life page.
Seawolves scuttle: Getting around campus By Robert Gant features@thenorthernlight.org
Getting from class to class on time is something everyone, freshmen and seniors alike, struggle with. Experienced students and staff have found solu-
tions to this recurring roadblock. Falon Harkins is the UAA Parking Services associate director. Harkins has observed and assisted many student navigation problems during his time working with UAA Parking Services. “Some people search for
parking for over 15 minutes,” Harkins said. “It would be quicker to just park on the east side of campus and walk.” Students can request a walking escort by calling (907) 7861103 if they feel unsafe traveling to their car alone. Walking across campus dur-
ing the winter can be a hazard, especially during the snow season. The sky bridges on campus connect buildings without requiring walking outside in slippery or low visibility weather. Harkins suggests using the skybridge for these situations. “The new engineering parking garage always has [places to park],” Harkins said. “It connects right to the skybridge.” On-campus parking expenses are lowest when purchasing the early bird special, available now through Aug. 12. Without a parking pass, parking is substantially more costly. Noah Willard, a junior mathematics and statistics and languages major, finds frustration within the UAA parking system. “For most of the main buildings, the lots are always full,” Willard said. “Unless I show up early, I usually have to park at a different lot and then walk to the right building.” To avoid this problem, there are other options to navigating campus that don’t involve parking at all. The university has bike racks outside of most major buildings on campus. Biking is a safe alternative to driving or walking if one is cautious of the risks. It is important to wear high visibility clothing when biking dur-
ing inclement weather or if it is dark outside. Wearing a bicycle helmet and using reflective tape saves lives. Willard advocates biking as an environmentally friendly solution to campus locomotion. “I bike to reduce my carbon footprint, burn calories and explore,” Willard said. “I bike around University Lake Trail. There is great scenery and lots of trees.” Busing is another alternative to driving. The campus links to the municipal busing system. For more information on using the bus, see TNL’s People Mover 101 article or visit peoplemover. org. UAA also has its own campus-wide shuttle system, the Seawolf Shuttle. The Seawolf Shuttle is prepaid by student fees as long as students have their Wolfcard with them. “I live on campus, so it’s much easier to use the shuttle because it’ll take you straight to class without worrying about parking,” exploratory junior Rhiannon Horton said. Whatever transportation option students choose, UAA Parking Services is willing to help. Call them at (907) 7861119 or find their official page on the UAA website for any questions or concerns.
PHOTO BY ROBERT GANT
The Seawolf Shuttle has many stops around campus.
FEATURES School savvy apps for new UAA students Students can manage their deadlines, homework, safety and more from the palms of their hands.
COLLAGE BY ROBERT GANT
Clockwise from top left: Blackboard, UAA SAFE, Navigate and Handshake apps.
THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG AUGUST 6, 2019
By Jason Herr layout@thenorthernlight.org
A variety of mobile applications are available to UAA students, and can provide quick access to important information while students are mobile. The apps are free to current UAA students and can help them better manage their success in college. Blackboard Stay on top of classes and assignments. The Blackboard app is directly tied to a student’s existing Blackboard account, and allows the student to view upcoming due dates, course information and grades throughout the semester. Many UAA courses and instructors use this platform for posting and turning in assignments, taking exams and course materials. Students are also able to view and participate in any assigned discussion groups, course communications and activities posted by the course instructor. UAA SAFE Keep the University Police Dispatchers at your side as you travel around campus. UAA SAFE turns your smartphone into a Mobile Bluelight phone so UPD Dispatchers
can monitor your location if you feel unsafe. A Bluelight phone allows people on campus to contact emergency services from a set location, and this app expands on that network by using your mobile phone. Use the virtual walk feature to travel campus and dispatchers will monitor your location through the GPS on your device. If you don’t arrive at your set destination by a certain time, UPD can check-in to make sure that you are safe. The app can also share your location with friends and family as well as via SMS or email. You decide to share your location and the time frame in which your location will be monitored. When your walk has ended, your device will no longer be actively sharing your location with UPD. Other tools included in this app are a Seawolf Shuttle Map, Emergency Plans, a Safety Toolbox and Support Resources. Handshake Join Seawolves@Work to explore career and internship opportunities. Offered through the UAA Career Exploration and Services, the Handshake app can keep students informed on future career opportunities, internships, job fairs and other services. After completing a profile, students are able to post a resume,
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schedule appointments and opportunities for jobs, events and resources will be recommended and tailored to their interests. Handshake will also keep students informed of networking events and other resources that may assist in their career endeavors. Use of this app can continue after graduation for UAA alumni. Seawolf Tracks (Navigate) Stay connected with UAA. Through the Navigate app, students can search for UAA from the app’s database and use their UAOnline login to access Seawolf Tracks. Through Seawolf Tracks, students can access their class schedule, make appointments with advisers, connect with other students for study sessions and be notified of key dates for payments. Students are also able to set their own reminders on their calendar to combine personal appointments with academic activities. In addition, the app provides information on student services throughout UAA, such as financial services, wellness resources and student activities. These apps are found in the app-store, and are free to download and use. Most require a UA login to access student information.
Bread, lizards and dogs: The transition to Spirit COLLAGE BY ROBERT GANT
By Robert Gant features@thenorthernlight.org
Evolution is a concept commonly taught in science class, but evolving from human to wolf seems more science fiction than science fact. UAA’s mascot and logo, Spirit the Seawolf, experienced this journey over the course of 50 years. The University of Alaska Anchorage started out as the Anchorage Community College. In its infancy, the college took on the Sourdough as its mascot. Most Alaskans know Sourdough as the Alaskan way of calling someone an experienced Alaskan wilderness explorer. Sourdoughs earned this name from the trappers and miners that brought sourdough starters with them on their expeditions as a primary source of food, according to the National Public Radio. The Sourdoughs were anything but seasoned at the beginning. Scott Loll, the first men’s basketball coach at ACC, recalls
The Sourdough handbook cover and the original Seawolf logo design from the Archives and Special Collections of the UAA/APU Consortium Library.
the trials he had to go through to keep his team together in “From Sourdoughs to Seawolves” by Sara Juday. “One [team member] was attending classes during the day and serving his jail time at night,” Loll said. “I had to sign him out to play when we had practices or played out of town.” Sourdough is not a common term in the lower 48 for any-
thing other than bread. By 1977, short-lived basketball coach Bob Rachal decided it was time for a change. The Tlingit Alaskan Native legend of Gonakadet, the sea wolf, became the new logo. The transformation from a loaf of bread to a legendary beast did not happen overnight. Former UAA Vice Chancellor Lee Picard is cited as believing the illustration of the Seawolf to
be a lizard, and he was not alone in this interpretation. Patty Day Frasure, a UAA mascot designer, created another attempt of portraying the Seawolf, but the amount of detail in the design once more got lost in translation. “We called it, to ourselves, the Flaming Dog,” Timothy McDiffett, the former associate athletic director, said in an article
by The Northern Light. The transition for Spirit was at its final stage in 1984 when UAA sought professional help. Clark Mishler Associates of Anchorage were paid $7,000 to give the Seawolf a facelift. When Spirit’s plastic surgery results were unveiled at the 1985 Athlete of the Year banquet, it became clear that the Seawolf’s facelift was a success. The three-dimensional rendition of Spirit as a mascot for UAA was not created until 2008, however, over 20 years after Spirit’s final design was created. Spirit has been happily adjusted to living in his true form for more than a decade. Spirit’s transition was not quick or easy, but with UAA’s support, he has become an iconic mascot for what a Seawolf truly is. Incoming freshmen will soon realize they are not Sourdoughs. Every test marks another stage in a student’s evolution. College is a daunting transition, but with the spirit of the Seawolf by the side of every freshman, students are UAA strong.
& AE
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What are The Hitbox Reviews? By John Novotny arts@thenorthernlight.org
In video-game jargon, a hitbox is an invisible box around the player character. It’s how the game detects whether an enemy’s attack will hit the player. In some games, it determines if a player will make a jump across a chasm. In short, it detects collisions with the player character. Applying this concept to written reviews, one could consider the game as a projectile heading towards the reviewer’s hitbox. In this analogy, the hitbox would be the review’s assessment of the game. So does the game hit, miss or is it somewhere in between? The Hitbox will have several variations in name depending on which game the article is about. The Hitbox Review is the standard assessment that will serve as a baseline for The Hitbox column. Any game being reviewed will have this headline. The Hitbox Retrospective headline is used to indicate that the game being played has a role in my gaming history. I could have fond memories of staying up all night to play it or remember how
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much I disliked it. Perhaps it is the first game I played on a beloved console, or my first role-playing game. I’m limited in the games I play due to limited work hours. As a result, completing expansive games such as Skyrim and
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is impossible. The headline Hitbox First Impressions will be used with games like these, where I only play a fraction of the total playtime expected to complete the game. Knowing a reviewer’s preferences and history is
paramount in understanding their reactions to any particular game. For example, if they grew up playing strategy games such as the Civilization series and decide to play and write about a first-person shooter, they might have difficulty aiming at enemies and reacting to dangerous situations in time. When writing about video games they have little experience with, the reviewer may not completely understand all of its nuances. However, that doesn’t mean the review is useless. A reader with a similar gaming background may find the author’s perspective useful in determining whether they want to branch out and try a completely different game to what they typically play. Even a veteran first-person shooter player could find a novice’s point of view useful in understanding the skills
necessary to succeed in a game. As with all journalistic writing, transparency is critical to establishing trust between the author and reader. I started playing firstperson shooters very early. The first one I remember playing was the Mrated Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon for the Nintendo GameCube. I couldn’t have been more than 10 years old. I also played Pokemon Fire Red on the Game Boy Advance, and later, the Game Boy Advance SP, repeatedly. I used to beat the final battle against the Elite Four and reset the save file to start again with a different starter pokemon. When I was 13, I got an Xbox 360 and became obsessed with Halo 3, playing it religiously everyday. I played all of the following Halo games, but nothing compared to the glory days of Team Slayer on
The Pit or Big Team Battle on Valhalla. The annual Call of Duty release, starting with Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, also became a staple of my gaming diet. I branched out every so often with games such as Mass Effect 2, Fallout 3 and Borderlands. I received a Playstation 4 for Christmas in 2013. However, because of the lackluster launch games, I quickly returned to the Xbox 360. It wasn’t until Destiny was released that I devoted the majority of my free time to the Playstation 4. Sadly, I lost interest in Destiny after about a year into its fouryear lifespan and only returned occasionally when a new expansion released. During this period, I committed more time into each new iteration of Call of Duty. It wasn’t until January of 2017 that I built my first gaming PC. Before then, I had a pre-built gaming PC with severely outdated components. After experiencing the visceral and high-octane combat of Doom 2016, I was glad to have a high-powered PC at my disposal. I also eventually put over 700 hours into the space ninja Warframe in less than a year. After playing Destiny 2 on Playstation 4 for about 200 hours, I bought it again, this time on PC. After 750 hours and several expansions, it continues to be my go-to game that I play almost every day. I created The Hitbox series because I wanted to grow as a writer and critic. It only made sense to review video games because playing them is what I love doing. The Hitbox will continue to evolve as my skills as a critic grow. Want to suggest a video game for review? Contact John Novotny at arts@ thenorthernlight.org.
& AE
THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG AUGUST 6, 2019
07
Hitbox Review: Transistor By John Novotny arts@thenorthernlight.org
Supergiant Games’ second game continues to improve on the strengths of its predecessor. Transistor’s stand-out narration, well-realized world and deceptively simple combat make for an engaging experience. Transistor was released on May 20, 2014 for PlayStation 4 and May 21, 2014 for PC for $20. It was also released on Nov. 1, 2018 for Nintendo Switch. It was developed by Supergiant Games. After a short tutorial, a flashback reveals that Red is a famous singer in the futuristic city of Cloudbank. A clandestine group called The Camerata attempted to assassinate Red using a large sword called the Transistor. However, she is saved by her unnamed significant other after he steps in front of her to take the blow. He is then integrated into the Transistor and serves as the narrator of the game. During the attack, Red mysteriously loses her voice and now can only hum. A robotic threat called The Process is also rampaging through the city, killing and destroying everything in sight. Red and her significant other, through the Transistor, then set off to get revenge on The Camerata and stop The Process. Red gains access to several abilities called “functions” by integrating people into the Transistor who are near death or recently deceased. Red encounters several variations of robots that are part of The Process. Each have different abilities and gain new ones throughout the course of the game.
An enemy called a Clucker resembles a chicken and will target Red with a bomb that causes damage in a radius. Another enemy called a Cheerleader looks like a satellite dish. It has no offensive attacks, but it can shield an enemy and makes them immune to damage. While there is an impressive amount of enemy variation, combat begins to become repetitive towards the end of the game due to the repeated use of a single enemy. During combat, Red can freeze time and plan out attacks or use functions in real time. Enemies will attack faster than the player can react, so it’s typically a good idea to plan attacks. Functions used while planning take up a certain amount of the time bar, which only allows them to use a certain amount of skill at a time. Once the player executes the planned attacks, the time bar will take a few seconds to regenerate. Save points are found throughout Cloudbank, which automatically save the game and allow the player to activate functions in one of three slots. There are four active slots, which are the player’s main abilities to use in combat. Upgrade slots modify an active skill. For example, if the Crash function is upgraded with Spark, Crash will fire three projectiles that do more damage at close range. A function in a passive slot will give Red a bonus to an ability or trait. Flood will regenerate Red’s life points when the turn bar is full. There is an incredible amount of variation in function combinations available in Transistor. Players are encouraged to experiment with different combinations by unlocking additional character backstories.
Each function is represented by a character in Cloudbank. The Bounce function, for example, is from Niola Chein, who was a prominent politician and worked to improve the lives of disadvantaged communities. After completing a combat encounter with a function in a new slot for the first time, it will unlock one of three entries. The player must play with a function in the active, upgrade and passive slot to discover who the person was and why they were targeted by the Camerata. The player can enter the Sandbox through backdoors, which gives them access to several challenges that test their skills in combat. This area is themed as a beach with a large tree and provides moments of respite during Red’s crusade against The Camerata and The Process. Transistor is filled with many small, compelling details. OVC terminals are found throughout Cloudbank, which are public computers where citizens can vote on polls or read the latest news and post comments. They play a short welcoming sequence of sounds when interacted with. Red sometimes communicates to her significant other through the comments on these terminals. There is also a sidestory about ordering from a sandwich delivery restaurant where the player can choose between four options. The music in Transistor is composed by Darren Korb, who has worked on all of Supergiant’s previous games. The vocals are performed by Ashley Barrett, who also voices Red. All of the songs on the soundtrack are great, but the ones that feature Barrett particularly stand out
SCREENSHOTS BY JOHN NOVOTNY
Red traveling by speedboat and thinking about The Camerata, from left to right, Sybil Reisz, Asher Kendrell, Grant Kendrell and Royce Bracket.
Red uses the same sword that took her significant other’s life to fight back against The Process.
Transistor’s art style is a feast for the eyes, especially when traveling between areas in Cloudbank.
because of her melodious, yet sonorous vocals. I highly recommend listening to the entire soundtrack which can be found on YouTube and Spotify. All of the small details in Transistor connect the player to Red’s story and identify with the trauma she is going through. The player feels grief when Red’s significant other is inte-
grated into the Transistor and share her pain and anger after losing her voice. The visuals, audio and gameplay all come together to form an incredibly compelling experience that should not be missed. Want to suggest a video game for review? Contact John Novotny at arts@thenorthernlight. org.
Finding time to play video games without missing deadlines By John Novotny arts@thenorthernlight.org
Turning in assignments on time is one of the most important factors to succeeding in college and just about anywhere. The grade for a missed assignment will be a zero, whereas even a poorly written essay is worth more points. If you’re a diehard gamer like me, then you’ll want to avoid giving up too much gametime. Thankfully, I have found that with some planning, I’m able to play video games almost as much as I want without missing many assignment deadlines. Of course, everyone is different in what time management techniques work for them, but here are some tips that I have personally found effective in my four years at UAA. Take advantage of Google Calendar Google Calendar allows you to input your class schedule and create events. There are plenty of options for events, in-
cluding making an event recurring, adding reminders and specifying locations. This feature can also be used on iOS and Android smartphones. Just login to the calendar app with a Gmail account and the events created on your computer will appear on your phone and vice versa. Multiple calendars can be created and will be combined to separate college assignments from personal events. I can confidently say that I owe at least partial credit to my college success to Google Calendar. Visual reminders A dry-erase board or calendar is a great way to remember upcoming due dates. I have a dry-erase calendar on the wall next to my computer. Since that is where I spend most of my time at home, it is always in my peripheral vision. With this method, however, there is a need to be mindful of assignments due early in the month if you don’t update it during the last week of the month. Sticky notes placed in plain sight are also a good
idea if there is a more immediate assignment that requires work. Find out what time of day you are the most productive If you aren’t a morning person, then working on assignments in the evening or at night may be your best bet. Likewise, if you jump out of bed feeling ready to climb Mt. Everest, starting early in the day when you have the most energy could be a good idea. Make a list Whether facing a huge
semester-long assignment or a barrage of smaller assignments, making a list and dividing and conquering is a great way of reducing the stress that can arise during hectic weeks. In my experience, professors typically divide a large assignment that is due at the end of a semester into smaller assignments due throughout the semester. Just don’t fall behind on the scheduled checkpoints and it will eventually be complete. Listing several small tasks and crossing them out as you go also helps you feel that you’re making progress and will
GRAPHIC BY MICHAELINE COLLINS
help you stay motivated to complete all of them. Work an hour, play an hour It’s a very slippery slope, but if you have the willpower necessary, taking a break from working on an assignment can motivate you to finish the task. Rewarding yourself after some hard work can be a potential motivator. General tips When scheduling time to work on assignments, always plan for more time than you think it will take. If you think reading a chapter in a book and writing a post about it on Blackboard is going to take an hour, expect it to take at least 30 minutes longer. Starting to work on an assignment is always the hardest step. I find that it helps to start the day with the mindset of just looking at what is required of the assignment. When there is some downtime or I’m just bored, I’ll look at the assignment requirements and just start working on it, even if it is the smallest
or easiest part of the assignment. Eventually, my inner completionist comes out and I’ll want to complete the assignment just to get it over with. Of course, this strategy doesn’t apply if it’s the night before the assignment is due. If you’re in a rush to complete an assignment, remove as many potential distractions as possible. Turn off your phone, or make sure the screen is facing down to avoid the temptation of checking notifications. If multiple assignments are due within a short span of one another, prioritize the assignment that is due the soonest. It may sound obvious, but it can be overwhelming sometimes and tackling them one by one may be your best bet. Take breaks. It’s easy to forget to stay hydrated or have a snack when you’re busy worrying about whether you’ll get that essay done in time. Just remember that taking care of yourself is more important. Doing all that work won’t matter if you wind up in the hospital.
SPORTS
THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG AUGUST 6, 2019
08
Volleyball adds nine to their roster for the upcoming season By Lauren Cuddihy sports@thenorthernlight.org
With less than a month until its season kicks off, the UAA volleyball team is busy building up their roster and getting in ample pre-season training. During the 2018-19 season, the Seawolves finished off their regular season ranked third in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. They had a conference record of 14-6 and an overall record of 21-7, giving them a .700 and .750 win percentage, respectively. Despite coming third in conference rankings, junior middle blocker Vera Pluharova admits that the team didn’t excel as much as they had hoped. “We always hope to do better than the season before. Unfortunately, last year we didn’t make it to the postseason. So now, even before we start officially practicing, the team works hard in the weight room and open
gyms to get better, and we hope to make it further this year,” Pluharova said. With significant changes coming to the team, the 20192020 season is expected to be very different. Former seniors and standout players Taylor Noga (defensive specialist), Tara Melton (middle blocker) and Chrisalyn Johnson (outside hitter) played their final season during 2018 and will be a significant loss to the team. Despite the losses, many standout returners will continue their collegiate careers, joined by nine newcomers, including both transfers and first-time freshmen. “This year, we have a new assistant coach. She’s been around last year serving as a graduate assistant, so she knows the team,” Pluharova said. “We’re going to start this season with 19 players on the roster, which is four more than last season.” Previously announced and currently on the roster are five first-time freshmen: Mia
Ekstrand (outside hitter, Anchorage, AK), Noho Lind (outside hitter, Hana, HI), Makana Eleneki (setter, Kailua, HI), Julia Fetko (setter, Anchorage, AK) and Reilly Plumhoff (libero, Anchorage, AK). In addition to the new freshmen players, both Maggie Schlueter and Katie Hoeffner will be starting their collegiate careers. Both joined during the 20182019 season, but redshirted. Finally, there are an additional two players joining: junior transfer Emma Kleven and junior Kayla McGlathery. McGlathery previously played for the Seawolves in 2014 before taking a break from school. All the newcomers will be joined by senior standout middle blocker Vanessa Hayes. “Some things I would like for us to do differently this season and play more as a team on the court. I feel as though the more we play together and have better communication, the better we will play,” Hayes said. Hayes will have some famil-
PHOTO COURTESY OF SKIP HICKEY
The UAA Seawolf volleyball team added nine new players for the 2019-2020 season.
iarity in team dynamics starting the upcoming season. She will be joined by sophomore standout Eve Stephens, who was the 2018 GNAC Freshman of the Year. In addition, junior Anjoilyn Vreeland will be returning as a libero after having played in every single set in the 2018 season. Hayes explained that it may take time to build up the team dynamics, but they all have similar goals in mind.
“We haven’t quite discussed goals as a team yet, but typically our main goal every season is to win our conference. After that, we focus on winning our region and then hopefully making it to nationals,” Hayes said. The Seawolves will debut their 2019-2020 season with the annual Seawolf Alumni game on Aug. 31, followed by their first regular season game against Regis University on Sept. 5.
How to stay active during Seawolves head into cross-country season the 2019-2020 school year without Michael Friess for first time in 29 years By Lauren Cuddihy sports@thenorthernlight.org GRAPHIC BY MICHAELINE COLLINS
There are many ways to stay active and fit at UAA during the school year, including sports, classes and amenities to use on your own time. Three intramural sports take place during the fall semester: co-ed volleyball, co-ed soccer and co-ed basketball. All intramurals are free and open to all UAA students and take place from Sept. 3-Nov. 19. Registration occurs between Aug. 26 and Sept. 12. Athletes can either create their own team or join an existing team. Volleyball Games take place every Monday or Tuesday from 9-10 p.m., and on some Thursdays from 7-10 p.m. at the Seawolf Sports Complex. Basketball Games are scheduled every Monday or Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. at the Seawolf Sports Complex. Soccer Games take place every Wednesday from 7-10 p.m. at the Seawolf Sports Complex.
schedules, visit “Recreation” at www.uaa.alaska.edu. If you would prefer a set schedule while also getting college credit, the Health, Physical Education & Recreation Department offers many classes available for all UAA students.
Indoor classes available during fall semester 2019 include: • Fitness for Life (PER A100) • Fitness Cross Training (PER A101) • Indoor Stationary Cycling (PER A103) • Aerobic Kickboxing (PER A107) • Beginning Zumba (PER A110) • Circuit Training (PER A116) • Beginning Pilates (PER A113) • Shape Up With Weights (PER A117) • Beginning Weight Training (PER A118) • Beginning Yoga (PER A120) • Yoga For Athletes (PER A121) • Beginning Tai Chi (PER A123) • Beginning Tae Kwon Do (PER A127) • Beginning Swimming (PER A135) • Beginning Hockey (PER A143) • Women’s Self Defense (PER A190) Outdoor classes available during fall semester 2019 include: • Beginning Rock Climbing (PER A146) • Beginning River Rafting (PER A152) • Beginning Sea Kayaking (PER A153) • Backpack Alaska (PER A170) • Bouldering (PER A190)
In addition to organized sports, there are many options on campus to stay active. UAA has many amenities in the Seawolf Sports Complex, such as a fitness center, olympic weight room, pool, stationary bike room, dance studio and ice rink. Classes are all one credit. For more information on in- They can be found on UA online tramural sports, amenities or under class search.
By Lauren Cuddihy
sports@thenorthernlight.org
Earlier this summer, head cross-country coach Michael Friess announced his retirement from the department after leading the cross-country and track and field teams for the previous 29 years. Emmah Chelimo and the remaining runners on the team were shocked by the news. “The news of coach Friess’ retirement wasn’t something any of us expected. He’s coached the team very well, and we’ve had many successes over the years. I have personally made tremendous improvement under his coaching,” Chelimo said. With just a month until the first cross-country meet, a new head coach is yet to have been announced. However, new and returning athletes are still preparing for the season. As of late July, there are 10 runners returning to the men’s team and six runners returning to the women’s team. There are also two recruits joining the men’s team, both Alaskans. Niko Latva-Kiskola, from Anchorage and Skyler McIntyre from Sitka, will both be joining as first-time freshman. Latva-Kiskola competed for Dimond High School in crosscountry from 2015-2018. During his senior year, he placed sixth at 4A State Cross Country Division I Championships in the 5,000-meter with a time of 16:38. He continued on to set a new personal best at the Nike Hole in the Wall XC Invitational with a time of 16:13. Latva-Kiskola placed 55th out of a field of 272 runners from around the country. McIntyre competed for Sitka High School from 2016-2018, with his senior year being the most successful. He placed fourth at the 4A State Cross Country Division II Championships with a time of 16:41. Two weeks later, McIntyre
PHOTO COURTESY OF UAA ATHLETICS
The UAA Seawolf cross-country team prepares for the fall semester.
traveled to Portland, Oregon to compete in the Warner Pacific XC Classic, setting a new personal record of 16:23 in the 5,000-meter. He placed 35th out of 134 competitors. Despite the new additions, the Seawolves lost several standout runners. On the women’s team, Zennah Jepchumba, Danielle McCormick and Kimberly Coscia all completed their final season during 2018-2019. Jepchumba was the team’s top runner during the previous season, placing 22nd in the NCAA National Champions, with McCormick at 45th and Coscia at 86th. Jepchumba also placed ninth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships. As for the men, only Jorge Sanchez finished his final season with the Seawolves. He placed seventh in the GNAC Championships and 65th at the NCAA Championships during the 20182019 season. Overall, the Seawolves finished among the best ranked teams in the nation. The women’s cross-country team ranked sixth overall, while the men’s team ranked eighth. Returning to the men’s team is standout junior Felix Kemboi. He placed second in the NCAA West Regionals and 54th at the NCAA National Championships. “I am training and doing all it takes to remain fit and be
competitive for the upcoming season, despite all the ups and downs,” Kemboi said. “I am just taking control of what I control. With the loss of coach [Friess], we feel the impact, but we have what it takes to be competitive. He left the spirit with us, so with the help of other coaches, I believe we will be okay.” Many of the returning runners are feeling the impact of losing Friess after having been coached by him for years, including Chelimo, who had been coached by Friess for the previous three years. Despite the impact Friess’ retirement might have on the team, the athletes are staying positive and motivated. “I wish him all the best in his endeavors. We all learned a lot from him and we couldn’t be more grateful. We have learned to work together as a team, work hard and keep a positive energy,” Chelimo said. Ruth Cvancara, a sophomore, sees Friess leaving as just another challenge. With all the budget issues in recent years, studentathletes have dealt with a lot of stress. “There are a lot of changes going on at UAA, but there isn’t much I can do about it. [We] might as well accept it, adjust and move forward, knowing that the changes are serving a bigger purpose,” Cvancara said. The runners will be back in action on Aug. 31 at the UAF Invitational in Fairbanks.
OPINION
THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG AUGUST 6, 2019
An algorithm for success: The best study spots ranked By Robert Gant features@thenorthernlight.org
The UAA campus is vast, with many potential spots to study. Studying is worrisome enough without trying to figure out where to set up. This ranking uses an algorithm to determine the best study spots around campus. Most students consider the following criteria when looking for the perfect study spot: 1) Seating – is there copious comfortable seats with convenient placements? 2) Quiet – are the people and activities in the area quiet enough to focus and are there rules in place to maintain this quiet? 3) Bathrooms – is there a nearby bathroom with a short wait that could be accessed swiftly during an emergency? 4) Technology – are there enough charging outlets, public-use technology such as printers, computers and good wifi signal? 5) Food – is there nearby food and drink with a variety of choices, preferably not a vending machine? 6) Accessibility – is the spot in an easy to find location students regularly pass through, with elevators and automatic doors? Each of these criteria is a category assigned a value out of ten, one being the worst and ten being the best. The criteria scores are averaged together to create the total percentage of perfection present in the study spots. With this algorithm, the top nine study spots at UAA were determined. These rankings are subjective to individual students’ studying priorities, and may not match with these numbers.
9. Cuddy Quad (43%) The lowest on the list is a perfect option for any outdoors-loving student. Seating: (8/10) There is not a large number of benches, but many students enjoy laying in the grass. Quiet: (2/10) The noise level in the quad varies from day to day, but there is always some sort of noise outdoors, like an airplane overhead, a bird singing or protests and booths. Bathrooms: (1/10) The great outdoors does not provide an optimal location to use the restroom. If a student needs to go while studying, they will most likely have to pack up their things and venture to the nearest building. Technology: (0/10) Mother nature and electronics have been opponents since the dawn of time. There are dead zones without wifi in the Quad. For students who prefer to study on paper, separated from social media, this could be a possible benefit. Food: (5/10) Assuming UAA isn’t allowing moose and bears to enroll, the grass and bushes outside do not qualify as food. Food and drink have a larger window for when an inconvenience becomes an emergency, so walking to a nearby location to eat shouldn’t be an issue. Accessibility: (10/10) The Cuddy Quad is the connecting hub for many high traffic buildings at UAA, such as Beatrice McDonald, Cuddy Cafeteria, Sally Monserud, Eugene Short and Rasmuson Hall, all of which include handicap accessible entrances. 8. Rasmuson Skybridge (60%) This option is popular for students who use the university gym facilities and business students. Seating: (8/10) The skybridge has plentiful
seating, but the spacing of the seats is a bit inconvenient. Most of the chairs are attached to groupsized tables, which may present issues to a student studying alone. Quiet: (7/10) Noise level varies from day to day, but the skybridge is typically quiet. The skybridge is connected to the gym, which is a noisy location. During finals and midterms, the skybridge is always dead silent. Bathrooms: (8/10) There is no bathroom on the skybridge, but there are two bathrooms within five minutes walking distance on either side. Technology: (1/10) The spacing of the charging outlets is abysmal. The wifi is usually passable. Food: (2/10) There are vending machines on either side of the skybridge. For better food, it’s a long walk. Accessibility: (10/10) Most students pass through it on a typical day. 7. Cuddy Cafeteria (68%) The cafeteria is a communal area with plenty of food options to snack on while you study. Seating: (10/10) There is cafeteria seating, large tables and also a smaller amount of assorted chairs in the café next door. Quiet: (2/10) Large amounts of people come to the cafeteria to eat, relax and chat. The cafeteria is a lot quieter during nonmeal times. Bathrooms: (9/10) The cafeteria has bathrooms, but there are not many toilets. Expect to wait if visit-
ing during lunch. Technology: (2/10) Charging outlet placement is extremely inconvenient. The wifi signal is strong, but the amount of people using it during lunch slows it. Food: (10/10) The cafeteria offers a variety of food options. Accessibility: (8/10) Students typically don’t have class in the cafeteria. However, it is a short walk to get there.
6. Upper Beatrice McDonald Hall (77%) The perfect spot to camp out before your math or science exam. Seating: (6/10) There is not much seating, but all of the seats are comfortable and conveniently placed. Bonus points for being aesthetically pleasing. Quiet: (10/10) The study spots are directly outside of classrooms, so a low noise level is required. Bathrooms: (10/10) There are many clean bathrooms on both floors. Technology: (7/10) There aren’t many outlets, but they are conveniently placed. Teachers may allow you to borrow a calculator if you are in their class. Food: (6/10) There are only vending machines. However, there are a lot of vending machines with a greater variety than most other areas. Accessibility: (7/10) Many students have at least one class here. It
SEE STUDY SPOTS
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09
PHOTOS BY ROBERT GANT
Tutors at the UAA Learning Commons can help with study needs.
Using the algorithm, the Union Station Café is the ideal study spot.
The Rasmuson skybridge provides views of the surrounding UAA campus.
The Cuddy Quad allows students to study outside.
OPINION
THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG AUGUST 6, 2019
10
The problem with presidential primary debates Shouting matches and performative call-outs are making debates unbearable By Robert Hockema opinion@thenorthernlight.org
Democracy stands out from other systems of government because it features collective deliberation. In an ideal democracy, policy decisions and representatives are only voted for after lengthy, healthy dialogue between members of the public. And yet, we do not live in an ideal democracy. We live in one where our process for debate is broken. Look no further than the presidential debates during election cycles. The 2020 election is upon us, and so far, four debates have been hosted among the crowded democratic field. If you tune in to one of them, they don’t feel like debates. In fact, the very
way in which the public discusses these debates as they arrive is not with curiosity and Socratic interest. They’re going to cheer on their preferred candidate, as most primary voters have already picked who they’d like to face off in the general election. The remaining 19 candidates in the Democratic field are there to serve as entertainment, as everyone competes to rope one another into making a viral gaffe. For candidates, debates are not about persuading the public that they’re the best candidate. Instead, preparing for a presidential debate is more like preparing for a press conference. Speaking times for debates run just a few minutes per question, with each candidate only receiving a few chances to make the true depth of their views heard. Moreover, there is no incentive to engage with others on stage in any meaningful way. Since candidates have so few chances to shine, the likelihood they’ll use it to ask an interesting question or give
a good-faith response to another candidate’s point of view is slim. So, what do candidates do instead? They use rehearsed, sound-bite worthy, populist battle cries to get cheers from the audience. If you listen closely, candidate responses sound an awful lot like talking points from one of their rallies. A great example is from a 2016 Republican primary debate in which Sen. Marco Rubio embarrassingly repeated the same response twice, a gaffe that former Gov. Chris Christie swiftly took advantage of. Worst of all, the two to three hours it takes to wrap up a debate almost never ends in a better understanding the comparative advantages of each candidate. I could get the same results by simply going to their campaign websites and browsing their social media posts. Nonetheless, the orientation voters and candidates alike have towards debates is unhealthy for our democracy. Debates should look more like thoughtful presentations on policy and moral lead-
ership, not WWE-like smackdowns where the sole purpose is to condescend and embarrass others. It doesn’t have to be this way. If UAA knows anything, it’s that there are ways to hold political debates in constructive ways to the benefit of both the candidates and the audience. Take, for instance, the gubernatorial debate hosted by the Seawolf Debate Program at the Wendy Williamson last year. A three-person debate for the governor’s office in Alaska isn’t the same as the race for president, but there are some lessons the national stage could take from UAA. First, the debate is centered on one sole topic. No flashing loaded questions onto candidates at random, but a theme for the debate to revolve around. UAA’s debate focused on the PFD; primary debates could hold each debate on a prominent issue in politics. Imagine candidates having a full-length discussion around health in which candidates had to defend the full complexity of their stance, rather than
a two-minute response on a few dozen questions. Think of a resolution such as “The United States adopt a single-payer health care system,’’ where candidates drill into the evidence behind a solution. This would encourage them to develop arguments, push candidates on their responses to particular problems or quirks and relay a better understanding of their intentions to the public. People focus and learn more when discussions have purpose; debates are no exception. Second, the moderator is not a media or political personality. Remember this: at the end of the day, large news corporations like Fox and CNN are focused on profit. If a channel is going to occupy a dozen hours of airtime for a few primary debates, they want viewers and attention. What better way to get that than asking low-ball, baity questions and pitting candidates against each other? The second set of Democratic debates this year perfectly embody the problem of media moderators. At multiple times
during the first debate, moderators directly asked candidates to address an attack made on them by another candidate to try and get them to spar. To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with encouraging candidates to engage with each other. However, there’s a difference between attempting to genuinely distinguish policy positions and philosophy and stirring the pot. The solution is simple: independent moderators without an incentive to conduct debates for the purpose of viewership. I’d rather less people watch debates if it means the people who tune in are actually learning and thinking. Finally, an added feature to be included — and perhaps the most important of all — is to lengthen speech times. Of course, you can’t do this with 20 candidates. There’s a couple ways you could play with the format to achieve parity. Debates could be sectioned off into three-tofour debates, with participating candidates teaming up to argue for or against the position. Again, debates around campus provide a good measure for how well this would facilitate depth. UAA’s Cabin Fever Debates throw four debaters onto each side of a topic and allow them to dive deep. This feature alone would dramatically improve the quality of debates. The central purpose of debate is to promote engagement. Right now, candidates are competing for limited time and attention in a filthy race to the bottom. We could do better by encouraging them to interact with each other and genuinely address the nuance these topics deserve. Simply put, the American public deserves better debate. The best thing we can do as a democracy is to make changes to our shameful primary debate format that bring us together to learn and deliberate about our future. Instead of tuning in to political cage matches, let’s bring our primary debates out of the dark and into an era of enlightened discourse.
OPINION
11
Study Spots: Continued from page 9 doesn’t make much sense to study here unless the studying is for a class in this building.
5. Learning Commons in Sally Monserud (78%) The Learning Commons offers structure and tutoring to students who desire it. Seating: (9/10) There is a large amount of seating. This location is popular, so seating may still be taken. Quiet: (5/10) The noise level wildly varies. The tutoring rooms have rules in place to reduce the noise level. Students may book a study room for extra quiet as needed. Bathrooms: (10/10) There are a large number of bathrooms and rarely any wait. Technology: (10/10) This building has computers, calculators, wifi, outlets and printers. Food: (6/10) There are mostly vending machines. The Math Lab has a place to boil water for ramen, coffee and tea. Accessibility: (7/10) There is no skybridge to this building, making the walk slightly hazardous in the winter months.
4. Daily Den (80%) This study spot houses free food and a fireplace. Seating: (10/10) There are many seats of various shapes and sizes. Quiet: (6/10) There are no rules in place to prevent noise, and events are often hosted here. When events are not happening, the noise level is usually low. Bathrooms: (10/10) There is a bathroom directly outside with no wait time. Technology: (3/10) The outlets are not in convenient locations. Food: (10/10) At certain times of day, the Daily Den provides free homemade food and drink. Accessibility: (9/10) The Den is right in the Student Union, but it can be difficult to spot at first because it is on the lower level behind the staircase. 3. UAA Bookstore (82%) This university-run store offers a café and a nice atmosphere. Seating: (10/10) There is plenty of unique seating downstairs and upstairs in a loft specifically designed for tutoring and studying.
PHOTOS BY ROBERT GANT
The UAA/APU Consortium Library has several option for quiet studying.
The UAA Bookstore seating area combines ambiance and snack options.
The Daily Den is located inside the Student Union.
STAFF CONTACTS Opinion Writer Robert Hockema opinion@thenorthernlight.org
Executive Editor Caleigh Jensen (907) 786-1313 editor@thenorthernlight.org
Graphic Designer Michaeline Collins media@thenorthernlight.org
Layout Editor Jason Herr layout@thenorthernlight.org Features Editor Robert Gant features@thenorthernlight.org Arts & Entertainment Editor John Novotny arts@thenorthernlight.org Sports Editor Lauren Cuddihy sports@thenorthernlight.org News Reporter Christina Swayney news2@thenorthernlight.org
2. UAA/APU Consortium Library (83%) The library offers all of the tools students need at the price of an inconvenient location. Seating: (10/10) There are many seats spread across the entire library. Quiet: (10/10) There are rules in place to enforce a quiet study area. Bathrooms: (10/10) The library has multiple bathrooms. Technology: (10/10) The library has strong wifi and allows students to use computers and printers, as well as rent equipment.
Food: (5/10) There is a Kaladi Brothers outside as well as vending machines, but the library has rules preventing certain foods and drinks. Accessibility: (5/10) The library is a long walk or drive unless students need to be there for a class. 1. Union Station Café (87%) The algorithm’s perfect study spot. Seating: (10/10) The seats near the café are comfortable and convenient. Quiet: (5/10) Many students pass through here, and the coffee machines can be loud. Bring headphones if you don’t like background noise. Bathrooms: (10/10) There are bathrooms directly across from the café. Technology: (8/10) There are a good amount of outlets, and the eSports lounge is directly next to the café. Food: (10/10) The Union Station Café offers plenty of food and drink. There are also other dining options nearby. Accessibility: (9/10) Most students pass through the upper level of the Student Union between classes, and there are many elevators.
A S S O C I AT E D CO L L E G I AT E P R ES S
3211 Providence Drive Student Union 113 Anchorage, AK 99508
Managing Editor Mary Ryan content@thenorthernlight.org
Quiet: (7/10) During events and textbook rental periods, the bookstore is a bit noisy. Otherwise, it is generally quiet. Bathrooms: (8/10) There are no bathrooms within the bookstore. It is a short walk to the Student Union bathrooms. Technology: (5/10) There is decent outlet availability if students are willing to sacrifice comfort. The wifi signal is strong. Food: (10/10) The Drowsy Wolf Café offers many drinks and food options. Accessibility: (9/10) Students usually come here at some point for supply and textbook purchases and rentals.
Ad Manager Morgan Wilhelm admanager@thenorthernlight.org Media Adviser Paola Banchero Administrative Adviser Zac Clark
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