August 21, 2018 by The Northern Light

GRAPHIC BY LEVI BROWN

NEWS

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

New shifts in UA leadership positions prompt salary adjustments By Cheyenne Mathews cmathews@thenorthernlight.org

SAM GINGERICH Interim Chancellor

249K

SARA CHILDRESS

Dir. Equity & Compliance / Title IX

105K

$ BEVERLY SHUFORD VC Administrative Services

MEGAN OLSON

VC University Advancement

191K $162K

BRUCE SCHULTZ VC Student Affairs

JOHN STALVEY

RENEE CARTERCHAPMAN

Int. Provost Academic Affairs

Sen. VC Institutional Effectiveness

179K $206K $145K

HERB SCHROEDER

KAREN MARKEL

Vice Provost ANSEP

Dean Business & Public Policy

JEANE BREINIG

JEFF JESSEE

STEVE ROLLINS

Dean Consortium Library

201K $205K $139K

Int. Associate VC Alaska Natives & Diversity

DENISE RUNGE

Dean Health

Dean Community & Technical

FRED BARLOW

JOHN MOURACADE

168K $198K $155K

CLAUDIA LAMPMAN

Int. Vice Provost Student Success

Dean Engineering

Dean University Honors

165K $195K $125K

SUSAN KALINA

Vice Provost Academic Affairs

JOHN PETRAITIS

Int. Dean Arts & Sciences

156K $167K

THOMAS CASE Chancellor UAA

RICHARD CAULFIELD Chancellor UAS

SAM GINGERICH Int. Chancellor UAA

JIM JOHNSEN President UA

DANIEL WHITE

VP Academic Affairs UAF

149K $210K $249K $325K $266K

+housing +$2,313 vehicle allowance +$38,562 other

+$8,077 other

+$9,600 vehicle allowance $50,000 other

INFORMATION RECEIVED THROUGH ALASKA OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS

Since last year, The Northern Light has published an organizational chart of university leadership including the base salary for deans, vice provosts, vice chancellors and chancellors. There have been a lot of changes to university leadership over the past year. Interim Chancellor Sam Gingerich is still in his role as chancellor until the newly appointed chancellor, Cathy Sandeen, comes to UAA on Sept. 15. Gingerich’s contract states his last day at UAA is Sept. 30. Duane Hrncir (base salary of $200,000), formerly the interim provost at UAA, is no longer serving in the position, and former Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences John Stalvey has been appointed interim provost. Stalvey will receive a base salary of $206,000. John Petraitis, formerly the associate dean for Social Sciences, has been tapped to lead the CAS as interim dean while Stalvey serves as interim provost. The dean of the CAS received approximately $164,000 in a base salary last year accounting for time he was furloughed or on voluntary leave. Petraitis is receiving $167,542.70 in a base salary for interim dean. If Stalvey returns to his previous position, he will be entitled to his former base salary of approximately $172,000. There is one new position in

the hierarchy this year. Claudia Lampman is serving as interim vice provost for Student Success, a new position that was opened and filled last fall. In addition, UA consolidated Colleges of Education at all three campuses to fall under the authority of UAS. At UAA and UAF, the programs were renamed the School of Education and will be absorbed into other colleges. Several interim dean positions have been filled in the last year. Karen Markel is the new dean of the College of Business and Public Policy, and John Mouracade, dean of the University Honors College, has been serving as a full dean — no longer an interim dean — since summer of last year. UAA has a new vice chancellor of Administrative Services. Beverly Shuford started at UAA on May 3, according to her contract, and is getting a base salary of $191,000. Last year’s interim vice chancellor of Administrative Services Pat Shier received a base salary around $173,000 for the position. There is a new Director and Title IX Coordinator for the Office of Equity and Compliance. Sara Childress was appointed to the position in March and is receiving a base salary of $105,000. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Bruce Schultz saw a base salary increase from approximately $147,000 last year to $179,000 this year.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

Community and Technical College partners with institute to improve reading and study skills

GRAPHIC BY LEVI BROWN

By Mariah DeJesus-Remaklus mremaklus@thenorthernlight.org

The UAA Community and Technical College has partnered with the Institute of Reading Development to offer a program that would help students learn and develop reading and study skills. The program has been active since 2012. In September, the Fall Speed Reading and Study Skills program will be offered over the course of two consecutive weekends to a variety of students. The program intends to help students cut down the time spent on reading, study more efficiently and adapt their approach based on the type of material. “They learn about techniques for scanning and parsing information in a quick fashion based on what kind of material you’re reading,” Dean of the UAA Community and Technical College Denise Runge, said. “You’re going to read differently when you’re reading a novel versus if you’re reading a standard scientific article.”

Although there is a partnership between UAA and the Institute of Reading Development, the classes are separate from the university’s academia. They are taught by instructors from the institute, and students can’t receive credit towards their progress at UAA. Runge says the university’s role is to provide the opportunity and space for the private company to reach out to students who might be interested. Judy Reilly, program director for the Institute of Reading Development, wrote in a letter sent to UAA students that those who participate in the program will be able to read textbooks twice as fast. “You will understand and retain information better, even while reading at these higher speeds. In addition, you will be able to prepare for tests efficiently, without extensive reading,” she wrote. Other benefits include the ability for students to repeat the program in the future for free. Referred to as the “lifetime instruction privilege,” students are able to take these classes again at more than 700 locations throughout the nation. The first class takes place on the weekend of Sept. 8 and 9, and the second will be held on Sept. 15 and 16. There will be two sessions: one runs from 9 a.m. 12:30 p.m., and the second, from 1:30 5 p.m. Students are free to choose which time frame works best for them upon registration. There are also fees associated with the program. The course fee costs $299 and materials are an additional $39. More information can be found on the Institute of Reading Development’s website, readingprograms.org.

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UAA geriatric program provides leadership training

GRAPHIC BY JIAN BAUTISTA

By Mizelle Mayo

multimedia@thenorthernlight.org

As the Alaska population fluctuates, the population of older citizens will be increasing. UAA has provided another year of the geriatric interdisciplinary leadership development program this upcoming academic year. The training program is geared towards professionals and students who want to provide care to Alaskans, Alaska Native elders and their families in rural and frontier communities. The AK GILD program was funded

by the federal government in 2015 under the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program. The AK GILD program partnered with Southcentral Foundation and established itself at UAA. Currently, Alaska’s population aged 65 and older is 82,686. According to Alaska Population Projections: 2017 to 2045, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development projected that there will be an increase of 60 percent by 2045. This will reach to approximately 131,982 senior citizens. Because of the growth of the elderly population and the migration of families from rural to urban communities in Alaska, American Indians and Alaska Natives often lose access to health care, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine. The program provides 150 hours of distance-delivered interdisciplinary leadership training. Students and professionals go through an application. Those that are accepted into the program will have their tuition waived. “It is a program that offers three 500-level credits. So, they are non-academic. They are actually in the professional development credit category at UAA,” Sheila Shinn, director of Geriatrics and Gerontology initiatives, said. “What it allows students to do is to have

an extra exposure and potential for certifications in geriatrics and working with older adults.” Shinn also added that students can turn the AK GILD program into three credits of practicum time in programs such as nursing. “The program was initially developed as workforce development opportunity,” Shinn said. “We’re really targeting midcareer professionals already working in their field. The other seats out of that 15, minus the three for students — those people are usually middle-aged professionals in healthcare. It’s not specifically geared towards students, but we didn’t want to shut the door on student opportunity. We do welcome students to apply.” One of the students that was accepted into the AK GILD program was Teri Martin. She was in the nursing program when she heard about the opportunity to learn more about geriatrics. Since the nursing program was an intensive course for her at the time, Martin graduated in the spring of 2017 with a bachelor’s in nursing and applied for the AK GILD program the following fall semester. “One of the things that I really liked about [the AK GILD program] coming specifically out of the nursing program was that it was multidisciplinary. It wasn’t

just other nurses that were in the program — there were people who worked with assisted living or with the Native hospital kind of coordinate care for the elderly.” Martin currently works at Alaska Regional Hospital as a registered nurse. Because of the program, she has a clearer understanding of her patients. “I worked in the medical and oncology unit, and we do see people that have dementia and mainly a lot of the people we see because they’re medical patients… One of the opportunities I had with the GILD program was to do my focus on Alzheimer’s and dementia-related care. A number of the patients that we see or that are in there do have different grades of dementia or progressions of dementia,” Martin said. “It’s really been helpful to have done a lot of research and have done my little project on that — just how to approach these patients, how to approach their family members and try to give them the best care that I can,” she added. The program is currently accepting applications until Jan. 5, 2019. For additional information about the AK GILD program, visit their official website or contact Sheila Shinn at (907) 264-6251 or sheila@alaskachd.org.

‘Just go for things’: How one Truman Scholar put his foot forward By Mariah DeJesus-Remaklus mremaklus@thenorthernlight.org

Almost a year ago, Michael Lowe wasn’t sure he was cut out for becoming a Truman Scholar. Fast-forward to April, and Lowe learned that he had earned the title along with $30,000 in a scholarship towards the graduate school of his choice. The 21-year-old, who will be graduating in December with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a concentration in international relations, hadn’t even considered graduate school until taking the political science class called The American Political Tradition. Later on, he decided to get more involved in public service by applying for the Alaska Legislative Internship Program and working alongside House Representative Chris Tuck. That’s when Lowe committed himself to applying for the prestigious national scholarship. “Once I got into [the legislative internship], I was like, ‘Well, I have a pretty solid resume and I might as well just try for the Truman Scholarship,’” he said. After nearly six months, countless application drafts and in-person interviews later, he did. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation aims to recognize future leaders in the United States, providing them with a fellowship and opportunity to continue their mission in public service. According to the foundation’s website, the thirty-third president “did not want a bricks and mortar monument.” Instead, there are a number of programs to help Truman Scholars progress their careers and grow in their leadership. This includes what’s called the Summer Institute. Lowe plans to attend it next year, where he will have the opportunity to attend seminars and participate in an internship in Washington, D.C. Lowe, who is also the vice president of the UAA Political Science Association, says he always had an interest in international relations.

PHOTO BY MARIAH DEJESUS-REMAKLUS

Michael Lowe, UAA’s 2018 Truman Scholar, has been active both in and out of school and hopes to attend Princeton University.

“I read international relations for fun. I always have. History and Foreign Affairs magazine — I have a subscription,” he said. “I do it for fun, really.” Tuck praises Lowe for his professionalism during the legislative session earlier this year. He says he’s an “unconventional” type of student that fit in with the rest of Tuck’s legislative staff and wrote a resolution that demonstrated a unique perspective. The resolution called for military security in Arctic waters and passed through both bodies of the Alaska Legislature, Tuck said. “He basically wrote the entire resolution… He developed a strategy to get it through the House and the Senate and carry it all the way through,” he said. “So he’s very [meticulous] and very personable. He has a really genuine charm about him that allows people to easily connect with him.” “Nobody ever feels intimidated by him and nobody ever feels superior to him because he’s very smart,” Tuck added. James Muller, political science professor, says that most of the students who apply for the scholarship are “ambitious in some way or another.” “Michael is probably ambitious in all

ways,” he added, “which some students are, and it’s an admirable trait.” Muller is UAA’s faculty representative for the Truman Scholarship and worked with Lowe in rewriting and perfecting the application. He considers Lowe to be a serious learner and someone who worked to understand things. “He was quiet but if he didn’t understand something or agree with it, he would speak up, and he would also listen because he realized he could learn things he didn’t understand. He wasn’t afraid to disagree or ask hard questions… but he also wasn’t afraid to change his mind if he saw that he should,” Muller said. “He also doesn’t just accept what he’s told. He has to be persuaded of it himself and so he really has to think things through,” he added. “That’s an impressive attribute and it’s something that makes him a pretty interesting personality because you can see his brain working.” During his senior year at Service High School, Lowe enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard, and he is also a cadet in the UAA Army ROTC program. Major David Cunningham, assistant professor of military science, mentioned a scholarship proposal as one of Lowe’s contribu-

tions that made him an active participant. Lowe had made efforts to recruit people and increase enrollment for the program by working with the Alaska National Guard Officer Association to help fund students’ education. Cunningham says Lowe’s success is “tremendous.” “I’m proud. I’m happy for him,” he said. “It says a lot about him. He’s a very smart kid.” Cadet Benjamin Mock is unsurprised that Lowe was chosen as an Alaskan Truman Scholar and considers Lowe a peer but also a friend outside of the ROTC program. “He’s somebody I enjoy having around because he challenges me intellectually,” Mock said. “I’ve never seen him slack on any occasion… If anything, he’s the role model cadet for other people to imitate,” he added. Even if Lowe hadn’t been chosen as a Truman Scholar, he still learned from the experience. In his time putting together the application, describing his vision and goals, he became a better writer. He says that his work with Muller taught him the importance of knowing how to write whether for graduate research or policymaking. Muller also considers the process to be extra work that pays off regardless of the student’s nomination. “It takes about as much effort to do a good application as having an extra college course, but it’s worth it. You learn a tremendous amount,” Muller said. “That’s true whether you get the scholarship or not.” “Just go for things... I put my foot forward and ended up getting it. Just try things out and don’t be afraid to fail,” Lowe said. After completing more military training in the future, Lowe hopes to attend the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

FEATURES

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

08 FEATURES

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FEATURES

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Accessible Wayfinding and Campus Navigation System comes to UAA

PHOTO BY SAM DAVENPORT

Disability Support Services will be moving from Rasmuson Hall, Room 105 to where the Confucius Institute was previously located, Suite 115.

By Katherine Irwin Contributor

Katherine Irwin is a senior at UAA, majoring in Journalism & Public Communications with a minor in art. Irwin also works at the DSS office as a student worker. Accessible Wayfinding and Campus Navigation System has made its way to UAA this summer and is starting the installation process. The University Technology Council awarded a grant to UAA’s Disability Support Services to receive AWCNS and install it on campus for the Blind/Visually Impaired individuals. However, it not only benefits the BVI but also everyone else as well. It is a program that is similar to Google Maps but is localized on the campus, navigating the users to classes and buildings in real-time audio feedback on a free app and website. Users are notified of the locations, directions and any potential hazards, not including moose, on their route by a digitized voice in the program. The technology includes Bluetooth iBeacons that are strategically placed throughout the campus and send information to the users’ app on their phone or mobile computer, guiding them where they want to go. The maps on the app have various BVI-friendly features that include highcontrast colors, large prints and audio feedback. Low-vision maps and tactile maps have been installed around the campus in key locations as well. The system is already in many airports worldwide, and BVI individuals use the app. In addition to the Wayfinding system on UAA main campus, two large metal maps of the campus with raised icons

will be set up in the UAA/APU Consortium Library and the new DSS office in Rasmuson Hall. The office will be moving from Rasmuson Hall, Room 105 to where the Confucius Institute was previously located, Suite 115. “UAA is a big campus; it is easy to get lost, whether sighted or not. It can get confusing. We do have signs on campus, but it is not enough. I hope the new system will help people — new students, current students, delivery drivers — to see the events,” Heather Swanson, DSS technology specialist, said. “I am excited, and I think it will bring more individuals to UAA,” Kelsy Tallant, a sophomore psychology student who identifies as a blind person, said. “This will be less confusing for blind people… and other individuals who get consumed, less confusing for them.” As part of the UAA 2020 goals, this system is leading UAA in implementing inclusive, innovative technology. Joe Cioffie, the CEO of ClickAndGo Wayfinding Maps, and Brian Li, project manager, visited UAA in July to record video, take measurements and create the system for the university. Cioffie says UAA is the first university of its scale to utilize AWCNS and is setting a new standard for universities across the nation. Several educational institutions have this type of technology and found it to be successful. “We are talking about student success. We meet all students and their success, right? So… having this app, it’s a great opportunity,” Ben Morton, Dean of Students, said. AWCNS is expected to be fully launched in spring of 2019 for use on campus. For more information on how AWCNS works, visit the youtube video at https:// youtu.be/5o7RKvHhXIA.

A&E

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

‘Catch & Release’ welcomes students back to campus at Hugh McPeck

PHOTO BY SAM DAVENPORT

“City Shakers” by Erin Cockreham is on display in the Hugh McPeck Gallery’s art installation, “Catch & Release.”

By Malia Barto

arts@thenorthernlight.org

Two UAA fine arts majors are sharing the Hugh McPeck Gallery’s space for its latest exhibit. Katherine Massong and Erin Cockreham have been working during the summer to create an exhibit of emotions through paintings and ceramics titled “Catch & Release.” For junior student Massong, “Catch & Release” was inspired

by the emotions that all humans experience and face through her art in watercolor. Her paintings are a mix of pictures displaying pain and peace, a depiction of “anguish” people experience and then the acceptance and release of those emotions. “Life is all about catching moments, whether joyful or sad, and then eventually releasing these emotions after a period of time. My hope is that my paintings represent this process of ‘catch and release,’” Massong said.

Massong has always loved art but didn’t consider pursuing it as a career until high school. Then, when it was time to start college, she started thinking more about pursuing fine arts as her major. This is her first exhibit. “I am thoroughly enjoying broadening my skills as an artist and growing in the use of different mediums,” Massong said. Cockreham is a senior at UAA majoring in art with a focus in ceramics. This will be her first art exhibit as well. “For me, personally, [Catch & Release] deals with my need to practice letting things go and a recognition of how far I’ve come [through] growing from traumatizing experiences in my personal life,” Cockreham wrote in an email. The two girls put together this show at the last minute after the spot in the gallery opened. They spent about two months creating and polishing up their art before it was time to put it on display for the student body to enjoy. “It’s difficult to explain, but learning to deal with the stress of putting a show together on the fly and dealing with all of the

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHERINE MASSONG

One of Katherine Massong’s paintings featured at the “Catch & Release” exhibit, open until Aug. 30.

things that went wrong along the way was probably the best part for me,” Cockreham said. The Hugh McPeck Gallery is located on the second floor of the Student Union, open Mon-

day through Thursday, 10 a.m. 5 p.m. There will be a reception for “Catch & Release,” on Aug. 27, 5 - 7 p.m., three days before the exhibit closes on the 30th.

A&E

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SPORTS

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Johnson, Davenport to lead volleyball team into 2018 season By Lauren Cuddihy sports@thenorthernlight.org

The Seawolves will be back in action this week with their first regular season game on Aug. 23. Prior to that, the Seawolves got back into the swing of things with the Seawolf Alumni game on Aug. 18. Last year, the team finished the season being knocked out of the NCAA West Regional Championships in the first round against Western Washington in November. That left them ranked at number three in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, tied with Central Washington. The success seen in the previous season was largely due to the starters, Casey Davenport, Vanessa Boyer, Tara Melton, Leah Swiss, Chrisalyn Johnson, Anais Vargas and Keala KaioPerez. A majority of them are not returning this season. Libero Kaio-Perez and outside hitter Vargas both graduated while other outside hitter Swiss announced she would not be returning in order to focus on school. Despite the losses, Boyer, Melton, Johnson and Davenport have returned. Head Coach Chris Green is glad to have them due to the familiarity of the players. “I think our players are smart, they know what is going to happen and I think because we’ve seen them and we adapt well, I

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOSEAWOLVES

The UAA volleyball team consists of new and old teammates, including Chrisalyn Johnson, Vanessa Boyer, Eve Stephens, Jalisa Ingram, Vera Pluharova, Tara Melton, Taylor Noga, Kreylynn Johnson, Katie Hoeffner, Talia Leauanae, Anjoilyn Vreeland, Casey Davenport, Hannah Pembroke, Ellen Floyd and Maggie Schlueter.

think that gives us a good shot,” Green said. Boyer, a middle blocker, comes back after boasting a .256 hitting percentage, good for 12th in GNAC. She was also third on the team in kills per set (1.65) and second in blocks (0.82). Melton, another middle blocker, also returns after a successful previous season; she was fourth on the team in kills per set (1.46) and attack percentage (.217). Melton also ranked 10th in GNAC with 0.97 blocks per set. The final two players returning from the previous starting team, Johnson and Davenport,

were recently named to the GNAC Preseason All-Conference Volleyball Team. Johnson, a 5-foot, 9-inch outside hitter, was one of the only players unanimously chosen. Out of the votes made by 11 head coaches in the league, Johnson and three others were the only ones to receive a unanimous vote. The upcoming senior was named honorable mention AllGreat Northwest Athletic Conference, GNAC Offensive Player of the Week, AVCA Div. II National Player of the Week and GNAC All-Academic Team. These awards came with

plenty of time and effort. She managed to rank No. 12 in GNAC for both points (3.05) and kills (3.55). The season bests went to help her school ranks; she finished up her junior season ranked 9th in kills per set and 14th in total kills (786). In addition to Johnson, Davenport also made the GNAC pre-season team. The previous GNAC Freshman of the Year was one of only three sophomores in the conference to be named to the team. Davenport stepped up less than one year ago after the departure of long-time and highly successful setter Morgan Hooe.

The Washington local helped the Seawolves get their 19-11 overall record by playing in all 122 sets, but it wasn’t until halfway through the season that she took over as primary setter. During her time as setter, Davenport averaged 10.06 assists, 0.94 kills and 3.34 digs. This year, she is the primary setter once again. Six freshman have joined the team and a seventh re-joins after redshirting last season. “We went with a youth movement in this year’s recruiting. With great experience coming back with seniors [Johnson, Noga, Melton] and [junior] Boyer, we think some of our newcomers can step in immediately and play effective complementary roles,” Green said. Talia Leauanae from Wailuku, HI, Hannah Pembroke from Chico, CA and Katie Hoeffner from Appleton, WI will all join as outside hitters. Maggie Schlueter is coming to UAA from Texas as a setter and defensive specialist. Ellen Floyd from Pensacola, FL is also joining as a setter. Kreylynn Johnson, a Ketchikan local who redshirted last season, is returning to play as a defensive specialist. Another Alaska local from Palmer, Eve Stephens, will join as a middle blocker. The team has been training for the majority of the summer and will be playing their first game against Western New Mexico on Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Alaska Airlines Center.

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16 SPORTS

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Greg Myford to start at UAA as athletics director

Following Tim McDiffett’s retirement, Myford hopes to guide and inspire students By Lauren Cuddihy sports@thenorthernlight.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOSEAWOLVES

Prior to his work at IMG College, Greg Myford dedicated his time to enhancing attendance, facility improvements and revenue generation at Penn State. He played a role on the External Relations team for over 10 years.

In early June, it was announced that Tim McDiffett, the previous interim athletic director, was set to retire this summer. Greg Myford was selected to be the new athletic director. Myford is coming to Alaska from Pennsylvania. “I am extremely grateful and humbled by the opportunity to serve the University of Alaska Anchorage and their Department of Athletics. It’s a special time to join the UAA community,” Myford said. Myford previously was employed by IMG College, the largest collegiate sports marketing company in the nation. Myford has provided expertise in multimedia rights agreements and corporate sponsorships for the past five years. Prior to his work at IMG College, Myford dedicated his time to enhancing attendance, facility improvements and revenue generation at Penn State. He played a role on the External Relations team for over 10 years. “I’m very excited to work with [UAA’s] department’s professional staff and coaches as we guide and support UAA Student-Athletes in their pursuit of excellence — academically, athletically and personally,” Myford said. Myford explained that he wouldn’t be in this position without the help of many other people. “The two people who have had the biggest impact on my life are two career educators that dedicated their entire lives to inspiring and guiding others… I am fortunate enough to call them mom and dad,” Myford said. His mother was an elementary school teacher and his father was a university professor. His parents instilled in him the importance of respect, hard work, dependability and a strong sense of family. These values he learned early in life are ones that he can bring into his career and use now that he is working

with and around college students. “I wanted to come to UAA for the opportunities for us to excel, to take the program to the next level, to partner and collaborate with our university leadership or athletic department staff, coaches and student athletes,” Myford said. In order to be successful at UAA, Myford is bringing with him three expectations that he is holding himself to meet. In addition, he hopes that his colleagues will aspire to the same goals. His first expectation is to be able to focus on the fundamentals and the basics. “One of the most important things is the educational mission of the university, followed by the health, safety, and overall well being of our students athletes,” Myford said. In addition, the staff and faculty in charge should have their own mission. Myford explained that it is important to him to help guide and inspire students, just as his parents helped guide him. This support, he explained, is important in all aspects such as through academics, athletics, or personal matters. Another expectation that Myford has coming into his position is the presence of professional management. “My goal is to strive for simple plans and processes, and we will embrace our best practices here at UAA and all the way across the industry,” Myford said. Myford explained that he wants himself and other university staff and faculty to be able to search for ways to do things better and more efficiently, while also keeping things simple. Myford’s third expectation that he is bringing with him to UAA is clear communication. The goals and expectations are something Myford hopes to be able to work towards long term. He explained that it won’t happen quick, but he is excited to put in the time and effort to see improvements.

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OPINION

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

How UAA can help fight Alaska’s rising STI rates

The university should do more to decrease the growing public health crisis

By Robert Hockema opinion@thenorthernlight.org

Alaska seems to be number one in everything lately. As of recent, we were ranked the most dangerous state in the U.S. We’re the state with the highest suicide rates and the most sexual crimes. As a state, we also place in the top tier of national rankings for sexually transmitted infections, particularly in transmissions of chlamydia and gonorrhea. Alaska also ranks highly in transmissions of syphilis, another common STI. That’s not likely to change anytime soon — a recent outbreak in gonorrhea and syphilis in Alaska com-

bined with a nationwide spike in STIs are looking to keep Alaska number one for the time being. Alaska’s recent STI outbreaks have quickly become a public health crisis. Gonorrhea transmissions rose 31 percent between 2015-2016, causing the Alaska Section of Epidemiology to alert the public of a statewide outbreak in 2017. The Alaska Public Health Advisory issued a similar alert in 2018 for syphilis, as cases in the first three months of 2018 already roughly match reported cases in each year from 2015-2017. High rates of STIs are not unique to Alaska. As a state, we’re leading a nationwide rise in transmissions. More than two million cases of gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia were reported in the U.S. in 2016, the most cases ever reported, according to a 2016 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A couple of things help explain the recent spike. For one, the proliferation of hookup apps like Tinder and Grindr have made sex far more readily available. It’s also made sex more anonymous, which complicates STI prevention. Not knowing

your sexual partner’s contact information after you test positive for an STI makes it more difficult to track them down and let them know that they’ve possibly contracted one too, allowing infections to spread more easily. Another contributing factor is cuts in public funding for STI prevention and sex education. Since 2008, there are 50,000 fewer public health jobs in the U.S., and federal funding that keeps the doors of STI testing clinics open have become even less of a priority under the Trump administration. Moreover, state crackdowns on organizations like Planned Parenthood have reduced resources that help fight the spread of STIs. What’s this all got to do with UAA? The vast majority of increased STIs are among college-age populations. This is important because college students experience a great deal of sexual freedom in college, where they often have some of their first sexual experiences. Young students unequipped with knowledge about safe sex combined with rising STI rates spells danger for the state, making our universities well-placed to help stem the crisis. Specifi-

cally, there are a few things that UAA can do to slow the rate of STI transmissions. The first thing UAA should do is make comprehensive sex education a mandatory education requirement for incoming freshmen. Most students in Alaska enter college with very little formal sex education, thanks to poor state policies that make it harder to educate K-12 students. That means students begin university with a poor understanding of how to prevent STIs. In lieu of classes, students often receive their education from friends, the internet and other unreliable sources. Building a mandatory semester-long, 3-credit class teaching the basics of sex education into the university’s curriculum would equip students with the knowledge they need to protect themselves, while teaching them the importance of consent and healthy relationships. Much like rudimentary classes such as science and philosophy, sex education should also be a part of our basic education. UAA should also help the Student Health and Counseling Center hold classes on STI prevention around campus. Collab-

orating with Residence Life to hold them in the Gorsuch Commons or hall lounges would go a long way towards spreading educational resources. Lastly, UAA should install access to prevention methods across campus. Residential campus would particularly benefit from condom dispensers in all the halls, as well as in nearby buildings like the Commons. Bathrooms in hubs like the Social Sciences Building and Cuddy Hall could also serve as locations for dispensers. The most obvious objection to these solutions is the cost. Quality dispensers often run more than $100, condoms must be routinely replaced and a class would create extra costs for the university. However, the benefits of slowing the outbreak undoubtedly outweighs the costs. Left untreated, STIs like syphilis and gonorrhea can trigger health risks down the road that burden students with medical problems, possibly forcing them to leave school or drop out to deal with them. That provides UAA with both an incentive — and a duty — to give students the tools they need to stay educated and safe.

No complaints By Keon Hee Jang Contributor

Keon Hee Jang is a civil engineering student at UAA and a Resource Assistant at the Student Union Info Desk. Students can’t complain that tuition is too expensive at UAA unless they get to know what it offers for them. I have been attending schools in the Philippines since I was 15 and spent around seven years there. During seven years of studying, my standard of educational institutes changed into the Philippines system which charged me miscellaneous fees such as Xerox fees and paper fees for materials. My jaw dropped when I got to know about the huge number of free services that UAA offers. We know that our tuition is several thousands of dollars for a semester; however, students often don’t know where this money goes even if students have looked into their tuition details. There are many advantages that you can have for just being a student. A Wolfcard is your student ID at UAA which is required for

students to have; however, the benefits of this card are not commonly known. The card gives you free barbecue, free access to UAA sports games, free laptop rentals, free public transportation and more. Additionally, the Student Union Information Desk is open for duty, not only to provide information, but also to run lost and found and to rent gear from the gear room. Did you also know that Microsoft offers students Office software for free? Word, Powerpoint, OneNote and Excel are open for you. The license continues until the last day of class. If you are interested in shopping, Amazon Student is here to help. Amazon offers its Prime Membership for free for 6 months. Prime Membership includes free 2-day shipping on over 50 million items and video streaming of millions of movies and TV shows. UAA has prepared a lot of features for students. In my opinion, it is our duty to abuse the system since they prepared a lot with our tuition money otherwise. It is a waste that will only be thrown into the garbage.

CONTACT

THENORTHERNLIGHT

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

A message from the Student Body President are thrilled about the beginning of the semester. I, Geser Bat-Erdene, along with Clare Baldwin will be serving as the USUAA leadership for this academic year. We are a student-led governing body that aims to provide services for you. This summer, we have been busy meeting with members of the administration, faculty and community to discuss our main goals for the upcoming year. In the past, USUAA has successfully advocated for initiatives such as a sustainable university budget, continuation of Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS), Alaska Education Grant (AEG) and the increase of student worker pay. In the 2018-2019 academic year, we will focus on: Dear Seawolves, The time has come when you feel the excitement of meeting new people, facing new challenges and getting closer to your goals. Here at USUAA, Union of Students of the University of Alaska Anchorage, we

• Advancing the culture of Title IX • Increasing transparency in the student fees review cycle • Promoting awareness of food insecurity and homelessness

Upcoming events: • Sept. 20, 2018 - Red Zone Launch Party • Sept. 27, 2018 - UAA Career Networking Night • Oct. 5, 2018 - USUAA Homecoming Dance - Carnival USUAA is thrilled to welcome new Chancellor Cathy Sandeen, and we are excited to be working closely with her in the future. If you are you interested in joining USUAA, there are currently open senator and delegate seats, as well as open positions on a number of boards and committees across campus. Find more information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or at usuaa.org to stay up to date with what is happening. Sincerely, Geser Bat-Erdene UAA Student Body President (907) 786-1206 usuaa.president@alaska.edu

A S S O C I AT E D CO L L E G I AT E P R ES S The Northern Light is a proud member of the Associated Collegiate Press. The Northern Light is a weekly UAA publication funded by student fees and advertising sales. The editors and writers of The Northern Light are solely responsible for its contents. Circulation is 2,500. The University of Alaska Anchorage provides equal education and employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, Vietnam-era or disabled-veteran status, physical or mental disability, changes in marital status, pregnancy or parenthood. The views expressed in the opinion section do not necessarily reflect the views of UAA or the Northern Light.

N OT I C E O F N O N D I S C R I M I N AT I O N The University of Alaska is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educational institution. The University of Alaska does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, physical or mental disability, status as a protected veteran, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, parenthood, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, or other legally protected status. The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination, including against sex discrimination, applies to students, employees, and applicants for admission and employment. Contact information, applicable laws, and complaint procedures are included on UA’s statement of nondiscrimination available at www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

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